To the Editor:
Bonjour, my fellow citizens of Creston. I wish to share with you a few things that should prove to be most informative and illuminating, so “damn the torpedoes, and full speed ahead!”
During these troubling and difficult times in this post-9-11 world, it is imperative to be optimistic and to have faith in a higher power, because it seems as that there is too much pessimism, anger, cynicism, greed and not enough happiness in today’s society. I believe if every man, woman and child on Earth were to think positively, mountains could be moved, simply by sheer force of will. You would be surprised by how powerful the human mind can be when it is properly harnessed. I also draw inspiration from my favourite TV series, Touched by an Angel, which airs every weekday at 1 p.m. on channel 49. It is such an uplifting, hopeful, sentimental and emotional program that I am actually moved to tears!
To conclude my letter on something completely different, I must confess that I am somewhat of a military enthusiast, and a wee bit of a historian on the subject — especially when it comes to aircraft of the Second World War right up to today’s jet fighters and bombers that I have seen at air shows here in Canada and the United States during the past 30-odd years.
I’m also quite good at shooting various shotguns, rifles and handguns, despite the fact I’ve never served in the Armed Forces nor own firearms of any kind. Personally, I believe in the right to keep and bear arms, for defensive purposes only, in the interest of national security, as well as for hunting (as a means of obtaining food) and target shooting.
However, I want to be absolutely clear that guns are to be handled safely and responsibly, and treated with the utmost respect. That is why whenever someone commits a violent crime with a gun, especially when innocent lives are taken, that person should receive an automatic life sentence, in solitary confinement, because that’s not what firearms are used for — end of story!
Take care, everyone, and I will write my next letter in December, just in time for Christmas — so until then, may the Lord and his angels always watch over you.
Creston