Laws Against Our Rights
Dear Editor:
I wonder how many of your readers remember in 2014 the Senate voted down, by a vote of 53-46, a UN Arms Trade Agreement that, if passed, would have allowed our government, required by the agreement, to register and eventually take guns from all citizens denying us our 2nd Amendment right.
Of the 46 who voted in favor of the agreement, 45 were Democrats and one was an independent. That independent, by the way, is presently running for president. I recently received a notice from the National Association for Gun Rights regarding activities presently being taken by global gun control advocates regarding this UN Agreement claiming that it’s an international law and the United States must comply even without Senate ratification and the present administration has refused to finalize the needed legal review for transmission of the Treaty Agreement to the Senate, denying us the chance to preserve our 2nd Amendment rights.
While this is going on nationally, we have here in Maryland six anti-gun bills being considered by our legislators that have nothing to do with preventing criminals from obtaining or using illegally possessed gun but will effect private ownership and use of various type of legally purchased guns. The Bills are as follows:
House Bill 692: Criminalizing the transfer of long guns instead of requiring a dealer to process the transfer.
House Bill 703: Would redefine firearms to include antique and replicas that are used for hunting and recreational shooting.
House Bill 879 and Senate Bill 742: Would ban “imitation or replica firearms.” It would also ban BB guns and pellet guns.
House Bill 1002 and Senate Bill 906: Would ban carrying of firearms by law abiding citizens with carry permits on college campuses disallowing college administration the right to set policy.
House Bill 1000: Would remove the right of due process of those put on “a terror watch list” when they have no idea how they were added.
House Bill 542: Would affect ownership of legally-acquired historical firearms that contain legal ivory.
I have to ask the question why are our legislators spending their time and our money working on such non-essential bills? As far as I can see there can by only one reason- “to further restrict private ownership of guns.” I leave it up to each of you who read this letter to come to your own conclusion. Understand, however, if government, at any level, can require us to give up our right to ownership of guns they can then have complete control over our lives. I can’t give them that right and I hope you won’t either.
Paul St. Andre
Ocean City
Poison Warnings for Pets
Dear Editor:
In light of National Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26), make sure that your animal companions are safe from these common poisons that lurk around our homes.
More than 700 plants are toxic to animals, including tulip and daffodil bulbs, sago palms, lilies, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Poisonous mushrooms can pop up in lawns overnight, and cocoa mulch and many fertilizers are also toxic. Protect your animals by keeping these plants and substances out of your home and yard and by keeping animals indoors and closely supervised when they are outside.
Many foods that are harmless to humans can sicken or even kill cats and dogs, including chocolate, coffee, alcohol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, and bread dough. Xylitol, a sweetener often used in toothpaste, gum, and mints, is extremely toxic to animals, as are many common medications and vitamins. Store these items out of animals’ reach and where they can’t be knocked down, and make sure that children and guests know not to give them to animals.
If you suspect that your animal has been poisoned, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855)764-7661 immediately. Visit www.PETA.org for more ways to keep animals safe.
Lindsay Pollard-Post
Norfolk, Va.
Thanks for Birthday Wishes
Dear Editor:
Words cannot describe how grateful I am for all the attention and kindness showered on me for my 90th birthday. Never could have I imagined all the honors and outpouring of affectionate that was bestowed on me. Thank you for sending all the beautiful cards and flowers the lovely sentiments expressed in them.
Living in Ocean Pines and its surrounding area has always been a joy for me. My late husband Carl and I have lived in many states and communities throughout our lifetime, but nowhere have we met such dear, civic minded, outgoing people than here on the eastern shore. After moving here it didn’t take Carl and I long to know that this was home.
In my varied endeavors through the years I have had the privilege of working with so many terrific, outgoing people that have made a difference in their communities- and I am grateful to be able to call them friends.
Although my years may be many, my spirit is high and I shall continue to work together with all the community to keep our area a place that we can all proudly call home. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and may God bless you all. Love
Anna Foultz.
Ocean Pines
Thank a Farmer
Dear Editor:
March 15 is National Agriculture Day and Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed March 13-19, 2016, Maryland Agriculture Week to recognize the importance of agriculture to our economy and consumers.
I want to take this opportunity to both thank those who are actively involved in advancing this important industry and to invite others to learn a bit more about what we do. There are more than 12,000 farms in Maryland. Some raise livestock and horses, some raise vegetables, produce or grains, others raise nursery stock.
Most Americans are two or three generations removed from the farm and too many believe food comes from a grocery store. Far too many people are unaware of the role of American agriculture in their daily lives. Too few know that agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of life- food, fiber, clothing, and shelter.
American farmers are working harder than ever, and it shows. Today, each American farmer feeds more than 144 people. And the need for food produced in the United States is dramatic. Agriculture is our nation’s number one export and vitally important in sustaining a healthy economy.
And it’s not just the farmer who makes our food possible. The entire agriculture industry from the farm fields to the grocery stores serves as vital links in a chain that brings food to every citizen and millions of people abroad. Frankly, it’s easy to take agriculture for granted in America. Our food is accessible, affordable and safe. Ag Day is a good time to reflect – and be grateful for – American agriculture.
I urge those of you in the industry to toot your own horn this week and tell people what you do. For those who have never been on a farm, please reach out and seek out farmers and let us tell you about our farms and our work. To find a farmer near you, visit www.MarylandsBest.net. Let us all work together to protect and grow this industry that is so critical to our quality of life.
Joe Bartenfelder
Secretary, Maryland Department of Agriculture
Celebrating Spring
Dear Editor:
After another winter of severe snowstorms and floods, I look forward to March 20th, first day of spring, balmy weather, and blooming flowers.
Hundreds of communities welcome spring with an observance of Great
American Meatout, asking neighbors to explore a healthy, compassionate
diet of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains. Indeed, 56-percent of respondents to a Global Meat News poll said that they were
or are reducing meat intake. U.S. per capita red meat consumption has
dropped by more than 16-percent since 1999.
Mainstream publications like Parade, Better Homes and Gardens, and
Eating Well are touting vegan recipes. Even the financial investment community is betting on plant-based meat start-ups, like Beyond Meat or
Impossible Foods, while warning clients about the upcoming “death of
meat.”
The reasons are ample. Last year, the World Health Organization found
cancer to be associated with consumption of processed meats. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended reduced meat consumption. The
media keeps exposing atrocities perpetrated on factory farms. And,
animal agriculture remains chief contributor to climate change and water scarcity and pollution.
Each of us should celebrate our own advent of spring by checking out
plant-based foods at our supermarkets and vegan recipes on the internet.
Owen Mast
Ocean City
Keep an Eye on Highway Bill
Dear Editor:
Who thinks it’s a good idea to concentrate most of Maryland’s transportation dollars in the Washington suburbs? Will you feel safer on our roads and bridges because D.C. will have another subway station elevator or light rail line? Do you think we should wait longer for an upgrade of Route 589 or the completion of 113?
That will be the situation if the Maryland legislature goes along with HB 1013 which strips Governor Hogan of his transportation authority. The bill supposedly removes politics from the assignment of tax dollars to transportation projects, but will expand public mass transit which is used by a small percentage (less than 10%) of the state’s citizens in the D.C. metropolitan area at the expense of road projects used by many in the suburbs and rural parts of the State. This bill chooses to do social engineering, rewarding the commuter who uses mass transit and punishes the citizens of the state who must rely on safe roads and bridges to get to their destinations. The tax dollars used come from the entire state and each jurisdiction should be able to request consideration of the projects it feels are a priority and be an equitable part of the distribution of funds. Governor Hogan is looking at the State as a whole and wants safe roads and bridges for all. This bill is meant to undermine his power and replace it with patronage from the legislature.
Gloria Moyer
Ocean Pines