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GOP forsakes decency for political gain

Republicans are trying to distance themselves from Donald Trump because he does not reflect their “values.” That is so far from the truth.

Case in point: The FBI on Monday released an edited transcript of phone calls made by the Orlando madman and the authorities. The FBI explained that out of respect to the victims, the wounded and their families, they would not print the killer’s rants and praises of ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The transcript would contain only vital information concerning the interaction between the law and the murderer.

Not good enough for the Republicans. To hell with the families. To hell with reverence for the dead. They wanted to read the worship-filled tirades of a psychopath. Why? They hope to get one little piece out it that they could use politically.

And just as Mr. Trump has made clear, isn’t political gain more important than decency?

Randall Buie

Henderson

Matter of priorities

Monday’s front-page headline suggesting Donald Trump wants to use “racial” profiling is false. Muslims are not a race.

If law enforcement officers are going to catch radical Muslim terrorists before they kill more American citizens — of any race or religion — why should they be wasting their time checking out people in every other group, such as Native Americans? Their time would be better served watching people who have migrated here from areas or countries where the people believe in “honor” killings and prosecute woman for adultery who have been raped.

Steve Oakes

North Las Vegas

Gun laws

I have had my fill of letters to the editor promising dire consequences if any comprehensive gun legislation is enacted. Why does it have to be an attack on the Constitution to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people?

I do agree that it seems violent gun attacks on the public are happening with more frequency. I just don’t think that arming every man, woman and child will prevent this from happening. I also agree that most of the “bad guys” don’t get guns legally.

But why is a “smart gun” or “smart lock” such a threat to the NRA? Wouldn’t you be able to keep your gun at hand and not worry about your children or grandchildren accidentally killing themselves?

I am also more than a little confused by the claim that more comprehensive background checks will keep “law-abiding” citizens from buying guns. If they are law abiding, how could passing a background check be a problem?

I hope that we can at least agree on one thing: People with a mental illness should not be able to purchase guns.

So count me as a “law-abiding” citizen who believes that keeping guns out of the hands of some people is a good thing. Doing nothing to protect our citizens from gun violence should be unconstitutional.

Patricia Fruge

Las Vegas

Great Scott

Las Vegas native Scott Piercy deserves kudos from our community for his golfing achievements, highlighted by his tie for second place in the recent U.S. Open. Scott and his family are wonderful examples of the quality people that Las Vegas continues to produce.

Those who play and love the game of golf know how difficult it is to qualify for the PGA Tour. Scott has been a professional since 2001, and we all should salute him for his 15-year career. He continues at the highest level in his sport, currently ranked as the 43rd best player in the world.

Well done, Scott, and keep doing your family and your community proud.

Peter Bernhard

Las Vegas

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