Never say never when it comes to self defense

In his Sunday column, “Fiore’s firearm folly,” Steve Sebelius repeatedly admonishes his readers to never point a firearm at a police officer. He implies that only crazed, deranged or suicidal persons would ever consider pointing a firearm at police.

On its face, this seems like sound advice. But history is rife with examples of when pointing a firearm at police is not only justified, but legal and moral.

During the Nazi occupation of Europe, millions of Jews, communists, gypsies, homosexuals and others were rounded up at gunpoint to be sent to their deaths in concentration camps. Yet Mr. Sebelius says pointing a firearm at these Stastspolezei must “never” be done.

When the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms raided the Branch Davidian compound near Waco and fired indiscriminately into a plywood-walled structure in which men, women, children and elderly were living, would Mr Sebelius have told the residents to “never” point a firearm at police as he dodged hundreds of rounds from federal agents?

Interesting that a Texas jury later acquitted those Branch Davidians of not only pointing their firearms at the BATF agents during the assault, but of murder charges. That jury understood that no matter who is posing a mortal threat to you, you have a God-given right to self defense when you are not acting violently or dangerously.

Maybe Mr Sebelius should revisit the meaning of the word “never.”

Mark Delbridge

Las Vegas

Public money

As a resident of Las Vegas for more than 20 years and proud of its independent western sensibility, I am shocked by the proposed public component ($750 million) of the proposed new stadium. The recent opening and success of T-Mobile Arena clearly demonstrates Las Vegas’s ability to privately fund such endeavors.

It is inappropriate for the public to partner with for-profit organizations in ventures structured primarily for private investor benefit. If the project does not serve some overall public good — such as roads, schools or general-access parks — there is no need to publicly fund.

Funds or programs approved by voters for economic development are of course appropriate. However, do not support a tax investment for a project that can be easily built by local corporations and businessmen. Let the government focus on the need for better infrastructure around the new stadium.

Thomas S. Delio

Las Vegas

Stealth campaign

I can’t thank the Review-Journal enough for the 2016 Voter Guide. It was very informative.

For example, I had no idea that Kerry Bowers, running as a Republican in the 3rd Congressional District, is a “former Republican presidential candidate.” I was stunned to learn this when I read his political ad on page 48 of the guide. As someone who has followed presidential politics closely since the 1960 election, and as a teacher of U.S. history and government for 31 years, I was embarrassed that I had completely forgotten about that election — whenever it was.

I can only assume that Mr. Bowers lost that election. If not, then I’m really, really going to be embarrassed.

Terry Cox

Henderson

Presidential timber

Hillary Clinton says Donald Trump is not qualified to be president. Yet as secretary of state and as a senator, she has been involved in classified material for many years and doesn’t know when it is or should be classified.

Mrs. Clinton is supposed to be a great policymaker. Really? She says Bill Clinton will be in charge of bringing new jobs to the United States. But isn’t he the one who gave us NAFTA? Many workers lost all they had and fell on hard times. Now that’s “fighting for you.”

Hillary Clinton points a finger at anyone about “qualifications”? Are we, as a people, that naive? Let’s hope not.

Gerald Phillips

North Las Vegas