A logical consequence

of too many guns?

The National Rifle Association argues we need more, not fewer, guns to be safe.

They would have us believe that only a "good guy with a gun" can stop a " bad guy with a gun."

So what are we to do when a "good guy with a gun" shoots another "good guy with a gun?" Isnt that a logical consequence of too many guns?

Richard W. Rew, Austin

Not wearing a mask and

complicit in her demise

Re: Aug. 5 article, "Too many are selfish: U.S. nears 5 million cases."

Quoting from the Aug. 5 article, Veronica Fritz said, "I won't wear a mask unless I absolutely have to," and "... I believe God will take me where I'm supposed to go. So if I get COVID and I die from COVID, it's not my decision."

Really? Isn't she complicit in her demise with this line of thinking? And, those she will take with her when she goes may have other plans. James 4:17 states, "If you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil".

Jeri Porter, West Lake Hills

Investigation should

extend beyond antifa

Sen. Cruz,

I understand you (held) a hearing on the alleged "antifa" agitators infiltrating the Black Lives Matter protests. Antifa stands for "anti-fascist," so I hope that you will also investigate:

* White supremacists such as the "Umbrella Man" vandalizing property during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis, falsely blamed on "antifa."

* The Lafayette Square assault by federal agents.

* Federal agents in camouflage uniforms dispatched to cities run by mayors of the opposing political party, without their request, to intimidate citizens exercising their First Amendment rights and forcibly detaining citizens in unmarked vehicles.

* A lack of similar action toward armed protesters shouting to be allowed onto the House floor during a protest at the Michigan state Capitol against the states COVID-19 safety measures.

Will historians be called to testify, comparing these actions to those of fascist groups that toppled democracies in Germany, Italy and Argentina in the past century?

Bill Reiner, Austin

Like an old-style duel, but

random and anonymous

Regarding the Black Lives Matter killing, Austin police union president (Ken) Casaday tweeted that (Garrett) Foster "was looking for confrontation and he found it." Actually, that might be said of both men.

Texas allows men to legally carry their guns into some emotionally charged situations and encounter other armed men with opposing views. There, someone who believes he sees a threatening gesture, can kill, claim self-defense and expect to be held blameless. Its just like an old-fashioned duel, only more random and anonymous. I wonder what civilized people would think of such an arrangement.

Thomas Barbour, Austin

Just the extreme chaos

the Russians were after

Love conspiracy theories? Trump is the most obvious one. Did you read the Mueller report? Of course not, why bother with factual investigations! The Russians used bots to divide our country even more than it already was, creating chaos with misinformation. Whether wittingly or not, Trump has greatly assisted that goal. Is it really that hard to see, folks?

He sucks up to Putin and alienates our allies, denies science, panders to racists and lies with every breath he takes while doing nothing about COVID-19 except trying to con you believers into voting for him again. Now we have the extreme chaos that Russia wanted and an upcoming election that he will undoubtedly contest.

Putin's stooge has excelled at his task, dooming this country and every democracy in the world if elected again. Read "The Manchurian Candidate." Makes for a great conspiracy theory.

Steve Donovan, Austin

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Letters to the editor: August 8, 2020 - Opinion - Austin American-Statesman