By Jim Irvine

I have received several comments since I was quoted in the Toledo Blade calling Senator Mike DeWine (RINO) “one of the few politicians who I can’t respect as a man.” Some fellow Republicans are upset that I have proclaimed that I will not vote for him, but many more are echoing my concerns.

The story is about the Governors' race, where both Ken Blackwell (R) and Ted Strickland (D) strongly support your right to own and shoot guns, and the U.S. Senate race where neither DeWine nor Sherrod Brown (D) acknowledge your right to self-defense or the tools needed to survive a criminal attack. This is a shameful stand on its own, but particularly hypocritical for DeWine, who claims to be “pro-life.” This is a well-written article and I encourage you to click here
to read Jim Tankersley’s story.

From the Republican Party’s perspective, which is concerned with retaining control of the U.S. Senate, the “R” beside DeWine’s name on the ballot is all a Republican voter should need. The party, like the Democratic Party, cares about power and control, but the voter’s tend to care about things like issues and principles, and even values. There are some good reasons to vote for DeWine, but from my perspective, there are more compelling reasons not to.

In a 2000 letter to me, DeWine stated:

I consistently have supported measures that would not impede a law-abiding citizen’s ability to acquire and own a firearm, while weighing the concerns of law enforcement officers and others who deal with gun violence.

I’ve got news for DeWine; those who are robbed, beaten, raped or murdered by a criminal are forced to “deal with gun violence.” So are the family members left trying to pick up the pieces. DeWine has been working hard to render these people helpless victims. I’ve been working hard to enable them to be survivors. And I want every survivor to be a winner in a deadly confrontation. Survivors go to the hospital after the attack; winners go home to their families, or perhaps to jail if DeWine had his way. Clearly, DeWine and I have differing agendas, but we also have different core values.

Click on 'Read More' for the entire commentary.

By Larry S. Moore

The accidental shooting of a 5-year old Xenia boy is tragic. We can certainly give thanks that it was not fatal. While firearms accidents are declining, it hits home when it is in our community - our children. Statistics are meaningless if it is your child that is injured.

The tragic part, in addition to the wounding of the boy and emotional concerns for both youngsters, is that such accidents are easily preventable. We know that not all people are responsible, not all parents are responsible, and therefore, not all gun owners are responsible.

Click on 'Read More' for the full commentary.