Saturday, October 6, 2018

GUN LAWS: IMAGINATION AND INITIATIVE



Sensible gun laws are being adopted in a number of localities. Here are a couple of examples:

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY

Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City, New Jersey used the city’s police department’s need to buy $350,000 in firearms and ammunition as a way to influence gun suppliers. To bid on the contract, the companies had to explain what they do with old weapons and how they comply with federal and state background check laws.
The mayor’s policy was meant to encourage the private sector to clamp down on both illegal and straw purchases, both of which are major ways criminals get guns.

PEACE FELLOWSHIP

Richmond, California has implemented a plan to curb gun violence that looks at the individuals, not the weapons, to find a solution. DeVonne Boggan, director of neighborhood safety for the city, believes the solution is to find ways to convince young men not to pick up guns in the first place; not to turn to firearms to solve their problems.

Here is how it works. Boggan’s office identifies young men who are suspected of being involved in a shooting, but who have not been charged or convicted. He invites them to join “The Peace Fellowship Program.”

The program involves a team of older neighbor residents who coach the young men in setting goals and the steps they need to take to achieve them. These goals range from getting driver’s licenses to applying for college.

Boggan’s program to end gun violence began in 2007 and as of July 2014 had recruited 68 peace fellows. Twenty-five of these young men have completed the fifteen-month program. Fifty-seven have avoided being charged with a firearm assault since joining and all but three are still alive.

The program’s perks include trips abroad to Cape Town and Dubai and cash awards for staying in the program for more than six months.

The Peace Fellowship Program appears to have had real success. In January 2014, the police department announced that Richmond had the lowest number of homicides in three decades. (To be continued)


Monday, October 1, 2018

CONGRESS WITTMAN: STAND UP AND BE COUNTED




            With all the hoopla surrounding the sexual harassment charges against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, another sex scandal is bubbling.

            The molestation of young men from the 1970s to the 1990s by an Ohio State doctor is growing exponentially. FOX news reported on July 3rd, that more than 150 young men now claim they were sexual assaulted by one of the athletic department’s team doctors. Subsequently the media reported eight lawsuits have been filed.

            FOX news also reported two victims said have said publicly they told then-assistant wrestling coach Jordan about the alleged abuses by Dr. Richard Strauss, the team’s doctor.  FOX added there are indications Jordan was repeatedly told of the assaults.

            Congressman Jordan did nothing—putting his career ahead of the health, safety, and well being of young men.

            Jordan asserts this is a liberal plot to ruin his career. That is about as lame as saying the dog ate my homework, or a lightening strike is part of a liberal plot to mess with the weather.

            If Democrats criticize Jordan, they play in to his hands. Jordan would say, “I told you so, the liberals are out to get me.” Republicans need to hold him accountable.

            Jordan wants to be Speaker of the House. Congressman Wittman, is he the type of Republican you want in one of the highest positions in this country? Congress Wittman, please take the lead in urging Jordan to step aside from all his committee positions until the truth is known. Others have been suspended or resigned—e.g. Ohio State forced its football coach to sit out three games as punishment for not taking action when confronted with reports of spousal abuse by an assistant coach. Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota) resigned over a sex sandal.