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Letters, 12/13: Prevent next suicide gunman

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Thursday, Dec 13, 2007 - 12:03:25 am CST

As a licensed mental-health professional working in the public sector (30-plus years) and a member of a gun club (lest you dismiss me as one of those “gun control nuts”), I believe I represent a fairly balanced perspective regarding major mental illness and violence.

As a treatment provider, I see people with major mental illnesses not get medication they need (they can’t afford it) which causes inpatient stays (which end too soon because the insurance company stops payment) and leaves them on waiting lists for community-based services (there is not enough money to meet everyone’s needs).

Frankly, I’m amazed we don’t see more violent outbursts than we do, given the number of threats I see on a weekly basis.

The news account of the tragic Robert Hawkins situation is fascinating in the content and volume of questions we all ask in the aftermath. However, I have questions I’m not seeing in the news.

Why is an insurance company allowed to refuse to pay for treatment after a few months?  Was his condition cured? Why do parents have to make their children a “ward of the state” to get ongoing care for them? How loved and cared for did that make Robert Hawkins feel? How can corporate insurance companies, hospitals, and medical supply companies continue to rake in profits and not be held accountable for the outcomes? Why do we continue to allow assault weapons on the market which leave competent law enforcement agents vulnerable?

These questions come too late for the tragedy in Omaha, but if we get started and really work on them now, maybe we could prevent the next Robert Hawkins situation.

Carol Dvorak Petersen, Lincoln

Obermeyer cartoon shocking

I, on many occasions, have been disappointed with the editorial cartoons of Neal Obermeyer. While reading my Sunday, Dec. 9, newspaper, that disappointment was replaced with pure shock.

The lack of sensitivity, compassion and respect for the victims’ families, their friends and their coworkers was not only distasteful but blatantly irresponsible.

As we Nebraskans attempt to face the reality that there are those among us that wish to do us harm, the last thing we need in our time of mourning and understanding is the cold slap of a humorless and senseless editorial cartoon.

I am shocked not only by the meaningless scribbling of Obermeyer but equally as shocked by the editorial staff that allowed this trash to be printed.

I personally expect more from Lincoln’s only printed news source.

Ken R. Svoboda, Lincoln

Hope for future generations

The red buckets and ringing bells of the Salvation Army create an opportunity for all of us.

As parents and grandparents we demonstrate economic principles of spending, saving and sharing to the young people in our lives. When our 2½-year-old granddaughter saw the bucket and bell ringers for the first time, I told her the buckets and the money in them were for children who did not have the food, toys and the warm house she enjoys. Now when she sees the Salvation Army bucket, she says, “Money for the kids, Nana,” as she runs to put her contribution in the bucket.

My husband and I were bell ringers last Saturday afternoon. On a very chilly day, our hearts were warmed by the generosity of all the shoppers, but particularly by the young children who put their coins and dollar bills in the bucket, obviously coached by parents teaching them the value of sharing.

I cherish the hope for future generations filled with generous givers which can begin with the small gesture of coins and bills in buckets for the people served by the Salvation Army.

Nancy Fuchs, Lincoln

Nation reaping what it sowed

Many people are wondering what is happening with all these shootings, as if it were something strange.

We are now in the third generation since God and morals have been removed from the schools and most of other public affairs. We are just reaping what has been sown.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

Bill Wiseman, Lincoln

County best State Fair choice

Here is my two bits worth in the present struggle to move the State Fair. I believe the State Fair would be in the best interests of all concerned, who will make the fair attractive to events throughout the year, if it is moved and developed next to the Lancaster Event Center at 84th Street and Havelock Avenue. The reasons are, in my thinking, the most valid.

1. The fairgrounds need to be available for events throughout the year, for possible conventions and other business attractions, just like it is now, and at the Lancaster Event Center.  This is making the most economical and best use of the facilities.  Lincoln is a central hub for conventions in the state, and will be more so in the future as businesses multiply in the capital.  These need such a grounds to carry out their public awareness, and promote their products.

2. The connection to the focus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln needs to be considered in the move. UNL needs to continue to promote agriculture and business-related research through the State Fair, and having the fair in the same city will serve to further that focus. It has in the past, and it should in the future. Ag business is a big topic in Nebraska, and UNL is directly concerned with promoting such.  The proximity of the state fairgrounds will enable that to happen.

3. The argument for having the State Fair accessible via Interstate 80 is one of the reasons for wanting to move the fairgrounds to Grand Island or Kearney or North Platte. The same argument holds for Lincoln. And Lincoln affords fair participants, such as business personnel with headquarters outside of Nebraska, to arrive and depart easily because of the airport. This cannot be said of locations away from the capital!

4. The move to land adjacent to the Lancaster Event Center will be less costly and more cost-efficient in the long run.

Robert Overstreet, Lincoln


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Scott wrote on December 13, 2007 12:23 am:
" Thank you, Carol, for asking those questions that needed to be asked. I hope that they get answered sooner than later. "
Jared wrote on December 13, 2007 5:25 am:
" Ken Svoboda, all Neal Obermeyer did with his cartoon was post the actions of the news crews in a different light. Given that the Journal Star is the only print voice of Lincoln, they need to open themselves to internal mockery. Neal provides that necessary service. The LJS really needs good competition. "
Vested Czech wrote on December 13, 2007 6:00 am:
" Carol Dvorak Petersen makes some excellent points. Certain small town newspapers need to be asking these questions rather than advocating that everyone carry a concealed weapon. "
db wrote on December 13, 2007 6:08 am:
" Robert 1. Currently the fairgrounds are available for events every of the year at their current location. You can rent any of the buildings there at any time and they are used often. 2. The focus of the University will not be diminished if they do not take over the fair grounds. 40 years ago, the vision of the University was to expand east between Vine and Holdrege and eventually connect to the East campus. That could still be done and would be more beneficial to the University and the city overall than using the fairgrounds. 3. The State Fair is currently easily accessable via I-80. Also, Lincoln has the motel, camping space needed for the vendors, exhibitors and fair goers. Grand Island, Kearney or other cities further west don't have the space. 4. How can that be true? The state currently owns the land where it currently is and has all the infrastructure intact. If it is moved, all that would have to be put in at great expense. Let's keep the fair where it is but move the football program out west so fans out west can attend. I'm sick and tired of all the whining about the team and all the trash left around town by tailgaters that don't pick up and is left to the city to clean up. "
Shock wrote on December 13, 2007 6:10 am:
" Ken - I hope you also directed a little shock and outrage at news outlets that showed the pictures from the store video of Hawkins exiting the elevator and aiming his gun and wrote in letters telling them just how disappointed you were - that was a far more shocking, senseless, and meaningless thing for a media outlet to do. "
Cole wrote on December 13, 2007 6:35 am:
" Svoboda thinks Obermeyer's cartoon is offensive, but nothing printed in the paper can be as offensive and ignorant as today's letter by Bill Wiseman. I'm sure the families and loved ones of those tragically murdered can take solace in knowing that the God that loves them was only punishing the rest of us because there's no organized prayer in school. THAT is offensive. "
Fair Fan wrote on December 13, 2007 7:26 am:
" Robert, the Lancaster County Event center is a bare piece of ground, with a big building divided into sections. The first section has hard flooring, cement I suppose, while the rest of it is multi purpose, dirt floor for animal events, then they lay carpeting over cords over the dirt. Did you know that wheelchairs can't go across this type of floor? We sink in and get stuck. I've talked to someone at the center several years ago about the problem. They admitted it should be harder packed dirt, and they'd try to fix the problem. Well it isn't, so we had to give up going to anything at the event center. Why do you want to exclude people who need wheelchairs from going to the state fair? We can go to almost all the buildings now at it's present location. What fun will it be if thousands of people have to look at things in one big building? There's not enough parking, no trees, the list can go on and on. Please I have more than 4 reasons why the state fair should stay where it is. Think of others instead of yourself. "
peb wrote on December 13, 2007 8:23 am:
" Is Bill Wiseman aware of the background of the killer in Colorado? The young man who was raised by very, very religious parents, who was homeschooled? Who just last Sunday killed and injured people? "
herbieleroy wrote on December 13, 2007 8:25 am:
" PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE To save the taxpayers MILLIONS - move UNL to Kansas and leave the state fair alone. "
So Bill.... wrote on December 13, 2007 8:26 am:
" Why don't we just repeal the 1st and 2nd Amendment? Good grief, don't our founding fathers and tradition mean anything to you? Would you like to ban guns and instill a Theocratic Government? The United States of America must deal in reality, not mythology! "
Cartoon violence wrote on December 13, 2007 8:30 am:
" Just a couple of things: First of all, Obermeyer said something that needed to be said. Nothing about his cartoon was insensitive to any victim. It was a damnation of media sensationalization and was very prescient and warranted. I commend him and his strip. Second, please stop with the 'We need god' letters. God has nothing to do with this. There are countries on this earth with who don't force children into a fear of god in schools and government and they have less violence than we do here. Keep in mind that the shooting in Colorado happened BY a christian for religious reasons. "
dtw wrote on December 13, 2007 8:34 am:
" Ken, get real! Knowing you the way I do I am guessing that you are still upset about how Neal portrayed you as Magnum P.I. You can't fool the people of Lincoln with your fabricated sincerity, case in point May 2007. "Losers always wine about those who point out truths." "
T.Paine wrote on December 13, 2007 8:35 am:
" Could someone point out to Bill Wiseman that the latest shooting HAPPENED AT A CHURCH. "
Jody P. wrote on December 13, 2007 8:41 am:
" Re Mr. Wiseman's letter, western European countries are far more secular than the U.S., but they don't seem to have anywhere near the level of gun violence that we have here. Of course most of those countries have stronger gun control. Do you suppose the fact that we live in a sea of gun stores and gun shows here might have something to do with all our gun violence? I know, I know, that's probably just a far-fetched idea. But sometimes I wonder.... "
Big Chief wrote on December 13, 2007 8:56 am:
" I assume Mr. Sovodoba is referring to the cartoon by Neal of Santa Claus in the shopping mall. I do not always agree with the point of view of Neal's cartoons but I think he does a valuable service to the community by bringing certain topics to the attention of the public. I do not see anything in this cartoon that would offend any family member of the victims of the recent Mall shooting in Omaha. I think Mr. Sovodoba is missing one of the main points of Neal's cartoon. . . the fact that a criminal can become famous instantly by doing a crime that shocks the nation. The little boy with the toy assault rifle wants to be famous. The news media has the answer. In the online discussion of Neal's cartoon the topic was soon switched to the rights of law abiding gun owners and the original intent of Neal's cartoon was forgotten. Keep us thinking Neal. You are doing a good job. "
Josh wrote on December 13, 2007 8:58 am:
" I take the opposite view of Bill Wiseman - it seems the violence is up since the conservative religious fanatics have been trying to force their view of morals and God down everyone's throats. "
Right on wrote on December 13, 2007 8:58 am:
" Svoboda's comments are on target. While Obermeyer's may feel his 'cartoon' made sense and had a point, perhaps he and the LJS editorial staff could have waited until the victims bodies were at least in the ground. Obermeyer and the LJS owe the victims families an apology for being so heartless in light of their sorrw. "
Advocate wrote on December 13, 2007 9:06 am:
" There is a point raised here. The increase in violence in our society may be related to the "new" social changes of the past years. Religion being removed from society, with its fundimental moral teachings can be a linked as a cause. Empowerment of youth over parent, where the child can threaten the parent with "abuse" anytime a misbehaving incident requires a form a disipline, hense the parent backs down, giving the child a feeling of power and control. The success at all cost teachings, no scores in child games, no sucsess/failure exercises to prepare the child for adult reality. And if the child percieves failure in any situation there then is a failure to rationalize or control his actions, since failure is foriegn to what he has been taught. Finally a desensitizing to violence based on the entertainment available. There is no "reset" button in real life, and a child/young adult, can not "reset" an outburst of anger or violence, again a foriegn concept to the video game generation. And finally the no consequense to violence reaction of our legal and social services. It is never the fault of the attacker, some "trauma" in the past caused an outburst of action which the attacker can not be held accoutable for. We have so intensified the "peer" relationship, and those who fall below the curve tend to be the more violent as they strive for the attention the more successfull in our society have. We have created a social monster, and in our attempt to justify our own actions we blame a "tool" for the violence in our society. Maybe returning to a society of parental and personal responsibility, actual fundimental moral teachings, a defined and effective disipline to reward/punish, and a less violent media/entertainment we have a chance to slay the monster. The violent will just find another "tool" to accomplish thier goals, if we do not influence the individual earlier in life with real world teachings. "
Realist wrote on December 13, 2007 9:11 am:
" (sarcasm) How dare you tell the small towns of Grand Island and Kearney that they don't have the infrastructure to host an event as large as the Nebraska State Fair, Robert! (/sarcasm) Even if it IS the TRUTH. "
How Dare You? wrote on December 13, 2007 9:13 am:
" How dare you Bill Wiseman?? Reaping what has been sown? So you're telling me that the people who were killed last week deserved it because there is a separation of church and state in our country? And you call yourself a Christian?!??? What about countries where there is no separation between church and state? These problems still exist! Get your head out of the old testament, my friend. These acts of violence have nothing to do with the lack of "God" in our schools, but with the lack of personal responsibility of the institutions and parents. I'm seriously shocked that anyone who calls themselves a Christian could write such a letter. Shocked. "
JT wrote on December 13, 2007 9:26 am:
" This is in reference to Bill Wiseman. Three generations since God was in school. I suppose nothing bad happened back in those good old days right? I do seem to recall segregation, sexism, McCarthy hearing, and Starkweather. Was all that God's fault? "
No wrote on December 13, 2007 10:01 am:
" The bottom line is Robert Hawkins MURDERED eight people in cold blood. The blame is on him. It is not the state's fault, it is not an insurance company's fault...it is his fault. He should not be made out to be a victim. He is a piece of trash who took eight people from their friends and families. "
David wrote on December 13, 2007 10:09 am:
" I agree Bill. Let's have a Taliban style government! "
Oh deary me.. wrote on December 13, 2007 10:11 am:
" A member of a gun club should probably know the difference between "assault weapon" and "semiautomatic rifle". That junior youth deer rifle sold for pubescent kids at Scheel's has more power than the weapon used at the mall. Furthermore if your "god" can be stopped by SCOTUS decisions from being allowed in schools (where of course students are free to pray and study the bible, alone or in groups, any time it is not disruptive to class, and only mandatory teacher-led prayer is banned) and doesan't have sufficient influence on society with his tens of thousands of churches, Sunday schools, Bible camps, youth groups, school clubs and his millions of "good Christian" homes, does he really deserve to be called a god? is he so weak and helpless that he needs FORCED teacher-led, official school prayer to have any effect on scoiety? This is the omnipotent creator of the universe we're talking about right? Some god ya got there man. "
Sue F. wrote on December 13, 2007 10:22 am:
" Thanks Carol. When I first read about Robert Hawkins family's insurance refusing payment for his treatment and his parents having to make he a ward of the state I was floored. How would any child, let alone one who already had mental health issues, feel about being made a ward of the state? I am in no way blaming the parents, but I can imagine that Robert must have felt less loved. He may have even felt unworthy of love. We need to help all of our citizens with mental health issues. "
Well Stated Cole! wrote on December 13, 2007 10:41 am:
" About what Bill Wiseman wrote. The ingorance of that letter scares me beyond all belief. "
CK wrote on December 13, 2007 10:45 am:
" Really, Mr. Wiseman? I keep reading statements that Matthew Murray (the CO church shooter) grew up in a very christian household, and was homeschooled. Mental illness is not a lack of God. Thank you Carol Dvorak Peterson for a thoughtful, important letter. "
humm wrote on December 13, 2007 11:10 am:
" Why isn't the university using the cushman buildings and land they purchased? Are they being greedy? "
LB wrote on December 13, 2007 11:12 am:
" Why not combine the State Fair with the Event Center and make a decent big Colliseum for horse shows, ice capades, conventions and you name it, with additional decent buildings for presentations of arts, crafts, college presentations and shows of information and deminstations of vets spading dogs or cats by vets, cooking shows, etc. Instead of spending big taxpayer bucks on moving railroad tracks and building all the buildings by the Haymarket that will be expensive, cam't be combined with the State Fair, and basically for the benefit of profits for a few rich guys and an owner of a Haymarket properties, and there is nothing downtown for convention or arena goers to shop at or nothing to do. We've been pretty well substantuated by the UNL they want NO connection to the State Fair, so combine all the big arena/convention center plans with the State Fair and budnle it all with the Event Center. Put all that money into one big roomy NON-FLOOD PLAIN area, and have a huge big decent area where several things can be operating at the same time or any over lapping things can be housed in one or the others buildings!!!! It is ridiculous to spend big taxpayers money in this small town for one area for the State Fair and another area for an arena/convention center and still end up with "well we just don't have enough room" senareo!!!!! "
Socialist wrote on December 13, 2007 11:33 am:
" The true ignorance here are those who do not understand the phrase "free exercise thereof" within the Constitution. Mr Wisemans views are no more scarry than those who preach the virtues of the "Religion of No Religion". Yes our society has changed, Religion is offensive and must be removed by the state, and porngraphy is a protected 1st Admendment right. If you are that afraid of any moral values other than your own you are the bigot, and we need to fear your opinion more than Mr Wisemans. Still for the life of me I can not find "seperation of church and state" in the Constitution, I can find the words "free exercise thereof" though. Stop blaming everything from the tool to religion, the true villian in these shootings is mans evil nature, uncontrolled in many now by any sense of morality or virtue other than self. "
It's called social commentary, Ken wrote on December 13, 2007 11:45 am:
" Ken, Obermeyer's cartoon is a critique of the media. Is his cartoon provocative? You bet--that's the intent. You lament for the victims' families. Good for you. The message of that cartoon is that, if the media demonstrated more responsible restraint in these situations (rather than trying to "get the scoop" and plaster these villains faces all over creation), these families might not have had anything to lament. If you can't see that, then you just come off sounding like someone who has a personal gripe with Obermeyer--which is fine, but just call it for what it is. "
Right on! wrote on December 13, 2007 12:32 pm:
" Advocate, you said it all PERFECTLY. "
Sad wrote on December 13, 2007 12:44 pm:
" Nebraskans don't support easy access to mental health treatment. You don't really know this until you or someone you care about needs it. Don't say you didn't hear it! "
Jay wrote on December 13, 2007 1:41 pm:
" I wish they would have shown the gunman actually shooting people. While thats horrible, maybe people will start to realize that some gun control is needed in this country. There is no reason for someone to own an assault rifle. I'm a hunter and I know I take a deer rifle deer hunting, not a military grade assault rifle. Honestly. "
Matt Poulsen wrote on December 13, 2007 2:08 pm:
" Ken. How is it offensive?? Are we suppose to just bury our heads and act like it didn't happen? Neil cartoon was pointing out that the "great and ever wise" media were giving Hawkins exactly what he wanted...fame...or rather infamy. How is this offensive to families?? In fact, his message is in respect to the families. You totally missed the point. Now, why don't you quit trying to get some easy political mileage by demonizing an editorial cartoonist. "
Theresa wrote on December 13, 2007 2:30 pm:
" I've said it before and I'll say it again: until the lines that divide us into rich and poor, educated and uneducated are erased, violence will always be a problem. "
Nina wrote on December 13, 2007 3:04 pm:
" Excellent points and sad truths, Carol. I have a solution to the tasteless 'Santa" cartoon - bring national award-winning cartoonist Paul Fell back. We'll again have a humorous take and satire on politics and news without causing victims and those who care about them further pain. "
God's been removed from schools? wrote on December 13, 2007 3:45 pm:
" Only someone that hasn't been to an LPS vocal concert recently would say that - I have and I've heard less religion from church choirs. "
BYOB wrote on December 13, 2007 4:24 pm:
" "I got it" Make it mandatory that everyone can read and I hate to say it, but aliens And immigrants too. In doing so, they will be able to read signs such as the ones posted outside Von Maur that stated it was a gun free zone, I'm sure they will find it very instuctional and go shoot people somewhere else, Glory be, we'll all be safe now. "
I agree wrote on December 13, 2007 4:32 pm:
" with everythig that LB said about moving the state fair to the event center. And . . . I have been opposed to this, but LB suggests that in the long run, it could save us millions of dollars. In regards to the violence, perhaps people need to look at the violent video games that we sell to children. "
Ghost wrote on December 13, 2007 6:45 pm:
" I think that instead of punishing all of us good people by taking away our guns, which we haven't hurt anyone with, we should push for a more strict policy for the use of trigger locks. If that weapon had a trigger lock on it, then it could not have been used without the key. "
zorc wrote on December 14, 2007 1:46 am:
" Advocate, society has always been violent. It just managed to stay hidden behind more closed doors. If anything, there's been a decrease in crime and violence over the past years from the eighties. "
Nina wrote on December 14, 2007 8:26 am:
" Not only do you hear sacred music at LPS vocal (and band) concerts, when I recently visited LNE, where my son teaches, I saw posters designating time for Bible study groups to meet. It's what's in your heart that makes it, not which school you attend. "
Rb wrote on December 14, 2007 1:03 pm:
" Here's an idea: How about just get rid of the fair altogether? Does anyone really care about a "fair" in today's society? We have HD TV, internet, soccer camp, church groups, etc. The NE state fair is a joke, costs too much and obviously is causing a lot of people to lose sleep at night the way it sounds. Get rid of the fair, quit the complaining and turn the channel, please. "
Can't believe this wrote on December 14, 2007 9:41 pm:
" Mr. Wiseman's comments sounded a little like the philosophy of the church in Kansas whose members protest at soldiers' funerals-that they are being punished because of our nation's acceptance of homosexuality. Those people have a "reap what you sew" mentality as well. Society is not to blame for the actions of the gunman, nor is lack of prayer in schools. "

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