The unicameral has left a huge gap in our security with the half-measure authorizing concealed weapons.

People can forget their guns, or forget to load them. Some might not even be able to afford the gun and the $100 or so for the permit. We will only be truly safe when everyone is armed.

State and local governments, along with civic-minded businesses and citizens, must make that happen. Public transportation could carry loaded handguns in handy seat pockets. Fast-food restaurants should have a small shelf of guns next to the carry-out lids; sit-down restaurants could place them in the center of the table with the condiments. Upscale dining establishments could offer complimentary handguns to parties of four or more.

We must be alert, however, to public safety concerns. Guns placed conveniently in malls, banks, schools, sporting venues and churches should be on shelves above the reach of small children, say those younger than 8 or so. Prudence demands it.

Of course we can expect some liberal whining, but I am confident we can rely on the generosity of the National Rifle Association to help defray medical costs beyond what is insured.

A word of caution. There might be some blood spilled while we’re getting rid of all those who appear to be bad guys. I trust you will be stoic if some of that hits close to home. Sooner or later we will bring law and order to Dodge and we will be able to ban weapons except for law enforcement, military and sports venues. Our visionary unicameral is striving to take us into the dawn of the 20th century.

Tom deShazo, Lincoln

Just ignore Phelps

Why are legislators enacting laws now prohibiting funeral demonstrations? Fred Phelps has been performing his charades since 1991 and his message remains “God hates fags.” The only difference is that today he has expanded his hate to incorporate persons he perceives as providing aid and comfort to gays. Military families are only his latest collateral damage in his war on gays.

We need to question how legislators distinguish between the pain suffered by families of gays, who for years have endured Phelps’ hate, and those of military families who have only recently been incorporated into Phelps’ warped theology. I see it as only self-serving that legislators acted now because Phelps has placed their beloved voting constituency within his cross hairs.

Do we need laws that are bound to fail in their attempt to legislate tolerance and are almost certainly unconstitutional? Step back and take a lesson gays learned long ago. Acknowledge that Phelps’ theology only encourages intolerance and insensitivity and that it’s wrong. Then choose to ignore him.

Mike Ehinger, Bennington

Parents partly to blame

These child predators don’t have to look hard for their next prey. The parents of these children being sexually assaulted are not doing everything they can to protect their children.

This community needs to monitor their children a whole lot better instead of putting them in front of a computer unsupervised or letting them run the streets.

These predators that are on the computer looking for their next prey aren’t the only ones that should be charged. The parents should be held accountable as well.

Natalie Vesterfelt, Lincoln

Improve benefits

Lost among your coverage of the 2006 Legislature was a significant piece of legislation that dramatically impacts the lives of many of your readers in the capital city.

LB366 is a bill that dramatically improves the pension benefits for 12,000 Nebraska state employees.

For the past 20 years several independent studies have found that the pension system for Nebraska state employees was inadequate and discriminatory. Only those employees making more than $100,000/year were able to set aside enough dollars to meet the minimum standards for an adequate system. Thus lower-paid employees whom we represent did not receive that benefit. That is until the passage of LB366.

Unfortunately, Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed this bill. We were extremely disappointed with the governor’s action and subsequently, our union urged the Legislature to override his veto, which they did.

We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Sen. Elaine Stuhr of Bradshaw, chairwoman of the Legislative Retirement Systems, and the other 29 legislators who supported fairness and equity in the State Employees Pension System.

Mike Marvin,

executive director

NAPE/AFSCME Local 61

Support Wallman

We have six candidates in Legislative District 30. I am grateful to be able to support Norman Wallman for senator from this district.

When selling tickets for his modestly priced but successful fundraisers, I was amazed at the overwhelming support for him by the people who knew him best.

His unquestioned integrity and willingness to listen, along with 15 years experience on the Norris School Board, make him an ideal candidate for Legislative District 30.

Please join me and the people who know Wallman best and elect him state senator from District 30.

George W. Burrows, Adams

It’s Nebraska’s money

When will people realize that gambling is already here and affecting life in Nebraska? It is here in the forms of Powerball, keno and, yes, your precious bingo. We are surrounded on nearly all sides by some form of casino-style gambling. Yes, there are negative effects of gambling, but they are already here, too.

Just drive through the parking lots of any of the boats in Iowa on any given night and more than half the cars will have Nebraska license plates. Right now Iowa is laughing at us.

I’m not saying we should allow every bar from here to Scottsbluff to have slot machines, but a couple of destination casinos would bring much-needed money and jobs to this state.

Jason Mather, Lincoln

A plea to neighbors

The citizens of Lincoln and Lancaster County need to be more considerate neighbors.

The many dead and dying Scotch pine need to be cut down and disposed of promptly to prevent and/or slow down the spread of the sawyer beetle. The disposal needs to be chipped or burned. The beetle is ready to emerge now to find its next host tree.

The city and county departments and the radio and TV need to put out more information as reminders.

With the watchfulness of the citizens plus their cooperation we can slow down our losses.

Please be considerate. I do not want to lose my trees only because you refuse to dispose of your trees. You can obtain very helpful information from the Lancaster County Extension Office.

Lynn Darling, Lincoln