Your Turn

Court’s gun decision disturbing
The Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller is, to say the least, disturbing. Of course, felons are still prohibited from having a handgun.

However, what will be done with those law-abiding citizens (who would never have considered owning a handgun) when they become felons due to the shooting of innocent people they “thought” were a threat?

The Supreme Court has set us back to the era of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

In addition, it should come as no surprise that our most unpopular president in the history of this country fully supports the decision. This is the man who spent billions on preventing terrorism.

Jeff Lasky, Vail

Remember to honor our flag
Along with many local veterans I have been a volunteer with the “flag detail” often seen during our public events. The American flag and usually many others are presented during parades, school assemblies, memorial celebrations, funerals, and the like. Those of us who have carried flags for some time, however, are constantly amazed at the general lack of respect rendered to the American flag as it passes by the spectators. Perhaps only one person out of 10 in attendance extends the proper honors. (And I gather it should be no surprise that those who do it consistently the best are members of our senior generations ... plus the Boy Scouts).

Something here has changed. Something good and grand has faded over the decades and through the generations. What I was taught as a kid (“the flag is the flag of our country. The flag is me.”) no longer seems to apply. Moreover, you were also taught to stop what you were doing and to render similar respect if a funeral cortege were passing by. And this general lack of respect for the flag and the glorious country it represents is all the more egregious given that many currently serve in peril under its banner.

I am often tempted to break flag protocol (“here, take my flag”) and confront some spectator to take that stupid Walkman out of your ears, put the cell phone away, drop all of your water bottles, and move your dead ass out of the lawn chair and stand up. The American flag and the bounty it represents are passing by. But such a hardened military response would not be appropriate. (“I don’t have to stand if I don’t want to.”)

Yeah. Right. If you need to embarrass someone to do the proper thing it means nothing as the sincerity is not there to begin with. Still, I can’t help but hope that all will stand ... pretend if need be ... and maybe in so doing others nearby will be encouraged to take the proper initiatives.

Chatter within the flag detail on what we frequently encounter varies from “It’s more leftovers from the terrible 1960s,” “It’s all part of the ‘me’ generation,” plus a few more observations less sanguine. But one comment frequently expressed is, “Maybe they are just not sure what to do. They were never really taught or maybe they forgot.”
When the American flag passes by, any able-bodied spectator should stand and place his right hand over his heart. If covered, the hat should be removed and held in the same hand. Recent legislation from Congress also provides that any veteran, in any attire, can render a traditional military salute. Any kids running around should be corralled and taught to focus on the event and its importance in a positive manner that they will remember into adulthood.

It is such a grand and glorious country and to give it anything less than the full support and respect it deserves is beyond shame. After all “the flag is me,” indeed.

Montgomery Mathias, Vail

Pass on Eagle-Vail suggestions
It struck me that one of the reasons my wife and I were attracted to Eagle-Vail 12 years ago was that it had no downtown. We have enjoyed the relative tranquility of this residential community and are alarmed about the recommendations of the Urban Land Institute.

Among the recommendations are eliminating the Par 3 golf course and building 500 to 600 new residences. Doing away with the Par 3 will be a major disappointment not only to many residents of Eagle-Vail but the Vail Valley generally, especially those who enjoy playing golf but cannot play an 18-hole course or even a long nine holes because of health and endurance reasons.

I also wonder about the forecasted “demand” for these new homes over the next 10 years. It certainly doesn’t come from a waiting list of people trying to buy Eagle-Vail residences, as many currently have been for sale on the market for months. Is it Eagle-Vail’s “allotment” of forecasted growth in the Vail Valley?

The panel suggested reserving about 270 of the new residences for workforce homes selling for about $200,000. Do you know what $200,000 buys you in Eagle-Vail today? Can you imagine what $200,000 will buy in 10 years for residences on the hillside of the current par 3? How about cardboard. And whose workforce are we supporting here? Vail’s, Beaver Creek’s and maybe Ginn’s?

Lastly, with the post office and other proposed development around the current pavilion site, plus the additional 500 to 600 homes, how will the traffic be on Eagle Road? Are we talking four lanes and traffic lights?

If the community moves forward with these recommendations, the “For Sale” sign will go up on our townhome long before any of this happens.

Jim and Connie Cameron, Eagle Vail