Milan Jackson

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/06/10/john-lott-america-gun-ban-murders-multiple-victim-public-shootings-europe/

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Linda, Thank you.

Right now its hard to say but I do wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Terry Maxwell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ed Stanfield

Mel,

As a point of refrence only, I would remind you that assault weapons are fully automatic weapons and as such have been banned from civilian ownership since 1934. The rifle he used was a semi automatic weapon, not unlike any number of of hunting rifles used thruout the country... media always gets it wrong... it just happened to be a .223 caliber which was originally designed as a varmit round... check with Marv

Michael (Mike) Franks

Ed, it's a 5.56mm NATO round, commonly used in an M-16, (M-4 carbine). It's purpose is to kill people not game. There is no justification to own such weapons. This is not political. I can not look at a young child without being reminded of what happened in Newtown. The madness has to stop. It's up to us to stop it. The NRA should take the lead, but they would rather further their agenda. We are a sick society.

Ed Stanfield

Mike,

First of all the 5.56 Nato round and the .223 round while similiar, are not the same. The .223 round was indeed developed as a prairrie dog round (Varmint)

And there is justification for the round.. hunting (see above) target shooting, and home defense. Once again, the rifle and not the shooter is being demonized. There is evil in this world and we must find better ways to recognize it.

A final thought... everyone jumps on the NRA, but they do not operate in a vacuum. They are indeed a very powerful lobby, and as a former lobbyist, I can tell you that any organization advocating for their members would salivate over their power. Their power comes from one thing and one thing only... their members... they have millions of them and are responding as their members tell them to respond..

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

I'm sure we could all debate the 2nd. Amendment, ownership and use of guns.  And Mike, you are right, we now live in a sick society.  However, I just can't and never will understand the killing of children.  It's just beyond my comprehension.  I don't know how these parents can move on, but, hopfully, one day, they can.  I just hope and pray that this incident doesn't fuel another sick, demented individual to try the same type of thing.  Already I read where this same type of act was being threatened at an Indiana Elementary School, but was shut down before it could take place.  We just don't live in the world be grew up in anymore.  So sad.

Rod

Ed Stanfield

Rod,

I think the "fame' we give these sick individuals who commit these actions induces others to try to "go one better"

The media has told us that this most recent shooting was the second most deadly shooting with only the massacre at Va. Tech. claiming more victims.... so some evil nutcase somewhere is gonna try to get his 5 minutes of fame by trying to be #1..

As much as this sickens me, as it does all rational adults, I really can't blame the gun. I must blame the shooter. He and he alone is responsible for his actions. By saying he was "mentally ill, we give him an "out"... it isn't his fault... he is mentally ill...

Allow me to say BS to that kind of thinking... he may or may not have been mentally ill, but what he really was was EVIL and we have to find a better way to recognize evil and deal with it..

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

As sad as it is to say, Mental Illness is not recognized in society, therefore housing those people is not available anymore! Unless those Mentally Ill commit a Federal Crime, they are not allowed funding to house them in Government facilities, so instead they fill our jails. Full financial responsibility is placed on the parents (our generation) to support them. We are now the older generation and let's face it, financial burdens can and are overwhelming for those on fixed incomes, due to many additional situations, i.e.; Stockmarket Crash, health, and loss of energy restricting us from having the energy and/or funds to continue raising our Mentally ill children! If only Government would put back into place funding to assist Mentally Ill it would be a safer place again. Wake up America. We spend our money on wars, feeding and clothing the poor, allowing people to cross into our country to have their babies so their babies will become natural born American Citizens, tapping into our healthcare system causing healthcare to esculate yet we can't help assist our own Mentally Ill American Citizens with Financial Aid, allowing them half way houses to live in so they won't need to live on the streets or become hardened crimnals? Really? What are our Congressmen thinking? Guns aren't the problem, Congressmen are! Pretty Scary!

Michael (Mike) Franks

After reading the varied opinions that classmates have posted, and also offering my own opinions, it occured to me that our educators would feel a sense of pride. Maybe we really did learn something in K thru 12. Our generation is like no other. We have been witness to more world changing events in the last 60 years, than most other generations combined. More importantly, we participated in those events. When the torch was passed to us, we may have stumbled a time or two, but we have carried it well. I doubt that my contrbution will amount to much, but I'm proud to be a member of BHS '64. Thank you classmates. We did OK.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Mike: I believe you have struck a chord!   It has been so nice to see you all interact so well in this class venue!

Thanks to our past teachers, but, they didn't teach us to care about each other!  We came already assembled in that mode!

I hope that with the upcoming year, others will see the simplicity of this manner of our communication, as well as the effectiveness of it.   We can address anyone, or as many people as we wish, within one posting.  We don't care if you're grammatically correct or not, can't spell for crap, or dislike communication.  But if you care to speak to an old friend, or the entire class, have at it.  You can praise us or cuss us!   We'll just be glad to hear from you!

2013 is the last year before we hold our 50th reunion in 2014!   Put in your two cents, nickel, or dime.  Tell us if you want to participate..........or not!  If you have moved, have a different phone #, or a different email........let us know so our class records can be updated.

We must realize that if we don't let the class know where we are............we can be lost from hearing about what events will be upcoming.  In this venue we see birthdays, deaths, and special happenings of class members as they happen.  It's like a newsline and penpals..............only better!

If you're going through a good time........share with us!   If you're going through a tough time.....feel free to share with us.   We'll be there for you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays in general to you all!

Linda Bristow Elias

Gerald (Jerry) Plummer

Agree with you Helen; a complex problem involving our culture, values, government spending programs and general access to weapons types which seemingly should be regulated to the military and police. My Great grandfather was a detective with the Oakland police force but never, according to my grandfather, allowed weapons in the house. Conversely, while I have never owned an operating firearm, it's understandable those who wish to hunt ought to have access to an appropriate hunting weapon. Never the less I'm personally fascinated by the "home defense" arguement.  What level of home assualt is one expecting to support ownership of an AK 47 for example? 

Hopefully our politicians will turn rhetoric into positive, sensible action and take necessary steps to protect our future (which we all know is our children and grandchildren) from this increasing level of violence, generally, while recognizing rights of ownership..but sensible ownership.

Milan Jackson

Some facts to consider:

Gerald (Jerry) Plummer

Really good points, Milan.  Clearly we must keep guns from be mindful of smoking, drunk doctors who drive.

Ed Stanfield

Jerry,

I suppose I could be called a member of the "gun culture" since I have owned them, shot them and reloaded for them all my life. Rifles, pistols and shotguns

I do not have a rifle that is used for home defense, and in an urban setting, I can't think of a time when one might be the weapon of choice for home defense. For those living in sparsly populated areas, I am thinking Wyoming, Montana and other areas of the west, that might not be the case. I don't know because I have never lived there, but I can see where such a platform would be preferred.

Many believe that the pump shotgun is the ideal home defense weapon and I own several, but I have always believed the pistol is the best for me, and so that is what I use.

In 66 years, I have never pointed a loaded, or unloaded firerm at another person and hope never to have to, but in defense of my life or the lives of my family, I would do so in a heartbeat.

We forget there is evil in the world and some people thrive on taking advantage of those who appear weaker then themselves. When I was 11, I had a man maneuver me into a blind alley in Charleston, West Virginia where I lived at the time. I was a paperboy and was collecting my route. He put a knife to my belly and threatened to stab me if I did not give him all my money... right then!... He got it, and I never forgot it.

On another occasion, the summer before I moved to Bloomington ( summer of 1963), I was camped with a cousin and friend on the Yazoo river in Mississippi when several thugs entered our camp with sawed off shotguns. They claimed to be hunting wildcats, but mostly, they drank a lot of whisky and shot up our fire. I have always believed they intended to kill us and have no idea why they didn't... just thankful they didn't..

Those 2 incidents made a believer outta me... I will never put myself in a situation again where I was so completely helpless.

Gerald (Jerry) Plummer

Understood Ed and I appreciate your thoughtful response which actually does speak to the scale of the problem Helen also addressed.  This goes beyond gun ownership and deep into our culture.  We might question our perspectives on a number of issues which point to making the US a safer place.  It is an expansive topic as others on this site recognize.

Jumping off the soap box now and returning to my "hippy hole" where I can worry about Milan's drunk, drug crazed, smoking suicidal doctors.  Or, listen to Ravi Shankar, may he rest in peace.

Michael (Mike) Franks

Ed, I guess we have all had our experiences. Yes, there is evil in our world. A very long time ago, along with some other men, we were in an ambush. My heart was pounding like it was going to throw a rod. There was a lot of gun fire, but it was all over in less than 3 minutes. I don't even remember if I fired a round.The results are too ugly to describe. Let me just say that I never really idolized shooting after that.

Ed Stanfield

Yeah Mike,

i understand, brother

Jack Habich

Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Jetton, was recently spotted at Ditka’s, Oakbrook Terrace, washing down a Fridgeburger ($11.95, fries included) with a Guinness or two or...  Wife Elaine was driving. A thorough investigation discounted the use of any Class funds.

Jack Habich

Ironically, about three weeks ago, coach Ditka was also spotted in OT, at a hole-in-the-wall cigar store, inquiring about Jetton, and why he hadn’t been to his place.  Wife Diana was also driving.

Michael (Mike) Franks

Are you sure that is "Da Coach"? It looks more like George "The Animal" Steele to me. Both are legends.

Jack Habich

Mike, I figured it was George Steele as well until the man asked if they had a bathroom and went.  At that point,  Arvind, the manager, said "Dat Mike Ditka", and whipped out his cell camera, at which point Diana looked at me and grinned.  "Anybody who wants to take a picture of me is a fool" said the man who came out of the bathroom.

I knew it really wasn't George Steele but "Da Coach" when he walked out.  Steele walked better.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

I would like to wish every member of the Class of '64 only the best in the upcoming year...

    MERRY CHRISTMAS

          AND A

    PROSPEROUS '13!

                Max

Victor Jackson

Victor Jackson

To each and every one of you!

Have a very merry christmas and a happy new year. VIC