Terry Longpre March 1, 2018

American Patriot’s

Sadly, once again a school was attacked by a deranged individual.

The Second Amendment is not the problem, those who kill others are the problem. People say guns kill, which is a fact. A weapon will not kill by itself, it is the person with their finger on the trigger which makes the decision to kill.

My parents had the first sporting goods store in Manatee County selling hundreds upon hundreds of weapons and I have had a weapon since I was six years old.

I spent four years in the military and twenty-seven years in law enforcement and I never killed anyone in anger.

I can place a loaded weapon with an extended magazine, a round in the chamber, the safety off on my kitchen table and it will rust into a pile of scrap metal until someone puts their finger on the trigger and pulls it. Whose fault is that? Not the weapons!

The large majority complaining about the Second Amendment have not nor will they ever defend this country in the military or while employed in a law enforcement capacity.

If it were not for the Second Amendment, we would be speaking a foreign language today.

Motorcycle Safety
I want to thank the U.S. DOT and the contractors who have been working on our roadways (I-75 and some local) claiming to make them better and safer. What has been done is great. However, where the white lines have been removed by gouging the surface away (anywhere from 1/2 -1” deep has made those areas a waiting disaster for a motorcyclist.

When the ruts are crossed the bike will wobble side to side causing it to become unstable for a few seconds possibly enough to lose control causing an accident.

Also, where the new surface meets the old there are buildups or drop-offs, which can cause tire and rim damage.

Please be careful out there while riding, non-riders don’t understand the problems.

Kudos
I would like to thank Mayor Bryant and the City of Palmetto for addressing the conditions of some of the roads in Palmetto and repaving them.

Cowboy Humor
I walked into a feed store in West Virginia which carried western clothing, bridles, saddles and other assorted gear. I asked the young clerk if he had a cow whip and he curtly responded, “We don’t whip our cows here.” I smiled, thanked him and walked out, by the way we don’t whip them here either.

Movie Critic
I am not a movie critic however, I will throw this out for those who go to the movies. ‘Twelve Strong’ is a movie which should be seen by those who don’t understand what is involved in being in the military, especially the special teams (Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, etc.), or by those who appreciate what the military does for us around the world. This will give you a little insight into what is required.

Sadly, Reverend Billy Graham passed away at the age of 99. Reverend Graham was an inspiration to hundreds of millions of Christians and I’m sure there is a special place in Heaven for him.

May God bless his family and followers, and may God bless the United States.

Terry Longpre