RTP-area local music and culture

[Brian Russell <brussell AT ibiblio.org>]

<http://indyweek.com/durham/current/backtalk.html>

Bellow is the *second* letter to the editor published in the Indy last 
wed.
From a DURHAM resident.

To me the *main* point of the two letters in the Indy is to let anyone 
who is donating money and time to the 'Save the Starlite' cause that 
their money &/or time MIGHT be used to support a business that sells 
guns.

SO....
A) If you're for gun use or don't care either way then there is no 
problem for you. Donate away.
B) If you are against the effects of guns and the violence people cause 
with them then you may not want to give to the 'Save the Starlite' 
cause.

In other words...TRANSPARENCY.

"When people give time and money to such a fine cause, they become 
partners in the cause's future."

//////////////////////
Ditch the guns II
I'm saddened to hear that the Starlite Drive-In theatre burned down and 
I wish it a speedy reconstruction ("Scan," Sept. 8). That being said, I 
hope that Bob Grove will reconsider one of his business practices--the 
selling of handguns. I'm not sure how many community members who are 
helping to get the Starlite back on its feet are even aware that it 
sells handguns; and, if they are aware of that fact, whether or not 
they are aware of the drastic damage handguns do to our community.

Consider these statistics from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence 
(www.bradycenter.org):

In 1998, 30,708 people in the United States died from firearm-related 
deaths: 12,102 (39%) of those were murdered; 17,424 (57%) were 
suicides; 866 (3%) were accidents; and in 316 (1%) the intent was 
unknown.

In 1998, eight out of 10 of those murdered with firearms were murdered 
with handguns.

In 1999, there were only 134 justifiable handgun homicides by private 
citizens in the United States.

In 1998, firearm homicide was the leading cause of death for black 
males ages 15-34.

In 1998, more than 10 children and teenagers, ages 19 and under, were 
killed with guns everyday.

In 1998, 77 percent of murdered juveniles age 13-19 were killed with a 
firearm.

From 1993 through 1997, an average of 1,409 children and teenagers took 
their own lives with guns each year.

In 1998 alone, licensed firearms dealers sold an estimated 4.4 million 
guns, 1.7 million of which were handguns.

More information on the number of handgun-related deaths in our 
country, and ways that we can stop the violence, can be accessed from 
Stop Handgun Violence (www.stophandgunviolence.org), Stop the NRA 
(www.stopthenra.com), and North Carolinians against Gun Violence 
(www.ncgv.org).

Perhaps, after the Starlite is rebuilt with the help of the community, 
Mr. Grove will repay the community by getting rid of the guns once and 
for all.
Michael Taeckens
Durham