Letters to the editor, cont.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

A past student of mine was recently killed by a gun. He had an argument with someone who pulled out a gun and killed him instantly. On the day I left work at Henrico High School and headed to the funeral to say my final goodbye, I stopped at the light on Laburnum near the racetrack and saw a huge advertisement for the upcoming gun show. I could not help but feel an overwhelming sadness and a sickening feeling at such a display. Why can't we close Virginia's gun-show loophole?

Many people come to Virginia to buy guns because no background check is needed at these shows. In fact, Virginia is the No. 1 source for illegal guns entering New York.

When I adopted my dogs from the Hanover SPCA, I had to submit to a background check. In fact, someone came to my house to check me out. Why do we require more checks for pet adoption than gun ownership? Why are arguments on this issue always based on the Second Amendment rather than just plain common sense?

After I came home today, I went online and signed a petition to change Virginia's gun-show loophole. I know this subject has been commented on endlessly, but unfortunately, gun deaths continue to still cause much grief. When will we change our laws?

Claudia Chaten.

Mechanicsville.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Arne Duncan, in his Op/Ed column "The real March Madness," decried the lack of scholarship among college athletes, particularly male basketball players. He noted that 10 of 68 teams in this year's NCAA tournament will not graduate 50 percent of their players.

Perhaps we have, as a nation, redefined the concept of the "scholar-athlete" and the goal of a college education. Despite the statement on the NCAA's website that "student-athletes are students first and athletes second. They are not university employees who are paid for their labor," many schools fail to fully educate their players. Although technically students are not paid for their participation, they are rewarded with the promise of professional contracts and the fortunes that ensue. They have become gladiators who perform for the enjoyment of university alumni and fans who will be loath to employ these men when the diploma is not granted and the pro contract fails to materialize. In short, the vast majority are expendable.

Perhaps the paradigm shifted with a quantum leap when professional athletes competed in the Olympic Games. The "Dream Team" of 1992 consisting of Messrs. Jordan, Bird and Johnson was entertaining to watch but drove a spike firmly through the heart of amateur athletics. The USA won — was it ever in doubt?

Do the athletes who compete in basketball and football truly represent their institutions or are they simply hired guns? The salary of top university presidents is about $450,000; the salary of top level college coaches is $950,000.

Ronald M. Barton.

Richmond.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In their recent Commentary column "It's time to make tough choices," Sens. Mark R. Warner and Saxby Chambliss explained how they "have been working in a bipartisan partnership to" deal with deficits and the debt.

In another area that cries out for bipartisan action, Warner and Chambliss could also convince their colleagues to heed bipartisan calls to solve the judicial vacancy crisis. During Barack Obama's presidency, federal judicial vacancies have almost doubled to 95, including 42 judicial emergencies designated by the U.S. Courts.

Last year, Chambliss wrote: "I continue to believe that the Senate should act without undue delay in the prompt consideration of judicial nominees." Meanwhile, Warner coordinated speeches from many senators on the need to allow up or down floor votes on nominees for empty judgeships.

Justice delayed is justice denied, as vacancies increasingly create logjams. Based upon their records, Warner and Chambliss could make a difference.

Glenn Sugameli.

Washington.