Lack of respect is a big concern

I am a citizen who has lived more than three quarters of a century. I'm concerned about the direction and the lack of respect for the rule of law and police.

Forty years ago when residents looted and burned cities to the ground, it was called a riot. I am told now the term is demonstration, which is divided into peaceful and violent. I express my sympathy to the parents of the young man in Ferguson, Missouri, but we are a nation of laws.

Does burning and looting gain justice? The people of the community who owned those businesses lost their life savings and ability to earn a living. The firemen who responded were shot at. Who is demonstrating on behalf of these business owners?

I see no outrage for the many children who are shot and killed in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City. There are complaints that there is not enough money provided for education, but I see no concern about the high rate of truancy in the public schools in big cities. There are kids who graduate from high school who cannot fill out a job application or read the newspaper.

If a policeman is arrested for DUI, it makes the front page of the newspaper, but if he saves people from a burning home, the story is buried in the middle of some papers. Are there people who should not be police officers? YES! but there are people who should not be doctors, lawyers, teachers, clergy or parents. There are politicians of both political parties who should never have been elected.

Joe Horn

Kunkletown