Letters: Rash of shootings reflect a lack of standards

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Rash of shootings reflect
a lack of standards

Re: “Gunfire wounds troops in DC” (Page A1, Nov. 27) and “Legendary coach shot at Laney College” (Page A1, Nov. 14).

The last 30 years have seen heinous mass shootings of innocents become “ho-hum” events of everyday life — from Columbine (1999) to Sandy Hook (2012) schools; to just-engaged 20-year-old-Israelis walking (2025) in Washington, D.C.; to Laney college football coach John Beam (November 2025).

Mental health issues do occur; 100 years ago, such shootings didn’t.

Grievances exist, but why think cold-blooded murder solves anything? What happened to morals and ethics — originating from family teachings, logic or biblical dicta — required for every society’s survival? We cannot forever blame “others.” Resume teaching personal responsibility.

There is no longer any “right” or “wrong.” Anything goes. You don’t like somebody’s hat, politics or religion? Shoot them.

Are you, Mr. and Ms. America, proud of the lack of behavioral standards we now have? Is anarchy — where “anything goes” — something we seek for our children?

Fred Korr
Oakland