Letters: Peter LoPilato, gun laws, time to think, Braver Angel signs, plastic bags

Remembering Peter LoPilato

Count me among the many thousands of Bloomingtonians deeply saddened to learn of Peter LoPilato’s death on March 7. In our last thread Peter assured me that his heart surgery in the Cleveland Clinic had been successful and that he was heading to the Y to build up his strength. Plans were made to meet for lunch in a couple of weeks.

What a loss to everyone who ever picked up a Ryder Magazine — free! — or attended a film only Peter could bring to our town. And the man did this for 44 years. It’s just astonishing.

What politician during that time ever contributed half as much to the citizenry? You poohbahs who pass around your “Sagamore of the Wabash” trophies to each other, stand down. Compared to what Peter did for us, you’re all pompous empty suits.

Peter wore his erudition so lightly, so affably. I taught screenwriting at Indiana University for 21 years and considered myself something of a cineaste. I once stupidly mentioned how many films I’d seen over the years — yes, I kept count, fool that I am. Peter just looked at me and gently said, “I think I’ve got you beat.”

Did he ever. You were the Champ, Peter. You retired undefeated.

Dennis J. Reardon, Bloomington

Now is the time to tip paper carriers

In response to those who have delivered The Herald-Times and who will now lose income as the paper goes to mail delivery, may I suggest that all customers so inclined give their carrier one last tip, as many do at Christmas. Not only as a way of thanking them, but as a way of giving support as a real community, a community which the newspaper helps to create.

Michael Carson, Bloomington

Lawmakers need to enforce gun laws

To the leaders and lawmakers of this country:

The date of Feb. 14, 2018, is a date of death for 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

We are now six years out from this massacre and I'm sure the survivors still hear their friends' screams as the gunfire ripped through their classroom. Those sounds will be with them for as long as they live. I pray for them and the parents who lost their children. How can our country stop this type of plunder of life?

Some will say if there is a will, there is a way. We must believe this, so should our lawmakers. This type of plunder of lives must stop. So do we have a solvable gun problem or an unsolvable problem? Is this with the gun manufacturers or is this a problem with our laws?

The killings in this country are a disgrace. Why would a country of our stature want this kind of reputation? There are plenty of laws on the books. But now is the time to enforce them.

A concerned citizen,

Helen Shryock, Bloomington

Don't forget to think

Most Americans let the media think for them … what’s true, who to hate, who to love, and perhaps most crucially, what’s important. The Iraq War cost a trillion dollars and killed a million people. The New York Times admitted it knew that Saddam Hussein had no WMDs but didn’t publish. No heads rolled. Since 1973, male sperm count has declined over 50%. Young women reach puberty two years earlier. No suspected chemicals banned.

Time Magazine recently chose Taylor Swift as their “Person of the Year,” ignoring Sam Altman (CEO of Open AI), Vladmir Putin, Donald Trump and Elon Musk. I asked ChatGPT to compose a song about a woman who leaves her boyfriend for a bearded football star. It took less than a second to compose. I’d wager it could be inserted into Ms. Swift’s repertoire without anyone noticing.

Did you watch the Super Bowl, Tucker Carlson’s interview of Putin, neither or both? If you missed the entire unedited interview, what do you know about the Minsk agreement, the negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine’s history … its religions, languages, cultural groups, and their distribution within its borders? We’re teetering on the edge of WWIII. I suggest you watch the full interview. Then watch “The Day After.”

John Linnemeier, Bloomington

Braver Angels yard signs latest effort to bring people together

Braver Angels Indiana, a civic renewal movement, is creating a team of 100 diverse community members to distribute 100 “Don’t Eclipse America — DEPOLARIZE” yard signs along high-traffic areas of Bloomington and around the state leading up to the April 8 total solar eclipse. Braver Angels' mission is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.

What good are yard signs going to do? Each campaign brings together up to a hundred red/blue leaning community members to promote, canvass, and run a local community building activity. Trained Braver Angels canvassers knock door-to-door in high traffic areas of the eclipse talking to residents and business owners about Braver Angels and offering a “DEPOLARIZE” yard sign.

It’s not about yard signs, it’s about relationships and the opportunity for neighborly conversations. To help grow our grassroots movement, request a yard sign, volunteer, or otherwise support this first-ever Braver Angels Indiana statewide 100 People — 100 yard signs campaign, register at www.BraverAngelsIndiana.org/YardSign. For more information contact Miles Eddy at meddy@BraverAngels.org. The objective is not to push an agenda or change participant’s minds, but rather to provide a safe place for deeper understanding.

Miles Eddy, Bloomington

'Plastic' tree displays problem of plastic bags

I am writing to express my concern about the use of plastic bags, like those used in grocery stores.

I drive on First Street to get to the east side of town. I pass Wendy's and Kroger on my way and have noticed a large tree next to Wendy's that is completely filled with plastic bags, plastic strips and plastic trash hanging from the limbs. It is disgusting!

Not only am I disgusted over the amount of plastic hanging from this tree, but the fact that it has been there for a long time, and no one in Bloomington has bothered to remove it. Also, why are we still using plastic bags? They should be outlawed!

With a world completely contaminated with plastic, even in our food and our bodies, we need to get rid of them. Not tomorrow — today!

Julianna Dailey, Bloomington

Editor's note: In 2016, the Bloomington City Counil was considering a plastic bag ban, but that year the state Legislature preempted local action on plastic bags.

State law undermines local efforts

In 2021, Bloomington’s City Council unanimously voted to prohibit the sale of cats and dogs by retail pet stores. This crucial, community-driven decision to combat the puppy mill to pet store pipeline was quashed this month when HB 1412 was signed into law.

The bill will void 21 local ordinances prohibiting the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores. This blow comes on the heels of SB 241 reinstating the bobcat hunt. Having two anti-animal bills enacted this session made it clear which representatives do not support animal protection – but it has also reinforced who is on the compassionate side of these issues.

I am proud to say that my legislator, Rep. David Hall, voted against HB 1412 and SB 241, proving his dedication to companion animals and wildlife alike. Even in the face of overwhelming disregard for animal welfare, Rep. Hall reflected the ideals of his constituents in Bloomington who support ending the retail sale of puppies.

Please join me in thanking Rep. Hall for his pro-animal actions this session as we continue to fight for all animals at every level of government.

Anne Sterling, vice president, state affairs The Humane Society of the United States