Celebration doesn't excuse car damage

This letter is in reference to Julie Bohannon's letter (Fence Post, July 10) in reference to Richard Szatkowski's loss of personal property due to errant fireworks.

I have to ask Ms. Bohannon how much collateral damage here at home is within limits in order to celebrate our nation's birthday?

If losing a car is OK, does the loss of a house become too much? An apartment building?

Apparently, by her own comments, personal injury would be within limits of our celebration as well.

Would this have been acceptable if a leftover firework were shot off on July 6th and started the same fire? How about October 17th?

Mr. Szatkowski did not start the fire by his own doing and is the victim of an accidental occurrence, regardless of what day of the year it happened or the cause for celebration.

Ms. Bohannon's reasoning is equivalent to saying looting a few dozen stores is acceptable if the Cubs were to win the World Series.

Her quotation marks around the word "beloved" leads me to believe she may be put off by the fact that this was a special car and possibly believes that it didn't deserve the press it received.

Then, finally Ms. Bohannon attempts to equate the mentioning of personal property loss to being unpatriotic and that we should remember those who are going through much worse in the military.

These have nothing whatsoever to do with each other.

I am saddened that Ms. Bohannon felt compelled to use the Fence Post forum to share such an opinion, but she should feel very fortunate that she has the ability to do so.

I would recommend she stop by her nearest police department at her earliest convenience to share her opinion and see how well it is received.

David Lake

Hanover Park