Spotlight
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Greensboro News and Record.
1
Wednesday's letters: 'If the president does it, it's not a crime.'
Poor Richard
Poor Richard Nixon must be rolling over in his grave. Turns out that he was right after all.
His famous quote, "If the president does it, it's not a crime," is correct, based on the United States Inferior Court's decision Monday. My recollection is that, at the time, just about everyone viewed his words as ludicrous and believed the idea would not be successul in any court. John Adams must also be turning over in his grave, since it was he who famously said, "We are a nation of laws, not of men."
Well, John, that is no longer true.
The president, whether he or she be Democrat or Republican, is above and superior to the law, provided he or she are acting in an official presidential capacity. As noted in her commonsense and logic-based dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor speculated that under this ruling, as long as a president uses his official powers in any way, he would be immune from prosecution for ordering Seal Team 6 to assasinate a political rival.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that a president would have a "fair shot (how ironic) at getting immunity" in such a case under this "new accountability model."
With this decision, the traditional principles that no man is above the law, the separation of powers, and the checks and balances of three co-equal branches of government fly out the window. This opens the door for any president to treat the country as his personal criminal playground.
David Thompson
Greensboro
Mark the date
July 1, 2024: the day when the defenders of the Constitution became the defilers of the Constitution.
Dan Flak
Greensboro
Democrats' tantrum
The Democrats complaining about the Supreme Court on Presidental Immunity never said anything when the court was more Liberal.Their temper tantrums are beneath their office.They want to pack the Court to swing it their way.The reason the Court is held in low esteem is partly their fault.The Conservatives have finally gotten the majority on the Court.The Liberal Justices claim that any President has Absolute Authority is not what the Court said.
Morris Wood
Eden
Who will save us?
Three days ago, I saw a roadside sign that read “Jesus is Coming.” My immediate thought was maybe He can save us from all the looney Christian nationalists who want to turn our nation into a theocracy and the white nationalist bigots who think God gave America only to white people.
Then there are the Christian evangelicals who, apparently, think Trump was sent by their God to save America … from what, I ask!?
Throughout our history we have been a religiously and ethnically pluralistic society. The First Amendment reads, in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ... ." This means there is not, and cannot be, a state-sanctioned religion. This means not just Christians and Jews, but Buddhists, Hindus, etc., can worship here as they choose. Finally, it guarantees freedom from religion, so atheists are also welcome.
Donald Trump, who has repeatedly demonstrated his racial bigotry and misogyny, is probably the least religious president in our history. He is also a convicted felon who consorts with at least eight other convicted felons. It’s said we’re known by the company we keep. Is he capable of leading us to a better place? I doubt it.
Some time ago I read a very prescient observation: "If fascism ever comes to America it will be draped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sadly, we’re perilously close.
Kenneth R. Ostberg
Winston-Salem
Fast, noisy cars
Your columnist, Allen Johnson, wrote about making noise on city streets (June 30). For my part, I'm a retired Marine jet and aerial refueler pilot. Old and out of practice now, I still remember. On low-level flights we did 360-plus knots at and below 500 feet. I know how to go fast, maneuver and make noise. And deliver explosive ordnance, too. City streets are not the place to do it.
If those guys find it thrilling, they should have visited the recruiting offices, but that requires commitment and work.
Michael Woods
Kernersville
2
Tuesday's letters: Local M.D.: There are serious questions about Biden's health that need answering
Biden’s health
I worried about President Biden’s low approval ratings for months before the debate, and hoped the Democrats would nominate someone else. His failure to be coherent in the debate, regardless of the cause, reduces his chance for reelection significantly. Another letter writer suggested he might have Parkinson’s disease (PD) and his halting gait and emotionless (masked) facial appearance are compatible with PD.
As people progress during PD, treatment with levodopa is of reduced effectiveness and leads to “off” periods with exaggerated symptoms, including anxiety and confusion. I don’t know if Biden has Parkinson’s, but, if what happened to him during the debate was an “off” period, that would explain his horrid performance. If that’s true, the next four years are liable to be marked by increasing frequency of such episodes.
If one occurred at a time of crisis, such as a nuclear attack, that could have terrible consequences for our country. I believe the possibility that Joe Biden has PD requires clarification.
Richard J Rosen, M.D.
Greensboro
Trump’s ‘meat-grinder’
Like many others, my response to Joe Biden’s performance in the debate against Donald Trump was one of shock, disbelief and almost desperation. How this could have happened (and who will get the blame) is hard to fathom, but there is one indisputable fact: This coming election should not be close when you look at what happened during Trump’s presidency — it was nothing short of a meat-grinder that brought depressing and scary headlines almost daily. It was such a relief after the 2020 election to get back to some semblance of normalcy in the White House.
The sad fact is that Trump would not be a candidate in 2024 if there were not enough people to support him, and yet there are. The looming threat of his reelection is rooted solely in that truth, and it says something about who we are as a nation and what our values are.
Is it democracy if the greater number of voters (on an electoral basis) want to cast their ballot for someone whose aim seems to be to trash democracy and become a dictator? It appears that is what we would rather have and what could possibly be brought to fruition.
We have the capacity to be a force for good in the world, to be that shining light on a hill that others want to emulate. Maybe it will take another Trump meat-grinder to remind us of how valuable that is.
Bill Wallace
High Point
No outrage about Trump?
There has been a lot of focus on Biden’s poor debate performance and calls for him to step down. Much of the media appears outraged, and the questions about Biden have been loud and strong. But given the actions and the rhetoric of the other candidate, I must ask where is the outrage about Trump?
Where is the outrage about Trump’s indictments, charges and convictions? Isn’t his being a convicted felon reason to be outraged and to loudly and strongly call for Trump to drop out of the race?
Where is the outrage about Trump’s lies? He told at least 30 documented lies repeatedly during the debate and tens of thousands during his time in office.
And, probably most important, where is the outrage about Project 2025, a playbook that will strip our country of any semblance of democracy, give almost unlimited power to the president with few or no checks or balances, and move us toward a Christo-fascist nation? Check out Project2025.org, which Trump is closely following.
Yes, Biden had a poor debate performance, but only the performance was bad. In his actions, Biden has accomplished a great deal: infrastructure, gun safety, prescription drug prices and more.
What is more important: one poor debate performance or the future of our country and our democracy? Be outraged about what really matters.
Francie Portnoy
High Point
‘Bunk’ has NC roots
I appreciate Richard Groves’ remembering the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers as we consume ongoing presidential campaigns (June 23).
As Groves knows, “bunk” was coined to mock a North Carolinian 204 years ago. It is short for Buncombe, our county where Felix Walker served as congressman, 1817-1823. He rose to speak in Congress and was needlessly verbose. His talk was deemed as “talking for Buncombe” and in time “bunkum” and then “bunk.”
Lest we color the man entirely from this one episode, remember that at 21 he ventured from what soon became Rutherford County to join with Daniel Boone in March 1775 as one of 30 axe men cutting Boone Trace into Kentucky. After three weeks of toil and when only one day from reaching the site to build Fort Boonesborough, Boone’s party was attacked by Cherokees, who killed two men and grievously wounded Walker, among others. Walker recovered only enough in a week to be carried in a litter for the remainder of the trip. He was a member of the original party to establish that colonial outpost across the Appalachians 250 years ago next spring.
Will Rogers also reminds us, “It ain’t what we don’t know that gets us in trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.” We heard a lot of “what ain’t so” in Thursday’s debate, mostly from one side, I think — bunk, for sure.
Better to judge a long-lived man by the entirety of his life — assessing integrity, compassion, service to others — not by one speech.
Randell Jones
Winston-Salem
3
Sunday's letters: Readers respond to the Trump-Biden debate
Scranton Joe
Remember, America, Biden is not the problem. Trump is the problem, and if enough of us vote for Democrats, the problem will go away.
The Biden team made the mistake of prepping Policy Joe rather than Scranton Joe. Old Scranton Joe could have called out Trump’s lies with humor (“There you go again”) and FACTS on his accomplishments without resorting to policy numbers, percentages, dollars and those factoids which few understand and no one remembers.
The president’s job is not to be a good debater. The presidential job is leadership, and I believe Scranton Joe is still up to the job.
Bill West
Oak Ridge
Debate? What debate?
CNN, you elected Trump in 2016 and you are trying again. What does it profit us to give a stage to utter lie after lie after lie. You invited a very sick man to rant very loudly.
Guilty people proclaim innocence with the greatest volume. We must not be fooled: Loud, repetitive lies are still lies. Those who use them are not strong. There is no doubt of Trump’s guilt and we must judge him on his actions, not his vengeful tirades.
News media should be about helping people discern truth, not sensational, never-ending opinion. What does it say that strength is defined by spouting nonsense loudly? It is beyond ridiculous. True strength is humble, thoughtful, compassionate.
We need a president who calls us to our higher selves. One who does good through cooperation and statesmanship. Who makes mistakes but admits them and can change actions when necessary.
We need a president who actually cares about us and this country. The only choice is Joe Biden. Give me honesty and humility any day, for our freedom depends on it.
Suzanne Plihcik
Greensboro
Skewed coverage
There is no question that Joe Biden stumbled, and that this raises questions about his mental capabilities, but I’m disappointed that this was the main focus of your post-debate coverage.
Mr. Biden’s record of sweeping legislative accomplishments, economic stabilization over the past three years (especially compared to Europe) and infrastructure stimulus speak for themselves. Trump passed no substantial legislation in his four years other than cutting taxes for people who don’t really need it.
Mr. Trump lied, rambled incoherently and often didn’t answer questions. His comments about taking credit for lowering the price for insulin, providing better funding for HBCUs, having no terrorist attacks during his tenure, funding for Ukraine, clean air efforts (and many more) were fabrications or exaggerations.
I give credit to the Democrats who are questioning whether Biden can be effective for four more years. Where are the Republicans who should question a candidate who is liable for sexual assault and business fraud, convicted of 34 felonies, under three indictments, will not acknowledge the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and who refuses to say he will accept the results of the next election?
And why are media everywhere not asking the same questions about Mr. Trump that they raise about the president?
Robert P. Doolittle
Greensboro
Polled to death
Here it is, not even July of a presidential election year and the airwaves are full of political pundits predicting the outcomes of all the races. Every program and newscast depicts the latest poll taken from a “representative” population of prospective voters. They give us statistics on the economy, foreign policy, abortion and the mounting national debt. My fear is that these unending polls will influence individual voters to act like sheep and go with the poll leaders.
I believe each of us should assess each candidate and choose the one best qualified for the position based on platforms and credibility. I, for one, would prefer to support a candidate who excels in chess. One who is able to intelligently see the big picture, make well-thought-out moves, and understand both the short- and long-term consequences of each move.
Don’t act like sheep and blindly follow the “polls.” Remember, “one person, one vote,” and they all count.
Joel Heller
Greensboro
The man’s role
I’ve seen the Mark Robinson speech where he says, “It makes no difference why or how a child ended up in that womb,” and “Abortion in this country is not about protecting the lives of mothers. It is about killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down.”
This implies that a woman is 100% responsible for getting pregnant. Those of us who learned about the birds and the bees know that it doesn’t work that way. If we are to believe Robinson, for every woman who can’t keep her skirt down, there is a man who isn’t responsible enough to keep his pants up.
These statements are as insulting to men as they are to women.
Dan Flak
Greensboro
Which will it be?
Our Constitution and our governmental procedures protect us from a president who becomes incompetent. Our country has little protection from the dictatorial aspirations of someone like Trump
Lowell Rauch
Greensboro
4
Friday's letters: Time to move on and fix the bump stock bill
Fix the bump stock text
The Supreme Court’s decision in the bump stock case is shocking. But it is what it is. What matters is what to do about it. Since the court’s decision revolves about text (hard to believe) the matter should be addressed as soon as possible.
Our dysfunctional, do-nothing Congress needs to halt all hearings and committee meetings and craft the necessary, finely worded, absolutely clear legislation regarding bump stocks. This legislation should be standalone, with no secret add-ons, fully bipartisan and, please, free of politics. Following congressional approval it should be sent to the president for his signature, effective as soon as the ink is dry.
As bad as the court’s decision was, let’s not dwell on it. Let’s do something about it.
H.C. Roethling
Greensboro
Mixing church and state
Recently I noticed that the Democratic National Committee was sponsoring many “Divine Mercy Prayer” meeting events. I was dismayed and angered by this, as I am by any governmental initiation of a religious activity. While the protection of the separation of church and state should be an ongoing effort, it is especially important at this time when the far right is openly trying to create a Christian nationalist country and is using religion as a basis for creating or upholding laws.
Any religious activity allowed on government property or at a political/governmental event only gives approval for bringing religion into our government and our laws, and now the Democratic Party is complicit in this.
To truly respect the beliefs of all people, it is imperative that government be secular, while upholding each person’s right to worship, believe or not believe as they want in their churches, temples, mosques and homes. Prayer days, prayer at government events or statues of religious figures on public or government grounds should not be allowed.
This does not have to be an either/or issue. It can be a for/for issue. You can be both for separation of church and state and for the right of every citizen to follow their faith and values as they see fit. Doing so will make us a stronger and more united nation.
Democrats need to do a better job of this.
Pam Hill
High Point
Trump supporters
This is in response to a response to my “Save the insults” letter to the editor:
The writer is condemning Trump. I get it. The point of my article was to not condemn the Trump supporters in a way that is demeaning and disrespectful.
I don’t see any reference to this in that letter to the editor.
Finally, I do have to call out an inaccuracy. It is subtle, but important. I watched the Sean Hannity interview of Donald Trump when he said he would be a dictator on day one. He also said he would be a dictator only on day one. He was referring to all the presidential decrees that he would make on day one. Like what Biden did on his day one.
Trump generates plenty of angst on his own among the liberals. No need to make stuff up to add more.
Joey Harding
Greensboro
Tax-cut debacle
Despite what the author of “Trump tax cuts” (June 25) claims, Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which will expire next year, gave most of its tax relief to corporations and the wealthy and never came close to paying for itself through increased economic activity.
According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Budget, Trump and the GOP’s plans to extend and expand it without offsets for another 10 years through 2035 will reduce revenues by $6.4 trillion, increase the national debt to 137% of gross domestic product (GDP) and boost federal deficits to more than 9% of GDP.
That would be another massive giveaway to the rich and a disaster for the funds desperately needed for education and the social programs that everybody benefits from.
Tim Miles
Mount Airy
The HEARTS Act
Heart disease has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My mom had a condition that caused a thickening of her heart — I lost her two years ago to a heart attack. At age 11, I discovered I had the same genetic condition, which meant open-heart surgery when I was 14.
We often think heart disease only impacts older people, but I am proof that this is not the case. In fact, up to 23,000 kids will experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. To someone like me who dreams of becoming a mother, this is a terrifying statistic.
That’s why I recently traveled to Washington to share my story with my members of Congress. Along with other heart disease survivors, families who have lost a loved one to cardiac arrest and other advocates, we asked our lawmakers to pass the HEARTS Act and Access to AEDs Act. This legislation would provide crucial resources to schools to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs), train students and staff on how to perform CPR and use AEDs and create cardiac emergency response plans.
I got involved with the American Heart Association to not only spread awareness about the importance of heart health, but also to advocate for public policies that will save lives, including legislation that will help schools prepare to respond to a cardiac emergency. By passing these bipartisan bills, Congress would help save lives from cardiac arrest.
Stephanie Bowden
Pinnacle
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Wednesday's letters: 'If the president does it, it's not a crime.'
Poor Richard
Poor Richard Nixon must be rolling over in his grave. Turns out that he was right after all.
His famous quote, "If the president does it, it's not a crime," is correct, based on the United States Inferior Court's decision Monday. My recollection is that, at the time, just about everyone viewed his words as ludicrous and believed the idea would not be successul in any court. John Adams must also be turning over in his grave, since it was he who famously said, "We are a nation of laws, not of men."
Well, John, that is no longer true.
The president, whether he or she be Democrat or Republican, is above and superior to the law, provided he or she are acting in an official presidential capacity. As noted in her commonsense and logic-based dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor speculated that under this ruling, as long as a president uses his official powers in any way, he would be immune from prosecution for ordering Seal Team 6 to assasinate a political rival.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that a president would have a "fair shot (how ironic) at getting immunity" in such a case under this "new accountability model."
With this decision, the traditional principles that no man is above the law, the separation of powers, and the checks and balances of three co-equal branches of government fly out the window. This opens the door for any president to treat the country as his personal criminal playground.
David Thompson
Greensboro
Mark the date
July 1, 2024: the day when the defenders of the Constitution became the defilers of the Constitution.
Dan Flak
Greensboro
Democrats' tantrum
The Democrats complaining about the Supreme Court on Presidental Immunity never said anything when the court was more Liberal.Their temper tantrums are beneath their office.They want to pack the Court to swing it their way.The reason the Court is held in low esteem is partly their fault.The Conservatives have finally gotten the majority on the Court.The Liberal Justices claim that any President has Absolute Authority is not what the Court said.
Morris Wood
Eden
Who will save us?
Three days ago, I saw a roadside sign that read “Jesus is Coming.” My immediate thought was maybe He can save us from all the looney Christian nationalists who want to turn our nation into a theocracy and the white nationalist bigots who think God gave America only to white people.
Then there are the Christian evangelicals who, apparently, think Trump was sent by their God to save America … from what, I ask!?
Throughout our history we have been a religiously and ethnically pluralistic society. The First Amendment reads, in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ... ." This means there is not, and cannot be, a state-sanctioned religion. This means not just Christians and Jews, but Buddhists, Hindus, etc., can worship here as they choose. Finally, it guarantees freedom from religion, so atheists are also welcome.
Donald Trump, who has repeatedly demonstrated his racial bigotry and misogyny, is probably the least religious president in our history. He is also a convicted felon who consorts with at least eight other convicted felons. It’s said we’re known by the company we keep. Is he capable of leading us to a better place? I doubt it.
Some time ago I read a very prescient observation: "If fascism ever comes to America it will be draped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sadly, we’re perilously close.
Kenneth R. Ostberg
Winston-Salem
Fast, noisy cars
Your columnist, Allen Johnson, wrote about making noise on city streets (June 30). For my part, I'm a retired Marine jet and aerial refueler pilot. Old and out of practice now, I still remember. On low-level flights we did 360-plus knots at and below 500 feet. I know how to go fast, maneuver and make noise. And deliver explosive ordnance, too. City streets are not the place to do it.
If those guys find it thrilling, they should have visited the recruiting offices, but that requires commitment and work.
Michael Woods
Kernersville
Tuesday's letters: Local M.D.: There are serious questions about Biden's health that need answering
Biden’s health
I worried about President Biden’s low approval ratings for months before the debate, and hoped the Democrats would nominate someone else. His failure to be coherent in the debate, regardless of the cause, reduces his chance for reelection significantly. Another letter writer suggested he might have Parkinson’s disease (PD) and his halting gait and emotionless (masked) facial appearance are compatible with PD.
As people progress during PD, treatment with levodopa is of reduced effectiveness and leads to “off” periods with exaggerated symptoms, including anxiety and confusion. I don’t know if Biden has Parkinson’s, but, if what happened to him during the debate was an “off” period, that would explain his horrid performance. If that’s true, the next four years are liable to be marked by increasing frequency of such episodes.
If one occurred at a time of crisis, such as a nuclear attack, that could have terrible consequences for our country. I believe the possibility that Joe Biden has PD requires clarification.
Richard J Rosen, M.D.
Greensboro
Trump’s ‘meat-grinder’
Like many others, my response to Joe Biden’s performance in the debate against Donald Trump was one of shock, disbelief and almost desperation. How this could have happened (and who will get the blame) is hard to fathom, but there is one indisputable fact: This coming election should not be close when you look at what happened during Trump’s presidency — it was nothing short of a meat-grinder that brought depressing and scary headlines almost daily. It was such a relief after the 2020 election to get back to some semblance of normalcy in the White House.
The sad fact is that Trump would not be a candidate in 2024 if there were not enough people to support him, and yet there are. The looming threat of his reelection is rooted solely in that truth, and it says something about who we are as a nation and what our values are.
Is it democracy if the greater number of voters (on an electoral basis) want to cast their ballot for someone whose aim seems to be to trash democracy and become a dictator? It appears that is what we would rather have and what could possibly be brought to fruition.
We have the capacity to be a force for good in the world, to be that shining light on a hill that others want to emulate. Maybe it will take another Trump meat-grinder to remind us of how valuable that is.
Bill Wallace
High Point
No outrage about Trump?
There has been a lot of focus on Biden’s poor debate performance and calls for him to step down. Much of the media appears outraged, and the questions about Biden have been loud and strong. But given the actions and the rhetoric of the other candidate, I must ask where is the outrage about Trump?
Where is the outrage about Trump’s indictments, charges and convictions? Isn’t his being a convicted felon reason to be outraged and to loudly and strongly call for Trump to drop out of the race?
Where is the outrage about Trump’s lies? He told at least 30 documented lies repeatedly during the debate and tens of thousands during his time in office.
And, probably most important, where is the outrage about Project 2025, a playbook that will strip our country of any semblance of democracy, give almost unlimited power to the president with few or no checks or balances, and move us toward a Christo-fascist nation? Check out Project2025.org, which Trump is closely following.
Yes, Biden had a poor debate performance, but only the performance was bad. In his actions, Biden has accomplished a great deal: infrastructure, gun safety, prescription drug prices and more.
What is more important: one poor debate performance or the future of our country and our democracy? Be outraged about what really matters.
Francie Portnoy
High Point
‘Bunk’ has NC roots
I appreciate Richard Groves’ remembering the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers as we consume ongoing presidential campaigns (June 23).
As Groves knows, “bunk” was coined to mock a North Carolinian 204 years ago. It is short for Buncombe, our county where Felix Walker served as congressman, 1817-1823. He rose to speak in Congress and was needlessly verbose. His talk was deemed as “talking for Buncombe” and in time “bunkum” and then “bunk.”
Lest we color the man entirely from this one episode, remember that at 21 he ventured from what soon became Rutherford County to join with Daniel Boone in March 1775 as one of 30 axe men cutting Boone Trace into Kentucky. After three weeks of toil and when only one day from reaching the site to build Fort Boonesborough, Boone’s party was attacked by Cherokees, who killed two men and grievously wounded Walker, among others. Walker recovered only enough in a week to be carried in a litter for the remainder of the trip. He was a member of the original party to establish that colonial outpost across the Appalachians 250 years ago next spring.
Will Rogers also reminds us, “It ain’t what we don’t know that gets us in trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.” We heard a lot of “what ain’t so” in Thursday’s debate, mostly from one side, I think — bunk, for sure.
Better to judge a long-lived man by the entirety of his life — assessing integrity, compassion, service to others — not by one speech.
Randell Jones
Winston-Salem
Sunday's letters: Readers respond to the Trump-Biden debate
Scranton Joe
Remember, America, Biden is not the problem. Trump is the problem, and if enough of us vote for Democrats, the problem will go away.
The Biden team made the mistake of prepping Policy Joe rather than Scranton Joe. Old Scranton Joe could have called out Trump’s lies with humor (“There you go again”) and FACTS on his accomplishments without resorting to policy numbers, percentages, dollars and those factoids which few understand and no one remembers.
The president’s job is not to be a good debater. The presidential job is leadership, and I believe Scranton Joe is still up to the job.
Bill West
Oak Ridge
Debate? What debate?
CNN, you elected Trump in 2016 and you are trying again. What does it profit us to give a stage to utter lie after lie after lie. You invited a very sick man to rant very loudly.
Guilty people proclaim innocence with the greatest volume. We must not be fooled: Loud, repetitive lies are still lies. Those who use them are not strong. There is no doubt of Trump’s guilt and we must judge him on his actions, not his vengeful tirades.
News media should be about helping people discern truth, not sensational, never-ending opinion. What does it say that strength is defined by spouting nonsense loudly? It is beyond ridiculous. True strength is humble, thoughtful, compassionate.
We need a president who calls us to our higher selves. One who does good through cooperation and statesmanship. Who makes mistakes but admits them and can change actions when necessary.
We need a president who actually cares about us and this country. The only choice is Joe Biden. Give me honesty and humility any day, for our freedom depends on it.
Suzanne Plihcik
Greensboro
Skewed coverage
There is no question that Joe Biden stumbled, and that this raises questions about his mental capabilities, but I’m disappointed that this was the main focus of your post-debate coverage.
Mr. Biden’s record of sweeping legislative accomplishments, economic stabilization over the past three years (especially compared to Europe) and infrastructure stimulus speak for themselves. Trump passed no substantial legislation in his four years other than cutting taxes for people who don’t really need it.
Mr. Trump lied, rambled incoherently and often didn’t answer questions. His comments about taking credit for lowering the price for insulin, providing better funding for HBCUs, having no terrorist attacks during his tenure, funding for Ukraine, clean air efforts (and many more) were fabrications or exaggerations.
I give credit to the Democrats who are questioning whether Biden can be effective for four more years. Where are the Republicans who should question a candidate who is liable for sexual assault and business fraud, convicted of 34 felonies, under three indictments, will not acknowledge the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and who refuses to say he will accept the results of the next election?
And why are media everywhere not asking the same questions about Mr. Trump that they raise about the president?
Robert P. Doolittle
Greensboro
Polled to death
Here it is, not even July of a presidential election year and the airwaves are full of political pundits predicting the outcomes of all the races. Every program and newscast depicts the latest poll taken from a “representative” population of prospective voters. They give us statistics on the economy, foreign policy, abortion and the mounting national debt. My fear is that these unending polls will influence individual voters to act like sheep and go with the poll leaders.
I believe each of us should assess each candidate and choose the one best qualified for the position based on platforms and credibility. I, for one, would prefer to support a candidate who excels in chess. One who is able to intelligently see the big picture, make well-thought-out moves, and understand both the short- and long-term consequences of each move.
Don’t act like sheep and blindly follow the “polls.” Remember, “one person, one vote,” and they all count.
Joel Heller
Greensboro
The man’s role
I’ve seen the Mark Robinson speech where he says, “It makes no difference why or how a child ended up in that womb,” and “Abortion in this country is not about protecting the lives of mothers. It is about killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down.”
This implies that a woman is 100% responsible for getting pregnant. Those of us who learned about the birds and the bees know that it doesn’t work that way. If we are to believe Robinson, for every woman who can’t keep her skirt down, there is a man who isn’t responsible enough to keep his pants up.
These statements are as insulting to men as they are to women.
Dan Flak
Greensboro
Which will it be?
Our Constitution and our governmental procedures protect us from a president who becomes incompetent. Our country has little protection from the dictatorial aspirations of someone like Trump
Lowell Rauch
Greensboro
Friday's letters: Time to move on and fix the bump stock bill
Fix the bump stock text
The Supreme Court’s decision in the bump stock case is shocking. But it is what it is. What matters is what to do about it. Since the court’s decision revolves about text (hard to believe) the matter should be addressed as soon as possible.
Our dysfunctional, do-nothing Congress needs to halt all hearings and committee meetings and craft the necessary, finely worded, absolutely clear legislation regarding bump stocks. This legislation should be standalone, with no secret add-ons, fully bipartisan and, please, free of politics. Following congressional approval it should be sent to the president for his signature, effective as soon as the ink is dry.
As bad as the court’s decision was, let’s not dwell on it. Let’s do something about it.
H.C. Roethling
Greensboro
Mixing church and state
Recently I noticed that the Democratic National Committee was sponsoring many “Divine Mercy Prayer” meeting events. I was dismayed and angered by this, as I am by any governmental initiation of a religious activity. While the protection of the separation of church and state should be an ongoing effort, it is especially important at this time when the far right is openly trying to create a Christian nationalist country and is using religion as a basis for creating or upholding laws.
Any religious activity allowed on government property or at a political/governmental event only gives approval for bringing religion into our government and our laws, and now the Democratic Party is complicit in this.
To truly respect the beliefs of all people, it is imperative that government be secular, while upholding each person’s right to worship, believe or not believe as they want in their churches, temples, mosques and homes. Prayer days, prayer at government events or statues of religious figures on public or government grounds should not be allowed.
This does not have to be an either/or issue. It can be a for/for issue. You can be both for separation of church and state and for the right of every citizen to follow their faith and values as they see fit. Doing so will make us a stronger and more united nation.
Democrats need to do a better job of this.
Pam Hill
High Point
Trump supporters
This is in response to a response to my “Save the insults” letter to the editor:
The writer is condemning Trump. I get it. The point of my article was to not condemn the Trump supporters in a way that is demeaning and disrespectful.
I don’t see any reference to this in that letter to the editor.
Finally, I do have to call out an inaccuracy. It is subtle, but important. I watched the Sean Hannity interview of Donald Trump when he said he would be a dictator on day one. He also said he would be a dictator only on day one. He was referring to all the presidential decrees that he would make on day one. Like what Biden did on his day one.
Trump generates plenty of angst on his own among the liberals. No need to make stuff up to add more.
Joey Harding
Greensboro
Tax-cut debacle
Despite what the author of “Trump tax cuts” (June 25) claims, Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which will expire next year, gave most of its tax relief to corporations and the wealthy and never came close to paying for itself through increased economic activity.
According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Budget, Trump and the GOP’s plans to extend and expand it without offsets for another 10 years through 2035 will reduce revenues by $6.4 trillion, increase the national debt to 137% of gross domestic product (GDP) and boost federal deficits to more than 9% of GDP.
That would be another massive giveaway to the rich and a disaster for the funds desperately needed for education and the social programs that everybody benefits from.
Tim Miles
Mount Airy
The HEARTS Act
Heart disease has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My mom had a condition that caused a thickening of her heart — I lost her two years ago to a heart attack. At age 11, I discovered I had the same genetic condition, which meant open-heart surgery when I was 14.
We often think heart disease only impacts older people, but I am proof that this is not the case. In fact, up to 23,000 kids will experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. To someone like me who dreams of becoming a mother, this is a terrifying statistic.
That’s why I recently traveled to Washington to share my story with my members of Congress. Along with other heart disease survivors, families who have lost a loved one to cardiac arrest and other advocates, we asked our lawmakers to pass the HEARTS Act and Access to AEDs Act. This legislation would provide crucial resources to schools to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs), train students and staff on how to perform CPR and use AEDs and create cardiac emergency response plans.
I got involved with the American Heart Association to not only spread awareness about the importance of heart health, but also to advocate for public policies that will save lives, including legislation that will help schools prepare to respond to a cardiac emergency. By passing these bipartisan bills, Congress would help save lives from cardiac arrest.
Stephanie Bowden
Pinnacle
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