Politics done right, wrong

Thiessen is half-right

Regarding “Giving Trump credit for the vaccine is the best way for Biden to unite the country,” (Dec. 17): I am glad that you include the opinions of Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen. He is staunchly pro-Trump, which gives some balance. I also rarely agree with his opinions. This time he is right and wrong. Yes, this administration has done excellent work in promoting the development of vaccines with advanced funds. And they have organized distribution, a monumental task which we all hope has military precision. However, although this president did not start the fire, he continued to add fuel. He failed to lead a total federal response. He admittedly downplayed its seriousness, ridiculed state and local leaders trying to contain the damage, offered support of questionable cures and listened to non-expert “experts,” refused to promote mask wearing, did not refute naysayers, and currently has checked out of his job while the country is being overwhelmed with cases and deaths. He has been so busy trying to save his job, that he has stopped doing his job.

Should Joe Biden give him credit? And if he does, will those words unite the country? Yes to the former to the extent President Donald Trump deserves credit; no to Trump being part of the real solution, no to this acknowledgment uniting the country. It will take much more than this. It will take Trump disappearing from our daily news feed. It will take Congress working together for the greater good and throwing to the Washington trash heap the years of divisiveness that this president has exacerbated. It will take the American people demanding our elected leaders work for the common good, and put country over party. Thiessen accentuates a few puzzle pieces, but misses the big picture.

Losing with grace

Regarding “District B chooses its councilperson — one year late,” (Dec. 12 ): The quote from the losing candidate, Cynthia Bailey, about the winning candidate, Tarsha Jackson, caught my attention: “I look forward to continuing to fight to solve neighborhood issues together. District B will benefit from her leadership. It’s time to get to work.” It seems to me we would all be better off if more of our political figures followed Bailey’s lead.

Joseph Quinlan, Houston