The impenetrable bubble

Alternate universe

Regarding “Jimmy Carter: I fear for our democracy,” ( Jan. 6): Now that we have heard, definitively, from President Jimmy Carter that our nation is in serious trouble, what do we do? Those of us on the left are asked to, as he put it, “re-engage across the divide, respectfully and constructively, by holding civil conversations with…” people who believe Donald Trump won an election he lost? Really? These same people insist Jan. 6, 2021, was a valid protest and something that the left is blowing way out of proportion. Add in a Congress full of Republicans who are so terrified to oppose the constituents who keep them employed they will willfully join them in their alternate universe bubble. I absolutely agree with President Carter’s suggestions, but I also know that the delusional bubble is impenetrable. Many of us have tried, repeatedly, to have hard discussions and to listen. I don’t know about them, but I’m frustrated, angry, exhausted and very emotional about the state of the country I have always been proud to be a part of. I’m not even sure about two things I was always sure of before — that the votes will count and that this, too, shall pass. Julie Rothermund, Magnolia

Having watched the Republican Party for quite some time now, I thought I was beyond surprise at their behavior. But it was quite a jarring shock to see that Liz Cheney was the only elected Republican with the balls to show up at the Capitol observances for the Jan. 6 insurrection. Jacqueline Clark, Houston

Issues of violence

Regarding “4-year-old grandniece of George Floyd shot in Houston’s Southside on New Year’s Day,” ( Jan. 4): In 2020, many of us in Minnesota were shocked and appalled by the death of Houstonian George Floyd at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. I feel many of us are now appalled by the shooting of his niece in Houston. What both incidents I believe do share is the issues of violence facing neglected minority communities across the country. As in the case of George Floyd, I hope whoever is responsible is held accountable for this. Also, I have commented in the Star Tribune in Minneapolis on the responses to George Floyd’s death, where I criticized the groups that rioted and looted the city after his death and attempts by the Minneapolis City Council to replace the police department, saying neither brought justice to the death of Floyd and that only the conviction of Derek Chauvin and the resignation of then-Minneapolis Police Federation Union head Bob Kroll from the Minneapolis Police Department made justice happen. Will Labovitch, St. Paul, Minn.