We must condemn messages of hate
Editor: For those who would defend white supremacists on the grounds of free speech: There are stipulations to free speech. The government can’t infringe on the rights of its people to speak so long as it’s not hate speech, copyright infringement, obscenity, libel/slander, or inciting violence or criminal actions. There’s no protection from public opinion.
What the white supremacists on Saturday showed the country — as they marched in Charlottesville with assault rifles and torches, dressed in military fatigues — was that they were prepared for violence. Those who participated are reported to have chanted the Nazi propaganda slogan “Blood and Soil,” considered by the Anti-Defamation League to be an anti-Semitic hate slogan. One man drove a car through counter-protesters, killing a woman. Countless other civilians were injured throughout the day and two officers killed.
We must condemn anyone who would push an agenda of hatred in our nation. We should not tolerate these acts in Charlottesville, just as we should not tolerate such acts or hateful ideas in our own town. CHRISTINA CORNEJO Lodi
Let’s look at Obama’s embarrassments
Editor: In a recent letter Joanne DelSolar stated that President Trump is an embarrassment to the United States of America.
Some of Obama’s embarrassments:
He added about $10 trillion to our debt, more than all previous presidents combined. Obama was the only president never to achieve a year of 3 percent GDP, averaging 1.48 percent after two terms, and that’s after an $8 billion stimulus package that actually was considered a failure. What about when the microphone happened to be on when Obama whispered to the Russian president Medvedev that Putin should give him more space because after the election he would be more flexible? Sounds like collusion in his own words. How about the lies Obama told all Americans to promote Obamacare? If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health plan, you can keep your health plan. Obama sent $350,000 to oust Netanyahu — looks like Israeli election interference against a great USA ally.
Don’t blame Bush for the recession that Obama inherited. Bill Clinton’s first half term had a Democratic-controlled Congress that passed the Affordable Housing mandate that eventually caused the housing bubble to burst. Barney Frank (Democrat) admitted it wasn’t a good idea that everybody should own a house. Obama owns his economic failure — he had eight years to fix it.
Senator Schumer recently said Hillary Clinton lost the election because she had no message. Obama knew of Russian meddling in our election in June 2016 and did nothing about it — why? FBI director Comey gave Clinton a big break, didn’t prosecute her gross mishandling of classified emails on her private server — she destroyed 33,000 emails. She lied under oath to Congress, saying she had not received any classified emails —the far left would have to be pretty naive to believe that. The FBI later confirmed to Congress that was just one of many lies. I lost all credibility of the FBI under Director Comey.
Respect this President, he won the Electoral College Vote 304-227. He won an impressive 2,623 counties to Hillary’s 489. That’s 83 percent of the counties, the second most counties won since Reagan. DARRYL BETTENCOURT Lodi
A thank you to law enforcement
Editor: I simply want to thank our law enforcement. From Lodi Police to federal, state and county departments and all the way to our court systems. These brave men and women work hard, put in overtime and risk their lives each and every day (on or off duty).
Working holidays, the hottest summer days and the coldest winter days, as well as working 24/7 around the clock.
Thank you for keeping our communities safe, secure and being a visible deterrent. God bless and stay safe. JARED ADDINGTON Lodi