Rescued children may need a lifetime of healing

Recent news that United States Marshals in Georgia and six other states rescued 39 children who had gone missing might seem like a miraculous ending to a sordid tale of children kidnapped and exploited for child sex trafficking and sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

The truth is, while their rescue by federal, state, and local authorities was a blessing and an incredible law enforcement accomplishment, their recovery begins now.

They, and many of the 765,000 children reported missing in our nation every year, suffer heinous, unspeakable abuse that likely will scar them for life. Many are drugged, chained or caged, and forced into prostitution or child pornography. They are left emotionally destroyed.

For these 39 rescued children, ranging in age from 3 to 17, their therapeutic, emotional, and educational challenges have just begun.

Only with extraordinary, intensive therapy, therapeutic placements, and vocational training, will they have a fighting chance of returning to any semblance of normalcy.

Even with years — maybe a lifetime for some — of ongoing, individualized therapy, some may never return. But we must try.

Rescuing them was just the start. Now, state and local child welfare agencies and specialized programs must help them heal.

If you have information related to missing, abducted, or runaway children, or are in need of help or counseling, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s national toll-free hotline at 1-800-THELOST (1-800-843-5678), or the Polaris Project (https://polarisproject.org/ human-trafficking/), or the U.S. Marshals Service Missing Children’s Unit, or local law enforcement. – Howard M. Talenfeld,

president, Florida’s Children First,

Fort Lauderdale

VOTE IN ANGER

“Rage” is the name of Bob Woodward’s book, in which we learned President Trump knew early on about the seriousness of the coronavirus but later called it a hoax.

Rage is what I and everyone in Miami-Dade should feel about the man who deliberately deceived the American people. Comparing himself to Winston Churchill — who called for calm but told the truth about Great Britain’s dangerous war against Germany — is an audacity beyond tolerance.

Trump spews hate and derision; he stokes fear and fans the flames of racial injustice; he befriends our enemies and derides our own intelligence and military personnel. He never seeks to instill calm, and his defense of doing so during the pandemic is the ultimate deceit. His dishonesty has resulted in more death and sickness than would have occurred had he acknowledged the threat early and effectively managed the pandemic.

Rage makes the blood boil and fogs the mind. Rage can lead to despondency or insurrection. Rage will lead to our destruction if not soothed. We must take our rage to the polls in November and vote out the man who has failed as an ethical statesman and compassionate leader. – Johnnie McDonald, Miami

THE DARK SIDE

Our president fosters a sense of lawlessness, as that is what his role models, from youth, taught him. Look around and see where his constant disregard for the code of conduct required by his office has led us. He has no respect for law, no respect for the institution of marriage or women in general, no respect for those who are less fortunate.

The Ten Commandments, the biblical code of conduct on which we base our laws, are mere suggestions to him and did not create a solid foundation on which he could develop and build an ethical character.

The sooner he is voted out of office, the sooner we can start the laborious process of filling the terrible void in our national soul that he has exploited. The United States of America needs to be that shining city on the hill that guides our world out of the infiltration of darkness. – Judith Cannon,

Miami

RED TAPE

Re the Sept. 11 letter, “Bogus talk:” The writer asks where are the recordings of Trump denigrating the military?

Well, we have Trump on tape denigrating POWs (“I like the ones that don’t get captured”), but that still doesn’t matter. No proof will ever be enough for the hardcore Trumpists. – Tim Turman,

Cutler Bay

REASONS TO VOTE

I’ve been a pastor for a long time, and I know too many people of faith who don’t make voting a priority. We’ve forgotten the kind of power we have when we hold the pen over the ballot.

I have my grandmother’s first-issued voter’s registration card. It is a powerful reminder of the challenges and struggles many experienced to secure the right to have a voice in this great country of ours. Change will not take place on the sidelines. We must all participate in this game to win.

As President Obama said, “We are the change that we seek.” If people of faith acknowledge that fact at the ballot box, we can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. Change means exercising our sacred right to vote. Change means making a plan to vote and voting as early as possible.

How can we love our neighbor and focus on making their lives better, if we’re unwilling to vote? – Norman L. Hodge, Jr.,

Homestead

PROMISES KEPT

Our president and his administration have done so much for our country and the American people. His accomplishments are too many to mention. He kept his campaign promises. We need a businessman to lead our country, not a politician who has been in Washington for 47 years, lives in the past, and is backed by a socialist agenda.

What have Democrats done?

Nothing, except to try to impeach him. They have no agenda on how to keep this country great or make it better. Because they cannot find fault with

Trump’s accomplishments, they must find it on his handling of COVID-19 and what he thinks of the military.

It is pathetic.

Wake up America. Get your news from reliable sources, and think twice before you vote. You don’t need anyone to tell you how to protect yourself from this virus. Wear a mask. – Barbara Levin,

Miami

FACE MASK PENALTY

Kudos to the planners at Hard Rock Stadium for their preparation for socially-distanced football. Seats were blocked off in a way that kept fans six feet apart, entrance times were staggered and alcohol and tailgating were banned.

The only disappointment?

No enforcement of the mask requirement. About half the fans around me either took their masks off, pulled them around their necks, or covered their mouths but not their noses.

With a bigger crowd expected for FSU, hopefully management will enforce the mask requirement and eject those who refuse to comply. – Mike Rosenthal,

Kendall

THE REAL WINNER

The Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to Dr. Anthony Fauci, for his supreme effort to keep the peace between the country’s scientific experts and the president. – Joan Kasner,

Coral Gables

PARTING COMPANY

Re the Sept. 11 Herald sports story “Players,

Flores rip NFL for ‘empty gestures:’ ” So, Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and some of his players say they will remain in the locker room during the playing of our national anthem.

I will no longer watch the Miami Dolphins play and I will avoid the entire NFL season in protest of the league’s ignorance, insolence and defiant behavior.

As a follower of these Miami Dolphins for more than 50 years, I’m announcing irreconcilable differences, and this relationship is officially terminated. – Eddie Fernandez,

Hialeah

CHANGING CHANNELS

Re the Sept. 11 letter “Bogus talk:” The writer says he has not heard the actual recordings of Trump disparaging our troops. Here’s my advice. The next time you are drinking your big glass of Kool-Aid, switch the TV channel from Fox to a reputable network. There you will hear actual recordings. Or Google search for them. You will find many.

– Kate Arce, Miami Beach

FUZZY MATH

What’s the difference between “your strenuous flu” and “15 cases” of COVID-19?

About 190,000 Americans! – Norma A. Orovitz, Bay Harbor Islands

THE GUY WHO

SAID A CARAVAN WAS COMING TO RAPE AND MURDER YOUR WIVES

DIDN’T WANT TO CREATE PANIC.

GOT IT. Alex Cole, @acnewsitics