Finding Fault

Was President Trump right to blame both sides in Charlottesville tragedy?

In the wake of last weekend’s tragedy in Charlottesville, Va., President Donald Trump took to the airwaves Monday to denounce white supremacy and racial division.

Then on Tuesday he switched course and said both sides shared blame, both the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and alt-right marchers as well as those aligned in counterprotest.

The president’s Tuesday remarks have drawn a lot of heat. Critics say you cannot equate white supremacists with those protesting against racism. But the president has supporters as well, who agree with his assessment.

We want to know what you think. Was the president right? Do both sides share blame for the violence in Charlottesville? Or was the president wrong to blame both sides?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, Aug. 25. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.

Last Week: Breastfeeding in Public?

Last week’s question was about a breastfeeding in a public place. Is it fine for women to breastfeed uncovered in public? Or should women cover up or go to a more private location?

The deal is moms should cover their baby’s feeding. Why would they want to do it any other way in public, not at home? We’re talking in public —B.J., Texarkana, Texas

From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette

In an age where most people, men and women alike, seem to let it all hang out, I guess it’s OK. I prefer people who haven’t thrown modesty out the window. I don’t think mothers should be banished to a private location but I do believe they should use at least a light covering when breastfeeding. Truthfully, most Americans could use a refresher course on modesty and its forgotten purpose.

I don’t use a cover because my child shouldn’t have to eat under a blanket.

Not only that, she fusses if I try to put one on her. To each their own when it comes to covering up, though.

I believe if it bothers someone seeing a mother nurse her baby so much, that person should look the other way. It isn’t sexual by any means, and if the disapproving person believes it is then there is something profoundly wrong with them; they may want to get that checked out. Or put a blanket on their head when they eat.

How about it is no one’s business except the breastfeeding mom. If she decides to cover up or not is her business. If it makes you uncomfortable, don’t look. It’s not the least bit appropriate to pose this “issue” for debate.

If a person eating in public bothers you, get some help, since you will be confronted by that constantly. If seeing a body part bothers you, get some help, since there are bodies all around you. If you find a woman feeding an infant sexual in any way, get some help, because you are sick and perverted. No matter how you approach it, any “problem” is about the observer, not the parent and child.

Breastfeeding in public is legal. Period. There’s no debate here. There’s a federal law to protect breastfeeding mothers. If you don’t like it don’t look, but babies have got to eat, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. You don’t want to eat your lunch in a bathroom, so don’t make that baby eat in a bathroom.

I believe it is completely up to the mother as it is her baby and her body. I chose to cover up because I was personally more comfortable and my babies were fine with it. Many moms have different experiences. It is terribly disturbing to me that some people try to sexualize something that is so natural and innocent between a mother and a child.

So it’s OK to have boobs hanging out to sell clothing, food, cars, etc., but not to feed a child? Something is seriously wrong with that. I mean don’t get me wrong, don’t have your nipple and all on display, just feed the baby and get it over with. No big deal. No harm done. If seeing it makes you uncomfortable, look away just like I look away when I see a skanky teenager with her boobs and butt hanging out. If something makes me feel awkward, I don’t stare and complain about it. I just walk away.

If I saw a woman breastfeeding her baby in public with breast expose, I would give an approving smile and just turn my head. Who would be so uptight? I did breastfeed my child and did use a scarf to cover up. To each their own. It’s entirely up to the mother.

No need to cover. No one should be offended by the most natural and healthy way to feed a child. This provides positive modeling to potential moms, empowering them to do what’s best for their family.

I think it’s perfectly natural for a mother to breast feed her baby in public or anywhere her baby is hungry. It’s every woman’s choice to cover or not.

It’s Mother Nature. It’s not as bad as women with their boobs hanging out for everyone to see in some low cut top.

I breastfeed but not in public. To me it was a private matter and when others were around I put a light blanket over me and then later would lift it out of way partly. Not all women are the same on this subject.

For the people who say cover up, have you ever tried to cover a curious baby in the hot summer? It just does not happen. I breastfed my daughter til she was two and a half. I have only gotten one negative comment and was from some of the college students I had to sit around for a school project. Breastfeeding is natural and has given me a sense of accomplishment. For the paper to even question such a thing is ridiculous.

God gave women breast and mammary glands to produce milk to feed her child … People are so stupid … Look the other direction if you don’t like it …

Cover up with a light scarf. Too many leering eyes around to do that.

With a Nazis in the streets pretty sure feeding a baby, which is LEGAL shouldn’t matter. Please.

How about, if you got a problem with it, take your food to the bathroom! Put a blanket over you when you eat.

I hope you cover up when you eat, never know who’s looking.

Cover up.

Breastfeeding is NORMAL. Duh.

It’s fine.

Breastfeed where you please! If your baby hungry feed him.