Some Uber riders want a little less conversation

Please, someone agree with me that this is another digital age absurdity. Uber has announced “comfort rides” which include more leg room and the option of not talking with your driver, IF you pay pay 20-40% more.

What? Somehow I believe I can keep my mouth shut for free. Uber must be hoping yet again, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Susan B. West, Athens

Fourth of July conveyed tale of two Americas

Does anyone recognize the paradox of how Independence Day, our most recent patriotic holiday, was celebrated in parts of the United States? On the one hand, we observed our chief executive staging a grandiose military parade while our taxpayers were charged more than $2 million for this celebratory affair.

At the same time on our nation’s southern border, we hear and see evidence of migrant children housed in detention camps (cages at best), separated from their parents and struggling through the most deplorable of conditions imaginable — deprived of sleep, not permitted to bathe or brush their teeth, wearing filthy clothes and not even being provided running water.

We observe toddlers and young people unatended on cold floors often crying and scared, seeking their parents.

Is this behavior we can support while turning a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis existing among our neighbors to the south who are fleeing the most intolerable abuse and despotic rule within their home countries?

Do we as a nation really seek an affirmation of our extreme power and strength while neglecting the needs of a most vulnerable population? Have we forgotten the words of Lady Liberty as she opened her arms to individuals who are begging for an opportunity at a more hopeful future? Aren’t we better than this?

For those people who question why these refugees even attempt to bring their children to America, If these youngsters were your own offspring, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to provide a better life for them in a country in which life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are guaranteed?

Is it time to ask ourselves if our leaders reflect the values and beliefs upons which our nation was founded? Do we believe the heads of authoritarian/dictatorships should be our role models, as seen in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Philippines, etc., while chastising our allies who question our moral purpose, integrity and commitment to democracy?

Isn’t it time to “take a stand” against this intolerable inhumanity? My fellow Americans, are you prepared to demand an end to this injustice?

Paul Kulik, Westerville

Report produced more questions than answers

Now that special counsel Robert Mueller will be testifying before two congressional committees, I sincerely hope that his questioners will have read his report. There are many issues left open-ended in the report which would merit clarification.

For example: The report states that Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical goal is to create a semi-independent republic in Eastern Ukraine and install the deposed Viktor Yanukovych as its head. How did Mueller react when he learned of this plan? Did the Trump campaign, with Paul Manafort at its head, support this idea?

In the discussion of the Trump Tower, it is obvious that the Russians were using a bait-and-switch to get the Trump people to a meeting. The bait was “documents to incriminate Hillary,” but the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the “adoption of Russian children.” Given that the Russian participants were connected to oligarchs and Russian organized crime, it was obvious that the meeting was an attempt to abolish the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which sanctions the money of selected Russian oligarchs. Was Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya trying to create a “humane” discussion that could then lead to abolishing the act?

Was she under orders from the Kremlin, or was she trying to endear herself to Putin? And were there ever any Hillary Clinton documents in the Russians’ hands?

There are many more instances of such openended moments in this report, but one only knows this if one has read it. In my experience as a literature professor, there is nothing more disheartening as discussing a novel with a class that has not read it.

George Kalbouss, Columbus

Americans marginalized in economy of exclusion

The hearts of many people are gripped by fear and desperation, even in socalled rich nations. The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect for others and violence are on the rise and inequality is increasingly evident.

It is a struggle to live, and often to live with precious little dignity.

In an economy of exclusion, many are marginalized without work and the possibility of escape from becoming a throwaway culture, which includes abortion. The excluded are not the exploited but the outcast, the leftovers of our present trends.

Our past history of a truly compassionate, constitutional and admired country is rapidly being destroyed; our national debt is proof that we have been on a steep slide to destruction for many decades.

Bad things will continue to happen if good caring people do nothing in the next election.

Pete Penn, Sheffield

Writer's father, Espinal had different experiences

I respond to the July 7 letter "Espinal had choices after arriving in US" from Ilda (Mendiola) Walsh, who compared her father’s situation with that of Edith Espinal. Walsh seems to believe that “it never occurred to Edith Espinal to become a citizen” in the 20 years she has been living in the U.S. At first I thought it was yet another story about ancestors who arrived legally, by someone who has no concept of how immigration rules have changed since her ancestors arrived. But her story has a very interesting twist.

Walsh’s father was born in Mexico, land of his ancestors, because “that is where his mother wanted him to be born.” His parents, both U.S. citizens, spoke only Spanish in their home in Texas, where her father was brought as a newborn, she tells us. “But because he was living in the U.S., he became a U.S. citizen. Yes, he did it!” She goes on to say “So

please don’t tell me Edith Espinal did not have choices. She should have done it legally, like my father and many others have done.”

I do hope that someone tells Walsh and others who find her story compelling just what choices people like Espinal have. Walsh's father did not become a U.S. citizen because of anything he did. He was born that way.

The example of Walsh’s father is relevant to the general immigration debate because his mother might have chosen to give birth to him in Mexico so that he would have Mexican citizenship, as well as the U.S. citizenship he had at birth. Her father did not choose to become an American citizen any more than any of us born to U.S. citizens, no matter what our heritage or how we or our ancestors arrived in this country.

Juliana Mulroy, Granville

Immigrant's gratitude enlightening, refreshing

I recently had my air conditioner serviced for the summer season. The handsome young man who came to my door had a slight accent.

During the servicing we talked. I learned he went to school to learn a trade once here in the U.S.

He is from Somalia and was sponsored by his sister who lives here. He expressed several times how wonderful it was to live in the United States and how grateful he was to be here.

With all the talk about immigration, how great it is to see that many get an education and make their mark in society: His wife is studying nursing.

In light of him, I think of many young people, born in the U.S. who fail to get an education, as well as those who do not want immigrants here.

Jan Ryan, Reynoldsburg