Salute to troops was for everyone

What a sad, disturbing and pathetic statement about the media who chose not to televise President Trump’s Salute to America.

Was it a campaign speech? No. Was it a threat to Americans? No. Was it an effort to glorify Mr. Trump? No. But it was a wonderful salute to individuals and events which define what America is and a recognition of the members of all branches of our armed services which, since the American Revolution, have given their all to keep our country safe.

The only “I” which I heard was the beginning of a quote. How unlike the previous president who used the word “I” multiple times each time he spoke. As one commentator remarked, “those who opposed this should feel foolish.” Amen. And may God bless America.

Cecile Skaggs, Memphis

A thank you, from Canada

I am writing in hopes this will reach one very kind, caring and special woman in Memphis.

My daughter and I were fortunate to visit Memphis for four days in May when the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest was held. We did get down the hill onto the banks of the Mississippi. Unfortunately, I have MS and use a walker so with difficulty managed to go down.

Upon walking back to the hill, I realized my walking was giving out on me so we tried to find people using the golf carts to give us a ride to no avail. This dear sweet woman was walking by and asked how I was going to make it up the hill to which I replied: “I was hoping to find a ride, but no one was available.”

She took it upon herself to text people to find someone that had a tent at the barbecue and asked him to come pick us up and give us a ride. Two gentlemen arrived, stashed the walker on top and in minutes had us up to the street.

I believe her name may have been Shirley, she lives on Mud Island and works in a high rise downtown. Her kindness and compassion will never be forgotten. Thank you. Hopefully, she will see this or someone will find her. The two gentlemen had a barbecue tent and a big thank you to them as well.

Helen Mather, Alberta, Canada

Is Trump a Socialist?

“Socialism” is an emotionally charged word with many definitions. Most definitions mention the intervention of the national government into our capitalist economy.

President Trump has manipulated the U.S. economy by putting tariffs on China. As a result, U.S. farmers have suffered. Then, the president gave a handout of $16 billion to our farmers.

Are these acts of socialism? Do we have a Socialist president?

Bill Davidson, Memphis

Conflict exists with TN legislators

Reading “Around The Legislature” on June 24, Tim Hill and Matthew Hill, both East Tennessee legislators, do at best have a conflict of interest with Right Way Marketing, Marathon Strategies and Information Communications.

The companies are Hill familyowned. Advertising can be paid for with campaign funds and money from the company can be reimbursed to owners through rent, professional fees, salaries or dividends. How many Middle and West Tennessee legislators have similar business arrangements with closely owned companies?

It is no wonder voters are disenchanted with our elected representatives.

Dorothy Phillipy, Germantown

Detaining children is inhumane

I am beside myself with rage and disgust at the way the Trump administrabrushes, is treating refugees and immigrants at our southern border.

I know Sen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Marsha Blackburn both either admire or fear the criminal we have in the White House at the moment, and I do not have any hopes that they will do their duty to convict him if he is impeached.

However, I do believe that my senators can be persuaded to resist the detaining of children in concentration camps. These children are human beings who deserve the respect and dignity that you are denying them. History will never forgive them for standing by and allowing these monstrosities to happen.

Senators Alexander and Blackburn have already sold their souls for power, it is the least they can do to stand up to these injustices and demand that the children are afforded basic human needs such as food and hygienic conditions. I am ashamed that these senators represent me in the U.S. Senate, and I look forward to the day they both disappear from public life and wallow in the shame they deserve.

Aaron Brame, Memphis

Time for Senate to repeal AUMF

Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the 2001 Authorization of the Use of Military Force indicating Congress’ intention to take checks and balances seriously and use its constitutional authority to debate and declare war for the first time in years. Thanks to U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen for his vote.

And, in a move to safeguard Congress’ right to review weapons sales, senators from both sides of the aisle passed a number of resolutions to block $8 billion of arms sales to Saudi Arabia when the administration bypassed Congress, citing emergency measures due to flare-ups with Iran.

I, for one, am happy to see our elected officials acting in a strong and responsible way to check the executive branch on foreign policy. We have robbed our entire high school graduating class of 2019 the opportunity to ever live, even a moment, of their childhood in peace.

How many more generations are we going to teach this tragically wrong “lesson” that war is the only answer to world conflicts? I urge Senators Blackburn and Alexander to take up the AUMF repeal when it comes to the floor of the Senate and all our congresspeople to help cool us down on Iran.

Susan Penn, Memphis

Congress must act to protect kids

(Recently) in federal court, the meaning of “safe and sanitary’ was hotly contested. The 1985 class action lawsuit established guidelines for the way minors held in federal immigration detention must be treated. The case, Jenny Lisette v. Edwin Meese, created rules around the timely release of migrant minors to their parents, and said that those not released must be kept in facilities that are “safe and sanitary.”

The Justice Department’s Sarah Fabian argued that such things as toothtion

Joe Biden didn’t deserve attacks

I am not a Joe Biden fan, but he is being unfairly criticized by the 20-plus candidates for the Democratic nomination. Why? Biden said he had the ability to work with anyone in the Senate to get things done. He mentioned a few Southern segregationists that he had worked with and that led to all the criticism.

Sen. Cory Booker said that all African Americans were appalled. I doubt that is an accurate statement. Biden could have been working with Southern segregationists for change that would make things better for everyone, including African Americans.

However, there is another reason all African Americans should be appalled and that’s the Democrats’ handling of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It prohibited unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools, employment and public accommodations. It looked like a great act for African Americans but not so for Senate Democrats.

The Democrats filibustered the act for 57 days. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W. Va., stood at the podium in the Senate and spoke for 14 consecutive hours in an effort to derail the act. It took Republicans to end the filibuster and bring the act to a vote. The act passed by a vote of 73-27, with 27 Democrats voting against an act that would make things better for African Americans.

With that in mind, it makes me wonder why the Democratic Party seemingly has the African American vote in their back pocket? African Americans have the Republican Party to thank for making their lives better by getting the Act passed almost 55 years ago.

Joe Hall, Cordova

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE

Psalm 142:4 I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me; I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.

PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE EDITOR