Of course, Biden should debate Trump!

I’ve had so many openmouth moments since Donald Trump became president that I fear becoming permanently slackjawed. However, a recent jaw-dropper did not come from Trump, but from an entirely unexpected source. It was an op-ed on CNN.com by former Clinton advisor, Joe Lockhart, in which he argues that Joe Biden should not debate Trump.

Why not?

Lockhart says it’s because Trump lies so incessantly that it makes debating him a fool’s errand. He says there’s no way to win in an argument with Trump when truth is not in his deck and that Biden will only damage himself if he tries engaging him.

So debating Trump is useless and may be even harmful? So now we’re supposed to be afraid of a bluffing, blowhard bully?

I have a different suggestion for Biden. He should get one of those paddles used at auctions, write “LIE” on each side, and flash it every time Trump mangles the truth. He should raise it high and wave it around, and if Trump objects, tell him, “Hey, you can have one too, and we’ll get the factcheckers out here for both of us!”

Biden should not back out of challenging the most dangerous man in a position of power this country has ever experienced. Giving up the opportunity for the truth to emerge despite Trump’s deceptions is beyond folly; it is capitulation. It is an invitation for Trump to pronounce that Biden has no truth to tell, after all.

I’m sure Biden will not take Lockhart’s advice, but I worry he will play by pre-Trump rules, when assumptions of norms and behaviors could be expected.

Biden needs to get creative in his approach, stay on the offense, bounce off the ropes laughing, show no sweat and just attack, attack, attack.

– Natalie Altman,

Hallandale

MEANINGFUL MESSAGE

In the Aug. 3 letter “Dems divide us,” the writer says that he was sad that former President Obama brought “politics into the church at the gathering to honor longtime civilrights leader Rep. John Lewis.” I beg to differ.

Obama eloquently spoke the words of John Lewis and gave voice to the message that Lewis for which Lewis was willing to give his life. What better way to honor him? Lewis must have been smiling down on the congregation.

And if he could, he would have exhorted all to continue to strive, peacefully but firmly, for everyone’s rights — and get out to vote.

NO BREAKS

– Joan Kasner,

Coral Gables

Congress is going on a one-month recess starting Aug. 7, without a deal on coronavirus funding. The $600 weekly unemployment ran out on July 31 and has not yet been renewed.

Democrats want to extend the same weekly amount through Jan. 31. Republicans want to reduce it to $200 a week until the end of the year. This is now a stalemate. Congress should keep negotiating, and if lawmakers can’t reach a deal by Aug. 7, they should delay their recess until they get the job done.

One compromise that seems sensible is to extend the weekly unemployment to $400 until the end of the year. This would cost about $1 trillion and both sides could save face.

Republicans could say they negotiated a $1 trillion savings and still helped the people. Democrats could say they got $1 trillion more than what the Republicans originally asked for, and the debt would be increased at low interest rates. And it would help average people survive the crisis.

The solution is twofold: First, compromise is a good word and is part of solving problems. Second, Congress should not be allowed to go on a recess in the middle of a financial crisis until it completes the people’s business.

– Ken Karger,

Kendall

TARDY PARTY

Re the Aug. 4 editorial, “Applaud Republican pushback. It’s overdue:” A headline extolling the virtues of lawmakers for finally doing the right thing makes me sad for our country and for what’s left of the Republican Party.

– Stewart Merkin,

– Miami

OUR BEST FRIEND

Ana Veciana-Suarez’ Aug. 2 column, “Pets hit jackpot during COVID-19, thanks to our work-fromhome lifestyle,” hit close to home for me and my hubby. Our last dog passed away about five years ago. We thought we would travel a lot, given our longawaited retirement last year. As it turned out, we haven’t left the house since February. Our son lives in Los Angeles, and we don’t know when it will be safe enough to get together.

So last week, we brought a puppy into our lives. She has turned our lives upside down — in a great way. We have so much time and patience now, which come with age.

I highly recommend Veciana-Suarez convince her husband; it will be well worth it. Our new addition has become a hit at all our Zoom functions, loves to cuddle and has edged us out of the house to take walks.

– Mindy Eisenberg,

Palmetto Bay

PREVENTABLE DEATHS

Re the Aug. 4 story “2 more teens — in MiamiDade and Manatee — die of COVID:” I am so sorry for the parents of these teens. Their deaths could have been prevented.

I hope Gov. DeSantis never experiences the deep pain of losing a child. He still can mandate Floridians to wear masks and to social distance to protect all of us.

– Mayade Ersoff,

Palmetto Bay

BEER SLAM

Biscayne Bay Brewing Company offers some fantastic craft beers inspired by our beloved South Florida.

So why does its Miami Pale Ale sport a ubiquitous feathered headdress on it?

This seems to be, unfortunately, a catch-all native symbol and one that has plagued representations of the original Miamians for years.

If the company truly wants to “pay homage to the original” as stated on the bottle, then how about the Miami Circle, or the 12 other circles discovered just across the Miami River? Or simply a conch shell, which was the major tool of the Tequesta?

Biscayne Bay Brewing gets an “A” for the beer, but an “F” on even the most modest of research about our city.

– Alan Noe, Miami Beach

SHOW STOPPER

Why do certain people feel it necessary to stop watching basketball or football games if the players kneel?

These players are exhibiting their First Amendment rights.

Do people check out the political views of every actor before they watch a TV show? What makes sports different?

– Sol Yanowitz,

Miami

HATE THE MASK

I’m not alone when I say, I’m over it! I would give anything to hug and kiss my family and friends again, go to a restaurant and eat inside (in air conditioning), get the kids back in school, get businesses up and running and people back to work.

But maybe all of that pales in comparison to people dying alone without family to touch them or say goodbye. We, as a caring community, can stop this madness.

Take the challenge and put on that awful mask for two weeks. Avoid COVID-19 parties, and let’s see if we can turn the tide. It might be your husband, wife, grandparent, neighbor or even your child that you keep from getting infected.

I’m wishing everyone better days ahead. If we all do our part, just think of the possibilities.

– Susan Becker,

Coral Gables

SAFE AND SECURE

I can’t understand President Trump’s disdain for voting by mail. The data show no evidence of widespread abuse. With this pandemic, social-distancing regulations will not be rescinded anytime soon, and not by November.

As a senior citizen who recently relocated to Florida from Washington,

D.C., I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of Broward County’s Supervisor of Elections in registering to vote and receiving a vote-by-mail ballot.

I urge my fellow seniors to request a mail ballot to ensure that neither the pandemic nor a hurricane will rob them of their right to vote.

– John Lazar, Wilton Manors

DEADLY DIRECTION

President Trump continually brings attention to protests in Democratic states. But he never talks of the virus outbreak in Republican states.

The deaths of innocent people are the fault of Trump and all other selfcentered elected Republicans who refused to follow the advice of medical professionals and were more concerned with popularity and votes than with our lives.

– Mario Signorello,

Miami Springs