Stow the parade and help migrant children
The absurdity of President Donald Trump’s planned Salute to America — bring on the tank — military showof-force extravaganza, is possibly the most pathetic and total joke he has instigated since entering the Oval Office (Washington Post article, Tuesday Dispatch). It is completely tacky and not in keeping with what the true spirit of July 4 is all about, not to mention how previous “legitimate” presidents, whose boots Trump is not even worthy to lick, chose to observe the holiday. This staged production, purposely dividing and dangling red meat, will sure make the “Keep America Great” crowd happy for a while, though.
If Trump’s dog-and-pony show comes off as planned, he will desecrate the very ground on which the Lincoln Memorial stands. Rather than try to match the envied Bastille Day parade he witnessed in France, how about spending the millions of dollars this fiasco is going to cost and buy some personal hygiene kits for the poor migrant kids suffering and languishing in his administration’s immigrant jail system in places like Clint, Texas?
Leah Hanesworth, Columbus
Gun plan could have lethal consequences
I have been following Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s efforts to pass House Bill 178, which would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons in public without a permit or any firearms training. Clearly Householder has little or no concern for public safety or he would not have allowed such a bill to even come before the House for consideration.
I am a certified but retired instructor for firearms safety and concealed weapons permits from another state. I have seen firsthand the profound ignorance of firearms many people exhibit when they come for concealed weapons permit training. Now Householder and the gun lobby propose to memorialize support for that ignorance in Ohio’s gun laws.
House Bill 178 would encourage more unqualified people to arm themselves. There will be more unnecessary gunfights and more people will die if it becomes law. There won’t be a dramatic increase in additional deaths, but the numbers will be higher than they otherwise would be.
Sadly, many of the additional victims killed will likely be innocent bystanders because the shooters have little knowledge of Ohio gun law or their personal responsibility and no training in firearms handling and safety.
Mark Mathys, Columbus
Radio station is jewel Columbus should protect
I respond to the Sunday column “WCBE, city school board hurt taxpayers” by Theodore Decker. I never miss Decker’s column and his human touch is to be admired, but his column on WCBE’S general manager Dan Mushalko is way off the mark.
Mushalko is indeed a tragic hero in this story. Look, or listen in this case, to what he’s created. Even if Decker had tuned in from just 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., he would have heard music and a musical mix like none other. Mike Taylor and Maggie Brennan are masters at delivering fantastic and funky music, the likes of which we’ll never hear anywhere else. And there are no commercials and no inane banter.
I’ve lived in major cities in every corner of this country, and none had a station like WCBE (90.5). Yes, Decker is right that public monies should always be closely monitored. The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow is a perfect example and, in my opinion, public monies should support only public schools. But WCBE is an artful jewel. It is unique and deserves to be preserved just like any other artful expression.
In the June 29 Dispatch article “Trending upward,” Columbus was compared to San Francisco, and since it is still affordable to live here, it is attracting more and more people who make a living in the arts. I’m betting that as one walks through some of the fantastic shops in the Short North, one is likely to hear WCBE in the background.
Dennis Sayers, Worthington
July 4 show of might inappropriate for US
I respond to the Washington Post article “Trump may get his tanks, jets for July 4 event.” Gargantuan, self-aggrandizing military parades are for dictators and not the president of the United States. Patti Liszkay, Gahanna
Democrats should stop touting big government
Wow, sure looks like the Democrats are hellbent on losing another presidential election. Every one of their 1 zillion candidates seems to be pressing for more government running a centralized economy. They seem to believe that only government can make things better, more cost effective and efficient. I have never seen an efficient, cost-effective government program, and I doubt I ever will.
I truly feel sorry for any youngsters out there who are buying what the Democrats are trying to sell. Free this, free that, debt forgiveness — isn’t life great when we are not shackled with reality?
I would sure love a president who believes in free markets and is not a narcissistic bozo like Donald Trump. Hey Democrats, if you want to beat Trump, beat him at his own game and be civilized about it. Quit trying to reinvent the United States of America. Peter Laframboise, Dublin
Guidelines for hanging on to your house cat
I respond to the Associated Press article “Cat found after nearly 3 years” in Friday’s Dispatch. For five years, I have been seeing “Missing/ Lost Cat” posters going up every year on poles and walls. Cats are wandering pets when left alone outside. Most of the time they are never found. Thus, it’s best to follow these suggestions. Doing so can ensure your cat will be with you for a long time.
• Keep your cat indoors. Don’t let it wander or run wild.
• When outside, keep an eye on your cat when you’re not holding it.
• Though it seems odd, keep your cat on a leash outside if you can’t watch or hold it.
• Make sure your cat responds to its name or a shaken treat can when you call.
• Bring your cat inside when it starts to get dark. Most cats will get lost or hit by a car after dark.
• Make sure your cat has an ID chip. If the animal shelter finds it, the chip will help return your cat to you.
• Care for your cat as you would your child.
Charles Nekvasil, Columbus
Twist on economic plan boosts campaign coffers
I see that President Donald Trump’s campaign raised $105 million during the second quarter (Associated Press article, Tuesday Dispatch.com). This had to be inspired by his $1.5 trillion tax cut for the rich.
This is what you would call trickle-down that works — just not for the workers. Ernie Williams, Grove City