Readers views: Trump’s actions + Holocaust remembrance day
Drop the animals?
On January 27th, the world will observe the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The date marks 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Hitler’s largest death camp. It’s an opportune occasion to reflect on how each of us can help end oppression.
A key question facing historians is how could an enlightened society that produced our civilization’s greatest philosophers, poets, and composers also produce its most notorious mass murderers? How could it get millions of ordinary citizens to go along. Was the Holocaust a peculiarly German phenomenon, or are other enlightened societies capable? And, is it just about killing humans, or does it extend to other sentient beings?
Jewish Nobel laureate, Isaac Bashevis Singer, provided a clear answer when he wrote: “To the animals, all people are Nazis.” His message was that, even in our own country, we are willing to subjugate our own compassion and affection for animals to those of our society. We have allowed social norms to supersede our own. It follows that the only way to end our own participation in oppression is for each of us to reclaim our own moral values.
Our very first step should be to drop animals from our menus.
Sandy Taylor
Gulfport
Great memories
Imagine my surprise last Friday when I was at St. Michael’s for my cousin Sherrie McDonnell’s funeral when Bobby Eleuterius gave me a copy of Murella Powell’s article on The Pass Road Speedway.
My dad, Raymond C.Barry, Sr., was part owner. I was 5 years old. I remember the sight, sound, and smell of that track like it was yesterday.
Thanks for the article.
Raymond C. Barry Jr.
Jackson
Trump’s actions
Four years ago most of us would agree that Russia posed the greatest threat to the United States. And Putin as its president was our greatest enemy. Now Putin is President Trump’s new best buddy. Isn’t Russia still our greatest threat?
How can any patriotic American still support Trump?
Trump has an unrepentant history of vulgar and obscene behavior and speech. He is the maestro of mendacity. Seven of his associates are now in jail. How can any moral person support Trump?
Trump is trying to deprive millions of Americans of health care. He has ordered children to be imprisoned in fenced pens on concrete floors. What compassionate American can support Trump?
While many of us think he may have brought us a better economy, reduced illegal immigration, and improved international trade balances, who can continue to support a man of such low character? If we support someone of such reproachable reputation, isn’t it a comment on our own character?
John Coleman
Gulfport
Worst decision?
January 22, 2020 will be the 47th anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision built upon two cases, Roe vs. Wade & Doe vs. Bolton.
One of the participants, Norma McGarvey, later repented for her major part in the Roe vs. Wade case, became a Christian, and spent the rest of her life trying to undo the damage that to this day has approved the killing of over 55,000,000 million babies in the womb. She’s in heaven now loving on those babies who never got to fulfill their purpose that God had for them. He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a future and a hope, and not to harm you.” No matter the circumstances of their conception, they were created with purpose in the likeness and image of God.
Only our God knows the good that could have come from the 55+ million babies that have perished through abortion —presidents, medical cures, patriots, statesmen, men and women of excellence serving as role models for our youth, more workers contributing to Social Security — but they are gone. And so we stand as it were in sackcloth and ashes, asking forgiveness for the shedding of innocent blood in our nation, praying for a turnaround, that every life will be valued. This is my prayer as the anniversary of the worst Supreme Court decision ever made looms before our nation.
Genendal Fratantuono
Gulfport
This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 12:00 AM.