Views from readers: Voting for Trump + making tough choices
Helping others
Unlike a hurricane or tornado, this COVID-19 pandemic is a natural disaster for the entire USA.
As a consequence, many businesses and schools have been shut down for extended periods with no end in sight, causing millions of people to lose their jobs. Those losses were not the faults of those people. Consequently, our government, with our encouragement, should come to the aid of those people out of compassion and wisdom.
We need to be compassionate because those people are suffering innocently and we are a compassionate people. We need to act wisely lest the long-term consequences of so many businesses closing, and so many people who want to work being out of work and so many children missing school. All of this is be terrible in the long-term for our economy, our children and our consciences. Will it be expensive to do what needs to be done? Very. But so was what it took to win WWII.
We often say that the Americans who won WWII were “The Greatest Generation.” Indeed, they were the greatest generation of the 20th century. The challenge that COVID-19 is posing to us is whether we will be the greatest generation of the 21st century. During WWII we needed to pour enormous resources into supporting our troops. Now we need to pour enormous resources into supporting our fellow citizens until they can get back to work and school safely. Let’s do it.
Richard E. Creel
Biloxi
Delay the decision
We respect that the city leadership of Ocean Springs has taken a very difficult decision on the future operations of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center. However, we also believe the growth and caliber of the programming by the Friends of the Mary C Center have been exemplary.
We respectfully ask that the city reverse or postpone the rescinding of the contract of the Friends of the Mary C, and we request a more deliberate and transparent process for finding an inclusive solution.
If the decisive issue motivating the city leadership was a criminal or civil impropriety, it can be referred to the appropriate federal, state, or local authorities so specific individuals can be held accountable.
If the decision was grounded in the caliber of programming and/or fulfillment of contractual obligations, then the city’s formal review, input, or audit should be released to allow a response.
If the fundamental issue is budgetary, it should be debated and resolved publicly.
A non-transparent process will further erode public goodwill, incur the risk of dampening attendance at future Mary C activities thereby reducing revenue and raising operating costs (which is antithetical to the city’s goal), and raise uncertainty over the handling of future donations.
Melanie Allen
Nancy Duckett Allen
John Anderson
Leif Anderson
Dave and Heather Denison
Ron and Misty Shaw-Feder
Henry and Heather Furr
Margaret Gambrell
Patricia O’Grady Green
Shannon Magee Hackney
Adele Anderson Lawton
Scott and Barbara Lemon
Fred and Stacey Moran
Fred and Angela Mohar Moreton
Linda Nagel
Jeff O’Keefe
Joe O’Keefe
Mary Anderson Pickard
Jamie Magee Richards
Paige Riley
Brian and Marie Sanderson
Donald and Leigh Ann Scharr
Alex Scharr
Travis Scharr
Bob and Barbara Smith
Chris and Susan Snyder
Chris Stebly
Linda Roberts Steffey
Pat Joachim and George Sustendal
Kathlyn Van Buskirk
Daniel and Ann Whyte
Alexis Williams
Mickey and Karen Williams
Nancy Wilson
Re-elect Trump
Here are 10 reasons why I will vote for President Donald J. Trump on Nov. 3, 2020:
1. This administration honors the sanctity of life. The President has stated, “All children born and unborn are made in the holy image of God. Every life is sacred, and every soul is a precious gift from heaven.”
2. This administration supports Biblical sexuality and family values.
3. This administration champions religious freedom. “We know that if people are not free to practice their faith, then all of the freedoms are at risk.”
4. This administration appoints conservative judges.
5. This administration protects the nation from terrorist threats. To those who work with the president on foreign policy, he is said to be “deliberate, humanitarian, and measured” in addressing conflicts with other nations.
6. This administration defends Israel and persecuted Christians.
7. This administration creates job opportunities and sustained economic growth.
8. This administration aligns with a God-honoring platform.
9. This president invites prayer and evangelical counsel.
10. This president and his administration understand we are in a spiritual battle for our nation.
Genendal Fratantuono
Gulfport