As a retiree, environmentalist and transit rider, I do not own a vehicle. I use Hampton Roads Transit, walking and cycling for most of my errands. This is not easy where I live in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. My street has a walk score of 41, transit score of 24 and cycling score of 40, according to walkscore.com. HRT’s services have become more vital since my husband and I both suffered medical issues that keep us from driving under Department of Motor Vehicles policies.

Recently, I was thrilled to be able to travel home all the way from Metropark station in New Jersey without the use of a car. Before recent improvements to U.S. Route 13 and state Route 14 by Chesapeake and HRT, that would have been impossible. It is far too dangerous to walk from Robert Hall Boulevard over the Interstate 64 interchange on Battlefield Boulevard, especially after dark. But recently I took Amtrak Train 95, scheduled to arrive at 7:24 p.m. in Norfolk, and even at that late hour I could take The Tide to buses that carried me safely home. Between transfers I patronized a local business, too.

According to a national study, every long-term dollar spent on public transportation produces a five-fold positive economic impact. HRT is conducting a study called Connecting Chesapeake. Recommendations will address potential rapid transit service between Chesapeake and Norfolk. I hope Chesapeake continues to invest in improving local and regional public transportation.

Mary Lou Burke, Chesapeake

Literature

This retired English teacher submits the Bible must be used in public education, not as a religious text but as a literary one. The Bible provides numerous idioms and allusions used by authors for centuries, many of which are used in our daily language: good Samaritan, going the extra mile and bearing one’s cross. How about Armageddon, “Call me Ishmael” or a battle between David and Goliath? Recently, President Joe Biden was urged to step down by the “Four Horsemen of the (Democratic) Apocalypse” — former President Barack Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. These are biblical allusions that only make sense when understood in their original contexts. Without a biblical background for these words and their settings, they lose their punch, and the communication between author and reader is weakened if not completely lost.

Without biblical background, how can a student read Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton, George Herbert, John Donne or John Bunyan? What about modern writers such as Flannery O’Connor, William Faulkner or Walker Percy? Can you fully understand Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement without knowing the Bible generally and the Exodus story specifically? No, to be acquainted with the Bible — its language, stories, poetry and wisdom — is to become a more literate reader and a more knowledgeable cultural observer. The Bible is a religious text; that is true. However, it is also a great piece of literature that has informed our civilization for millennia and should be taught as such. Let’s not deprive our students of their literary heritage.

Jerry Wasserberg; Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Name-calling

Disgraced former President Donald Trump’s shameful strategy of using nicknames to smear or insult his opponents shows lack of maturity and reflects more poorly on himself than those he tries to denigrate.

For example, he has called President Joe Biden “sleepy Joe,” Hillary Clinton “crooked Hillary,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi “crazy Nancy,” special counsel Jack Smith “deranged,” etc.

As the saying goes, turnabout is fair play. The offended parties subjected to this tasteless verbal branding, can readily volley back and address Trump by an appropriate, well-deserved and new forever handle: convicted felon.

Ken Powders, Chesapeake

Anyone heard of microplastics? If not, we should get familiar with it because they are everywhere — in our soil, in our water, on our clothes (made of nylon and polyester), in the air, in the food we eat, and, you may have guessed it, they are in our bodies too.

As in the name itself, microplastic is broken down plastic. For information on this, search “A Global Perspective on Microplastics” for a publication on the matter. There have been discussions about reducing the use of plastic, not just recently but over many years. Some states and cities have taken action while others choose to ignore the warning signs.

Not only is plastic a danger to our environment, but it’s a danger to our bodies and most importantly our health. I think it’s time we start paying attention and take action. For starters we can work to persuade our City Council members to pass the single-use plastic bag fee. That’s all it would take. Additionally, we can intentionally reduce the use of plastic water bottles. The water in them is not as clean as you think.

Anita Ward, Virginia Beach

Immigration

Republicans have framed the immigration debate with racism and lies. Regarding immigrants, former President Donald Trump has said, “These aren’t people. These are animals.” He’s said they are “poisoning the blood of our country.”

Unlike Trump, most immigrants have not been found liable for sexual abuse and fraud, nor are they convicted felons. According to Scientific American: “Undocumented immigrants are half as likely to be arrested for violent crimes as U.S.-born citizens.” According to the Cato Institute: “In 2021, U.S. citizens accounted for 86.3% of fentanyl trafficking convictions compared to just 8.9% for illegal immigrants.” Immigrants deliberately turn themselves in to the authorities to claim asylum.

Under President Joe Biden, a record 15.7 million jobs were created and the unemployment rate has been at or below 4% for months. There is a labor shortage caused by a million COVID-19 deaths, retiring boomers and declining birth rates. Immigrants have filled much of the gap. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said, “The U.S. economy has benefited from immigration.” The Congressional Budget Office reported that the economy is projected to grow by $8.9 trillion more over the next decade than it would have without new influxes of immigrants. Refugees and asylees paid $123.8 billion more in taxes than they received in government benefits (2005-2019). They cannot vote in federal elections.

Congressional Republicans demanded and negotiated a bipartisan immigration bill but then rejected it so Trump could demagogue the issue.

Trump’s planned “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” of 15-20 million people would wreck the economy.

David Campbell, Virginia Beach

The leopard

Do not presume for an instant that the leopard will change its spots. He has not had an epiphany and most likely his quietude reflects his shock that someone tried to murder him as he was about to rail against the immigrant horde invading his America. However, it wasn’t a refugee fleeing poverty, an oppressive government or a failing lawless state dominated by narcos; instead it appears it was the standard, all-American lone gunman, an aggrieved, disaffected and disenfranchised young white man with an AR-style rifle who shot him and three others.

Trump’s brush with death will not change him nor alter the trajectory of his party and campaign to reshape the electorate and the government in his image, the United States of Trump. That is evident in his choice of running mate — a converted Never Trumper. Sen. J.D. Vance, who like most converts, is a zealot and a devout MAGA acolyte who has fully embraced Trumpism.

Trump will use him and others to carry the message that we are in dire need of salvation and that only Trump and his apostles, including nine Supreme Court justices, preaching his gospel will lead us to the promised land.

The MAGA gospel, Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, promises to restore American exceptionalism and to reinstitute nuclear family values at the cost of limiting or eliminating rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, which has been reinterpreted by Trump judges, like Aileen Cannon, who not only delayed justice, but dismissed it. Trump can delay, deny and deflect but still remains the spotted predator.

John Mannarino, Virginia Beach

Read

Re “Immunity needed” (Your Views, July 10): The letter writer stated that Democrats are using hypothetical scenarios after the recent immunity ruling by the Supreme Court. He stated the legal bar is “extremely high,” and that a president “can’t just go around willy-nilly” killing.

I encourage the him to read Germany’s 1933 Enabling Act. This law allowed the chief executive the authority to enforce his own laws and conduct without checks and balances. Months later, Germany was a one-party state and a totalitarian dictatorship.

I also encourage him to read philosopher Jason Stanley of Yale University. He is best known for his book “How Fascism Works” and has said, “Once you have the courts you can pretty much do whatever you want.”

I respectfully implore the letter writer to take off the proverbial blinders, remove his head from the sand and learn from history.

Patrick L. Blake, Virginia Beach

Our city of Hampton faces an ever-increasing feral and stray cat overpopulation problem primarily because irresponsible humans do not spay or neuter their cats. Shockingly, according to the Hampton Animal Response Team’s website, “an unspayed female cat, her mate, and all their offspring produces 2 litters per year, with 2.8 (avg.) surviving kittens per litter,” or more than 11 million cats in nine years.

I commend the city of Hampton and HART for providing two ways to deal with feral and stray cats throughout the city: offering cat-trapping services when requested by citizens and allowing rescue groups to have registered cat colonies if they meet the city’s reasonable requirements (i.e., feeding, rabies vaccination, veterinary care for emergencies, etc.).

No Hampton citizen should be denied help with cat-trapping because some local rescue groups do not agree with this practice and only want the feral and stray cats to be trapped, neutered and returned to their location. Hampton needs to keep providing two ways to deal with its feral and stray cat overpopulation problem.

George F. West Jr., Hampton

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Power hungry

It is quite depressing to see the Republican Party totally turn its back on being a law-and-order party. With the official nomination of the former president as the standard bearer of their party, they are saying law and order or family values do not matter to them anymore.

Frankly, it’s a sad turn of events. It does not matter that former President Donald Trump has been found liable for sexual abuse. It does not matter that he was indicted in four jurisdictions. It does not matter that he has been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. It does not matter that he has done all he can to not let the American people see the evidence in the remaining charges. Let me be very clear here: An innocent man would want to have his day in court to prove his innocence.

To add insult to injury, my respect for Christian evangelist Franklin Graham took a nosedive once he appeared at the Republican National Convention to show his support for the convicted felon. This only confirms what I’ve always suspected of the Republican Party. It was never about law and order or family values. It has always been about political power by any means necessary. Nevertheless, to witness these recent events is truly heartbreaking and depressing.

Vernon C. Crump III, Portsmouth

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Research it

Project 2025, which former President Donald Trump claims to have nothing to do with, was written predominately by people connected with the previous Trump administration. It is the plan for our country to be implemented by the next conservative president.

If you are a voter, you must familiarize yourself with the contents. It is 920 pages, and the Republicans are banking on the fact that the majority of folks will not read it. Hot items included are the abolishment of the Department of Education, certifying teachers based on ideology, and a restructuring of the Justice Department to make it answerable only to the president.

Look at the contents, pick a department that is of special interest to you and read it. The Republican Party uses fear and hatred to divide us and pit us against one another. This document is an outline for a truly dystopian society, which is exactly what we will have after our democracy is destroyed by a Republican victory in November. Become an educated and informed voter and protect our democracy.

Martha N. Miller, Newport News

Re “Immunity ruling could put military, civil service in impossible situations” (Our Views, July 11): The editorial is one of the most powerful in recent memory. The Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision will undoubtedly join the Dred Scott and “separate but equal” decisions as among the worst in the court’s history. That, plus the Citizens United decision, allowing untold millions to be donated to political action committees, will forever cloak Chief Justice John Roberts’ court in infamy.

The recent revelations about Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito and their wives don’t help the situation, and something must be done. Should the Democrats win the White House as well as both houses of Congress, they can restore the court to its normal moderate self. They can do this by impeaching, convicting and removing both Thomas and Alito. Or they can simply add more justices to the court. The Congress is the only body empowered by the Constitution to do this. Then the Democratic president can appoint justices who will restore confidence in the Supreme Court, which is now sorely lacking.

Dr. Arthur H. Jennette, Williamsburg

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Democrats?

I used to be a Democrat. I believed in free speech, fight the power elites, stick it to the man and get the government off our backs. This is what Democrats used to be about.

Back then, we said that we may not like what you said, but would defend your right to say it. Now, they want to control every noun and pronoun in English. How dare you have your own thoughts. Fight the power? The “man”? It is laughable how they now roll over to those in power and do exactly as they are told.

People magazine features their true lords. That millions of people voted for President Joe Biden means that those people wanted him to run again. They knew of his issues (anyone with a brain cell could see those) and supported him. Nah, the power elites saw his poll numbers and forced him out. They put in a puppet candidate, someone who has so failed at her job so succinctly that her boss kept her from the public for much of this administration. The Democrats roll over for it. A bloodless oligarch coup. I thought Democrats were against that.

In 2016, some of the GOP rank and file hated that former President Donald Trump was winning. But the people were supporting him. There was talk of having delegates change their votes. But, they finally gave in to the will of the people.

It is incredible how the Democrats just rolled over. In the words of Padme Amidala, “This is how liberty dies.”

Michele Baird, Virginia Beach

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“Hillbilly Elegy”

My wife, Tracy, and I just finished watching “Hillbilly Elegy,” the life story of Republican nominee for vice president, Sen. J.D. Vance, now streaming on Netflix. Vance, born and raised in Middletown, Ohio, often recounts the values of his mother and her family who grew up in a seriously conflicted environment in the small, rural town of Breathitt County, Kentucky.

Often separated from his drug-addicted mother, he was eventually raised by his stern grandmother, “mamaw,” in Middletown. Demanding much, her forbidding spirit and unyielding determination enabled Vance to excel in both school and work, eventually graduating from Yale Law School.

Director Ron Howard, actress Glenn Close and the entire cast were exceptional. We were mesmerized by this movie, based on his memoir of the same name. If you have the opportunity, check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Steve and Tracy Yedinak, Newport News

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2024 election

A presidential candidate who constantly distorts the truth, has committed adultery, was found liable for sexual abuse, belittled a person with a disability, found liable for fraud, and separated migrant parents from their children is not following the teachings of Christ. Ministers (and politicians) who lead church members to support such behavior are leading them down a path in direct opposition to God’s laws and judgments. These leaders are perverting the gospel. The Apostle Paul describes those church members as having “itching ears,” listening for what they prefer and not for the truth.

Jesus came to Earth to offer salvation, and during his ministry showed compassion by healing the sick. Contrast that with former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act; more than 10 million Americans would have lost medical insurance. Throughout the Old Testament immigrants are referred to as “strangers,” and the Hebrews were instructed not to oppress immigrants remembering how they suffered while in Egypt. Trump refers to immigrants as thieves and murderers and has shown them no humanity.

His biggest lie is that the 2020 election was rigged for which the courts have found no supporting evidence. Jesus and God’s law are truth, and Revelation states “all liars” will join unrepentant sinners in the lake of fire. Christians voting for Trump are holding “the truth in unrighteousness” — Romans 1:18 — meaning they know the truth but prefer to follow their own desires and biases. No politician is perfect. However, I pray Americans elect a president who believes in mercy and justice.

Robert E. Hargrove, Virginia Beach

Re “Aquarium” (Your Views, July 21): We can all agree that the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a gem and a huge asset to Virginia Beach — but how much should Virginia Beach expect to pay to maintain this attraction?

The Virginia Aquarium Foundation wants the city of Virginia Beach to pay up to $200 million. The city already subsidizes the aquarium with more than $9 million each year for operations and capital improvements. According to “Virginia Beach leaders push pause on private operation of aquarium — for now” (July 17), it will cost millions to repair the deteriorating aquarium tanks and to cover other major repair and maintenance expenses. Covering this cost would require either sending a big bill to Virginia Beach taxpayers or displacing other worthwhile projects such as school construction, storm water projects, and parks and recreation updates. This is a tough choice.

City Council needs to ask tough questions and explore all options while working with the aquarium foundation to map out a financially viable future.

Gay Goldsmith, Virginia Beach

Fair share?

Re “Taxes” (Your Views, July 18): It’s interesting that whenever the subject of income taxes comes up in the letters to the editor section, the argument is always that the rich don’t pay their “fair share.” Let’s look at some facts about who pays taxes in this nation. The average income tax rate in 2021 was 14.9%. According to the Tax Foundation (taxfoundation.org), “The top 1% of taxpayers paid a 25.9% average rate, nearly eight times higher than the 3.3% average rate paid by the bottom half of taxpayers.”

“The top 50% of all taxpayers paid 97.7% of all federal individual income taxes, while the bottom 50% paid the remaining 2.3%,” the Tax Foundation reported. What’s the “fair share” for the bottom half of taxpayers?

Most writers blame Republicans for the rich not paying their “fair share.” In fact, the rich, like everyone else who pays taxes, take advantage of tax laws passed by Congress. If you don’t like the tax laws, blame Congress, which has Republicans and Democrats.

Those who constantly complain about who does or does not pay their “fair share” never ask why we spend so much money in the first place. In fact, those doing the complaining are the very ones who benefit most from those paying 97.7% of federal individual income taxes collected.

My final thought is that those who complain about the rich probably define “rich” as anyone who makes more money than they do.

Bill Wallace, Gloucester

Vote

Re “Accept Trump” (Your Views, July 16): The writer is obviously drinking the MAGA Kool-Aid when he says former President Donald Trump will be our next president. “The liberals” are definitely not liking it at all that Trump has been handed an immunity provision (that will be challenged) or that he is running at all.

And as far as “get ready,” there is no getting ready for all the chaos promised by the Republican candidate, his zombie followers and his team of loyalists ready to make the country theirs.

This election is winnable by the Democratic Party. Wake up and vote, people.

Kathleen Damon, Virginia Beach

Chance

Re “God intervenes” (Your Views, July 17): No, “God” didn’t intervene as the letter writer says he did to use former President Donald Trump for a plan. It was pure chance. Life is random. There are more than 4,000 recognized religions on this planet, many with their own “god.”

We humans have evolved past the point of believing the nonsense that the Earth is the center of the universe and that it’s flat. We are now smart enough to separate fact from mythological superstitions.

Lee Matthews, Hampton 

Local animal rescue groups are upset that Hampton traps feral and stray cats even though Hampton has appropriately done cat-trapping for years when citizens are dealing with problem cats. These groups say trap, neuter and return is the only way to deal with the hundreds or thousands of feral and stray cats in Hampton. But who is going to assume care for these cats?

It is our opinion that almost all the citizens who request help with cat-trapping do not want the cat returned to the property, and they have a right to feel this way.

Gene and Rita Summers, Hampton

Deployment

Re “USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returns home after months at sea in combat zone” (July 14): What was the deployment for? Some of the sailors, and their families, of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and support ships recently returned to Norfolk are asking this question. But most already know the answer: for nothing.

Red Sea shipping lanes are still dysfunctional due to the Iranian-backed terrorists in Yemen, as they were before. If anything, the Biden administration’s feckless response to Houthi aggression has embolden them to the point that they are now launching drone attacks against Tel Aviv, Israel.

Due to incompetent U.S. military leadership, the Houthis, over the past nine months with their drones and pickup trucks, have engineered an embarrassing standoff against U.S. multibillion-dollar ships, multimillion-dollar planes and multimillion-dollar missiles.

All in, we’ve expended billions and disrupted the lives of thousands, and nine months later, the world is a more dangerous place.

Michael B. Hudson, Cape Charles

Harris

Re “Virginia Democrats rallying around Vice President Kamala Harris” (July 22): President Joe Biden earned the thanks of a grateful nation by stepping aside and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. As a Virginia delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I hope Harris will break the glass ceiling as our next president. Even my 3-year-old daughter is excited.

Biden’s decision to serve as a bridge to the future offers Democrats a much-needed opportunity to unite Americans. Harris is a next-generation leader who will defeat former President Donald Trump. Harris will champion reproductive freedom, gun safety and the future of our democracy.

Harris is also an experienced prosecutor, quite the contrast with Trump’s 34 felony convictions.

Political violence has no place in our democracy, and I was horrified by the assassination attempt on Trump. Yet we will not forget how Trump incited political violence Jan. 6, 2021, desperate to reverse his loss to Biden. Nothing less than the future of our democracy is at stake Nov. 5.

We will not forget how Trump’s appointees to the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, forcing my daughters to grow up with fewer abortion rights than their mother and grandmothers had. But we will not go back. We will fight for civil rights, worker rights and progress on climate change.

The Democratic Party offers a clear choice to voters: a nominee who will fight for our freedoms and who is already making Americans hopeful for the future again — Kamala Harris for president.

Alan Kennedy, a Virginia delegate to the Democratic National Convention, Williamsburg

Biden

In my heart of hearts, after the TV debate, I felt confident that President Joe Biden would “stand down” in his presidential pursuit. Why? Because he always puts country first.

Yes, he loves his family members and supports them through their trials and tribulations. For example, he accepted the court decision regarding his son when he could have easily pardoned or commuted his sentence. Yes, he is a God-fearing man who goes to church. His church is anti-abortion, but he knows the country overwhelmingly supports Roe v. Wade, so that’s what he supports. And yes, his “superpower” is his unending empathy for ordinary folks who have suffered some form of loss, whether it be loss of a loved one or loss of a home to a natural disaster. The only president who came close to that personal trait was Barack Obama.

Biden has done what is best for our country. In the annals of history, Biden will be considered one of the most consequential presidents our nation has had in the past century — the legislation he was able to get enacted is on a par with Lyndon B. Johnson and is only second to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

It would be fitting when Vice President Kamala Harris is inaugurated as president, her first act should be to award Biden the Medal of Freedom because Biden put country first.

Maury Neville, Chesapeake

Election

In a perfect world, all political campaigns from local offices to the president shouldn’t be allowed to start until 30 days prior to the election. As far as our next presidential election, I have already heard enough rhetoric to fertilize all the farmland on the East Coast.

Robert B. Gregory; Knotts Island, North Carolina

God

Re “God intervenes” (Your Views, July 17): The writer stated that God had “intervened” in the former President Donald Trump assassination attempt because of “the purpose and plans he has for him.” Odd that he didn’t intervene for Abraham Lincoln. Evidently, God has mixed feelings toward Republicans. Understandable.

John Creekmore, Suffolk

This summer, Virginia Organizing has been working on getting the mindfulness pilot program implemented into Norfolk Public Schools. The Norfolk Chapter has been going door to door and tabling at community events, letting residents of Norfolk know what the mindfulness program will look like and how residents can take a part in making this change happen. Norfolk residents can help the mindfulness pilot program come to be by signing pledge cards in support of it. We have a goal of getting 500 pledge cards signed by Sept. 1 to present to the School Board. We have about 175 pledge cards signed so far.

The mindfulness pilot program would be a three- to five-minute video played at the beginning of classes to help kids stay grounded. This gives them the ability to enter a lesson with a clear mind, which can improve their retention in learning and can allow them to learn at their full potential. We have already seen positive results with Portsmouth and Roanoke public schools where officials have implemented the mindfulness program into their schools.

After speaking with many residents of Norfolk, a lot of residents have similar opinions when discussing the mindfulness program with us. Residents say they would like to “stop the violence in Norfolk,” and some have experienced what a lack of mindfulness looks like on their own children.

With your efforts, we can make a difference for our future; which ultimately is the children. For further information, please contact Cassandra Waters at 434-282-8805.

Makida Gosaye, Virginia Organizing Norfolk Chapter intern, Norfolk

Climate change

Re “In 50 years, Hampton Roads could feel more like Louisiana, new climate map reveals” (July 20): The article on the changing climate zone of Virginia was disturbing. Even more disturbing was the fact that regions closer to the equator will see their summer temperatures rise accordingly — and this means that outdoor survival for humans will come into question there, resulting in desperate migration. Technically, this date is 56 years away, not 50. But our granddaughter will still be younger than I am today.

The heat waves of 2023 were bad, and the heat waves this year are likely to be worse. Insurance becomes unaffordable due to extreme weather disasters, yet we blame the insurers rather than the carbon emissions that drive it. We focus on inflation and immigration rather than climate change, though we now know that climate change is helping to drive both inflation and immigration, by reducing the success of agriculture. It also drives the constant sea level rise in Hampton Roads, by melting the ice on Greenland and Antarctica — though we try to ignore it.

There actually is hope. Environmental scientist and writer Dana Nuccitelli notes that the global carbon emissions of the human race seem to finally be peaking this year, after 200 years of steady rise. If we accelerate our transition from fossil fuels to zero-carbon energy, we may be able to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. If we choose to take a break, the consequences for our future generations will be grave. The choice is ours to make, locally, nationally and globally. How do we express our choice? We vote.

Chris Wiegard, Chester

Messaging

I am a lifelong Democrat who is concerned about the way things are going for the party. I am not writing out of concern for who will represent us at the top of the ticket. My concern is that we are right on important issues facing our nation, but we are losing public opinion to the GOP. The GOP is wrong on the issues but is consistent and strong with its messaging. The GOP sends its message with a bullhorn, while we send our message in a whisper.

Two issues that prove my point include energy policy and tax fairness. Those who challenged the cigarette companies found success when they aroused the people by informing them that the cigarette executives knew their product was killing their customers. The Democrats should be proud of their increase in renewables, but they have failed to vilify the Big Oil executives who have lied to hold onto their profits at the expense of our planet and our people.

In regard to funding for the IRS and the issue of spending versus revenues in dealing with a nearly $35 trillion national debt, the Democrats are allowing the GOP to pretend to be working for all Americans; but in fact the GOP is taking care of the wealthy like it always does. To those who communicate on behalf of the Democrats, please make your points more forcefully.

Richard Korn, Virginia Beach

Trump presidency

Look what climate change has done in Texas this summer. It has been reported and documented by every agency charged with watching and reporting on the weather.

Former President Donald Trump continues to deny man-made climate change.

If we continue to experience what has happened this summer with increasing hot temperatures, what do you think it will be like after four years under Trump? I would love to hear that answer.

Janice Aleck, Norfolk

Re “The Bible has its place, but not in public schools” (Other Views, July 21): Keeping in line with the Rev. Albert G. Butzer III’s column, and knowing him personally, I strongly agree with his position on religion not being part of public education.

It surprises me the people of Louisiana and Oklahoma would want their students subjected to the sex, violence, incest, etc., one finds in various books of the Bible. But then I suppose, like it says in the Bible, depends on whose ox is being gored, a paraphrase from Exodus. Because these same people are the ones who want to remove books “they” find objectionable, we should make sure we vote for people like Sharon Felton for Virginia Beach School Board. Felton will be a calming voice to the banning of books in our school libraries. Felton has the experience, the knowledge and the education to be a welcome addition to the School Board.

Be careful, investigate and know for whom you are voting. Every election in November is important and deserves your diligence before you check that box.

Susie Rixey, Virginia Beach

Cat trapping

Rescue groups need to recognize that it is necessary for Animal Control to do feral or stray cat-trapping when citizens need help with this problem. Too many people do not provide proper care for their personal cats. Hence, why do these rescue groups think Hampton has hundreds or thousands of citizens willing to assume responsibility of providing care for a feral cat colony on their property?

Hampton allows these rescue groups to have registered colonies, yet they want to impose only their way of addressing a problem on everyone else. Hampton has the right idea of cat-trapping being a necessary service.

David Seely, Hampton

Cat overpopulation

A group of local animal welfare organizations, rescue groups and concerned citizens recently spoke before Hampton City Council opposing Hampton having an Animal Control employee do cat-trapping and advocating trap, neuter and return as the only way to address the feral and stray cat overpopulation in the city. I respect this group’s position, and it should, likewise, respect a citizen’s or business’ choice to have a feral or stray cat trapped and not returned to its property after being spayed or neutered.

Animal Control is not canvassing neighborhoods and randomly impounding healthy outdoor cats but will respond to a citizen’s or business’ request for help with feral or stray cat-trapping and subsequently impound the cat.

Hampton’s city code already allows for the trap, neuter and return strategy that the group is advocating and requires registration of the cat colony, to include: providing documentation of support by surrounding neighbors, assuring the responsibility for feeding, providing emergency veterinary care to cats in the colony, sterilizing and vaccinating the cats for rabies, and having a licensed veterinarian to tip the cats’ ears for identification purposes. These requirements are not “extreme” but aim to protect cats in a registered colony.

Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting should be commended for addressing the need for Animal Control to do cat-trapping.

Pam Withrow, Hampton

Appreciated

Thank you to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation for its recent research findings on our older adult community. Its work brings much-needed awareness to the value that seniors bring to our economy, families, community and workforce, which has been largely overlooked until now.

Equally important is its spotlight on critical issues such as the need for affordable senior housing to prevent homelessness among older adults, eliminating senior hunger, ensuring access to transportation and addressing the detrimental effects of social isolation on even healthy and active seniors. This information will help us build a more inclusive and resilient community for everyone.

Steve Zollos; chief executive officer, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia; Chesapeake

Harris

As a proud Navy veteran, I fully support Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Our country is facing an unprecedented threat to our democracy. We need, and deserve, a leader who can stand up and fight for our basic values, and that leader is Harris.

Like veterans, Harris is deeply committed to defending the Constitution and our freedoms. From protecting voting rights to reproductive freedom, she has held the line against convicted felon, former President Donald Trump’s anti-freedom agenda. As a former prosecutor, Harris is uniquely equipped to hold Trump accountable for his criminality and corruption, and her strength and grace under pressure will draw a sharp contrast with Trump’s chaotic and reckless style.

Harris shows a deep respect for those who served. Instead of using veterans as props while calling us “suckers” and “losers” behind our backs, Harris has championed expanded Veterans Affairs benefits and housing assistance for veterans, and proposed a fix for the “other-than-honorable” discharges that have resulted in benefits being unfairly denied to hundreds of thousands of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Her commitment to our community is unwavering, and she will continue to fight for us as president.

Let’s honor our service by supporting Harris. She will protect the freedoms we fought for and ensure a brighter future for all Americans.

Heidi Dragneff, Navy veteran, Virginia Beach

Leading Democrats wanted President Joe Biden replaced as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, believing his vulnerability is age-related. The situation is similar to the Democrats’ 1920 convention when President Woodrow Wilson wanted the nomination discounting his stroke-related impairments and low popularity. Instead, the convention selected then-Ohio Gov. James M. Cox who lost the election by a major landslide to Republican Sen. Warren G. Harding. Harding died roughly two years into his term.

Certain state governors have been identified as Biden replacements. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California record is dismal and forbids a national disaster swamping the debris of Biden’s far-left-wing progressive policies. Pennsylvania and Michigan governors are mentioned but neither have national recognition. Either would stumble to former President Donald Trump’s MAGA-themed campaign as happened during the 1920 election when Cox stumbled to Harding’s “America first”-themed campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris is another possibility. However, her executive skills and accomplishments fall far short of Oval Office requirements.

History has a strange way of repeating itself. The 1920 experienced should alert Democrats not to wait until their convention to identify a candidate.

Herb Kline, Virginia Beach

Greatness?

Given MAGA, when was the last time America was “great”?

With slavery being legal from 1619 to 1865, only a fanatical lost causer would put “when” in that period. Because women did not get the vote until 1920, you’d have to be a patriarchal fundamentalist Christian or Muslim to look for “when” before 1920. Only dedicated party poopers should snoop for “great” during prohibition — 1920 to 1933. Apparently, “the last time” could not have been from 1619 to 1933.

Obviously, America could not have been great under a Democratic president. That knocks out 1933-53, 1961-69, 1977-81, 1993-2001, 2009-17 and 2021 to today. That leaves 35 years out of our entire history to cram “great” into.

Congress also has to contribute to “great.” “Good” might come from holding either the House or Senate, but for “great,” the Republicans should control both. Since 1933, that’s 1947-49, 1953-55, 1995-2001, 2003-07 and 2015-19. That’s 23 years, and out of those the only overlap with a Republican president was 1953-55, 2003-07 and 2017-19.

So, it looks like “when” was 1953-55, 2003-07 and 2017-2019. That should make teaching American history a breeze. Our “great,” all-Republican America only lasted less than a dozen years.

Kevin L. La Croix, Virginia Beach

Trump

Re “The left’s outrage shows Project 2025 hits the mark” (Other Views, July 12): The column is an attempt to disguise the radical and dangerous program Project 2025 as good old conservative Republicanism. It is not. It is an effort by the reactionary Heritage Foundation through the election of former President Donald Trump to institute the following.

1. Elimination of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration because it is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm.”
2. Downsizing the Environmental Protection Agency and repealing regulations that curb emissions.
3. Withdraw from the Paris Accord.
4. The enforcement of the Comstock Act (1873), which prohibits any abortion pill or device from being mailed. Enforcement involves criminal penalties.
5. Defunding public radio because it is “good policy and good politics.”
6. The Justice Department will become an arm of the executive branch losing its independence and then can be used for revenge.
7. Instill precepts of Christian nationalism, which recognizes America as a Christian nation.
8. Abolish the Department of Education and encourage vouchers for private and religious schools, which would destroy the public school system.
9. Eliminate many civil servants and replace them with political appointees who are loyal to the president.

This is a sample of what is contained in Project 2025. I urge everyone to get more information before considering voting for former President Donald Trump.

Stuart Gordon, Virginia Beach

Re “Editorial: Rep. Kiggans lowers the ethical bar to raise money for reelection” (July 17) and “Virginia Republicans mum on Trump’s remarks about Jan. 6 at Chesapeake rally” (July 15): Nurse Rep. Jen Kiggans is now feeling it is her right to diagnose President Joe Biden from afar. She sent out an emailed titled, “Let’s talk about dementia.” Perhaps Kiggans is showing her own dementia as she stands by our Trumpian governor, and they both remain mute about former President Donald Trump’s lying comments.

The other article refers to “Trump’s recent assertions that police told rioters to enter the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.” And Trump said he wanted the release of the jailed “J6 hostages.”

Where was her voice to stand up for the truth? She, our governor and other Republicans could not seem to acknowledge that these insurrectionists were criminals and thugs who damaged the “People’s House.”

Republicans are quick to ignore the laws that were broken and the people who were seriously injured and killed. Now, the Republican Supreme Court has approved immunity for the person who incited the insurrection, and he may never be held accountable.

If Trump is elected, he will pardon the insurrectionists, and he will subject women to unspeakable harm. Read Project 2025. Maybe Kiggans should spend more time working to protect women’s rights and less time making questionable dementia diagnoses.

Vivian Moberg Reynolds, Newport News

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Youngkin

Re “Youngkin tells GOP convention Virginia will elect another ‘Republican outside businessman’” (July 16): Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked God for his guidance about whether he should run for governor. I wonder what God told him about whether he should speak at the Republican National Convention in favor of former President Donald Trump, who just a few days before had claimed that the assault on the Capitol building at the urging of Trump was just another tour group encouraged by police.

Anyone who is seeing the videos of that outrage knows that what Trump claimed was a blatant lie. Youngkin refused to comment on Trump’s claims and spoke recently in support of the candidacy of Trump.

Glenn Shean, Williamsburg

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Harris

The Democrats and President Joe Biden need to change the election game.

1. Bill it as democracy versus former President Donald Trump.
2. Take Biden’s foibles and poor impressions off the table.
3. Give the candidate’s role to Vice President Kamala Harris.
4. Bill Biden as the savior of democracy.
   1. Build up Biden’s ego and public image as a patriot.
   2. Say he’s done so much to change the government’s focus on the working class.
   3. Give him an easy, respectable and credible exit strategy.
   4. He’s saving democracy by asking Harris to come off the bench to finish the job.
   5. Ask him to accept the role with the grace and place in history he has.
5. Ask Harris to take on Trump in the next debate.
6. Harris will bring focus to Trump’s personal foibles, Project 2025 and other risks to democracy.
7. Describe Harris as the next generation of leaders starting now and not in 2028 as Biden wanted.

Here are the consequences:

1. Young people, women, people of color and the undecided will flock to support Harris.
2. Down ballot Democratic candidates will ride her coattails.
3. Democracy wins.

All media should focus on Trump’s personal and political shortcomings compared with what all Americans need.

Bob Volpe, Norfolk

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God

Re “God intervenes” (Your Views, July 17): The letter writer said God saved former President Donald Trump’s life. Trump is no different from anyone else. God looks after all of us. This letter about Trump and God is ridiculous. God looks after all of us. Please no more tripe about Trump.

Deborah Gozzard, Virginia Beach