Pier
Re “Norfolk details plans to construct 160-foot fishing pier near Granby Street” (July 11): When Westminster-Canterbury bought the Lynnhaven Fish House and Lynnhaven Fishing Pier for its expansion, not only did local fishermen lose their convenient means of fishing, but they lost the ability to provide key services to our youth. Volunteers from various fishing clubs took the boys from Seton Youth Services as well as kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Norfolk to fish there on numerous occasions. It was such a joy to see them catch their first fish.
We need to get a pier back in a nearby location, so we can return to taking the above kids fishing but also establish programs to help other at-risk kids.
Might we work out a joint deal as follows? First, can we use a small portion of First Landing State Park? Second, can our city prepare the design for a pier, park and parking lot? Third, is Westminster willing to provide all or most of the funding as a community service to complete the project to serve our fishermen, our youth and its retirees?
William Mannschreck, Virginia Beach
History
Politicians of both political parties have been spouting the tired refrain, “It’s not who we are,” following the attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life. Are they living under a rock? It is who we are. Our country began with the near extinction of the Native Americans with the survivors herded onto reservations (early concentration camps).
We have shot to death four presidents: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy. Assassination attempts have been made on other presidents or presidents-elect including Andrew Jackson; Theodore Roosevelt; Franklin Roosevelt (Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was shot dead next to him.); Harry Truman (A White House police officer was killed.); Ronald Reagan (Press Secretary James Brady was wounded resulting in brain damage. A secret service officer and a police officer were also wounded.); and Trump (Two rally spectators were critically injured, and former fire chief and rally attendee Corey Comperatore was shot dead.).
Members of Congress from both political parties have been severely injured in assassination attempts.
Prominent Americans assassinated include Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Wake up America. The whole world knows what too many of us are in denial about. We are who we are, and shame on us.
Anthony R. Santoro, president emeritus and distinguished professor of history, Christopher Newport University, Yorktown
Trump shooting
Re “Virginia leaders respond to apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump” (July 14): Rep. Jen Kiggans was quoted saying, “(Former) President (Donald) Trump’s bravery in the face of danger … .” Give me a break. He was grazed by a bullet, was thrown to the ground by his security detail and remained there until it was deemed safe to arise.
Before he left the stage, he mouthed “fight” repeatedly, indicating that the only answer to violence is more violence. What Trump should have said is that the bullet whizzing by was the sound of everyone’s Second Amendment rights being upheld.
While in office he made sure that mental illness would not be a reason to deny a person a firearm. So what all the gun-loving politicians should be saying is, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Trump, the man who lost his life and those who were injured.” And then move on as you all have done when the dead are schoolchildren; members of Black churches or synagogues; or people just enjoying a concert. That is the price of believing any type of firearm should be allowed to be purchased or possessed by anyone, anywhere and at anytime. The consequences are “just get over it” because your party made the rules.
Pam Pouchot, Yorktown
2024 election
Re “Virginia Republicans mum on Trump’s remarks about Jan. 6 at Chesapeake rally” (July 15): When I was a boy in the 1950s, I watched a TV show portraying superman who stood for “Truth, Justice and the American Way.” Seventy years later a former reality TV star, former President Donald Trump, is aiming for a second term as president.
In the article above, Trump stated that the Capitol police told the mob to go in. Truth? That is a blatant lie. According to the article about 140 officers were assaulted and four died later by suicide. Justice? In Trump’s immunity case, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “presidential power requires that a former president have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office.” The “conservatives” of the court essentially condoned the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, a day that will live in infamy.
Then-Vice President Mike Pence, his wife and daughter fled in danger when the mob breached the Capitol, some chanting, “Hang Mike Pence.” I saw a mob; I saw a gallows with a noose. Recently I saw an upside-down flag at the house of one of the justices. Recall the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer four years ago. Trump’s response at a rally was disgusting. This is not the American way. Democrats wake up. Whitmer can trounce Trump.
George DeRise, Newport News
