Dual views
The gist of a New York Times article, “In Immunity Decision, Clashing Views of the Nature of Politics,” was to formulate a delineation of the difference between the Supreme Court’s conservative versus liberal justices in their attitudes concerning the vital topic of immunity from prosecution.
It turned out that it was former President Donald Trump’s lawyers who offered their ideas on this topic to the court during oral arguments. It’s of interest to me that our conservative justices would prove to be so willing to violate the public’s trust, which was already close to rock bottom.
It seems that the conservative justices envision a political administration as an arena of almost continual warfare, verbal and physical. A president, it seems, needs to know that he can fight off any danger without ever being prosecuted for having done so. The main concern, said Chief Justice John Roberts, “was to insulate a president from the perils of ‘hesitation to execute the duties of his office fearlessly and fairly’ because of a fear of prosecution.”
The liberal justices worried much more about a possibly berserk head of state, a “monarchical president who could use the immense powers of the office for personal or political gain or for other illegitimate purposes without the legal checks and balances that they say have long been necessary to ensure accountability.” Given what we know about Trump, who can blame Justice Sonia Sotomayor for her trepidation?
In summary, the conservatives feel that a president must be unconditionally protected from any legal reprisals for his actions; whereas the liberals feel that our laws, law enforcement and our courts are themselves that protection.
Stan Pearson, Newport News
Human rights
I am writing to draw attention to the recently passed HR4132, the Falun Gong Protection Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. This crucial legislation aims to protect Falun Gong practitioners from persecution and organ harvesting in China.
As a concerned citizen, I urge our Virginia senators to sponsor a companion act in the Senate without delay. Falun Gong practitioners are innocent people who practice meditation and follow the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. The persecution they face in China is a grave human rights issue that demands our immediate attention. Many individuals, including some known to me personally, have suffered arbitrary detention, torture and even death in camps and prisons. These victims are often subjected to detailed physical examinations while enduring torture, raising suspicions about forced organ harvesting.
The nationwide persecution in China is reminiscent of the Holocaust, with thousands of practitioners dying as a result of torture and abuse in custody. It is imperative that we take action to prevent U.S. citizens and corporations, especially those in the medical field, from inadvertently becoming part of China’s organ supply chain.
I implore our senators to prioritize this issue and work toward making the Falun Gong Protection Act law. By doing so, we can send a strong message that the United States stands firmly against such egregious human rights violations and supports freedom of belief for all.
Truman Faith, Virginia Beach
Protestors
I’m reading about the Russian attacks on civilians of Ukraine. I pretty much read the complete paper, but didn’t see any protesters on college campuses or our streets regarding the deaths of innocent citizens or several children. I don’t remember Ukraine attacking Russia and starting a war. Did I miss something?
If you activist protesters want to “make a statement,” at least be consistent.
Dick Jones, Virginia Beach
