Cat problems
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
