Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

Elected representatives performed a great act of voter suppression. Donald Trump is no longer president, yet they are impeaching him out of fear that voters won't accept their agenda. They fear the people may elect him again. They can stop us only by suppressing our votes by removing him as a choice. They are supposed to represent us, yet they don't trust us to be the judge of this man. They will stop at nothing to silence 70 million Americans.

-- Youngstown

For four years, Republicans gave Donald Trump a free pass to lie, degrade anyone who disagreed. Now they can do the right thing based on his Jan. 6 actions. But they are backing off, saying he is out of office and let it go. Do the right thing, let impeachment go forward. Impeach Trump. Stop worrying about yourself, votes and money. Worry about the people in this country and do the right thing for a change.

-- Girard

Biden Executive Order 1,722: "All U.S. Citizens shall remove all locks from the front door of their residence to allow anyone to enter at any time of the day or night, or option to remove door completely to eliminate potential injury to anyone entering." Only 1,454 days left!

-- Canfield

For four years columnist Cal Thomas emboldened Trump and his supporters. Traitors like him are responsible for deaths at the U.S. Capitol, including Officer Brian Sicknick. He inflamed anti-Democrat legions and essentially incited them to murder. He continues to do so today, yet he feigns disgust at what happened. The House already has burned to the ground. He is greatly responsible for our democracy burning. The blood is on his hands. His column must be terminated.

-- Austintown

Pat Buchanan previously was relevant -- racist, anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ and backwards -- but relevant. He's no longer relevant. His appearance in The Vindicator perpetuates division and discrimination in our diverse Valley. It is good to have conservative, moderate and liberal views in the newspaper; however, sharing his extreme views normalizes the most vile vices in society and divides us, especially in this day when white nationalism has reared its ugly head. We do not need fuel on their fire.

-- Youngstown

I don't want to tar all Republicans with one brush. However, I believe some are genuinely evil; e.g., those who support separating children from their families, or those supporting tax breaks for wealthy, but say we "can't afford" to help people in desperate straits. Other Republicans are just profoundly stupid; e.g., those who say "Donald Trump lost us the House in 2018, presidency in 2020 and Senate in 2021 -- but hey, he's our guy! Hooray for Trump!"

-- Youngstown

How can President Biden even begin to unite common, ordinary, peaceful, law-abiding citizens when Donald Trump's supporters don't believe in law and order nor following directions from anyone other than Trump? We elected a president, not a magician. God gave us two ends, one to think with, one to sit on. Success depends on what end you use best. Heads you win; tails you lose. Please use the right end and help Biden unite our great country.

-- Struthers

As kids, we played smear, a ball game with one goal line, started by tossing a ball in the air and whoever grabbed it was tackled (smeared) by all the other players to prevent him crossing the goal line. Fights often broke out, and eventually a parent would appear and tell everyone to settle down or go home. It was just like D.C. politics, without the parent or a common goal. I guess some of them should be sent home.

-- Canfield

A soundoff suggested blacks should be taught how to respond to officers. What training could the following unarmed Ohioans have received? Tamir Rice, 12, shot playing with a toy gun; Andre Hill, Columbus, shot working in a friend's garage; John Crawford, killed while buying an airsoft gun in Cincinnati? No medical attention was given as they lay dying, as if their lives didn't matter. Also Philando Castile, Elijah McClain, Rashard Brooks and others. What training could they have gotten?

-- Campbell

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"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Editorials

Sound off!

I'm very disappointed in my experience trying to get a vaccine in the 80-plus age group. Telephone lines opened at Southwoods at 8 a.m. Jan. 15. I was able to connect by phone at 8:03. A recording said that people would be contacted for an appointment in the order of the calls received. I was never called. It is hard to believe that three minutes after the line opened for appointments, they already booked the 200 doses they had received.

Canfield

Thomas Sowell's recent column should be required reading for all literate Americans. He correctly pointed out that especially in the national media, what is right or wrong, true or false, largely depends on who it hurts or helps politically. Certainly the narrative regarding impeachment that's occurring in Congress is an example. The differing views of the summer riots is another. How sad for our country when the interests of political party surpass those of the nation.

Poland

Thank you to Gov. Mike DeWine for signing the "Stand your Ground" bill into law. It's long overdue. This law will protect law-abiding citizens from the criminal element, not give them 007 privileges. We are not vigilantes.

Beaver

Donald Trump was planning to be the president as long as he wanted. If he had won the election, I think he would have tried to eliminate term limits. Ohio owes a debt of gratitude to the states that prevented Donald Trump from turning this country into a dictatorship.

McDonald

Let me see if I have this correct. The FBI is vetting members of the National Guard who are protecting the U.S. Capitol, after each one has sworn to protect the U.S. Constitution. This is the same FBI whose Peter Strzok and James Comey lied and worked to undermine our president. My advice is to reply like Sgt. Schultz: I know nothing! I see nothing!

Canfield

Syndicated columnist Eugene Robinson has stated all Trump supporters need deprogramming. A Facebook official stated conservative media, like Fox News and Newsmax, should be deplatformed. He said they have free speech, but shouldn't have anyplace to voice it. Isn't this how revolutions are born? I think they should consider moving to China since the First Amendment isn't a nuisance there.

Boardman

The coverage of the inauguration in Thursday's Vindicator was disappointing. One could not help but believe the intent was to draw the eye to the Chance Jr. article next to the inauguration article. There were a few other articles, about Kamala Harris, the young poet and the first cabinet pick, and a gallery of photos appeared on vindy.com. This major event, such a significant change for our country, deserved more space.

Canfield

We swore in Joe Biden without Donald Trump participating. This was an act of cowardice, something in Trump's history. Trump showed cowardice during the Vietnam War by getting a deferment for a foot thing. On Jan. 6, Trump stated in his speech he was going to the Capitol with the crowd, then he ran the opposite way. So it is not surprising that he ran to Florida instead of staying to acknowledge he'd lost! What message does this send to children?

Leetonia

Here comes Biden's promises: Minimum wage to $15; increase taxes; make D.C. a state; remove our history (confederacy); reparations; pack the Supreme Court; free health care to illegal aliens; taxpayers' money to fund abortions; Green New Deal; forgive student debt; and rescind travel bans from terror-prone countries, just to name a few things the middle class will pay for. Therefore, there will be no middle class. Be ready, everyone.

Hubbard

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Editorials

Sound off!

Our hearts go out for victims of Mahoning and Trumbull County house fires. Recall a horrible house fire several years ago when many small children perished, possibly due to cigarettes or a lighter. This can be avoided by being responsible. But the most important issue lies in having working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Please spend a few dollars or contact a social services for assistance, and make sure the batteries are working. It could save lives.

Boardman

Ah, to reacquaint oneself with Mill Creek Park. An accident forced closure of parts of Mahoning Avenue and I-680. The detours remind me of high school drives through the park, including places like the Lily Pond, Birch Hill Cabin, Bears Den Cabin, Wampum, Tioga, Cherokee, Old Furnace, Comanche, Volney, East Golf Drive, McCollum, hairpin turn, Pioneer Pavilion, Silver Bridge. Traffic also has been rerouted through downtown. Maybe it will be favorable to downtown business, too. Is Tito listening?

Hubbard

Gov. Mike DeWine was ill-advised to sign off on legislation to expand Stand Your Ground legislation. This law adds a weapon to the arsenal of vigilantes and other miscreants whose targets are often people of color. Too often, such lone wolves have shown a willingness to escalate confrontations, often with deadly consequences. People should contact their state representatives and the governor's office to protest this ill-thought law with potentially deadly consequences.

Youngstown

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, after hiding from the Trump terrorists at the Capitol, voted along with 147 other Republicans to overturn the election. Does the deaths of five people mean nothing to him? Shame on him!

Champion

Like many, I'm horrified by the storming of the Capitol. From the beginning, we questioned Trump's mental stability, but his exploits were ignored until this latest involved legislators and colleagues. Many are to blame -- mostly those who repeated his flawed thinking, like talk show hosts encouraging listeners to believe distorted opinions, believing without considering opposing arguments. They have some responsibility for this mayhem, deaths, injuries and anxiety. Will they think about this or is making money more important?

Youngstown

We are in big trouble as a country unless Congress changes the way it behaves. In our country, once in a 100-year problem, Congress can't act to help people. And when they do, it's in a 5,000-page bill they didn't read for $600 per person. Soon we will be over $30 trillion in debt, approximately $80,000 for each citizen. Cannot we love one another and work together? I am not very encouraged.

Boardman

It's amazing that science has worked so hard and quickly to develop vaccines for this terrible virus. Now if they could cure stupid, that would truly be a miracle!

Canfield

Next to COVID-19, the biggest hurdle for our country is repairing divide. A divisive president, radio hosts, cable TV and websites increase the divide. Lies feed fears. The key is recognizing lies. Here are some common sense tips: if the story is repeated without proof, it's probably a lie. If the statement begins "somebody said," it's probably a lie. If the lie generalizes a group of people, it's probably a lie.

Campbell

What is wrong with rioters? They are following a madman who spews hatred over and over until you believe him! Where is their intelligence and common sense? Trump is like a cult leader, and they are in his cult. It reminds me of Hitler -- his rallies, lies, hatred and evil! Think!

Canfield

The Capitol fiasco was reprehensible and deserves severe consequences. Let us use all sources to seek these villains. While we're at it, let us also seek villains who toppled statues, broke windows and desecrated public property nationwide last year! Let us rid ourselves of those who spit venom from their pulpits and think they are rulers instead of representatives. Elected officials are not better than rank and file. Let's make a clean sweep of Congress and start over!

Canfield

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Editorials

Sound off!

We are surrounded by Republican congressmen (Bill Johnson, Jim Jordan and Mike Kelly) who for years enabled Donald Trump. To see them act surprised with insurrectionist attacks on our government makes their words ring hollow, especially after they stoked these criminals with their refusal to accept results of a free, fair election. The people who died from this aberration, part of it is on them.

Youngstown

The national media and Democrats are outraged by "right-wing" extremists who demonstrated in D.C. and stormed the Capitol. Isn't that what "left-wing" extremists did last year in LA, Minneapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and other Democratic-controlled cities? Where was the outrage when extremists, BLM and Antifa mobs toppled statues, burned and vandalized cities? I'm no fan of Trump, but Democrats are just as much to blame for the civil unrest in our country.

Youngstown

Vandals attack the homes of Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Mitch McConnell. A plot unravels to kidnap Michigan's governor. Georgia election officials are threatened. A mayor resigns after harassed about mask mandates. Despite political affiliation, people of good conscience should denounce cowardly acts to further political agendas. We, the people, never should accept violence as a political bargaining chip. The cost is too high. Remember the French Revolution to throw off oppression ended in mob rule and the beheading of innocents.

Youngstown

The mail is too late again. My husband tested COVID-19 positive Dec. 17. We followed accepted protocol to both isolate over the recommended 10 days. On Day 12, he received his "official" notice in the mail from the Health Department informing him that he had received a positive diagnosis and delineating the steps to take to isolate for the next 10 days. What sad irony.

Austintown

When we change the clocks ahead one hour March 14, 2021, I would like to see it stay the same time and not change back in the fall. Let's keep the time the same, and do not change it back again.

Canfield

This is in response to a recent soundoff from Boardman wondering why California has so many more hospitalizations than Florida and crediting Florida's lack of lockdowns with them doing "so much better." Could it be that California has 39.8 million people compared to Florida's 21.5 million? According to statista.com, as of Dec. 22, California has 22,929 deaths vs. Florida's 20,680. Is that really doing "so much better?" Just curious.

Canfield

Do Soundoff commenters realize Ohio was won by Trump? Do you really think Biden is your fix? Yes, if you want a socialist government. I voted Democrat until Hillary ran. My grandparents came here from Italy under Mussolini rule with less than 25 cents in their pockets and only clothes on their back. We've come a long way since; however, Democrats are set on a socialistic government. It is true! It will happen!

Boardman

All politicians, federal, state and local, would do well to read and heed these words from our most beloved American, George Washington: The power under the constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can, and undoubtedly will be, recalled.

Girard

The disgusting events of Jan. 6 should be called what it really is: treason! A group of rabid Trump supporters committed domestic terrorism against our country and democracy. Each should be identified and charged with treason. And what did their beloved Donald Trump say should happen to people who commit treason against the United States? I believe it was a firing squad. For once, I agree with him!

Leetonia

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

I thought the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine were first responders and seniors in nursing homes? I saw Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 31 getting her shot. I saw that many states, including Oregon and Virginia, were giving the majority of their vaccines to people under 30 years of age.

So I guess the plan is to kill off all the seniors so the young people can get the shots instead? I am 80 and am on the next list to be euthanized.

Girard

Why is California having so many COVID-19 cases hospitalized and they have had some of the most strict lockdown rules for months, whereas Florida has really no lockdowns and they're doing much better?

It seems to say that lockdowns do not work.

Boardman

I hope Mahoning Valley voters are proud and happy that they tried to re-elect the worst president the country has ever had. This damaged person gets much of the blame for hundreds of deaths from COVID-19. It was a Democrat hoax, would go away by April when warm weather came? He is a monster, and he's not done yet.

Thanks for nothing, Mahoning Valley voters.

Girard

Pat Buchanan's last column would have you believe that it's OK to build thousands of statues of traitors or despots. So where are the statues of Benedict Arnold? Hitler? Saddam Hussein? Where are the thousands of statues of Northern heros like Grant, Sherman or Custer? The war cost over 600,000 American lives in order to keep millions enslaved for the rich Southerners. The statues were built to rewrite history and intimidate ex-slaves and their descendants.

Campbell

The well-off family in the Dec. 29 Opinion page cartoon is misleading us to believe their child will be stuck with a $28 trillion national debt.

The opulence of the drawn surroundings indicates the parents make enough money to pay their tax bill for the year after a week on their jobs and still have enough dough to write a check to the politician / party of their choice and pay a cadre of of lawyers and accountants to ensure they pay no more.

That bill will fall to those least able to pay it. If you wonder what privilege is, it's that the folks in the drawing don't know the others exist.

Canfield

Is the Ohio Republican Party-controlled House insane or might it be in the pocket of the National Rifle Association? Part of the expanded gun-rights proposal would allow 18-year-olds to be issued a concealed gun permit. It would also allow them to buy guns. As if we don't already have enough guns on the streets. I hope Gov. Mike DeWine will veto this proposal.

Greenford

Your editorial states that while our police officers are trained to react to unknown situations in a split second, more errors occur with black victims. One must wonder why that is. Could it be that when approached by an officer, civility whether possessed or not is not shown?

I have been pulled over by the police and received a speeding ticket. I remained in the car, did not run, greeted the officer with respect, showed a valid license and insurance, did as he asked, and was sent on my way. Perhaps the police aren't the only ones needing training.

Columbiana

soundoff@tribtoday.com

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."