Letters to the Editor

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The editorial by Debra Saunders is an attempt to twist the truth. Yes, there has been unacceptable violence against ICE agents. But it's not because Democrats are advocating for violence but because Trump is showcasing cruelty to instill fear in people and pretend to be a tough guy. And he is deporting people who have not committed a crime and have been here for decades. Obama legally deported 5 million in eight years without agents being masked or attacked and without public and targeted raids. While Trump only deported 1 million in his four years. Trump is doing it for show.

-- Campbell

We keep hearing that the U.S. needs illegal immigrants,mostly from Democrats, to do jobs like picking crops. Do you know who else said this? Slave owners!

-- Hubbard

The president, Wizard of Oz demagogue, exposed by Toto, rules the Emerald City (fiat green-back wealth) until Dorothy, the common everyman-woman from impoverished Kansas, rides the cyclone of political upheaval to Munchkin-land where she follows the golden road (money), joins the farmer (Scarecrow), the working man (Tin Man) and opposition party (Cowardly Lion) and slays the wicked witches (hate) of the east, the west and vanquishes the Wizard! What a happy ending! Can such a fairy take possibly come true?

-- Boardman

Now Israel is bombing Syria. The world has learned that Israel is the problem in the Middle East. The U.S. has to stop blindly supporting this state that only recognizes its own right to exist.

-- Canfield

Now the controversy is about the Epstein list. Throughout the president's campaign, he promised to release the list when he was elected. Nonetheless, he is irritated at his base for expecting him to follow through on that promise. If there is nothing on the list, no prominent citizens named, why not just release that list so we all know there is nothing to it? Why waste time tweeting and talking about this? Unless there is something to hide.

-- Youngstown

Reading the article about the recent flooding in New Jersey softened my hard heart a bit. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said, "We're not unique, but we're in one of these sort of high humidity, high temperature, high storm intensity patterns right now." What! A more logical explanation of the cause instead of blaming Trump for the nation's freakish weather? Thank you, governor of the great Garden State.

-- Hubbard

Asked about Epstein, 47 replies to the cameras that "...11,888 murderers..." poured in under Biden. His red-hatted fans may be less inclined to accept a new baseless lie now that they know the liar thinks of them as "stupid Republicans" for not accepting their plea to provide tapes fundamental to their core belief about what is wrong with America. In a word, it's Trump.

-- Canfield

Judging by the Epstein kerfuffle, MAGA hates being lied to as much as Democrats do. It's just that Dems were well aware that 47 was a chronic liar before he ever became 47 or 45. Now, he's a lying felon with the power of the presidency thanks to those duped into voting for him. MAGA, MAGA big mess, eh?

-- Canfield

Trump's tariffs threat to Putin reminds me of the Dean Wormer character threatening the frat boys of Animal House with "double secret probation" in that it's equally impotent. Better weapons in greater quantities to Ukraine would be more useful in driving out the Russian invader provided, there's no more TACO'ing regarding when.

-- Canfield

Mill Creek MetroParks is planning another deer hunt this fall in spite of the fact that a recent USDA survey established that there are only 14.9 deer per square mile in our 5-mile park, well within the recommended number of between 10 and 20 deer per square mile. This current director has a goal of no deer left in the park and will disregard evidence that we do not have enough deer to support another hunt.

-- Poland

It is vitally important that the recently vacated position of Natural Resource Manager of Mill Creek Park be filled with a compassionate, knowledgeable, ecologically minded and transparent person. The ongoing practice of managing (killing) wildlife in the park will continue for five more years. Our park as we know it is disappearing with the practices of this director and board. Remember that you own Mill Creek Park, it exists because of your taxes. Fight to protect our park and its wildlife.

-- Poland

On behalf of senior citizens in Mahoning County, whose bright idea made property taxes due Friday, Aug. 1? Does the Mahoning County treasurer realize people survive on their Social Security checks and those do not arrive until the first or third of each month? And if you are late on Aug. 1 -- which some will surely be -- you will be penalized 10%! Sounds like an "Onion" award to me. Not a very considerate decision at all.

-- Youngstown

The Mill Creek MetroParks board stated that its goal for deer in the park is 18 deer per square mile. At the conclusion of the hunt in February 2025, a count was done by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which revealed 14.9 deer per square mile. So, why is another hunt being planned for fall? There is no discernible browse line and the forest is lush and green, which demonstrates that there are not more deer than the land can support. Why waste taxpayer money on another hunt?

-- Boardman

Letters to the Editor

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What part of "NO" does John White not understand??? And who would vote for him anyway, given his track record?

-- Boardman

Good Lord above! Is there no humanity left in this country that noncriminal immigrants are being sent to the new Florida prison, a horrible metal building housing too many in each room, horrible conditions, for no reason and no rights allowed simply because they look suspicious. The degradation playing out in this administration is showing the world just how low we have sunk into almost a hell on Earth. What have we become that a human life is worth so little?

-- Liberty

After this week of sadness from Texas, we get a sample of what's wrong with America today. A PEDIATRICIAN of all people totally blows it about Trump voters. And KIDS dying! Until Americans decide to love America and its citizens MORE than they HATE TRUMP we will fail as a society. Sad for us.

-- Girard

The article about Rulli proposing a Trump "courage day" shows what a poor representative we have. It is shameful that Rulli would praise Trump for turning a tragic event into a photo opp. People were wounded and dying around him while he fixed his hair and posed for a campaign picture.

-- Canfield

A transcript of 47's own recounting of conversations with Xi and Putin shows the three of them speaking like a gaggle of Valley girls arguing "way" and "no way" over who had the best prom dress just before the slap fight breaks out. Such manly leadership!

-- Canfield

You can't solve a problem without accepting facts. Some may hurt or bring a smile to your face but you have to accept them. Race relations have persisted in this country because we believe that skin color matters when it doesn't. For decades the vast majority of black, Italian, Irish, German and Hispanic immigrants have strengthened this country. Believing otherwise is refusing to accept facts and creating a problem where there is none. Throw out criminals and fix our broken immigration system instead of deporting contributors.

-- Campbell

Austintown will subsidize the police department $500,000 this year. WOW! Actually doing the job elected for. Police and fire levies were NEVER INTENDED to 100% fund. They were to be SUPPLEMENTS. All funds should be general fund vs. many separate little ones and the elected officials should DECIDE what goes where so they are accountable for things.

-- Girard

Rep. Rulli is not listening to his leader. Trump, on Juneteenth, stated that there were too many holidays where people are not working. Now, Rulli wants to add yet another no-work holiday, "Faith and Defiance Day." He better listen to his boss or he will get in trouble. Right!

-- Poland

Rulli, please work on important stuff like getting food prices down, assuring medical care for your constituents, logical tariff implementation, etc. Faith and Defiance Day makes as much sense as banning Ohio State from playing noon games on Saturdays. Please listen to our cries!

-- Boardman

Where does the buck stop regarding the Realty Tower explosion? Shasho, public works deputy director, spearheaded the project from the beginning. One by one, others -- competent or not -- followed his lead and didn't bother to properly check those hanging pipes. Everything Shasho is involved with, he bungles. Prime example, downtown Youngstown. Yet every mayor keeps him on and won't see how inept he is. He's wasted millions of dollars, closed businesses and now a deadly disaster. What's next?

-- Youngstown

Letters to the Editor

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Ben Shapiro writes of the decline in Americans' pride in their country. Republicans stand at 92% and Democrats fall to 36%. Rather than be divided by and polled by political party, why not poll by working, self-sufficient, tax-paying contributors to society and those that will not work yet expect free food, health care, college tuition and cellphones. Nothing worthwhile is free. How can anyone have pride in America with no pride of achievement or of self?

-- Columbiana

There she goes again! Star Parker's July 3 column saying Republicans are about principles and the sanctity and "awe of life" and having no religion, a fundamental freedom, somehow makes one less proud to be an American. It is hard to take this woman seriously when she overlooks the pardon of J6 insurrectionists, crimes by the religious, existential threats to Americans after they are born such as abysmal poverty, cruelty and gunfire mayhem in what she adamantly calls a "free nation under God."

-- Poland

Deny all you want, but climate change is very real and it is affecting our daily lives every day with more fires, hurricanes, flooding, tornados. Climate change research funding has been cut back, or totally eliminated, putting us at dangerous levels for disasters. This horrific loss of lives in Texas falls on Trump's shoulders and his idioitic dismissal and hatred of all methods that could improve our deteriorating climate. He is fast moving us backward.

-- Liberty

Once you start looking you notice abandoned oil and gas wells all over the Mahoning Valley. Many believe that they leak dangerous methane gas. Anyone measuring them?

-- Youngstown

While I don't often agree with Cal Thomas his latest was spot on. The United States is becoming one giant landfill and Youngstown is trying to lead the way. Visit the site of any summer festival the next day and look at the mess and litter in the streets that seem to sit there forever. When I was young I used to pick up trash on my walks. Must be a lost art.

-- Youngstown

$1,000 per baby! The new Bill creates an investment (Trump account) for each baby born after Jan 25 until 2028. This $1,000 will be FUNDED by the government and will allow parents to add to it over time. What a great way to involve the new generation involved in finance and the markets. $1,000 at birth with $2,000 added per year at 5% average until 65 will end up over $1 million. Great plan for all.

-- Girard

Now that the Big Beautiful Bill has passed all of the hurdles and its cuts target some aspects of Medicaid abuse -- especially illegal immigrants -- my daughter better get knocked up so she'd qualify for the generous benefits for pregnant women afforded by the BBB. She'd gobble up even more government goodies if she got on the child-care craze bandwagon. To top it off, maybe she should quit her job to drop into every lazy, but able-bodied person's entitlement dream: the low-income category.

-- Hubbard

47's new fragrance can clear a room of a crowd unless the crowd comprises suckers who bought it. However, it can't cover the stink attached to congressional Republicans from handling his Malevolent MAGA Meadow Muffin tax bill into law. Remember that, and vote at every opportunity to oust them all.

-- Canfield

Biden did a lot for all Americans. Check it out before criticizing. He did not alienate almost every country, nor insult their presidents and then cut off aid where needed to countries long dependent on our help. He was not a foul-mouthed bully. Trump makes fun of Biden's illnesses, the same affecting many. Be careful, President Trump, as Trump himself shows signs of the same conditions, and there might be many ready to then criticize thin-skinned him.

-- Liberty

Kudos to the in-depth reporting of The Vindicator's Sean Barron. He is at the forefront of all the important local events and issues. He also apparently goes out of his way to make sure all sides of an issue are represented. He can be spotted at events scribbling furiously in his notebook. Sean definitely has his finger on the pulse of this community!

-- Austintown

Why since a couple of years ago are we being bombarded with pharmaceutical commercials? We are only one of two countries in the entire world to allow this, New Zealand being the second. We used to pay for cable to avoid commercials; now we are paying a lot of money to be insulted by multi-million dollar drug companies pushing their dangerous drugs! I for one am going to cancel my dish and make sure they know the reason why. Maybe if more people would do the same, it would stop.

-- Struthers

The July 4 front-page headline noting final approval of Trump's Big Ugly Bill (not Beautiful, as the subhead states) blares "Tax cuts enacted." To imply that tax cuts are the bill's primary feature -- conveniently ignoring that they overwhelmingly benefit the rich, who need them the least -- is a ludicrous mischaracterization. The millions who will suffer, and possibly die, as the bill's Medicaid cuts and other draconian measures take effect? Guess they were of no concern to The Vindicator's headline writer.

-- Youngstown

President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passed Congress and was signed into law on the Fourth of July. Not one Democrat voted for it. What sane politician would vote no to keep your taxes the same and not rise? What sane politician would vote no to keep the border secure? What sane politician would vote no to keep fraud and abuse out of Medicaid? The Democrats voted no not because it was a bad bill, but because they didn't want Trump to have success. They better start doing what the people want or they won't survive.

-- Hubbard

Letters to the Editor

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Last November, I predicted that by year two of his regime Trump would begin agitating for an illegal third term. That took him less than 100 days. I also opined that, if he got a third term, he would campaign for a dynastic clause changing the Constitution to allow him to name one of his sons as his successor. Last week, Eric responded to a press question about his interest in politics that after looking at politics up close he felt qualified to replace his father, if needed, at the end of his term. Please God make my prognostication completely off the mark.

-- Canfield

Trump, Noem, and DeSantis visit Alligator Alcatraz and don't get eaten. My guess is the gators couldn't stomach that much waste, fraud and abuse all at once.

-- Canfield

Do you know a single billionaire who needs a tax cut? There are about 10 in Trump's Cabinet. How about a millionaire? Many of them are in the United States House and Senate. Do you know anyone with dementia? Or a crippled child or a child with a learning disability. Do these people need their benefits reduced? This big, bad bill will close rural hospitals and people will die. Rulli, Husted and Moreno are to blame because they voted for billionaire tax cuts and lower benefits for the middle class and poor people.

-- Campbell

How vindictive does someone have to be to round up hard-working individuals in farming, housekeeping and processing industries, send them back to the poverty and violence they fled, tear apart families, deny those born here citizenship and in the process, weaken businesses that rely on this labor? Is there a supply of Americans who will work in back-breaking conditions, long hours with minimal pay? What is the plan for the economy when this labor force is gone? Or is this just about hate?

-- Youngstown

In her column, 'Trump carries on GOP principles,' published June 26th, Star Parker quotes Ronald Reagan as saying, "There is no room for racism, antisemitism or other forms of ethnic and racial hatred in this country." The modus operandi of Trump's roundup of people seeking a better life is nothing but a demonstration of ethnic and racial hatred. She calls us "a free nation under God," as if God would be pleased with all of this. Her conflicting thoughts put in writing are painful to read.

-- Poland

Please be aware of the trauma that loud fireworks cause to seniors, veterans with PTSD, small children, pets and wildlife. Keep your pets indoors well before the fireworks start. Especially dogs kept outside. Try to attend a dedicated display instead of setting off fireworks at your homes. This will lessen the noise. Other countries are having silent fireworks displays for these reasons. Still the beautiful display to enjoy, with no harm to people and animals.

-- Poland Township

The remaining members of the BHS Class of 1959 are planning a reunion this August, in Boardman. We reached out to the Boardman Township Office to see if we could use their office for part of our reunion, as there may be some interesting artifacts, etc., about Boardman. However, Jason Loree & Company stated we would have to pay $50 per hour to use the facility! A real "Slap in The Face" to us Super Seniors.

-- Boardman

I am interested in information on the 36% revenue that the city will receive from a marijuana dispensary. I am not concerned with one coming to the city; it does not affect me directly.

The revenue collected from the dispensary, speed cameras and the Ohio Lottery should be quite a considerable amount. My first thought is it may add a couple more police officers. Maybe some goes toward city workers to keep streets clean, animal control for stray cats, parks and recreation? I am really not sure. I do know Ohio Lottery is supposed to help fund schools, but yet how much does your local school get from your property tax (A LOT) just saying …. I would like to see some of the plans for extra income.

-- Girard

The library in Youngstown says it can lose $500k in this year's new state budget, and it will affect everything, including Poland fix (fear-mongering). They have MILLIONS in the bank and a local property tax just renewed that generates MILLIONS yearly (the sky is falling). I love libraries and can't help but feel they will survive just fine. ALL public entities NEED to learn to trim down NOW! The property tax amendment is not going away.

-- Girard

Our military magnificently accomplished an extraordinary mission in Iraq. When Trump rushed to the nearest mic to congratulate himself, and do his best tough-guy schtick without sufficient facts at hand, he made the effort questionable. When the professional soldier, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Caine, made his factual presentation, all was well despite Hegseth trying to blame the press for his boss's premature annunciation. The world is safer from Iraq for a while thanks to the bravery of men and women in uniform. Trump lies and misinformation, however, still require checking by press and public alike.

-- Canfield

If you combine a self-aggrandizing, self-serving felon who has lied so blatantly and frequently for so long that he no longer knows what the #=*% he said, you get 47. What we really need, though, is a President. Dump Trump. He will only get worse.

-- Canfield

Most Americans understand deporting immigrant CRIMINALS. What is not understood is not only deporting immigrants here for many years, many born here, working and contributing to society, but the horrific and vicious beatings they are receiving in the process. If you haven't seen the video of the father of THREE U.S. military personnel, you must watch "our" government at work. Who are these men who are beating people senseless? It is inhumane and violent and a sad commentary on our country.

-- Liberty

Trump lies everyday. He denigrates anyone who doesn't agree with him. He cheated on his wife. He spews racist comments. He wants to get rid of all diversity in the workplace. He wasn't man enough to admit he lost the election. If you worship him, it doesn't matter how despicable you are, you're his friend. I often wondered how 70 million people could vote for this morally reprehensible human being. I finally realized that we, as a country, are becoming more and more like him.

-- Youngstown

I am uncertain why the state of Ohio believes it is entitled to use unclaimed funds for loans to sports teams. Funds still belong to someone, whether unclaimed or not. Those individuals are unaware or swept up in more immediate concerns. And if funds belong to some individual, it should certainly be possible for the funds to find those individuals. However it seems wrong for the state to provide funds to build a stadium for sports teams.

-- Lowellville

To all the Sound Off writers who wrote about the parade for the 250th anniversary of the Army, do your research. This parade was first being planned under the Biden administration. It was to celebrate the Army, nothing else. If you can't enjoy celebrating the Armed Services, maybe you have a problem -- not the rest of us.

-- Hubbard