Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

I want to set the record straight. It is a lie that Democrats who dislike Trump hate our country. It is precisely because we love the USA that we detest Trump. We see him as destroying our democracy and our nation's standing in the world. Another lie is that our beliefs are influenced by the media. All we have to do is listen to his hateful words and actions to know that his concern is not for this country but for himself!

-- Canfield

Iran war = higher fuel costs = higher shipping costs = higher fertilizer costs = higher food costs = higher travel costs = higher anxiety for common citizens. I can't understand why Husted, Moreno and Rulli are AWOL when we could use some help! Why can't these guys talk to Trump? They are obviously fearful of retaliation. My suggestion to all Ohioans is to get rid of Rulli and Husted this November, and correspond with Moreno, asking for some relief.

-- Boardman

So now the so-called law-and-order president, who claims to stand with law enforcement, has just coerced the IRS into setting up a fund consisting of taxpayer money, that will handsomely reward those Jan. 6 rioters who beat and terrorized Capital police officers because they did it for him. And yet so many adore him and think he can do no wrong.

-- Hubbard

I agree 100% with the May 1 editorial about gerrymandering. One vote, one person is fundamental to a representative democracy. What's the result of gerrymandering? It's Ohio GOP today with 10 of 15 U.S. representatives of a 55/45 state for almost 20 years, representatives who only answer to DJT, failing school systems, GM leaving Lordstown, crime #31, economy #39, environment #41, health care #34, education #30. All forms of political and racial gerrymandering should be illegal. The two political primaries should be reduced to one with the top two making it to November.

-- Campbell

Deer and having babies now and you may find one of them asleep in your yard. DO NOT MOVE IT. The mother will have left it where she felt is a safe place and will return later to care for it. This is natural and what they do. Don't pick it up or feed it -- leave it alone. If you feel it's in danger or have not seen the mother in 24 hours, call a wildlife rehab like Birds in Flight Sanctuary for help.

-- Poland

The death of a culture is like the death of a tree. There is no heart-stopping moment. The tree's profile changes over time and then one spring there are no new leaves. Enter Trump's "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The Administration declining to rule out whether Jan. 6 rioters would be eligible for payouts is tantamount to compensating the person who burned down your house with your homeowner's insurance. Our culture is reaching that final, silent spring. Can it get more idiotic than this?

-- Poland

People really need to do their research before spouting anti-Trump nonsense. The UFC (and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings) is paying the full cost to construct the temporary arena on the White House grounds and to restore the South Lawn afterward. Taxpayer funds are not being used for the facilities or cleanup.

-- Austintown

I really like your May 21 editorial, "Nobody wins with gerrymandering". Why? Because it speaks the truth! Ever since Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry re-shaped a key electoral district map in his favor to look like a twisted salamander in the 1800s, politicians have been cheating the electorate by stealing elections -- thieves. But most Americans aren't thieves. So why put up with it? We should not put up with it! Bravo to The Vindicator for standing tall in today's disastrous times!

-- Boardman

Now, here's a good example of where The Vindicator stands. In your 5/18 edition, a story ran on A7 about the administration probing "67M voters" which "could end up purging valid voters from the rolls before the November elections"! I've said it here before. The government has been stolen! Don't get your hopes up that the worst approval rating in history will net a win for Democrats come November. Why wasn't that screamed from the highest mountain on A1?

-- Boardman

Pardoned insurrectionists, pointless ball rooms, grifted contracts, overpriced and unbid paint jobs, an arch nearly as big and useless as the ego of the narcissist who demands it, rising prices, declining health care, unaffordable housing, a war begun with an idiot's grasp of strategic planning. Now, he puts the lives our families into harms way to satisfy his whim for a war he started. In my opinion, there is no greater example of waste, fraud and abuse than the orange lump of it currently at the Resolute Desk.

-- Canfield

Of course 47 wants a $1.8B slush fund. He needs it to attract and pay rabid felons he pardoned to lead his secret police to levels of violence he enjoys watching. Especially since it's your money not his, a spineless GOP won't stop him, and there's no chance he'll be hurt. His corruption stinks to the hinterland where people will vote him and his regime onto the scrap heap of history. While you can, VOTE.

-- Canfield

The late conservative Republican Senator, Everett Dirksen, allegedly said of a bloated national budget that "...a billion here, a billion there and pretty soon you're talking serious money...". Considering the big meadow muffin bill, funding for ICE, the ballroom and Trump arch, Dirksen might note that "... a billion here, a billion there and soon Trump will grift enough he no longer cares...".

-- Canfield

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

I'm struck by the similarities of the last days of the Nazi regime in April 1945 to the faltering Iranian government. Like Germany, Iran is controlled by a small, deadly group of fanatics, preserving their grip on power at any cost. Civilian dissent is ruthlessly crushed, and the country is kept in a perpetual news blackout. People are scooped on any pretext and just hung from a crane -- or worse. The big difference from World War II Germany is the enabling power of the Internet to continually pipe out rhetoric and threats to every media outlet in the world. I have to wonder what difference it would have made to the Nazis if they had the advantage of the Internet to send out an uninterrupted flow of staged photos and lies to international media to the very end. Though the Internet is prohibited to the Iranian populace, the Iranian regime uses it to project an image of strength and self-righteousness, through a wire under a pile of rubble.

-- Poland

Is there any reason other than authoritarian cruelty that the U.S. is blockading Cuba. This is not military, this is just causing civilian suffering. This is Trump's international diplomacy. Only make demands of countries that cannot compete militarily. This is a coward's diplomacy and has damaged our nation's image and stature for generations. Let's see what happens when China sends him packing.

-- Canfield

A Louisiana Senator recently gave his usual folksy, uncritical response to a reporter's question about high fuel prices. The reporter then asked how the senator could "square" that response with the loud criticism he often raised when speaking about gas prices under Biden. Quietly, as he walked away, he replied "I don't have to square anything to you," thus demonstrating he cares as much about your cost of living as Trump.

-- Canfield

I had to resign my position as home health nurse due to the prices of gas. The IRS mileage reimbursement no longer covers the gas prices and vehicle maintenance and insurance premiums! Something has to give.

-- Boardman

Fact: Iran never said "wipe Israel off the map". And Iran condemned the 9-11 terror attacks as billions of Muslims mourned the evil mass killings of Americans. Fact: Cal Thomas wrote fake news about Pope Leo and Iran. The Iranians still want peace even though Trump and Netanyahu signed ceasefires right before waging surprise attacks on them. Most importantly, only Trump has questioned, "Why do we have nuclear weapons if we aren't allowed to use them?"

-- Girard

Maria Pappas, vice chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, should represent the whole county, not just the privileged residents of Poland Village. Her militant opposition to the library board for closing a building with major structural problems ignores the needs of the many communities that pay taxes too. Expecting the rest of Mahoning County to pour millions into one wealthy area is not fairness. The Democratic Party should stop taking the rest of us for granted.

-- Boardman

Gerrymandering by race or political party is destructive to the country. It takes away the voting power of blacks and political parties like Dems in Ohio. It's selecting representatives who are at party extremes who rarely compromise. The Supreme Court said we don't need Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because we're less racist now. They need to open their eyes and see how quickly almost every Southern State did back flips to divide up black districts. Pure racism. People marched and died for the right to vote. Remember Bull Connor and his police dogs? It will happen again.

-- Campbell

The unwinnable "Holy Wars" have been going on forever. Are there any countries in the proximity of Israel that are supporting/helping them? Netanyahu snookered gullible Trump into a disastrous war with Iran (Nobel Peace Prize?) while Trump will continue to manipulate Iran's nuclear bomb story, costing us billions. Obama's 2016 Historic Iran Deal, with support of over 100 countries, included monitoring and inspections, was accomplished without any military action. Threatening the NATO military alliance is insane. Many countries are distancing themselves from the USA and speculating what our motives are. Who said he is not thinking about Americans' finances even a little bit?

-- Campbell

The State of New York v. The Mafia, AKA Luigi Mangione and Judge Gregory Carro. St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers, please assist the Big Apple prosecutors.

-- Poland

How in the world does cage fighting on the White House lawn represent our country and its heritage? Trump says they are the greatest warriors. NO, they aren't. Our military are!! This is a sport and nothing more. To build a stadium on the lawn is "another" desecration of OUR White House property. More millions to build it and more to repair the area once it is over.

-- Liberty

Letters to the Editor

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I would try to buy a ticket to Trump's rose garden fight only if it featured his son-in-law and daughter vs Junior and Eric. Winners will split the golden statue of the Don, and losers must have him to dinner in their homes every Christmas or Hanukkah.

-- Canfield

Get it right people, it's TRUMP IS DERANGED SYNDROME, not Trump derangement syndrome!!

-- Struthers

Can we have a cease and desist order on the political ads? Give us a break. I'm not interested in Vivek or Sherrod at this point in the election cycle. Some countries allow campaigning only for a limited time before their elections. We need a state, if not federal, law to limit political ads. Who's with me? Call or email Brown and Ramaswamy and tell them to stop.

-- Canfield

Since both the Tribune Chronicle and Vindicator are owned by the same company, and have the same newsroom and staff, why don't you simply merge these publications into one great newspaper serving the entire Youngstown-Warren metropolitan area? The cost savings from not composing two newspaper layouts should more than make-up for the revenue lost by eliminating any dual-subscription customers that you might have. Call it "The Vindicator, a Tribune Chronicle Publication" or vice versa. If you are in doubt, just make this one of your daily poll questions.

-- Youngstown

Donald Trump recently depicted himself as Christ. The campaign ads of David Joyce and Michael Rulli had no other message than to proclaim their devotion to Trump. Does this make them apostles?

-- Youngstown

During a visit to the White House by the Artemis flight crew, Trump made a crude remark about NASA Official Jared Isaacman's ears. What type of person, let alone the president of the United States, mocks the appearance of another person? This is grade school stuff! How low can this pathetic person go? I don't think there is a limit. And before you say it's fake news, look it up. If you support this, you're just as pathetic.

-- Youngstown

While Trump is spending millions (and billions) on paint and gilt, a ballroom, statues, and a major WAR, thousands of families have lost SNAP and health benefits. Thousands are out of work. His efforts to bankrupt a good portion of Americans are working. The 2025 Project is working hard to give him his dictatorship to rule over the people. The little king 'to be' is running amok among us. "Let them eat cake," he says.

-- Liberty

Using common sense, logic, facts and openly proven lies, it is beyond my comprehension how anyone could support our president. Oh, excuse me, most millionaires / billionaires love him. Who owns / operates the new Private Detention Centers costing billions? Yep, the same supporters. What has this war accomplished for the average USA citizen? Just about everything is competition for Trump, and he never accepts defeat. Every move Trump takes has his personal interest and generates him more wealth.

-- Campbell

To those willing to put up with higher gas price hikes to keep Iran at bay: The author of "The Art of the Deal" has turned an Iranian nuclear dispute into a global chokepoint crisis, given Tehran new leverage, alarmed Saudi Arabia, irritated Europe, destabilized oil markets, and still somehow found time to plan a UFC event on the South Lawn. The White House is supposed to be the seat of government not a fight arena. You OK with this too?

-- Poland

What is going on with this continuous digging? It looks like they are going over the same areas already done last year. What kind of information have we received prior to this starting last year? NONE. Should we have the option to pick if we even want it? Now, are they going back over again? Are these qualified utility working that know where and where not to dig and WHY do I not see this in any other city/township?

-- Girard

I am reaching out to all parents who have a child that owns an electric scooter or bike. Please go over some firm rules before you just let them hop on and go. There is a four-way stop outside of our house. Kids are going through fast without stopping. One in 5 might slow down and stop. A lot of cars also don't stop. I pray something terrible doesn't happen. They are so quiet you can't hear them and so fast you barely see them. Parents please talk to your kids so they don't get hurt!

-- Boardman

If the Trump administration were to try out for "Rocky Horror Picture Show," I think Trump and Hegseth would vie for the role of Brad and JD would win as Rif Raf while Bessent and RFK fight to play Frank N Furter. Rocky, of course, could be any citizen.

-- Canfield

This primary election shows the Republican Party needs to return to being American again. So many candidates saying they are Christian focused and Trump followers just shows they have opted out of their legal and constitutional responsibilities for political power. Shameful.

-- Canfield

I long for the days when 47's aggressive narcissism drove his foolhardy policy concepts. Now, his concepts are policy supported only by erratic, bombastic, pathetic, thoughtless, destructive and mostly untrue blather about their brilliance. I hope midterm elections will shrink his coattails enough to prove his endorsement worth less than Indiana voters think it is.

-- Canfield

Letters to the Editor

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I waited until after the May 5 elections before submitting this. My question is this. How is it that Mark Hanni was not ticketed for crashing his Cadillac through an Arby's restaurant window? Supposedly he was sitting in his car with the engine running with his foot on the brake with the car in drive. His carelessness and lack of common sense caused significant damage to the building. More importantly, someone could have been seriously hurt! An investigation should be launched into why he wasn't issued a citation.

-- Canfield

State Sen. Al Cutrona had to intervene to help landowners from having their property stolen via eminent domain by Mill Creek Park for an unwanted bike trail in Green Township. Cutrona also intervened to save the Poland library. The park wasted roughly a million tax dollars, give or take, on the bike trail failure, plus they had to return over $3 million in grant money for the fiasco. $4 million WASTED! The common denominator? Tom Frost, a park and library board member for both debacles.

-- Austintown

It has gotten so bad that we have normalized Trump's "revenge tour". We have normalized his world of lies and more lies. And, we seem to be accepting all of this horrible behavior. We accept his "wrath" and retaliatory verbal attacks. Intelligent adults who should know better keep silent when they should be speaking up, but hide in fear of this personality that has run rampant over our country and the world.

-- Liberty

Ramaswamy is a billionaire MAGA who will respond to child abuse victims like the MAGA Congress responded to the victims in the Epstein files. Husted and Rulli, two other Trump boot lickers voted for the trump Big Beautiful Bull, which cut child care, school lunch programs, Medicare, Medicaid programs etc. Are they going to protect your benefits? They already voted against your benefits. Ohioans rise above their lies. Vote Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown for a better Ohio.

-- Youngstown

Isn't it ironic that the far left radicals are protesting against billionaires but their protests are funded by billionaires! While watching the news a reporter asked some people what are they protesting for. They couldn't give an answer. They have signs saying they want socialism but can't tell you what it is. I bet if someone offered them a billion dollars they would take it!

-- Hubbard

Want to keep failing this state? Vote RED. Where does Ohio rank compared to nearby states? Health care? 44th. Illinois 28th. Income? 41st. Pennsylvania 20th. School finances? 44th. Illinois 15th. Growth? 38th. New York 35th. Economy? 39th. Illinois 18th. We are failing our citizens and children. Vote Blue.

-- Austintown

Since the 1965 Voting Rights Act was passed our country has taken huge steps toward correcting our original sin of inequality. We've elected a black president and vice president. We've elected more minority representatives and senators than ever before. The act outlawed the gerrymandering of House districts that prevented black representation in the South from 1880 to 1965. The Supreme Court's reversal of this law has already resulted in Louisiana, Florida and Alabama gerrymandering districts to take the country back to pre-1965 inequality. Racists and MAGA are smiling.

-- Campbell

From the year 1775 till 2025, adding up the number killed in wars by the US, the total is 1,304,460. Add to that a similar number killed by China and Russia, and other countries. It is amazing and incredibly sad what man can do to fellow men. And, we have more deaths in the US every day with guns in irresponsible hands, not for the sport of hunting animals, just pure carelessness and stupidity.

-- Liberty

To all you folks with Trump Derangement Syndrome, give it a rest already. Why do Democrats hate America and what do they stand for other than getting rid of Trump and his supporters. I think the media is responsible for a lot of the madness out there because they do not report the news they report their version of the news.

-- Canfield

If you look up save our library groups nationally, you see organizations working to prevent closures or reductions of services in libraries. Comparatively, the Poland committee is discussing defunding our county library system as retribution for the library board making the fiscally responsible decision to relocate and build a new library rather than renovate the current location. I wonder if other library groups will sue for misrepresentation. To our three county commissioners supporting this group, why not represent the whole county instead?

-- Canfield

Rebuilding the Poland library anew should include repurposing the coppolas, windows, columns, trellis -- elements that make the current building a pleasure to see. Also, restroom fixtures, movable air conditioning and heating units, furniture and office equipment. On the vacated land, a pocket park and fishing / canoe pier would make an asset of the formerly problematic Yellow Creek. Just a thought.

-- Canfield

A small nation decided to stop ships from driving by their coastal waters with missiles and gunboats. The reason is meaningless. Simply the FACT a single NATION can at ANY time they WANT TO shut down the world economy is PROOF the action against Iran was and IS needed. They CAN and HAVE bullied the world without NUKES. Am I missing something others see or are they missing what I see? I will survive a few months of gas price hikes today to stop that nuke-filled future.

-- Girard

Let me get this right, county commissioners and state senator attempt to bully, intimidate and influence the Public Libraries Board of Directors, into making a proven bad and irresponsible decision (look at the evidence, past & present) to not move the current crumbling library! The Commissioners can't even keep good house at Oak Hill Ave.. The hypocrisy and pandering is appalling! But not surprising. Vote out bad reps who don't represent all 225,000 citizens of Mahoning County.

-- Sebring

It is said that the "detention children" will soon be deported. Over 6,000 of them. From the very young in age. WHERE AND WITH WHOM??

-- Liberty

The political cartoon by Gary Varvel displayed prominently in the 4/28 Vindicator, and others like it in past Vindicators, showing a Democratic donkey saying, "We have no idea what motivated the shooter," is despicable, just like Republicans are -- and just like The Vindicator is for printing it. It's not funny because it's not true. It's amazing how obvious things need to be continually pointed out. If you don't want to be called Hitler and a threat to democracy, don't be one.

-- Boardman

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

Sometime ago I was in a meeting of Catholic men. A place where God is to be praised and worshipped. During this time two of the men joked that their hope is for Donald Trump to be killed by the end of the year. I don't know about anyone else but I find this abhorrent. This is not the Catholic faith I want any part of. To any of you who pray for this to happen, there is a special place in hell for you. Just as a side note, God again protected President Trump.

-- Canfield

I am perplexed by the proposal to relocate the Poland Library from its present location. According to "PLYMC's Facilities Master Plan" their recommendations are partly based on "community feedback." The community is strongly in favor of keeping the library in its current location. The library is beloved, centrally located and provides a variety of services to Poland and the community beyond. In a recent trip to the library, I saw a line of customers at the cafe. There was a party in a meeting room. There were shoppers purchasing books in the used bookstore.

-- Poland

Want to keep failing this state? Vote RED. Where does Ohio rank compared to nearby states? Health care? 44th. Illinois 28th. Income? 41st. Pennsylvania 20th. School finances? 44th. Illinois 15th. Growth? 38th. New York 35th. Economy? 39th. Illinois 18th. We are failing our citizens and children. Vote Blue.

-- Austintown

King Charles is not the head of British government. Still, his visit offers 47 a chance to observe leadership with a dignity of service that honors. Or, perhaps, the president will just learn to comb his thinning hair to allow him to look more presidential and less vain at public events. Even in foul weather as when he refused to show in honor of our fallen heroes in Normandy.

-- Canfield

Flip flopping Lindsey Graham has proclaimed tax dollars should be used (in this time of unaffordable necessities) to pay for Trump's ego trip ballroom. Surely, the Senator knows more about threatening government contracts or settling bogus lawsuits to extract 'voluntary' donations for the room than to expect his golfing buddy be so bold.

-- Canfield

Congress has recently shown resistance to using tax dollars to complete 47's vision of a grand ballroom. I hope they persist. In fact, I think the current hole in the ground surrounded by hurricane fence, festooned with plastic gewgaw made to look like gold is a more meaningful testament to the legacy of Trump.

-- Canfield

WHY do we NOT have an experienced TEAM to negotiate a peace agreement with Iran? We only have a wealthy Realtor with prior history with Russia and a son-in-law, a businessman, who walked away with two billion dollars from the Saudis after 47's first term, then disappeared until now. Neither are experienced negotiators. Consequently, the needless war of choice continues costing the U.S. taxpayers millions. America, where are the ambassadors, the expert negotiators, and the nuclear physicists or John Kerry?

-- Canfield

Now that the law firm of Bondi, Blanche,Trump (formerly DOJ) have successfully indicted Jim Comey for posting a photo of seashells, maybe Lindsey Graham can investigate the Atlantic Ocean for tidal destruction of evidence. A wave of his Disney bubble wand may prove as effective as an evidence-free Blanche prosecution.

-- Canfield

Bike and scooter riders, please call out to pedestrians / slower riders as you approach. A simple, "On your left" or "Two on your left" warning would be great, giving the pedestrian time to get out of the way safely. Many of the park walkers are older and have decreased hearing, but this is important safety practice for all riders. The park has a sign, but it is not working as it is rare to have someone in MCP announce their presence. Make your presence known as you approach.

-- Poland

Why isn't Trump concerned or leading the charge over the investigation into his 2024 assassination attempt? Who was "locked out" of the Iran Situation Room meeting when they were trying to reinstate the terms of the Obama Iran nuclear deal ? What family will make billions over this war? Why are Catholics upset with Trump? Who pays for the illegal tariffs? Who's suing the USA for $10 billion? Who says you can't touch me and never will?

-- Campbell

When you cast your vote for Amy Acton, realize that she was with Gov. Mike DeWine as the chief health adviser only until August 2020 when she quit due to "A combination of heavy public scrutiny, political pressure, and ethical commitments." She couldn't handle the pressure.

-- Poland

Regarding the White House Correspondents Dinner incident, the president said, "This is not the first time in the past couple of years that our republic has been attacked by a would-be assassin," invoking Butler, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach. Mr. President forgets that dozens of would-be assassins attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, and they were all pardoned. I will never understand how January 6 wasn't an instant deal breaker for every single American.

-- Poland

Big Deal Don Don, without allies or public approval or a strategic goal says he already won the war he started. He lost the Georgia redistricting fight after ordering his lackey Texas governor to gerrymander his state, so he claims the Georgia measure must be illegal. 47 never thought Hormuz could be closed. He never thought Democrats would fight in Georgia. He loses almost as easily as he whines about it because he doesn't think. Now he's TACO Don for another reason. He forgot to get taco shells before cooking his meat.

-- Canfield

Tucker Carlson should stick to ballroom dancing where his missteps are obvious to even the willfully ignorant. Do you think anyone should allow him to lead? Just asking. An apology does little for the damage to stepped-on toes, though.

-- Canfield

Dear voters, I believe it is seriously time to invoke TERM LIMITS. I appeal to each voter to replace every elected politician on the national level. It's time to send a message that arguing and fighting need replaced with cooperation and dialogue. BLINDLY following one's party leaders has to go. Let's send a message that enough is enough. Maybe then our new leaders will get the message and put their constituents first, not the party.

-- Struthers