Letters to the Editor | Sept. 22, 2024

Papal message Commenting on the presidential election, Pope Francis encouraged Americans to vote, but added that both candidates are "against life" and people should support whom they consider " the lesser of two evils ." I see evil in our country being spread by attention-seeking negative politics. Fear-mongering of Haitian immigrants is one example, but evil can increase if we focus only on one or two issues. Political policies work together to bring about justice, and the pope's view of justice is extensive. Equally sacred policies showing respect for life include health care, economic and climate justice, freedom from harm, democracy, and immigration. These issues look to the common good, the value given to the life of all citizens. The pope does not say whom to vote for, "the woman or man," noting he is not an American citizen and cannot vote. I am an American, and I will be voting for the woman.

Mary DiVito

Honor sacrifice My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Normandy, France, where we had the opportunity to walk the sands of Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. The thought of walking the ground where thousands of Americans willingly gave their lives to preserve freedom moved me to tears. We as Americans have a very important decision to make this Nov. 5. Nothing less than our democracy is on the docket. For those of you who are still undecided, or are considering not voting because you just don't like the choices, just know that there are over 9,000 Americans lying in the Normandy American Cemetery just above those beaches who gave up their chance to see the sunrise again so you could have that right to vote.

Gerry McConnell

Under control Regarding the Sept. 15 attempted shooting of Donald Trump, I would like to offer the former president the same thoughts and prayers he would likely offer me if my grandchildren were murdered in a school shooting — the difference being Trump is actually in a position to do something about gun violence, and I'm not. He could maybe urge Congress to pass legislation, call for stricter gun control, or in general just stop opposing Democrats' multiple efforts to do those things. A note to Republican lawmakers looking at the next gun control proposal to cross their desk: Remember, the life you save may be your own.

Linda Falcao

Twisted messaging It's instructive that the Republican candidates for president and vice president sound the phony alarm about pets being eaten in Ohio, yet there is not one word about the children being murdered by assault rifles in schools.

Howard Nemiroff

Character matters Pennsylvania has long been fertile ground for sleaze on both sides of the political aisle: Abscam , Bonusgate , kids-for-cash , et al. Those embarrassments might soon seem trivial because the villains in those scandals weren't put into office by an already alerted electorate. On Nov. 5, however, millions of Pennsylvanians will vote for Donald Trump, a man whose total moral rot is no longer debated by serious people. This begs the question: When did character stop mattering? When did it become acceptable to take full stock of a man's record and reputation and, finding a leaking septic tank, vote for him anyway?

Richard Heaney