Civil War battlefields hold lessons for today

The American Revolution (1775-83) enabled the 13 English colonies to form a new nation; the American Civil War (1861-65) corrected a major defect in our Constitution (1787).

Over 700,000 Americans died as the Civil War drove the first stake through the heart of slavery and racism. The 1960s civil rights legislation implanted the second stake still being hammered home today. Racism and enslavement of other human beings have long histories; most people view them as abhorrent and morally wrong. People that do not should place themselves in that position.

We recently visited Civil War battlefields at Shiloh, Tennessee, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, that rival the size, complexity and casualties of Gettysburg. Our last stop was tiny Fort Pillow in Tennessee, north of Memphis. What happened there April 12, 1864, exemplified the evils of racism and slavery, including those that survive today.

Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s 1,500-strong cavalry force attacked the 600-man Fort Pillow garrison, including 300 USCT (U.S. Colored Troops) manning artillery. After the smoke cleared, almost all the Black soldiers were dead, many shot or bayoneted while attempting to surrender. The Confederates despised USCT as runaway slaves.

Although inconsequential militarily, the brutal race-based Fort Pillow tragedy still reverberates today.

James and Betty Largay

Upper Saucon Township

Rep. Mackenzie should help firefighters

Ryan Mackenzie is adept at staging events that get attention from local news outlets and avoid pushback from those in attendance. Business roundtables, plant tours, telephone town halls, even one of his haircuts was covered by the media. I would like to suggest that he sponsor an event about occupational cancers that affect firefighters. Along with current firefighters, he should also invite some of his wealthy donors to listen. I believe this would provide Rep. Mackenzie with an opportunity to support the theory that tax cuts for the wealthy actually “trickle down” and boost the economy. He can encourage the minority that benefits the most to direct at least some of their substantial tax cuts to protect those who protect them. One of the companies that make this very expensive gear is in Philadelphia. Think of all the business that could be generated in the state if tax cut monies were actually spent here. It would be the kind of thing that even the “Mondays with Mackenzie” protestors would applaud if he ever chose to engage with them.

Lawrence Gasda

Bethlehem

Try kindness and tolerance

It breaks my heart and brings me to tears when I hear of all the cruelty mankind perpetrates  on each other. I believe we are all made in the image and likeness of God and feel it is devastating the  way we treat each other. We are all part of the human family, and each person has the right to think for themselves, but we do not have the right to kill anyone who disagrees with us. Please think of peaceful ways of making your voice be heard, not killing those who are in disagreement with you. Try killing them with kindness and tolerance. Maybe withholding your taxes in escrow, to be used for only peaceful, helpful issues. Feeding the hungry, housing for all, equal opportunities for all, good health insurance and following the Golden Rule. I am praying for this country daily and ask that if you are interested in being a good citizen, you try kindness, patience, understanding and vote for the persons who have the best interest for the human race, don’t let their need be greed.

Palma Moyer

Richland Township

Free speech must be protected

There is only one opinion I shared with Charlie Kirk. That is the belief that free speech must be protected. Voltaire, the French writer and philosopher, was credited by one of his biographers with having the belief that “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” There is a constant balancing act between opinions and actions to illustrate those opinions. Adults can usually differentiate what is appropriate and can help children navigate those strong feelings, deciding how to act or if to act on them. After the latest act of political violence, some leaders are imploring us to refrain from blaming the other side for the actions of a few. I commend Govs. Cox and Shapiro for their words. It is a shame that those at the very top don’t see the worth in trying to bring us together rather than driving us farther apart.

Kathie Rittoper

Bethlehem

Precise language matters

The opinion piece in the Sept. 16 edition of The Morning Call by Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of The Detroit News, that highlighted examples of words that Democrats may want to eliminate from usage implied that the words we use to communicate with one another matters. Without question, words do matter. I know as a college graduate, that there are “academic” words that make sense in classroom discussions. And as a health provider, I know there are “clinical” words that make sense in clinical situations. When I or others find ourselves in social situations, using words that convey information in a clear, simple and concise manner is the smart thing to do. This practice would apply to all people, regardless of their political views or affiliation. Sometimes complex topics are difficult to talk about in simple terms. But even with complex topics, I think we should try to use as many “common” words as possible to describe what our ideas are. Finley also less indirectly implied that “liberal” concepts/beliefs are also problematic. Maybe if these concepts were talked about more simply and with well-meaning intent, they might be seen as less of a problem and even possibly having some importance.

Dennis  Geiger

Weisenberg Township

ELECTION LETTERS 

Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 4 general election must be received by 10 a.m. Oct. 27.  Election-related letters will not be published after Oct. 30.

The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.

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