Americans not too fragile to learn about dark history
President Trump should focus on inflation, not “woke” museums. History is fascinating, but it’s not all nice: There are often dark chapters that teach us valuable lessons. Exhibits about the past can be difficult, but if we don’t learn from the past, then we’re bound to repeat it, that kind of thing. Somehow, MAGA doesn’t seem to understand this.
Our distractor-in-chief recently complained that the Smithsonian focused too much on how bad slavery was. Wow. Slavery was wrong and immoral, end of story. How fragile do you have to be to get offended by learning about slavery or other atrocities like the Holocaust, treatment of Native Americans, denying women the right to vote for so long, factory conditions before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and child labor laws, the Ku Klux Klan, etc?
I’m a white male, ashamed about some of our national history but not insecure about it. You feel bad about what happened and hope it never happens again, but I don’t hate my country. We should treat everybody with respect; it’s pretty simple. I’m sad and confused that some voters are offended by dark chapters in our history. Oh well, “keep calm and carry on” (that’s a World War II reference). Hopefully, the future makes more sense than 2025 has.
Owen Klicker
Lower Macungie Township
Executive orders subvert constitutional process
The executive orders debacle should necessitate investigation. Unlimited executive orders seem to be an accepted, unquestioned presidential power.
Only Congress can create laws and executive orders shouldn’t take the place of legislative action. Executive orders shouldn’t contradict or override legislation. They’re only supposed to implement or interpret laws. Executive orders shouldn’t exceed granted constitutional powers. The judicial review process is intended to place a check and a balance on the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Court could strike down an executive order if deemed to be unconstitutional or unlawful. Congress could also stand in the president’s way by overriding an executive order that conflicts with a law. Unfortunately, none of this has happened.
Additionally, I cannot remember the last bipartisan legislation that has successfully passed through Congress. As a problem-solving legislative body, Congress has been totally dysfunctional and subservient to whatever President Trump has had in mind. The government hasn’t been operating as it was designed and intended to function.
The American public has been sitting back in ignorance, accepting whatever has taken place. When will the executive orders process be thoroughly examined to actively challenge Trump’s actions? Well-thought-out, bipartisan legislation solves problems rather than haphazard, indignant executive orders.
Robert Ockenfuss
Perkasie
Don’t pay Pa. lawmakers, governor until budget passes
Pennsylvania’s state government is failing us — all of us who live in the commonwealth. The state budget was required to be finalized (by law) on June 30. It is now nearly two months past the due date — with no end in sight. This is already having significant negative financial consequences on schools, universities, libraries, foster care, senior support and others. Democratic and Republican legislators (and the governor) are equally to blame for this mess. Arguably, passing a budget to fund the activities of the state is the most important job the government must do. Our government is failing miserably at this basic task. I submit a motion that all parties involved have their pay withheld until a budget is passed. Do I hear a second?
John Griesser
Palmer Township
Headlines about Trump policies, possibilities seem too negative
The Morning Call has published too many commentaries about the current Trump administration with headlines that suggest something “could” happen or “might” happen. It’s so negative.
After more than six months of the new Trump administration, I’m getting a bit tired of and disappointed with Morning Call headlines in the news and opinion sections with headlines like “this could,” “this might,” “this is possible,” “be wary of,” when it comes to our current president and the laws he’s signed and actions he has taken.
You have no crystal ball, and to just be doomsday and negative is not journalism. Journalism is gathering and presenting facts. One online description regarding the core principles of journalism states the seven Standards of Quality Journalism include accuracy, fairness, usefulness, prohibition against making things up, eliminating bias, assessing newsworthiness, and evaluating sources. These principles guide journalists in their work to provide the public with reliable and trustworthy information.
What happened to reporting the facts and letting them play out? There are many positive things that have occurred since January, but too much in The Morning Call seems negative.
Trump won our state with over 3.5 million votes, serve your readers better.
Dana Frey
Lower Macungie Township
Allentown concert was outstanding
I feel compelled to write this letter to the editor to congratulate and thank the Allentown Parks Department, ArtsQuest and whoever else was responsible for putting on the great-sounding and well-received concert by “We May Be Right,” the very excellent Billy Joel tribute band that played 6-9 p.m. Aug. 22 at Union Terrace in Allentown. Although I enjoyed several concerts at Musikfest, I also really enjoyed this concert at Union Terrace. The Union Terrace Amphitheater was just the right place for a family-friendly concert like this one. Parents enjoyed it and kids had a good time dancing as well. I am definitely looking forward to the upcoming Orleans Concert in September. I encourage all of the people responsible for this past Friday’s concert to realize that they have something very special going on here and I encourage them to continue this outstanding concert series at Union Terrace.
Jerry Gallagher
Allentown
Cellphone policy unlikely to work in Bethlehem schools
What’s wrong with this picture? Bethlehem schools allow students to have cellphones but not use them during classes. Good luck with that.
Stephen Vengrove
Bethlehem
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.
