Self promotion?
As a resident of Chesapeake in the 2nd Congressional District, I recently received a mailer from Rep. Jen Kiggans regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. While the first page of the mailer was somewhat informative and appropriate, it contained elements that could be considered misleading. My concerns increased upon reviewing the other side of the mailer.
The reverse side prominently featured a branded slogan, “Peace Through Strength,” along with a favorable media quote. Although the flyer stopped short of using direct campaign language, the overall tone came across as promotional rather than strictly informational. Given that the bill had not yet passed the Senate, and the funding mentioned had not been appropriated by Congress, the mailer seemed to be prematurely celebrating a victory before the game was won. Additionally, it is important to note that the House has been in recess. When the government reconvenes, there is still no clear path to keeping the government funded.
It is essential to maintain a clear distinction between public service communications and political promotion. Using public funds for political promotion is illegal. In this case, it appears that Kiggans blurred the lines.
Damian Carr, Chesapeake
Unsupported
Violence happens daily, and the thin blue line that protects us from these events is getting thinner. Almost every city is experiencing recruitment problems in its police department, resulting in not enough cops to sufficiently protect the people and property under their domain.
Hate speech should not be allowed. Without question, it is a big contributor to our violence problems. I believe in the First Amendment but there are some today who are hiding behind it to incite violence. I reference the old cliché, “One cannot yell fire in a crowded building.”
Only a few brave souls are taking law enforcement positions today, caused by, in my opinion, the lack of support that too often exists within the leadership of their own department as well as city leaders. All too often, primarily in “blue” cities, police officers are “guilty until proven innocent,” i.e., they are relieved of duty while “outsiders” try to find a reason to reprimand them. With an officer often having only a split second to make a life-or-death decision, is it fair to expect every decision to be perfect? Is it not obvious why only a few are taking this job?
I am not proposing free rein but I do feel that in questionable situations, the officer’s word should be taken over that of the suspect.
Ashton Haywood, Hampton
Hypocrisy
I keep hearing conservative commentators and politicians using the senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk to try to brand progressives as violent lunatics, and to imply the left has gotten out of control to the point of fomenting widespread political violence. Such hypocrisy is breathtaking. There are extreme individuals on both sides of the political spectrum who say stupid things that can lead to tragic results. However, to try to make it sound like mainstream progressives are the main perpetrators of political violence is ludicrous. It’s pure opportunism to now use what tragically happened to Kirk for some sort of political advantage.
We have a president who pardoned 1,500 people who took part in the attempted violent overthrow of our government and many of these people attacked law enforcement officers. President Donald Trump whipped up that insurrectionist hoard. Trump now has the nerve to speak on political violence being caused primarily by the rhetoric of his opposition.
Trump’s turn to speak at Kirk’s memorial morphed into a political rally — railing against the left. How is this lack of responsible leadership going to dial things down to prevent further violence? The hypocrisy shown by our president and his supporters has no limits.
Paul Kotarides, Norfolk
