Letters: Vote by mail, Pasco construction site attack, face masks and more | Sept. 13

Trump better than any Democrat

Jean Sands’ (letter on Sept. 6) has some good points about Trump, but I will vote for the lesser of two evils just like I did last time. Trump is a businessman not a politician and has done a good job with the economy, lowering the Black unemployment rate and cut taxes. He’s trying to fix the VA and rebuild the military that Biden and Obama defunded. Trump is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t by the Democrats for everything under the sun. The media hates him and will give him no credit at all.

The Republicans say Trump is behind the violence in the cities. If you look at the history of these cities, they all have been Democratic for 20-30 years, run by liberal Democrats and they blame Trump who has only been around for close to four years for the problems they caused. Trump might not be the best choice, but he’s better than any Democrat.

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Golden Rule still should be followed

People from all over the world long to escape violence. Where do they come to seek peace? America. But sadly, it, too, is becoming violent.

We must remember we are all made in God’s image. We all bleed red. A heart from my white body can pump life-saving blood into your Black body and vice versa. Hearts have no knowledge of color. They are not prejudiced.

Every man, woman, child and baby are precious in God’s sight. They should be in ours as well. This one thing, obeying the Golden Rule and doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, would change the world. If it has a face and it’s hungry, feed it. If it’s hurting or distressed, love it. If it lives, respect it.

Great people make America great, because great people have a heart for God and others.

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Reader’s sources report mail fraud

Your Aug. 14 edition had a front page article that led off with, “… derided mail-in voting for months, claiming – without evidence – that the method of voting is ripe for fraud…” The “without evidence” statement is sorely wrong.

Evidence for mail-in voting problems and fraud has been reported by www.zerohedge.com, www.realclearpolitics.com, Fox News, One America News, and others. You won’t find those in a Google search. At least I didn’t. Most likely, Google is either suppressing the evidence, or their search algorithms prioritize view counts over what the customer really wants (a perplexing business model).

Yes, those news sources have their detractors. While my research is not thorough, all I have seen from those detractors is accusations, innuendo and insults, with little or no factual information behind them. Apparently that passes for “news” nowadays.

It troubles me that you would print a lead story where the reporter could not or would not properly research the subject. Especially given the inflated price you’re charging me for the news (138% increase over the last five years).

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Mustang roar was a welcome sound

A memorial service was held for my son, Steve Arbogast, who passed away from cancer. There was a large roar from cars of The Mustang Club who came to honor Steve (that) put a large smile on everyone. The roar was what we needed. Thank you, Mustang Club, you were great with your drive around!

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Wear that mask over nose, mouth

I’ve seen more people wearing masks. But they are not wearing them properly. Your nose and mouth need to be covered or it’s not working. For all he rest of the people who think COVID-19 is a joke like the goobers we have in the White House telling the president that kids don’t spread it are 100% wrong.

We need to get everybody on board, or we will never get back on track to open any small shops, restaurants, etc. If you don’t think it’s bad, talk to the people working 16 to 18 hours a day helping these people who have COVID-19. Some may never see family again. So please start using your mask all the time. Wash your hands, sanitize your carts when you go shopping. Keep yourself as safe as possible.

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Ruiz is right pick for commissioner

This year is a change election and I believe that is exactly what we need at the Franklin County commissioner level. We are in the midst of a pandemic, and we see current county leadership not only undermining public health mandates but volatile dysfunction that is only hurting Franklin County. We need a servant leader, collaborator and bridge builder now more than ever.

This is the moment to elect a candidate who will focus on facts and not political ideology and that leader is Ana Ruiz. Ana will bring back institutional trust in Franklin County. She understands the issues were facing from disastrous trade policies and will look to implement policies that respect our rural family values. We need a leader who doesn’t want to score political points, we need a leader who can get stuff done. Join me in voting Ana Ruiz for Franklin County Commissioner-District 2.

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Just a thought on racial controversy

Just a thought on racial controversy: Consider today’s article regarding a white construction worker being attacked by a black family of four. It was termed “ludicrous” to consider that the brawl was racially motivated, and that is probably true. But suppose the attacking family had been white and the worker black, Would that be called “ludicrous?” Or would the story have made the front page and drawn BLM members to protest or burn down the construction site. What really stirs the fires of racial conflict?

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SARC works to prevent suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 6-12. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States; killing more than 48,000 people annually.

At SARC, we serve victims of crime. Some of these individuals may experience suicidal thoughts as a result of trauma. All advocates, staff members and volunteers receive training on how to handle these situations.

As a victim of a crime, you may experience suicidal thoughts. If that’s the case, please reach out to our crisis line at 509-374-5391, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also reach out to the National Suicide Line for help at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

There are five actions steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal that are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention.

1. Ask 2. Be there 3. Keep Them Safe 4. Help them Connect 5. Follow Up

Check out the link below for more information on these steps and how and why they can help.

https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/

For more information on how to support victims in our community, please call SARC at 509-374-5391.

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Congress must act on COVID aid

Congress’ inability to come to any agreement on a supplemental coronavirus relief package is embarrassing. Millions of low-income renters are under threat of eviction and homelessness in the United States. COVID-19 has cost millions of Americans their jobs. Faced with a loss of income, how are so many going to pay the rent? The Aspen Institute estimates that, without action from Congress, more than 30 million low-income renters are at risk of losing their homes.

The pandemic is not only affecting people directly, it is undermining years of progress in fighting other diseases throughout the world, like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Millions of children are missing out on life-saving vaccines, and food insecurity and starvation also are rising fast.

We need a strong response from Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to do all they can to break the current stalemate and support an emergency deal that includes:

• $100 billion in emergency rental assistance

• A national moratorium on evictions

• $4 billion over two years for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

• $4 billion for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

• $2 billion for anti-hunger efforts, including $500 million for nutrition.

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Mail-in unsafe: absentee will be

Only 10 states require a reason for a “mail-in” ballot, meaning in 40 states there is basically absolutely no, or minimum control for the most important freedom we, the citizens of America, have! We are going to be scammed during the most important presidential election in history.

We are being asked to continue our liberty enhanced style of government or chose a Marxist/socialist agenda that will certainly make us just another cog in the globalist elite type of government now in many other supposedly “free” countries. Do not fall for it! We are being subjected to the biggest voting fraud in history, probably just short of the dictator type elections where the dictator is elected by 100%. Trust me, we are on a road to the destruction of America as we know it! Big difference between insecure “mail-in” ballot and the secure “absentee” ballot!

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Media’s purpose is to deliver facts

Media, in its entirety, is supposed to be factual, not personal opinions. I rarely read the news other than from reliable sources that don’t distort the news and ones I know are honest and cross off many news networks because It isn’t truth or based on facts. If I want to read a gossip column, I’ll read the National Enquirer. We, the American people, deserve better than what we get. Visceral comments, gossip-driven commentary and just plain biased reporting based on personal dislike.

Why can’t we expect professional news based on fact? Why do we have to listen to bashing of particular people night after night because of the reporter’s personal dislike of that person? I want facts. I want honesty. I don’t want fabricated or hearsay gossip. I’m sick of distorted reporting based on political party lines. What happened to respect and professional journalism?