Trump kidnaps and jails some leaders, lets others out for no reason | Opinion

Maduro jailed at president’s whim

Nicolas Maduro and his wife are now jailed (questionable legality) in the U.S. at the whim of King Bone Spurs. Just a short-term inconvenience.

He may need to be convicted first (maybe the King can assure the conviction by getting Ailene Cannon transferred to New York to be the judge), but I assume negotiations are already underway between Maduro’s representative and King BS’ regarding pardons.

Once the price is settled and paid, the king will activate his pardon autopen and, voilà, the Maduros will be free just like former Honduran president Juan Hernandez.

Brett Menaker, Kennewick

KSD taught 2 family generations

My husband and our two children have all benefited greatly from the education they received from the Kennewick School District.

They benefited from teachers and staff who cared about them. They benefited from programs that enriched their education and broadened their scope on navigating the world.

They benefited from being safe and going to school in well maintained buildings. They benefited from good transportation.

And, they benefited from community members who they didn’t know who voted yes on school levies all those years, even if those voters didn’t have kids in school at the time but believed all kids deserve a good education.

I’m voting yes on both Kennewick School District levies because I believe strong schools matter. They matter for each of the over 19,000 Kennewick School District students, and they matter for our community.

Please join me in voting yes for both levies. The voters of years ago voted yes, and my family continues to benefit each day from those yes votes. Let’s do the same for today’s and tomorrow’s kids.

Mary Lynn Merriman, Kennewick

KSD grandparent backs school levy

I’m a Kennewick School District grandparent, asking you to support our Kennewick kids with your Yes vote on the two replacement Levies that are on the ballot in February. These levies will continue the essential school funding for the school services and programs that the state doesn’t pay for, including school safety staff, program staff, technology and extracurricular activities we all take for granted.

My grandkids, and your kids, grandkids, neighbors and relatives have participated in music, sports, business and career clubs that have been important in their learning, growth and maturity. I don’t want to see our kids lose these wonderful and important classes, and programs.

Funding our schools and our kids’ future has always been a community effort that requires our participation, and benefits not only our kids, but the future of our entire community.

Your ballot arrives soon. Please take a moment to vote Yes for our Kennewick Schools and for our kids. Thank you!

Kathryn Schroeder, Kennewick

Mansperger was right on the money

In his most-recent op-ed, Mark Mansperger argued that we face disaster unless we moderate our politics. Mansperger is right.

Republican and Democratic leaders are increasingly divisive, radical and corrupt. We are witnessing blatant dishonesty, pay-to-play deals, ill-begotten wealth, attacks on our separation of powers and freedom of speech, election interference, unprecedented retribution and favoritism, resurgent bigotry, belligerence toward our allies, and serious threats to take other nations’ lands.

Unwillingness to compromise and unsustainable spending have become the norm in both parties. Moderation with an emphasis on bipartisanship, pragmatism and willingness to challenge powerful lobbies would appeal to many voters.

Example solutions might include preemptively preventing states from penalizing women who seek abortions elsewhere, providing DACA children direct pathways to citizenship through military service, imposing age and term limits on all elected and appointed officials, and providing short-term funding for ACA, along with public education on more-effective and far-cheaper Canadian and European health care programs.

Our founders and past politicians prioritized the will of the majority over the need of self-serving and party interests. They condemned indecent behavior rather than celebrating it. Hope still exists. Today’s House Problem Solvers Caucus still considers majority rule and compromise as foundations for its work.

Russ Treat, Richland

High-speed chase threatens all of us

The recent report of an 18‑year‑old reaching speeds over 100 mph while fleeing law enforcement in Kennewick is deeply troubling and highlights broader concerns about community safety.

According to the Tri‑City Herald, the teen allegedly attempted to elude officers twice which puts multiple lives at risk on Clearwater Avenue and surrounding roadways.

This incident reflects a disturbing pattern where reckless behavior endangers residents, first responders and other drivers. High‑speed chases are unpredictable and too often end in tragedy. While we rely on our law enforcement to protect us, we must also insist on accountability and proactive measures that prevent dangerous pursuits before they begin.

I urge community leaders to prioritize educational outreach about the consequences of fleeing police and to invest in programs that offer youth alternatives to risky choices. Together, we can work toward a safer Tri‑Cities for everyone.

Trace Harris, Kennewick

ICE cameras add to our concerns

The recent article regarding the use and potential misuse of flock camera systems by federal agencies like ICE raises serious concerns that demand immediate local attention.

While intended to help local police solve serious crimes, the fact that federal authorities can access this data sometimes without specific local authorization is a significant violation of public trust and privacy. It is alarming that personal travel data could be used for immigration enforcement or even by private individuals if the data is public record, as seen with the situation in Walla Walla.

Our local law enforcement agencies must prioritize resident privacy. Tri-City leaders should advocate for regulations that limit federal access.

Lizbeth Perez, Kennewick

Public needs facts on school levies

I have seen a lot of noise lately about the Richland School District levy, and I feel compelled to speak up because our schools and students deserve better than fear-based talking points and half-truths.

Levies are not optional or a blank check. In Washington, the state does not fully fund public education. Local levies fill the gap so schools can provide nurses, counselors, reasonable class sizes, extracurriculars and essential support services. When levies fail, the consequences fall directly on students and staff, not on “the system.”

School finance is complex. Staffing and budget decisions are driven by state mandates, enrollment shifts, legal requirements, rising costs, and the end of temporary pandemic funding. Voting no does not fix state funding problems. It removes resources from classrooms and schools in our community.

If the levy fails, the cuts are real and immediate: athletics, music, art, clubs, counselors, nurses, paraeducators and increased class sizes. Levy dollars go directly to student programs and the adults who support students every day.

If we want strong schools, safe learning environments, and opportunities for students to succeed, we must be honest about what levies fund and what is truly at stake.

Paul Chartrand, Richland

Time to speak up, Rep. Newhouse

Rep. Dan Newhouse, it is time for you to speak up and take action against the continued violations of the U.S. Constitution and laws by the current regime.

Your continued support either with your votes in the House or your silence amount to endorsing the overthrow of the U.S. government.

Do you support the transformation of the United States into a totalitarian dictatorship? Is that the legacy you want leave at the end of your service to your constituents? Do you want the stain of your betrayal of your oath of office to cloud your legacy of achievements?

Your continued support of the administration will do that. Please let us know in actions, not just empty words, that you still believe in the oath of office that you swore to uphold. We are waiting for your reply.

James Ternes, Pasco

Wants a ‘normal’ president in D.C.

I want a normal president. I want a president who doesn’t invade foreign countries. I want a president who doesn’t kidnap foreign dictators. I want president who doesn’t send ICE to attack our citizens and cities.

Donald Trump once said, “Elon Musk knows a lot about those computers, those vote-counting computers.” Swing states had several bomb threats called into polling places on election day. I think Trump cheated to get elected. Impeach and remove Donald Trump!

“It’s some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms,” Trump told reporters, adding, “when you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.”

Our president said this in a recent interview. Impeach and remove Donald Trump!

Deanna Whiteside, Kennewick