Wake up, America

The battle for the White House is again beginning.

Once again we are being flooded with propaganda regarding who should be our leader for the next four years.

The newspapers, television and every form of media are full of who did what, and who should lead.

While listening to the hearings last week, one thing stands out that bothers me greatly. I watched them erode another one of our Constitutional rights when they spoke of an unnamed whistleblower who reported second- and third-hand information against the president.

Another thing that was disclosed was a recent deletion to the form filed by the whistleblower, requiring only first-hand charges be accepted, to acceptance of second- and third-hand information but continued protection of the whistleblower’s identity.

What happened to the constitutional requirement that the accused gets to face the accuser?

Then, when I listened to the Democrats question Mr. Maguire, as they continued to ask him if he would guarantee the protection of the whistleblower’s identity, what was their motive?

It seems reasonable that if you are going to allow anyone with second- or third-hand information to file a charge against someone, that you also should require the accuser to come forward and be identified, as the U.S. Constitution guarantees.

If not, then why did the founding fathers consider this to be so important?

We need to read and interpret the Constitution as written and not as we would like it to be.

Albert Weaver, Leesburg 


The Donald

The Donald: “What they (law enforcement, intelligent people, the Congress that oversees the president) are doing to this country (me and me alone) is a disgrace (how did they find out all my misdoings?)!”

The Donald: “Rudolph Giuliani can’t visit foreign countries without security clearance or a government job and represent me; Billy Barr can’t be my self-picked, government-paid personal attorney; what gives?”

The Donald: “What I’m going through, no president should have to. You can’t obstruct justice, you can’t commit crimes, you can’t pay off porn actresses or paramours, you can’t play all the golf you want, you can’t make money off the taxpayers or foreign governments, you have to release your tax returns; what kind of country are we livin’ in?”

The Donald projecting onto others that which he is or/and does: “Low energy Joe; Crazy Bernie, Stupid Maxine, Sleepy Stormy, Crooked Hillary.”

Preferring to seek re-election from his misinformed and manipulated voter base, Trump has abdicated his responsibility to keep the nation from harm by doing nothing but reverse-arresting pollution and climate change.

What security clearances has Trump given Giuliani, his children and others who are ill equipped to handle national security?

Giuliani — the new Mick Cohen — has no ambassador credentials and has no security clearance; he doesn’t represent the USA and he is no weirdo, like Dennis Rodman — or is he?

Choice Edwards, Clermont 


Let's give farm animals a break

As a bit of an animal lover, I have been scouring the Internet for some special occasion celebrating animals. I came across an international observance called a "day for animals," but it wasn't quite what I expected.

I was shocked to learn that nearly 99 percent of all domesticated animals are bred and raised for food. That, unlike our cats and dogs, they get no compassion or respect from the meat and dairy industries.

Male baby chicks are suffocated in plastic garbage bags or ground up alive because they lay no eggs. Groups of laying hens are packed into small wire cages that tear out their feathers. Breeding sows spend their entire lives pregnant in metal cages. Dairy cows are artificially impregnated each year, and their babies are snatched from them at birth so people can drink their milk.

Like many others, I always thought of cows, pigs and chickens as simply "food on the hoof." Now, I realize that each dollar I spend on meat and dairy products at the checkout counter subsidizes animal atrocities. I will be replacing animal products in my diet with the new healthful, cruelty-free, plant-based meats and dairy items offered by my supermarket.

Sorrell Lichester, Clermont