The death of George Floyd brought this country as close to agreement as it will ever come on any issue. Then the race-baiters did what they do, and the mob took their cue. Remarkably, as of this writing, no evidence has been made public which would indicate the murder was motivated by racial animus.

Much of academia, the media and left-wing politicians have stated, in unequivocal terms, that Floyd’s death is proof of systemic racism in the American criminal justice system. In my opinion, this is a dangerous lie promulgated by people who should know better. Sadly, some commentators do know better but prefer to stoke the fires of racial hostility.

Can a reasonable person honestly believe that police officers approve of what happened to Floyd? Or that our justice system has been consciously engineered to hurt black people? Americans should consider why academicians, media outlets and politicians present as inarguable fact the idea that the justice system is systemically racist when this oft-repeated, leftist dogma is nothing more than an unsupported opinion.

Don Liddick, Bullskin

The writer is an associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State-Fayette. His views do not reflect those of Penn State.

Masks are key to stopping covid-19 spread

The covid-19 pandemic has ravaged countries throughout the world, yet has become a political debate within our divided country. What infringements on our personal liberties are acceptable to protect the health of our society? Should we allow our country’s economy to collapse to save lives? The political party that you support may impact how you answer these questions.

As a nurse, I want to stress that the covid-19 pandemic should not be a political issue. This is a public health issue that everyone should take seriously. Wearing a mask and participating in social distancing are necessary measures that we must follow as businesses begin to reopen.

Masks should be used in conjunction with social distancing, not as a replacement of that practice. Wearing a mask can play a pivotal role in helping block the spread of covid-19, especially in asymptomatic carriers. Less viral particles make it into the air, decreasing exposure and risk, when people wear a mask.

Let’s work together to stop the spread of covid-19.

Paula Cecchi-Bertetto

Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County

We need to stand up for police

Ask the community around Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill what carnage was stopped when our first responders, the Pittsburgh Police, entered their synagogue at 9:59 a.m. on Oct. 27, 2018. By the time the police had stopped the killing and subdued the gunman, 11 of the congregants were killed and six people were wounded (including three policemen, one SWAT team member critically).

On April 9, 2009, in Stanton Heights, Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen J. Mayhle and Eric C. Kelly paid with their lives in an ambush and shootout after answering a call of distress from a mother about the erratic behavior of her son.

Now I see our policemen riding two up in a patrol car as if they are under imminent danger from politicians and citizens with anarchist views. We, the community of Americans, have suffered and lost immensely from radicals on both ends of the spectrum. It’s time we stand up for one another and those of us whose job it is to put lives on the line first.

Walt Peterson, Squirrel Hill

Statues and righting wrongs

Touring Germany I saw no statues of Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess or other Nazi criminals. In Italy I found none of Benito Mussolini. I doubt Cambodians honor Pol Pot in bronze or granite. And I was pleased watching on television as the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled.

In America we memorialize traitors and worse with statues and by naming military properties after Confederate Army generals. Does Nathan Bedford Forrest, a founder of the Ku Klux Klan, really deserve a statue? These men fought against the Union and for slavery. Only President Abraham Lincoln’s policy of “malice toward none and charity for all” allowed them to escape punishment.

To argue it’s all about our history is insulting. The same can be said of those from other countries listed above. If it’s Civil War history you seek, bookstores and libraries await. If your interest is scoundrels, I recommend T. Harry Williams’ 884-page biography of Huey Long as a starter.

No statue ever taught history, and German children standing at the base of a likeness of Dr. Josef Mengele aren’t likely to be inspired to be scientists.

Now is a perfect time to undo past wrongful acts which have placed us on the wrong side of history. Put the statues in museums where they belong.

Glenn R. Plummer, Unity

Stores are trying to keep customers safe

I think it’s ludicrous to sue Giant Eagle or any other store or business over the objection to wearing a face mask (“32 lawsuits filed against Giant Eagle over pandemic mask policy.”) The company is only doing its job of protecting customers. A lot of people are going in, and the pandemic is still occurring, with more people still becoming infected. People who have health problems and cannot wear a mask would be safer not to venture into crowds and instead have someone else shop for them, or take advantage of the store shopping for them.

Margaret Ackerman, Derry Township

Military leaders condemning Trump

Although those in military service must obey the (lawful) orders of their chain of command to include the president, they are not required to be loyal to the president. Their sworn oath is to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” I can understand why scores of retired military leaders have condemned President Trump’s character and behavior. I served 20 years as a U.S. Army infantry officer, and I maintain contact with lots of veterans.

Trump is not a tough guy; he is a coward. Before you say this is a typical statement from a liberal Democrat, guess again. I meet all the demographics of a loyal Trump supporter: old, white, male, Christian, conservative, gun-owning Republican. But I’ve also learned to use facts and critical thinking skills when making decisions. That’s why I’m thinking of forming a new “RAT Pack” (Republicans Against Trump).

Trump evaded the military draft five times for education and medical reasons. In a 2019 interview, he said he “was never a fan of” the Vietnam War. The kid who had to take his place probably wasn’t a fan either.

Trump finally visited the troops in Iraq two years into his presidency. He said, “You haven’t gotten a pay raise in more than 10 years. I got you a big one … I said, make it 10%.” Military personnel have received a raise every year for more than 30 years. The latest pay raise submitted and approved by Congress was 2.6%.

There are plenty of RATS in the ranks.

Rick Anzelone, Buffalo Township

Trump divine providence?

Was it divine providence that brought together, at the same place, at the same time in history, the Founding Fathers who gave us our great nation? I think so. Was it divine providence that gave us President Lincoln, the one who saved the nation when civil war threatened to tear it apart? I think so. More recently, five days before his election, Barack Obama proclaimed, “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming America.” What did he mean?

Many knowledgeable intellectuals believe the Obama administration to be the most corrupt administration in the history of our country. I believe the evidence confirming this suspicion looms larger and larger every day and the full impact will be revealed in the very near future — the upper echelons of the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence community under Obama have been severely corrupted. If you get your news from Fox, Rush Limbaugh and others of their ilk, you are aware of this. However, if you get your information from the fake news outlets, maybe you are a low-information talking head who believes and regurgitates what they want you to know, leaving you clueless.

The odds were a gazillion to one against Donald Trump being president. However, he beat all odds. Was it divine providence? I think so. Had he not been elected, we would never have realized the depth of the corruption that infiltrated our government. He is draining the swamp. God has truly blessed America.

Rudolph Puchan, Latrobe

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