Sounding off: Trump and Biden top readers' thoughts

Trump, Biden and the justice system

The family of President Joe Biden is known to be close-knit and loving. It is difficult to imagine the pain the president feels in having to deal with the trial of son Hunter, which could conceivably land him in prison.

It is notable that the president has not condemned the trial of his son as “a rigged deal,” “a scam” or “a witch hunt.” He has not smeared the prosecution team as being “evil,” “sick” or “the devil.”

Instead, our president places his faith in the justice system and those who participate in it. That is the difference between a man who believes in America and its institutions and one who does not.

Oren Spiegler

Peters

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Respecting our judicial system

The partisan responses to the Trump hush money verdict make clear the stark choices voters have this November (“Experts laud legal system for withstanding pressures of Trump trial,” June 2, TribLive). We can either elect an unrepentant scoundrel or a sanctimonious hypocrite.

President Biden is calling for respect of the judicial system. Yet he has done his level best to delegitimize the Supreme Court since it overturned Roe.

But then, Biden, the left and their sycophantic media toadies populate a world where principles and gender are fluid, words mean whatever fits the agenda, history is whimsical and everybody descends from royalty.

It is true that some Supreme Court rulings have done more harm than good. Dred Scott, Plessy, Roe and Citizens United are examples. It’s OK to criticize court decisions. It is dangerous to declare that the one of the cornerstones of American democracy is itself illegitimate because we disagree with those decisions.

Despite Trump’s bitter rhetoric, it is hard to argue he did not get a fair trial. Whether these charges should have been brought or the local district attorney had a political agenda may merit further litigation.

History shows the courts at every level have not always been judicious. This does not mean the judiciary is illegitimate. Where will we be if we cancel, for short-term political gain, one of the three legs on which our democracy stands?

Peter Busowski

Jeannette

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Trump years preferred

Those celebrating the “guilty” verdict against Donald Trump smugly state “no one is above the law” while ignoring the millions of foreigners who are entering the U.S. illegally. By contrast, it seems to me that Trump and his supporters are below the law, as will be proven if this kangaroo court decision is overruled on appeal.

What would happen if Trump were reelected? Prior to the Trump presidency, Vladimir Putin invaded Crimea (2014) and Chechnya and Georgia (2008). Also Kim Jong Un was threatening South Korea with nuclear weapons. During the Trump presidency, Putin did not invade anywhere. The threat from North Korea was nipped in the bud by a simple meeting with Kim. Israel and its Arab neighbors signed a historic peace agreement (Abraham Accords). The U.S. embassy moved to Jerusalem (fulling a promise not kept by previous administrations). Food and gas prices were much cheaper. Oil reserves were at an all-time high.

After the Trump presidency, Putin invaded Ukraine, war broke out in the Middle East, China threatened Taiwan, Kim threatened South Korea again, anti-Israel protests broke out on college campuses, food and gas prices skyrocketed, and oil reserves got depleted. I prefer the Trump years.

Dr. Joel I. Last

Greensburg

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Justice won out with Trump verdict

The recent verdict in Donald Trump’s hush money trial proves our justice system works and that no one is above the law.

According to Trump, it was rigged. He’s always the victim. The whole country is against him and in a big conspiracy to keep him out of the White House. Sounds like paranoia to me.

What I find so hard to fathom is why these so-called Christians are quick to stand behind him. This is a man who has been found guilty of sexual assault and has had many infidelities within his three marriages.

The Republicans are saying what a disgrace this verdict is. What I find disgraceful is his minions, in their little blue suits and red ties, going to court. What are we, in high school? If the whole thing wasn’t so dire, it would be laughable.

We must not let this man become president again. I feel it would be the end of our democracy as we know it. Why do you think he loves dictators so much? Because he wants to be just like them? I predict, if he gets in office again, he will put the worst of the worst in charge (Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller) and go golfing. He cheats at that, too.

Nancy Cochran

Springdale

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Diocese makes bad decision on pastor’s resignation

I don’t believe the decision made by the Diocese of Greensburg concerning requesting the immediate resignation of Father John Moineau was a very well thought out plan (“Greensburg Diocese asks county detectives to probe failure of worker background checks,” May 28, TribLive). It has not only hurt our beloved shepherd of our church, but thousands of parishioners that he has guided over many years. He was never allowed due process.

I think the diocese, in order to appease the media, jumped the gun to appease them. How unfair to a priest whose only fault was loving and trusting the people appointed by the diocese to complete background checks.

Phyllis Yerace

North Huntingdon

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Where are all our flags?

We live in the greatest country in the world, and many men and women have died for our democracy and our freedoms. Yet I saw few flags flying on Memorial Day. Are we imprisoned by our binary views and a they/them mentality? Are we all about the me, me, me’s and forgetting the true focus on “us”? Us Americans. We can do better; we must do better

Hopefully the Fourth of July will reflect this.

Beth Deely

Scott

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Freedom isn’t free

We just observed the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Do you know what D-Day was? Those unbelievable young men stormed the beaches of Normandy to preserve freedom. The woman of that era represented their strength working the factories (Rosie the Riveters) doing tasks they never dreamed of.

What will you do to preserve freedom ? As an 11-year-old I learned at an early age freedom isn’t free when my brother was killed in Vietnam. His fooling around at Slippery Rock College ended up getting him drafted. He didn’t enlist, but did his duty while others sought refuge in Canada. I never recall him expecting the American people to pay for his college education. Upon his death, my mother’s screams and my father’s tears were things I had never heard or seen before. My father served in World War II. They remain the greatest generation. Honor and respect was their calling card.

Sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword. Use your voice; exercise your right to vote. Look beyond the political soundbites and do what is best for America. Whether by word or deed, it is always worth the fight. Cherish our veterans by thanking them for their service. They deserve nothing less.

Reevaluate your priorities and speak out against the invasion at our southern border before it’s too late. How is it our government leaders have money for immigrants (housing, health care, food, air fare, etc.) but nothing more than inflation for everyday Americans? Do you duty and vote. Freedom isn’t free.

Robert DiSanti

O’Hara