We Hear You: Some Free Speech to Honor Those the Nation Salutes on Memorial Day
Ken McIntyre /
Editor’s note: We remember those who died for our freedom on Memorial Day, so it’s fitting that this week’s column reflects the freedom with which The Daily Signal’s audience expresses its views. Write us at [email protected]—Ken McIntyre
Dear Daily Signal: This weighs on me. There is so much confusion and emotionalism, not to mention lack of history, among our youth and education in schools today. We’ve seen a total loss of the U.S. as a nation of equal laws for all.
I remember the America our fathers and teachers fought for in World War II. After the horror of that war, they came home determined to educate the coming generations, not fall into blind groupthink and emotional reactions as did the German people prior to the war.
I think the Republicans need to talk straight now about the fact that the Democratic Party of the past is dead.
Today, the Democratic Party is Black Lives Matter, Planned Parenthood and abortion, LGBT, encouraging illegal immigration for vote-buying, pink-hatted “nasty women,” open borders, voting three times to take God out of the party platform, massive government, and so on.
Elections need clarification of identity. Elections have consequences.—John Salunek
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I would think that teachers with insight into history would have had the insight to have their 12th-grade students watching the Senate confirmation hearings for Gina Haspel as CIA director.
This would have been an excellent lesson, in a small way, as to how much a few gave up so that the rest of us can remain safe. What a fantastic role model Haspel is for young ladies and young men, and what it means to have honor and exactly what is honor by her actions in life.
I do realize that some teachers today don’t want their students to see this, because it does not follow what a socialist would want young people to see. The students would see how heinous some of the so-called lawmakers are and might realize they have been duped.
What upsets me a great deal is how educators are teaching our young people to hate.—Claude Pugh, Elko, Ga.
I financially support The Heritage Foundation, and receive and appreciate The Daily Signal. One thing that frustrates me is the passivity of most everything I read in The Daily Signal, and in most other publications.
There is a complete lack of information that people need to do something about the issues discussed. Is there a law preventing you from giving that info?
What good does it do us to be saying, “Yeah, yeah, I get it, I agree,” if there’s no information other than the generalized concept “contact someone.” That does absolutely no good.
Information like, if schools are mainly leftist and supported by my tax dollars, who exactly do I contact to confront about this? If my state college, University of Connecticut, discriminates against, say, Ben Shapiro, and me by restricting my right to go to the school to hear him speak, who do I contact to demand answers?
What must they give to me by law, as the taxpayer to satisfy my oversight? Do I need to use the Freedom of Information Act to get information? How do I do that?
All the breast-beating in the world isn’t going to do a thing if people don’t stand up for themselves. And yet, organizations like yours don’t give us the tools to do anything about it. An organization like The Heritage Foundation has the resources and research capability to say something like “contact Joe Blow at the Office of Propaganda at the University of Connecticut,” or “attend the monthly meeting of office in charge of handouts that is held quarterly at blah, blah, blah.”
If enough people showed up, and were angry enough, maybe someone would get off the dime and act. Maybe there eventually would be cause to write an article about Connecticut taxpayers arriving en masse at Joe Blow’s office to demand accountability.—Patrick Novak
https://twitter.com/Grubercratspott/status/998188677380571137
Connecticut Messes With Electoral College
Dear Daily Signal: In Tara Ross’ commentary on the Electoral College (“Connecticut Subverts the Electoral College, Rejecting Its Own History”), she begins a paragraph with these words: “More than 20 percent of [Hillary] Clinton’s 65.8 million votes came from only two states: New York and California … ”
I was waiting for her to explain why this was. But she didn’t explain, and this is the key point.
As you know, California has open borders, so it is flooded with illegal immigrants. And once they get a driver’s license, they are registered to vote. I have no doubt they are told that they need to vote or will be sent home. So the illegal immigrants vote, and we all know who 90 percent vote for: the Democrats.
As to New York, if you review Project Veritas’ videos, it is documented that buses of “voters” drive around on Election Day and vote again and again and again, as no one checks their IDs.
Two states have completely rigged their elections, and these two states are now run by socialists. Their next step is to rig the federal elections through this National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
It would be great if you could produce a commentary article to explain this, and that the Electoral College is to save us from the corruption in California and New York. You also might comment on the unconstitutionality of the compact.—David F. Smith, Akron, Ohio
Editor’s note: California is the most populous state and New York is No. 4.
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I just read that Connecticut is going to wait and see which presidential candidate wins the popular vote, and then give that winner all of their electoral votes. I am a lawyer and cannot see why this end run around the Constitution does not violate the Supremacy Clause.
If this type of state law is allowed to stand, the Constitution, all of it, is rendered null and void. But it maybe no different than in lawless California, which is daring Attorney General Jeff Sessions in every way possible and seemingly getting away with it.
Our country is at a legal crossroads, and I for one do not think Sessions has the [intestinal fortitude] to do the job, or, what is even worse, doesn’t know what to do. Thanks for this forum. Love what you are doing.—David Stempson
https://twitter.com/julienne_davis/status/997973105183113216
We Need a List of Parenting-Ready Adults
Dear Daily Signal: This is in response to your commentaries on abortion by Tony Perkins (“A Young Mom Is Far From the Only Victim of Abortionist Robert Rho”) and Victoria Robinson (“I Had an Abortion. Here’s the Message I Want to Share With Other Women”). While I do not like abortion, thousands and thousands, if not millions, of abused, neglected, and unfed children have “parents” who never should have been allowed to have children.
Many young lives are destroyed because they are forced to carry a fetus “to term,” to take on responsibilities that they are in no way ready or capable of performing.
How many children are available for adoption? We can’t take adequate care of them. Now some want to bring more into this world to be abused, neglected, unfed, and, in some cases, killed. Where is the humanity in that?
Women should be allowed to choose what is right for them, without fear of retribution. There will be unnecessary abortions, to be sure, but fewer than the thousands of unwanted children who currently exist.
We should develop a list of people who are ready and capable of raising children, and let them assume responsibility for children who otherwise would be aborted. We have lists for everything else, why not one for this?
While faith-based organizations are certainly helpful, they do not meet all needs; in my view, nonreligious agencies should also be established.—Donald A. Mowry, Ripon, Calif.
https://twitter.com/AIIAmericanGirI/status/988484320481415172
What House Conservatives Want
Dear Daily Signal: Please forgive my jaded comments on Rachel del Guidice’s article on what conservatives are looking for in the next House speaker (“Conservatives Want a House Speaker Who Will Deliver on Promised Reforms”). I’ve seen too much happen with no results to show for it.
As long as the establishment/progressive GOP is in charge of Congress, what conservatives think is of no consequence. They have their clique wrapped tighter that a $50-a-pound steak in the freezer.
They are in charge, and will continue to be until they die, or are voted out. And I just don’t see that in the immediate generation or so.
Who we get as House speaker will be of their choosing, not conservatives’.—Dave Wooldridge
The Question of California
Dear Daily Signal: Thank you for creating The Daily Signal and for your willingness to highlight key issues and laws that threaten the Constitution and Bill of Rights here in California.
It appears you have been featuring more content about California of late, and I’m curious to know if California can become a permanent column or topic as The Daily Signal continues to grow.
As a lifelong California resident, watching the decline of the once mighty Golden State is both heartbreaking and maddening. Progressive liberals and Marxists out here are in full assault mode as they attack the Constitution and Bill of Rights on a daily basis and pass or propose laws that threaten core American values like freedom of speech and freedom of religion. I’m beside myself as my governor and state attorney general selectively enforce laws as they see fit.
There will be no surrender by me and other true conservatives, but we need help. Part of that help is educating California residents and the nation on just how bad it is out here and how much free speech, freedom of religion, and economic prosperity are on the chopping block with a fanatical liberal cabal at the helm.
The “what if?” business strategy of Silicon Valley is successful, but not a viable strategy for managing the affairs of my home state. It will take credible and resourceful institutions like The Daily Signal to bring serious attention to the decline of California and help to insert logic into the daily debate here.—Dana Corrough
One Time Congress Tried to Prevent a President From Firing Someone, It Ended in Impeachment.
https://t.co/On6TTCYMgs via @FredLucasWH @DailySignal— Jim Polk ?? (@JimPolk) May 5, 2018
On Impeaching a President
Dear Daily Signal: Just wanted to thank you for Fred Lucas’ well-thought-out and balanced article, “One Time Congress Tried to Prevent a President From Firing Someone, It Ended in Impeachment.” This is the way journalism ought to be.
Sadly, we have veered so far away from true and honest journalism into sensationalism and partisan division. Lucas is a credit to his profession and to himself. I look forward to reading more of his work.
I did not vote for Donald Trump. I just couldn’t bring myself, one more time, to vote for the lesser of two evils. Instead, I went third party for the president.
Trump’s disgusting behavior, cheating on three wives, just sickened me. In many ways, this makes him not trustworthy. I do, however, agree with most of his policies because they are good for the country. The way he negotiates and gets around his opposition is brilliant.
Many look at his methodology as demented, I don’t believe it is. There is always a purpose to his madness. He is usually a step ahead of his opposition, not a step behind.
“Draining the swamp” is not an easy task and requires a new approach. I wish him well in that task. I do wish he could clean up his personal life, as not having all that baggage would make him more effective.—Larry Kowallis
Racking Up Votes With Marijuana
Thanks to Paul Larkin of The Heritage Foundation for his commentary article on marijuana (“The Government Should Change How It Regulates Marijuana”). As a health care professional, I am concerned about the move to allow recreational marijuana use.
There is almost no discussion of the health and safety risks with marijuana. Please search for “marijuana” on the American College of Pediatricians web site. You will see the disturbing public health and safety risks associated with it. Please also see the data from Colorado after legalization there, including the number of automobile accidents and fatalities.
I understand the marijuana of today is far stronger than it used to be. Do we know the long-term effects of marijuana use? People think that if it’s legal, it’s safe. This is not true. I fear this is more about racking up votes with certain demographic groups, including young people, than about working in their best interests.
For government leaders to attempt to move toward enhanced recreational use of marijuana at the expense of public health and safety would be unconscionable.—Kathleen T. Goryl
"The Government Should Change How It Regulates Marijuana" https://t.co/MA2TB3iqJT @DailySignal
— Michael Rye (@SilvrDrgn) April 27, 2018
This and That
Dear Daily Signal: Why do our national political races have to be so extremely expensive and lengthy in duration?
May 15 was Election Day for our primary elections, and after extracting a sample ballot from our precinct we looked up all of our candidates on the internet to be ready.
Anyone who attacked or demeaned their competitors we immediately disqualified from further consideration. Of all candidates reviewed, one offered a video stating her record of accomplishments, which we appreciated greatly.
Why can’t our national elections be just as easy? With the internet, we all have an ability to look at candidates and watch their videos if included. For those unable to access the internet, friends, relatives, or neighbors can provide access, so no one should be left out. Our public libraries also offer access to the internet.
Any interested citizen ought to be able to run for local, state, or national office over the internet, and at the same time this would eliminate pockets to repay with personal favors.—Ron Dale, Boise, Idaho
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Religions are based on Scripture, which is mostly poetry. So it only makes sense that religious conflict must be resolved through poetry and not through politics, negotiation, or war.
I propose that all religious conflicts be redefined poetically, so that they can be resolved without bloodshed, winners, or losers. So let’s sharpen our words, not our swords; send missives, not missiles; and apply our minds to metaphor, simile, rhyme, meter, and prosody, but not pomposity, animosity, ferocity, atrocity, or monstrosity.—Hugh Mann
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Andrew Pollack’s solution to school safety is perfectly wonderful. Pollack, who lost a daughter in the Parkland school shooting, recommends that each school form a parent group to physically monitor their school by walking the grounds during school hours.
They would call an emergency number if they see something that threatens students. Pollack said it would be like “Neighborhood Watch.” Parents would schedule watchers at their school.
The watchers would be personally motivated to protect students. They would be familiar with the students, and vice versa. And best of all, more parents would be involved with their students and schools. This should be implemented everywhere.—Pat Ellis
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As conservative as I am on most things, this attitude of “keep everyone alive at all and any cost” is stupid and wrong. No one in their right mind wants to live when they become a vegetable.
When you no longer know who you are, you should have every right to end it neatly and tidily. This means you should be able to make the decision to die while you are still in control of your faculties. Depressed people should also have the right to make this decision.
Leftists and conservatives alike should concentrate on balancing the budget, getting rid of our deficit, and trying to find common ground. If these things become our goal, we would succeed in making America great again.—Susan Rose, Reisterstown, Md.
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Thank you for reporting on what is really going on out there in the public arena. It’s a change from the mainstream media’s reporting about the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and the terrible woman who spoke there, Michelle Wolf.
President Trump correctly refers to them as fake news. That’s why I, like others I know, am thankful for Fox News, The Daily Signal, and Rush Limbaugh for telling the true news and exposing how evil the far left has become.
I can’t believe the law against religious freedom that California is trying to pass. Keep up the good fight for freedom. I keep you in prayer, because you are fighting evil itself.—Kathy Griggs
How Are We Doing?
Dear Daily Signal: I appreciate the coverage The Daily Signal gives the news every day. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is doing a stellar job for President Trump.
Sanders is to be praised for her careful, unbiased handling of the generally hostile press corps she must face every day. She is the opposite of sexist, and remains a true journalist and a lady. Keep up the good work.—Kay Carson
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I am 17 and a resident of Lexington, Kentucky. Surrounded by many never-Trumpers and liberals, I always enjoy reading The Daily Signal, which seems to state current facts clearly, concisely, and void of ad hominems and irrelevant information.
The Heritage Foundation is my favorite resource. It obviously advocates for free enterprise and a civil society. Thank you so much for the truth.
I want to become an attorney and hopefully work in Washington, D.C., politics through an organization like Heritage. You are such an inspiration.—Lydia Erickson
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Thanks to Fred Lucas for his great article on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“How Federal Consumer Agency Puts Your Financial Data at Risk”). The agency needs to be abolished. I am a broker owner of two real estate offices, and totally agree with what Lucas has written.—Jeanie Turk
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Please stop referring to this animal in the Parkland school massacre as a shooter. He is a murderer.
Shooting is for sport or hunting. He is not a shooter, he is nothing more than a mass murderer. Just another success for the PC folks.—James Stephen Lorson, Wichita, Kan.
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You are doing a great job. Please publish an article outlining all the areas in which the left is attacking our American freedoms. People need to see the whole mosaic to understand the very real threat we are under.—Steve Manz, Matthews, N.C.
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The news is informative, as you present it; not always good, but accurate. I learn much about current events from your daily message.—Ralph Andrea
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Stay strong. America needs you.—Daniel Colucci