Apollo 11 anniversary should rekindle Americans' excitement about space: Readers sound off
US space missions benefit everyone
Letter to the editor:
The awe of spacecraft launches filled minds with wonder and endless possibilities. Educators, politicians, corporations and others must work to stimulate young minds and to reignite excitement about space exploration.
America’s space missions represented imagination and the quest for knowledge and discovery. Space study has benefited civilization, particularly in medicine, technology and national security. But today, skepticism, indifference and ignorance surround space pioneering.
My uncle and the moon landing: My tio's unlikely journey from communist Cuba to key figure in Apollo 11 moon landing
Astronaut Neil Armstrong described the Apollo 11 moon landing as “one giant leap for mankind.” Despite this momentous event, the space program has taken steps backward. Now, many don’t know, don’t care, or don’t believe in space history and its achievements. Some don’t deem space programs worth funding.
Fifty years ago, America planted a flag on the moon. Americans must unite to rekindle purpose in our nation’s space program, a reality that would encourage future generations to value America’s space endeavors.
Elyse Bell; Houston
The moon landing was one of the most memorable moments in my childhood. It inspired me to earn my Space Exploration merit badge in the Boy Scouts, which I still have today.
— William Ocheltree
We went to the moon; now let's work on fixing Earth’s climate.
— Bob Smith
Trump faces backlash for racist tweets
Letter to the editor:
President Donald Trump just liberated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., from party infighting because of his stinging comments and tweets about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass. Pelosi now owes Trump for saying what other politicians don’t have the courage to say: America — love it or leave it.
Frank Klonoski; St. Simons Island, Ga.
Letter to the editor:
Trump allies in Congress have been relatively silent on his tweets about the four progressive representatives. Pundits say these allies fear retribution from the White House, even if they privately believe that this racism is wrong. Is this a serious case of quiet cowardice?
Mike Carlton; Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Dear future generations: Democracy depends on kids not imitating Donald Trump's racist tweets and attacks
Letter to the editor:
While assigned to the European Command in 1994, I served in South Africa during the run-up to Nelson Mandela’s presidential election. I saw firsthand his vision to unite the nation through truth and reconciliation. Supporting reconciliation means actively working to overcome division, not just empty words. Republicans should consider this and act accordingly.
Michael E. Waters; Elmore, Ala.
Trump’s comments were certainly in poor taste and unpresidential. That said, I don’t see any reference to race, ethnicity or skin color, so I don’t quite get the “racist” verdict.
— Chris Nelson
When I saw Trump’s remarks, my thoughts were: Just sit back and watch Pelosi and the four congresswomen fight within their own party.
— Douglas Miller
Trump is telling those who bash America to leave. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
— Paula Byrd
The congresswomen are busy trying to “Make America Great Again.” Meanwhile, Trump is busy trying to tear America apart.
— Angie Jahns
It’s the supporters of the racist president who hate America, not these congresswomen. His base betrays the Constitution by supporting a traitor who sides with Russian and North Korean leaders over our own law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
— Dee Thorne
Democrats make everything a racial issue. If it’s so bad here, then change it.
— Scott Connelly
Illegal immigrants knew the risks
Despite President Donald Trump’s warnings, major Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids didn’t materialize Sunday in big cities.
Those at risk knew this could happen when they came here illegally.
— Chad Clausen
Trump is creating hate and fear in America — just as he’s been doing since January 20, 2017.
— Chuck McAbee
Democrats say they don’t advocate for open borders, but their policies suggest otherwise. They create sanctuary cities; they call political opponents who support immigration laws and border security racists and bigots.
— Brian Pride
This will be a stain on the U.S. I'm ashamed to be an American right now.
— Eric John
The issue is about how Trump is going about immigration reform. Rather than incorporating the mechanisms of our political system to achieve an immigration solution, he's attempting to appease a base to whom he made promises that he can't keep.
— David Hoeltje
Trump's immigration policy: President Trump's 'zero tolerance' immigration policy isn't anti-immigrant
There is no doubt that Trump will announce more raids right around election time.
— Stephen Cooper
Illegal immigrants consciously decided to circumvent our legal immigration system. It isn’t moral to reward lawbreaking.
— Abbott Hanson Anselmo
‘Send her back’ cheered at Trump rally
At President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Greenville, North Carolina, on Wednesday, supporters chanted “send her back” when Trump spoke about Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.
There used to be dialogue; now it’s constant attacks and name-calling.
— Donna Russell Weidele
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., can’t control her own party — freshmen congresswomen at that.
— Frank Gillis
Racism to lead to the White House: Racism is a potent drug. It got Trump elected and could win him a 2nd term: Montel Williams
So much for the Fourth of July speech that called for unity.
— Edward Scott
The congresswomen with whom Trump is disputing spend too much time criticizing America and not enough time defending it.
— Charles Bryan
Electoral College forces broader support
Letter to the editor:
In his July 8 column, “Kill the Electoral College to help America and, yes, Republicans” Stuart Stevens notes that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the 2016 popular vote by almost 3 million.
Stevens fails to mention that Clinton beat President Donald Trump in California by nearly 4.3 million votes. The Electoral College prevents one or two highly populated areas, with a highly disproportionate interest in a candidate, from deciding the election results.
Mark Harman; Ridgeland, S.C.
Letter to the editor:
Stevens is right. Republican President Donald Trump, however, can’t win the popular vote. Only after Trump leaves office will Republicans maybe believe they can win it.
Vic Presutti; Dayton, Ohio
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apollo 11 should rekindle American space program: Readers sound off
