Comparing Mar-a-Lago search to Hillary's emails is a 'false equivalency' and more letters | Opinion

Applaud FBI, DOJ for searching Trump’s home

RE: “Merrick Garland cannot afford to miss a legal shot at Trump,” by Cameron Smith, Aug. 14.

I usually appreciate the columns by Mr. Smith, which are typically reasonable and well crafted. However, his column from last Sunday fell short on both counts.

Mr. Smith draws a parallel between Hillary Clinton’s emails and Trump’s possession of over 25 boxes of classified information, suggesting that the search warrant issued for Mar-a-Lago was politically motivated. However, this is a false equivalency.

According to USA TODAY, up until 2005 State Department officials were allowed to use a private server for normal day-to-day business, and indeed Clinton’s predecessor, Colin Powell (R), used a personal email account during his tenure as Secretary (2001-2005). Clinton eventually turned over the 30,490 work-related emails, stating, “That was a mistake. I’m sorry about that. I take responsibility.”

According to Newsweek, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and at least six other Trump government officials used private emails to conduct official government business, so let’s not pretend that just the Democrats played fast and loose with government communications.

There are previous examples of the DOJ prosecuting both Democratic and Republican officials for mishandling classified information, but perhaps Mr. Smith is too young to remember. In 2005, Sandy Berger (D), President Clinton’s top national security aide, pleaded guilty to taking classified documents from the National Archives and cutting them up with scissors (NBC).

In 2015, former CIA Director David Petraeus (R) was sentenced to two years' probation and fined $100,000 for giving his mistress classified material while she was working on his autobiography (CBS).

The FBI and the DOJ should be applauded, not derided, for protecting our nation’s classified information from falling into the wrong hands, no matter on which side of the political aisle the offenders might reside.

Thomas Riss, Mt. Juliet 37122

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Democrats just want to take down Trump

Too bad Democrats don't work on making Americans safe by stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl across the border by hiring 87,000 more border patrol agents instead of 87,000 IRS agents to hunt us down to do audits.

Instead, they raid Trump's house once again try to keep him from running.

They have been constantly trying to take him down for six years and have lied and cheated to do it with no success.

These people are dangerous to our country and need to be out of office and get some people who care about our country and people.

Vote red in November and get our country back.

Barbara Sharer, Nashville 37214

Why Trump could never be a Russian agent?

Why did Trump cart away from the White House 15 or more boxes of items and take them to his seaside mansion? Does this mean that he's a Russian agent? Or that he had dastardly intentions?

Were they trophies to show his guests? Those explanations assume that Trump was thinking clearly during those last manic days of his presidency. It's more likely that he was fuming about his “impossible” defeat.

He was neck-deep in the delusion of remaining in the White House. Like millions of college freshmen who delay packing up, he grabbed stuff from “his” office and tossed them into boxes – “deal with later.”

Russian agents, one suspects, are intelligent and diligent. The second adjective does not fit Trump. He is famously lazy.

In the spirit of fairness, I offer that explanation.

Volney Gay, Nashville 37204

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Nashville needs to be put in check for RNC snub

Re: “Lawmakers should not punish Nashville after RNC snub,” by David Plazas, Aug. 14.

David Plazas, the director of opinion and engagement for the Tennessean, wrote that Tennessee should not retaliate against Nashville after RNC snub.

I have mixed feelings if retaliate is the correct term to use.

Nashville wants to be the tail that wags the dog because the city generates a huge sum of tourist and entertainment tax revenues. If I make all of the money I should have all of the say! The city Council snubs not only state but the federal branches of government as well.

The majority of the Nashville city Council defies the U.S. Supreme Court rulings and state mandated laws. The mayor, district attorney and all of the councilmembers at large support sanctuary city status. Nashville tells the other branches of government which laws it will follow and blatantly will tell you how to support and pass ordinances to circumvent the laws.

No, the state should not retaliate against Nashville, but it does need to put the so called city leaders in check. Believe it or not, Nashville is in the state of Tennessee. Then, maybe we could find common ground for such needed projects such as affordable housing.

Steve Jones, Nashville 37221

Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day on Aug. 21

National Senior Citizens Day recognizes seniors who have spent their lives contributing to society and have impacted everyone’s lives for the better.

So how can we show our appreciation and gratitude for the older generations? By keeping a watchful eye for signs of elder financial exploitation.

To combat potential investment fraud from occurring, the Securities Division urges investors to provide their financial firms with a trusted contact.

A trusted contact is a person you authorize your financial firm to contact in limited circumstances, such as if there is a concern about activity in your account and they have been unable to get in touch with you.

Having one or more trusted contacts provides another layer of safety on your account and puts your financial firm in a better position to help keep your account safe. Naming someone as a trusted contact does not give that person the authority to act on your behalf, execute transactions, or reengage in activity in your account.

If you do decide to name a trusted contact, you might want to reach out your trusted contact in advance to let them know.

To learn more about the importance of having a trusted contact, visit this blog post from TDCI’s Securities Division.

Individuals with suspicions of possible senior investment fraud or financial exploitation should contact Tennessee’s Securities Division by calling 615-741-5900 or visiting tn.gov/securities.

Additional Resources:

• FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors® | 844-57-HELPS (844-574-3577)

• SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy | investor.gov

• NASAA Investor Education | nasaa.org/investor-education

Rachel Carden is the director of investor education for the securities division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. 

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Blackburn should act instead of casting blame

Isn’t it interesting that Sen. Marsha Blackburn, in her latest newsletter, blames President Biden and the Inflation Reduction Act for the hard time many Tennesseans are having making ends meet when Tennessee tries to attract companies with its low wages and Right to Work Act which prevents workers from negotiating with their employers for higher wages and benefits?

The state legislature wants Tennesseans to vote Yes for an Amendment to the State Constitution on Nov. 8 which would make the current right to work law essentially permanent, so Tennessee can always be known for its low wages.

The minimum wage in Tennessee is $7.25 per hour, about enough to buy a fast food dinner, but not pay the rent for a family.  Of course, rent prices have been climbing at a fast pace.

What kind of reality does the senator and those who think as she does live in? Methinks it is closer to the 1% than the hard-working people of Tennessee, who she seems to “represent” only by stirring up their discontent and anger, rather than telling the hope there is for them in the Inflation Reduction Act. She couldn’t even bring herself to vote for a $35/month limit for insulin for those on Medicare.

Virginia M. Jones, Oak Ridge 37830

‘Say gay’ column reminded me of struggles and joys

Re: “Please say gay. And teach children to respect other’s differences,” by Katherine Willey, Aug. 14.

To Katherine Willey,

I was touched by your opinion piece , “Please Say Gay. . . ”  in Sunday’s Tennessean. Thank you for writing it. I’m not Marty, the gay friend you regret having bullied, but I have a lot in common with him, and I would like you to know that I am okay.

I had the same tormenters as Marty. I pushed away my dear childhood female friend because I was ashamed to have her see my humiliation. I strove to be straight. I went to college, married, and fathered three sons. But I was still gay.

I met the man who eventually became my husband in graduate school.  He and I had 45 years together before he died of cancer. My sons teasingly called him Mom but as the years passed, with deep affection they called him Dad.

My ex-wife always did what was best for the boys, and that included having them spend time with their dads; she sometimes joined us for vacations. I spent much of my working career in a helping profession where being openly gay led me to be a trusted caregiver to those who were marginalized for a wide variety of reasons.

My sons continue to be a total joy (I have five grandchildren). I have been active for 30 years in a church that pioneered acceptance of LGBTQ folks. I have touched a lot of lives in positive ways.

I don’t know where I would be today if I had suffered no bullying along my path, but I know where I am now — and it is an excellent place. I even re-established my friendship with my childhood friend; we communicate regularly.

I hope you never stop urging others to “please say gay,” and I hope it gives you peace.  Thanks again for your very sensitive editorial.

Mike Morgan, Nashville 37206

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Letters were curated by David Plazas, director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas. Send your letter to letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your contact information for verification.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Comparing Mar-a-Lago search to Hillary's emails is 'false equivalency'