Equal justice dealt another blow with Hunter Biden verdict | Letters

After the Hunter Biden verdict (under which he'll only get probation), Republicans cried "double standard," and of course, they're right. If you or I didn't pay our taxes, or illegally had a gun, we'd see bars in our future. So once again, the idea of equal justice is dealt another blow.

It's too bad Americans have become immune to the special treatment the privileged class receives, otherwise, there would be riots in the streets. Maybe on the even more serious investigation into Biden's dealings in Ukraine, justice will be served. Just don't hold your breath.

Richard Graceson, Hamilton

Hunter Biden unscathed despite guilty plea

Bart Jansen of USA Today wrote a story that was published on the Enquirer front page. He said Hunter Biden will plead guilty on "misdemeanor tax offenses" and will be spared "prosecution on a charge of illegally having a firearm as a drug user."

In plain words, Biden lied on a federal firearm application form. That is a felony and carries up to 10 years in a federal penitentiary. Biden also did not report over $1.5 million in taxable income in both 2017 and 2018. He paid no tax on that income. Those two tax charges carry up to 12 months each in a federal penitentiary.

Biden’s guilty plea on all charges resulted in no jail time, no fines, just probation.

Hunter Biden’s father, President Joe Biden, repeatedly calls for more gun control legislation. Will he be happy that those gun laws already on the books are not being enforced? He says he is proud of Hunter. No doubt he is proud that his son was able to escape all the trouble unscathed.

Maurice Whigham, Florence

Reds have earned respect with win streak

Might I suggest to Bob and Phil Castellini that the Reds become "The Reds!" − with the exclamation point shaped like a bat. This entire organization has earned the respect. As a fan, I’d be proud to see such recognition put out all over and be able to feel a little part of it.

Carter Cordes, Woodlawn

Family trip on Amtrak was affordable, comfortable

My family took a day trip to Charleston, West Virginia, on Sunday via Amtrak, out of Union Terminal. It was affordable and very relaxing. The seats were comfortable and spacious. The Amtrak personnel were friendly. It was a very nice adventure. Parking was no problem, and we didn't have to arrive hours before departure. Thank you, Amtrak.

Dennis Morand, Westwood

Pepper has the potential to be president

After reading the "Pepper program" for how to save democracy, I see a real potential for president. David Pepper is an honorable law-abiding American and family man with outstanding insight into our political system and hopes for protecting the freedoms that we all enjoy, while understanding the importance of the rule of law on which we all depend. He knows that our system is the envy of the world, and we are so blessed to be able to plan and raise our families in safety.

I hope the Trumpers don't ban his books. They should be required reading for our young folks.

Ann Thompson, Green Township

College professors should be proud to make course work public

Guest columnist Andy Rice, an assistant professor at Miami University, said it all when he said that he's proud of what he teaches but "doesn't want right-wing trolls having easy access to this information." Why not, Mr. Rice? Don't you want the public to get a glimpse of what you've been preaching to the young, impressionable students in your journalism classes? If I was proud of my work, I wouldn't care who witnessed it.

Marvin Owens, Liberty Township

Descendants of West End businessmen owed apology, too

After reading the June 14 front-page story regarding our city leaders apologizing to the Black community for the razing of a large Black neighborhood to make room for a highway more than half a century ago, I wondered, as I remembered a few details not mentioned in this story.

That Black community was not alone in its displacement and/or housing and business relocating process. Our father and his successful business, The Hoetker Coal Company with its many employees from that area, was also forced out by the city of Cincinnati for the Queensgate development.

Due to the nature of his business, it was impossible for him to relocate as did the doctor mentioned in your story.  As a result, he lost his company and was forced to retire at a young age. He was also "very sad" about that turn of events.

Interestingly, no one has ever expressed "sincere regrets" over his plight then or now. Will City Council "initiate reconciliation" to former businessmen of the city’s lower West End and their descendants?

I wonder. I doubt it.

Janice Hoetker Doherty, Eastgate, and Deanna Hoetker Hurtubise, Anderson Township

Nothing political or unfair about Trump indictment

The past few days I've read a lot of statements from Republican elected officials, including J. D. Vance, about Trump's indictment. It seems like they don't really understand why he's being charged. I will try to explain it with an analogy.

My dog, Buster, is a good boy. If he gets ahold of something he's not supposed to have, and I tell him, "drop it, "he obeys. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is not a good boy. He got ahold of lots of things he wasn't supposed to have, was told to give them back, and didn't. We (the people of the United States) asked him nicely, and he dissembled, and lied, and did his best to confuse the issue. We asked nicely again, but that still didn't work. We then ordered him to return the items, and he still refused. He shuffled documents around, hid them all over his property, and he lied, lied, and lied some more. He also tried to get others to lie for him.

So we're not charging him because of a "witch hunt." There's nothing political or unfair about it. It's simple − Donald Trump is a bad boy.

Tony Rein, Clifton

Don't let your politics determine right from wrong

If you really believe there is nothing wrong with Donald Trump’s ongoing-criminal behavior, then ask yourself how you would view the same behavior from Barack Obama? If you wouldn’t accept and excuse similar behavior from Mr. Obama, then it is abundantly apparent that your internal compass is politically motivated and not morally motivated. Don’t let your political party determine right from wrong.

Jeanne Ruggieri, Hyde Park

Boycotters resist companies that push political agendas

While some are calling those who are boycotting Bud Light hate-mongers, most of us are actually accepting of the LGBTQ community. Rather, we're boycotting because we don't want any company attempting to push their political agenda on us. It's as simple as that.

Dan Bickford, Hamilton

People kill people and so do guns

A June 7 guest columnist raises the old saw "guns don't kill people, people kill people" by comparing gun deaths to vehicle fatalities. The comparison is invalid, because vehicles are necessary to conducting our lives and economy, while guns are not. (Some vehicles are banned for civilian use, such as army tanks).

The author also trots out the old "slippery slope" argument concerning the banning of assault weapons. AR-15s are made for mass killing. This is fine in a military combat situation, but it doesn't mean everyone who wants one should be allowed to have one. Those individuals who may be considering shooting up a mall or school are well aware that the AR-15 is the gun to use.

Nuclear bombs don't kill people, people kill people.

Steve Applegate, Cleves

Principle gives way to the almighty dollar again

Another professional sport has succumbed to money, of course. Despite PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan's vow to never merge with the Saudi-backed LIV Tour ("because they funded the 911 attacks, and we'll never launder their blood money"), money ultimately did talk and morality did have to take a walk.

They say that time heals all wounds, and that will undoubtedly happen here, but the one sport that prided itself on its integrity has gone the way of all the others. It's a sad day for professional sports, but just another reminder that principle has a tough time standing up to the almighty dollar.

Ken Keeler, Hyde Park

Staying put should've been condition of Western & Southern Open sale

Why did the U.S. Tennis Association sell the rights to the Western & Southern Open without requiring the tournament to stay in Mason? I remember going to the Open when it was held in Hyde Park. This tennis fan and former long-time player will not support the USTA any longer if the Open is yanked out of Mason. Was this sale due to the association's financial problems? Does money win out over long-term support and loyalty? It appears so.

Michael H. Haap, Green Township

Conservatives have made virtue a dirty word

It's amazing to me how Republicans, especially, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have hijacked the word, "woke," turning it into something you should hate and must be afraid of.

The definition of woke is: "A state of awareness achieved by intellectually sensitive individuals who have empathy for the plight of others, especially those suffering injustice and oppression." Synonyms include: empathetic, astute, perceptive, thoughtful, insightful, and discerning. Antonyms include: ignorant, simple, unreasonable, illogical. apathetic, and indifferent.

Woke actually means awakened to the needs of others; to be well-informed, thoughtful, compassionate, humble and kind; eager to make the world a better place for all people. Examples of the woke mind: You read books; you embrace science; you are willing to change your mind when new information becomes available; you believe in true equality for all people; you know history; you embrace cooperation; you respect other's rights; you believe culture and the arts have value, and you care for the planet and all its life.

Conservatives have made virtue a dirty word with their condemnation of woke. Republicans have convinced their base that woke is to be ridiculed and feared. DeSantis has stated that Florida is where woke comes to die.Well, let me say, governor, that I am woke, and very proud of it.

Mel Shuller, Montgomery

WLWO not WLW promoted democracy around the world

As a former WLW on-air person, I found the "WLW-AM, once a bastion of democracy, now a carrier of lies" in the Sunday Enquirer letter to the editor section so troublesome and uneducated regarding the history of the station, while blaming the current talk show host for not knowing WLW’s history. The fact is WLW’s 500,000 watts power was only from 1932 to 1941. It was not used in the manner the letter says and in fact it was WLWO, transmitting at 75,000 watts, totally separate in service and operation, that was used while the Voice of America building, and transmitters were being built in Mason. The only connection WLW had to all of this was that Powell Crosley was selected to build the Bethany Station VOA because of his experience with high power shortwave, which, by the way, was WLWO.

Dave Williams, Sharonville

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Equal justice dealt another blow with Hunter Biden verdict | Letters