Letters: Commentators ignore exoneration of Clarence Thomas

Commentators ignore exoneration of Clarence Thomas

Attorney Jonathan Wilson’s May 25 opinion piece “Equal justice under law’ really needs an asterisk” is an attempt to destroy the integrity and independence of the US Supreme Court. The same can be said for the news item “How ‘shadow docket’ has changed US” that appeared in the May 28 Sunday Register. The left’s goal is to put the judicial branch of our government under the control of Congress, contrary to the US Constitution.

Wilson repeated allegations, not charges, dating back to 2011 to denigrate Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and the Supreme Court. The allegations, according to the Wall Street Journal, were reviewed at that time by the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Financial Disclosure, chaired by Judge Joseph McKinley. The Journal further reports that in May 2023, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat who is a critic and accuser of Thomas, received a letter from the current Judicial Conference’s “Subcommittee on Compliance” that reviewed the 2011 investigation. That letter stated that, in an April 2012 committee report, “Judge McKinley indicated based on his review of all documents and the discussion by the Committee members that nothing had been presented to support a determination that Justice Thomas ... willfully or improperly failed to disclose information concerning travel reimbursements.”

Still Wilson, Whitehouse, and the Democrats continue the same allegations but ignore the Judicial Conference’s conclusion.

Here is a question for Wilson. Who deserves an asterisk: Justice Clarence Thomas, who is still victimized publicly by hateful allegations, personal not criminal, that were proved to be without merit decades ago, or the Biden family, whose alleged criminal activity, based on witness testimony, tax and bank records, public documents, video and audio evidence, laptops and servers, emails, whistleblowers, and FBI informants, has been withheld from the public for five years by the FBI, Department of Justice, and a compliant media?

— John Malett, Des Moines

EMC’s stance on arming teachers doesn’t make sense

EMC Insurance should be ashamed for its decision to deny armed protection for students by threatening to pull its coverage for two districts that chose to arm teachers. This decision is contrary to evidence that arming teachers not only does not pose a risk, but enhances student safety.

Hundreds of school districts in the United States allow teachers or other staff to carry or have access to guns at school.

There have been no mass public shootings in schools that allow teachers and staff to legally carry guns.

The only known accident for a teacher carrying a concealed gun in school involved a Utah teacher who shot a toilet while in the restroom before classes began.

Teachers have been allowed to carry concealed guns in K-12 schools in Utah, Oregon, Hawaii and New Hampshire. This has been allowed in Utah since 1995 with no injuries to students in 23 years.

In 170 public school districts in Texas, teachers and staff have been allowed to carry concealed or to have access to guns in safes for over 10 years. No firearms accidents or other negative incidents have occurred.

Curt Oda, former president of the Utah Association of Independent Insurance Agents, stated that, in Utah, “(insurance) rates have not gone up because of guns being allowed.” This was confirmed by a school survey covering Arkansas, Kansas, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas, according to a report on activist John Lott’s Crime Prevention Research Center’s website. Insurance fees were significantly reduced in Kansas.

EMC’s decision has no rational basis and places student lives at risk.

— Donald W. Bohlken, Indianola

Insurers know what they’re doing

EMC is one of Iowa’s largest and most reputable insurance companies. Its actuaries are specialized in calculating costs and determining rates. In the event of gun murders it will be less expensive to depend on the trained local police, and the trained county sheriff’s department. When the local schools get involved, EMC is correct in determining their policy holders cannot afford that.

School teachers are wonderful people. Let’s keep them.

— Paul Woodard, Ankeny

Spirit Lake gets an F on policy, fiscal prudence

We all want to keep our children safe. We also expect public officials to spend tax dollars prudently.

The Spirit Lake superintendent and board earn an F on both accounts. First, they voted to arm school staff when no evidence existed that arming K-12 staff favorably affects gun use outcomes. Their own law enforcement expert told them so. Spirit Lake Police Chief Shane Brevik wrote: “It is not realistic to expect that individually trained educational or other staff can learn all that would be required to identify, seek out and eliminate the threat of an active shooter. ”

Ignoring warnings, they proceeded to pay for staff firearms training. Not surprisingly, they failed to find any company to insure them if they implemented this foolish policy (they asked 26). Now, they are forced to rescind the policy to be able to renew their insurance.

The superintendent and board should return to study hall and develop an evidence-based policy, respected by experts in the field; and one that brings the community together, not split apart; around on what we all agree, keeping children safe.

— Philip Spevak, Okoboji

Gay pastor’s church seems to be about him, not Christ

A 56-year-old man in a position of authority who marries a young woman nearly 30 years younger would raise questions with any church congregation. Questions as to the moral character of a gay pastor who does the same thing are apparently out of bounds. In fact … let’s say it together … questions are hateful and bigoted.

Beyond those mean-spirited and false accusations, it’s not unfair to question the motives of the Rev. Greg Neal. Christian humility is expected of a pastor. Neal seems not to believe humility is a virtue. We all would hope a minister would put the interests of his congregants and his faith above his need to be recognized, to be admired for his “courage.” This isn’t about Methodist belief. This about Neal. At a deep level that has been recognized by those who will not worship at the church of Neal.

I applaud their courage.

— Michael Devine, Fort Dodge

Lightfoot got it right

I have never written a “letter to the editor,” but there is always a first time. After reading Jim Ross Lightfoot’s excellent commentary in the June 25 Register (“What I want in a president: God, country, family”), all I can say is “AMEN”!

— Tom Twohill, Waukee

America needs Lightfoot

Would that Jim Ross Lightfoot would hobble back to the political arena! He would be in style with his tough grapevine cane and might be able to put it to use besides balance to keep our values: God, country, family as our priorities. I sincerely hope you receive many, many letters dittoing Mr. Lightfoot's thoughts.

— Pat Mattern, Albia

Lightfoot’s standards exclude all Republicans

I appreciated Jim Ross Lightfoot’s commentary June 25 on the characteristics he finds most important in the person he would support for president. He values an individual who will look at all people as Americans, who unites and doesn’t divide, who says what they believe in versus “sniping” about others, who supports those truly in need, who listens and will change positions as circumstances warrant, and is comfortable with differing points of view.

One additional characteristic I would include is courage. The courage to stand up to those whose actions would denigrate those not in agreement with them and destroy our most vital and essential institutions in order to support personal/political agendas. Courage to improve upon our governmental agencies when they err and make them better versus destroying/eliminating them. Courage to be truthful with the American public and not “spin” fictitious alternative realities.

One thing seems certain, Jim Ross Lightfoot won’t be voting Republican.

— Todd C. Beveridge, Ankeny

Grassley’s expectations of Alito are astonishingly low

Really, Sen. Chuck Grassley? Let me get this straight. You say that there was no need for Justice Samuel Alito to disclose the gift of a luxury fishing trip from a friend because at the time of the gift the friend did not have business before the Supreme Court (“Grassley snubs extra oversight for SCOTUS,” June 23). You also go on to imply that when the friend did have business before the court, Alito had no obligation to recuse himself from participating in the case because the gift of the trip happened before the case came before the court.

Thankfully, we hold the justices, judges and magistrates in the Iowa court system to a much higher standard of ethical behavior.

— David Boyd, Johnston, former state court administrator

Who could deny Thomas’ and Alito’s breaches?

After reading The Register’s June 23 “Grassley snubs extra oversight for SCOTUS” story, I’m even more scared for the survival of our democracy. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have blatantly obvious ethics problems, and yet some senators like Iowa’s Chuck Grassley speak word salad and disregard calls for honest and diligent oversight.

It actually makes me wonder what kinds of favors senators are used to accepting when Thomas’ and Alito’s ethics breaches don’t just jump out at them.

— Marilynn Wadden, Des Moines

Prevention hotline could save more lives than callers’

While the National Suicide Prevention hotline (988) has probably saved some lives, it could save more if promoted as the "National Suicide and Mass Shooting Prevention" hotline.

Those responsible for mass shootings usually take their own life (or commit suicide by cop) after robbing countless others of their lives.

Suicide has impacted multiple generations of my family, and I pray to God my loved ones will never see a mass shooter in the flesh.

— E.E. Laine, Waukee

US refugee system needs work

Sometimes, minor changes can cause a great deal of difference that can save lives. Asylum is the protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee. Most people who apply for asylum live in dangerous countries with active civil wars and corrupt governments.

There is no law for the Immigration Office to reply to your application in a determined period. This causes many people to stay in dangerous countries; they must escape to survive.

To put it bluntly, America’s refugee protection system needs to improve because if it continues in this direction many innocent people will suffer. The CEO of the American Refugee Council has said, “The refuge system is an incredibly ineffective, and unfair way to operate.”

Children are the hope for our future, so why aren't we doing everything in our power to keep them alive? If we turn a blind eye to something because it may be challenging to solve or not a priority, we won't be able to change the world. It is important to me as a refugee who has been through the system that more people know about this and work towards fixing it by talking to their representatives about this issue.

— Filiz Sonmez, Waukee

Haley inspires, Trump embarrasses

As a loyal Republican, I have to speak out about what the Trump presidency has done to our party. I recognize what he did to “get things done” and grow the economy while in office, but if he gets the nomination next year, his never-ending embarrassing behavior will guarantee a Democratic victory. There are several quality candidates currently running against Trump for the nomination, and in my opinion, the best option is Nikki Haley.

She was the first person of color and woman to be elected and re-elected governor of South Carolina. She came to light in 2016 when she was chosen to give the Republican response to Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. She was nominated to be our UN ambassador in 2016 and in 2017 was confirmed by the Senate 96-4. She was a tough, outspoken and unapologetic champion of the interests of the United States. As president, she promises to cut foreign aid to countries that profess “death to America.” Haley is also the only Republican candidate that I hear calling for term limits for Congress to help rid us of the career politicians who just get rich at taxpayer expense.

— John Kapparos, Asbury

Make all schools better

Instead of supporting private schools with scholarships, claiming this gives all children the opportunity to receive a better education, we should make all schools better.

— Mary Douglas, Des Moines

Roberts has much to teach Iowa about empathy and diversity

First, let me congratulate Register staff writers Samantha Hernández and Chris Higgins on their fine story introducing the new superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. Ian Roberts’ employment says a lot to me and raises hope for a better future for DMPS and, frankly, for Iowa.

Roberts told the Register, “You will see my leadership style sort of manifesting itself in a very similar regard,” he said, “giving students, giving teachers multiple opportunities to get it right. We all deserve leadership that is really anchored in empathy.”

“Empathy” is exactly the right word and attitude for the times.

Roberts’ words “similar regard” refer to a teacher he had in his youth whose intuition to see that, while “(he) had tremendous potential (as an athlete), he still needed an intervention (role model) to get (him) on the right track.”

Hernández and Higgins correctly say, “Roberts is joining the district at a time when Iowa school districts are preparing for major changes following the signing of (Gov. Kim) Reynolds’ education and bathroom bills” that “ban books with sex acts from schools, block transgender people from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity, require schools to get parental consent if a student asks to use different pronouns, and prohibit instruction about gender identity or sexual orientation in lower grades.”

Roberts’ prior experience was “marked by a relentless commitment to diversity and inclusion” for all students. The words “diversity, equity, inclusion” (DEI) have fallen into disfavor among Republicans.

Reynolds will need a “master class” to educate her about the importance of DEI as these concepts relate to the “empathy” the new superintendent holds dear. Maybe Roberts can be her mentor?

— Gerald Ott, Ankeny

Register’s Stahl inspires through storytelling

As a regular reader of various newspapers, I would like to publicly praise writer Jay Stahl for recent stories “A 90-year-old thought she would never see Iowa again. Her kids planned one last trip home.” (June 23) and “Marcus Norris was shot in the head at 7 on Chicago's South Side. He came to Iowa to heal” (June 28). Both were heart-warming, inspirational, and examples of top-notch journalism.

— Laura Schmitz, Ionia

Much to regret in meteorologist’s departure

How very sad many Iowans were to read the article “Meteorologist leaving after death threats” (June 22) about the departure from KCCI of meteorologist Chris Gloninger. And how ashamed we are that his decision was caused by unkind, mean-spirited harassment and even death threats. He and his family didn’t deserve this.

Gloninger has, gratefully, tried to communicate to viewers both current weather conditions and what renowned scientists around the globe have been warning all of us, that climate change is REAL and the climate crisis has already begun. We see its evidence here and around the world. We need voices like Gloninger to wake us to the urgency of first admitting and then promptly addressing this critical issue. Hiding our heads in the sand will not make it go away. Neither will threatening the safety of meteorologists and others who try to inform minds and urge realistic solutions before the damage is irreversible.

We remember how Rekha Basu in her Register column sometimes made us feel a bit uncomfortable by challenging us readers to greater inclusivity in our relations with one another. A challenge that helped us broaden our perspectives. So has Gloninger kindly challenged us to care for our Earth and for those who do and will suffer the greatest from climate change. Unfortunately, Iowa will now lose another important voice of reason, common sense, and concern for others.

When a good meteorologist can no longer express what the best scientists agree is factual, we have lost our way. When people of truth and integrity can no longer feel safe in this state, we have lost our way. When unkindness and bullying is seen as an acceptable way to handle disagreement, we have lost our way. And when the rest of us keep silent and allow intimidation to harm the lives and reputation of others, we have definitely lost our way. Shame on us! Iowans are better than this!

Thankfully Chris Gloninger plans to devote his “full-time efforts to finding sustainable solutions and fostering positive change.” All of us owe him and KCCI our thanks for these two years as CBS’s local, gifted meteorologist. We are especially grateful for his principled decision to continue his efforts to protect this planet, making this world a safer, healthier place for all people now and for future generations.

— Sister Jeanie Hagedorn, Des Moines

Where to watch, hear fireworks: Try anywhere

I chuckled when reading June 26 the story highlighting the special areas in the Des Moines where one could go and watch July 4 fireworks. If this year is like past years, one can drive to most any neighborhood in the city, park your car and watch fireworks free. If lucky, you can listen from home, in the comfort of your bed until the breaking of dawn.

— Lloyd Kaufman, Des Moines

Grassley inconsistent on Biden, Supreme Court

Sen. Chuck Grassley has become the political hack we all hoped he wasn’t. He wants to skewer anyone in the executive branch, which is occupied by the Democrats, for alleged wrongdoing, but when there is evidence of wrongdoing in the judicial branch, which is occupied by a majority of Republican appointees, “Grassley questioned whether Congress should enforce such changes on the court.” There is a technical term that politicians, both Democrat or Republican, seem to be unable to define any longer: hypocrisy.

— John Gulbranson, Stuart

Get that smoke out of here

Hey MidAmerican, EDF, Invenergy and all the rest of you wind power companies, can you coordinate the pivoting of your turbines a couple of hours a day to blow this Canadian smoke out of Iowa? We've got the blades. Let's send this haze back north.

— Fred Dorr, Urbandale

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: Commentators ignore exoneration of Clarence Thomas