Letters: News media amplify only far-right views
News media amplify only far-right views
As long conversations about ways in which the media is biased against the right dominate all conversation about media bias, in general, anyone who raises the possibility that actually it's biased against the left will be met with, at best, bewilderment.
I don't know if it has always been this way and we've been given just enough of a left-ish narrative to allow people to be hopeful — kept in check by right-wing owners to prevent any threat with teeth to their bottom line — or if right-wing entities bought up all the media only recently and this gaslighting is new.
But I suppose it doesn't really matter going forward. The fact is, our media, at every level, are giving the nuttiest of the far right exactly the attention they sustain themselves with. But absolutely no one is asking Biden supporters or anyone to the left of the far right what they think. This gives the very false impression that there aren't any Biden supporters but there are endless people who would continue to support Trump even if he, in fact, shot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue. And I have every reason to believe that impression is given on purpose: After all, if it is on purpose, who would tell us?
Jason Agne, Iowa City
Continue PEPFAR's life-saving service
My faith in Jesus compels me to care for my neighbors, whether they live around the corner here in Iowa City or across the globe in Ibadan Nigeria. One of the most powerful ways Americans live this mission is the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, started by President George W. Bush, which has helped save 25 million lives since 2003. PEPFAR is one of the most successful global health programs in history, and it’s a linchpin in America’s moral legacy.
You might wonder why I am sharing my heart about this in a local paper? There is a great reason this isn’t impacting folks here in Iowa City like it is around the world! Antiretroviral medicine to combat HIV/AIDS is covered by most insurance plans here in America keeping folks alive and healthy! Sadly, this drug costs hundreds of dollars monthly in countries facing extreme poverty making it near impossible to stay healthy. But, America has brought hope because due to PEPFAR over the last 20 years, according to the ONE Campaign, Iowans alone have helped save 151,200 lives, help 130,474 get on anti-retrovirals, and enable 20,160 babies to be born HIV free. That's a legacy we should be proud of, and one that compels us to see the job through to the end!
As a pastor, I spend 99% of my time, resources, and energy serving the community here, but I also spend time serving globally with our ministry partners. As a nation, we can and should continue to do the same. The program’s 20 years of work to improve the lives of millions of families are at risk if PEPFAR is unable to continue its lifesaving work. I strongly urge Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, Sen. Chuck Grassley, and Sen. Joni Ernst to continue to support PEPFAR. It’s the right and compassionate thing to do.
The Rev. Bronis L. Perteit, Iowa City
Ernst doubly misses the mark on doctors
Sen. Joni Ernst's proposal to solve Iowa's doctor shortage, by her "Directing Our Country's Transfer of Residency Slots" (DOCTORS) Act, to grant foreign doctors citizenship in exchange for practicing in rural Iowa, is objectionable for two reasons. First, because it doesn't address why doctors no longer want to practice here. As highly trained professionals, why would they want to locate in communities where there is no cultural life, where the cuisine is the choice between a Casey's pizza or a Subway sandwich? Or where their children would have to go to schools that don't offer physics, foreign languages, music, or dramatic arts? Why would they want to locate in a state that's allowed its lakes, rivers and streams to become intolerably polluted? A place with nothing but corn, soybeans, and those who serve them?
Secondly, her proposal is morally objectionable, because she wants to take doctors from countries who are already facing critical health care shortages — stealing doctors from where they are needed most
If Ernst really wants to solve Iowa's doctor shortage, she needs to force her Republican colleagues in the Iowa Legislature make Iowa a better place to live — cleaning up our water, restoring our parks, supporting our public schools, letting people, and their doctors, make their own medical decisions.
Jim Walters, Iowa City
Child labor laws do not help children
Imagine you are touring a meat processing plant in Iowa and notice several children clad in protective clothing. When you ask the guide, whose children are allowed to work in such a dangerous environment, you are told they are the children of high-ranking Republicans in the Statehouse. Now back to planet earth. They are actually children of poor families counting on their kids' paychecks to help feed the rest of the family.
Why don’t the politicians’ kids work at the slaughterhouse? Because in the first place they don’t need what little money comes from such a job and they don’t want the kids tired and inattentive at the private school they have enrolled them in, thanks to laws enacted by our state legislators. This has the ring of a Third World country. But it is here in our state, sanctioned by the legislators we have chosen to represent us.
If you asked the average Iowan what they think about a system that will create a greater divide between rich and poor, they are not in favor. Even the federal government isn’t on the same page, which may affect the outcome of these poorly constructed laws. Ask your Iowa legislators if they are willing to put their 16-year-old kids in one of these dangerous jobs.
Many of the new Iowa child labor laws are in opposition to the federal labor laws passed in 1938. The federal laws were enacted to keep children safe and to ensure they are unencumbered at school. So, what has changed in the past 85 years to make our legislators now decide kids can work in some of these dangerous environments? They will tell you it gives kids greater employment opportunities, but what they won’t tell you is some of these jobs put kids in harm’s way and are not conducive to being alert and on task at school. Which could lead to low grades and not being accepted into college, not to mention early dropout rates.
Eventually, this all leads to a life of low wages and a less-educated electorate. Could this be the motivation?
These positions are different from school-sanctioned work study programs for credit. The schools are placing kids in jobs they may go into after they graduate. Some kids just want to know if their choice of career is something they really want to do. We need to protect our children better than this. The state has put some restrictions for safety into this legislation, but many of these are not “learn a trade” type positions.
John Lehnst, Williamsburg
Let's all resolve to take care at crosswalks
Regarding the tragic accident involving Jack McCaffery and Corey Hite: I think we need to think about how this same accident could be prevented in the future. Everyone knows pedestrians have the right of way, but that is not always easy to operationalize in the real world. If you’re the driver and you can’t see the whole crosswalk, you need to stop at the crosswalk just as if you came to a stop sign. If you’re the pedestrian and you can’t see the left lane because of a vehicle in the right lane, you need to stop before stepping into the left lane, even if a driver waves you across. This should be made common knowledge for both drivers and pedestrians.
John W. Ely, Iowa City
A pat on the back
I just want to commend the Press-Citizen staff on the Sept. 13 edition. Excellent and abundant in including comprehensive news, both local and international. I read the Press-Citizen every day. Today’s edition was quite satisfying and news rich. Please keep it up, because I want the Press Citizen to succeed and prosper.
Paul Etre, Coralville
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: News media amplify only far-right views
