Letters: Put the heat on AEP and PUCO for power outages. Investigate and fine them.

'Greed got in the way'

There is nothing anyone can do about Mother Nature. When the temperature soars to a heat index of 115, we all suffer. One could argue it’s getting hotter, sooner, and longer, due to global warming, but some still insist that humans have no role to play in the weather.

But the outages at AEP have also been more often and longer. Why? Money!

More: As AEP Ohio continues to restore power, calls grow for an investigation into power outage

Management decided that they could save money by limiting the money spent to replace old equipment and strengthening the power grid. They did spend some, but far less than was needed. And it has worked, as profits have soared as much as the heat.

But sometimes decisions at the top can hurt a lot of people. This is one of those times. And who decided it was a good idea to purposely cut power to the poor and elderly?

More: Did AEP outages disproportionately impact poor city neighborhoods? Here's what data shows

There should be an investigation not only with AEP, but also with the PUCO, as someone was asleep at the switch. There needs to be a steep fine imposed and a few need to lose their jobs.

Executives knew hot weather was coming. But their greed got in the way.

John C. Hamler, Columbus

Anti-LGBT bill a distraction from guns

Like most of humanity, I was horrified, disgusted, greatly saddened, also ashamed by the recent wave of mass murders, especially those of innocent children by "gun-nuts" with guns. Again, like everyone else, I assumed these would be just like the others we've seen and our Republican-dominated legislature would do nothing (excepting the "thoughts," "wishes," etc.).

This time it has been different!

More: Columbus on mass shootings: Shame on home of the brave. Our children are being slaughtered

This Republican-dominated legislature did act! As soon as they saw those vicious gun murders, the brutal deaths of children, the anger/frustation of the public, they reacted!  Seeing a real potential danger (to their re-election campaigns), they took immediate emergency action to get the public to look elsewhere, and publicly introduced important legislation to attack trans/LGBT students.

Don't know about others, but I sure feel a whole lot safer now!

Bruce Bostick, Columbus

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Second primary 'unconstitutional'

The Ohio Redistricting Commission has given the finger to Ohio's voters and the Ohio Supreme Court.

Ohioans amended the Constitution to prohibit partisan gerrymandering, but the commission drew gerrymandered Ohio House and Senate district maps anyway. The Supreme Court ruled, multiple times, that the maps are unconstitutional, but the commission said, "So what?"

More: Ohio Supreme Court invalidates GOP-approved congressional map 'infused with undue partisan bias'

Then a federal court stuck its nose into a state issue, chose a map, and ordered the Aug, 2 primary election to go ahead.

I have been a poll worker for a number of years because voting is a precious responsibility and right. However, I will not work the Aug. 2 primary election because it is based on an unconstitutional foundation.

Steve Piehler, Columbus

George Carlin on abortion

We should remember what George Carlin said about those who are against abortion, which came down to:  They worry about you from 0-9 months, then after that, you're on  your own.

Phil Schick, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: AEP, PUCO should be investigated about power outages