Letters: White people's fears of 'uncontrolled' migration not racist, replacement theory

Letters to the Editor
·3 min read

It's about fear of immigrants not racisms

A Haitian family crosses the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to El Paso, Texas on May 17, 2022. The family evaded Mexican Nationial Guard and quickly crossed the river enbankment and turned themselves in to Customs and Border Protection officers on the U.S. side of the international border.
A Haitian family crosses the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to El Paso, Texas on May 17, 2022. The family evaded Mexican Nationial Guard and quickly crossed the river enbankment and turned themselves in to Customs and Border Protection officers on the U.S. side of the international border.

Is it possible that the mainstream media is turning the tables on our open border's uncontrolled illegal immigration by insinuating anyone who dare question it is a right-wing conspiracist?

It has been suggested that "replacement theory" has been concocted by "white supremacists" who hate non-whites flooding our southern border.

In other words, white Americans are so threatened by immigrants that they would resort to violence to maintain white status quo.

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Is it possible that Michael Gerson, in his May 22 column, "No room in GOP for those who embrace ‘replacement theory,'" is characterizing Americans who are fearful that the massive and uncontrolled migrant crossing which results in increased drugs and drug deaths, sex trafficking and serious crime, cities' resources stretched beyond capacity with unidentified infection and disease, social and educational systems overwhelmed, are really racist and "white supremacists?"

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It is possible that the deleterious results of open borders are of genuine concern to Americans and not attributed to racism?

Maybe any objection to the border policy should be labeled patently un-American.

Suzanne Purdy, Dublin

Ginther critic should run for office

Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced new safety initiatives as additional efforts to reduce crime in the atrium of the Public Safety Building on North Front Street in downtown Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced new safety initiatives as additional efforts to reduce crime in the atrium of the Public Safety Building on North Front Street in downtown Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

It’s unfortunate so many feel a need to write caustic, ad hominem letters to the Dispatch such as the one in the May 25 paper referring to Mayor Andrew Ginther as a “Peanuts “cartoon character ("Accused delinquents should move in with Ginther.")

Criticism without solutions rings hollow. Perhaps those who complain might run for office rather than tear down those who do.

Bob Weiler, Columbus

Trump loves golf as much as he loves lies

Former president Donald Trump reacts to a shot during a round of golf.
Former president Donald Trump reacts to a shot during a round of golf.

In a May 23 Dispatch sports column, "Nicklaus lawsuit, political statements raise legacy issues," Rob Oller quoted Jack Nicklaus, "Donald Trump ... loves golf and he loves this country."

More: Jack Nicklaus lawsuit reveals a Golden Bear in danger of becoming tarnished | Rob Oller

Anyone who has ever played golf will tell you whether for business or pleasure, it reveals the true character of the participants.

From "Commander in Cheat," a book by Rick Reilly detailing Trump's relationship with golf: “The caddies got so used to seeing him kick his ball back onto the fairway they came up with a nickname for him: ‘Pelé.'” (Pelé is the all-time leading soccer goal scorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games.)

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This particular behavior is one very familiar to Trump which he has carried with him into the world of politics, showing his love of country by continuing to improve his lies regarding the results of a stolen presidential election.

Syd Lifshin, Columbus

Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor

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Safest railroad crossing is none

The Railway-Highway Crossings (Section 130) Program provides funds for the elimination of hazards at railway-highway crossings.
The Railway-Highway Crossings (Section 130) Program provides funds for the elimination of hazards at railway-highway crossings.

Ohio is home to too many incidents at high-rail grade crossings – those areas where railroads, cars and/or pedestrians interact.

More: Man who lost legs warns of train dangers

Key is more education to improve behavior at these junctions and public-private investments to upgrade, close, or separate roadways and pathways from the railroad right-of-way.

International Level Crossing Awareness Day is being held in June to help with public outreach. One of our partner organizations – Operation Lifesaver – works year-round in building awareness, including in Ohio. These efforts reached some 2.5 million in 2019. More can be done though.

Mark Kalina Jr. lost both legs in 2015 when he was using railroad tracks near Trabue Road in Columbus as a shortcut and was caught under a slow-moving train. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Brooke LaValley)
Mark Kalina Jr. lost both legs in 2015 when he was using railroad tracks near Trabue Road in Columbus as a shortcut and was caught under a slow-moving train. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Brooke LaValley)

State and local leaders in Ohio should make use of available resources. As part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law last year, there is record funding for a program known as Section 130, which equips crossings with gates and other technology, as well as a new program to fully separate crossings.

The safest crossing is no crossing and making full use of this new program is imperative to achieving an accident-free future.

As we mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2022, join us in helping save lives.

Michael J. Rush, SVP for Safety and Operations at the Association of American Railroads

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Trump loves golf as much as he loves lies