Mike DeWine, listen to anti-woke, Christian Republican father and veto hateful bill

Mike DeWine must hear 'anti-woke' dad's plea

Re "Lives of trans kids are in DeWine's hands," Dec. 20: Congratulations to Rick Colby for publicly announcing his support and love of his transgendered son, who is getting the care he needs to be the person "he was always meant to be."

I sympathize with the hurt he and his family are feeling. Colby is right to see that his son and others like him are being scapegoated for political purposes in House Bill 68. 

Gov. DeWine, save Ohio kids. My son was on the verge of suicide. Use your power to save trans children

As a gay Christian moderate Democrat, I know that political persecution of minorities (whether sexual, racial, religious, or other) is nothing new.

Transgenderism is just the latest target.

I would hope his plea is successful in swaying some of his fellow conservative Christian Republican friends, but I feel I must joyfully inform him that he can no longer label himself "anti-woke," for he has seen a light and has awakened to the need to fight for social justice.

Dr. Bradford Colegate, Columbus

What do you think? How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch

Anti-woke dad the best example of wokeness

Re “Lives of trans kids are in DeWine’s hands," Dec. 20: I want to share my deep admiration for Rick Colby. When his child was suicidal because he was transgender, Colby showed deep compassion and parental love in supporting his son’s transition.

Every child deserves a parent like that.

I only take exception with one line in Colby’s guest column, the one where he describes himself as “a conservative, anti-woke, Christian Republican father.”

You see, Colby acknowledged that when he first learned of his son’s suicidal intentions, he had little understanding of what being transgender meant and had no idea what the next steps were; he lacked awareness.

DeWine must reject the lies. 6 trans kids aren't standing between you and sports glory.

But he leaned in. He researched. He learned from experts.

And he gained awareness of how to help his child.

So, Colby is actually a textbook example of becoming “woke.”

Woke is simply slang for being awakened to a new social consciousness, gaining understanding and sympathy for fellow humans who experience hardship. In the parlance of Christianity, it means experiencing compassion.

Richard Colby is a model of how love, kindness, and empathy— of being “woke” — can make our world a better place. His challenge - our challenge - is to extend the compassion Colby bestowed upon his child to people not in our family. To people whose struggles we might never personally experience.

Only then can we bring peace on Earth.

Steve Shapiro, Bexley

Kamala Harris is in the wings

To all you people who want to impeach Joe Biden, have you considered who you will get if he is? If you didn't like Joe, you'll hate Kamala Harris!

Charlie M. Miller, West Jefferson

There's a difference

Before she become the first woman U.S. Supreme Court justice, now President Joe Biden in 1981 encouraged Sandra Day O'Connor "to go out and campaign very strongly for the Equal Rights Amendment." Former President Donald Trump in 2023 loudly and constantly boasts that he killed Roe v. Wade.

It's been 42 years and what a difference.

Pat Rhoads, Columbus

Is Gov. Greg Abbott breaking the law?

Criminally 'aiding and abetting' is assisting someone in committing, or encouraging someone to commit, a crime.

Under Gov. Greg Abbott Texas has been busing illegal migrants to various out-of-state U.S. cities.

Upping the ante: Gov. Abbott charters plane to Chicago for migrants after city impounded bus from Texas

Under the new Texas state law that allows the arrest of illegal immigrants, isn't he now committing a crime by helping them avoid prosecution? And shouldn't Texas Attorney Ken Paxton be chasing him around with as much vigor as he did with the woman with the doomed fetus? 

Dave Schwendenman, Columbus 

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Anti-woke, Christian Republican dad right about anti-trans bill