Status of Pine Mountain Settlement School’s chapel could have resolved problem | Opinion

Pine Mountain

My question about the Pine Mountain Settlement chapel is whether it is still used as a chapel. Nothing I have read informs me. If it is still used as a Christian chapel, then the caretakers should have refused the Waymakers permission to use it as they did. If it is no longer used as a Christian chapel, then it is no more than a building that was previously a chapel. Former churches are not an uncommon sight throughout this country, in fact many of them have been converted to other uses. Some are just abandoned buildings.

I can understand why someone descended from the founder could be unhappy; however, being connected by family ties to some structure does not bestow any authority — period. Unless he supports the Settlement with his funds and/or time, he assumes a totally unwarranted right.

More clarity from Mr. Prather and Beth Howard about the present status of the building would have been useful. Is it an active chapel or not?

Bennie G. Patton, Berea, Ky

Trump co-defendants

OMG!!!! Is Mark Meadows so afraid of the supporters of former President Donald Trump that he is willing to commit perjury? For a man who would run over him with a steam roller, then back over him again to make sure he was dead if it served his purposes? Are all of these people who are about to lose everything really that afraid of Trump and his supporters? They are going to prison as it is! If they don’t start turning some gymnastic-style flips on their former boss they are going to get sentenced to a bunch of years! Do all of those co-defendants think they are going to skip going to jail? If they were black they definitely wouldn’t be thinking like that.

Yolanda Averette, Lexington

Texas libraries

Houston Texas Independent School District is closing the school libraries in 28 of its schools and turning them into ‘detention centers’ as kids in those schools have high rates of discipline problems. Of course the books will still be there. You just have to come early or stay late to access them. Not during school hours. I always thought libraries were safe havens for all students.

Texas is becoming a very ‘unique’ state. Just ask Gov. Greg Abbott.

Bob Sutton, Springfield

Climate change

Sophia Tareen’s recent article “Schools dismiss early, teach online as blast of heat hits northeastern US,” is an indicator that the way we live, learn, and prepare the next generation is in jeopardy due to the climate crisis.

The article says “Only 20% of public schools in Detroit… have air conditioning. The district dismissed its roughly 54,000 students three hours early Wednesday for the second consecutive day.” Families had to scramble to make arrangements, with some parents having to choose between bringing their children to work or missing work, making this a socioeconomic issue as well. Additionally, a district spokeswoman in Philadelphia said, “’We’re in an old city... Most of our buildings are old facilities. We’re making adjustments as necessary,’” pointing to the need to invest more in public education, especially in areas that are predominantly low income and/or non-white.

After the hottest August on record, it is obvious climate change is to blame for the stress families and school districts are facing. We need to rapidly phase out carbon pollution. This will require far-reaching and immediate action from U.S. and global leaders. Congress must implement solutions to protect us from the ravages of global warming.

Emily Johnson, Paris

Chinese hacking

Once again, U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) is fighting for answers in Washington. I commend his efforts on the recent Chinese cyberattack on the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce. He’s highlighting the urgency to safeguard our national cyber security from our foreign adversaries.

In a letter, Comer, along with other lawmakers, requested a briefing to understand the extent and ramifications of the breach by Chinese hackers.

China’s escalating cyber threats and brazen espionage campaigns threaten our national security, Kentucky values and our way of life. An even more robust cyber defense is needed to ensure the safety of sensitive information. Strengthening our technological capabilities by leveraging our own domestic technology sector is vital to countering China.

China is working to undermine our national security and replace the United States as the world’s leading superpower. Comer’s leadership on these issues and desire to hold China accountable emphasizes his commitment to protecting Kentuckians, Americans, and our overall national security. I hope others in Congress will follow his lead, take a strong stance on China and do everything they can to strengthen the technologies that keep us safe.

Brian Staed, Danville

Compiled by Liz Carey