Letters: Support impeaching, removing Trump; Many contributed to success of ‘Christmas in Lemont’

Support impeaching, removing Trump

I didn’t like either candidate in the 2016 election. My impression of Trump was that of a businessman well-versed in corrupt, hardball practices, so I held my nose and voted for Hillary. My concerns regarding Trump in the Oval Office have been realized and exceeded. We have become dulled by Trump’s propensity for lying, subterfuge and disregard for truth and science, and I now have a hard time trusting anything that he or his administration say. The actions of our current Attorney General are nothing like what was intended by the Congressional Judiciary Act of 1789. The constitutional First Amendment Establishment Clause (separation of Church and State) is under assault by religious extremists both in and out of office. Existing consumer and environmental protections are being gutted in direct response to “dark money” campaign contributions by special interests.

Something is definitely wrong with the American political system if politicians are so fearful of political retribution that they do not respond to a frontal assault on the Constitutional system of checks and balances and abandonment of the presidential oath of office. Regarding the Ukraine issues, I believe Congressional witness Michael Gerhardt’s recent testimony: “If what we’re talking about is not impeachable, nothing is impeachable.”

Let’s get someone with a decent moral compass in the Oval Office. Let’s get “dark money” out of politics. I support impeaching and removing Trump and overturning Citizen’s United. Please join me in contacting our elected representatives and letting them know your opinions.

Thompson should listen to constituents on impeachment

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson recently made this statement regarding the impeachment of the president: “After considering all of the information presented, I have only heard emotional arguments that do not rise to the level of impeachment.”

According to this statement, Rep. Thompson has not read the articles of impeachment, which lay out the facts as they’ve been presented.

The president did, in fact, leverage aid for the Ukraine for his personal gain in the form of political favors.

He continues to obstruct Congress by ignoring subpoenas and instructing this subordinates to ignore constitutionally approved subpoenas, and there is no way Thompson can deny this as fact.

This is not based on emotions; this is fact-based, and when Thompson ignores the facts and continues to support a president who is violating his oath to the constitution on a daily bases, he is putting president and party over country and in turn violating his own oath.

If Thompson votes because he’s been instructed to do so by the president or the GOP, he is not listening to the people he represents and he will not be re-elected in 2020.

Many contributed to success of ‘Christmas in Lemont’

The 11th annual “Christmas in Lemont” in the Thompson Granary, Dec. 6-7, featured local products and arts and crafts in a German-style “Weihnachtsmarkt” market with music, food, beverages and good spirits. Thanks to over 2,000 customers who enjoyed our historic buildings, the CDT, Gazette and other media for great coverage, and College Township for staff support. We raised over $3,000 toward Granary renovations and upkeep.

Thank you to our neighbors, Café Lemont for delicious coffee; Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hog’s Galore for locally made bratwurst and hotdogs, and Giant, Rolling Ridge Weis and Sam’s Club for donating gift cards for supplies.

Many volunteers helped. Cathy Cohan organized the food and volunteers, Tammy and Jeff Badger prepared the Gluwein, Penny Eifrig organized the vendors, Phil Hawk hung the banner (twice), and Chris Eifrig organized the set up. Thirty-two volunteers were great helpers. Forty more made cookies – everything was delicious! Brat and hotdog grillers were: Jeff Badger, Phil Hawk, Jim Marden, Tom Price, Joanne Shafer, and Ron Smith. Rebecca Newschaffer-Haldeman picked the drawing winners. Sue Smith called them all.

Our vendors donated baked goods and drawing prizes: Bob Altamura, Jennifer Black, Casie Eifrig, Chris Eifrig, Penny Eifrig, Holly Foy, Maryann Hanlon, Matt and Lindsay Kowalski, Todd Krout, Liam Luck, Pamela Luu, Sofia Micci, Judith Mukaruziga, Nicole Packard, Melissa Powell, Amy Reagan, Bea Shimmel, Christine Thorn, Lauren Tomash, and Molly Mann Ziegler, and Alan & Kris Popovich and Ginny Fields created and hung the giant wreath adorning the Granary for the 11th year!