Letters: Poor flu protection advice given; Demand a fair impeachment trial

Poor flu protection advice given

In response to the article in the CDT on Jan. 8 by Bret Pallotto, “Centre County sees drastic increase in reported flu cases,” I was disappointed by the statement “There is no better measure to protect yourself from the flu than to get a flu vaccine.”

Any so-called health professional or anyone in a health related field should know and realize that the best defense against the flu or any other illness is a properly functioning body, including a strong immune system. This is achieved by a proper diet, including good nutrition, the correct amount of sleep, exercise, and a body free of injury.

Also, I would highly recommend that anyone considering a flu vaccine for themselves or their family should research adverse reactions, side effects, and contraindications of the flu vaccine to be properly educated before choosing to have the vaccine.

Enough said.

Demand a fair impeachment trial

The U.S. Constitution, the foundation of our country’s strength and stability, is under attack.

Our Constitution empowers three co-equal branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. This brilliant design establishes checks and balances so that no one branch becomes too powerful.

Every U.S. President swears to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.” At inauguration, Donald Trump took that oath, his right hand on the Bible.

Since taking office, he has repeatedly disrespected the Constitution, refusing to obey legal limits to his power and legal Congressional demands. He barred subordinates from obeying legal subpoenas, prohibited legal access to information sought by Congress, and has behaved more like a king than a president subject to the tenets of democracy and the law.

We the people deserve better. The House of Representatives impeached Mr. Trump and the Senate is now legally bound to hold a fair and impartial trial.

Senators, the impeachment jurors, will take an oath to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution.” But before the trial even begins, and in brazen defiance of that most basic requirement, Senators McConnell and Graham have stated they stand with Mr. Trump.

At his swearing in, Sen. Pat Toomey pledged to “preserve and protect our Constitution.” How can he uphold his oath of office without a thorough examination of the facts? What are Republican leaders hiding?

Demand a fair impeachment trial with relevant documents and fact witnesses! Contact Toomey today by calling 202-224-4254, or by emailing him from toomey.senate.gov.

The impact of impeachment

Conventional wisdom has it that the impeachment is dividing the nation. And indeed it seems that way, with the president’s admirers and detractors talking past each other, not listening to or hearing each other. But this does not have to be a divisive moment; it could be a unifying one. Because it is not actually about this president. It’s about something where we share a lot of common ground: American democracy and the U.S. Constitution.

Maybe you see the president pushing the boundaries of his power not for his own sake, but for the good of the nation. If so, remember that future presidents — including some you might not like so well — will look back at this moment and take their cue from it. They will use it to gauge just how far they can push against the Constitution, and the public, without risking removal from office. And if they conclude that presidential power can be expanded so far beyond the Framers’ intent that it is no longer a co-equal branch of government, but the dominant one, then that will be a lesson that we, in 2020, have taught them.

The resulting blow to our democracy will be a disaster no matter what party or policies you favor.

Then again, maybe that future president will look back at 2020 and see a nation that rose above its disagreements about a particular president and his agenda, and united around a cause more essential than any person or party: American democracy.