Letters: How much evidence is enough?; Corman only claims to support redistricting reform

How much evidence is enough?

A wise man was once asked, “How will we know when there is enough evidence to prove something is true?”

The response was, “We will present evidence until it is fact.”

As a nation, we the citizens of the United States have been bombarded with instances of actions and behaviors of our president, Donald Trump, that are at the very least those of a child-like mind and at worst, a manipulative demagogue who defies the oath of office he took to defend the Constitution with attempts to rule by fear.

To add to the problem, many national and state officials and legislators have adopted and supported his methods. These individuals forgot who put them in office by ignoring the requests of citizens who support racial equity, fair voting districts and minimizing of the use of force as the first alternative.

I strongly advocate that citizens remove those who follow the misused creed of “America-first” that has become the byword for so many injustices. As an old film espoused, we should make it clear that we are “sick and tired of what is happening and are not going to take it anymore.”

Let’s vote for candidates that listen to what the public wants and remove those who do not hear.

Don’t we have enough evidence or, do we just ignore it?

Corman only claims to support redistricting reform

Government only solves problems for citizens when politicians are responsive to the wishes of their constituents. Politicians in districts gerrymandered to minimize competition only worry about campaign donors. Pennsylvania legislative districts have been so gerrymandered that 67% of Pennsylvania House and Senate races will be uncontested this November.

Our State Senator, Jake Corman, is sitting in one of those safe districts and will be one of the five top Pennsylvania politicians who redraw all the state’s political districts after the 2020 census results come in. Little wonder that, even though he is majority leader, Corman is doing nothing to respond to constituents calls for a fair district drawing process.

Reform legislation in both the state House and Senate has languished in the their respective government committees for months.

In Corman’s tele-townhall on June 17 several people asked him about support for redistricting reform. He said nothing about reform bills currently stalled in the Senate (1022 and 1023). Instead he claimed credit for his vote for a reform bill last session. He failed to note that the bill failed because of a poison amendment inserted without notice or negotiation. As Senate majority leader, Corman did nothing to stop that killer amendment.

Corman has a habit of claiming to “support” redistricting reform but stonewalling action. Call Corman’s office, 355-0477, and tell him to exercise his majority leadership and get redistricting reform bills SB 1022 and SB 1023 passed with no backdoor modifications or killer amendments.

A first look at a local climate change initiative

The first public introduction of an important local climate change initiative will take place on Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m. It is the latest public event sponsored by the State College chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Pam Adams, sustainability planner for the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG), will present information about the recently completed Centre Region greenhouse gas emissions inventory and the development of a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan that is in the works.

Participants also include Jesse Barlow, State College Borough Council president, and Carla Stilson, member of the College Township Council, who will offer insights on the role local government can play to reduce GHG emissions and improve resiliency in our community.

Following the presentation there will be time for questions and discussion.

Like so many events these days, it will happen online. It’s free but pre-registration is required, which people can do by going to https://statecollegeccl.org/events/special-presentation-on-centre-regions-climate-action/. You can also register by going to the CRCOG website at https://www.crcog.net.