Letters: Bill would protect PA landowners; Presidential legacies

Bill would protect PA landowners

I am a senior at Gettysburg College. I’m currently studying environmental policy, specifically Pennsylvania House Bill 2411, the Flooding and Stream Restoration Information Act. I am writing to give my support for the passing of this bill and other similar bills that are also included in the stream maintenance package. This piece of legislation would go a long way to allow private landowners such as farmers to take matters into their own hands when it comes to flooding prevention. Many people have experienced losing valuable land while waiting for a permit from the government to take measures to prevent flooding. It also would mandate the state to submit an annual report on flooding and stream restoration in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There would be transparency of financial spending and efforts from the government to prevent further flooding damage.

As a lifetime resident of Pennsylvania, specifically State College, I believe this would be a valuable addition to the environmental policy legislation in Pennsylvania. Nature waits for nobody, not even the government. It takes people’s time and resources into consideration and is a great example of liberal pluralism. Overall, I believe the public should be informed of this bill so they can contribute their personal opinions on it.

Presidential legacies

Troy Senik has written a new biography of a politician, Grover Cleveland, who achieved what Donald Trump will try to do in 2024: win two non-consecutive terms as president. The similarities end at that.

For one thing, Trump has never won the popular vote, though the undemocratic Electoral College put him in the White House once. Cleveland, a Democrat, won the popular vote three times, though after he ran for reelection in 1888 the Electoral College put him out of the White House.

For another, their legacies. Important public events did happen, but Cleveland’s presidency is little remembered. He did nothing that could be called a turning point in American history. He was noted simply for honesty.

Mark Twain, a writer who did not flatter politicians, termed Grover Cleveland “the greatest and purest American citizen ... a very great president, a man who not only properly appreciated the dignity of his high office but added to its dignity.”

President William Howard Taft eulogized Cleveland as “a man of the highest character, a father and husband of the best type...”

Whether Trump wins or loses in 2024, already books have described his legacy as a turning point. He brought the “lunatic fringe” in to the White House, made it the mainstream decider in the Republican Party, then attempted to keep his presidency through fake electors and an insurrectionist attack on Congress, a first for an American president. With the evident ultimate goal: a Vladimir Putin style rule of law. Elections will be held, but only Republican politicians can retain power.

Clarifying a letter

I am responding to the rebuttal from Mr. Adams about my recent letter to the editor with clarifications. First, I did not promote the use of the Strategic Oil Reserve for making us energy independent. We need to tap into our oil and gas fields and finish the Keystone Pipeline. The reserve should not be used for our energy.

Second, I did not say the illegal immigrants were responsible for our COVID, the concern is they were not being tested so they could spread COVID. There are many problems with our Southern border, which I clearly pointed out.

Thirdly, there has been no validation that Trump colluded with the Russians in the 2016 election.

Hope this clarifies the issues.