Letters: Casino won’t benefit community; Radical Republicans
Casino won’t benefit community
I hope they don’t put a casino at the Macy’s at the Nittany Mall. I don’t think this will benefit our community at all. It is one more thing for people to waste their time and money on.
Radical Republicans
My favorite American heroes are George Washington, the greatest Founder who, at his death, freed his slaves; and Abraham Lincoln, a great president who lived to see Congress pass the 13th Amendment, freeing all slaves.
Earlier however, in 1862, none had been freed. Abolitionists and the faction called Radical Republicans who controlled Congress demanded immediate abolition. But Lincoln needed to keep crucial border slave states such as Kentucky on the Union side. He needed popular opinion support before announcing his Emancipation Proclamation, freeing only slaves still in rebel territory.
The new “The Black Man’s President,” by Michael Burlingame, explains that Lincoln knew abolition was never the majority opinion in the North — that northerners would fight a war to preserve the Union, but not to abolish slavery.
A prominent abolitionist Senator urged him to issue the Proclamation on the Fourth of July. Lincoln replied that it was “too big a lick,” that “half the army would lay down its arms, if emancipation were declared.”
A bloody victory at Antietam helped ease public opinion. Lincoln got the Proclamation done on Jan. 1.
But the ghost of Old Abe would not be surprised today at the anti-black dog whistles as Donald Trump’s base rallies to his likely Republican re-nomination for President.
Lincoln didn’t live to see the Radical Republican faction push through the 14th Amendment (protections for the freedmen from white terrorism) and 15th Amendment (Black voting rights).
Today the House of Representatives is again controlled by a faction of radical Republicans, but one with a much different agenda — Trumpist extremism.
Rater has what it takes to be judge
I am writing in support of my friend, Julia Rater, for Centre County judge. We met many years ago through our daughters who dance together. I have seen Julia in many situations that would cause others to change course. Julia digs in, goes right toward what needs to be done, and faces the problem head on. I’ve seen this while standing next to Julia while she’s sewing her daughter into her costume right before she needs to go on stage and helping other children backstage in a crisis.
People run to Julia for help because she has what it takes in situations to lead, respond and act. I’ve seen her mediate with people who are angry and she comes through with her open mind set and thoughtful questions and listening. She is a detailed person who lives by example. I’ve seen Julia talk with people about their legal matters with empathy and strength that pulls them through. I’ve seen her deliver meals to friends, drive kids home, and stay up throughout the night helping her daughters with homework or life’s problems.
Julia is more than a superior lawyer; she is the full package with an unbiased manner who wants to understand and know you. I watched her fight for her own life and beat breast cancer after she lost her younger sister to colon cancer. Julia has faced hardship. She is a well-rounded person who lives life with meaning. Julia is the real deal. We need her as Centre County judge.