Letters: Stop abuses of presidential clemency; Distinguished neighbor leaves mark
Stop abuses of presidential clemency
Donald Trump made hay out of President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter. In my opinion, he had every right to raise questions. Biden’s motivation was understandable — he acted as a father — but a motive isn’t an excuse. Setting that aside, we’re left with a more troubling pattern: Trump’s unprecedented number of pardons and commutations granted to politically connected, indicted, or convicted figures.
Why, for instance, did former Honduran President Juan Hernández — convicted of colluding with traffickers to move 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S. — deserve clemency? Why did Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife, indicted on bribery and money laundering charges, receive it? Why was ex–Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada, convicted in a public corruption scheme, granted relief? Or David Gentile, a private-equity executive who defrauded veterans, teachers, farmers and others of $1.6 billion?
The list goes on.
In many cases, Trump’s pardons didn’t just erase convictions — they wiped out the offenders’ obligation to pay victims’ restitution!
Many of these inexplicable pardons and commutations involved cases that arose during Biden’s administration. Is this simply Trump’s desire to label everything under Biden as corrupt? Was he rewarding loyalty? Or was there some other quid pro quo at play? History will answer those questions — if truthful history is allowed to survive.
For now, the urgent question is how to stop the abuse of presidential clemency for political gain. The answer is clear: In 2026, voters must remove from office those in Congress who continue to shield Donald Trump rather than uphold the rule of law.
Ross Adams, Boalsburg
Distinguished neighbor leaves mark
Several years ago, residents of lower East Linn Street, Bellefonte, began to notice changes to the front yard of a house that had apparently been sold. The yard was soon transformed into a highly artistic arrangement of evergreen plants. A side ramp was then added to the left side of the yard.
This was not the work of the ordinary homeowner but instead reflected a sense of balance and artistry associated with the heart and eye of someone expressing an appreciation of nature. Who was this?
After some detective work, it was found that our neighbor, Serhii Karpenko, was a highly gifted Ukrainian woodcarving artist. A brochure of his incredibly intricate and highly detailed carvings reflected a respect for his religious beliefs but also for history.
Born in Koziatyn, Vinnytska administrative region of Ukraine, Karpenko has exhibited in the National Museum of History of Ukraine, the Quarters of the Supreme Council of Ukraine, the Quarters of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Palace of Arts in Kyiv, and the Ukrainian Institute of America, as well as in New York and State College.
In 2009, Serhii was awarded the rank of “Honored Artist of Ukraine” in a decree of the President of Ukraine. What a pleasure to have such a distinguished neighbor.
If you drive by lower East Linn Street in the evening, you will be delighted by a colorful, artistically arranged Christmas light display reflecting Serhii’s values.
Genevieve Shulick, Bellefonte
Think twice about casino’s ‘dealer school’
As the mother of an adult son whose life has been devastated by gambling addiction, I feel compelled to speak out against the opening of the Happy Valley Casino and the recruitment of local residents into its dealer school. My son’s addiction cost him his home, his health, and his future. I have seen firsthand the destruction this industry brings to families, and I cannot remain silent while our community is asked to staff its expansion.
The promises of lucrative employment are misleading. Dealers depend heavily on tips, yet daytime patrons will be sparse, and the flow of money will be minimal. Unlike restaurants or bustling entertainment venues, casinos in small towns do not generate steady crowds. Those who enroll in dealer school now may find themselves trained for jobs that offer little financial stability.
Beyond the paycheck, there is the moral weight of working in an industry that profits from human suffering. Every hand dealt is another opportunity for someone else’s son or daughter to spiral into debt, despair and homelessness. Is that truly the legacy we want for State College?
Job seekers deserve transparency. Long-term job security at this casino is doubtful, and the community sentiment against it is strong. I urge anyone considering Dealer School to think twice. There are better paths to employment — ones that build up our neighbors rather than exploit their vulnerabilities.
For the sake of our families and our future, let’s choose work that sustains hope, not harm.
Joan Bouchard, Patton Township