Letters – Mueller's Testimony, Russian Influence, U.S. Courts, Ordinary Americans

GOP lets Russia meddleRe: "Mueller: Russia is still meddling," Thursday news story.The biggest takeaway from Robert Mueller's Capitol Hill testimony is Russia continues to meddle in U.S. elections and President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz sit by and let it happen without consequence. I guess they'd rather help the Russians than U.S. citizens if it helps them get elected. Good job, comrades. You have Vlad Putin's sincere appreciation. Sad. Danny Barnes, East DallasDemocrats must frame messageWas the movie better than the book? That depends on which version of Wednesday's testimony by Robert Mueller before the House Judiciary and House Intelligence committees the public viewed. Admittedly, the expectations set for Mueller were unreasonably high; he has never been a dynamic speaker and at 74 is far from a physically animated performer. Moreover it would be hard for any circumspect person to remember the details of a 400-page nuanced report prepared by a large staff — let alone bring it to life. Nevertheless, as someone who has spent his career studying political communication, I believe the rhetorical difference between viewing the entire Mueller hearing versus watching the short highlights reel assembled later in the day by nearly all media venues was profound. The former was tedious; the latter was surprisingly revealing and extremely potent. What now is clear is that, if they wish the public to pay attention to Mueller's report, the Democrats should put together a 30- or 60-second video of his most pointed and forceful statements. After all, it has become increasingly clear that most Americans don't get their news from the print media and in the Trump era the facts don't speak for themselves. What transpired Wednesday reminds us about the rhetorical challenge: How most persuasively can a message be framed visually?Richard Cherwitz, AustinGohmert protects Trump, not U.S.From Rep. Louie Gohmert: "You also note in the report that an element of any of those obstructions you referenced requires a corrupt state of mind, correct?" Robert Mueller replied, "Corrupt intent, correct." Gohmert continued, "And if somebody knows they did not conspire with anybody from Russia to affect the election and they see the big Justice Department with people that hate that person coming after him and then a special counsel appointed who hires [a] dozen or more people that hate that person, and he knows he's innocent, he's not corruptly acting in order to see that justice is done. What he is doing is not obstructing justice. He is pursuing justice, and the fact that you ran it out two years means you perpetuated injustice." Congressmen are paid $174,000 annually to represent the people of their districts. Gohmert made it clear that he is more interested in slandering Mueller and protecting President Donald Trump than he is in protecting America from Russian interference in our elections. Trump is corrupt and undoubtedly accepted Russian assistance in his election. Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry now.Michael Tolbert, TylerDemocrats' madcap schemeBased on the worst-selling book, the "Mueller Report," the new sitcom followed Robert Mueller and a bumbling squad of Democrats as they concoct a madcap scheme to undo the results of the 2016 presidential election. However poor reviews from key demographic, swing voters who will decide the 2020 election, sank the sitcom after only one pilot episode. However, "DNC Productions" announced a new series for this fall sponsored by Fusion GPS. The show is called, "License to Steele." The plot concerns a bumbling political operative who, with the help of foreign agents, tries to concoct a madcap dossier, designed to reverse the results of the 2016 presidential election. Does anyone sense a trend here in DNC Productions?Jay Peeples, Dallas/LochwoodWake up, Justice Roberts Re: "Courts carry Trump imprint — Administration has appointed 4 in 10 immigration judges," Wednesday news story.I am hoping our esteemed, uninformed Chief Justice John Roberts might see this AP story. He emphatically stated that there are no Democratic or Republican judges — just judges. I guess he has neither seen the bitter battles in Congress to get judges appointed nor read any newspaper articles like this that belie his incredible opinion.Thomas Wanasek, PlanoJudiciary runs the nationOur Constitution explicitly granted the U.S. Congress complete authority over immigration policy. That same Congress then passed 8 U.S. Code 1182(f), delegating to every U.S. president the authority to deny entry to classes of immigrants he deems detrimental to the interests of the United States.Yet arrogant federal judges, who were never even required to read this sacred document in law school, insist otherwise, sticking to their game plan: thwart and obstruct President Trump for his entire four-year term.Thomas Jefferson's fear of the "tyranny of the judiciary" has materialized and it's that branch that now runs this nation. Step aside, dear citizenry, it's now "We the judiciary."John C. Wade, PlanoOrdinary people are good citizensRe: "Outrage incentive is dooming our politics — Cycle of controversy takes focus away from improving Americans' lives," by Dan Crenshaw, Tuesday Viewpoints.Rep. Crenshaw makes several valid criticisms of our current political culture but errs in giving an "F" to America, as if the majority of us have utterly failed in our political role as good citizens. It's true that we often reward controversy and nuance, that blame runs high and assuming goodwill, low. But, there is an "other America," not in the news or on the lips of politicians, that lives humbly, expresses kindness to neighbors, and pursues life, liberty and happiness.None of my friends or acquaintances in Dallas are failing as citizens. And, having visited the small town of Arroyo Seco, N.M., on July 4, I can report that the thousands celebrating there did so without rancor or hatred. Indeed, it seemed to me that we shared the American spirit of pride in the best of what our country stands for.Our elected representatives would do well to pay less attention to the fires on the surface of the national political conversation and more attention to the local faces and voices of ordinary people.Gary Looper, Dallas  Continue reading...