Letters: Republican Party, Jonathan Stickland, Democracy, Iran, School Prayer

Lessons from reactions to FloydRe: "Don't go, Jacquielynn Floyd!" by Lawrence B. McNally, and "I won't miss Floyd," by Jimmie George, May 6 Letters.It struck me that these two letters perfectly exemplify the sad dichotomy we are seeing in today's Republican Party.While I am a liberal Democrat who would differ with McNally on many issues, I have friends who are Republican (or have been) in the vein of which he speaks, but who are dismayed by the direction that the party is heading on such issues as gun control and women's rights.I can only hope that McNally's thoughtful and kind treatment of Floyd is more representative of the majority of today's GOP than the type of NRA-above-all Republicans represented by George's "one less person insulting me" attitude.Karen Rosenthal, IrvingThe saddest thing about Stickland Re: "Another day, another low for shameless legislator," by Jacquielynn Floyd, Thursday Metro & State column.I don't always agree with Floyd's commentary, but this column about Jonathan Stickland was spot-on! He is "...a sniggering, middle-school bully," but the really sad thing is the Jade Helm wacko conspiracy people who voted for him believe his drivel. He "stick(s)" to his constituency all the time.Larry Hilton, EulessColumn strikes right balanceRe: "Democracy dies in materialism -- It cripples our ability to think deeply about human rights and the role of government, says David Smith," Friday Viewpoints.Thanks to Smith, for a timely and insightful column on the value of an ideal education necessary to foster a robust democracy. Our society seems to often lose sight of the need to balance material values and democratic values. This essay reminds us of the need to seek out and put into practice that balance.George Uber, FairviewCautiously optimistic about Trump President Donald Trump makes me, as a conservative, wince at how he has very few scruples and is clearly not tethered to the values we would like to see in our leaders. He changes his Cabinet like I change socks. I couldn't bring myself to vote for him but he was highly preferable to Hillary Clinton.Some questions.How is it that we still have detainees in Iran? Either the detainees were there when we made the nuclear deal and President Barack Obama failed to get them released as a condition to signing or Iran has detained them since the deal was struck. Either way doesn't that, by itself, make the nuke deal poorly engineered?How can it be a bad thing to force Iran to run back to our European allies and make concessions (which Iran has already said it would do)?Who can't see that Trump is playing Iran just like he did the North Koreans? Both countries have crumbling economies that are running out of time before their so-called governments lose the ability to suppress their people.I cannot stand the way Trump goes about our business but am cautiously optimistic about the results.Richard Manuel, HeathFight for what, exactly? Re: "We need Trump to fight," by John Lemandri, Thursday Letters.Lemandri of Williamsburg, Va., says "We need Trump to fight" -- but for what? For Trump's own self-aggrandizement? His self-congratulatory smirk seen on the news every day? For his seemingly endless trashing of every meaningful accord or humane advance engineered by previous administrations? His daily fear-mongering about everyone who's not blond and white, not to mention belittling insults to all who do not bow in allegiance to him? Yes, Lemandri, we need Trump like a hole in the head.Mary Pritchard, MidlothianShare all religious wisdomRe: "Dispelling a myth about God, school -- The people removing prayer are the Christian families that leave, says Christopher Graham," Tuesday Viewpoints.Ideally people should be free to share messages from not only the Bible, but also from Buddhist texts, the Koran or any other spiritual book. It is narrow-minded fundamentalists who are the problem.William Huff, Long Beach, Calif.  Continue reading...