Don't let parents shirk responsibility: Letters to the editor
Don't let parents shirk responsibility
Regarding the Aug. 24 front-page article “The Most Important Meal of the Day," I understand that it is not the children’s fault that they are hungry.
But isn’t it the parents’ responsibility to take care of their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter? I understand the importance of the breakfast program regarding today’s society. Sometimes, there may be extenuating circumstances; i.e., loss of employment, sudden health issue, etc.
However, this should be the exception to the rule. The alternative would be a lifetime of food stamps and welfare if these children do not have a good education.
When did it become society’s problem to take over the parental responsibilities? Too many people have children without thinking of the lifelong responsibilities as they know someone else will undertake this necessity. The criteria for adoptive parents stipulate they must be at least 21 years old, financially stable, and responsible mature adults.
Apparently, there is no criteria today to parent naturally since we live in a democracy. These parents should be mandated to complete parenting classes or face the consequences of fines or jail time unless it is proven they have an extenuating circumstance.
Marianne Simpson
Wilmington
Pitfalls of marijuana legalization
Let's take note of those in opposition of legalized recreational marijuana: AAA Mid-Atlantic, Delaware's police chiefs, health care, the medical society and the chamber of commerce. Are not their findings credible?
Employers would have "very little liability protection" If the bill is passed. Businesses, many struggling now, would be in danger of potentially harming those using their services (i.e., driving on state roads, buying homes, those seeking help with medical, emotional and financial needs, etc.)
Revenue is again the issue, as well as promotion of a reckless, self-indulgent lifestyle. The love of money is the basis for all kinds of evil.
The Rev. Tom Laymon of the Sunday Breakfast Mission with almost three decades of rescue mission service "has seen it all." So many people struggling with substance abuse began in their teens. Do you see the men on street corners begging for help?
Rev. Layman's observation should serve as a warning to us all.
Arlene Goldner
Wilmington
Opinion must be based on facts
Having just read your editorial titled "Trump's America is for whites only," I feel compelled to respond. It is articles like this that fuel the hatred currently running rampant in our country. It does not accurately portray the Charlottesville tragedy. The white supremacy groups that assembled to protest the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee had obtained a lawful permit to assemble.
Local officials and law enforcement should have been prepared for trouble and not allowed any other group, without permit, to also assemble. Even though the permitted groups are despicable, they have the right under our constitution to protest. This would have been a small and insignificant gathering had the antifa and Black Lives Matter groups not been allowed to intervene. Virginia has a right-to-carry law. This all helped create the tragedy which could have been avoided had officials acted wisely.
Your editorial has failed to accurately present the facts, instead attempting to put the race "spin" on the story. How sad that today, with few notable exceptions, journalists do not report news without injecting their own personal and often distorted views.
I recognize that this article appears on the opinion page and therefore reflects your opinion. However, the facts should be presented accurately.
Richard L. Wagner
Long Neck
Editor’s response: By state and city law, neither side in the Friday, Aug. 11, protest was required to have a permit since the gatherings took place outdoors on the campus of the University of Virginia. City documents show that counter-protestors had permits to assemble at two parks in Charlottesville on Saturday, Aug. 12. White supremacist groups were denied a city permit to gather at Emancipation Park. They sued and a judge’s injunction, not a city permit, allowed them to gather there.
Lowest common denominator
Here we go again. Another example of what's wrong in American sports: the Mayweather-McGregor fight.
It’s easy to stand above the prejudice displayed on both sides at our universities and in our cities and then sit back and accept the fact that both of these guys are true examples of deplorable people. What we're really dealing with here is entertainment.
These promoters, protest rally organizers and political money backers know just what they’re doing.
They're knowingly promoting the worst sides and guttural themes in religion, race, sexuality and gender, and then weaving it through the more crowd attracting sporting events disguising it as entertainment.
Cashing in is simply a by-product. This is as far removed from "how well you play the game" as one can get. So, for me, it's another sporting event I will miss.
David Garrott
Wilmington