Letters: Akron needs to take time in search for police chief

Take time on police chief

I attended the April 9 community forum on the search for a new police chief in Akron. I am a 60-plus white woman and I have witnessed racism firsthand too many times.

One of the questions asked of the public at the forum was: “What does a fair police chief search process look like to you?” My comment during the forum was how people talk about “a few bad apples.” Bad apples come from bad roots. That is what needs to be addressed.

A 23-year-old woman of color at the forum said she was assaulted when she asked for help from a police officer. People of color should not be afraid to ask for help if they are stopped while driving or for any other reason.

Until racism is addressed in the department, it will not matter who the next police chief is.

Akron needs to take time to find the correct person for this job. Someone who understands this problem.

The next chief needs to live in Akron — not just to demonstrate a commitment to the community, but to be part of the heartbeat of the city.

Eileen Matias, Akron

Letter to the president

Dear President Biden: I need your advice.

For some months now, I’ve had trouble eating, sleeping or enjoying anything. When I scoff at a menu I don’t care for, I feel guilty because the children of Palestine would die for (are dying) for this food.

When I luxuriate in a nice warm shower, I remember the children of Palestine who have no water to bathe, much less to drink. When I climb in my nice soft bed, I think of the children of Palestine who sleep on urine-covered cement floors — if the bombing and shooting allows them to sleep.

I feel guilty because my tax dollars contribute to the slaughter, my silence contributes to the slaughter, but most of all, my vote for you now contributes to that slaughter.

You know more then I — though your decisions are prolonging this massacre and yet I see you smiling, relishing ice cream, attending raucous fundraisers, and in general, quite satisfied with your decisions.

Please let me know: How do you handle the guilt? You appear to be a strong man able to assuage all such feelings. I need to know how it is done so I can continue my life as before the massacres began. Please let me know how I can look away and forget that we were a part of this.

I would be most grateful for your answer.

Elisabeth Jones, Kent

Don’t cut Social Security

Donald Trump won in 2016 by promising that he didn’t intend to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. His recent statements show that it was a lie. But it was a lie that got Fox News to back off its Wall Street-funded campaign to undermine support for our earned benefits.

Now Trump is saying there’s “a lot you can do in terms of cutting” Social Security and Medicare. Fox News is following along, trying to set the stage of Social Security cuts after the November election.

“Fox & Friends” recently hosted anti-Social Security activist Stephen Moore to scare seniors. The discussion was supposedly about “reform,” but the comments from the host and Moore clearly showed that “reform” is code for “cuts” or even privatization.

The whole panel lied by blaming Social Security’s long-term shortfall on unrelated government spending. Working Americans pay into Social Security’s dedicated trust fund with every paycheck, allowing Social Security to amass a $2.9 trillion in that fund.

Fox News is preparing the way for an all-out attack on Social Security and Medicare after the election. Instead of dismantling the systems that generations of Americans built, sending senior poverty skyrocketing, we should ensure that our Social Security system is stronger.

There’s a simple way to do that — finally make the ultra rich pay their fair share!

Jennifer Logan, Brunswick

The real savior

It has been interesting to note the emphasis Donald Trump has placed on this year’s campaign, giving his campaign stops the appearance of an old revival. He has made it clear that he is not the Messiah (much relieved!).

But he has drawn some comparisons between himself and Jesus. He has depicted himself, like Jesus, as a savior. Also, he has shared that, like Jesus, he is being persecuted.

There is a big difference here. Jesus was persecuted for presenting the truth. Trump is being prosecuted for the horrible things he has done. I plan on sticking with the real savior!

Mike Flaherty, Akron

Protect America

“Death to America” and “Death to Israel” are increasingly being shouted across our country by those living here! The anti-Israel militants ramped up their violent threats the day after Iran, the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism, launched over 300 drones and rockets toward Israel’s mainland. This attack was after our disrespected commander-in-chief told Iran “don’t,” but Iran “did” anyway.

These are not “protesters” but “disruptors.” They blocked traffic on major bridges from New York to San Francisco. Traffic was hindered for five hours, prohibiting people from getting to work, or getting home to their children. How about lifesaving emergency vehicles?

A common-sense solution for these American-hating “radicals” would be to arrest, fingerprint and place them on the terror watch list. Better yet: Deport them. If they hate America so badly, then fly them out of the country. How about using the planes that are flying in migrants at taxpayer expense? It’s past time we stand up to these homeland threats and protect the America we love.

Michael Anderson, Barberton

A parrot for Fox News

James Collver’s April 7 letter (“We can’t afford Biden,” April 7) is a clear example of the harm caused when a person relies on a single, biased source for news.

His dystopian view of President Joe Biden’s “elaborate influence-peddling scheme” is a fiction wholly created by the talking heads at Fox News.

Just ask Republican members of the House what misdeeds they were able to uncover in their months-long efforts to impeach Biden.

The answer, of course, is zero.

Sadly, what people like Collver don’t seem to get is that, under Biden and every other American president (save one), we have enjoyed the right to express our doubts and disappointments openly about the top executive’s performance — without jeopardy.

That will all change if Trump is reelected.

Lachlan McIntosh, Akron

A response to the response

I see James Collver has learned the art of projection from the MAGA master. Not one word of his response to my March 17 letter is true. God help our country.

Rick Hawksley, Kent

Where’s the punchline?

I have subscribed to the Beacon Journal for over 40 years. I enjoy reading all sections of the paper, but with some of the news going on these days, I like to finish up with the comics.

Some of the new ones you have picked are not very entertaining at all.

Maybe next time you could put a list of your suggestions in the paper and let us vote on them.

Frank Crawford-Spinelli, Copley

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron needs to take time to find best candidate for police chief