Vaccinate children to prevent diseases
There is currently an outbreak of measles in Texas and New Mexico. At last count, there are at least 58 cases, with 13 requiring hospitalization. Over 93% of these patients are unvaccinated, and the county with the vast majority of cases has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Texas. This is a completely avoidable epidemic of a very dangerous disease which was essentially eradicated in this country by the year 2000 as a result of an aggressive vaccination program.
Tragically, the current administration has appointed a person to head our premier health agency whose only qualification appears to be his lack of scientific knowledge and his opposition to proven life-saving vaccines.
As a family and emergency physician with 41 years of experience, including being the Hamilton County health officer during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, I urge parents to vaccinate their children against these deadly and preventable diseases. I urge our state and federal legislators to listen to the warnings of the physicians and other health care providers about the dangers RFK Jr. and the current administration pose to the health of our citizens and especially our children.
The deaths and permanent disabilities caused by these diseases will be on your consciences.
Paul M. Hendricks
Founding Fathers spinning in graves
We all likely remember from our civics courses that the American government was founded on a system of checks and balances built into the Constitution.
George Washington wrote that this system was designed so that our government would not be “in danger of denigrating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy or any other despotic form of government.”
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams wrote that the American government was one of laws, not of men. Having overthrown the oppressive rule of King George III, the intent was to prevent any one person from becoming a ruling despot or any group of persons from becoming a ruling aristocracy.
Now, Donald Trump has written that “He who saves his Country does not violate any law” and, referring to himself, “LONG LIVE THE KING.” Mr. Trump believes he can do whatever he wants in the name of saving the country regardless of Congress, courts and the laws.
Surely, Presidents Washington, Adams and Jefferson are turning over in their graves at the power grab of Mr. Trump and his band of billionaire brothers.
William M. Cunningham Jr.
Rossville, Georgia
How can we not still seek freedom for all?
It is unconscionable what Mr. Trump is doing with foreign policy: abandoning Ukraine, dismissing our allies, embracing Russia/Putin and attempting to eliminate Palestine. Where are the freedom-loving Republicans as we are entering a period of an unfettered authoritarian in charge.
I love my country, but we are showing the world that we no longer are a peace-loving people wanting freedom for all, as evidenced by the actions of the despicable leadership of the USA. God help us.
John Burgess