America Has Never Stopped Being Great
Editor:
Upon learning of Donald Trump’s plan to hold a campaign rally at Stephen Decatur High School, I immediately became concerned about what the repercussions would be for our area. I share many of the concerns of the local NAACP and can’t help but wonder if Trump’s radical rhetoric will fan the flames of hatred and contribute to an even more divided society than we already are. While I will not be attending the rally, I do have a few random thoughts on his appearance here in Worcester County.
I have reviewed the Worcester County School Board’s policy on having events held by outside groups. As stated in the policy, (VI-B-1 Use of Buildings) it appears that the School Board and Principal have great latitude when it comes to deciding what is an acceptable group to use our school buildings. Since it has been determined that Donald Trump’s campaign is an acceptable group, I am concerned that the bar has really been set low. Perhaps we are now inviting other fringe groups to come here and preach similar speeches of hatred and divisiveness. I hope the Board and the decision makers exercise fair judgement in determining future requests. If it is permissible for Mr. Trump to use our buildings, I find it hard to think of any group that would be unacceptable.
It is my understanding that the Donald Trump campaign will be paying $5,000.00 for the use of Stephen Decatur. Based on prior rallies that the Trump campaign has had across the country, I find it very hard to believe that this amount will cover the true costs of the event. When considering the extra staffing, security, trash, utilities, wear and tear, and general disruption of normal activities, I think that this amount is way off the mark. We know that the Trump campaign can certainly afford to be more benevolent to Worcester County. To me, this has all the makings of a circus blowing into town. After an hour or so of Mr. Trump using the bully pulpit, we are left holding the bag with all of the problems that the circus caused. I do not know how the $5,000.00 figure was agreed upon, but I think this should be reviewed for any future events of this magnitude. We do not need to be subsidizing Mr. Trump’s campaign or any other organization.
Finally, I have always heard that Stephen Decatur was a good school and has received high marks across the board. It is my hope that the students and their families who choose to attend the rally will really listen to what Mr. Trump is advocating. I have faith in the youth of today and trust that they will come to the same conclusion that I have. America has never stopped being great and we can accomplish a lot more through celebrating our diversity than by selectively discriminating against those who may look, sound, or worship in a different fashion than others.
M. Scott Chismar
Crofton and Ocean City
Protest Event Planned
Editor:
Earlier this month Hillary Clinton stated in an interview, “the unborn person does not have Constitutional rights”
In February, White House Spokesman Josh Ernest stated, regarding funding to develop a vaccine for the Zika virus, “I think Democrats and Republicans in Congress are interested in making sure pregnant women and unborn children in this country can be properly protected.”
Unborn “person”. Unborn “children”.
So they admit the being in the womb is a person, even a child, but they believe if the person or child is not wanted (inconvenient), it’s okay to kill the person or child and sell the body parts.
I’m not quite sure how you square that circle.
Please join the Concerned Citizens of the Eastern Shore as we participate in a National Day of Protest against Planned Parenthood this Saturday, April 23 from 9-11 a.m., Planned Parenthood facility, 8579 Commerce Drive in Easton.
Carol Frazier
Ocean Pines
Earth Day Reflections
Editor:
With the 47th annual observance of Earth Day just around the corner,
this is a great time to explore more effective ways of slowing climate
change and conserving Earth’s natural resources for future generations.
A 2010 UN report charged animal agriculture with 19% of man-made
greenhouse gases – more than all transport – and recommended a global
shift to a vegan diet. A subsequent World Watch study placed that
contribution closer to 50%. Meat and dairy production also dumps more
water pollutants than all other human activities combined. It is the
driving force in global deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction.
Last fall, England’s prestigious Chatham House declared that reducing meat consumption is critical to achieving global climate goals. A report from Oxford University found that global adoption of a vegan diet would reduce greenhouse emissions by two thirds. The 2015 U.S. Dietary
Guidelines Advisory Committee has recommended reduced meat consumption and an environmentally sustainable diet.
Just as we replace fossil fuels by wind, solar, and other sustainable
energy sources, we must replace animal foods with the more sustainable vegetables, fruits, and grains. Being mindful of this can help us make better choices at the supermarket.
Otis Mallory
Ocean City