Joe Biden has failed to strongly condemn the violent protests sweeping across America
On the Democrats
Finally Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden, moved not by the suffering of fellow Americans but by the polls, emerged from his hole in the ground to lightly criticize the rioting that has occurred in so many of our cities.
During their recent convention the Democrats could not bring themselves to condemn outright the mayhem engulfing America. Lives have been lost and businesses have been burned and looted — but in their view all is well.
Even at this late date, Biden is still unable to acknowledge facts.
Yes, he pointed fingers — but at the invisible “right-wing militarists” and President Donald Trump. Has anyone heard any mention of the antifa that boldly advertises its involvement in the destruction of America?
Contrast the Democrats embrace of these rioters with their condemnation of the tea partiers, who were truly peaceful demonstrators who actually policed the areas where they congregated.
Unlike today’s thugs who are driven to destroy peoples’ lives, the tea party adherents conformed to the law.
It would be refreshing to hear a leading Democrat speak out, but they fear retribution from those in their base — the real “deplorables.”
The antifa is the real threat to our democracy, and the Democrats’ failures are in plain view.
Francis Dunne Sr, Hilton Head
On crisis services
The recent death of a mentally ill person in Rochester, N.Y., and the shooting of a 13-year-old boy with disabilities in Salt Lake City, Utah beg the question: What is a better way to help people who are not criminals, but who are emotionally out of control during interactions with the police?
In both cases the family members clearly expressed that their loved ones needed to be helped — not to be harmed.
My many years of professional work with crisis services has given me the opportunity to witness how professionals respond with the wisdom, knowledge and experience needed to handle these critical situations.
Unfortunately, crisis services are not under the auspices of police administration, so continuity and consistent procedures are lacking.
Setting up crisis services teams within police departments would allow trained people from the mental health field to respond to such calls — while also freeing up police to pursue actual criminals.
Angelina DuAine Lograsso, Hilton Head island
On Beaufort
We just got back from a three-day stay in your beautiful city of Beaufort and stayed at the Rhett House Inn. We took the carriage tour, visited various sites and ate at wonderful eateries.
Some 50 years ago my Citadel classmates, Rudy Cooper and Creig Tyler, would take me to their home in Beaufort for weekends. When we would cross the Combahee Bridge — which was two lanes back then with a heavy canopy of trees with moss dripping all over — Rudy would never fail to say with great pride, “Utsey, welcome to God’s Country. Look at the manna hanging from the trees.”
I can say for sure now that Rudy was right.
Y’all live in what can only be described as a small piece of heaven — and the manna still hangs from the trees!
Bill Utsey, Clemson