Will Trump’s aid really go to farmers, or to Smithfield?

Regarding “US announces billions to help farmers hurt by Trump tariffs” (July 24) on the planned aid to pork producers hurt by the Chinese tariffs on American and N.C. pork – I can’t help wonder how much aid will go to the Chinese owners of Murphy Brown/Smithfield Foods and how much will make it to the farmers who raise hogs for them.

Perhaps the aid can be distributed by Smithfield to install state-of-the-art waste management systems and stop the noxious impacts of these industrial agricultural operations on its neighbors.

Not ‘treasonous’

Regarding the letter to the editor ‘Treasonous’ (July 27) on our president’s performance in Helsinki, and his words being ‘treasonous’ – I say, watch his actions instead.

While the author describes the president’s behavior towards Putin as “fawning submission,” it can also be seen as playing it cool so as to “hide his cards” until an event evinces a markedly different response, one in which he deliberates with his trusted advisers.

Moreover, his concern for Americans has already generated benefits for many Americans, with numerous new jobs for those who want them; better services for veterans; safer neighborhoods with the removal of gang members; attention to and steps to counter the influx of illicit drugs; and the return of the remains of former service members, to name a few.

President Trump is not an American who only recently has come into public life, and heretofore been in the shadows. He is an outstandingly successful American who wants to help other Americans achieve their best too.

‘Wasteful’

Regarding “Session called to write amendment summaries” (July 24): The N.C. General Assembly called a wasteful special session this week. They called this session to change a governing process they just approved in 2016, regarding the critical crafting of ballot language for proposed constitutional amendments. And they are doing so because they believe this new process no longer gives their party an advantage.

Just because Senate President Berger, House Speaker Tim Moore and Rep. David Lewis don’t feel they can completely control this process, they now want to change it. Unlike these three lawmakers, Attorney General Stein and Secretary of State Marshall won statewide races and should be allowed to continue the work they were elected by the people to do.

Considering the other member of this new amendment commission, Paul Coble, was not elected but given his position at the legislature by his party’s leadership when he was voted off the Wake County Board of Commissioners, this process will ensure some balance of interests. It’s imperative to ensure something as important as changes to our state Constitution are handled by a truly fair and balanced democratic process.

The legislature’s leadership is, again, showing that they are more interested in dictatorial fiat than any democratic process, even one they created.

‘Disservice’

Regarding “Required UNC text labels cancer ‘disease of choice’” (July 16): The required reading, online book titled “21st Century Wellness” is offensive on two counts. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor I take offense to the statement that Holocaust victims failed to tap into their inner strength.

How could my grandfather have tapped into his inner strength as he and my father walked in the Warsaw ghetto and a German officer shot him? How could my aunt and grandmother have tapped into their inner strength as they were transported to Treblinka and murdered? How could millions of other victims tapped into their inner strength as they were herded into gas chambers?

Secondly, as a family member of cancer survivors and victims, as well as a retired health care provider, I don’t know anyone who chose cancer. My sister didn’t see any patients who chose cancer in her long career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

How can UNC require this type of coursework for thousands of students? How can UNC stand behind this? In my opinion, the author presents distorted facts and does a disservice to college students.

This story was originally published July 27, 2018 at 11:20 AM.