OPINION.AZCENTRAL.COM
That most radical of men was finally too much to tolerate
The protester was a dark-skinned man who spoke of peace and equality, of caring for each other, of healing the sick and feeding the poor.
He spoke in private gatherings and in the streets. But after he went into a building to protest profit on the suffering of others he was arrested while taking a knee in a park and marched off in shackles.
Found guilty and condemned by the authorities, he was brutally put to death and became famous. You can read all about him in a very famous book and may recognize his name.
Jesus Christ.
Sandra Pickens, Tempe
Americans and the human race persevere on Earth and in space
The theme of the morning was perseverance. NASA successfully launched its rover, Perseverance, to Mars; and final tributes were given for John Lewis, “A man of pure joy and unbreakable perseverance,” said former President Obama.
Alexander Mather, 13, named the Mars Rover with his winning essay:
“Curiosity, Insight, Spirit, Opportunity
... all of these names of past Mars rovers are qualities we possess as humans. We’re always curious and seek opportunity. We have the spirit and insight to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond. But if rovers are to be the qualities of us as a race, we missed the most important thing: Perseverance.”
“... We, not as a nation, but as humans will not give up. The human race will always persevere into the future.”
Words similar to those spoken by Mather were echoed in the emotional celebration of John Lewis’ life, reminding us of the power of love, dignity, hope — and perseverance.
Today we witnessed and celebrated the best of human perseverance.
Linda Staats, Phoenix
He spent his life fighting to make America better than it is
I did not follow or know much about John Lewis in the past. I have read a lot about him and watched much news on him as of late. I feel bad that I didn’t know more about him.
I spent Thursday morning watching the service for him. As a 77-year-old independent registered white voter, I came away with a few thoughts.
John Lewis was a true American. He spent his life fighting to make America better than it is.
I was so impressed to hear the words this morning, especially from Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.
It makes me feel bad that racial inequality and bitterness are still so much a part of our country.
To honor John Lewis we need to take up the fight!
Bob Schneider, Maricopa
Columnist has backtracking to do on arson of Democratic office
When the fire occurred at the Democratic Party headquarters, Ed Montini insinuated that the arson was the work of a Republican and/or Trump supporter. Will he eat some crow now that the arsonist has been arrested and lo and behold it is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat who was angry with the way his party was being run lately?
Kathy Diekelman, Chandler
Careful with those headlines on our letters; your slip is showing
A letter to The Republic that doesn’t mention “troops” is given the headline, “Trump made a mistake to send federal troops to Portland.”
The letter does not use the word “troops.” It calls the people sent to Portland “federal forces.” The word “troops” connotes soldiers and the military. The United States military is not involved in protecting federal courts in Portland or anywhere else.
Federal courts are protected by federal marshals and the Portland court’s protection has been supplemented by agents from Customs and Border Patrol, the nation’s largest law enforcement agency. Neither the marshals nor CBP belongs to the U.S. military nor do they report to the Secretary of Defense.
Use accurate descriptions and there won’t be an appearance of political bias infecting your pages.
Jim McManus, Phoenix
We’re beginning to look like those countries Donald Trump hates
So Trump, in his quest to be president for life, has proposed delaying the election. And, in not so many words, he has made veiled threats not to accept the election results while suggesting it was somehow rigged. Isn’t this exactly what presidents in Third World countries he despises do?
Mark Petteway, Peoria
A shout-out to all the women and men who work at libraries
Thank you for the wonderful library system we have. The people who work there are doing a great job making sure we have books to read in this hot summer. Kudos to them for bringing books to the car — a wonderful service that I am so glad to have.