I would like to respond to the April 13 Catholic News Service article “Catholic Leaders react to Trump’s plan to send troops to border.” The San Antonio archbishop stated it was a senseless, disgraceful action, and that it demonstrated repression, fear, a perception that everyone is the enemy and sends the message, “We don’t care about anyone else.”
President Trump is not stopping people from coming into the country legally. How else are we going to stop the drugs, gang members and sex traffickers from pouring into our country? They are mixed in with others who are just trying to seek a better life. We have a horrible drug problem in our country, and it is only getting worse. Has anyone in the past made any progress with the “War on Drugs”? There is no reason immigration can’t be handled in an organized way. It would be safer for everyone, including the immigrants.
I do not believe Trump is against immigrants. I do believe he is brave enough to make hard decisions other politicians have shied away from.
Immigrants should be able to come into our country protected from traffickers and without fear of being forced into a gang. Our present system is not working. Can we at least wait to see if this strategy is beneficial? Why are we so quick to pass judgment?
Verne Franks lives in Asheville.
The March 2 letter to the editor from Kenneth Schammel, “Respect for life versus guns,” raises some interesting points. However, guns in and of themselves are not evil. It is the illicit user of the gun that is evil. Evil has no weapon of choice.
Abortionists don’t use guns. Adolf Hitler used gas chambers. Timothy McVeigh used fertilizer and a truck. The Sept. 11 terrorists didn’t use guns. The Boston Bomber didn’t use a gun. Countless others have been murdered by beheadings, car bombs, hangings and nerve gas.
The main issue, in fact, is respect for life. The mention of God is either forbidden or detested in the public sector. Many of us who worship and honor God are ridiculed for professing our beliefs. Until all humankind acknowledges and practices the teachings of Jesus, the violence will continue.
William J. Barker lives in Charlotte.