Sounding off: Impeachment hypnosis

The congressional impeachment hearings are the equivalent of the hypnotist’s shiny watch on a chain — going back and forth, while the not so calming voice of Adam Schiff hums in the background.

Always making sure the attention of the wide-eyed, gullible citizenry is drawn away from the disastrous failings of both parties, and their corrupt D.C. political system. Keeping the people busy in this distraction is the goal and, it’s working. They lead us down the rabbit hole, all but shouting out loud, “Hey dummies, look over here,” but “Don’t look over there.”

As the masses hunker down in their ideological bunkers, issues like national debt, skyrocketing medical costs, drug prices, wars without end, uncontrolled immigration, etc., don’t really matter.

Americans are duped (with media help) into playing this game and focusing 100% attention on the circus, fortifying positions, fighting to the death (figuratively) for their “side,” so America suffers. We are too blinded by this manufactured hate to see clearly what is really going on.

Congress is impotent, neutered and deep in its swamp, with little hope of getting out. Sadly, they have adapted to this swamp; like a political version of Darwin’s theory, they are thriving in it, at the expense of all Americans.

Perhaps when the Democrats say President Trump and the Republicans are evil, vile and corrupt, and the Republicans say the same about Pelosi, Schumer and the Democrats, they are both right?

Tim Kaczmarek, Natrona Heights

Comey should review his notes

The Washington Post and New York Times both marveled at the fact that James Comey was an obsessive and prolific note-taker who always took contemporaneous notes to preserve meeting discussions. However, when the Inspector General’s report confirmed that Comey briefed President Barack Obama on the Trump-Russia investigation in August 2016 at a White House meeting, Comey could not recall exactly what he said, that being either two or four individuals with “some association or connection to the Trump campaign” were under surveillance. Also, Comey did not recall specifically when this meeting took place but believed it may have been in August 2106.

Maybe this copious note-taker should go back and review his notes so he can clear up those discrepancies prior to him being subpoenaed by Attorney General William Barr. I read somewhere that nobody has a higher loyalty than Comey. We will soon find out not only where his loyalty lies but if his loyalty lies.

Mark Black, Hermitage

Democrats’ motives for removing Trump

I, for one, am sick and tired of the Democratic House of Representatives trying to remove a duly, lawfully elected president from office. I believe they started talking about impeaching President Trump the day after he was sworn in, after the election did not turn out in their favor.

When the so-called “Russian collusion” accusations did not work out, they opted for a plan to impeach Trump.

In my opinion, the only reasons they want to remove Trump from office are:

• They want to punish him for winning an election that he was not “supposed” to win.

• They are afraid of being prosecuted for their corruptness should he gain a second term.

• They are fearful that he will appoint another conservative Supreme Court justice, which will put the brakes on their liberal, socialist agenda, and keep them from destroying the United States Constitution and this great country for another two generations, thus slowing their “progressivism.”

Wake up, America — the futures of your children and grandchildren are at stake.

Tell me I am wrong.

George Silowash, Penn Township, Westmoreland County

Trump must be defeated

Only in a dream world would “Make America Great Again” be true. President Trump has disgraced the country. The multiple instances of obstruction of justice revealed in the Mueller report and in the impeachment process demonstrate real concern.

The impeachment hearings have proven that Trump and cohorts pressured foreign entities to interfere with a U.S. election, impeachable or not. He attempts to stop subpoenas, hides tax returns and lies. Fortunately there are those who do respect the rule of law and exposed the truth in written form and in public hearings.

In my opinion, Trump has done nothing that makes America great. His disparaging nicknames like Shifty Schiff, Little Marco, Low Energy Jeb and Little Rocket Man are shameful. This behavior is unbecoming of an adolescent. This is making America great?

Americans aren’t habitual liars; we don’t cozy up to dictators. We assist allies and denounce those who marched in Charlottesville, Va. Trump has disowned allies in need and tarnished America by withdrawing from numerous agreements. America’s world position has been weakened by one who speaks via tweets that are often buffoonish, incoherent and immature.

Where do we go from here after Trump? Climate change, guns, trade, Middle East, immigration, health care, fair taxation, women’s rights — issues that are way over Trump’s head. Many Americans believe Trump is unfit, as shown in 2016. He must be defeated in 2020.

Frank Flori, Hempfield

Impeachment is cartoonish

The ’toon seemed to begin two days after inauguration with Maxine, the Squad and the pack calling for the impeachment cannon on Road Runner Trump, but the “hidden” episode showed Brennan, Clapper and Comey coyotes used the “Hillary paid for” dossier to try to torpedo the candidate RR.

Following “Stormy” and “Hollywood Access Video” episodes were well supplied with ammunition by Acme (mainstream media) and were amusing, but the four “Russian Collusion Investigation” ones ramped up the mirth and ended with the hilarious “Mueller on TV” scorched and so shell-shocked he didn’t even seem to know what was in his own report! The saying about doing something over and over and looking for a different outcome might explain coyote “behavior.”

The local “Acme” has been joining in on the show by supplying a platform for barrages of “Poison Pen” flechettes by the “globalist mouthpiece” Goldberg, Will, Cupp and Mistick coyotes, along with numerous local groupie coyotes.

The last ’toon had the wily Schiff and Pelosi coyotes on the sights of the impeachment cannon blasting away with “2nd/3rd hearsay you left me out boo hoo,” flag-popping “bang” shells.

I can’t wait to see the “Election” episode with their little coyote feet churning air over the cliff, and the next clever, devious ones that are surely being written.

Walt Severa, Indiana Township

Reparations for abuse are important

In his op-ed “Statute of limitations ‘window’ wrong path for past abuse cases,” Rep. Paul Schemel notes that “the growing cost of legal settlements relating to old claims of child sexual abuse by Scout leaders” is causing the Boy Scouts of America to increase its annual dues by 80% next year. He ends his letter by asking, “Put simply, what justice comes when a young Boy Scout of today must pay for the long-ago actions of adults he never met”?

I argue that this is the very definition of justice — an organization, liable and convicted of crimes against humanity, taking accountability for these crimes.

What that “young Boy Scout of today” (and his parents, who more likely pay the dues) learns is that such conduct — sexual abuse, and the deliberate, systematic cover-up of decades of such abuse by an organization — is wrong. That child learns that sexual abuse is damaging to individuals and their community — and reparations can be expensive. That child also learns that people care and will stand up for what is right.

Susan Wilson, Greensburg

Businessman Trump is best at running country

Whether you like him or not, Donald Trump is our president. He is proving to me that a businessman can run this country better than any politician in spite of all of the resistance from the Democrats, RINOS, never-Trumpers and the Deep State.

There were 266,000 jobs added in November 2019 and over 7 million added since Trump was elected. In June 2016, “politician” President Obama said that manufacturing jobs “are just not coming back” and mocked then-candidate Trump by saying he would need a “magic wand” to bring back jobs.

Fast-forward to 2019. Unemployment is down to 3.5%. We have the best job numbers ever for African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and women, and record-high stock-market numbers. He got rid of government regulations that were hindering small businesses: My brother-in-law had to sell off a few of his franchises and lay off employees or face bankruptcy; he said it was because of some of Obama’s regulations.

Just think what Trump could do with even a little help from “the resistance” Ask yourself, are you better off today than you were in 2016? Today, I love my 401(k), and thank you, President Donald J. Trump.

Lou Mangione, New Kensington