Mar-a-Lago was not a raid, MAGA, and the end of gas-powered cars among Herald letters

Mar-a-Lago was search, not raid

I want to clean up some misinformation that was recently passed off as a letter to the editor.

The Mar-a-Lago search wasn’t a raid. It was the execution of a search warrant, authorized by a judge, based on compelling evidence of criminal activity.

Trump was in illegal possession of, and improperly storing, highly classified information that could cause “exceptionally grave damage to the national security.”

Government officials had not gone “completely through the documents in question just two months prior.” The National Archives began negotiations to retrieve the documents in May, 2021. Trump’s refusal to cooperate resulted in a subpoena being issued in May, 2022. Trump didn’t honor the subpoena either, so a search warrant was issued in August.

Any possible attorney-client privilege documents were reviewed by a “filter team” and withheld from criminal investigators. A Trump-appointed judge has granted Trump’s request to appoint a special master to review the documents seized in the search.

During the search, investigators found 48 empty folders marked for various levels of classification.

After Jan. 20, 2021, Trump was no longer authorized access to this classified material. He stole it from the White House and now a lot of it is missing.

Tim Taylor, Richland

Act to end TB needs support

Tuberculosis (TB) has plagued humanity for generations, and it is the second-leading infectious disease killer in the world after COVID-19. Even though it is preventable, treatable and curable, TB takes the lives of 1.5 million people annually. It exploits and exacerbates poverty and disproportionately hurts the marginalized.

The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated an already under-funded global TB response in low- and middle-income countries, stalling and reversing years of progress against the disease. Because TB and COVID-19 are both airborne diseases, TB resources and expertise were reallocated to address the COVID-19 pandemic, causing us to fall behind on reaching global TB goals. But it’s not a trade-off that has to continue.

The End TB Now Act (S.3386/H.R.8654) are bipartisan bills directing U.S. AID to set bold targets to reach and treat the most vulnerable populations for all forms of TB. The bill also strengthens U.S. bilateral coordination with global organizations, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, to develop and implement a comprehensive global TB response.

Please write to Rep. Dan Newhouse and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to ask them to co-sponsor the End TB Now Act.

Stan Moon, Richland

End to gasoline will kill economy

Washington State’s Democrat leaders have dictated that no gas-powered vehicles will be sold in the state in the near future. How long until they prohibit the sale of gasoline is a question that voters should seriously consider.

If all gasoline-powered vehicles on America’s highways are replaced by electric vehicles, an approximately 50% increase in nationwide installed electrical capacity will be needed to power those electrics. This is about 250 1000-megawatt power plants, operating at the high capacity levels achieved only by nuclear, natural gas, oil and coal production. “Environmentalists” who are forcing the rapid transition to electric powered vehicles will never consent to construction of that required increase in electrical capacity.

People who today rely on their gas-powered vehicle will lose their freedom to move independently once those vehicles are forbidden. Public transportation cannot serve their needs. Washington voters should prepare to walk to work, if any work is available in the energy-starved economy being driven by the hard “environmental” left. California’s present brownout-blackout situation is an omen for the future. The U.S. is well on its way to choking itself into third world oblivion. Save yourself: oppose eco-foolishness adamantly.

Fred T. Adams, Kennewick

Richlander’s take on Maga GOP

This week President Joe Biden warned the American public about Maga Republicans being a threat to democracy. Just who are these evil-doers? They are against excessive government spending which contributes to inflation. Maga Republicans support American energy independence. They are for law and order ensuring the police and military are properly funded. They believe parents should establish values for their children, not school systems. They are for secure borders thus putting the cartels of human trafficking and drug distribution out of business. They believe in government transparency and equal justice for all. They want to drain the Washington, D.C., swamp of corruption, including insider trading. Maga Republicans support green initiatives once the infrastructure is in place. And of course they believe in the Bill of Rights. Maybe Joe Biden should emphasize his accomplishments and not insult approximately 75 million Americans.

Donald Havre, Richland

Be aware of signs of suicide risk

September is Suicide Awareness Month and Washington state is above the national average for suicide death rates. I implore those of you reading this letter to take some time to educate yourself about suicide risk and prevention. In 2011, researchers developed the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, which consists of three parts: thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and capacity to enact lethal self-harm. Learn more at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3130348/.

Suicide warning signs are social isolation and loneliness, physical and mental health problems, chronic pain, stressful life events, sleeping too little or too much, acting anxious or agitated and talking about feeling hopeless. If you identify someone at risk, it is important not to leave them alone, remove lethal means from their vicinity and call the Suicide Lifeline for help. Learn more at https://www.sprc.org/about-suicide/warning-signs. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now 988. Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is in a crisis.

Becky Peterson, Kennewick

Vet appreciates thanks for service

While sitting in the bleachers at the Kamiakin/Chiawana football game, I had my “VIETNAM” baseball hat on to deflect the floodlights so I could watch the action on the field. A nice young man (11 or 12 years old) was coming back up the bleachers and he stopped by and tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Thank you for your service,” and being surprised I said, “Thank you,” and he walked off. I hope he and his parents will read this and will contact me at 509-783-2855. I would like to shake his hand and give him a bigger “thank you” on behalf of all veterans and particularly from the 58,000 who never came home alive as well as so many wounded warriors. I think I speak for General Mattis and all my fellow veterans in pointing out this grateful and appreciated deed.

Jim and AJ Foster, Kennewick