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Two kinds of Americans

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: Once upon a time there was a museum, two strangers entered the building. They found themselves in front of a painting. The first person liked the painting, the second person hated it.

The museum represents the United States. The painting represents the American system, its laws and how we treat each other.

The first person represents an American who knows we have problems and wants to fix those problems, but not destroy the many good things about the U.S.

The second person represents an American who wants to change things and not always for the good.

When you watch the news and see statues being threatened or torn down by rioters, you have to say this wrong. To tear down our history is not the answer.

Thomas Kage Marathon

To the Editor: Thanks to my brother-in-law Archie, I receive the Smithsonian magazine. In the July/August 2020 issue is an excellent article entitled “The Virus Hunters” by Maryn McKenna.

In the article, Simon Anthony, a virologist at Columbia University, remarked in early January 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy: “And there was a moment when I thought, oh my God, this really could be it. The thing we have been talking about for the last 10 years.”

The article is an informative look at not only the COVID-19 pandemic but also the history of past pandemics and possible future pandemics. Read it if you are able to. These are the virus experts, doctors and scientists who have studied the subject of virus pandemics their entire careers.

When one of my vehicles has a problem, I take it to Berg Sales in Edgar. When my chainsaw, lawn mower, rototiller or snowblower has a problem, I take it to Bill’s Service Center in Stratford.

When I broke my humerous bone (and no, it was not humorous), I went to Sport and Spine in Edgar.

All of the above businesses have highly knowledgeable, skilled professionals in their respective fields.

I wouldn’t go to the Sport and Spine crew with a transmission problem or a chainsaw problem. I wouldn’t go to Berg Sales for physical therapy to unfreeze my shoulder.

Presently, with the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, we have skilled doctors and scientists who have studied and worked with virus pandemics for many years. I trust them.

I do not trust radio and television talking heads or political hacks with my life.

Even on Gilligan’s Island, the castaways were smart enough to listen and trust the professor and not the millionaire.

Gary Fergot Edgar

To the Editor: The country is in trouble and is doubling down on what has not worked before. So what are we doing wrong?

In no particular order – political redistricting, thinking money is speech, corporations are people, trying to punish our way to good behavior, policies at every level that promote wealth and income inequality, healthcare inequality, educational inequality, inappropriate focus on unbridled individual rights, and political parties that are more interested in their reelection than in the common good.

What is the answer then? First, vote! The second answer is to be as patriotic as our combat military who place the common good above personal interest. They risk their lives. Please be patriotic enough to risk the change we must have. Douglas Lee Marshfield

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