Commissioners’ antifascism vote was the right thing to do
I read The Morning Call’s reporting on the Lehigh County Commissioners’ antifascism vote. Some present expressed the view that this vote was beyond the purview of this body. Silence carries as much weight, if not more, on the subject.
The quote attributed to German pastor Martin Niemoller about the Nazi regime bears repeating at this fractious time:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out-because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
— Rosalyn Metzger, Hanover Township, Northampton County
There are many reasons to vote for Tiburcio
Ana Tiburcio is not running for office as a career politician. She stepped up as a mother, daughter, aunt, community member and neighbor. She lives in the same streets, shops in the same stores and sends her children to the same schools as the people she represents. Ana was not groomed for politics. She was asked to run because she listens, shows up and looks for solutions instead of sound bites. In Ana, I see someone who cares deeply about Allentown. Ana lives the realities she talks about: She works multiple jobs to sustain her family. She serves on the Allentown School Board because she believes the future starts in classrooms. She is invested in Allentown’s future, not for political gain, but because her children and neighbors live here. She knows you can’t achieve housing affordability without development. Ana believes state-level solutions can help make affordability possible by supporting smart development, protecting renters and creating incentives that balance growth with fairness. As a member of Allentown School Board, Ana has pushed for students to come first, especially those from working families. She will make an outstanding state representative, and I encourage my neighbors to vote for her Feb. 24.
— Clauda Parrales-DeLeon, Allentown
Trump posts unfounded accusations
It’s bad enough that the FBI invaded the Fulton County election center in Georgia last month, overseen in person by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, as if she had nothing better to do. But just afterward, President Trump claimed on social media that Italian military satellites had hacked the 2020 election and that former President Obama “conspired with foreign powers, not one, not two, not three, but four times to overthrow the United States government in 2016.” These fantasies are ludicrous, almost comical, but they’re also spiteful, vindictive and slanderous — childish in more ways than one. That Trump apparently believes them enough to purvey them publicly makes one wonder not only about his character but about his grip on reality. Especially coming on top of the atrocities in Minneapolis, why is such behavior not grounds for removal from office? Why are our elected representatives silent? I cannot grasp why responsible people are not shouting from the rooftops about the critical situation we’re in right now.
— John Groff, Allentown
Ignore negative comments about President Trump
There’s nothing laughable about the negative comments from Lehigh Valley executives these days regarding our commander in chief, Donald J. Trump. If you choose to internalize the comments from those in charge in our two great counties, you’ll be hateful too of a federal government that is making this country safer and stronger. I choose not to do so and often have to just ignore or counter this information with words that are supported by the facts. This country is beginning to come back from four years of decline that almost put us out of business. It is by the hand of God, I believe, that we have been given a second chance. If you agree, ignore those trying to mess with your mind and support true Americans in the elections in 2026. Your life and the lives of those you love depend upon it. It may mean losing some friends, etc., but it’ll be worth it.
— Mary E. Wozniak, East Allen Township
Super Bowl halftime show controversy is silly
Are there going to be competing Super Bowl halftime shows whenever someone doesn’t like the featured artist? All the hoopla regarding which show was better, Bad Bunny or Kid Rock (does anyone use their own name anymore?) is really bewildering to me. Nearly everything is exploited for political gain. And it doesn’t come from just one faction; both sides are equally guilty. The main event had been a championship football game, but there is more in the news about the competing halftime shows than about the Super Bowl itself.
— Ed Ortolaza, Walnutport
Print names of establishments in inspection reports
I like the restaurant inspection report The Morning Call prints but would appreciate the name of the establishment instead of just an address so I know what business we are talking about. Come on, some you name, others it’s just an address. Let’s do better.
— Keith McDermott, Alburtis
Commissioners should have taken stand for the Constitution
Lehigh County commissioners appear to be congratulating themselves for their recent decision to vote against fascism. They have a keen sense of the obvious. Fascism is bad. The term “fascism” has been in popular use for many years yet it is often invoked without a clear definition or understanding by those who use it.
Rather than simply opposing fascism in name, perhaps a more effective approach would be to vote in support of the U.S. Constitution. For over 250 years, the Constitution has stood as a powerful safeguard against the rise of fascism, setting clear limits on government authority to prevent the kinds of abuses of freedom that fascist regimes can impose on their citizens.
If only members of Congress demonstrated the courage to fully exercise their responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution, the nation would be better protected. No number of votes by a relatively small group can substitute for the diligent application of constitutional principles.
— Jerry Kindrachuk, Allentown
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.