What about Texas?

Re “Redistricting” (Your Views, March 10): So is it reasonable to conclude that the letter writer agrees that the unilateral decision to redraw the congressional map made by the Texas legislature and the governor, at the behest of President Donald Trump, was also unfair? When I mentioned that fact to the “vote no” supporter at the voting office, his response was simply: “Well, this is not Texas.”

At least, in Virginia, we have the opportunity to exercise our democratic (lower d) right to vote, unlike Texas.

Michael Bates, Virginia Beach

Misleading question

I opened my absentee ballot and am astonished at the wording of the question being presented to the electorate. It asks if the Constitution of Virginia should be amended to allow redistricting “to restore fairness.” Who determined that the current district boundaries are unfair to any Virginian? What is the factual basis for that conclusion?

The ballot phrasing asserts a false premise, leading voters to think a “yes” vote is needed to correct unstated injustice. The language of the ballot question is deceptive and promotes bad policy in Virginia.

As the current public media blitz makes clear, this is a cynical effort to gerrymander Virginia for one party’s advantage for the next three elections.

In November 2020, the voters of Virginia approved a bipartisan redistricting commission for guiding congressional redistricting in a fair and orderly way. The ink is barely dry, and now we are being encouraged to amend our Constitution on a whim. Machine politicians want to rearrange congressional districts, not because they are fundamentally unfair, but because of potential developments outside Virginia.

Is it “restoring fairness” in Virginia to subvert the Constitution and the election commission process for short-term, partisan reasons? Will taxpayers face this expensive and unnecessary special election process every two years?

Virginians across the political spectrum should support the sane, orderly and bipartisan process adopted previously by commonwealth voters and reject this impulsive manipulation. Please make every effort to participate in this election and strongly consider voting “no.”

Thomas A. Morris Jr., Williamsburg

Poor taste

Shame on the networks and sponsors that are repeatedly playing ads for male sexual enhancement products featuring at least one young woman who looks 14, the age of some of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. The actresses appear overly sexualized with come-hither tresses and plumped lips urging men to “get with it.”

These ads are offensive especially when shown during the constant television coverage of the Epstein files, revealing his abuse of young women. Freedom of speech should certainly prevail in our society, but so should good taste.

Patti and Jim Hopkins, Virginia Beach

The playbook

Re “Trump fires Noem after heat builds” (A1, March 6): Note to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: You clearly haven’t been paying attention and now you’ve lost your gig? You never run $220 million ads about yourself and not put at least a couple of “bigly” pictures of President Donald Trump at the end. What were you thinking? Have you not learned anything from Attorney General Pam Bondi and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth? Whenever those two are asked questions that they can’t (or won’t) answer, they always scream, yell or say passionately, “Trump is the greatest president of all time!” It’s commandment No. 1 in the playbook of “How to Keep a Job With the Trump Administration.”

“You’re fired” is also his favorite saying from his TV show, “The Apprentice.” Did you not watch one episode? Now you’re reduced to a made-up job title with no purpose.

And to Sen. Markwayne Mullin, your proposed replacement, remember: Competence is secondary but sucking up is primary (commandment No. 2). Whenever in doubt, ask White House adviser Stephen Miller. He wrote the playbook.

Billie M. Cook, Portsmouth