Two opportunities to support W.Va. growth
We are facing two critical opportunities to participate personally in the growth and development of the United States and West Virginia:
- The 2020 census
- The Nov. 3 election
Also, we are in danger of being overwhelmed by “cascading events” — future disasters while burdened by current ones. Currently, we have a continuing pandemic and a hurricane season expected to be more active than the last one, while still burdened by damages during previous storm seasons. The pandemic has brought us to recession/depression requiring additional and significant public expenditures following previous relief expenditures, all in the wake of military operations and a financial crisis during the first decade of the 21st century.
Two significant constitutional tasks depend directly upon the people: The census and the vote.
The Dominion Post upheld the constitutional right and responsibility of a free press by pressing once again the importance and the people’s opportunities in the national census process (DP-08-09-20). Please participate in the process!
The West Virginia Secretary of State has made it possible for us to safely vote absentee during the threat of COVID-19. So, consider obtaining your application to vote absentee and sending in the application for an absentee ballot — then vote!
In a government of the people, by the people, for the people, national elections impact state and local interests; state elections impact national and local interests; and, an old saying often repeated, all politics is local.
Make your freedoms count!
Bill Wyant
Morgantown
Honor Native Americans without changing mascot
“Not that anyone has asked, but since everyone else seems to have an opinion on the Morgantown High Mohigan” began a recent DP editorial (DP-07-31-20). Not that anyone has asked, but I will also share my opinions.
Everyone knows by now that Mohigan is not now, nor ever was, a Native American tribe.
Never has the logo, mascot, name, or idea been used to mock, degrade or denigrate any Native American or tribe. It has always been used with respect and reverence by the band, athletic teams and most students.
Unless there is a legitimate public comment period on any changes, with serious understanding of the traditions associated with the Mohigan and logo, it is simply wrong for the principal, teachers, students, superintendent and/or BOE to make any unilateral changes.
While I understand the feelings of some Native Americans about the use of these logos, and that the discussion has been going on for several years, I doubt the majority of Native Americans have these objections. If one can purchase a custom-made headdress from Native Americans, such as some head majorettes have done in the past, Native Americans must not have too many objections to the use of their symbols. Is the intent of these groups wanting these changes to erase all traces of Native Americans in our culture? It seems to me that erasing traditions and history might eventually accomplish that.
Would it not be possible to leave the Mohigan and logo, with the headdress intact, and honor the long history of MHS? I suggest a serious dialogue between the negative petitioners, current administration and community representatives to find a way to satisfy everyone.
Perhaps a scholarship fund could be set up through MHS Foundation for a Native American descendant to honor the legacy left by Native Americans who inhabited this area. There certainly must be other ways to placate those opposed to the Mohigan rather than destroying 100 years of time-honored tradition and history, which, in reality, had little to do with Native Americans in the first place.
Judith B. Morris
Morgantown
Cal Thomas column misrepresents key issues
Columnist Cal Thomas may choose to be displeased at the tone of President Obama’s eulogy at Representative Lewis’ funeral (DP-08-05-20). But Thomas should not compare the Portland goons criticized in the eulogy with the troops sent to Little Rock, Montgomery and the Universities of Mississippi and Alabama around 1960; or disparage why people of color vote Democrat; or infer Rep. Lewis’ assertion of Russian interference would require a takeover of every precinct.
Thomas points out troops were mostly sent unrequested by the local authorities. But note the differences between 1960 and 2020.
First, those sent to Portland had no IDs. Only after a fuss was made about unidentified stormtroopers was it disclosed they were the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC). In contrast, National Guardsmen, the 101st Airborne and others sent in 1960 were easily identifiable. The excuse for hiding BORTAC’s identity insults people’s intelligence: BORTAC would be subject to reprisals.
Second, BORTAC was sent ostensibly to guard federal buildings. But it did not deploy around them; that was left to peaceful protesters, “moms” and bad actors. Then BORTAC confronted them, leading to videos used out of context for Republican ads. In contrast, troops in 1960 concentrated on protecting the Civil Rights activists under their care.
Thirdly, BORTAC went around in unmarked cars at night, rounding up passersby, before releasing them without explanation or apology. Troops in 1960 did not.
Continuing, Thomas asserts that Jim Crow laws, etc., were passed by Democrats, and therefore African Americans should not vote Democrat. Those laws were passed 70 years ago. Twenty years later, the “Southern Strategy,” originated by Nixon and refined by later Republican presidents, still obstructs African Americans and people of color in the South from voting. That is why people of color generally vote Democrat.
Finally, it is reductio ad absurdum to state that Rep. Lewis’ belief of Russian interference implies a belief that Russia controlled “every … voting machine.” Consider the Bush-Gore election, which was basically decided by one person, the Florida Secretary of State, without controlling a single voting machine.
Dady Dadyburjor
Morgantown
New ballot application process cumbersome
I was glad to see that voters will again be able to vote absentee in the general election due to concerns about COVID-19; however, I am dismayed to read that there is no plan to mail applications to voters again.
In the primary, our state made absentee voting simple by mailing absentee ballot applications. All voters, regardless of their access to the internet or prior awareness of the absentee ballot process, had the opportunity to participate safely and securely. Unfortunately, Secretary of State Mac Warner is opting to adopt a cumbersome and confusing process in which voters will have to go online or call to request a ballot application.
This is unacceptable. Our citizens were provided a safe, secure and simple process in the primary and it seems that Secretary Warner is changing the rules for the general election. Perhaps he does not really want all West Virginians to vote? If not, why?
Voting is our right, and the absentee voting process should not be made more cumbersome. If you agree this is wrong, please call Secretary of State Mac Warner at 304-558-6000 and Gov. Jim Justice at 304-558-2000, and let them know you want them to mail absentee ballot applications to all voters, just as they did in the primary.
Sarah Barnes
Morgantown
Resident concerned about WVU return to classes
I would like to know what WVU and the city of Morgantown will do when there is the predictable spike in COVID cases when thousands of WVU students come back to Morgantown.
What will be the response when the inevitable crowded parties happen off campus? WVU has trumpeted its steps in keeping students apart in classrooms and the university has some control over university housing, but the university cannot do anything about crowded off-campus housing and inevitable parties.
California’s attempt to control these by turning off power and water seems draconian, but how about severe fines for the owners of the houses: Say $1,000 first offense, $5,000 second, etc. The money could be used to pay police overtime for breaking up the parties or subsidizing bars, which will have to be closed again.
The problem will be exacerbated if WVU plays football with fans — and all indications are that it intends to do so. I don’t see how any college football is possible with fans in the stands this season. Even if seating kept social distancing, what about the restrooms, queuing up for drinks and food, entering and leaving the stadium? Stay six feet apart? Sure! And enforcing wearing masks? Good luck with that!
The letter from WVU President Gordon Gee mentioned COVID testing for students but does not state how often testing will occur. A COVID test only shows your status as of the day tested. You could get the virus the next day. So a one-time test has limited use. While a daily test is impractical, perhaps testing could be weekly or every two weeks.
Morgantown needs WVU in order to be a vibrant community, and that means thousands of students are welcomed back under normal situations. Unfortunately, this is not a normal situation. WVU should go to virtual teaching only.
Michael Fotta
Morgantown
Portal disenfranchises voters without internet
If a public official wanted to suppress the vote in November, what would he do? We may have the answer right in front of us.
Secretary of State Mac Warner has changed the rules on absentee voting for November.
The coronavirus epidemic is worse now than in the spring, so most voters I know expected to receive their absentee ballot application in the mail. That’s how it worked for the primary. That change was challenging for county clerks, but they persevered. Ultimately, the system used for the primary worked. That success and experience for voters and clerks created a foundation to build on for November.
Instead, the SOS hatched a new plan for November. Absentee applications will not be mailed to all voters. The SOS has launched a brand-new internet portal for each voter to apply for their absentee ballot.
This new plan has one enormous problem: Among all states, West Virginia ranks near the bottom in terms of internet coverage. In other words, the new portal will be unavailable to who-knows-how-many voters. Assuming they want to be safe, and they somehow learn the rules have changed, voters without portal access must contact their county clerks’ offices directly — by phone, email or fax — to request absentee ballot applications. All this in the name of greater efficiency. Seriously? Efficiency for whom?
The 2020 primary, with absentee ballot applications mailed to all voters, was a success: 50% of voters safely cast absentee ballots, a gigantic increase over the typical election. Voting in November should be just as easy. Yet, SOS Warner’s new plan does the opposite. It makes ballots less accessible and will disenfranchise many voters. Or, it will force people to risk their health by in-person voting.
Who benefits? Certainly not the voters of West Virginia.
Judy K. Ball
Morgantown
Unemployment benefit reflects living wage
The Democrat proposal unemployment benefits of $600 a week for an extended stretch due to this pandemic is not unreasonable.
Republicans’ offer of $200 a week is a disaster, plus the coronavirus pandemic.
Forty hours times $5 equals $200. Forty hours times $15 equals $600.
In 1986, the Reagan era minimum wage was $5. Today it should be $15, but the GOP opts to keep a “socialized” minimum wage much lower while those working for such are faced with the higher “capital” expenditures.
And then there is the immigration/DACA equation the Trump GOPhers have to deal with following their reasoning “Americans won’t do the labor/work immigrants are willing to do!” Well, Trump has eliminated that problem; now Trump and his GOPhers have the problem of getting Americans to work for wages of economic enslavement that immigrants viewed as a blessing.
Instead of trying to get people to work for nothing just for the economics of the wealthy and stock markets (whether Americans or immigrants), everyone should be entitled to a decent wage in ratio to the minimum standard of living required by a capitalistic society.
Lady Liberty symbolizes the values we, Americans and immigrants alike, hold and we should enjoy the fruits of our labors with liberty and in the pursuit of happiness.
Donald J. Trump and his Republican supporters are denying those precepts for us all.
Delmar Hagedorn Jr.
Morgantown
