THE WASHINGTON TIMES

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Removing God from U.S. life

At the Dallas memorial service for the slain police officers, President Obama declared, "We are not as divided as we seem" and "I know America," as though he were the modern father of our country. He also made reference to Scripture, including saying that we are "children of God." Published July 19, 2016

Melania Trump’s home run

Stealing the published words of others is never a good idea, particularly in Washington, but whether it's a felony or a misdemeanor usually depends on who the sinner may be. Democrats often get by with plagiarism, Republicans usually don't. Published July 19, 2016

Promises for Republicans to keep

The first requirement of leadership is the courage to take a stand against determined opposition. The Republican platform adopted at the opening of the party's National Convention in Cleveland is a firm foundation on which America can honor its exceptional heritage and build a better future. These are things that Barack Obama and the Democrats promised and failed to deliver. Published July 19, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: James Comey wrong to let Hillary Clinton off

Ronald Kessler's defense of James Comey's recommendation that Hillary Clinton not be prosecuted is totally without merit and only serves to highlight the degree to which Mr. Comey erred ("Why the FBI let Hillary Clinton off," Web, July 11). Published July 18, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: GOP delegates must vote

Just as the Founders of the greatest republic known to man understood that the only way for a free and just society to exist requires government control left in the hands of the people, the very same applies today. Published July 18, 2016

A state religion for Iowa

Christ told his followers, in the 22d chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, to "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and render unto God the things that are God's." This is so plain and simple that even a cave man could understand it, but a number of busybody bureaucrats in Iowa have decided that everything belongs to Caesar. It's a skirmish of the war on faith and the people of faith. Published July 18, 2016

Baton Rouge, Dallas, Baltimore grapple with racial tension

Human passions are easily stirred by considerations of race, and such emotions can lead to very different places. The moving spectacle of Dallas leadership trying to soothe the racial anger that triggered the killing of five white police officers stands in contrast to the proceedings in Baltimore, where city officials are determined to make cops, black and white, pay for the death of Freddie Gray. Published July 18, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Donald Trump a changed man

Many Republicans and conservatives have one big thing in common these days: They don't trust Donald Trump. In him they see a man who has been a Democrat and has supported liberals, including the Clintons, for years. It certainly is easy to see why people distrust him, particularly when he is so bombastic, insulting and demanding. Published July 17, 2016

Destroying radical Islam

The intelligence and law-enforcement authorities continue to sort out the career of Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, the author of the latest unspeakable outrage in France, and Omar Mateen, who inflicted the greatest mass killing in American history. Still to be sorted out is the confusion over strategy in Washington. To put it down to "confusion" is the kindest interpretation. Willful blindness and incompetence might be other interpretations. Published July 17, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: South China Sea-claims ruling biased

In order to grant the Philippines a favorable ruling, the Permanent Court of Arbitration classified all islands in the South China Sea as "reefs" ("U.S., allies watch for challenge from China on court ruling over sea claims," Web, July 12). It even classified Taiping Island as a "reef." Published July 17, 2016

Saudi facts in 9/11 report

The U.S. House Intelligence Committee finally released 28 pages of the long-suppressed findings of its investigation into the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, and the interesting stuff appears to have been written between the lines. A reasonably talented sixth-grader can connect some of the dots. Published July 17, 2016

Trans-Pacific Partnership dead with opposition from Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP in the jargon of the trade negotiators, looks dead. The cosmeticians at the mortuary say so. Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are competing to preside over the funeral but U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman says he and his colleagues are hearing encouraging noises from various members of Congress. He thinks that the deal may soon move forward. Published July 14, 2016

Mike Pence would make smart VP choice for Donald Trump

Unless he changed his mind overnight -- and "Surprise" and "Unpredictability" are his middle names -- Donald Trump finally picked his running mate and by all accounts it's a good one. Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana is the real goods. Published July 14, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: School choice means innovation

Israel Teitelbaum (and many others) miss the boat when they focus on liberty and "freedom to choose" as the key justification for charter schools, vouchers and the Education Freedom Accounts Act ("'A Republic — if you can keep it,'" Web, July 12). Published July 14, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Donald Trump’s no dunce

Wesley Pruden's comment that there is "ample evidence that the Donald is an uneducated lout" reminds me of Clark Clifford's remark that President Ronald Reagan was an "amiable dunce" ("The election to terrify us all," Web, July 11). Published July 14, 2016

Powerball draws winning numbers as jackpot swells to $302.5 million

Five days after the Mega Millions drawing gave away a $540 million jackpot, the Powerball lottery also continued Wednesday to edge into the kind of big-money "event" status when occasional lottery players start crowding convenience stores for tickets. Published July 13, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vilifying officers endangers lives

Police actions in Ferguson, Mo., New York, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, La., and Minnesota have been in the news, and a few police officers have been seen using excessive force and shooting people. I believe a small number of police officers use excessive force, and these officers should be held accountable for their actions. However, the vast majority of police officers diligently do their duty and treat criminals and suspects fairly. Published July 13, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s constitution contempt

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's disdain for the political process parallels her contempt for the U.S. Constitution ("Donald Trump on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 'Her mind is shot -- resign,'" Web, July 13). Published July 13, 2016

Redefining patriotism

Patriots proliferate on the Fourth of July, with the red, white and blue all around. But after the fireworks fade from the night sky the Stars and Stripes are often relegated to the back of the hall closet. In 2016, so the pollsters find, many are not so proud to be Americans. Published July 13, 2016

Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes Democrats cringe

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has always had difficulty getting over herself. She has opinions on many things, and when she's not speaking ex-cathedra, as it were, she's eager to express those opinions elsewhere, as if the public were waiting breathlessly for them. Lately she has even been forgetting her place. Published July 13, 2016