The federal takeover of law enforcement in D.C. may seem like background noise to our busy lives, but it is imperative we pay close attention. Does D.C. have crime? Would it benefit from additional resources, especially targeting carjacking and violent crimes? Yes. This isn't about crime; if it were, the Mississippi National guardsmen in D.C. would be home addressing the murder rate in Jackson, more than three times the rate in D.C. Tennessee guardsmen picking up trash could be in Memphis, combating one of the highest murder rates in the country, per FBI data. This is about painting American cities as dystopias that must be controlled through fear and intimidation.
I've worked in D.C. for nine years. In the evening, I can safely walk Capitol Hill neighborhoods. I ride the Metro throughout the city. The only time I've been in danger was Jan. 6, 2021. My building was evacuated because of the violent attack on the Capitol across the street. President Donald Trump adamantly refused to call in the National Guard then.
It is dangerous to dismiss this as a "city crime" problem. Trump has stated his intent to move the military into Chicago and New York, not to Jackson, Miss., or Memphis, Tenn. His administration cut a startling $158 million from Department of Justice community violence intervention grants. This is a president using armed military units from governors loyal to him to seize cities run by people he opposes. Trump is testing how far he can go in exerting power nationwide. Tell our representatives we will not tolerate federal overreach in any city anywhere in our country.
Lorna O. Triplett, Williamsburg
If you're OK with males competing in female sports, then you might support Democratic candidate and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger for Virginia's governor. While in Congress, she voted to allow biological males in female sports, along with sharing their locker rooms and restrooms.
I do not agree with that position, so my vote will be for Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
Ken Evanson, Newport News
I prayerfully stand behind and fully support the people of Israel worldwide. This does not mean however, that I support the policies of the political state of Israel.
I know that the Israeli government policy is the complete elimination of Hamas, but I think that the institution of this policy is the genocide of all the people of Gaza. I do not support in any way this policy. I know that the United States has pursued a policy of near genocide in the extinction or near extinction of Native Americans from this continent. This was wrong of the United States just as it is wrong for the nation of Israel. I think that is important for people worldwide to condemn this policy of genocide.
Jeff Hammack, Williamsburg
Since the Republicans refuse to do anything besides "thoughts and prayers" concerning school shootings, I have a novel idea. Instead of using the National Guard in Washington, D.C., at the current cost $1 million per day, send one or two armed guardsmen to every school to protect our children.
We can definitely afford it since there's now talk of using the National Guard in Chicago. Armed guardsmen in all schools will be a guarantee that no one would ever enter a school with a gun. Think about it, our children will be safe.
We will have men and women who are trained using a gun (the National Guard) protecting our children and their underpaid and unappreciated teachers. The Republicans can now drop the ludicrous idea of arming teachers.
If we can spend millions paying guardsmen to pick up garbage and lay mulch, then we can afford this.