Restore Liberty Street or lose

Dear Editor,

I care about public spaces because they remind us that we belong to each other. Here in Warren, we have the bones of something real — something that can bring people together. Liberty Street isn’t just a road. It’s a corridor full of history, life, and possibility. But if we want it to matter again, we have to be honest: the renovation of Liberty Street buildings isn’t optional. It’s critical.

When buildings are restored, something comes alive in the street. Windows glow, doors open, and the street speaks again. People slow down, step inside, and feel part of something. When buildings sit empty, neglected, or boarded up, it tells the opposite story. It says nothing’s happening here. It sends people elsewhere. Renovation is about more than looks. It’s about dignity. It’s about believing our community deserves a future.

Public spaces work when the spaces themselves feel alive. A child laughing, an elder strolling, a neighbor greeting another — all of that only happens when the street invites it. Liberty Street can be that kind of place again, but only if we care enough to invest in the buildings that shape it.

Renovation isn’t just preservation. It’s momentum. Every building we fix, every new business or residence that opens, becomes a signal of hope. Over time, those signals add up. Liberty Street can become a street where people don’t just pass through. It can be a place where people gather, connect, and feel part of a community that truly lives together.

Doug Hearn,

Warren

Nothing simple in war

Dear Editor,

The recent, vast, nationwide “No Kings protest” and the growing number of signs and bodies on the southeast corner of our courthouse lawn Saturday mornings plus recent local MAGA letters prompted this letter. The MAGA letters confirm “a little learning is a dangerous thing.”

One letter offered a “history lesson” whereby the honorably served Marine author wrote the Hezbollah terrorists’ 1983 Beirut bombing of Marine barracks, killing 241 was the “starting point” to President Donald Trump’s long overdue attack on Iran. “Anti-King protesters” were chided for a perceived lack of understanding and knowledge of history. The author cited comments from a well intentioned, not fully informed, sergeant.

After re-reading my history books, as the author suggested, I was reminded that United States-Iran history goes well beyond Beirut 1983 to the 1979 Islamic Revolution wherein the hard liner Ayatollah Khomeini, Islamic cleric, replaced the pro-West Shah Pahavi. Sixty-six Americans were taken hostage for 444 days. Our Warren County Memorial Park has for years honored the hostages with flags and a ceremony.

The hostile relations trace back further to the 1953 United Kingdom and American sponsored coup d’etat whereby power was transferred from Iran’s Prime Minister to their Shah Pahavi. Iran’s elected legislators led by their Prime Minister intended to nationalize Iran’s British-American owned oil facilities in Iran, a la Venezuela.

The empowered Shah moved rapidly to westernize Iran while ruling very harshly thus there was popular support for anti American sentiment. Citizens resented the CIA’s manipulated changes to their Islamic culture and government, foreign control of their oil, and the authoritarian Shah’s harsh treatment.

Trump has not given oil, among his reasons for attacking Iran but one should remember Trump’s “We should have taken the oil” rants as he criticized George W. Bush following the end of the Iraq War. We also need to remember Trump often says one thing and does the opposite, avoiding war, reducing inflation and “draining the swamp/corruption,” for example.

Most likely the effects of the interplay of the Strait of Hormuz and oil will determine the outcome of this conflict.

I suggest the letter writer read “The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power,” by Daniel Yergin. The book traces the history and role oil has played in world affairs from the 1850s to 1990. He will understand the Middle East better than the understanding of his sergeant and the scant understanding of the Commander-in-Chief.

I recall my former history teacher reminding us that the world didn’t start when we were born. Much had happened before that created the present.

The other letter was filled with MAGA right wing talking points. Similar to the script right wing media reporters read and repeat. Nothing original, all parroting MAGA Party line. To that author, the challenge is to think for yourself: What if you are wrong? What if Trump is what the protesters say he is? Just entertain the thought.

I challenge both writers to expand your learning: analyze, evaluate, create (Bloom’s Higher Order of Thinking) – go beyond simple recall.

Don Scott,

North Warren

Legals get ‘due process’

Dear Editor,

Responding to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address, certain Democrats claimed that illegal immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than citizens. Even if it was true, here’s the counter. Why should America tolerate any crimes from those with no legal right to be here?

Among others, Bill O’Reilly cites evidence that the aforementioned claim is not true:

— In the United States, migrant crime statistics are taken from Texas data, not the FBI.

— At least 11 states don’t report migrant crime under sanctuary policies.

— Drug trafficking in San Francisco is largely controlled by illegal Honduran migrants. The city fails to prosecute most and California won’t cooperate with federal authorities.

There is a mistaken belief about “due process,” embraced by some “progressives,” that illegal migrants have full access to all constitutional rights afforded to citizens.

If an illegal migrant is charged with a major crime — murder, rape, kidnapping, etc. — that person has a right to a trial, lawyer and an unbiased jury just like a citizen. If convicted, he serves his sentence. After that — unless a life sentence or execution — the individual may be immediately deported.

If an illegal migrant is taken into custody and has not committed a “trial worthy” crime, the individaul may be immediately deported. This is because crossing illegally is classed as a civil offense, not a criminal offense.

The offender is not deprived of “life, liberty or property.” The person is merely being sent home. Immigration authorities need no warrant nor do they need to read him Miranda Rights.

Is this new? Hardly! The Supreme Court ruled this way in 1893. (Fong Yue Ting vs. United States).

Of course, “progressive” district judges may foolishly try to delay deportations. Like certain “blue state” mayors and governors, they seem to cherish criminal aliens.That must also go for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He wants a warrant for every ICE action. As already mentioned, they’re not required.

The numbers would be overwhelming considering the millions still here. And Schumer wants ICE agents unmasked; that way, they can be identified by criminals and threatened. Warped thinking, Chuck!

Over the months, Trump’s critics have berated him for having a draft deferment due to bone spurs. Trump, likely 22 at the time, did not invent that deferment. It was cleared by a draft board doctor. It’s noted that the last three Democratic presidents — Clinton, Obama, Biden — had no military service.

Also, enlistments have increased since Trump’s return.

America First,

Terry D. Hallock,

Warren