Supreme Court has betrayed the American people

DEAR EDITOR:

Our leaders, whether elected or appointed, are entrusted to carry out the will of the people — not seize power, take bribes and rule over us. But the MAGA justices on the Roberts court have once again betrayed the American people, destroying the Voting Rights Act in a bid to lock themselves into power.

With their latest decision, the Roberts court is handing MAGA politicians the power to prevent black and brown people’s votes from counting so that their billionaire backers can control the outcome of our elections and decide our futures for us.

This regime wants to keep specific groups from voting, and the billionaire-backed MAGA justices are doing its bidding with their latest decision.

But the many can defeat the money by speaking up and coming together across the country and demanding our state leaders, from governors to representatives, keep their hands off our vote and not gut the voting power of black and brown citizens.

SIAN PETZ

Mogadore

A response to ‘Responding in a Christ-like manner’

DEAR EDITOR:

I write in response to an op-ed piece that appeared in the Tribune Chronicle of April 25-26, 2026.

It was written by Dr. Jessica A. Johnson and bears the title “Responding in a Christ-like manner.” It references the “backlash” regarding the recent social media post by the current occupant of the Oval Office depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. I — among many, many others on both the religious and political right and left — labeled the image blasphemous.

Dr. Johnson takes (gentle) issue with Christians who condemned the post. Her “thoughts were more of how people who are not in church were viewing the back-and-forth squabbles on the internet. Through all this contention,” she writes, “I don’t think anyone will be led to surrender their lives to the Lord, which is our most important commission as believers.” Johnson asks, “What if, for example, someone had said in a post that, although they disagreed with Trump’s portrayal of himself as a Christ figure, they were praying for him?” The article closes with this: “Imagine the dialogue we could have on social media and in in-person interactions if we simply lifted Jesus up?”

Fair points. The Jesus of Matthew’s Gospel is recorded as saying: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). The great first-century evangelist, Paul, counseled: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone” (Romans 12:18) and “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). And it does matter in what tone, manner and intent Christians confront issues like this.

I do, however, object to Dr. Johnson’s incomplete presentation of what it means to “simply lift Jesus up” and to “respond in a Christ-like manner” (I’m not sure if the title is hers, though). If we are limited to the old cliche of “gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” we are missing out on the full range of Jesus’ mission and message.

In the so-called “Cleansing of the Temple,” Jesus angrily and forcefully acted against what he considered a desecration of what was holy (John 2). When Jesus encountered human beings under the influence of “evil spirits,” he didn’t give the victim a hug and wish them well; he addressed the evil spirits in the strongest possible terms and cast them out of the person.

When his own disciples were preventing children from coming to Jesus, Jesus became “indignant” with those disciples and sternly told them to knock it off. Jesus warned against the appearance of “false messiahs” who would try to lead people astray (Mark 13:21-22).

When Jesus was crucified, it wasn’t because he was a “nice” guy; it was because he had stood up to the religious and political powers-that-be and was considered to be an enemy of the empire.

There are many more examples.

My point is this: Jesus gets angry at injustice; Jesus confronts — even attacks — evil; Jesus doesn’t excuse blasphemy. His followers should do the same.

So, no, I will not calmly “disagree” with the post in question or with the person who posted it. I will call it out; I will oppose it; I will witness to “people who are not in church” about both the mercy and judgment, the grace-filled and sin-exposing words and work of Jesus, the true and only Lord to which we owe allegiance.

MARC J. RUNYON

Warren

Grateful for the help of Bristol NHS members

DEAR EDITOR:

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to the Bristol High School National Honor Society and its junior and senior class members!

Recently, this public service group cleaned all the branches and countless pine cones from our yard, which was extremely helpful, seeing that we are not currently able.

It was an awesome sight to watch the students and supporting adults work together to help their community. Our favorite part was seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces!

These students showed great work ethic and gave us yet another reason to be proud of our youth.

My husband and I are both retired teachers and have lived in Bristol for over 50 years, and the generosity of the National Honor Society members that day enhanced our love for our hometown.

We know this organization made an impact on not only us, but many other people as well!

SHIRLEY and BOB PRICE

Bristolville

Republicans taking money from public schools

DEAR EDITOR:

Republicans are once again taking from public school funding in order to subsidize private charter schools in many of our states.

The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) will allow conservatives a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for those who donate to tax voucher institutions.

All 50 state constitutions mandate that public school funding cannot be used to create or support private schools. Our Ohio Constitution states in Article VI, Section 2: “The General Assembly shall make such provisions, by taxation, or otherwise, as, with the income arising from the school trust fund, will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state; but no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this state.” That Constitutional requirement has been a part of Ohio’s laws since 1851.

But Republicans began funding private schools with public school money way back in the early 1990s, becoming common with Republican Governor George Voinovich.

Then the next governor, Republican John Kasich, expanded the practice of raiding public school money. Proceeds from the Ohio Lottery were diverted from schools into a rainy day fund, which these days is absorbed into the general fund.

Most recently, Gov. Mike DeWine, another Republican, supports Senate Bill 292, the ECCA, which will distract voters from noticing the monies that our state and federal governments will cut.

They are slashing funding for research, data collection, immigrant students including English instruction, social support healthcare and programs to help disadvantaged students get into college.

Trump also wants to cut up to $8.5 billion in additional federal cuts through eliminations or consolidations.

It’s just another way that the Republicans are commandeering our taxpayer dollars. The tax credits will fund not just curricula but also textbooks, computer services, tutoring and school supplies.

The ECCA, because it is financial in nature, could pass as a reconciliation bill and would then require just a 51-vote majority. That’s fine with Republicans who don’t care what voters want. When you write to our senators and representatives, they reply how proud they are to serve us, but they ignore what we want and obey only Trump.

Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown can defeat Jon Husted at the polls in November, and Maria Jukic will easily replace Rep. Dave Joyce.

Voters of all parties are uniting to take Congress away from the Republicans, who view our tax money only as fodder for Trump’s pet projects like ballrooms and golden arches. They treat us as if we are not equal to them and we have no say in decisions. I’ve had enough of them, haven’t you?

LINDA COCUZZI RICHTER

Niles

We are not united enough as residents of Ohio

DEAR EDITOR:

I am writing to you today because as you are aware we just had the primary elections and soon November will be here, and we will be voting again on different issues that concern us Ohioans. Well, I have a big issue with how corporate America won’t allow citizens of the voting class to stand outside their business and collect signatures for a potential levy that I am working on.

The levy is Protecting Ohioans Constitutional Rights and currently we have a big problem in the state of Ohio with our legislators all the way down to police officers getting away with illegal things when they are sworn in to uphold the law.

What can we do to fire Ohioans up and get them angry enough to want change? For change we need laws changed, we need the Ohio Supreme Court to see that with enough signatures we are wanting this to be added to the ballot and people to vote on this matter. The state of Ohio requires well over 400,000 signatures for our government to even consider allowing this on the ballot come November, and the signatures need to be submitted by mid-July!

Ohio has the 44-county rule, which requires us to get out of 88 counties signatures from at least 44.

We have become a complacent society; it is easier to go with the crowd than it is to be a part of the resistance and stand up for what is right amongst ourselves.

I am angry as an Ohioan, especially when I know this levy will make huge changes amongst our local governments, even our state government.

Holding authorities accountable for their actions should not have to be a law when they are sworn in to uphold the law and treat people with respect and dignity.

Far too many “persons of the law” are often excused for their actions under what we know as Qualified Immunity and that dear Editor is just wrong!! Please submit my email for citizens to contact me to sign the “Protecting Ohioans Constitutional Rights” jessmed1202@gmail.com I will gladly meet them to sign the sheet!! Trumbull County WE NEED YOU!

I hope you post this and if not I will keep writing until you do.

JESSICA NEWELL

Newton Falls