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Wear a mask

There are acts that one can perform in life that are so simple yet so important and impactful in the lives of others. Wearing a mask literally saves lives. It's as simple as that, yet some people laugh it off, or quote garbage cited by someone who "studied" epidemiology at the University of YouTube and wrote their doctorate thesis on Reddit.

I will continue to avoid businesses where the employees don't care about my safety. Long after this pandemic is over I will keep my distance from those who lack intelligence and empathy. I've lost an uncle to COVID-19. We'll all lose more due to the carelessness of others before this is over.

Kevin McKague

Madison Heights

As a longtime consultant for the Illinois Police Academy, Bureau of Investigation, and the primary sponsor of the Pontiac Police Department's fundraising activities during the 1980s, I have had the honor and privilege of meeting hundreds of men and women either in training or already in law enforcement. I have dined, drank and played golf with some. I often wondered what motivated them to enter such a demanding profession. So I read much research regarding this issue.

Most had a great respect for the law and wanted to protect it. Others wanted the respect that wearing a badge could give them. Interestingly, some liked wearing a uniform and not having to decide what to wear to work. There were other personality traits and psychological factors which are the reasons for this letter.

An adequate emphasis on psychological testing and evaluation of each candidate before he is accepted for training just might save a lot of money, time and lives. Do we really want to defund or eliminate our police departments? Good luck if you call the Marines for a neighborhood disturbance.

Most recently, some political figures, notably our governor and the mayor of New York City have publicly addressed the issue of police brutality. Also I read with great interest the recent article titled, "To Defund or Not to Defund" in The Oakland Press Vitality section, July 2020. I have yet to notice any reference to preventing the problems before they occur.

It is time to do the right thing. Let us put the respect back where it should be with our law enforcement officers. A thorough evaluation of all existing testing and training programs would be a start. Consider hiring a psychological consultant. The proper and thorough psychological evaluation of any candidate for any law enforcement agency could prevent the bullies, racists and potential troublemaker from ever wearing a badge.

Bill Vincent

West Bloomfield Twp.

I was shocked to hear about the explosion in Beiruts main port. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I am praying for the victims and their families.

In line with a saying of the Holy Prophet that people must "guard yourselves against the Fire even if it be only with half a date-fruit (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, you should at least say a good word" we must pray for Lebanons recovery and, if able, donate to trusted organizations like the Lebanese Red Cross to aid the victims of this horrific incident.

Saood Qureshi

Troy

Thanks to the Oakland County Republican Party for ruining the Dream Cruise.

For many years those with diverse political leanings came together to share their love of classic cars. Not any more. Now all we'll ever see is angry people with Trump signs and anti-Trump people displaying their anger with Trump.

I'm sure the next event you will ruin is the Arts Beats and Eats festival. Say goodbye to any fun event anywhere thanks to the Oakland County Republicans who can't gather without shoving their politics in others face.

David Oswalt

Clarkston

Internet censorship is illegal, and Trump cannot ban TikTok or any other websites. If our lame-duck Congress does not prevent this, we literally are no better than the authoritarian countries we so often liberate. We are no longer The United States of America!

Individually, it's nothing, but with alphabet agencies spying on citizens, federal agents assaulting citizens in the streets, citizens begging for our food and not having jobs, and now extreme mass censorship under the guise of "national security"? Ask yourself: is this the land of the free and the home of the brave?

I'd like our elected officials to know that this is happening on their watch. Before my grandparents passed they were big-time supporters of Sen. Peters and Sen. Stabenow. They would be rolling in their resting places if they witnessed what our country is becoming. I'm asking our officials to please fight for an end to illegal censorship.

Daniel Smith

Madison Heights

Advocating for birds and the places they need doesnt have to stop during a pandemic.

The last week of July, I participated in the National Audubon Societys Virtual Seabird Action Fly-into educate my representatives, Senator Gary Peters and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, about seabirds and the threats they face.

Seabirds like Black Terns and White Pelicans are in crisis, declining around the world by 70% since the 1950s, due to climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss. But we can help save them by supporting the laws and policies that protect their habitat and the small, schooling fish -- known as forage fish -- they rely on for food. First, Peters and Dingell can improve the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, our nations only federal fisheries law. Since the 1970s, this law has successfully recovered fish populations and reduced overfishing. However, the law needs to be improved to factor in the important role that forage fish play in the ocean, account for climate change, and adequately protect seabirds from bycatch.

Second, our legislators can fully fund the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) programs that protect fish and benefit coastal habitat. Through yearly and supplemental appropriations, Congress can ensure that seabirds have healthy coastal areas to nest, raise their chicks and forage for food. Thank you, Gary Peters and Debbie Dingell, for meeting with me about this important issue, and I hope youll join me to make sure seabirds have a healthy future.

Don Burlett

Oxford

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Letters to the editor: Wear a mask; don't defund police; politics ruining fun; end illegal censorship - The Oakland Press