Herman Brod
(Via E-Mail)
Obama’s Nixonion Streak
The Jewish Press makes a strong case that President Obama really thinks of himself as a man with a transcendent mission who can bend the rules in fulfilling it (“Obama Unbound,” editorial, July 19).
The niceties of our system of government with its checks and balances and constitutional blueprint for governmental action have little application to him, or so he seems to think, when they get in the way of his doing the “People’s Business.”
Liberals back in the 1970s referred to the Nixon administration as the Imperial Presidency. I think Richard Nixon had nothing on Barack Obama.
Yisrael Mann
(Via E-Mail)
Zimmerman Case Decided On Law, Not Emotion
Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer would have been wise to remain silent and not voice his opinions on the George Zimmerman case. His credibility went down the drain when he denigrated his own reputation, torpedoed his political career and humiliated his family with his behavior several years ago.
Spitzer’s claim that the justice system failed and that the jury got it wrong seems to be his way of bringing more attention to himself. This case is not a failure of justice, as Spitzer claims; as a former prosecutor, he knows better. Rather, it is an example of a trial that brought the totality of evidence forward for a jury to consider objectively and fairly, which it did. The verdict and the criminal justice process need to be respected.
This case also was not about race. It was not about Skittles and a drink. It involved two human beings who wound up in an altercation that has had an impact on many lives in profound ways.
Though it is tragic that Trayvon Martin is dead, he played a part in this situation as well. Trayvon could have avoided confrontation by running to his father’s home (which was four minutes away), but he chose to remain in the area.
Undoubtedly Zimmerman did not set out to kill anyone that night, and Trayvon was not the totally innocent victim he has been portrayed to be. He apparently attacked Zimmerman, injuring him and provoking him to shoot in self-defense.
While emotions have run high on this case, it is not one that was decided on emotion but on the evidence presented in a court of law.
Brian J. Goldenfeld
Woodland Hills, CA