Not happy about weed
I hope New Jersey is happy. I hope they’re happy that they passed the law to legalize marijuana. I hope they are happy to have the opportunity to enjoy the stench in every open space. I hope they are happy about the inevitable ramifications of people operating vehicles under yet another influence. I hope they’re looking forward to the impact it has on the next generation. I hope they’ll be happy when a dispensary comes really close to their neighborhood. I hope the monetary win is worth it. Just take a puff, be happy and pretend it’s a good thing.
Patricia Librizzi
Galloway Township
More reporting needed on non-white murders
The Chicago Tribune’s posting in last Saturday’s (4/20) “Another View,” “Chicago needs to talk about the 96 shots,” desperately needs to be shared throughout the news world. From another news source in December 2022, I read a recent story where two Chicago students were each shot in the head outside Benito Juarez High School right after dismissal. I doubt there was much coverage (New York Times did).
People are also reading…
A month earlier, the murders of four University of Idaho students began the media’s wall-to-wall coverage of that crime. We all know of other high-media-interest crimes with white victims. Why? I suspect the press finds the murder of white people gets more readers and viewers. In that vein, the deaths of Ariana Molina, Brandon Perez and Nathan Billegas appear to be just more stories of non-white students being in the wrong place and the wrong time, unworthy of national coverage.
If this is a change in attitude and messaging, which I hope it is, the Chicago Tribune did a huge service to the country in sharing this sad news of this heartbreaking event and unnecessary loss of a young child’s life. The Press does an outstanding job introducing us to the lost lives in South Jersey, but I am sure they would rather report on their accomplishments in school, community and sports as feel-good news, rather than as crime reports. I certainly hope that the Chicago Tribune is getting national attention from their piece.
Richard Sasse
Cape May
More must be done to protect children
Trans Visibility Day didn’t replace Easter
To the letter writer who stated that President Biden declared Easter Sunday “Trans Visibility Day”: You should get your facts straight first before badmouthing our president. “International Transgender Day of Visibility” has been occurring since 2009. It just so happens it fell on March 31, which was Easter Sunday this year. I am a Christian, and he was not showing disrespect for Christians. Please stop watching Fox propaganda and fact check first before spreading lies. Fox only states half the facts or twists the facts and only makes up stories to get a rise out of people like you, especially since most of what you write in The Press is not factual and is your biased opinion.
Annie Prettyman
Somers Point
Concerned about Trump 2024 rally
I am concerned that the City of Wildwood has agreed to host a Trump rally for the presumptive Republican nominee on their beaches on May 11. This event was planned and organized by New Jersey congressman, far right Republican Jeff Van Drew, who has become an ardent Trump sycophant.
There are a large number of other events planned for that day, including a cheer competition, which will involve a large number of children and teens. The city will be crowded with spring visitors, who are eager to return to Cape May County to experience our beautiful beaches and boardwalks.
In my position as a “peacekeeper” at a Trump counter rally held in January 2020, I witnessed a great deal of violent rhetoric, cursing and even spitting on those with views that differ from those held by ardent MAGA supporters. It was a chilling event, and I worried for my personal safety while trying keep those around me safe.
Wildwood should want to protect its image as a family-friendly vacation spot. I worry that Trump’s supporters will have extra incentive to lash out at this time while Trump sits in a NYC courtroom facing 34 counts of falsifying business records and election fraud.
The City of Wildwood should reconsider this decision to support Trump and the MAGA movement. As Trump’s loyalists flood into town with their flags and banners while chanting and cursing about their racist views, the city leaders would be wise to recognize that the children (and the tourists) are watching.
Janet Yunghans
Upper Township