To the editor: There is no right to be unoffended
5/22/2018
Daryl Tempesta tapes a sign over his mouth in protest during a demonstration on April 27, 2017, in Berkeley, Calif.
One of the outlandish fads raging in the U.S. today is to find some small thing by which to be offended.
No matter the comment, act, or word, it can and will, almost inevitably, become offensive to someone. The offended will then bray loudly, expecting sympathy, and maybe even want a law against it — or money to assuage their hurt feelings.
You have no right to be unoffended. You do have a right to be offended with regularity. It is part of the price you pay for living in a free society. If you don’t understand that, you are confused — and dangerously so.
The ever-growing, thinned-skinned minority is simply helping to ruin life in this nation.
FRED NOFZIGER
Monclova
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Benefits of biofuel changes
After reading Jon Chavez’s recent report regarding new biofuel production (May 13, “Project aims to alter biofuels industry”), I see little overall benefit from this endeavor, being there is no apparent critical shortage of crude oil.
Per a recent National Geographic article, the aquifers that support farming on the plains are being drained at a rate beyond natural replenishment. Would it not be better to allocate water reserves to food production?
Perhaps Mr. Chavez could address the pros and cons in the use of ground water for biofuel production vs. food production is a follow-up to the original report.
DENNIS BOGUSKY
Temperance, Mich.
Question incompetency
I totally agree with The Blade’s recent editorial that Mick Mulvaney is intentionally dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (May 17, “Do the job or depart”). This agency was formed to protect consumers from unfair and unethical financial institutions. This bureau needs someone to advocate for the consumers, not big business.
The editorial does state that President Trump has the right to pick his cabinet members. However, if these cabinet members are damaging their respective departments, they need to be publicly questioned. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is making changes to weaken our public schools in favor of charter schools, for instance.
Will The Blade investigate Ms. DeVos’ behavior or give her a pass because she was appointed by Mr. Trump? Our public school teachers and children deserve better. As a taxpayer, I deserve better, too.
DENISE KERN
South Toledo