New trial for Vedam is necessary
Thomas Kinser. As Mr. Vedam was non-violent, no weapon was produced, and no motive was produced, the conviction made little sense to people who knew Mr. Vedam.
Evidence uncovered by the Innocence Project last year, evidence that was known to the prosecution but not shared with the defense, much less the jury, points to Mr. Vedam’s innocence. For details, see freesubu.org.
The Innocence Project has freed hundreds of wrongly convicted, innocent people from prisons all over this country. Sometimes prosecutors’ offices have helped these efforts; sometimes they have stood against them. The Centre County District Attorney’s office needs to support this effort, not hinder it.
On July 22 at 10 a.m.-noon, at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Mr. Vedam’s attorneys will argue for Mr. Vedam’s right to have the exonerating evidence seen and considered. If there is any reasonable chance that Mr. Vedam was wrongly convicted, this injustice must be addressed.
A new trial for Mr. Vedam must be granted. It is necessary. It is honorable. It is just.
Jesse L. Barlow, State College, and Nancy F. Parks, Aaronsburg
Ruling creates ‘clear and present danger’
Since 1215, the Magna Carta has stood for the principle that even kings are not above the law. Now, eight centuries later, the Supreme Court has fundamentally shattered one of the foundational principles of our democratic republic by holding that the President of the United States is actually above the law.
No amount of legal sleight of hand, partisan propaganda, sophistry, or twisted logic can rationalize a decision that creates the real possibility that the next president will, with impunity, impose a dictatorship with the Supreme Court as its Pretorian Guard.
Is it guaranteed that this will happen? No, but the ruling creates a clear and present danger, especially when one considers statements made by candidate Trump, or the plans laid out in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s policy Bible for the next Republican administration.
Trump has told us who he is and what he intends to do. The Supreme Court has given him the green light to do as he pleases. It’s up to us to use the power of the ballot box to make sure he’s stopped.
I have children. I hope someday to have grandchildren. I pray that they will live in a democracy, but genuinely fear the possibility that they will not.
Dean Phillips, Ambler
Biden must remain in the race
As we approach the critical 2024 election, President Biden must remain in the race despite his recent debate performance and cries from far too many media sources calling for him to stand aside.
Media pundits seem obsessed with Biden’s debate performance while ignoring Trump’s inexhaustible penchant for lying, numerous lawsuit losses, authoritarian tendencies, and avowed sexual transgressions. Biden’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements: navigating the nation through a pandemic, shepherding an historic infrastructure bill, and overseeing an economic recovery that has laid the foundation for steady growth in years to come. These accomplishments reflect the experienced leadership America needs and stand in stark contrast to the dark future that Trump will bring about if elected.
Alternative democratic candidates to Biden present a risk, and some might say a near certainty, of a loss in November. Democratic unity is paramount. A change at this juncture could fracture the democratic coalition.
Biden’s experience, both domestically and internationally, provides a stark contrast to the chaotic, unpredictability of Trump and his MAGA cult followers who favor America’s enemies, stand for cutting ties with historic allies, and advocate a Project 2025 agenda that almost nobody agrees with except the most extreme far right. The Biden administration’s policies on climate change, health care and social justice resonate with a majority of Americans.
Continuity in leadership is essential. President Biden has proven his capability to guide the nation. For the sake of continued progress and stability, he must remain the Democratic nominee.
WIlliam Rothwell, State College
Change needed in White House
I condemn both major party leaders. They’ve given us the worst two presidents in my nonagenarian memory. Trump was by far the most petulant president in our history and Biden has the most chaotic term in office. Biden’s term gave us chaos in the Afghanistan abandonment, the government spending, his son’s scandals, the scattered top-secret documents in Delaware and our horrible sieve-like border! If Biden does retire, I hope that the party has sense enough to support a proven winner and government leader, like Governor Josh Shapiro. He also happens to come from a great state! If the Democratic leaders don’t do something soon, our American national government will be even more chaotic ... or Bidenesque!
Guy O. Graybill, Selinsgrove
