History will prove scandals not phony

To the editor:

I get a kick out of President Barack Obama’s claims, made over and over, that some of the most serious government transgressions and errors (Fast and Furious, Benghazi attack, IRS targeting, National Security Agency privacy invasions, etc.) are nothing but phony scandals.

History will confirm that Mr. Obama, his administration and essentially all elected Democratic members of Congress were completely wrong and that the whole nation was misled. It is highly unfortunate that the majority of the media have not taken the president and all these agencies to task for creating this bleak period in our nation’s history.

Might not some of the liberal media have the intestinal fortitude to step out of the shadows and expose these most serious scandals for what they are?

CLARENCE LANZRATH

LAS VEGAS

Community first

To the editor:

I’m surprised and bewildered by the Las Vegas black community’s protests following the verdict in Florida’s George Zimmerman trial. Over the years, our police have killed unarmed black men of all ages. It didn’t matter if they were in their own bathroom or the back seat of their own car.

The Las Vegas black community protests a killing 2,500 miles away, but never says a thing about the ones in our own backyard. What gives?

DAVID DWYER

LAS VEGAS

Foreign aid

To the editor:

Donna Andress’ Aug. 6 letter shares common misconceptions about foreign aid, which historically takes up about 1 percent of our national budget. Foreign aid is not and never has been charity. Aid is dispensed in our national interest. The Review-Journal could provide a public service by running an article on the importance and function of foreign aid.

MORTON FRIEDLANDER

LAS VEGAS

Farm bill

To the editor:

The details of the recent House debate on the farm bill are highly disturbing. In its current form, the bill includes a provision written by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, that endangers state animal protection, environmental protection and food safety laws. The King amendment could nullify state-enacted laws that prevent calves from being raised in cruel cages so small that they cannot turn around, and prevent dogs from being raised in harsh puppy mills. Mercifully, the Senate did not include a similar provision in its draft of the bill.

I strongly urge Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., to seize the opportunity to do the right thing and work to remove the King language before the farm bill becomes law. Our state’s animals deserve protection, and our people deserve safe and humanely raised food.

As a citizen who has respect for all living things and who works for the Humane Society, this bill is absolutely appalling. Even if my feelings and thoughts were not so strong toward the safety, health and protection of animals, I would be extremely opposed to this bill, considering the health effects it will have on the food available to the public. Please protect your people and the loved ones we call companions, in addition to the animals that many in this nation use for sustenance.

ANN HAUGUM

INCLINE VILLAGE