Immigrant separations "Break my heart"- Alabama opinion echo

Tuscaloosa Alabama opinion echo letter published in Tuscaloosa.com by Glenda Lee, in Northport AL: 

We chip away at our souls when we separate families

I have been reading the personal accounts from innocent immigrant parents with regard to being separated from their children at the border of the United States. Their stories break my heart.

I am a therapeutic counselor and have worked with numerous adults who struggle in their adult lives with attachment disorders related to the early separation of parent to child, especially of mother to child.

The anxiety caused by parent-child separation, especially at certain ages, is far-reaching and can lead to anxiety disorder, addiction and depression that follows the child throughout his or her life.

I know that...within politics, it’s very difficult to "unring" this (evil) policy bell.

To a large extent, the damage has already been done to so many children and I am ashamed that more thought was not given to the situation by supposedly very intelligent adults that represent the United States.

If we could all stop for one moment and reflect on possible reasons why parents would flee their country and their home to seek asylum elsewhere, perhaps then we could understand that there must have been desperation at the core of the decision.

If we as a people lose our humanity, then what difference does it make how successful we are with regard to progress and to maintaining what is called the American way of life?

If we lose our humanity, our compassion, we chip away at our very souls.

Americans are immigrants - Alabama opinion letter

People with disdain for immigrants forget the past

Opinion letter published in Tuscaloosa News

I have seen people become callous, closed-minded, judgmental and unwilling to understand others that aren’t like them. 

People (Trumpzis!) chant an obsession,  “build the wall” and “deport them all” without giving the first thought to the children, the families and the other options available in addressing the illegal immigration issue.

I watch people denigrate and ostracize cultures, religions and other people they know nothing about. 

These same critics seem to forget their own culture, their religion and their social status, that were, a long time ago, treated with the very same disdain. But more importantly, the same people forget how lucky they were to have been born after the struggle was over and after the rules were written about who belongs and what is acceptable...they were born into a sense of belonging and community.

Normally, our president would guide such a discourse into calmer waters; however, Donald Trump not only lacks the intellect to understand the problem, he is void of both interest and skill in such matters. So, remember your history! In all past civilizations, the current majority was not guaranteed to be the future’s majority, and when the pendulum of power shifts your past behavior will be remembered.
If, by chance, Donald Trump truly does represent how the majority of Americans feel, I will gladly admit that I am wrong and will live happily never being right. (MaineWriter, IOW, those who forget their immigrant past, will not prevail in history.)

Opinion letter from Pierce W. Sumner,  Northport Alabama

Republicans deny science ~ climate change alert!

Climate change is "science" and Republicans are in denial about its costs 

Applause erupted at the March 4, 2018 Democratic caucus in Topsham Maine when one of the candidates who spoke raised the subject of electing people who believe in science. In fact, the crowded room at the Topsham Town Hall caucus responded with unscripted and spontaneous applause.

Coincidentally, I found this "echo" letter to the editor, published in Tuscaloosa News. This letter is a somewhat surprising "echo" because it was published in a newspaper that's otherwise pretty conservative, or, at least, the letters to the editor would indicate the right wing readership~ except, for this letter:
By Abbie Patterson, McCalla Alabama

Alabama's two senators may be on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but one thing they can come together on is protecting our Earth’s climate. 

Being a Democrat, Sen. Doug Jones has clearly expressed his climate concerns, saying he believes in science and that he will work to reverse the impact of climate change. But, where does Republican Sen. Richard Shelby come in?

Most people think that being a Republican means that environmental concerns are pretty low on their list. 

But, climate change is slowly becoming more and more of a bipartisan issue. More Republicans are acknowledging climate change and both ends are working on environmental legislation. Most concerns with Republicans revolve around how climate change is impacting our national security and the federal budget.

One of Sen. Shelby’s main concerns has always been a balanced budget -- and this past year of hurricanes and forest fires is seriously threatening that. 

It’s time that we make climate change an issue for both Republicans and Democrats and keep Alabama's senators accountable. 

Call Sen. Shelby and Sen. Jones’ offices today and urge them to protect environmental funding in the federal budget.

On climate change, hold all of our senators accountable.