Richs family deserves support

The Bible teaches us to love thy neighbor. Jesus, the most important person of Christianity, has taught us to expand our view of who our neighbor is and how we should love more, hate less.

Seth Richs family, who lives in Omaha, is our neighbor. We should all be upset that Fox News along with rich donors and the possible encouragement of our president allegedly turned a family tragedy into a Republican false news story that could ruin the good name of the victim (Suit alleges White House link to Seth Rich conspiracy story, Aug. 2 World-Herald).

Is not one of the Ten Commandments to bring no false witness against thy neighbor?

Our elected representatives U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse and Rep. Don Bacon must stand for the people they represent. They should point out the damage that Fox News did to decent people and demand justice for the Rich family.

Westside residents support schools

Residents of the Westside school district will vote on another levy override to generate more revenue for the school district (Westside will put tax levy override to voters, Aug. 1 World-Herald). Nebraska state law will let a school district go over the tax levy limit only with a vote of the citizens in that district.

I predict this effort will be successful, as have all the other override attempts have been. My spouse and I served as co-treasurers of the first override attempt in 1998, which barely squeaked by.

Since then, most District 66 residents have agreed that the members of the school board are good stewards of our tax dollars.

I also like the idea of a mail-in only ballot. The state of Oregon has mail-in only elections, and that has increased voter participation greatly.

We here in the Westside neighborhood support our district wholeheartedly.

There is now some doubt that the Keystone XL pipeline will get built (TransCanada throws future of pipeline into question, July 29 World-Herald).

It all comes down to supply and demand. Investing in tar sands oil and the Keystone XL is a bit like Warren Buffett investing in more coal trains. With cheap natural gas and cheap renewable energy available, why invest in a fuel that will only face future regulations?

Patricia Fuller, Council Bluffs

Science is on pipelines side

The proposed Keystone XL pipeline must be the most studied petroleum product-transport system in history.

It twice received the highest level of environmental analysis our federal government musters, an environmental impact statement. Every state that the pipeline would pass through also conducted its own environmental analysis.

Independent agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also were involved in the review of this project and contributed to the peer-reviewed science contained in these studies.

Every issue still being raised about this project, both for and against, are fully accounted for in these studies.

Environmental analysis done for this project reached the same conclusion: The Keystone XL pipeline would create no significant impact on human health or the natural environment, including no increase in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Lawmakers falling in line

I thought Nebraska was known for producing beef and corn. I didnt know that we also produced sheep.

Our congressional lawmakers vote for whatever theyre told to vote for. They should show some independence.

Polls say that we should fix Obamacare, not repeal and replace it. They should catch up with the times.

Fischer heard, heeded constituents

In response to July 30 Public Pulse writer Tom Phifer (Fischer picks the wrong side), who criticizes Nebraska U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer for her vote on the health care bill, I think hes angry because she didnt vote the way he wanted. I emailed her before the vote, and she voted just like I had hoped she would. Thank you, senator, for listening to your constituents.

Regardless of whether you like or dislike Obamacare, remember Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson was the deciding vote who gave us it.

If a human being has the guts and heart we expect of those who serve in the military of our beloved country, then why should we care that they are transgender service members?

How is it that we ask those who fight for our freedom to give up theirs?

Oath was to defend freedom

As a retired Navy officer, I also swore an oath like Aug. 2 Public Pulse writer Mike McGrath (The fight must go on). It stated that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

An important part of the Constitution is freedom of speech and a free press. Part of that is the right to say no or change your mind if you disagree with a law or policy.

I sense U.S. Sen. John McCains cancer diagnosis gave him a better perspective on health care, and his 30-plus years in the Senate prompted his willingness to compromise to get the job done.

Democrats and feckless Republicans arent our enemies but just citizens with different viewpoints. Name-calling shouldnt replace meaningful dialogue. Both sides have good ideas that should be implemented, and perhaps Gen. John Kellys experience will aid this cause in his new job of President Donald Trumps chief of staff.

The past six months have shown that nothing works unless both sides are included. Its called democracy. Something worth supporting and defending.

Jeff Johnston, Elmwood, Neb.

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The Public Pulse: Oath was to defend freedom - Omaha World-Herald