EDITORIAL Editorial voices from across the country
Editorial voices from newspapers across the United States:
The Marietta (Ohio) Times
Few people have any argument with the government seizing property owned by a drug trafficker. Often, houses, cars, or boats, not to mention the pusher’s cash, were obtained by breaking the law.
But what about someone merely accused of a crime? We Americans are innocent until proven guilty, right?
Welcome to the world of civil asset forfeiture. Under both state and federal laws, the authorities can seize property they believe was used in criminal activities. Not infrequently, they use the proceeds to buy law enforcement equipment.
Prosecutors can file motions to take property even if no one has been convicted of a crime. Once that happens, it is up to the owners to argue against the motion in court. In other words, the person whose possessions have been taken must go to court, usually by hiring an attorney, to prove he or she has not used the property in a crime.
Under no circumstances should police and prosecutors be permitted to take possessions unless proof has been provided in court that crimes have occurred – and that the owners of the property in question are guilty.
The Capital Times, Madison, Wis.
Donald Trump is a racist, as he has repeatedly demonstrated. The controversy surrounding his recent remarks regarding immigration policy highlights the extent of his racism. Much of the media focus with regard to those remarks was on the vile language he reportedly used in decrying immigration from Haiti, El Salvador and African nations. But the far more telling aspect of Trump’s ranting and raving was the juxtaposition of the president’s open disdain for immigration from countries where the vast majority of the people are black or brown with his enthusiasm for immigration from overwhelmingly white Norway.
Trump’s constant apologists – who, in so many senses, are more troublesome than this unstable president – made the usual excuses.
That was bad enough.
But the most unsettling responses were those of the Republican career politicians who obliquely recognized Trump said something horrible but sought to diminish the consequences of a presidency echoing the crude politics of the neo-fascist movements that are on the rise in Europe. Paul Ryan said amid the outcry over Trump’s remarks: “I read those comments later last night. So, first thing that came to my mind was very unfortunate, unhelpful.”
“Unhelpful”? That’s what you say when someone forgets to clear their place at the table.
Ryan has made it his mission to cover for Trump, even in the worst of circumstances. Even when Trump’s racism is on full display. It is sickening that a representative from Wisconsin would be so subservient, yet this is what Ryan chooses to contribute to the national discourse at a critical point.
The Holland (Mich.) Sentinel
The viability of local newspapers, including the one you are reading now, is being challenged by an unnecessary tariff on the import of newsprint from Canada – the paper used to print this newspaper and others across Michigan.
If fully implemented, the resulting hardship could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs in the newspaper industry. We are at an important juncture right now, and our role of getting real news to you on a daily basis matters more than ever.
A credible news source that has a vested interest in community-based news and information is the bedrock to our principles as a free nation. Readers rely on newspapers to provide credible information about what matters most to them – news about local people, local government, local happenings, local businesses and important public notices that can affect a community.
Newspapers and newspaper associations are uniting against newsprint tariffs. This is not only a print industry concern, but it also could ultimately affect other business segments in the U.S. that rely on paper products.
A free press is more important than ever, and newspapers have always been at the forefront of serving our communities. We remain steadfast in our commitment to doing so, and we could use your help to ensure that we can continue delivering papers to you.