As a cardiologist, I am pleased to see that the D.C. Council is considering raising the tax on cigarettes ("D.C. Council looks at adding $2 to cigarette packs sold in District," Web, April 9). Tobacco use is rampant in the District and is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke and death. Every day I treat patients who could have prevented their heart attack, stroke or other illness simply by never starting to use tobacco or by quitting.
SharesSome political analysts see the departure of House Speaker Paul Ryan as problematic for the Republicans. I beg to differ.
SharesOur nation has reached a critical stage in its ongoing evolution. We are dangerously close to becoming a socialist country (think Venezuela). We elected President Trump because he promised to get us back on the path our Founders intended. He has been working to do that but it's been slow and difficult because much of Congress and the federal courts have fought him every step of the way.
SharesAfter a week of stock-market tumult due to fears of President Trump "sparking a trade war with China," buried in the news of fake presidential scandals recently was that the almighty China has capitulated to our president's fiery rhetoric — and will cut tariffs on imports into the world's largest economy. This is yet another monumental victory for Mr. Trump.
SharesI was saddened to read of the Mueller investigation forwarding information to the New York arm of the Justice Departmet, a move that resulted in actions which shattered attorney-client privilege.
SharesAtheism is a non-belief in a god, while humanism is an ethical view ("Navy rejects 'non-theist' for chaplain corps; lawmakers warn against changing core mission," Web, March 27). Being a humanist chaplain would not mean, as some seem to believe, jumping at the chance to tell soldiers who believe in a deity that one does not exist.
SharesAs President Trump weighs a response to the latest deadly Syrian chemical-weapons attack on civilians, he should consider formally recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights ("Trump unleashes anger on 'Animal' Assad over apparent chemical attack in Syria," Web, April 8).
SharesI recently saw an interview with Lynnette "Diamond" Hardaway and Rochelle "Silk" Richardson on FOX News. I've seen both conservative women in interviews before, telling the public their opinions while giving support to our president. I always cheer them on because considering the left's continuous assaults on everything President Trump says and does, it is refreshing to hear from people with common sense.
SharesA recent ranking by Business Insider puts North Carolina in the top 10 states for wage growth in 2017, and it's clear why: Wages in the state grew at an average rate of 3.8 percent last year.
SharesCheryl K. Chumley is correct about private-property rights being a volatile issue ("Private property rights still very much a fight, circa 2018," Web, April 5). The fight has consequences, and the unintended ones often result in environmental harm. Ms. Chumley mentions a bunch of federal laws and regulations that directly affect private property, but the indirect impacts can be even more profound.
Shares"Djibouti's president for life moves towards China, threatening U.S. security interests" (Web April 3) is an erroneous and grossly misleading headline. Djibouti does not have a "president for life," nor does op-ed writer L. Todd Wood say it does. Djibouti is a democratic country with a Constitution.
SharesAfter listening to about 10 minutes of National School Walkout speakers rail against guns, I've come to realize that these foolish children -- who are just screaming to have their rights taken away -- need a big dose of reality. It's time to bring back the draft, and not just for boys.
SharesA California judge's recent coffee ruling is so strange you have to wonder if Starbucks actually bribed the plaintiffs to bring suit in the first place ("The Hysteria State," Web, April 5). The fact is that the most prominent sources of acrylamides are in processed foods (e.g., potato chips, cookies, crackers and practically all foods containing toasted grains).
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