Make critics ride around with the cops

Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, has found issues regarding police officer interactions with mentally disabled people (“Probe critical of police dealings with mentally ill,” Tuesday Review-Journal). She believes this to be a breach of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Years of education are necessary in order for someone to be capable of evaluating an individual’s mental state. Does Ms. Gupta honestly believe a police officer should be able to ascertain a person’s mental state, be it impairment, anger or — worse — criminal intent? The officer’s only obligation is to intervene when a disturbance occurs and to arrest any individual who is a threat to himself or others.

Professional assessment would be appropriate after public safety has been restored.

It would be beneficial to make it mandatory for agency heads charged with analyzing police procedures to ride along with patrols once a week for a one-year period.

Tom Hoover

Las Vegas

National ideals

In America, the 49er quarterback is within his right to do what he did. But Colin Kaepernick doesn’t understand how to focus his complaint. Through his actions and words he appears to be targeting our flag and our anthem — rather than the behavior of people — as the cause for some of society’s ills.

There are three things that represent the American spirit. They are our Constitution, our flag and our national anthem. They are the ideals of the true America. We pay respect to our flag and anthem because we understand what they represent.

Our flag can’t come down from the pole and control what people do or say. Only the heart of a man controls what he does or says. Those who don’t live up to the ideals should be called out, not our flag or our national anthem. Under the umbrella of the Constitution, the flag and anthem are why we can peacefully protest, what we have fought and even died for. All for the ideals of America.

Finally, some food for thought for the young QB: “No greater love hath a man than to lay down his life for his brother.”

R.L. Williams

Las Vegas

Arrogant Harry

I read Harry Reid’s comments the other day and have been fuming ever since (“Reid predicts Clinton win,” Aug. 24 Review-Journal). He stated that there were not enough uneducated white men to elect Donald Trump.

I’ll have Sen. Reid know that I am uneducated, according to him. But the fact remains I have a better education than a college graduate today. I went through higher learning for 40-plus years on campuses all over this once-great country. It was Hard Knocks University. And I excelled.

But what I learned there doesn’t mean anything to Sen. Reid or any of the other butt-kissers in D.C. One thing is for sure: I am educated enough to know not to vote for a liar, thief and traitor in November.

I’d like to tell Harry Reid what to do with his education and arrogance.

John McKinnon

Las Vegas

Trump pandering

In response to Dave Dandrea’s Tuesday letter, “Who’s the racist, Trump or Clinton?”

Very early In her life, Hillary Clinton was working tirelessly as an advocate for abused minorities. During the early years of Donald Trump’s life, he was being sued by the federal government for refusing to rent to blacks.

During the past 30 years, Hillary has given numerous speeches to the black community — for free, I might add. Whereas, Mr. Trump, in 70 years, finally addressed a black church this week for the first time.

I really think the “filthy rich” charlatan is the one doing the pandering.

Anne Stephen

Las Vegas

Not change

Would someone ask Hillary Clinton, “What was Donald Trump’s involvement with the government in the past 10 years?” Is the $19 million national debt Mr. Trump’s fault? Is it Mr. Trump who invented Obamacare? Is it Mr. Trump who has divided this country?

I can go on and on about all this country faces in the next 10 years, including appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court. The question is: Will Hillary Clinton be able to handle this job considering her past? I don’t think so.

Barack Obama ran on change. The next eight years demand change. Hillary is not change.

Dave Mesker

Las Vegas