Presidential pardon needs reform
The recent overuse of presidential pardon authority clearly illustrates the flaw in this facet of government.
Virtually every president has applied the practice to at least some limited degree. Though executive pardons are subject to minimal checks and balances, practically speaking, this does not occur. Now justice, ethics and morality take a back seat to politics.
In our system of checks and balances, the executive, judicial and legislative branches are equal. However, when the president has the power to overturn judicial results, that balance is skewed. Yes, there are those rare instances of obvious judicial failings that cry out for atonement. But today, the application is primarily related to personal involvement of some nature between the president, his associates and someone with connections.
Congressional action, however difficult, must be initiated to curb this abuse of power.
MICHAEL L. SHAW, STONE MOUNTAIN
Trump overlooks urgency of climate action
President Donald Trump’s deeply troubling assertion that a “Golden Age” has begun overlooks the pressing realities of climate change and its serious consequences for Georgia.
Our state is grappling with troubling temperature rise, more frequent droughts and worsening coastal flooding, which threaten agriculture, water supplies and vulnerable coastal communities. Returning to policies that dismiss the urgency of climate action — including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement — risks prioritizing short-term political wins over the well-being of future generations.
Georgia is particularly vulnerable to a changing climate, and ignoring these challenges makes them harder to address. Instead of empty promises, we need leaders committed to protecting existing climate policies and advancing sustainable solutions that ensure a healthier, more resilient future for our state.
JEFF JOSLIN, ATLANTA
Threats of imperial conquest are terrifying
President Donald Trump’s recent threats of imperial conquest should terrify everyone. After repeatedly voicing disrespect for Canada and musing about making it our 51st state, Trump refused to rule out military force to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal.
After the 20th century’s two world wars, the world codified a consensus that nations have no right to invade and conquer other sovereign nations to take them over. Trump has no understanding of this principle. He embraces the Putin paradigm that might makes right, and any country with enough military strength to expand its territory by force should be free to do so.
Let’s hope our military would defy an illegal order to attack Greenland or Panama. In general, the world should treat America under Trump as a pariah and a rogue nation.
CHRIS MOSER, STONECREST
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