Life in A Fox News bubble

Editor: In response to the letter “Dems have only themselves to blame for Trump” (May 27), during the 2024 presidential election it certainly did seem the Democrats continued to promote their radical “woke” ideologies — if you only gathered your information from Fox News. If one were to switch the channel or perhaps turn off the TV and go to the internet or print for information, they’d likely identify they were previously listening to alternative-fact enthusiasts. At the end of the day, it is inexcusable, not to mention unfathomable, that the right is unaware of this. Rather, the more likely explanation is that they have decided to play coy. Putting on the wide-eyed act instead of admitting fault is a tale as old as time.

We could sit here and discuss the things the Democrats did promote during the election — like increased child tax credits and minimizing out-of-pocket drug costs — but why waste the ink? At this point, voters on both sides of the aisle have come to terms that our country boarded the wrong train, as demonstrated by Trump’s whopping approval rating, which is in the 40s. Those who continue to approve of him are mostly the indoctrinated MAGA loyalists.

Democrats, of course, do bear fault for not getting their own candidate elected — but thinking that the reason is because of “woke ideology” is laughable. The only group tripping into that fallacy are the Fox-fed fiends. Blaming the election of Trump on the Democrats is ludicrous and goes to show Republicans can burn down this country and blame the trees for being flammable.

— Elyse S. Raxi, Wilkes-Barre

Letter’s ‘forked tongue’ reference insensitive

Editor: I am writing is response the possibly racist letter to the editor “Bresnahan spoke with ‘forked tongue’ ” (June 3). This forked tongue reference by meaning is to tell lies but lies are not what I am referring to. My concern is much more important.

This “spoke with forked tongue” saying is claimed to be originated by Native American tribes. Using this idiom as a description about U.S. Rep. Bresnahan’s voting record has possible racist connotations against Native Americans. I understand what you are trying to say about your dissatisfaction with Bresnahan but, couldn’t a more politically correct and less offensive written explanation about our representative’s voting record be written and published without using such a potentially discriminatory description?

I blame the person who submitted this letter and also the newspaper for publishing this possibly prejudiced article.

— John M. Fagotti, Pittston Twp.

‘Elite’ university funding saves lives in NEPA

Editor: Penn, Harvard, and other “elite” academic research institutions are under existential assault by the Trump administration. Collectively, universities have lost billions of dollars in NIH funding in just a few months — revoked for reasons ranging from supporting antisemitism, to promoting DEI, to conducting research on vaccines or infectious diseases. All these institutions are located over 100 miles from NEPA. Some, like my employer, are even on the other side of the country. It would be easy for a Scrantonian to conclude — “This doesn’t affect me. I didn’t attend or even apply to any of these schools. They are far from Scranton.”

Academic medical centers serve Pennsylvanians by training world-class doctors and healthcare workers. Many return to NEPA to care for patients in the community. Medical schools serve as referral centers, when special testing and cutting-edge treatments are unavailable locally. Taxpayers like you provide the funds universities use to perform research on devastating diseases. This includes discovery of new drugs and clinical trials of promising therapies.

The White House has proposed a massive $18 billion cut to NIH that would cripple biomedical research in America for years to come. In contrast, the administration has requested a $44 billion increase for mass deportation, and preparations for the 2026 soccer World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Do you, or a family member, have cancer? Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s? Heart or lung disease? Arthritis? Diabetes? When you get up in the morning, do you pray for a new treatment or cure? Is building a wall, deporting illegal immigrants or preparing for international sporting events a higher priority? You have a choice to make. I encourage you to contact your elected officials in Congress. Urge them to prioritize NIH funding to cure diseases. This is why “elite universities” should matter.

— P.J. Utz, King’s College (BS,’86), Stanford (MD,’91), Stanford, California