Tim Walz and the Pull of Rural America

To the Editor:

Re “Democrats Have Needed Someone Like Walz for Decades,” by Sarah Smarsh (Opinion guest essay, Aug. 9):

Thank you for publishing Ms. Smarsh’s article, which so eloquently and succinctly illustrates how politicians, pundits and journalists have marginalized rural America by lumping us into a single category: red state.

I am from a long line of early Indiana settlers: hard-working people who began as farmers and maintained honest lives while supporting democratic ideals and the Democratic Party. Reading this piece is a breath of fresh air, and I appreciate that Ms. Smarsh shares our appreciation for the honesty and direct communication of a fine person like Tim Walz. Thank you, Minnesota.

Diana Wann
Lebanon, Ind.

To the Editor:

Having grown up in a small town in Minnesota, I agree with Sarah Smarsh that Gov. Tim Walz brings back some essential elements into our politics.

I am only a few generations removed from Norwegian immigrants who came to America and helped settle an area near the South Dakota border in the last decades of the 19th century.

The effort to tame and harvest the prairie created a very pragmatic “let’s get it done and move on to other things” philosophy. Many of the older farmers I remember would describe today’s political rhetoric as “bells and whistles, but no engine.”

Mr. Walz is not only a refreshing relief from much of the mindless political rhetoric we have to listen to today. He may very well also be putting the engine back on our national economy.

Dennis M. Clausen
Escondido, Calif.

To the Editor:

What a thoughtful and descriptive essay about rural America by Sarah Smarsh.

I am a Black woman living in rural North Carolina born in Georgia almost 90 years ago, and a former member of Congress. I can confirm rural America’s diversity in race, beliefs, politics and faith.

We Democrats have usually conceded rural America to the Trump campaign without investing sufficient time and effort. What a delight to hear Vice President Kamala Harris say rural America will be a part of her campaign along with the rest of the nation.

Her selection of Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate is a big step toward that goal. His biography and record of service speak for themselves, and his expression of hope, joy and clarity of expression will resonate with rural North Carolina and rural America.

The two of them visiting rural America and conversing with its citizens will ensure that Donald Trump does not have this population to himself.

Eva M. Clayton
Littleton, N.C.

A Rattled Donald Trump

To the Editor:

Re “Trump’s Circle Sees Him Lose Grip of His Bid” (front page, Aug. 11):

I read with amusement this article describing the dismay of Donald Trump’s advisers and supporters over his lack of a cogent or coherent strategy to defeat Kamala Harris.

What really delights me is recognizing that neither Mr. Trump nor his army of strategists fully considered the risks or consequences of engaging in an unusually early presidential debate with President Biden. If Mr. Trump had simply patiently waited until after the Democratic National Convention for the initial debate, he would still be facing his Democratic candidate of choice.

Instead, Mr. Trump allowed himself to fall victim to the greatest debate and switch of all time.

John Baum
Baltimore

Cancer Screenings Save Lives and Are Worth the Cost

To the Editor:

Re “$43 Billion Price Tag on Cancer Screening Each Year Spurs Debate” (news article, Aug. 7):

Karen E. Knudsen, the chief executive of the American Cancer Society, got it right when she said of cancer screening, “The cost is small compared to the cost of being diagnosed with late-stage disease.”

According to a 2023 study in the Journal of Medical Economics, lung cancer is one of the most expensive cancers when treated at a late stage. A 2017 study found cost differences between treating early versus late stage to be tens of thousands of dollars less for early-stage treatment.

By the time most lung cancers are diagnosed, it’s too late. Yet we know that the disease is curable if caught early. Lung cancer screening is the best tool we have for early detection that allows us to diagnose, treat and cure the disease at its earliest stage.

We need to invest more, not less, to find the disease early when it can be managed and cured. And we need to ensure that those at risk get screened. We know through our work that screening has saved lives.

Laurie Ambrose
Washington
The writer is president and C.E.O. of GO2 for Lung Cancer.

From Rust to Rescue Hero

To the Editor:

Re “An American Gem Desperately Needs a Home. It’s 990 Feet Long” (front page, Aug. 14):

I have come to love the S.S. United States. A logical solution to repurpose the vessel would be for the federal government to use it as an emergency support ship in coastal areas of the U.S. affected by ever-increasing violent natural disasters.

Imagine if days after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf region, people saw this titan of an ocean liner pull into harbor ready to assist people in truly dire straits? It could have shelter for 5,000 people, water purification capabilities, power generation, an infirmary and supplies. The Big U could also be used as the symbol of American benevolence by showing up in areas of the globe hit by similar disasters.

The engines need a full replacement; this is not an easy task, but other ships have had it done. And while decommissioned naval ships can be used as engine donors, using the latest technology in sustainable propulsion would show that the U.S. is a technology leader.

Let’s turn this rusting hulk into a symbol of our country’s rebirth as a leader in responding to disasters with the care and capabilities we have at our disposal.

Eric Planey
Hamburg, N.Y.
The writer is the C.E.O. of SolaBlock Inc., a maker of solar embedded concrete wall systems.

An Olympic Transit Reality Check

To the Editor:

Re “Will Los Angeles Really Be Able to Deliver a ‘Car-Free’ Olympics?” (Sports, Aug. 12):

Any Angeleno knows the answer to the question. The Olympics will take place in multiple locations, some near to and others far from one another. Most of these locations are not within walking distance from projected or existing Metro stops.

To this day, the Los Angeles Metro system is vastly underused compared with those of other megacities such as Mexico City or Tokyo. This is because the Metro grid does not extend widely into the city’s neighborhoods.

One can only hope that the Olympics will make the city realize that, in order to have a successful transit system, it must provide easy access to the Metro stops. As most Angelenos need a car to get to the Metro stations, large parking structures that should have been part and parcel of the Metro project should be built close to all of them.

To serve the elderly, nondriving or physically challenged public transportation users, a system of electric minibuses — such as the Dash buses already in service — ought to be created.

J. Patrice Marandel
Los Angeles