No Kings Protests Are

Singular In Purpose

To The Readers’ Forum:

The “No Kings” protests are singular in purpose — to reclaim our endangered republic from the rising plutocracy in America.

After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, while Benjamin Franklin was walking out of Independence Hall, someone shouted to him, “Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?” In reply, Franklin quipped, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Just government authority in our society comes from us, i.e., the consent of the governed, not from the consent of those who govern us. Our founders realized this and immortalized this founding principle of governance in the Declaration of Independence.

It was up to us to elect a president in 2024 who would not threaten our status as citizens of a republic, who would not centralize power in the Executive Branch, who not seek retribution against those with opposing views, who would not ignore existing laws and legislate from the Oval Office, who would not politicize the Judiciary, and who would not demand absolute fealty from his appointees.

But we failed. And in the coming months, and long, harsh years ahead, we will realize, day-by-day, what it feels like to be subjects, under the thumb of an autocratic state, unless we do all we can — “with all deliberate speed” — to preserve the republic our Founders created in order to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”

The protests symbolize the Right of the People to alter a Government destructive of these ends.

Maurice Baggiano

Jamestown

Member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court

Why Did Trump Relax Oil Sanctions On Russia?

To The Readers’ Forum:

Recently Iran targeted and hit a radar command and control aircraft that was on the ground at a U S base in Saudi Arabia. This required very precise targeting information, i.e. where it was on the ground (very precise coordinates), and how long it would be there (also very precisely). Where did this precise information come from? It surely came from Russia who has been known to be sharing intelligence information with Iran.

And yet, Donald Trump has relaxed the oil sanctions on Russia. This allows Putin to sell more oil at spectacularly higher prices to finance the war against Ukraine. Why would Trump do such a thing? It is obvious that Putin has some hold on Trump because whenever Putin needs a favor, Trump provides one.

When will our Congress start doing the right thing for the United States instead of for Donald Trump and his cult?

Daniel Olson

Jamestown

Catholic Charities Brings

Hope To Neighbors

To The Readers’ Forum:

For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities has stood alongside Western New Yorkers during some of the hardest chapters of their lives. Today, nearly one in every ten people in our region will be touched by its work. That’s not just a statistic. It represents children, parents, seniors and neighbors who need support to steady their footing and move forward.

Hope takes many forms inside Catholic Charities.

It’s a mother receiving counseling so she can hold her family together during a time of stress. It’s an older adult who no longer has to choose between paying for medication or buying groceries. It’s a domestic violence offender finding healing and coping strategies to end the cycle of violence. It’s a young person struggling with anxiety or depression who finally finds someone willing to listen.

The need in Western New York has not gone away. In many cases, it has grown. Mental health challenges continue to rise. Food insecurity remains a daily concern for thousands of families. For some, a single unexpected expense can trigger a crisis. In moments like these, having somewhere to turn can make all the difference.

As chair of the 2026 Appeal, I’ve seen firsthand how essential this annual campaign is. The Appeal funds dozens of programs — from in-school social work and family stabilization to mental health counseling and support for older adults. It ensures that when someone walks through the door feeling scared or uncertain, they are met with compassion and practical help.

This year’s goal of $8 million reflects both the economic pressures families are facing and the very real challenges nonprofit organizations are navigating. The number of people Catholic Charities can serve is directly tied to the generosity of our community. Simply put, the support we receive determines how many lives can be changed.

Every dollar donated stays right here in Western New York. Every gift helps someone, regardless of faith or background. And every act of generosity becomes part of someone else’s story of hope.

We all want to live in a community where neighbors look out for one another. Supporting the Appeal is one way to make that belief real. Because Catholic Charities serves all, we invite all who can to give. We are counting on you to stand with Catholic Charities in helping to bring hope to Western New York – today, tomorrow, and throughout 2026.

Appeal 2026 runs through June 30. I invite anyone who is able to join us in standing with Catholic Charities — and with the thousands of Western New Yorkers who are counting on that hope.

Dan Mecca,

Buffalo

Chair of Catholic Charities Appeal 2026