Live updates: Pence calls on protesters to leave Capitol | Jan. 6

This is treason

All during Donald Trump’s presidency, as fake as it was, he railed about Antifa and other rioters, and his administration used force to clear peaceful protesters out of the way. Congratulations to all you Republicans who voted for Donald Trump and are probably supporting his coup attempt right now, which is exactly what he’s doing, stoking the emotions of people whom he’s lied to for the past five years. Everyone involved, including the president and all these other Republican senators, should be brought up on treason charges. Because that’s what it is — treason.

Robert Rushton, Land O’ Lakes

Live updates: Pence calls on protesters to leave Capitol | Jan. 6

Save our country

The Republicans claim to be the party of law and order. Today’s events are the furthest thing from that. President Donald Trump must be removed from office and charged with inciting sedition. Our Congress swore an oath just days ago. That oath is to our Constitution, not to the president. It’s time to step up and remove him. Save our country.

Tracy Fugleberg, Tampa

Attack on democracy | Editorial, Jan. 6

This strengthens our democracy

Your editorial promotes the myth that questioning the results of an election is an attack on democracy. Such an assertion is actually an attack on democracy, because it denies the loser of an election the opportunity to question the results of an election and is a technique used in autocracies to prevent dissent. We are governed by a Constitution, not an idealistic view that we are a democracy.

The problem today is not that fraud can be proven, but that the reaction to fraud claims are dismissed out of hand. Voting fraud is extremely hard to prove, but it is also difficult to prove that it didn’t happen, particularly when the reaction is to just assert that the election was clean and the claims are dismissed. The ability to contest an election legally makes our democracy stronger.

Ronald Hall, Lutz

Appointments to receive vaccine fill up quickly | Jan. 6

Model the VA here

I am amazed at all the negative comments concerning the rollout of the vaccine. As usual, the state pushed all requirements, as well as blame, to the county health departments. The state and counties have underfunded the county health departments for so many years that it is amazing they still exist. Yet they are now on the forefront of administering the vaccine, much as they were to do the testing, and we know how well that worked.

I am a 40-year veteran with 60 percent disability. Today, I visited a local clinic for lab work in preparation for a medical appointment. I received a text reminding me of the visit, once I arrived, another text asked several questions concerning my health, after which a text arrived indicating the lab was ready for me. Once I arrived at the lab, it took about three minutes to do the blood draw. If the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can do this with its limited funding, why can the state not set up an online registration system keyed to your ZIP code with text messages informing you when and where to arrive after you have filled out required paperwork online? The only problem I see is that they will select the same company that did so well with the state toll collection system or for unemployment claims.

Joseph Bolick, San Antonio