In defense of social media

I read with interest Bill Poindexter's April 25 editorial on "Washington politics brings out the worst in us" and agree with him on most everything he wrote. But he may be missing a key aspect regarding social media. I am a frequent user of both X and Facebook platforms and can confirm the off-on ugliness of those spaces. I have won and lost friends/followers there via my conservative commentary. I have been accused of allying myself with Hitler and Satan, and praised for supporting "The New Golden Age of America." Never, however, would I feel emboldened on changing another person's vote by my posts, which would be nothing but pure folly. Mr. Poindexter is correct in saying "not going to happen." The real value of being on these platforms and engaging others in my POV is in "opening the eyes" in experiencing and knowing the full spectrum of thoughts, ideas and beliefs, which can leave one in absolute astonishment. Who could have imagined Trump coming from the deep reaches of outer space to win #47? Or AOC now being a frontrunner on the 2028 Democrat presidential ticket? Along the way, while posting my own views and ideas on social media, it becomes an educational experience, as I do research and test the validity of posts (including my own) using ChatGPT, GROK 3, Google and other AI sources. A key result is tempering my own emotions with a more intelligent viewpoint while sometimes witnessing the amusing emotional meltdowns in opposing views. Nonetheless, I find social media to be a valuable and thought-provoking educational space – a free market exchange of intelligent ideas as well as moronic ones, all mixed together in this cauldron of stew we call democracy. And we can do it without fear of getting a knock on our door by a 3-letter agency at 4 a.m. Arnie Knipp Lincoln Kudos to Kiley, but don't be fooled Kudos to Congressman Kevin Kiley, who received the AmeriCorps Alumni Legacy Award. This award honors "AmeriCorps alumni who advance AmeriCorps through public service at the national, state, or local level." Kiley participated in the Teach for America program through AmeriCorps. While Kiley performed a vital and valuable public service during his time with the organization, he does not value it enough to advance or support funding for it. Not only has AmeriCorps explicitly been targeted by this administration, but the Republican budget plan, on which Kiley voted yes, cuts funding for AmeriCorps programs. No doubt, Kiley employs the same logic in voting against AmeriCorps funding that he uses to justify his vote to require massive cuts in Medicaid appropriations. As long as he pretends to focus on waste, fraud and abuse – the GOP tagline to mask their true intentions – he can say he's not voting to cut programs, then feign ignorance about the consequences of his actions. Don't be fooled by this blatant hypocrisy. It's OK for Kiley to smile while accepting the award, but we know we have to protect our backs. Barbara V. Smith Auburn