Pastor Lowell Thompson rests with the angels now

My pastor, the Rev. Lowell S. Thompson, died peacefully this week at age 92 in his home on Riverside Avenue in South Baltimore (“Closure of 166-year-old church in South Baltimore ‘the end of an era in that corner of the kingdom,'” June 29, 2019).

Pastor Thompson helped me spiritually many times in my life. When I was victimized as a young man by a violent assault in Baltimore, he counseled me and shared a passage from the Book of Psalms that helped me find inner strength to move forward from the attack. I still carry the passage in my wallet.

Pastor Thompson came to Saints Stephen and James Evangelical Lutheran Church at Hanover and Hamburg Streets from Gettysburg Seminary in 1962 and served as its only pastor. He resembled Edgar Allan Poe at the time and drove a yellow Volkswagen Beetle with his canoe on its roof. He played acoustic guitar and mandolin. I accompanied him on acoustic guitar when we performed at area senior centers.

Pastor Thompson enjoyed fishing. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a Renaissance man who read extensively to better understand diverse faith doctrines. He and I often talked about topics that forced me to search my soul for deeper context and meaning. We once attended a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” and a screening of “The Last Temptation of Christ.” In each instance, we ended up at Burke’s Restaurant drinking beer, eating onion rings and discussing what we had just experienced.

Pastor Thompson officiated at my wedding. He brought comfort with his eulogies at the funeral services of my parents. I always felt the presence of God whenever I was with Pastor Thompson and I am saddened by his death.

He donated his body to science as his final selfless act. A good man is now resting among the angels.

— Mel Tansill, Catonsville

Let us honor Biden’s selfless choice not to run

The decision of President Joseph Biden not to seek a second term is monumental (“Joseph R. Biden Jr. seizes upon his moment of grace,” July 21).

It is grounded in a fundamental concept of American history. This concept goes back to the Latin phrase primus inter pares or first among equals. Our first president, George Washington, gave up power at a time when this was not the norm.

This is exemplified by a quote from King George III when he heard of Washington’s decision. He said, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”

This important moment in history, as any important moment in history, gives us a chance to reflect on a larger concept for our society.

Biden’s decision not to seek a second term was not about age. It was because of his personal health.

The age of 81 alone is not the litmus test of one’s ability to serve. We all know individuals who were 81 and competent to serve and lead rewarding, productive lives. History is replete with examples: Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan.

Age alone is not the determining factor of a person’s capacity to serve. So, in this historic moment, let us honor President Joseph Biden’s selfless decision which was based on his health condition not his age.

Mr. President, thank you.

— Raphael J. Santini, Parkville

You just know Trump is itching to fire JD Vance

I agree with Candy Woodall’s recent “6 reasons Kamala Harris has better odds than Clinton against Trump” column which ran in The Las Vegas Sun. However, I don’t discount an “October surprise.”

It won’t have anything to do with the FBI. And, more likely, it’ll be an “August surprise.” My bet is former President Donald Trump is already regretting his pick of U.S. Sen. JD Vance as his running mate and is trying to figure how a way to dump him from the ticket. It’s probably not possible, but Trump is loyal to no one but his narcissistic self.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Trump can do just about anything short of “shooting someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue” and get away with it. Trumpsters under the “Trump trance” would not blink an eye if he somehow successfully creates a scenario whereby Vance is “fired.”

— J. Paul Blake, North Las Vegas, Nevada