To the editor: I applaud columnist Jackie Calmes for pointing out that President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter was intended to protect him from the threat of malicious prosecution by the incoming Trump administration. (“The backlash against the backlash against Hunter Biden’s pardon,” Opinion, December 6)
However, Calmes writes that the president lied when he said he would not forgive his son. I disagree with that.
I think Biden was telling the truth at the time because he expected Vice President Kamala Harris to win. He had every right to change his mind when President-elect Donald Trump won.
Moralists who rush to judgment seem to see everything in black and white. They seem oblivious to the distinction here.
Richard McCurdy, Burbank
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To the editor: Hunter Biden was found guilty of violating a federal law that makes it a felony for “an unlawful user of a controlled substance” to possess a gun.
Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance that is federally illegal to use.
Therefore, this law automatically deprives the Second Amendment rights of anyone who has ever simply ingested a cannabis gummy to help them sleep. And that person is subject to 10 years in federal prison if they possess a gun.
Ill-conceived or outdated laws like this must be quickly reconsidered so that they cannot be weaponized by bad actors who would use them in harmful ways.
Brian Roberts, Covina
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To the editor: I'm sorry that Calmes feels that Biden lied to us all when he originally said he and his son would accept the outcome of his son's trials, and then months later granted a pardon.
This fall, circumstances changed dramatically. A man who has been chosen to be our next president has said he would seek revenge against several people, probably including Hunter Biden.
Do you think there are circumstances that can make a person change their mind? If so, would you label that person a liar?
Do you think following through on a declaration of revenge will make Trump an honest man? If forgiving the January 6 rioters is part of that revenge, then we are in a sad situation.
I agree with Calmes that it is time to limit presidential powers and balance them with other branches of government.
Deborah Regan, Palos Verdes Peninsula
