The Sydney massacre shows we must stand up against hatred, bigotry | Opinion
Sydney massacre
The killing of 15 people in Sydney, Australia during Chanukah, and the wounding of 27 more, is not only a tragedy for Jews but for humanity. When hate strikes one group, it threatens us all.
History shows that hate does not discriminate. Black people, Hispanics, Asians, Muslims, LGBTQ+ individuals, and countless others have been targeted simply for who they are or what they believe. Bigotry thrives on difference, but its reach is universal. What begins with one community rarely ends there.
As a Jew, I cannot forget the lessons of Nazi Germany. Good people who could have spoken out remained silent, and their silence became complicity. That danger is as real today as it was then. To do nothing is to stand with those who commit these atrocities.
In a world where every major religion preaches compassion and kindness, values meant to unite us are too often twisted into weapons that divide.
Earlier that day, before hearing of Sydney, I saw a swastika formed from shirt pins in a store dressing room. Hate lurks even in ordinary places, reminding us that vigilance is necessary. Hatred of one is hatred to us all.
Jeff Rubin, Berea
Three unwise men
In this alternate universe that we seem to be living in today, as we celebrate this holiday season, it seems the three wise men depicted as Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar have been replaced by three unwise men – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. May we have better days ahead.
Bob Sutton, Springfield
Barr on guns
I am interested in U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s, R-Ky., position on the gun violence on college campuses and against Jewish people celebrating their faith this weekend. Barr would support the deportation of the Syrian immigrant who took the gun away from a person actively shooting Jewish people.
Barr’s chief of staff wrote me directly that he is opposed to micro-engraving. Micro-engraving, when properly used, would help police solve shootings like the one at Brown University this weekend.
When I contacted Barr’s Lexington office to discuss gun violence prevention, I was sent a letter from his Chief of Staff trying to intimidate me and discourage interactions with my elected representative.
Does Kentucky need an elected official who refuses to even speak to his own constituents?
Brian Haggerty, Lexington
European allies
The Trump administration’s release of the 2025 National Security Strategy in early December clearly explains his turning his back on our European allies, gifting Ukraine to Russian President Vladimir Putin, authorizing military action along the Venezuelan coast and sending aid to Argentina. President Donald Trump is claiming North and South America as his sphere of influence and domination. The only people outside the western hemisphere he cares about are White South Africans.
Our meddling in Central and South America has not worked out well in the past. The CIA backed the overthrow of (the democratically elected) Chilean President Salvador Allende that led to Pinochet’s 16-year brutal dictatorship. Past involvement by the US in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela has had similar results: political turmoil, instability and resentment. Not to mention the fact that Canadians are currently boycotting the US because of Trump’s insults.
I have contacted my members of Congress about this issue and have received replies from both of Kentucky’s senators. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr has not acknowledged my concerns.
Krisia Rosa, Lexington
Pirate Trump
So now we’ve gone past murder in international waters to piracy, because President Donald Trump says that we should somehow just “trust him” that it was “good reasoning”... I’m sure every criminal would claim there was “good reasoning” behind their actions.
He says there was a “good reason” to commit an act of war against another sovereign nation. That comes after Trump tried giving Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin every excuse to blame Ukraine for Putin’s invasion of that country. Trump is trying to force the surrender of Ukraine, pretending it is “peace negotiations.”
Evidence is evidence, however. Look in your wallet. Look in your bank account. Look at your bills and see how there is nothing left to spend and no further debt to dive into. We are being priced out of homes; priced out of transportation; priced out of health care; priced out of education; and priced out of food. And Trump has the audacity to say that “affordability” is a “Democrat” hoax.
The only hoax is a felon, who is also a Putin ally, acting as an international high seas pirate while pretending to be a President and not a traitor.
Robert Moreland, Lexington
Do your puppy research
If you want a puppy, do your research. People often buy puppies from stores without realizing they are supporting puppy mills. Puppy mills are high-volume breeding operations. Dogs are kept in cramped, filthy cages and deprived of proper care. Puppies raised in mills are often sick or carrying diseases that can be passed to people.
Investigations by organizations like Humane World for Animals reveal that many pet stores mislead buyers about their puppies’ origins. They claim to work with responsible breeders, but many of these dogs actually come from puppy mills. Some puppies even die shortly after purchase due to neglect and poor health. This is why Lexington passed the humane pet sales ordinance — to protect families and the innocent animals who suffer.
If you know someone adding a puppy to their family this holiday season, encourage them to adopt from shelters or rescues. There are rescue organizations for nearly every breed. If you buy a puppy, work directly with responsible breeders who allow you to see where the dogs are raised. Buying online, from puppy stores, or at flea markets hides the cruel reality behind the sale. Don’t support puppy mills. Choose compassion this holiday season.
Nici Gaines, Lexington
Edited by Liz Carey
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM.