Childless cat ladies I know are more invested in kids than JD Vance. How dare he shame them?

Vance riled up the wrong cat ladies

I couldn't help myself.

As the "childless cat ladies" quip rattled around in my brain I started compiling a list of all the CCL's I've known in my life.

I arbitrarily stopped at 35.

The list includes a sibling, numerous cousins, many friends and former co-workers plus the No. 1 entertainer in the world. For the vast majority I would say their status is a choice and not the result of bad luck or some need to avoid being part of society.

Vance thinks my vote should count less. He should listen to Jennifer Aniston.

In fact, many on my list are teachers or in some cases social workers who I dare say have invested more time with kids than Mr. JD Vance.

Too, almost all are aunts who dote on nieces and nephews. Next time you try to rile up the base, Mr. Vance, you might consider a new tact.

Jon Armstrong, Columbus

Looking forward to Zone In, changes to Clintonville

After months of review, it’s time for Columbus City Council to vote on Zone In. I know I am not alone when I express my excitement for what the future holds under the new code. Zone In will allow for new homes on vacant and underutilized lots, allowing us to invite new neighbors to our communities who before could not afford or could not find housing where they wished to live.

I’m also excited for how these changes will affect Clintonville, where I was born and raised and where I now live with my wife and dogs. These changes will increase the diversity and availability of housing in Clintonville, providing more housing for young people just starting out and for long-time residents — like my parents — who wish to downsize and stay in the neighborhood they love.

More: Zone In is one of many steps in the right direction needed to address housing crisis

These changes are about building a better future for the citizens of Columbus and our future neighbors, and I’m glad to see the city is focusing on its future.

I urge Council to pass Zone In so we can move towards a more walkable Columbus, built for people and not cars, where people of all backgrounds can live across our great city.

Jordan Griffith, Columbus

Compelling argument missing

Letters the Dispatch publishes on the 2024 presidential race fall into two categories. Most trash former President Donald Trump, and are likely written by people who would vote Democrat regardless of who was the candidate. A few are written demonizing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris by people who likely would never vote for a Democrat.

Absent are letters that dispassionately discuss the issues that will be deciders for those in the middle of the political spectrum, who will cast the deciding votes in this election.

Hard as it is for the true believers on both sides of our cavernous political divide to believe, there are good points supporting both sides’ arguments about how to create jobs, tame inflation, secure our borders, equitably reform our tax laws, and the like.

The Dispatch should give a voice to those who discuss the merits of the competing arguments.

Mark Abel, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Childless cat ladies I know are more invested in kids than JD Vance. How dare he shame them?