I'm not a country fan, but I felt my heart drop when my mom texted me the news about Dolly Parton's death — and a look on the news or social media made it clear I wasn't the only one mourning.
In fact, as I searched online to confirm if the worst was really true, I was surprised by not just how quickly the internet had been transformed from a place of cynicism to heartfelt reflection but how united this sentiment seemed to be.
In a day and age when nobody can seem to agree on anything, figures as different as President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered their condolences and recognition of Dolly's extraordinary contributions to music and philanthropy. Perhaps it's cynical to think that this wouldn't be the standard after
the passing of a major figure, but if the deaths of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and former FBI Director Robert Mueller have taught us anything, it's that the divisiveness of our current political environment has rendered even that untrue.
So even through my grief, a part of me felt something akin to hope after Dolly's death. Politics sometimes make the world feel so divided on every fundamental thing in life; with the contested U.S. Senate race ongoing, this seems especially true in Michigan lately. The outpouring of love, sorrow, and reflection from all sides after Dolly's death thus served as a reminder that there is truly more that unites us than divides us. Dolly said it best herself: "There’s just so much craziness in the world. We need to be brought together. We need to be a little more accepting, a little more forgiving, a little more harmonious. It can’t just be about the person; it has to be about all of us as a whole." Dolly left many inspirational messages throughout her career, but I truly feel this is the most important.
I miss you already, Dolly, but thank you for this final posthumous reminder. Thank you for strengthening my faith in humanity. Thank you for giving me hope.
Ari Hickman
South Lyon
Lake name change would be a SHAME
President Donald Trump has signed an order renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America." I propose that the "HOMES" mnemonic that most children learn to remember the names of our Great Lakes, (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior), be established as "SHAME," using the exaggerated comedic intonation to punctuate the absurdity.
Susan Scannell
Allen Park
An envied friendship destroyed
I’ve been a Windsor area resident for all my 88 years, and I’ve witnessed Windsor and Detroit’s ups and downs due to the health or problems of the auto industry. The beautiful new Gordie Howe International Bridge that directly connects Ontario’s Hwy 401 and Interstate I-75, and cost Canada $6.4 billion in Canadian dollars gives the transportation and manufacturing industries in this area a more efficient route, while also encouraging tourism for both cities.
The new bridge is named after hockey legend Gordie Howe. Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder and Canada’s Prime Minister Steven Harper in 2015 chose the bridge’s name to honor Howe while also being a tribute to a long friendship between two countries. Sadly, the initial ribbon cutting ceremony of the bridge was delayed due to political wrangling, and later marred due to Canada having its official ribbon cutting ceremony without American involvement as previously planned, because of continuing political differences.
It’s so sad, that in such a short time we in the Windsor area who have visited Detroit and Michigan’s different restaurants, malls, and tourist sites without a second thought, must now think differently due to today’s trade war. I hope during my remaining years, I’ll see everything return to the way it once was and should always be: Canada and the USA having a friendship envied by nations throughout the world.
Peter J. Middlemore Sr.
Windsor
I'm glad Freep writes about hidden gems
Get off of my lawn, Ben Kroeger! Your recent letter about Freep writers ruining Michigan's hidden gems ("Stop writing about Michigan's hidden gems!" Aug. 23) was about as "grumpy" as you can get. Why would we not want to share the beauty of Michigan's natural beauty and quaint small towns?
Kevin W. Frailey
Holt
Blue Cross is making the right change when insuring therapy visits
In 1973, I began my Michigan psychiatric practice. I, along with the Michigan Psychiatric Society, Blue Cross, members of the UAW and automobile industry helped Blue Cross develop the Outpatient Clinic Psychiatric program. This allowed senior mental health providers get reimbursed by insurance for their work. It is a good model for providing mental health care. Other similar programs are now found all over the country.
From the beginning, we required providers to be board certified psychiatrists, PhD psychologists, and/or master's level psychologists and social workers who have had extensive post degree experience under supervision.
The committees I served on in the following years have added that the providers must be licensed in their field and earn continued education credits every year. The Joint Commission of Hospitals and other agencies add a level of national authority to their credentialing process.
I support Blue Cross's decisions to enforce provider standards and stop covering counselors, therapists and social workers with limited licenses. Providers who will be exempted next March would help their clients (patients) by supporting a transfer to a Blue Cross network provider.
Saul Forman, M.D.
Novi
How would shop classes return to local high schools?
I’m confused. Mike Rogers promises to restore shop classes in every high school. But what power does a U.S. Senator have over local school boards? Local boards did away with shop back when the costs of liability insurance skyrocketed. When just a few young people lose an eye or hand, the costs are for a lifetime. There were too many other basic needs competing for available money. Is Rogers asking for federal aid to bear these costs? Project 2025 proposed eliminating the Department of Education? Is he asking that federal education funds be taken away from other programs like Head Start and used to restore shop classes? Or is he just taking advantage of voter nostalgia for the good old days?
Ben Washburn
This letter writer served on the Detroit School Board from 1989 to 1999.
Detroit
Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it in print or online.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dolly Parton overcame partisan divide | Letters
