6A OPINION

THE FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of all the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. OA6 Tuesday, Octoberpini 8, 2019 on Herald-Banner others say | guest editorial Internet access barriers create issues for rural residents eep East Texas’ connection to the internet just got a little bit stronger. Or at least it will after the Eco- nomic Development Administration approvedD a $600,000 grant application from the Deep East Texas Council of Governments for broadband network design. Those funds will help pay for broadband de- sign for the seven counties declared a disaster area during Hurricane Harvey - San Augustine, Newton, Jasper, Sabine, Tyler, Polk and San Ja- cinto counties. Those areas have all agreed to a local match of 20%, which totals about $150,000, Lonnie Hunt, DETCOG’s executive director, said. This project won’t build the infrastructure needed for broadband, but map where it should go, Hunt said. Hunt said DETCOG is ”actively pursuing” funds to cover the cost of designing a broad- band network for the other five counties in DETCOG, including Angelina. Hunt said Lufkin’s population, and because Lufkin and AP Special report | impeachment inquiry Huntington already have broadband access, complicates the matter by restricting the type of funding DETCOG can seek. What’s next in House investigations He said DETCOG officials didn’t want to take a piecemeal approach to the project, but realize By JILL COLVIN selor — will be making requested always cooperate.” A day later, ”it’s going to be impossible to flip a switch one Associated Press appearances, after Secretary of however, Trump had a different day and light up all 12 counties.” State objected to answer for the same question, Hunt said DETCOG is focused on moving WASHINGTON — House the timing. saying he would instead leave the forward until broadband access is available Democrats are marching forward matter to his lawyers. across the region and the gaps in service have with their impeachment inquiry MORE By Friday he had changed his been closed. into President , A lawyer representing the tune again, confirming reports That’s a sensible approach. It’s also the right with more depositions coming original intelligence community the White House was prepar- one. this week. whose complaint ing a letter to House Speaker The Federal Communications Commission Democrats are moving quickly launched the impeachment in- Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arguing says Deep East Texas has high-speed internet to interview key witnesses and quiry said Sunday that a second that Congress cannot undertake access because of reporting by businesses in lock down information as they whistleblower has come forward an impeachment investigation the area. The reality is much different, which explore the question of whether and spoken to the intelligence without having a formal vote to is why DETCOG has been working with in- the president compromised community’s internal watchdog, authorize it. Pelosi has resisted Code, a division of Ericsson Inc., to determine national security or abused his further complicating the presi- taking that step, insisting the how many people in the region go unserved or office by seeking dirt on a politi- dent’s case. House is well within its rules to underserved. cal rival from a foreign country. Attorney Mark Zaid said the conduct oversight of the execu- inCode’s analysis shows the lack of high- The probe was sparked by a second person has information tive branch under the Constitu- speed internet creates a large, negative impact whistleblower who revealed that that corroborates the original tion. on the region. But not having broadband isn’t Trump asked Ukrainian Presi- whistleblower’s complaint about It remains unclear when or just a hassle for people wanting to visit Face- dent Volodymyr Zelenskiy to in- Trump’s dealings with Ukraine even if the White House letter book or Instagram or Netflix, that study shows. vestigate former Vice President and has “firsthand knowledge” will be sent — but Democrats do Barriers to access create quality-of-life issues Joe Biden and his son Hunter of key events. not appear to be budging, even as on a day-to-day basis in the areas of education — potentially in exchange for That threatens to undermine they insist they have the needed and health care for rural residents. military aid money. Trump, who arguments made by Trump and votes. And it’s an economic development issue, too. has defended his conduct as “per- his allies that the original com- “If Speaker Pelosi did in fact A study earlier this year by the U.S. Chamber fect,” publicly called on China plaint was politically-motivated move forward with a floor vote of Commerce showed how better internet in last week to investigate the and unreliable because it was on actually proceeding with an rural communities could add billions to the Bidens, too. Calls to investigate based on secondhand or third- investigation ... there’s no ques- state and federal economy by 2021. Adding digi- the Bidens have come without hand information. tion in my mind that she would tal tools in rural communities would facilitate evidence of wrongdoing by ei- But that hasn’t stopped Trump have the votes,” Rep. Jim Himes faster growth and could increase rural business ther Biden in either country. and his allies from continuing of Connecticut, the top Democrat revenues by $84.5 billion across the country, ac- Trump’s lawyer, former New to try to undermine the source on the House Intelligence Com- cording to the study. York Mayor , says of the probe, while criticizing mittee, said on CBS’s “Face the Hunt knows DETCOG is undertaking an the calls for investigations are the way House Democrats are Nation.” ambitious and, in many ways, scary project perfectly kosher, telling Fox handling the inquiry. because of its potential effect on schools, hospi- News that the “president of the WILL MORE REPUBLICANS tals and industry. We want industries to come United States has every right MORE DEADLINES SPEAK OUT? in here and provide jobs and services to the to ask countries to help us in The House committees have Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, region. In turn, every other sector of the com- a criminal investigation that requested a slew of documents became just the third Republi- munity also benefits. should be undertaken.” from the White House as well as can senator to publicly question But none of that happens without the qual- Meanwhile, the administration top officials including Pompeo, Trump’s conduct when she said ity internet service that’s necessary to be able is continuing to offer mixed sig- Giuliani and Vice President over the weekend that “it’s not to do business. Hunt and DETCOG’s leaders nals as it struggles to respond to . Pompeo blew a OK” for a president to encourage understand this, and they understand the the barrage and as the president Friday deadline for comply- a foreign state to investigate a importance of having a plan that features a lashes out by tweet. ing with a subpoena, but said political rival. logical progression that provides a service built What’s coming next: over the weekend that the State The others are Sens. Ben to handle the region and its growth. Department had sent a letter to Sasse of Nebraska and Mitt After all, the future of our region depends on MORE DEPOSITIONS Congress Friday night as its ini- Romney of Utah. Romney’s it. Staff and lawmakers from the tial response to the request. He sharp criticism has sparked a — Lufkin Daily News House Intelligence Committee, also indicated a new willingness furious response from Trump, the House Oversight and Re- to comply, saying: “We’ll obvi- who took the extraordinary step form Committee and the House ously do all the things that we’re Saturday of calling for Romney’s Foreign Affairs Committee will required to do by law.” impeachment after labeling him continue to hear from witnesses Giuliani and Pence have been “pompous” and “a fool.” The throughout the week. Gordon given until Oct. 15 to turn over Constitution doesn’t call for Herald Banner Sondland, the U.S. ambassador their documents, while the White impeachment of a senator and Established 1869 to the European Union who has House subpoena deadline is Oct. Utah’s laws don’t have a provi- become a key figure in the probe, 18. sion for recalling one. Contact us will be deposed on Tuesday. And It appears unlikely many 903-455-4220 Marie Yovanovitch, the former WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE more Republicans will choose Lisa Chappell, Publisher x345 [email protected] U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who Trump has offered a series of to choose to take a stand against Dale Gosser, Editor x324 [email protected] was recalled from the post early, contradictory statements when the president, who remains deep- David Claybourn, Sports editor x360 [email protected] will be speaking Friday. it comes to whether or not his ly popular with Republican vot- Advertising x312 [email protected] Classifieds [email protected] It is uncertain whether two ad- administration plans to comply ers. That’s something one of the Tony Ippolito, Circulation director x336 [email protected] ditional figures — George Kent, with the House subpoena. Republicans challenging Trump the deputy assistant secretary of Asked about the prospect for the GOP presidential nomina- Subscribe state in the European and Eur- Wednesday, Trump offered an tion, Joe Walsh of Illinois, called Call 903-454-6397 asian Bureau, and Ulrich Brech- inaccurate, though conciliatory on fellow Republicans to do. Subscription / In-County / Out of County / Second class mail: buhl, a State Department coun- response, telling reporters, “I One year / $194.29/ $285.49 Six months / $100.02 / $147.06 Three months / $50.49 / $74.25 One month / $16.99 / $24.99 To start a subscription or to discuss billing or delivery issues, the circulation department is open from7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Letters Policy

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