Since when are ordinary citizens the ultimate jurors in an impeachment process?

When did the somber, serious legal undertaking of the impeachment process degenerate into a popularity contest?

When Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached and an impeachment inquiry was begun against Richard Nixon before he resigned, the process was dealt with by their peers in government. Members of the House and Senate, most of whom were lawyers who knew the law and the Constitution, weighed the facts on their merits in an orderly process.

Knowing this, voters accepted their evidence-based verdicts.

But today, with respect to President Donald Trump’s possible impeachment, suddenly the talk is all about how voters may or may not validate the outcome — as if that should be the deciding factor.

We voters indeed have a stake in the outcome, but we are by and large abysmally ignorant of the law and how it applies. Voters are similarly ignorant about how the elements of our government were designed to operate.

Has the advent of Trump so warped reality that it has nullified our ability to stay rational, observe due process and accept the verdict?

Ted Z. Manuel, Hyde Park

Cyclists must do their part to reduce accidents

I am a cyclist who has been hit by a careless driver. All too often I see cyclists recklessly disregarding traffic rules and basic safety common sense.

Examples include running stop signs and red lights, failing to signal a turn, talking on a hand-held cell phone, wearing headphones, not wearing a helmet or other protective clothing, no lights on at night or wearing reflective clothing.

Cyclists must remember to ride defensively. Even if you are in the right, yield to vehicles or you might be dead right.

Charles Carlson, Belmont Cragin

Protect national parks

As a retired Colorado State Park ranger, I can state without a doubt that sending National Park Service rangers to the border dilutes the thin shield of public safety in our national parks.

Marvin J. Wilder, Colorado