Betrayed by Trump: Letters to the editor, Dec. 1, 2019
Not right just because we are us
Will POTUS never stop betraying the American people? He betrayed our honor by refusing to protect the Kurdish population. He betrays that honor again by requesting the Ukrainian president do some dirty work for him. He betrays everyone by leaving the Paris accords.
He does this in the name of “America First.” That’s also “Amerika Uber Alles,” an idea first slightly rephrased some time ago by another “leader” in Germany.
The taking of material from the rest of the world is justified by those who believe in “American Exceptionalism.” Our 6% uses 40% of the world’s resources. With what do we repay the world? McDonalds and Walmarts!
As with every empire, others will find our weaknesses. If we do not work fairly with the rest of the world, we will eventually face the fate of every other empire.
In the 2020 election I hope you will not vote for anyone who takes the false view of’ “We’re right because we’re us.”
That way lies world disaster. I believe there is only one political party that supports world cooperation. it is certainly not the Republicans, nor is it the Democrats.
Stephen Pendleton, Visalia
Greta focused on real problem
A 16-year-old Swedish high school student spoke to members of the UN General Assembly and scolded them for creating and sustaining the pollution of our only home: planet Earth. They countered with how much money would be lost if the world stopped burning fossil fuels. Mentally wagging her finger as you would at a naughty child, she scolded them about how could they speak only of money as their industries dump their poison into the environment.
Greta and millions of young people around the world are concerned about their future. Where will they go when they can no longer breathe the air or drink the water? How will they cope as millions flee the waters of rising oceans? Is that why they are building spaceships so they can find another planet to trash?
We need a lot more Gretas sounding the alarm. Yet it may already be too late as those who could at least slow the destruction bury their heads in the sands of dollar bills.
David DesRoches, Fresno
Stop trying to intimidate whistleblowers
Crime Stoppers is a local organization that encourages anonymously sourced information on criminal activity. Endorsed by local law enforcement, the need for keeping the identity of those reporting secret has never been challenged, the reasons being patently obvious. Media also respects this need for protecting those who aid is necessary in rooting out local corruption.
But now we have the president and members of Congress calling for the release of the names of those who participate in a similar program at the federal level, whose identities are legally protected for identical reasons. Now I am sure the criminals arrested as a result of Crime Stopper tips would also like a chance to have their associates intimidate and harm the witnesses against them during investigations. If they could make an example of one informer, they can send a chilling message to all other decent citizens who would like to come forward and help in the battle against crime and corruption.
Our president and his political party, afraid of what truths might be revealed by the good people working in our government, have adopted the tactics of a criminal organization. So be it, let them be treated as one.
Richard Moore, Fresno
Strong-arm tactics went wrong
Woke up recently to a door knock from a very assertive campaign worker for Esmerelda Soria, my Fresno City Council representative. He stated Soria was running for Congress against Jim Costa. As a registered Democrat for many years, I asked what Soria would do differently than Costa. The campaigner just complained that Costa stated he would retire, but hasn’t. I joked that Soria was our newest far left insurgent — like AOC — and the campaigner just bristled. I then pointed out that Soria had arranged for a ridiculously expensive special symbol street painting in our district, which was a complete waste of money when people are hungry, justice is not done, etc. The campaigner angrily countered — “Whose money was that?” Well, I’m not sure, but it certainly could have been used to obtain social justice in a more effective way.
The angry Soria campaigner left, and sure enough, within 30 minutes, a Fresno City parking vehicle showed up to give me a ticket for parking too near a corner ramp. The Politburo is not far off. Where can I get an Costa for Congress banner, and how can I donate to Costa’s campaign?
Matthew D. Owdom, Fresno
This story was originally published December 1, 2019 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Betrayed by Trump: Letters to the editor, Dec. 1, 2019."