Iranian general: Letters to the editor, Feb. 9, 2020

Right move to kill Iranian general?

Trump has taken us to a new low. He had our armed forces murder an Iranian general. He claimed the murder was because of eminent danger. After that hypothesis failed he said it was for past deeds against American forces.

Our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Trump has laid the groundwork for other countries to murder our generals stationed in these countries.

Evangelicals sold out to GOP

In Dostoevsky’s novel “The Devils,” there is a scene where the character Shatov argues with young Russian intellectuals against the rising influence of Western Europe. He criticizes especially European Christianity with its long history of depending on the political and military power of the state. He argued that the church “proclaimed a Christ who gave into the Devil’s third temptation” (Matt 4:8-10), accepting the premise that “Christ cannot survive on Earth without having an earthly kingdom.”

After the recent Christianity Today editorial supporting Trump’s impeachment, those who more regularly speak for the religious right disowned editor Galli and his views on Trump. Franklin Graham says of Trump, “God has placed him there to defend the Christian faith.” Tony Perkins says, “I am grateful for his leadership.” Trump “has saved this republic.”

I think Shatov’s criticism of 19th century European Christianity applies also to contemporary evangelical Christianity, which is so intertwined with and dependent on a certain political party that it feels obliged to align with a president who flaunts his rejection of values that are central to Jesus’ work and teachings, the values of love and compassion, concern for the poor, truthfulness, and godliness.

Missing Saturday edition of The Bee

It is a sad day in journalism when a paper stops printing the news. I understand that it is more expensive and time consuming to reduce our news to print form, but many people only read the paper, they do not either own or have daily access to computers. (Yes, I know they can use smart phones, but for anyone over 50 to try to read printed stories on a smart phone is much more difficult).

It is also sad when, with the advent of modern technology and communications, a newspaper cannot report on yesterday's news today. I now know that every story in The Fresno Bee happened at least two days prior because they cannot get a story in print an delivered that fast. Before the news happened during the day, the reporter wrote the story that day or evening, the copy editor corrected all his mistakes, it was delivered to the typesetter, who would then set the type and it would be printed in time for delivery the next morning

I mourn the passing of true journalism and will suffer every Saturday with a digital copy.

Dogs need loving care all year

Is it animal cruelty? Like a large dog kept in a chain link encloser approximately 3 feet by 6 feet with a small dog house. No matter what time of day I pass this house, I see the dog confined.

This dog is exposed to the elements all year. No shade in the summer, no protection in the winter. Not far from there is another house with 2 4' x 8' chain link enclosers with a large dog in each. The dosg never get what little winter sun we have because of the tarps. These dogs also are always confined.

There are other dogs left to the elements in this area, but I'll not get into that. I have a dog I love. She's never confined because I spend time with her and have taught her to never leave my yard. I can leave her alone knowing she will not leave my property. She will "stay" if I command it till I release her. I never leave her out at night and she is allowed indoors with me. Oh! She was dropped of near me( I live in the country) several years ago. She is a rescue dog.

This story was originally published February 9, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Iranian general: Letters to the editor, Feb. 9, 2020."