Trump a real threat to American democracy
Donald Trump is happily assisting a corrupt Russian government dismantle democracy in America. This was predictable. Mr. Trump likes the way Russia is governed because, according to Donald, Putin is a “strong” leader.
Dictators are bullies preserving wealth and power with chaos because it’s easier to hide corruption when citizens are divided and distracted. But Trump is only exploiting an ugly reality. Trump supporters want the same kind of government because it’s easier to keep systemic racism in place.
American freedom is dissolving because Donald Trump’s defenders believe that some Americans are not entitled to the same rights as others because of the color of their skin. They encourage violence by tolerating radical Christian extremists killing fellow Americans because, according to Trump and his supporters, there are some “fine people” in the Charlottesville counterprotesters. It is their right to believe what they want. It’s another thing when that belief becomes national policy.
Donald Trump is doing exactly what his supporters want him to do – segregate and demonize. The sad truth is democracy may yield to authoritarian dictatorship because a very large number of Americans believe Donald Trump is right.
Jonathan D. Nessle
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U.S. would do well to heed Corker’s words
I am an independent voter and am proud to stand with Sen. Bob Corker, a decent and honorable man, whose warnings we should definitely heed.
Fouad Moughrabi
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Despite tragedy, we are America strong
I like to think that people are always doing the best they can in any given moment – no matter what the situation looks like. This is a hard philosophy to follow in light of the tragedy in Las Vegas.
What made a seemingly normal-looking man follow through with a plan to slaughter so many people? Did he seek attention – the negative attention the media gives to all acts against society?
I know he was controlling – he controlled the situation from his first shot, taking someone’s life, to the moment he killed himself seconds before the police burst through his door. OK, he was a controlling, unhappy man. Unhappy with himself and taking it out on everyone else. That concept is not new to society.
I really don’t care why Mr. Paddock did it; there is no good answer. No answer that will bring peace to so many who lost so much. No answer that will begin to heal the rest of us who are left here to wonder.
You will face justice wherever you are. Our society will heal, is healing. Our country is great because we are Americans, and we are America strong.
Mary Ellen Ciganovich, Ooltewah
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Anti-slavery heroes needs some attention
Instead of the removal/destruction of Confederate statues, why not turn the negative energy into a positive movement and education for the people?
There are many, many anti-slavery heroes deserving of statues in public places. Frederick Douglass, Theodore Parker, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Lucretia Mott, Wendell Phillips and Harriett Tubman are just a few.
Spend precious time and dollars educating the public about them. Erect statues of anti-slavery heroes and place them near existing statues so the displays are more balanced.
We can’t erase history, and the destruction of statues won’t, but we can find more peaceful, positive and educational solutions.
Jeannine Flynn