False hope from the Epstein battle
Re: “Trump slams his supporters over Epstein ‘hoax’,” July 17 news story
If there’s one thing everyone ought to know by now, it’s that President Donald Trump never suffers for his infidelities and other misconduct. There’s no doubt in my mind that Elon Musk is orchestrating the current coup on the right. That’s fine, and it’s entertaining to see allies, insiders, and loyalists throw fits at Trump.
We should not delude ourselves, however, about whether these detractors will fall right back in line when it counts. They will, like they always do. They just approved his omnibus budget weeks ago.
Besides, no one likes Vice President JD Vance. No one wants Vance as president. Not even Trump supporters.
What we should expect is that the Epstein files will be redacted and released. Trump will carry on being a horrible president. He will probably fire several people after this blows over.
Nate Craig, Boulder
Government leaders need to get off wrong side of history and gain new perspective
In the book “Mark Twain” by Ron Chernow, I found the perfect explanation for why many people conformed to “the terrifying power of the environment to shape and distort human behavior.” He was referencing the justification of slavery by so many otherwise good people, including clergy, but it explains so much more.
I grew up in the 1940s and ’50s in what is now referred to as a “red state.” And I must admit that I was a racist, believing that whites were intellectually superior to Blacks. My parents didn’t use racial slurs and were kind, but they erroneously judged Black people harshly. Sadly, that was more liberal than many locals felt.
I was an adult when I moved to a more neutral environment and was gradually exposed to reality.
But this is not about racism per se. It is about sequestered groups and communities that seldom are exposed to other views of the world.
That Chernow quote is the best explanation I’ve found to understand how good, kind people can accept the travesties taking place.
Yes, immigration is broken, but we turned our heads for years and took advantage of the workers. Send back the criminals and the more recent arrivals, but have empathy for those who have been here for years, raising families, serving the communities, and often serving in the military.
We have known there has been waste in all government departments for decades. It must be corrected — but not with a chainsaw and mindless, inhuman, vindictive overkill.
Congress and other branches of government must be more informed by their awakened constituents than they fear the president.
David L King, Erie
Wasting life-saving food supply
Do Trump supporters have limits? I had to wonder this when I read in The Atlantic that the Trump administration will incinerate 500 tons of high-energy biscuits. These are emergency rations that could feed 1.5 million malnourished children for a week. They were intended for distribution in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but the elimination of the USAID funding (and the whole program!) means this $800,000 stockpile will expire and is slated to be incinerated.
Is this the American way? Are there no limits to what Trump fans will put up with in their allegiance to him? I can’t believe Republican congressmen are so fearful of being primaried that they put up with these daily outrages.
I would think any decent person would be as repulsed by this as I am. Yet it’s just another day for this administration. I pray for the day when the rats will leave the sinking ship.
Chris Mech, Gypsum
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