Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, November 14, 2016

An apology from Trump would make a big difference

Crowds of people are now marching through the streets of our nation's cities in apparent protest of Donald Trump's victory in this last presidential election. Actually, I think the truth of the matter is that the demonstrators represent a significant segment of the American population that is reluctant to accept Trump as president unless he immediately apologizes for his bigoted, slanderous, offensive language spoken during his campaign.

I think Trump can remedy this situation fairly easily. If he will immediately, and in no uncertain terms renounce his racial slurs, apologize for his offensive statements (and conduct) toward women, apologize for the hatred he has expressed toward Latinos, Muslims and Chinese, renounce his apparent support of the Ku Klux Klan, and state that he will do his best to represent all Americans of all ethnicities and creeds, then I think the current demonstrations will cease, and Trump will have the majority of the nation behind him, and he can then move forward with his presidency.

However, if Donald Trump does not publicly make the above apologies soon, and does not emphatically state that his offensive statements were merely campaign rhetoric, designed to get him elected, then not only will he never have the support of the majority of the American people, but arguably speaking, he could leave himself vulnerable to impeachment — on the grounds of harboring beliefs that are contrary to the Constitution, thus making himself morally unfit to be resident.

— Stephan Paliwoda
Anchorage

Divine providence at work

I vividly remember the outcome of the 2000 presidential election when Don Young postulated that the stars were aligned just right for great things to happen since the conservatives controlled the Senate, House and the presidency. The issues plaguing our nation at the time, like heath care, immigration, jobs going overseas, gender wage disparity, opening of ANWR were still prevalent at the end of that administration. Why? What happened? But the nation did engage a trillion-dollar war over nothing and suffered the loss of 48,000 Americans killed and wounded.

ADVERTISEMENT

The fact that policies of the current administration kept us from becoming embroiled in another major conflict is more than praiseworthy, it's divine providence.

— Dick Hensel
Anchorage

Anti-Trump protesters can leave

I am saddened by the hate I see in the anti-Trump protests. No matter what your opinion if you are a citizen of the U.S. he is "our" president-elect. So if you are a "not my president" person … you are free to leave. This is one of your many freedoms. Everyone has the freedom to believe what they want and to voice their opinion, but you do not have the right to infringe on the freedoms of others; to destroy property and disrupt the lives and livelihood of others.

I see the possibility of a revitalized government. I am hopeful, but we must work together — helping, not fighting each other.

Oh, and regarding the article "Female Clinton supporters are left feeling gutted," I have two thoughts: Did you want a female president or the right female president? And to the mother who said she had difficulty explaining the result to her 6-year-old daughter- — news flash — the 6-year-old doesn't care.

— Cathy Guay
Anchorage

Election was rigged after all

We know now that Russia worked hand in hand with the Trump campaign.
It appears that the FBI helped to derail the Clinton momentum.

Trump stated unequivocally that the vote was rigged.
Why didn't we believe him?

— Leif Simcox
Anchorage

Which way will Trump go?

As a Muslim-American, I am greatly distressed with the results of the election. For better or for worse, I foresee one of two things happening with a Trump presidency:

1. He will continue on the same road he traveled with his campaign. He will continue to divide and turn one against the other. Over the next four years he will devour one group after another … First Muslims and immigrants. Then Latinos. Eventually he will narrow the group of "US" vs. them so small, the country will collapse. The U.S. cannot survive if the majority of Americans become the enemy.

2. He will do a 180 from his campaign. He will explain it was all a show, and he will embrace all groups, reach across the aisle and work with Democrats. He could become a successful president. But in doing so, he will betray his base. He will betray the racists and bigots: the "deplorables." Some of his supporters will be happy about this, because they voted for him despite his offensive divisiveness. But the ones who supported him BECAUSE of his xenophobic, Islamophobic, racist, misogynistic rants will feel this betrayal and become unhinged.

I fear for the future. Please reach out to the marginalized, and unite against hatred.

— Heather Robertson Barbour
Anchorage

ADVERTISEMENT

Room for optimism with Trump

Now that the bluster of the election is over it's possible to be optimistic. Donald Trump's success seemed almost inevitable given America's weariness with the Clintons and the status-quo charades in Washington, D.C. Mr. Trump is a smart man and as the reality of his position sinks in, he may yet prove to be an excellent diplomat. His campaign bravado got him elected but he is hopefully bound to realize natural and constitutional limitations once in the presidential position. Rational people who are not reacting with unhelpful panic seem hopeful that this will happen. He needs to calm public fears and restrain "backlash" from his party immediately.

Alaska will receive more approval of oil exploration, but the hope is that he will not disregard or be able to disregard important environmental concerns. It all depends on how fast he adapts and how diplomatic he is able and willing to be. Internationally he may prove to be more positive for the U.S. than Mrs. Clinton would have been, especially with Alaska-Russian relations. His wall and immigration policies may become some form of reality or a modification of that vision.

It is the unknown factors that may present an opportunity to unify the many rifts. That's optimism.

— Ken Green
Cooper Landing

Fear comes in different degrees

I first voted when Barry Goldwater was soundly defeated in 1964. Tuesday's election was the first that did not offer a presidential candidate who I could support, but rather two candidates who were equally repugnant, but for different reasons. I didn't like one for reasons that are hard to articulate and the other one frightened me because the person in charge of this nation's nuclear arsenal needs to possess good judgment.

When it became apparent that Donald Trump would be the next president, a sense of fear and apprehension began to wash over me. It wasn't that deep terror experienced immediately before a night of combat assaults into the Parrot's Beak or the Iron Triangle during the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam. It was more that fear-dread combination that a high school student experiences because the day's assignment to read "Don Quixote" wasn't completed and second period English class was fast approaching. Mr. Stephens somehow knew that the assignment was unread and I was certain that he was going to direct a question about Sancho Panza directly at me. I was not afraid for my life but rather feared the humiliation that was sure to come because I was unprepared. So it is with Mr. Trump's election, he is unprepared.

His treatment of a former POW, the parents of a fallen soldier, and women and minorities in general and his outlandish promises made during the campaign lead me to believe that he does not have the wisdom or character to lead this nation. He isn't truthful. He knows full well that Mexico is not going to pay for a wall and that he can't magically bring manufacturing jobs back from other countries.

I hope that the level of fear and uneasiness that I feel for our nation's future is sufficient. I hope the humiliation that his presidency will cause the nation is no worse than the humiliation suffered by an unprepared teenager during English class. But, based on his words and performance during the campaign, my guess is that before his first term is over, I will again be as afraid as I was one dark night when the glowing green tracers came for me west of Tay Ninh mountain in 1968.

— Paul Richards
Talkeetna

Frightened for the future

I am so ashamed of my country today. When I think of the face we show to the world I'm so frightened for my children and grandchildren I can hardly breathe or stop crying. I am white and have never been so downhearted for my race. Cal Thomas said Trump will bring us back from the brink. I say we have gone over the brink. I hope before me and mine go down I see the Trumpers go first.

— Carol Hoyt
Big Lake

Put down the stone and judge people based on their actions

The eternal smugness and hypocrisy of the media and the elites who control them is absolutely stunning. Just like the ancient Pharisees, as long as you believe and adhere to their drivel you're OK. Put this into a biblical context: When Jesus saw a crowd of angry men armed with stones about to kill a woman caught in adulterous flagrante delicto He simply said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" (John 8:7).

Since we are all sinners by thought, word or deed — don't take my word for it, Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, "There is not a man on earth who doeth good, but sinneth not."

Therefore, we should be obliged to withhold our impulse to punish before we know all the facts (what a concept). Donald Trump was caught on tape being crude. The reaction?

"Stone him; he's unfit." Although Hillary Clinton wasn't on tape, her potty mouth has been well documented in several books. And look at her cast of celebrity rapper supporters like Jay Z, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, etc. Their raunchy "songs" make Trump sound like he's reciting the rosary (a bit of hyperbole here).
The Gideons International organization distributes Bibles and New Testaments throughout the world. They include NTs that are white for medical personnel, green for college students, orange for middle schoolers, camouflage for military, and various others. The colors are irrelevant — it's what's inside that counts, just like humans. Bingo. Analogy. Now, put down the stone, stifle your stupidity and judge a person by his/her actions.

— Chuck Orr
Anchorage

ADVERTISEMENT

Another successful deal

Well, the slick businessman sold us his whole load of "snake oil." Another "successful deal" for him. When the euphoric effect of the alcoholic main ingredient wears off, will there be any cure? Don't expect it from "snake oil."
Time to look for ocean-front property in New Zealand atop a 50-foot cliff.

— Jon Sharpe
Anchorage

When weighing in on politics, don't forget local and state races

As we poke our heads up out of the dust and rubble of this contentious election, let us go forward and be the better America we claim we are. Channel our passion into positive and constructive action. Be the civil one in the conversation. Look around our communities and see what needs to be done and become proactive, not just reactive.

Presidential elections may be more exciting than our local city, borough or state elections, but our local governments set taxes and pass laws that impact our daily lives. I'm not saying we give up trying to affect change on a national level, but let's not forget the home front where margins of victory or defeat are smaller and your vote could be the one that tips the scale. We need to hold local, state and national politicians accountable. Know who your senators and representatives are. Pay attention to the bills they are submitting and votes they are casting. Learn how to send personal opinion messages, write letters and even testify at public hearings.

ADVERTISEMENT

Imagine if everyone who voted on Tuesday, Nov. 8 continued to stay engaged and speak up for the causes they believe in, and imagine if each one of us talked one non-voting, disenfranchised, "it doesn't make a difference," "why should I bother?" friend into caring and voting in the next local election. Just maybe we won't get the same old thing; just maybe we will make a difference. And just maybe we will be a better America for all Americans.

— Eva Welch
Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

ADVERTISEMENT