Reclaim our country
EDITOR: In law there is a phrase “Fruit of the poisonous tree,” morally there is “The love of money is the root of all evil.” The system’s embrace of money is killing us. Our country has lost its democracy and we are now de facto an oligarchy. The Senate is a millionaire’s club and representatives spend more time dialing for dollars than serving the needs of the people.
The media ignored Trump’s money laundering for the Russians (oil and gas interests) since the 1990s just as the media ignored Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff money laundering for Russian oil and gas interests simultaneously. The Panama Papers show Democrats also taking Russian money, again mostly oil gas and banking monies.
Now the media says the Russians hacked the election somehow. If you follow the money the entire corrupt system should require a mass recusal and an immediate passage of a constitutional amendment stating “Money is not speech and corporations are not people.” Then and only then can we move forward and reclaim our country along with a restoration of democracy that serves the people.
Gene Koch
Occidental
Heinous falsehood
EDITOR: The bodies of the innocent dead still must have been warm when our sitting president twisted the words of London’s Mayor Kahn to have it appear that Kahn was minimizing the terrorist attack that had just rained down upon his city. As part of his message about the attack, Kahn asked that his citizens “not be alarmed by seeing more police officers on the streets.” Trump’s tweet turned Kahn’s message on its head: “7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!‘”
Why was I so shocked? Delivering such a heinous falsehood was completely consistent with Trump’s character. Why did he do it? During the 2016 presidential campaign, Kahn criticized Trump for his anti-Islamic stance and endorsed Clinton. Presumably, this was Trump’s attempt to get back at Kahn.
Way to pick your timing, Donald. But regardless of your motive, shame on you. I just hope citizens of the world know how mortified the majority of Americans are with each new callous and craven performance that’s presented by our current president. And I hope Londoners know that Americans stand in solidarity with them in this time of mourning.
Kathy Timberlake
Healdsburg
