Donald Trump simply follows the playbook of tyrants from years past
President Trump's mentality is not new. It has plagued civilization for thousands of years, and one can put names to those tyrants and dictators that have cost millions of human lives. Not to mention human civilization.
The American ideal has been put down on paper for all the world to see and discuss. A rule of law. Battles were fought to gain and preserve the ideal and many people died for the ideal.
As a veteran I took an oath to protect and defend the ideal, the Constitution, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I see Trump as a domestic enemy of the Constitution.
This is not to mention his reduction of the American ideal to simply a 'deal' to make money over any human values. It is my duty to legally do what I can to see this person who believes himself a 'victim' is removed from office.
Eugene Carlson, Fresno
Earth Day is celebrated all over the world in April. This year's theme is 'Our Power, Our Planet' to recognize the need to deploy more renewable energy to power cars, homes and businesses. Using renewable energy cleans up our air and stops heating the planet caused by burning coal, oil, and gas.
Opinion
Washington is pulling us away from renewable energy and the progress being made toward a healthier future for our kids and grandkids. Some local Republican members of Congress have spoken up to protect the clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. David Valadao (R-22) and Vince Fong (R-20) should be applauded for rising above the partisan divide to try to help people in their districts.
The clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act provide 50% of the reductions in dirty emissions. And even though it was originally passed by Democrats, this 2022 law is bringing millions of dollars into our Valley to fund jobs, infrastructure and innovation.
If you live in a Republican district, call or email your Member of Congress and tell them you support the clean energy tax credits! You can find out who represents you at House.gov.
Andrea Farber De Zubiria, Fresno
There is something that isn't getting much mention that should be very concerning to everyone. That is the nuclear consequences of President Trump's obsession with pulling out of NATO specifically and his pull back from worldwide security agreements generally.
Right now, there are nine recognized countries with nuclear weapons capabilities. Only two became so in the last 50 years, with North Korea the latest. The United States and Russia have 87% of the world's total warheads. Obviously, the world is safer as a whole, with fewer countries having 'the bomb.'
Still, every country knows that having one is a powerful deterrent to invasion. Ukraine used to have a lot of them, but gave them up in an agreement signed in 1994 with the US and Russia. In exchange for them, we both agreed to protect Ukraine from invasion. Ukraine has every right to feel betrayed by both now that Trump is jerking back help they desperately need to defend against an invasion from the other signee.
Trump's refusal to protect our allies is motivation for them to develop their own nuclear arsenals. Just as nuclear North Korea is being left alone, look for other countries to seek that autonomy. Another country with nukes is a greater chance for them to fall into terrorist hands, or some nut job who just wants to see the world burn.
Don Smith, Fresno
I agree with the fact the California agriculture industry must not fail. The problem is corporate ag not the family farmer, who has already been killed off.
I learned to live within my means, pay cash not credit, save every extra dollar I have. I now am debt free, with enough income to live and still save, with no mortgage. We live in a senior community mobile home park, and have a nice little nest egg.
The corporate ag companies need to fail and family farms must return.
If you don't feel the pain. you will get another president who doesn't care because he's a damn billionaire who is owned by corporate America and religious zealots and will destroy our way of life, if they haven't already.
America must hurt and heal, or we will become Russia.
I never thought I'd see this happen, but America is dead — corrupt politicians and corporate America own the court system. We have no protection now.
It is a sad day, but it's exactly what we deserve if we continue to be a hate-filled, bigoted and racist people.
Dana Bobbitt , Fresno
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