America is a society at war with itself

The Age

2 days ago

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DEMOCRACY
Overriding the authority of California Governor Gavin Newsom under the bogus claim of a national emergency, President Donald Trump has this week put 4000 armed National Guard troops and 700 US marines onto the streets of Los Angeles. The troops are deployed in response to civil protests against mass arrests by US government Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Trump administration has also 'warned it could send troops to other cities' for similar purposes (' LA unrest spreads across country ', 13/6).
With the US federal and state governments now in open conflict over the deployment of active duty troops using force against civilians on home soil, America is effectively at war with itself.
The US military is currently obeying illegal orders from the craziest commander-in-chief of any army since the Roman emperor Nero. The military is duty bound to uphold the US Constitution and stand behind the Congress, the courts and the rule of law.
Presidential impeachment, or a declaration under the 25th amendment that due to mental impairment Trump is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, are both available options. A Pentagon order for the immediate return of troops to their barracks would be a good start to one of those constitutional processes.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills
US migrants taxes fund the National Guard
According to several credible sources including Yale university and the US House of Representatives document depository, during the past financial year undocumented migrants in America paid more than $US100 billion in tax. Between them, IBM, Netflix, Amazon, General Motors, Nike and Tesla only paid $US30 billion.
Putting aside the obvious distress and human rights issues associated with ICE's heavy-handed approach to mass deportation, just like the bizarre tariff policies, this latest venture makes no economic sense.
A sad irony is that the law enforcement offices, the National Guard and now the marines charged with the duty of quelling the protests, receive their wage through the taxes paid by the undocumented migrants and those they have been ordered to subdue.
Craig Jory, Albury, NSW
Citizens become targets for elimination
Barry Jones (Letters, 13/6) suggests media should be helping us to understand ″⁣who we are as a species″⁣. On the abundant evidence, ″⁣we″⁣ are trapped in an endless loop of killing. First, we define our enemies, then arm our soldiers with every conceivable weapon. This energises our capitalist systems as they rush to invest in profitable industries that, in turn, corrupt our governments.
In response, those ″⁣enemies″⁣ see each and every one of us as either current, or future or past, members of the military. So, all of our citizens become legitimate targets for elimination. That mind-set justifies genocidal atrocities supported by nation-states. Thus, thermonuclear holocaust beckons us into the future of our own making. That's what we do, who we are.
Trevor Kerr, Blackburn
THE FORUM
Self-interest reigns
Self-interest is the biggest motivator for the lack of change that is occurring in trying to bridge the expanding divide between rich and poor. Our capitalist society ascribes success according to material wealth. The main factor in many people's lives is to expand their personal wealth almost at any cost. Therefore, there will always be winners and losers.
Imagine if we measured a person's wealth by what they actually contributed to society. You might find that those with materialistic wealth are on the bottom of the heap and thus probably where they deserve to be. We don't honour enough those who are selfless, who don't seek power and status, but just want to do their bit to make the community a safe and an enjoyable place to be.
Greg Tuck, Warragul
AUKUS gamble
Malcolm Turnbull provided information on ABC radio (12/6), that the AUKUS contract has a clause to the effect that before a single submarine, whether nuclear or not, could be released to Australia under that program the US president had to sign acknowledging it would not negatively impact on the US submarine capability.
Firstly, why would Scott Morrison (even as a minister holding five portfolios) and his government have thought this was a reasonable basis on which to devote such a large Australian financial commitment, and secondly why would the subsequent Albanese government have followed suit?
Given that we can now see how fragile once commonly held norms regarding contractual and legal agreements are under this Trump presidency, surely, on those grounds alone, we should remove Australia from the AUKUS agreement.
We are now dealing with a gamble, not an enforceable contract.
Jenny Callaghan, Hawthorn
State Liberals' credibility
What credibility can the Victorian Liberal opposition bring to government when at this very moment $2 million in conditional offers is on the table to save John Pesutto from bankruptcy and prevent a byelection?
The first, an offer from Moira Deeming is subject to a guarantee that she will be pre-selected for the next state election.
The second, from property developer Hilton Grugeon, requires that Pesutto does not challenge for leadership of the party within three years. This blatant and arrogant introduction of cash inducements to influence the outcomes of legitimate political processes and decision making should be called out immediately.
Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South