Letters to the Editor

by Jim Buckley

Ronald Reagan preparing for his State of the Union Speech, 1987. Source: Wikimedia, colorized

The following is just a trickle of some of the many comments we’ve received after the second week of Santa Barbara Current. – Jim Buckley)

Making Trouble for the Troublemakers

(Editor’s note: The following series of questions were contained in a letter from reader Jay Sullivan in response to our “Long Live the Trouble Makers” column. I’ve opted to answer each question separately as best I can. – J.B.):

Could Argentina’s right-wing populism also be a lesson for the MAGA and Trump populists in the Republican Party? (Well, yes, over-promising and over-spending will spell doom for us too but I don’t see MAGA Republicans falling into that camp.)

If you believe in free trade and Adam Smith and international markets does that make you a “globalist,” whatever that is supposed to be? (No. “Globalists” are the elite currently in power who believe that all people and all nations should be gathered in their all-encompassing arms and under their benevolent leadership.)

American Populism went hand in hand in the past with isolationism and it all came to an abrupt end with the invasion of Pearl Harbor. Do the current Republicans attempting to block military aid to Ukraine see a parallel in Europe with WWII or is that bit of history too “ancient” for them to consider? And where do you stand on “as long as it takes” aid to the Ukraine? (The “average” Republican has a much better grasp on history than the “average” Democrat. We must spend whatever we can to ensure that Russia does not win this conflict, so it is a concern. I’m in the “Resist Russian Aggression” camp.)

I found the history lessons in your last article generally accurate except when you veered into Reagan and especially Trump boosterism. (It’s not “Trump boosterism” to believe that Donald Trump’s presidency was – in many ways – a continuation of the Reagan Revolution.)

Finally, what about Trump’s “vermin” comment? Does that include the RINOs you seem to support in “Purely Political?” (I don’t support RINOs [Republicans in Name Only]; I believe they’re the problem, and I hate when Trump uses words such as “vermin” when describing his opponents, though Democrats have used even more insulting words towards the former president.)

Where do you stand on Nikki Haley’s comment that both Republicans and Democrats bear responsibility for our deficit? (I agree 100% with that observation.)

I favor the destruction of Hamas, followed by as much support and movement as possible towards a two-state solution. I lived on an Israeli Kibbutz made up of the French survivors of Auschwitz in 1972 so I strongly support Israel, but I felt Trump’s policies on Israel were reckless and irresponsible. (Well, since President Trump’s son-in-law is a practicing Jew who led the discussions that culminated in the Abraham Accords, and that Trump’s daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism, I’m not sure how his policies on Israel could be seen as reckless and irresponsible. As far as a “two-state” solution, I’m in favor of Jordan moving to declare all Palestinians as citizens of the Kingdom of Jordan, and for solidifying and strengthening the current borders of Israel.)

More on the Trouble Makers

Somehow Americans have forgotten their own history, and I don't mean since the birth of the nation. America became a major power starting with World War I, when we sent men, food, and assistance to Europe, helping avoid famine in Belgium, etc. Since WWII, this country has helped friend and foe (a unique trait) rebuild; we sent untold billions of dollars in CARE packages, foreign aid in every imaginable form to every country on the planet. For young Americans, who never served their country in any way, to complain about it being "bad," or not being proud to be an American, is frankly criminal. The efforts of those who wish to undermine the USA, accentuate the negatives, and hide the positives, appear to have paid off. Our young have been brainwashed to believe that we are the bad guys when in fact there has never been a more free, generous, and compassionate nation on Earth, one we can all be proud to belong to.

Fred Sidon

(Editor’s note: That the American public could get behind the Berlin airlift to feed West Berliners a mere three years after the death and destruction of World War II brought on by many of those same people we were now trying to save, really did illustrate to the rest of the world the compassion of the American people. – J.B.)

All-In for Donald J. Trump

I will vote for Trump even if I have to write him in. Voting for a person simply because they are a nominee – rather than the best candidate regardless – is caving to the corrupt system. I truly believe and hope DJT will be on the ballot. Thus far he is the front runner if my perception is correct. But that doesn't mean the Republicans (RINOS) can't turn (more) corrupt and block him from the ballot somehow.

I urge everyone to not be blind...write DJT in if that's what it comes to.

Patrick Dennison

(Editor’s note: It won’t come to that. The name of Donald J. Trump will be on every primary ballot and if he wins the Republican nomination will be on every presidential ballot. The effort to remove his name will fail. As for voting for the nominee, I do believe that President Trump deserves his second term, though I also believe that Ron DeSantis will make an excellent president and we’d all be better off if he won the presidency, pardoned Mr. Trump for now and forever, and then appointed Mr. Trump to whatever position he wanted. But I’m okay if President Trump wins the nomination; I’ll be all-in for him too. – J.B.)

Rising Temperatures May be a Good Thing

Another good point in Henry Schulte’s “Baby, It’s Warm Outside” Common Sense column is that no one knows the ideal temperature of Earth. 

England used to have plenty of vineyards and the Arctic once contained lush vegetation.

A warmer climate will not necessarily flood Earth. On the contrary, the released moisture from the poles would enter the atmosphere and bring more rain to arid environments, increasing their ability to grow more food. And the increased plant life will consume more carbon dioxide and produce more oxygen. Global warming is a win-win.

Bob Fitch

(Editor’s note: I like your thinking on this, Bob. And, yes, think of all the newly fertile farmland that will develop in Russia, Canada, and maybe even Alaska, if the temperature really does rise considerably! – J.B.)