Our fabulous columnist Pat Beall wrote a wonderful Thanksgiving offering of gratefulness (Finding gratitude in the year of the Piggy, column, Nov. 29), and I would like to offer mine.
I am grateful that my parents and my husband had the strength to escape the pogroms of eastern Europe to seek a better life. They arrived at Ellis Island and were all legally sponsored by U.S. citizens who were responsible for them, without government subsidies. They became part of what Tom Brokaw called “the greatest generation.”
I am grateful that they had us here and gave us opportunities they never had. We will always remember the extreme patriotism instilled in us as we collected tires, shopped with ration stamps, bought and sold war bonds, acted as air-raid wardens and saluted the American flag during World War II.
Unfortunately, such gratitude is unwarranted today. Our government has become what our parents fled — authoritarian, for wont of a harsher word. Donald Trump and his MAGA cohorts have taken us back to Europe of the 1930s as he aligns himself with oligarchs, dictators, fraudsters and billionaires. He opens his guttural mouth with no honor, dignity or presidential presence.
I can’t believe our representatives are so spineless to allow our country to be in this downward spiral. I am grateful to those who speak out, despite threats of death. If we the people stand by them and encourage more of them to do so, perhaps we can all be grateful again.
Vivian Woda, Delray Beach
‘This stupid article’
I would like any member of the team that composed this stupid article to attempt to keep up with the daily activity of this president (An urgent wake-up call to study Trump’s health, editorial, Dec. 4).
His travels, his continuous press conferences, and his constant focus on world affairs would tire out two men.
I suppose none of you dozed off in class when you were a fraction of his age!
Get rid of the bias and focus on issues that both political parties need to work on.
Larry Brady, Kansas City, Mo.
(Editor’s Note: The Sun Sentinel editorial on Trump’s health and behavior was reprinted in a number of publications, including the Kansas City Star, which also drew comment on social media.)
Trump’s hoax defense
Trump’s repeated use of the word “hoax,” originally designed to stifle allegations of impropriety, has morphed into a strategy to discredit criticism of policy failures. He now calls affordability “a hoax that was started by Democrats.”
This rhetorical device dates to the 2016 presidential campaign when Trump popularized the phrase “fake news,” then labeled Russian interference in the election a “hoax.” He went on to dismiss a wide range of transgressions, including, among others, his campaign’s contacts with Russian intelligence operatives, two impeachment proceedings, denial of COVID’s lethality and more recently his association with the sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.
The hoax defense may resonate with Trump’s base, but most Americans refuse to be misled by his deceptions.
Jane Larkin, Tampa
The truth of Truth Social
How ironic: The president’s social media platform is called “Truth Social,” when most of what’s posted there can’t be labeled true.
This president often has to walk back his posts. Even when it’s established that the information is not true, he and his administration try to twist and turn the truth to their benefit. As a result, most people have lost faith that they are actually getting the truth or that this government is genuinely working for them.
We want Congress, the Supreme Court, the Justice Department and all branches of government to do their jobs and not acquiesce over fear of losing their jobs or being reprimanded. Let’s make Truth Social accountable.
Ronald Jones, Pembroke Pines
Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.
