Letters to the Editor | Jan. 28, 2025

President Donald Trump has gone to California to see the damage done by the fires. He clearly had warned politicians and everyone that forests had to be managed, and the water from the mountains should be used, not wasted just to protect a fish. Trump is an expert negotiator who understands leverage more than anyone alive. He needs his legislative priorities passed before Memorial Day, and Republicans have the slimmest of majorities in the House of Representatives. Trump may need a little help getting his legislation passed. It will take a king’s ransom to help rebuild fire-damaged structures in California. Do you think Trump would ever help the state if its representatives voted not to pass his preferred legislation? Would he help them at all before his legislation is passed? Trump is not that dumb. I am personally smiling as I opine about the leverage he has in this situation. President Trump would never admit that he is smiling also.

David F. Lipton, Toms River

Donald Trump’s nonsensical remarks regarding the water in Southern California are a perfect example of how the public is constantly misinformed about important issues by this president. The deadly fires in Los Angeles are not caused by a lack of water availability, and Southern California is not reliant on Northern California or the Northwest for its water supply. Further, there is no “valve” that is intentionally shut to keep water from flowing from the Northwest. The fires are the result of extreme weather conditions that caused them to spread quickly and then hindered the firefighters’ ability to battle the flames. It is a natural disaster that requires attention and aid from our elected officials. Sadly, this president addresses important issues with simplistic solutions with no basis in facts in order to discredit his political enemies, and people believe him.

Bill Maginnis, North Wales

Donald Trump revealed on his first day in office that he is the most vindictive president to ever hold that office. American voters have elected a childish bully who is intent on wreaking revenge on anyone who does not support him or any organization that does not satisfy his ultranationalistic views. If we envision our country as a greenhouse, American voters have put an immature, destructive child wielding a baseball bat in charge of that greenhouse. A swing of that bat and smash, goodbye, Paris climate accord. Smash again to end America’s membership in the World Health Organization. Next goes free trade, then smash, so long diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Next is American birthright citizenship, followed by an end to collegial relations with Canada and Mexico — and so the vengeful smashing continues. America is left with a president who neither understands our country’s history nor honors the values on which our country has been built.

William Cooney, Philadelphia

“Racially charged language,” “the events of Jan. 6,” and now “a controversial gesture.” Why does the media bend over backward to soften the language around hard, uncomfortable truths? Racist language is what it is, a mob storming the U.S. Capitol is an insurrection, and a Nazi salute is easily recognized. Doesn’t good journalism examine an event in context? Why then does the media ignore the larger context of Elon Musk’s actions, policies, and behavior around white supremacy? His recent Nazi salute is not an out-of-character one-off.

Steve McLean, Downingtown

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