Johnson ought to notcondition fireplace aid
Re: “Fire response could make or break several political careers” (Web page A6, Jan. 29).
The horrendous Los Angeles fires have destroyed over 15,000 constructions and prompted round $250 billion in harm up to now. They stands out as the costliest pure catastrophe in U.S. historical past.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson has determined to use this tragedy by threatening to carry up catastrophe assist and extorting California for concessions.
By meals, commerce, taxes and know-how, California subsidizes the remainder of the nation. We commonly pay extra in federal taxes than we get again in return. In accordance with the Rockefeller Institute, Californians’ overpayment was over $83 billion in 2022 alone.
Mike Johnson’s dwelling state of Louisiana, however, obtained practically $34.5 billion extra than it contributed in 2022, making it one of many extra dependent states. But, Congress discovered the cash to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, as was acceptable. Mike Johnson shouldn’t throw stones in his glass home, lest he discover his personal repairs include “conditions.”
Alexander RonyRichmond
Trump gained’t cease atbirthright citizenship
Donald Trump’s government order to finish birthright citizenship is an unconstitutional assault on essentially the most weak amongst us — newborns. It’s a calculated transfer to weaponize the state in opposition to its residents and construct the equipment to focus on different teams sooner or later, working from essentially the most weak as much as all of us.
As Martin Niemöller wrote concerning the Nazis’ rise to energy: “First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.
“Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.
“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.
“Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”
In the event you don’t converse up now, there’ll quickly be nobody left to talk up for you.
Adrian Engstrom von AltenSanta Rosa
Suspending overseas aidendangers complete world
An egregiously negligent act was dedicated by the Trump administration on Jan. 24 when it issued a “stop-work” order for all current programming funded by U.S. overseas help. This disheartening motion will successfully put hundreds of thousands of extra individuals into worsening well being and unsafe circumstances.
Devastating penalties embrace the termination of sanitation packages and initiatives for entry to wash water and vitamin. Entry to vaccines and the flexibility to mitigate emergency infectious outbreaks will likely be decreased. Many ladies will lose prenatal care and secure childbirths. Packages to fight human trafficking and to supply assist and shelter for these displaced by battle and local weather extremes will likely be misplaced. America itself will develop into much less secure and lose our credibility as a progressive chief.
Members of Congress approved many of those packages and their funding. They have to now push for the instant reversal of this “stop-work” order.
Ricardo NarvaezConcord
Trump barbs exacerbatesuffering from crash
Re: “Passenger jet collides with Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Washington National Airport” (Jan. 30).
The Related Press article concerning the lethal airline crash in Washington, D.C., quotes Donald Trump as making scathing accusations in opposition to the air site visitors controllers, Joe Biden, the pilots and others, all stated with out citing any proof. Sadly, this unfavourable discuss just isn’t uncommon for Trump, who reveals a outstanding expertise for taking a tragic scenario and utilizing it to make others look unhealthy.
A 2016 article within the journal Psychology As we speak, “Why Narcissists Need to Look Good So Badly,” sums his conduct up properly: the tendency of the narcissist accountable others in ways in which domesticate his personal superior picture.
Such inappropriate and unsubstantiated discuss solely provides to the ache of the grieving households and to all of us who mourn for individuals who are misplaced.
Teri ShikanyDanville
Trump taking revengewith henchman’s assist
Re: “Trump removes security detail from general as his retributions continue” (Web page A4, Jan. 30).
Certainly one of our new Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth’s first acts is to take away former Joint Chiefs of Workers Chairman Gen. Mark Milley’s safety element and safety clearance and provoke an investigation. It’s proper out of Donald Trump’s “get even” playbook. He’s petty and vindictive and makes use of innuendo to justify his actions.
If our esteemed late statesman U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Trump detractor, have been nonetheless with us, Hegseth would in all probability take away any recognition of McCain’s distinguished army service within the Vietnam Warfare. Identical to Trump’s removing of the safety element for former NIH chief Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Nationwide Safety Advisor John Bolton, Hegseth has violated an American custom of defending former leaders from threats arising out of actions they took in service to our nation. Shouldn’t he, and Trump, be required to show wrongdoing first?
Donald WatersPleasant Hill
