To the Editor:
Last Thursday, Trump put on another master class in “Magical Thinking” for those prone to mystification and immune to evidence. Another manipulation of reality that defied logic, but he hoped will sell tickets at election time. In an address to the nation, Trump first tested the waters by declaring he was, “happy to report that the country is safer, stronger and far wealthier than it has ever been before.” He clearly thinks we’re all insensate.
Trump sounded the alarm against China for trying to influence the 2018 and 2020 elections, and dramatically released “declassified critical intelligence, revealing shocking vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure” (most of which had already been declassified). He curiously omitted mention of 2024 Chinese interference, but if the US elections system is “like that of a third world country,” why would that election result be uniquely legitimate?
Naturally, Trump denounced, and called for sanctions against, China? Negative. He assumed you couldn’t follow the shell containing the pea after his shuffle. Instead, his proposed “cure” for foreign interference is his SAVE Act, a draconian voter ID proposal that is really a voter suppression scheme that would do absolutely NOTHING to prevent China, Russia, or Iran, from electronic interference in elections. The SAVE Act is an attack on the American voter which would order a centralized federal takeover of the voting process, despite the fact that the Constitution gives the states control over elections.
If you weren’t unnerved enough by China’s interference, Trump further warned that thousands of undocumented immigrant votes are illegally being counted. That is a verifiable lie. Only a handful of cases have been identified, but Trump wants you to be more alarmed by false images of hordes of non-citizens voting than you are of an unconstitutional federal takeover of elections and control of your vote. The next day, DHS Secretary Mullin threatened the incarceration of the officials of any state refusing to turn over their voter rolls to the federal government. So, damn the Constitution and the Courts, states’ and voters’ rights.
Trump summarized with one last magic trick, a dire warning that “they” (not China, or immigrants, but now the “deep state”) stole the 2020 election, without identifying who – in his own 4-year administration – had orchestrated or allowed the swindle. Thursday night in an interview, John Solomon, Trump’s long-time staffer admitted, “I only know the intelligence community has zero evidence that a foreign power flipped a vote in 2020, ‘22 or ‘24” Subsequent local audits, and the Courts, found no evidence of measurable fraud from any source in the 2020 election, either.
Voting mechanisms are not connected to the internet. Trump is trying to set the table to steal the midterms in 3 months and the 2028 general election – not by manipulating machines, but by controlling the voting process (including firing elections officials and suggesting DHS presence at polling sites) and some Republicans are all in. “You know, in California, if you even bring an ID to the polling place, they might put you in jail,” chortled Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
It was notable last week, too, that Trump’s psychotic attachment to his hybrid power/victim persona is so complete that accomplished, grown men undergoing confirmation hearings for vital jobs, went full-on Sycophantic Wimp, and refused to acknowledge that Joe Biden won the presidency in 2020. They would only say that “he was inaugurated.”
There is no reason, either, to expect that anyone in the WH is honest enough to tell Trump that Iran’s military has not been “obliterated,” and that his war is a growing, world-wide disaster.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
When there are so many daily aberrations from which to choose, “one-subject LTTE” is a challenge in this presidency. This week: some financial and economic issues, the discussion necessarily limited by space. The growing corruption in the WH, and the recognition of this fact nationally and internationally, affirms that the Trump WH has become a criminal enterprise that exceeds even my, and historical, expectations.
Business is brisk in the Oval Office, and the Trump Family (“TF”) is scoring. Financial disclosure statements indicate that their riskless World Liberty Financial cryptocurrency scheme (investors buy high the “celebration coins” from the TF and, when their value tanks, they lose their investment, though TF keeps their sales profits), and this administration has crippled the federal agencies that oversee such abuses.
The shock is that people keep lining up to be hustled (recall all the for-sale trinkets), while swallowing the inevitable grift despite the foreseeable pain in “Trump Reflux Derangement Syndrome,” rather like you see in future disbarred lawyer and whipping-boy, Todd Blanche, when he whimpers, “Please sir, may I have another?” Trump believes he has a right to grab with both hands from the Oval, and he knows that his base will believe, be confused, or ignore it, but in no way impede him, and much of the press is complicit, cowed, or overwhelmed.
However, this week in another clear example of Trump using his office for his own advantage, a US District Judge determined that Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS regarding leaked tax returns was “filed for an improper purpose” and that the “settlement agreement” was void for lack of “controversy”, as AG Todd Blanche had represented both the plaintiff (Trump Family) and defendant (Trump as president). The judge refused to take Blanche’s word that the fund would not be resurrected and invalidated the DOJ agreement for Trump Family immunity from future IRS audits. The judge also sent copies of her ruling to the NY Bar Association, where Acting AG Blanche is facing disciplinary proceedings for misrepresenting material facts in other Courts.
Meanwhile, the competition for grift is fierce in the TF. Ivanka and Jared have revealed their “expedited purchase” of an Albanian island for a resort. Trump’s “boys” have amassed a portfolio of defense tech and robotic battlefield companies with preapproved status for federal contracts. They have bought into a partially federally financed Kazakhstan mine. WH and Pentagon officials – under direct control of the Unitary Executive – have denied that the investments represent a “conflict of interest.” And there’s much more. Poor Hunter Biden was a simpleton, and the concocted “Biden Crime Family” clueless, in comparison. The Trumps are the “Pros from Dover.”
But this epic corruption is not the most alarming reality for our country. The UK and US have a 75-year history of deep intelligence cooperation and Free-World commitment, including the legendary “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance which the UK and Canada have modified since they now know that, in Trump, they are not dealing with a disciplined, principled, knowledgeable, reasonable administration. They are dealing with an encapsulated, unfathomably emotionally needy, volatile and conscience-less individual whose “policies” are determined by his emotional state, quest for financial advantage, and advancing delusions. Britain’s foreign intelligence service, M-16, has reportedly told the Prime Minister that Trump II, “resembles the Salem witch trials combined with the court of Henry VIII.”
Steven Cheung, WH spokesman, countered that the relationship between the US and other world nations, “has never been better.” All evidence to the contrary, if you have the remotest interest in integrity and reality.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
The Constitutional Congress anticipated that future presidents – even if they abused truth and democratic principles, cultivated avaricious appetites, or abandoned any semblance of “sacred honor” – would always face the seminal power of this nation: “We, the People.” We have the power to demand the integrity, effort, and commitment from government that our Founding Ancestors envisioned in framing our exceptional American Freedom from tyranny, celebrated on July 4th.
But somebody made this year’s Glorious 250th Fourth of July Birthday Party a scorching forced march rather than a Grand Celebratory Parade: “Your favorite president – ME!” First his 80th birthday party (and “beard” of Flag Day) that featured bloody contests to amuse old, rich donors, then the “Great American State Fair,” funded by donations embezzled from the 2016 congressionally appointed 250th Celebration Committee to Trump’s control. That last fact induced most scheduled entertainers to cancel when they realized the fraud, and sealed Trumpian tackiness of the events.
Trump’s glorious Fair had one Ferris Wheel, a few lukewarm and very expensive eats, videos of ahistorical Americana (e.g., the Salem “witches” were hanged, not burned at the stake); “baptism pools” (bacteria count?), Independence Fireworks that started at the stroke of midnight, July 5; and sparse attendance, except for 400 Confederate flag-bearing masked men on July 4th , marching around DC to “reclaim the country and get rid of immigrants” (one example of why liberals think there are a lot of white nationalist racists in MAGA. If you are MAGA and somehow not racist, my apologies).
To be fair, the nearly 100-degree weather in humid DC may have kept many people home from Trump’s Event. One Republican spokesperson attributed the lack of attendance to, “someone with an extreme case of TDS [who] geoengineered this weather in [the] same way they geoengineered Trump’s inauguration to be one of the coldest in U.S. history.” Just another cabal of liberal, subversive, America-hating, low-IQ but mad-genius, party-poopers.
The culmination of the Grand Event was Trump’s late-evening political rally as master of ceremonies (to replace the declined entertainment). The DC police and APCD warned people to take cover from the elements and protect against the noxious fumes of 850 shelled fireworks. But first, President Bone-Spurs wheeled out several military centenarians, at 11:30 PM in the presence of thunder and lightning, for teleprompted, 30-second war vignettes and, before the honorees could focus, 86’d them back offstage. They got more respect on the beaches of Normandy.
Another holiday option was to lounge around the fenced, non-reflecting Trump Pool and its murky, algae-infested, no bid, 8 times over estimate toxic brew, which Trump emotionally and groundlessly insists was sabotaged by criminal, far-Left “animals” with boxcutters, against whom he demands prosecution for even touching the floating, decomposing sealant/liner over which Trump and his limousine entourage drove just after installation.
Reminder Redux: if you incessantly self-congratulate on your own magnificence – smarter, grander, more charismatic, and tougher than all past presidents, generals, scientists, subject experts, and even the Pope – everyone…even those who smooch your patootie for a living…knows you’re not.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
Martin: I think I may have overlooked what now appears to be your sense of humor. Initially, I thought your response to Pat Collins’ pithy LTTE about denial being exhausting merely exceeded “deflection” and vaulted to your signature “raspberry” retort. But from someone coming off a three-week hiatus with your fingers in your ears, your “get some rest” advice provided a welcome moment of unsullied mirth. The meaning of your comments on my LTTE, however, escapes me. You correctly criticize Trump’s “flawed” peace efforts (ignoring the degradation of our international status, and the many other absurdities he commits), yet conclude, as did Lincoln about Grant, “I can’t spare this man, he fights.” You admire that Trump starts vengeful, destructive fights with predecessors, dissenters, and nations, abandons worthy allies like Ukraine, but struts around making more empty predictions of victory and excuses for failure than General George McClellan? We have two sides to our brain, Martin, and optimally they work together, in concert with at least one of the 5 senses.
I was somewhat impressed when, for one brief, shining moment, several Republican senators joined the Democrats to pass a War Powers Resolution to defy Trump’s usurpation of their Constitutional congressional wartime authority. But then, a furious Trump invaded their lunch-meeting to yell insults and threats, demanded and received a re-vote of support, and branded one steadfast Republican colleague “a horrible person” and not one Republican kitten mewled a protest.
While you offer flaccid congratulations to Ukraine (which may be winning the Russian War, no thanks to “fighter” Donald Trump), our democracy and world status are being dismantled by Trump and his political party, even as he and his family raise corruption to levels never before seen in this country. And this is the guy you believe invaluable to our national interests, whom we “can’t spare?”
Some people find it attractive, even consoling, to focus exclusively on possible future terrors which are far beyond their ability to control, rather than confront the things right in front of them for which they bear immediate responsibility. Perhaps, because time and distance are in their favor. Our beloved country will have many future challenges, but if we are to survive them as a Constitutional Republic and show the world the advantages of Government by The People, we cannot afford such destructive escapism. We must insist on separating truth from the vast manipulations in our world, be willing to question old biases and assumptions, burnish our principles, and defy prevaricating, self-serving leaders who demand subservience from everyone except the rich and powerful.
It is reckless to discount or deny present, internal threats to our freedoms, and cowardice to ignore responsibility for our own unjust actions or inactions, in the hope of passing into history without accountability.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
I appreciate that Ms. McCloud took up my letter for comment. Unfortunately, it leaves us right back where we started. I pose a specific question about something in the here and now and the response is finger pointing and demonizing those of us unwilling to close our eyes to what is right in front of us.
If we both had magic wands and a wayback machine, maybe we could have a productive conversation about Governor Brown. But that doesn’t address what we need to respond to in the here and now.
To accuse Democrats of weaponizing January 6th, is like blaming the victim of a mugging for filing a complaint with the police. Democrats did not attack the police. They did not smear feces on walls. They did not shut down legal proceedings to overthrow an election. Those of us with eyes to see and ears to hear know what happened. No matter how many times you tell us you “feel” Trump won. Not a single court or jury agreed. And you want us to hand them our hard-earned tax dollars? For the inconvenience for being held accountable for their actions? Because you didn’t get what you wanted from that election?
And I’m sorry Mr. Farrell didn’t recognize the kindness in my letter last week. I heard his exhaustion. I didn’t want to add to his weariness. I know how much energy it takes to deny what is clearly and overwhelmingly in front of us. The corruption, the grifting, the incompetence, and the cruelty are staggering.
The fact is, at this point, Trump isn’t the biggest problem. It’s the timid Republicans in the house and the senate who tremble when he raises his voice. Who go on recess rather than do their jobs. Who sit on their hands while he bombs whatever he feels like and then walks away when he gets bored. Gas prices shooting up. Food prices. Health care—just some of the things he’s sacrificed to give the uber wealthy uber tax breaks. And all the citizens who go deaf and blind rather than fight for our constitution, for the rule of law, Mr. Farrell has said this is all forgivable because of his treatment of immigrants. I’m not sure what Ms. McCloud is getting.
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
Denial takes a lot of energy. I hope you feel better soon.
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
It seems my last LTTE didn’t address a question that I didn’t feel was worth my time to even consider an accurate question. Since the comment in question stated the Anti-Weaponization Fund was a “slush fund” (tag the TDS wording to it). Yet, completely ignore who actually did the weaponization. Gee, just ignore that little fact. Democrats moan about the fund but completely fail to mention their side DID THE WEAPONIZING!!! The faux outrage after years spent demanding the DOJ target people and industries they politically disagreed with. Government abuse was rampant. It was hardly a “slush fund” but actually an attempt to redress real wrongs. Citizens punished by lawfare that is now being exposed. Is that a satisfactory response Pat?
What I responded to was a direct quote and gave you facts. Yes, actual facts. Your rebuttal “.... institutional failure is not an argument against public investment” is lacking the reality of where we are and how we got here. Some facts, in 2012 Gov. Brown (Moonbeam) dismantled over 400 Redevelopment Agencies that were bringing in ‘$5.6 billion each year to address urban decay, stimulate growth, deferred maintenance of public buildings like fire stations, police, libraries, parks, historical and eliminate blight through rehabilitating affordable housing. The program required 20% be reinvested into the fund from the capture of an increased tax base. Today what has replaced it is basically insufficient with poor planning, and the tax gain goes to the state, not local cities and counties. Fillmore, back then, got a lucky break because the State made an error in a tax refund. That error allowed the town to pay off the loans, bonds, contracts etc. and keep the assets while paying back the error at a later date. Many towns weren’t that lucky. The loans were pulled and assets were surrendered to the State.
This month, for the first time, our interest on debt has surpassed our GDP. A redline crossed to financial collapse. Almost $40 trillion in debt!!!! We spend $2.8 billion in interest each day, the fastest growing part of the Federal Budget. Each year we spend more than we take in. We borrow from our future through bonds, loans, credit cards trying to keep a lifestyle we’ve become accustomed to and feel entitled to keep.
Is the “public investment” you mention infrastructure, durable goods. healthcare, snap, education, housing? How do you suggest that be done? Just because someone has blank checks doesn’t mean they can keep cashing them when their account is empty.
Jean McLeod
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
In February, Republicans smugly declared that Trump’s “47-years-overdue courageous attack”, urged by Israel, did not require Congressional approval; or providing a definitive public case to Americans; securing allied cooperation for aggressive military action; considering unforeseen consequences; or framing an exit strategy.
Last Friday, the world relaxed when the US and Iran co-signed an MOU, a loose, preliminary commitment that:
- Does not embody Iran’s “unconditional surrender” Trump bragged about;
- Does not require regime change (“I think they have become much less radicalized,” Trump said, all evidence to the contrary);
- Gives Iran relief from sanctions;
- Opens the Hormuz Strait and gives Iran at-will control after 60 days;.
- Makes no mention of a limitation on ballistic missiles or drones;
- Gives Iran 60 days to reinstate the Obama administration’s 2015 “no nuclear bomb ever, with expert inspections” commitment that Trump 45 trashed in 2018;
- Commits that Israel will cease bombing Lebanon, though Netanyahu was not a signatory, and has already resumed bombardment; and
- Makes Iran’s $300-billion frozen or restricted assets “fully available.”
Recall that in 2018, Trump claimed Iran had “laughed at Obama” over the $1.7-billion payment in 2015, calling him “a stupid son-of-a-bitch.” Comedian John Oliver has noted that “Trump is about to discover the Persian word for somebody [over 150] times dumber than that.”
The conservative WSJournal declared that Trump and his administration, “think that we [the American public] are imbeciles” and will believe the MOU is a victory. The ultraconservative National Review reported that, “If the MOU were followed to the letter, the humiliations to which Trump has committed the United States could exceed his critics’ most fatalistic expectations.” Republican Congressionals are said to be privately “going through the stages of grief,” even as some publicly defend the “Peace Agreement.”
The day after the signing, Iran re-closed the Strait when Israel resumed bombing and stated it would never relinquish uranium enrichment for non-military uses. Fox News reported that Trump went “bonkers”, not against Israel, but told Iranian officials, “you close it [the Strait] and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f—king country.” Fox also reported Trump’s ”threats to assassinate Iran’s leadership, impose draconian US tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, and occupy Iran with the US military.” Iran responded with counter-threats. Unfortunately, it is a maxim that when you invade a hornets’ nest, the hornets will decide when the attack is over.
On the diplomacy front, the G-7 meeting in France was a disaster. Upon arrival, Trump power-grabbed Brigitte Macron’s hand and wouldn’t release it until President Macron intervened. At one point, Trump had to be guided back to the assembly from which he had wandered after proclaiming, “I am the boss”, insulted Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni with a lie, and was giddily thrilled at being invited to dinner at Versailles, where “the gold is the real deal,” (not glued-on gold leaf). Returning to the US, Trump reposted a statement declaring him “by far the most powerful person that has ever walked this planet.”
Trump’s malignant narcissism, inability to accept responsibility for error or fault, gargantuan rapacity, default dishonesty, and humanitarian indifference, are now augmented by marked physical and mental decline, and he is cornered by his own twisted ego. The tragedy is that Trump is also eroding our American stature as a nation of laws, a beacon of hope, defender of democracy, and respected world power. And, although we have a Constitutional remedy, the Republican Congress will allow Trump to persist.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
Thank you, Jean. I agree with you on this important point: taxpayers have every right to demand accountability for how public money is spent.
But I notice that rather than address the question I raised, you shifted the discussion to California’s education system, healthcare administration, and state spending decisions.
My question was simpler and more immediate: when public dollars are available, should they be directed toward the things communities actually depend on — schools, healthcare, infrastructure, fire prevention, disaster preparedness, scientific research, and the everyday financial well-being of ordinary citizens?
You argue that institutions sometimes fail. I would agree. But institutional failure is not an argument against public investment itself. It is an argument for better oversight, better governance, and greater accountability.
What concerns me is the growing pattern of public federal money being diverted toward projects and priorities that do little to strengthen the lives of ordinary citizens: enormous tax subsidies that disproportionately benefit private interests, political spending designed primarily to consolidate power, cuts to essential public agencies while billions are directed elsewhere, and proposals that weaken the very institutions communities rely on in times of crisis.
And when questions are raised about these priorities, too often the response is not to address the issue itself, but to redirect attention somewhere else entirely.
The real question remains unchanged: are federal taxpayer dollars better spent strengthening the systems communities rely on, or concentrated in ways that primarily serve political power and private interests?
That is not a question of left or right.
It is a question of public responsibility.
And it is a question every taxpayer should be asking.
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
Martin, since, as of this writing, we don’t know what comprises the so-called “peace deal” with Iran, there is no point in speculating about it. It sounds to be a Memo of Understanding (MOU) to identify the status of some issues rather than an “Agreement.” We will know more on June 19, the WH tells us.
What if the President of the US had a huge birthday party, masquerading as a national semiquincentennial celebration, much of it at your expense (government personnel participation, including Secret Service, and other security, and Paramount will take any loss off its taxes) at the People’s House, but only select citizens were invited? Last Sunday, having dug up the South Lawn, Trump and his friends thew a shindig but invited only VIPs. Ordinary folks in DC could watch, by lottery, from the other lawn. Anybody else interested in “Celebrating America,” by watching a bunch of steroidal gladiators batter each other for the amusement of old rich people, were SOL unless they had purchased a Paramount subscription (chief sponsor of the event which recently received DOJ approval for a contested merger with Warner Bros.).
Our carny-barker president tried to call it an “early United States Birthday celebration” (“UFC Freedom 250”). But, since only people who really matter to Trump were invited, no one with a 3-digit IQ was fooled. Fighters were paid in a digital currency called USD1 through World Liberty Financial, co-founded by the Trump family and friends. Earlier this year, Trump purchased stock the UFC parent company, TKO. Trump made money off the bash in branding $12,000 gold-plated coins, advertisers plastered their ads in front of our WH and made money.
A specimen named Josh Hokit won the last “round” and roared a “shoutout to Trump for having the balls to put some sh*t like this on.” In a transient moment of humility, he complimented “Jesus Christ” as being even more incredible than himself. Then he informed an apparently renowned fighter that, “I wanna chama on your mama.” And lastly, “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
There is little that should be said about a man making those comments, except that men of quality do not reflect on interaction with each other’s “mamas.” Spanish speakers can enlighten on the meaning of “chama”, but I understand that it is a term used by women with familiar females, or is a vulgarity used by males about young women. The misogynistic “joke” about Mrs. Obama reportedly drew a smile from Trump. Perhaps this is why she refuses to attend events where protocol requires her to sit next to the jackass.
For some levity: last Sunday morning, the Weather Channel forecast a 60% chance of late afternoon rain, wind gusts, and thunderstorms. The Trump WH did what it always does, it attacked the source of the unwelcome information. The WH declared that the “celebration of America’s [Trump’s] unmatched greatness,“ was just an opportunity for the Weather Channel’s “friendless loser”, who published the forecast, to try and ruin the party.
And this WH is negotiating a settlement with Iran.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
The question was asked last week, “Would our tax dollars be better spent on FUSD, healthcare, roads, fire prevention or left in our own pockets for when we fill our tanks?” I would ask, why continue to support institutions that are failures? Especially California’s education system. That’s the biggest and most costly failure! Prop. 98, passed in 1988, presented by California Teachers Association, requires 40% of the entire State Budget to go to K-14 education and has gone up every year for the past 10 years at an average cost today of $28,000 per student for nine months of classes. Second most costly behind New York.
Prop. 98 is based on a formula using State Revenue, attendance and economic swings. It is taken from the General Fund including local property taxes and adjusted to income growth and student enrollment. BUT, today schools are closing because enrollment is down by at least 10% since parents realized how badly our public education system is failing all students. Many families are fleeing California or choosing to not have children. While others have home schooled, switched to Charter or religious schools.
The Teachers Union prevents even the worst of the worst teachers from being removed because of Tenure which is given in less than two years of employment . While the State has made the huge cost of trying to expel or remove disruptive, harmful students from the class almost impossible. You see, it’s all about the money and how to keep the 40% flowing into the pockets of power.
Less than 1/3rd of students (mostly Black and Latino) can read at their grade level. Which is equal to the 70% of inmates in prison that didn’t finish high school. Reading is the most important skill taught in schools. Without it all other academic subjects cannot be learned. But since Phonics is not taught in schools today less and less can read. The ability to understand a language and learn to read is not given priority, money is!!!!
Healthcare is another huge cost, but the mismanagement of those dollars is also ignored especially by the pharmaceutical industry, medical complex and grifter nonprofits. Then roads are mentioned. Well, what happened to all the tax dollars spent so far on the Bullet Train to nowhere?
Fillmore has all three fire preventions within walking distance, City Fire, County Fire, Forest Fire. It’s one of the few institutions that seem to be doing their job.
In answer to your question Pat Collins, I would have to say that I would be better served choosing a much better Administration in Sacramento with accountability for our tax dollars, than to just throw more money at it. But that is what leftist do. They never address their failures, just ask for more money or tell you you’re a bad person if you even try to question.
Jean McLeod,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
Don’t sell yourself short. You appear to have explicitly understood my first paragraph last week, so I will forgo clarification. “Potshots” are taken by people who want to make cheap political points. The issues that I raise are factual and can be checked online. I raise them out of concern that all is not well with our country, and it transcends mere politics.
In 18 months of the Trump II administration, we are not as well, or better, off. Trump rejects “affordability” as “fake news,” insists that skyrocketing food and gas price increases are “peanuts,” has said he is not burdened by domestic economic issues during the Iran War, and is generally crushing the middle class to benefit billionaires. Meanwhile, Trump and his family have openly made billions in grifts all over the world, as families struggle to just “keep up.”
Trump let loose DOGE on our government, handed Elon Musk our private information for whatever purpose, cut services like SNAP, and health and medical facilities, imposed illegal tariffs, but finds plenty of money for ballrooms, massive arches, plans to refurbish the Kennedy Center, reflection pools and putting his name on anything that will stand still. He doesn’t seem to understand that the millions and billions he is spending on vanity projects, with permission from the Republican Congress, is hard-earned tax money we gave the government – not him – for protection, necessities, and general welfare.
He doesn’t seem to realize that, because of his mistreatment of international allies, we are no longer the free world’s “indispensable nation,” and that former allies have been forced to consider China as the reliable superpower of the future.
Trump appears unwell both physically and mentally. He falls asleep mid-meetings, has some concerning wounds to his hands, has an inordinate number of cognitive checkups, and cannot control his impulses. The Iran War is one such urge, with the overlooked consequence of the “Straitjacket of Hormuz.” Last weekend, he angrily ripped off his microphone, yelling at and bullying Kristen Welker, and stormed off from the interview when fact-checked that no court, including SCOTUS, had found that the 2020 election was stolen. It is alarming when a president with the nuclear codes cannot emotionally control himself. To me and others, these are troubling issues, Martin, and I haven’t even mentioned “Epstein.” Some people are unwilling or unable to confront the evidence in front of them, resent others for doing so, and condescend to facts as “potshots.” I understand that. But it is tragic for our country’s future when they say that they are “bored” by it.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
I appreciate the concern for society’s moral condition — but moral diagnosis can’t substitute for factual accountability. Before we ask what’s wrong with humanity, we might first ask: what’s really happening with this slush fund—or whatever the grift de jure--and who’s paying for it?
I also wonder how my neighbors feel. Would our tax dollars be better spent on Fillmore’s schools, healthcare, roads, fire prevention — or left in our own pockets for when we fill our gas tanks?
Faith and facts aren’t enemies. But one doesn’t replace the other. And one grift does not excuse another.
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
The more that’s exposed of the left’s Cloward Piven Strategy and Color Revolution tactics the uglier and more violent they are becoming. That’s a fact. All you hear from their politicians, trying to stay or obtain power is “ I hate Trump, so vote for me”. Pathetic! Have you heard one peep about the billions in fraud? Of course not, it’s the ignore it and it will go away tactic. There is now an advertising push for Foodstamps/SNAP benefits and how much they are needed. Cloward Piven Strategy grift is still alive. There is so much being stolen by nonprofits, politicians and bureaucrat grifters on both sides (RINO’s), but the majority is by the Marxists left. They want power at any cost, yet claim they are there to protect “Democracy” while destroying our Republic. Today it’s a Red-Green alliance. By now you should know who is behind the curtain: Code Pink, ANSWER Coalition. NGO’s, ANTIFA etc along with our Education Department, Media, Hollywood. Funded by foreign billionaire globalists. Yet all their useful idiots to the TDS cult, can say, “I hate Trump”. Think about the years they had to destroy or hide their fraud. Yet they couldn’t get all of it. Biden’s Autopen had a fix for that.
I love that we finally have someone in the White House that has a backbone and a pair of steel sets willing to push back. FINALLY!!!!. The corrupt sick TDS group just never thought they’d get caught. An artificial platform performed by imitation people is hard to keep up or hidden, but there’s always “I hate Trump, vote for me”.
The most valuable things in life are the hardest to obtain. So, the left condones stealing from the other to even out the equity. Our ancestors had the grit and worked hard. They knew they were not entitled to take ill-gotten gains. We could trust and be trusted, Not today!!! Social engineering using race, sex, hate and victimhood has given far too many useful idiots a feeling of entitlement to others labor and very lazy. I’d like to go back to a society that believed they are better than that with the grit to achieve and responsible for a society that everyone trusts.
Jean McLeod,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
In last week’s LTTE, I accommodated your request to raise only one subject. I chose Trump’s $1.8-billion Weaponization Fund Scam, a current and essential issue debated on all news websites and programs. If the Editor can select the number of topics in a LTTE, as well as the actual subject, the LTTE becomes an “assignment.” For me, those days are over. There is no need for me to discuss the Cuba situation this week, as you cherry-picked it fairly thoroughly in last week’s deflective and diversionary non-response.
To wrap up for now the Slush Fund issue, beyond last week’s discussion, be aware that the FL judge has reasserted jurisdiction on the grounds that Acting Attorney General Blanche (“AAG”) may have colluded with Trump to represent fraudulent facts to the court in the dismissal (and subsequent Weaponization Agreement). The judge has put a hold on the transfer of Treasury funds to Trump’s committee and set a hearing for June 12. Here are just a few arguments against the Fund transfer (there are more):
Article I of the Constitution assigns to Congress the passing of laws and appropriation of money. It does not authorize the AAG to appropriate money, certainly not for the benefit of the president to whom he reports and owes his job. And “loves.”
Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution prohibits the president from receiving any emolument (profit) from the United States or any state, other than a fixed salary.
The two-year Statute of Limitations had expired months before Trump’s lawsuit was filed in January 2026, so the leak issue was moot. The AAG had represented to the court that there was a required case or controversy between the president and the DOJ as to IRS liability, but asked for and received a judicial dismissal, so end of story.
Not so fast. Clearly, Trump and the AAG colluded to withdraw his IRS case from judicial review to enter into a separate, private, unreviewable “settlement” with AAG Blanche, though there was nothing to settle. This sub-rosa Fund would simply be a gift of our tax dollars from the AAG to Trump, and beyond the reach of the court (they thought). It is yet another window on what Trump truly thinks of the Constitution, statutory Law, and the American taxpayer.
The 14th Amendment, Section 4, provides that, “Neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States.” It is as relevant as it was after the Civil War.
There is no basis to make the gift to Trump a tax-free transaction. Trump would almost certainly have to pay taxes on the $1.8 billion. The fact that he might make the insurrectionists subsequent beneficiaries does not relieve him of that tax burden. CA and other states are considering taxing any award from the Fund at 100% because of the illegality.
The most shocking provision, the fact that the Weaponization Fund Agreement also relieves the Trump Family of any future prosecution for tax fraud to date, ought to scream to you about Trump’s self-serving lack of ethics. But then, this is just “Trump being Trump.”
If you decide to continue with your discussion of Cuba, Martin, I hope you include the context of all the other military absurdities Trump has undertaken, and the way he has done it. For instance, our abandonment of Ukraine, while we arrogantly threaten and voluntarily attack other countries. For the respectful reaction of the Danish Parliament when Trump threatened to take Greenland, see They are laughing #trump .
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
Since the Supreme Court’s 2024 immunity ruling already shields Trump from prosecution for official acts, why does he (and his entire family and businesses) need to be protected from any federal prosecution or civil action for crimes “presently known or unknown?”
What’s the Grifter-in-Chief afraid we’re going to find out that we don’t already know?
Aren’t you just the tiniest bit curious to see who gets your money?
Too bad. That’s his little secret.
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
Very glad to hear that you finally took a vacation. I understand that you make the rules about Realities, and I will try to limit the LTTEs to one issue, but I was disappointed last week that the issue you chose as consequential was Trump’s indisputable groveling reverence for despots.
The WH is “the People’s House,” and was never intended to compete with the golden halls of The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Buckingham Palace, or Versailles, homes of tsars and kings who considered themselves, personally, identical with the government of their respective countries, with taxes spent at the will of the autocrat. I thought we rejected all that in 1776.
The current occupant of Our House has not only tried to emulate the material excesses of bygone potentates, he also considers any challenge to him to be a threat to the country (like Louis XVI, “I am the State”). He and his administration have become the dirtiest swamp in 250 years of our democratic republic, but Trump knows that his base will never admit it or hold him accountable. So, he contemptuously scoops up whatever he can, whenever he can, from whomever he can. I am limited to just one example.
Trump sued the DOT/IRS for $10 billion for an IRS agent’s leak of his tax returns (who was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison) in Trump’s first term. The Statute of Limitations has expired, so the lawsuit was worth nothing, so Trump “negotiated” a bogus settlement with his own DOJ for $1.8 billion, to be established as a fund for lawsuit payouts against the government. The “Weaponization Fund” Agreement provides that Trump would have complete Fund control, without public oversight or accountability, through a five-member committee designated by the AG, to serve at Trump’s pleasure. A “slush fund” which amounts to a Trump piggybank constituted with your tax dollars in a fraudulent “settlement.”
Disbursements would be made to anyone “harmed by past administrations,” not excluding the January 6 insurrectionists who injured 140 police officers and invaded the Capitol to overthrow an election, wielding makeshift weapons, depositing bodily fluids and feces throughout, breaking doors and furniture, erecting gallows on the lawn, and terrifying lawmakers. A “tourist contingent.” Those 1,500 individuals were convicted and sentenced but pardoned by Trump. Apparently, the Nation owes them compensation for their self-inflicted butthurt.
Indecent as that grift is, Trump included a provision (Section III.B., and Addendum to make it extra-clear) that prohibits any IRS audit for past tax filings of Trump, his family, and his businesses. The Trumps know what’s contained in those tax returns and want past fraud to be beyond prosecution. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said of the scheme, “This is just stupid on stilts.” But Trump is hardly “stupid,” though he has often relied on it in others.
At first, Trump strenuously denied he was involved in creation of the Fund. By Friday, he wanted to be thanked for his act of selflessness for refusing a “personal payout”, an “absolute fortune,” to instead opt to “help others” who were “badly abused by an evil, corrupt and weaponized Biden administration.” One X poster remarked, “Not content to just rip us all off, he expects praise for it.”
I’d like to think that the Republican Senate refused to authorize the Fund for moral or legal reasons, or because they finally understood who Trump is. But the revolt was actually precipitated by Trump’s attacks on three of their own. Trump primaried, for lack of 100% Trump servility, Republican Senators Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, and Tom Massie. Ironically, their absences give Democrats a chance at taking the Senate, too. But, if the past is any indication, upon their return from Memorial Day recess, after Trump has a chance to issue all his threats, they will swallow their rebellion and fold. I could be wrong about that, but am willing to be astonished and gratified.
By the time you read this, we will know more about the proposed Iran Peace MOU.
Kelly Scoles
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
Some noteworthy presidential events of the last 10 days:
Trump again refused to acknowledge the increasing financial crisis in our country, dismissing it as influencing his Iran War policy decisions. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.” It was so stunning that VP Vance denied Trump had said it. The next day, in an interview with Fox, Trump doubled down. “It was a perfect statement. I’d make it again.” Trump knows his base won’t hold him accountable.
Trump has said of Xi, “He’s a brilliant guy. He controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist.” Highest praise from Trump. He gushed again on the Communist dictator’s strong will and leadership and complimented him for his “central casting” good looks, noting that Xi, “is very tall, and, especially for this country because they tend to be a little bit shorter.” Xi did not find it advantageous to reciprocally comment on Trump’s physical or mental qualities.
In a later interview with Hannity, Trump lauded his great success in securing an unwritten commitment from China to buy beef, soybeans, and 200 Boeing aircraft, then equivocated, “I sort of, I think it was a commitment. I mean, you know, it was sort of like a statement, but I think it was a commitment,” Trump added. “It’s a great thing. It’s a lot of jobs.” No competent negotiator would consider that “closing a deal.” China has not confirmed these purchases.
The US transcript does not mention Taiwan. However, Xi publicly reiterated the red line of the representative democratic republic, warning that if the Taiwan question is “mishandled by America” it could put the stability of China-U.S. relations “in great jeopardy.” Trump heard him, because on Board AF One he counseled Taiwan to “cool it,” and expressed reluctance to appropriate the billions of dollars in military assistance Congress has already authorized for Taiwan because, “we don’t need another war.”
Trump’s off-handed policy would represent a drastic change to the 50-year US bipartisan commitment to Taiwan, without Congressional consultation, further cementing the idea that America cannot be counted on to keep its commitments. And reinforces that Trump goes all mushy when he encounters Communist dictators. Secretary-of-State Rubio later insisted that China would make a “terrible mistake” to take Taiwan by force.” So, what’s the policy? This is a major issue of honor, economics, democracy, and the administration’s competence.
Trump recently removed thousands of troops from Germany, in a fit of pique at Chancellor Merz for observing that the US apparently did not anticipate the disaster of the Hormuz blockade, or have a Plan B, or allied support, or an exit strategy. This was not a military exigency; this was another self-soothing tantrum. Trump also floated recalling troops from Italy and Spain. Is it coincidence that these moves advance Putin’s dream of dividing the free world?
After Trump’s departure, Chinese platforms, usually circumspect about American presidents, were almost giddy, “America has lost its swagger,” one said, “They’re nothing but a paper tiger.”
It is horrifying and heartbreaking to watch the rapid dissolution of American status, respect and trust, and not just from China, which may never be regained. We have a Constitutional remedy, though the Republican Congress appears to be more afraid of Trump than of Russia, China, Iran and the American electorate, combined.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
Trump heads to China this week to meet with Xi Jinping, without the promised peace settlement with Iran, without allied support, after being embarrassed in the tariff war, and having lost the status contest on the world stage. I am very afraid the meeting will not go well, as Trump has dug a massive hole for America. In only 19 months. Two and a half years to go.
He seems to be “not all there” much of the time, either napping or devoting his interests to slapping his name on every structure he can (Kennedy Center, Palm Beach Airport, a class of battleship, etc.) raising a 22-foot gold-leafed statue of himself at Doral Golf Club, making plans for Arc d’Trump which he confirmed will honor, “Me.” And, of course, the now-estimated 1 billion-dollar “ballroom” and now not-so-secret bunker beneath it, the “donations” for which Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) offered “could be spent on place settings and table linens.” It didn’t surprise anyone that Trump misrepresented the whole undertaking, tore down the East Wing without any Congressional authorization or environmental analysis for asbestos or other toxic chemicals, and illegally dumped the detritus on a public Washington, DC, golf club. When discovered, he “unnecessarily closed” the club for “renovations.”
Todd Blanche, Trump’s DOJ hand-puppet, hoping to be the next AG, has turbo-charged attacks on the press, individually and wholly, for reporting things the administration does not want known, be it the ever-increasing cost of the “ballroom or the state of the War. Hegseth has barred the press from the Pentagon. Trump is the same guy that the dearly departed Pam Bondi said is, “the most transparent president in history.”
His War has apparently become boring as he can’t get the upper hand with Iran, particularly since the regime change he wanted has resulted in even more militancy at the hands of the Iranian Guard. In all of this, the Republica Congress has been happy to ignore its Constitutional duties to balance the powers of the president. They are just as responsible for what is happening to our country, nationally and internationally, as is Trump.
I am slugging through the SCOTUS murder of the Voting Rights Act and subsequent state actions on gerrymandering, trying to translate the legalese into real language. It is disingenuous and heartbreaking what the Republican majority on the Court has done.
And what the Republican Congress has not done.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca

To the Editor:
Martin: Thanks to you I did, indeed, examine my conscience as if preparing for the Sacrament of Penance. You know that mortal (spiritually deadly) sins must be confessed, but confession of venial sins is devotional, or optional, but I overlooked none of them, especially in politics. While I found tons of potentially venial sins emanating from my politics (e.g., sharing bad thoughts about “Voldemort Miller,” “Roadkill Kennedy,” “Cockeyed Kash, ”or “Whiskey Pete”), I found none that are not true according to my research, or lack morality as formed by my early Catholicism, or are soul-destroying. Just regular, obvious political stuff that I share with you most weeks.
I will ignore your animated, diversionary attempt to change the subject in last week’s Editorial, by exhuming unrelated, incendiary controversies, like Choice and non-existent Democratic endorsements. There are several international topics that require attention from the American populace:
The JPOAC agreement between six nations and Iran, negotiated under the Obama administration in 2015, produced the “successful outcome” you described, as it expressly included Iran’s renunciation of nuclear weapons, and required regular inspections to verify the lack of weapons-grade uranium. The Strait of Hormuz blockade only became an issue when Trump’s War raised it. But, in his love/hate of Obama, Trump I and II gave that accomplishment the old “86” for “something far better.”
The 1973 War Powers Act (“WPA”) requires that troops, fighting a war conducted without Congressional approval, be withdrawn within 60 days of hostilities (2.28.26), with a 30-day extension to complete the process. Trump and Hegseth argue that the airstrike ceasefire in Iran (4.8.26) tolled the WPA hostilities clock, even as Trump’s threats of destruction persist, warships, warplanes, and troops stand ready in harm’s way, and both parties continue to blockade (an international war crime) Hormuz or Iranian ports. Trump said Sunday that, “Iran ha[s]d not suffered a sufficient price for its actions.”
Trump has said that he does not plan to submit a war declaration to Congress, although the US was the aggressor, not the victim. By now, it should be clear that he believes all power resides in him, despite his oath to the Constitution, and he will not risk possible Republican Congressional resistance, should any be hinted. The other day, from the Oval, he repeated his frequent musing that, “maybe we need a dictator.”
At the beginning of this week, despite his claim of tolled hostilities in Iran, Trump placed yet another dangerous Iranian “bet” and announced “Project Freedom,” a naval operation to provide security for vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz. He is betting that Iran will not fire on an American-escorted ship. Security Expert Robert Pape wrote that, “the US has now assumed responsibility for keeping the Strait open,” potentially in perpetuity. If an escorted ship is attacked, “the burden will shift entirely onto Washington.” Back down, and the world will likely “view it as a humiliation,” and “loss of global status.” Retaliation is likely to escalate and widen the war, in conditions even more treacherous. It is deliberately disingenuous to claim that “hostilities” have been “tolled” for purposes of the WPA.
I hope, for future peace, that there is an as-yet unseen path to a successful outcome, and that Trump’s chosen means are not more war crimes. What Trump is sowing, we will reap. We still have a Constitutional remedy for a different direction.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
How much hate is needed to satisfy the left’s goals? How deep does the TDS go in their psyche? How many more assassinations will it take to fill the left’s power drive? The lack of respect for our citizens or life itself by these deranged people is out of control. There wasn’t enough hate to go around for the SPLC so they paid millions to create it and set up the “There were good people on both sides” SPLC and Biden distorted and used. I can tell you that I personally know the SPLC corruption goes back at least 20 years. They tried to smear me!!! How many supported the Jessie Smollett con job of being a race victim? What evil would do that? One of the worst and corrupt media i came across is PBS who lied and deceived the public. I know that for a fact because I was there and spoke to them for at least 30 minutes, but they refused to report what really happened. Like so many nonprofits/NGO’s they have an agenda.
The Clintons whose goal was money and power, and still is, showed Obama how to take corruption to the next level using race and victimhood. The schools and media were the main mass drivers to accomplish the left’s divide and conquer tactic. The Clintons sold us out (our uranium) while the Clinton Foundation financially ballooned in size. They couldn’t even leave the White House without stealing whole rooms of White House property, then were forced to return it. No, that was not a mistake, they knew it when they DID IT!. This corruption l has been in the making for at least 40 or more years and became highly active under Obama, Obama had some very practiced criminals, the Clintons, as teachers. Obama’s goal “Change”. That became his slogan. But it was actually changed to Socialist/Marxists.
The Russagate conspiracy was promoted by Obama, as we now have proof.. Yet, he’s not been charged. Why? Well, corruption runs deep in both parties and the left works hard to “Ignore it and it will go away” and put something else to the spotlight. The tactic I heard in college all those years ago. Today the media is more than willing to accommodate whatever is needed to grow the hate as jokes about the third assination are considered entertainment. Anything over 24 hours is old news unless the left needs to exploit it..
How did this vigilante ideology take over? Schools and nonprofits, the two institutions society always respected and trusted. Both have a large part in pushing hate.. As it became normal the TDS spread. Just about every week Kelly Scoles spews TDS out to push the hate for our President with her LTTE.. Hate is the prerequisite for violence.
As more of the political corruption that was hidden from the public is exposed with proof of who actually did what, the left and deep state will push the hate and vigilante ideology in a desperate move to change the focus, It will get worse. TDS is real and dangerous. TDS is an active participant and unless there are consequences for those who distort reality for power and gain, it will destroy what our forefathers sacrificed to give us.
Jean McLeod,
Fillmore, Ca.
***
To the Editor:
At the heart of your “outcome test” is the proposition that, “the ends justify the means.” It is generally used as an excuse to achieve goals through any means necessary, no matter how immoral, illegal, or unpleasant those means may be. Or, “it doesn’t matter how you get what you want as long as you get it.” No, I can’t subscribe to your “outcome test” for an unprovoked attack on Iran (or by Russia on Ukraine). And no, again, I cannot tell the difference between success and failure in Iran In Your Mind, which was my original question. So, Martin, what will “success” in Iran look like to you? Are there any means that Trump may choose to employ that would offend your conscience?
I ask, because this administration has done many things that offend my conscience, including cuts to Medicare and food support, withholding subsidies to ACA, letting the likely-insane Musk having access for any purpose to our most private information, decimating of the science and medical infrastructure of America, asserting that “affordability is a scam,” planning to control elections and voter registration on a demonstrably false fraud pretense, etc., ad infinitum.
First, the “end” has to be legitimate and lawful, clearly identified, and just. An internal example of a stated outcome employing excessive, violent, and unintended means, would be that many Americans voted to authorize their president to close the southern border to undocumented immigrants, even those fleeing persecution, and deport the criminally “worst of the worst.”
But the government has wildly exceeded the voters’ designated “end” with cruel, outrageous, and likely unconstitutional means as it conducts a wholesale dragnet of long-term, law-abiding residents, or people who are working through the path to citizenship, or parents or spouses of US military, or who are here legally but say critical things about the government. These people are detained in horrendous, inhumane circumstances, and often deported to places with which they have no connection. Bystanders in MN were murdered. Moreover, this president proposes to de-naturalize citizens who say mean things about him or his elves, and reject the Constitutional provision for birthright citizenship, clearly beyond your “outcome test.”
The same guy is running American foreign policy. Trump has acknowledged that international ends and means are without boundaries, constrained only by “the limits of my own mind. In this instance, those limits are fluid, sloshing from regime change to removal of enriched uranium, and often washing up unconsidered consequences (Strain of Hormuz blockade), and the effects of repugnant, uncivilized threats.
Ironically, Trump’s present demands are remarkably similar to the Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA) negotiated by renowned Middle Eastern experts (but no real estate moguls) in 2015 under then-President Barack Obama, between Iran and six world powers to limit Iran’s nuclear program to peaceful uses, with extensive oversight, in exchange for sanctions relief. That oversight ended in 2018 when Trump withdrew from the JCPOA and dismissively promised, “a far better deal.” Which now Trump essentially wants to restore, plus renewed free access to Hormuz. I fear that America is flying blindly, hoping that the outcome will avoid a mountain.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
Martin, re last week’s Editorial. Have you noticed that your outcome test applies only to Republicans, particularly MAGA Republicans? Your forbearance has never applied to a Democrat because your test doesn’t originate from a sense of reason or fairness. Your passion for all things authoritarian motivates you, even when Trump embodies the “bumptious and vulgar ‘ugly American,’ ignorant about foreign cultures,” who has declared his right to destroy an ancient civilization and, with Hegseth, has falsely claimed Pope Leo supports Iran gaining a nuclear bomb, and derided and warned the Vicar of Christ not to question the morality of Trump’s War. You can see why Trump publishes pictures of himself as Jesus Christ.
You advocate for wayward mankind to follow God’s command for peace, as revealed in Marian apparitions. Yet you praise Trump for having “the guts” to attack Iran, being “willing to pull the trigger” without immediate provocation and threatening to pulverize its civilization. How is that giddy sentiment consistent with your reverence for Marian revelations?
Note that Trump did not have the gun-happy colonic imperative to threaten to do the same to Russia over Ukraine, because he knew Putin could and would bomb back. Trump mistakenly thought that, without nukes, Iran easily could be overcome. A gross mistake that past presidents had the knowledge and intelligence to avoid.
What is the conspicuous event that you await to signal success or failure? The ceasefire deadline approaches. It’s clear by now that Iran will not fold under Trump’s threats, attacks, and impossible peace terms. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an entirely foreseeable, unforced international crisis of Trump’s creation that was previously avoided by 70 years of careful diplomacy and military doctrine, necessary, given the world dependency on free shipment of oil along Iran’s coastline.
Recall that Trump recently asserted that only his own mind limits his international power, and that he doesn’t “need international law.” His War in Iran is one result. Trump’s belief that his mind/will and our military superiority will settle all disputes has proven false, and his epithets against our closest allies as “cowards,” and NATO as a “paper tiger,” have revealed that America is not a reliable partner in global security. Then, Trump sent the Three Blind Mice (Kushner, Witkoff, Vance) to negotiate a peace, shocking the Iranians with their ignorance of the issues and ridiculous peace demands.
You are misled that Russia, China Iran and North Korea are in awe of America’s “authority against them.” Those dictatorships are still maneuvering against us, while delighted and amused at our ham-fisted, pompous, and bungling leader. Trump can’t tell the difference between an international foe quietly scheming against him or one laughing at him (think Putin in AK). We have a Constitutional remedy, and time is slipping away.
We have already exceeded maximum fucque-ups from this president.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
I returned from a three-week absence to find our president giving “All praise to Allah” for the human and structural destruction in Iran. And, too, offering to answer questions at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami, “You can ask me anything you want. You can talk sex.” Trump also attacked Pope Leo, who answers to a higher authority, advising the first American-born Pontiff to “get his act together” and curiously asserting that, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” Later, Trump posted a picture of himself as Jesus Christ on Truth Social. His incremental dementia is now undeniably without conscience, delusional, and rampant.
Trump’s War continues nearly 50 days in. Still no defensible reason to support it (besides Bibi’s demands,) still no Plan B or European allies, and no retreat plan except to spontaneously declare “victory” and withdraw, leaving the Middle East more volatile than ever. But a new Iranian Toll on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz!
Trump’s “Peace Negotiation Team” consisted of two real estate moguls and VP Vance, whose mission was to make Iran: forget or overlook that Trump has doubled-down on threats to reduce their three-thousand years civilization to rubble and commit genocide on its people, and to release the blockage and oil shipment toll now set on the Strait, making an already terrible government more powerful.
Trump’s reaction to the peace negotiation failure is a retaliatory threat to counter blockade the Strait from the Mediterranean, setting up a crisis when, say, a ship from China wants to fill up a tanker in Iran, an imminent fact he has not confronted. The tsunamic ripples have only begun, but will overtake many lives in many places, including here.
The Republican Congress has shamelessly and consistently enabled and encouraged this grandiose, emotionally critically -wounded president who cares only for his own glory, embraces cruelty, struts like a potentate, and who has surrounded himself with advisors hired to assure him of his wisdom and righteousness. Truth, as always with Trump, is irrelevant. American citizens, and the free world, are at the mercy of this uncontrolled, malignant administration. But there is hope.
The 25th Amendment is a fairly messy, lengthy process that relies only on the Party in power.
Waiting for the midterms is dangerous because, since 2024, Trump has been working to disenfranchise voters (especially likely Democratic voters), trying to take over the election process in the states to “reduce fraud” (the Republican House-passed SAVE Act) for which there is no significant evidence anywhere, even after numerous audits. Trump has actually said that there will be no need to have another federal election (Arizona, 2023). If all else fails, we know from experience that he will conjure up a “national emergency” to halt the election process.
Impeachment is the true immediate remedy and, while the Republicans have shown neither comprehension or courage in confronting Trump on behalf of the American people, the rest of us must, as it as the only immediate survival mechanism for our, and our children’s, free futures.
Martin, wailing impending doom in the fetal position, waiting for heavenly intercession to save us from our own created messes, and refusing responsibility for the cleanup and amends, is not defensible. We have made some singularly bad political decisions with massive world repercussions. Here’s where the critical move toward responsibility, world stability, and peace must begin. As Americans, we alone have the power and means to enlist a Constitutional remedy in Impeachment. Let Congressional Republicans vote and tell us where they stand on our futures.
Vance is a distasteful piece of work and a pro-despot, uncertain negotiator, and craven power seeker, but this is the option we have been given. But he does not appear to be a war monger and, as yet, does not reek of madness.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
I am sorry you did not publish my LTTE last week, as it was a fairly complete timeline of the Iran War, including administration comments thereon. It was, I thought, an accurate revelation of how Trump and his advisors approach challenges commando-style, without observing Constitutional mandates, without advise or consent, and without care what the American public thinks. He can’t be a dictator if he has to get approval.
First, attacking the infrastructure of our government; dismissing experts in fields from science/medicine and counterintelligence; creating a private internal army; creating false emergencies to circumvent the law; declaring real estate belonging to other countries as his; and finally instigating a war, solo except for Bibi an MLB, without explanation or interest in the support of the American public or free-world nations. Now, he is both demanding and begging for help on an entirely foreseeable crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. All the while posturing, lying, and blaming others.
In the meantime, he and his family have been helping themselves to vast “goodies” in other countries. Now, the entire world, friend and foe alike, knows what a self-aggrandizing, mercenary bully he is.
Trump bombed Iran in June to “obliterate” their uranium stores, and then again in February as urged by Israel and MLB for reasons not yet certain, with no exit plan and an indifference to the human cost of his military “excursion” and absolutely foreseeable economic consequences. He has said that the war will end, “when I feel it in my bones.” The war casualties? “Things happen in war.”
He has insulted 80-year friends, haughtily rejected offers of some help (“We don’t need someone to come in when we’ve already won!) and is shocked that those denigrated countries are not anxious to join, on command, an ill-conceived war and an impending economic crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which now is impassable to oil tankers because of Iranian counterattacks. Trump had been clearly warned by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of such a likelihood. But they were talking to a president who knows everything about everything and is incapable of reevaluation. He must be correct and can never be wrong.
What concerned me about your Editorial was the near-depression you shared in your complete acceptance and assurance of WWIII. As though We, the People, have no method of influencing against that future. The person responsible for this dire state of affairs is still subject to our Constitution, which provides the means whereby a rogue government can be brought to account: Impeachment or the 25th Amendment. The majority of Americans are not prepared to crumble in fear and hopelessness.
We have a Constitution, a Nation of Laws, a long history of both contention and cooperation. We still have the right to vote, unless Trump completely succeeds in suppressing it under the proposed SAVE Act. To this point we have always opposed monarchs and have sought people we believed had the best interests of our citizens at heart as leaders. We can no longer have any level of certainty about that in this president.
Martin, we cannot roll over in grief or disbelief and abandon ourselves to hopes that heaven will save us. Nothing wrong with prayers, but we know from history that God seldom directly intervenes. We were given the intelligence and fortitude to figure this out ourselves. But first, we have to rely on each other as We, the People, to solve this and other future challenges. To acknowledge where the problems are and decide on the best Constitutional means to remedy them. Few people like to see someone else in pain, but isolating ourselves in fear and helplessness is useless and unworthy.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
Watching the news this past weekend I couldn’t stop thinking about the little girls. The little girls in Iran. The little girls in the Epstein saga. Different countries, different circumstances, one common bond — powerful men who believe girls don’t matter.
Six Americans dead. “Pre-emptively defensive,” they say. And Trump wants to talk about the White House’s gold drapes.
How many more will it take?
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca
***
To the Editor:
It is not possible in this space to address all that should be said about the international events of last week. All that I can do is ask questions, and not even all of them. Please excuse the length.
Why did Trump plan and conduct, in consultations with Israel and Saudi Arabia but without constitutionally required Congressional “advise and consent,” a massive, unprovoked, military attack on tinderbox Iran?
No one is sorry that Totalitarian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is no longer in power in Iran. No one would be sorry if Kim Jong Un were no longer in power in North Korea. Both have long-hated America. I will not bother to quote the wildly contradictory statements of our government on Iran’s nuclear capabilities. This is a War of Aggression and Choice, and it is Trump’s War.
Contrary to Trump’s campaign promises that there would be no “regime change wars,” we are there. We are compelled to ask, “why?”
Trump’s actions violate the US Constitution which requires Congress to declare War. Internationally, no imminent, realistic threat to America’s security existed. We appear to have begun a War on behalf of Israel’s Netanyahu and the Arab States who are reliably reported to have lobbied Trump to attack for their own purposes.
This is likely both an act of hubris on Trump’s part, and a debt or favor owed to Israel and the Arab States. Why risk yet another dangerous political power vacuum in the Mideast, as we have done so infamously and detrimentally before? Trump’s claim that his heart bled for Iranian oppression was morbidly preposterous. Trump has offered no substantial support for regime-change. I hear the desperate siren of failure to learn past lessons, and unintended consequences
Trump did not consult, either, with other free-world powers before the destabilizing attack and went “commando.” After years-long threats to weaken free-world alliances, teasing abandoning European partners, “Tilt-A-Whirl tariffs,” openly embracing dictators, stealing Venezuelan oil, and threatening to invade Greenland, the respect for, and value of, diplomacy with America has significantly depreciated - in 14 months. Foreign leaders reasonably question Trump’s motives and failure to recognize likely regional instability. Still, his outraged Republican minions castigate the EU for their lack of automatic, unambiguous support for Trump’s War.
Who benefits from this War? Israel’s Netanyahu, of course, who has begged for such action for years. Saudi Arabia and Qatar consider Iran to be their greatest enemy, and they, too, urged the US to attack Iran again.
It is well-known that Trump, the Trump Organization and Family, have extensive financial ties to many Mideast countries, and have acquired billions of dollars during the Trump presidencies: the Board of Peace grift in Gaza; Qatar’s airport facility in the Midwest, and gift of a fantastic “free” airplane; Saudi Arabia’s Trump crypto-currency ventures, real estate, AI chip deals, and the 2020 $2 billion handout to Jared Kushner (who was also the conflict-driven latest US “negotiator” with Iran).
This War was not an emergency American national security action or even a democratic challenge to a Totalitarian government. It isn’t just a monumental distraction (albeit temporarily successful) from the Epstein Files. It’s about Trump’s sole lifetime interest: his personal business interests. And at the moment, they are in the Mideast.
Trump doesn’t have the attention span to conduct a long, costly, and harrowing War. He just needs a couple of weeks to divert attention from the Epstein Files and show off “his” military might to the world, accommodate a few friends in the Mideast, and bail out, “having done everything he could for peace.” Then he can move on to wooing American’s partially indifferent electorate to institute more voter suppression and control of the US mid-term election as a “war president,” and focus on building a ballroom.
He’s playing Russian Roulette with world peace, our republic, and our lives and futures, for personal power and profit.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
Ms. McLeod is right about one thing: public pressure around the Epstein files did not come out of nowhere. For years, this was a big issue for MAGA — remember “Pizzagate.” Donald Trump himself said repeatedly that his administration would pursue full disclosure. It was a campaign promise.
Once in office, somehow, for the administration, the issue faded away. Key records remain sealed. Requests for broader document releases stall. Officials who could push disclosure did not. Despite his supporters’ loud and insistent demands. Crickets.
Recently, the issue re-emerged in a rare bipartisan effort. Representatives Thomas Massie (R) and Ro Khanna (D) jointly supported measures aimed at forcing greater transparency around Epstein-related records. The more revealed, the more Democrats came onboard. Eventually the House and the Senate joined.
Trump signed the bill to release the documents because it was veto proof. Clearly, his heart wasn’t in it. Instead of following the law he signed, perpetrators names were redacted while victims were exposed. This renewed scrutiny has revealed concerning financial connections and institutional failures have surfaced, and the story grows larger.
Move on, Trump has repeatedly declared, which has only reinforced public distrust. Most people seem to agree: Accountability must apply consistently, whether the people involved are Republicans, Democrats, donors, officials, or elites of any stripe.
We have not heard the last of this. No matter how badly Trump wants it to end. When someone fights this hard to keep something hidden, there’s a reason.
Today, a report that at least 53 pages of Trump-related documents have been withheld. The beat goes on. What new distractions can he pull out of his hat?
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca.
***
To the Editor:
Knowing it was a lie, but telling our citizens the attack on our Consulate in Benghazi was a result of “a video” wasn’t enough to discredit Obama’s mouthpiece, Susan Rice. Today she is threatening retaliation to anyone who cooperated with the present administration. Rice stated, “.....it’s not going to end well...when (Democrats) come back in power... (playing) by the old rules....they’ve got another thing coming...This is not going to be an instance of forgive and forget” These threats were just hours from another assignation attempt on President Trump at his home Mar-a-:Lago.
With hate for our country, too many suffer from a ‘self fulfilling prophecy’. Convinced they see it everywhere (racism, xenophobia, faschim, oppression, etc.) they hear it constantly, feel it continuously, so they tell themselves it exists and is true. They believe the impossible and some to the point that the ‘other’ must be killed. TDS is real and encouraged by the left with a constant cry of “Hate Trump”. Is anyone held accountable for their actions or held responsible for their failures? Riots, assassinations, crime! Simply ignoring it or playing the victim seems to pass for justice.
Results matter much more than intent or feelings. It seems the Marxist are more comfortable with the ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ attitude than respect for our own citizens and culture. They weakened the laws that a civil society needs and respects, while giving the criminal more consideration than the victims. Is the goal anarchy and a take down of this country? The cost of the failures, corruption and fraud is a debt now said to be unsustainable.
Marxist prefer the drug cartel culture of ‘it’s who you know, not what you know’. Today due to four years of an open border the cartels run more than Mexico, there are thousands of transnational gangs and narco terrorists with sleeper cells already here that will kill anyone who gets in their way.
The one person who stood up and told us the truth, our President, is vilified for exposing what these useful idiots created. Like the little boy who stated, “The Emperor has no clothes” President Trump told the truth and they hate him for it. I don’t care how big his ego is, or how much he boasts. I care about results and President Trump, more than any president in my lifetime, has done more to fix what has been broken for years. Our southern border is closed, thousands of children given a life of servitude with the cartels have been rescued, drug boats destroyed, just to name a few of DJT’s successes. Results matter!!!
Jean McLeod,
Fillmore, Ca.
***
To the Editor:
Trump’s insistence that he can initiate any tariff by invoking “national emergency powers” has been explicitly denied by SCOTUS. Last Friday, in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, SCOTUS struck down most of Trump’s tariffs imposed in a series of executive orders that relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Other tariff imposition options remain, but they require Congressional cooperation, and Authoritarians don’t ask anyone for “no stinkin’ approvals.”
By a vote of 6-3, in a decision written by CJ Roberts, SCOTUS ruled on three major issues: (1) that a tariff is indeed a tax on the consumer, (2) that the power of taxation resides in Congress, “The Framers did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch,” and (3) that Trump “exceeded the powers given to the president” by Congress under a 1977 law giving him authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies created by foreign threats. In other words, his claim of imminent economic threat from a foreign power was unsupported by the facts and were illegal.
Dissents included the worried observation that the world is now confronted with uncertainty about trade agreements, and what to do with an illegally obtained $290 billion tariff fund, an issue SCOTUS did not resolve because it is a (self-inflicted) legislative problem. All Trump needed to do was get prior approval from Congress. But that’s the point. Trump and his condescending money guys, Ludnik and Bessant, were so arrogant or ignorant, they reflected Trump’s reply to a reporter who asked why he didn’t just “work with Congress.” “Because I don’t have to,” he said. The Constitution says he does. And that’s the point. Trump wants to operate with impunity, without consultation with any other co-equal branch of government.
Angry Ol’ Paw-Paw’s response was typical “cue the rage.” Beyond accusing the SCOTUS majority as “unpatriotic,” and “fools and lapdogs,” he declared his remarkable opinion, “that the Court has been swayed by foreign interests.” Then, “I understand the Court…how they are very easily swayed.” Ignoring his repeated public warnings to SCOTUS to rule in his favor, he faux-sniveled, “I want[ed] to be a good boy.”
Republicans defensively pouted that the Republican Congress could just “back up” the president with legislation and foil SCOTUS, something they should have done when Trump had his initial tariff tantrums. Trump claimed that he used the IEEPA because, “I thought I’d make things simple, but they didn’t let us do that.” Trump must think “gullible” is a national disease, not just a Republican Congressional affliction.
An even more momentous matter has arisen. For weeks, Trump has toyed with attacking Iran. In July, he claimed that he had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear power in a massive attack, now his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, says that Iran is “days away” from obtaining full nuclear power. General Dan Kaine, Chair of the Joint Chiefs, is warning that the objective is undecided (regime change v. further military site hits), though there is already a massive US buidup in the area, what nuclear potential threat really exists, and no “Plan B” once the attack occurs. He is concerned that we face a potential major conflict without assurance that the Allies will be eager to support us after Trump’s NATO and UN insults and threats.
Why would Trump risk war and further instability in an already volatile part of the world with contradictory statements of justification? This “peace president” has something to gain from all this. Distraction from the growing world Epstein outrage? Pressure from Congress to release all the DOJ retained and heavily redacted Epstein documents?
Since he has publicly abandoned “peace as a primary interest,” does the idea of being a “wartime president” during a midterm election (just in case the Republican Congressional voter suppression plan [SAVE] doesn’t work as planned?) motivate Trump?
We are in the hands of a man whose only interest is his own survival, wealth, and power. He has said that his “limits are his “own morality. It’s all that can stop me.” This gives you confidence that Trump is “manning the guns,” Martin?
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
Thank you for answering the question I’ve been asking. I genuinely want to understand how good people can see what I see and still support President Trump.
By your own admission, ninety percent of what I describe is real — the petty tweets, the name-calling, the chaos, the grift. You’re not denying it — you’re arguing it’s the price of having someone willing to pull the trigger when missiles fall.
If we see it, the world sees it too.
Our adversaries see volatility. Deterrence depends on credibility and stable coalitions. When policy shifts with mood, grievance or flattery, predictability disappears — and unpredictability is not strength.
As farmers know, when the barn burns down, friends matter.
You say when missiles drop, I’ll be glad he’s manning the guns. I’m saying behavior that isolates us makes it more likely we’ll be manning them alone. That doesn’t increase safety. It increases risk.
Sadly, the assassination of Lincoln wasn’t as unique as we’d all like it to be. But surviving an attack is not the same as providing steady leadership.
The real question for all of us is this: at what point does accepting instability as the price of protection become the very thing that makes us more vulnerable?
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca.
***
To the Editor:
The push for the Epstein files by the Democrats drawing attention away from their corruption has really backfired. The latest to fall in disgrace is Kathryn Ruemmler. Known as “Obama’s Fixer” and his White House Counsel. Two of her best known dirty deeds included Solyndra, a taxpayer loan of $535 million that benefited a campaign donor; a year later Solyndra filed for bankruptcy, paying back some investors’ losses. But not a penny to the taxpayer. And the questionable emails involving Benghazi and the coverup (remember HRC was Secretary of State, but used Susan Rice to lie “It was a video”). Ruemmler resigned Feb.12th from Goldman Sachs as Chief Legal Officer over her very close ties with Jeffrey Epstein AFTER he was convicted of child sex offenses. During 2014-2019 contact included dozens of personal meetings, emails, correspondence and gifts. At one time she was executor of his will. Yes, a very close friendship. When Epstein was arrested, she was the first person he called. Then there’s Epstein’s numerous dealings with Reid Hoffman, Brad Karp, Morgan McSweeney, Peter Manadelson and the list is growing. But the one whistleblower who tried to warn authorities of both Maxwell and Epstien BEFORE they were arrested was Donald Trump. How much of that have you heard on the MSM?
Today’s ‘ignore it and it will go away’ is to spotlight the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie or discredit the SAVE Act. Citizens on both sides approve of having an ID to vote. But the Democrat Politicians and media are again gaslighting using race/victimhood declaring minorities are oppressed and too stupid to acquire an ID. How much have you heard about inflation being down to 2.4%? January’s was way lower at .3% instead of the 2.5% expected. Both housing and food inflation has slowed to .2% and energy prices saw the largest drop, falling to 1.5% or crime at its lowest on record?
Pay attention to China and Islam/Sharia Law creeping in all around us funded by foreign money. Schools/universities, nonprofits/NGO’s, government officials and politicians have for decades welcomed that funding. Color Revolutions creep in slowly.with plans already perfected.
If you think you’re too smart/woke to be fooled. Ask yourself how the schools were able to hide how badly they had become. For three generations! Obama (Mr. Change himself) pushed Common Core State Standards using our tax dollars to push an agenda of climate change, race victimhood, sex changes are normal. Dangling more of our tax dollars, to install computers with content from a woke agenda that went straight to the government with the students’ results.
Back in the 80’s, around the time of President Reagon’s amnesty, employers were told they could not restrict employees from speaking a language at work other than English along with a push for foreign born to keep their culture, NOT to assimilate. The divide and conquer by the leftist. Schools loved it, they received more tax dollars for new special ed. classes like English as a Second Language (ESL). Areas grew where children heard very little English. When the NEXT generation started school, their English was so poor the schools added English Language Learners (ELL) in addition to ESL.Schools received billions more in tax dollars. As the numbers grew the students who couldn’t read academic English used in the textbooks, became farther and farther behind at younger ages and failing became acceptable. So they just made lessons easier and reported better grades to the parents. The schools claimed they were trying so hard to fix it but they needed more money. While the powers that be continue to push ‘don’t assimilate, keep your culture’. Many of those who are bilingual prefer not speak English in a show of solidarity with the nonEnglish speakers. The children pay a price for that.
Three generations have become victims of this woke agenda. Learning a language isn’t hard, you just have to HEAR IT and the more articulate the parents, the better a student understands the textbooks. High and low IQ or learning issues learn to speak a language, but they won’t if they don’t hear it.
If you can not define what a female/woman is, I have a suggestion. Buy a bull. Cut off his horns. Cut off his testicles. Sew on an udder. Then try to milk the Frankenstein bull’s teats. They are called mammary glands. Millions of years ago mammals became warm blooded, with hair/fur and females having mammary glands to feed their offspring.. Males are larger for protection. Dolly the sheep was a female and couldn’t be turned into a male after being created in a petri dish.
It is shameful that a significant portion of society has been indoctrinated/socially engineered into actually believing the impossible, while hating the “other” that recognizes reality. Emotions and feelings of sympathy have their place but not to the extent that we should ignore our laws, common sense, responsibility of the individual and childrens’ academic needs. Far too many in ‘woke’ society today think it’s okay to commit a crime because they ‘feel’ others are oppressed. What they don’t realize is who actually made them ‘feel’ that way.
Jean McLeod,
Fillmore, Ca.
***
To the Editor:
The fact that Trump has openly and repeatedly called for nationalizing federal elections to be monitored by Republicans to ensure “voting honesty,” is apparently not meaningful to you. But, because Rittenhouse was acquitted 6 years ago, it’s important that we “let it rest.” Please note that Mr. Pretti did not live long enough for trial, and Trump still whines that he was robbed in the 2020 election, even six years later (and you agree), without evidence or “letting it rest.”
Trump has publicly warned SCOTUS that dire consequences will follow, “if these Corrupt and Deranged Democrats ever gain power.” Secretary of HS, Kristi Noem, recently said, “When it gets to Election Day, we’ve been proactive to make sure that we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country.” Republican voter suppression is rampant, especially in blue states. Do you doubt Trump’s disdain for our Republic and what he plans to do about it?”
You rely on elected presidents to have “trustworthy character.” Never mind that Trump’s history of trustworthy character is non-existent, is littered with stiffed contractors and bankruptcies, that he is an adjudicated sex abuser who is using federal power to protect wealthy, high-ranking pedophiles, and a felon convicted of fraud.
Slowly, surely, pro-democracy awareness is rising to recognize the threat this administration poses to our Republic. The obvious objective of the Trump administration is Authoritarianism marching towards (Google it), “Totalitarianism.” Trump advocates extreme Nationalism, a Unitary Executive and obedient minions, one political party, control of voting options, demonization of citizens who dissent, a paramilitary force at his command, fear and resentment of the ethnic “other,” persecution of personal foes and the free press as “enemies of the state,” and censorship of criticism and uncomfortable national history.
Trump says he wants the best for America, but he means, as always, that he wants it for himself. As with all totalitarians, convincing the base that any dissent, any opposition, is an existential threat justifying extreme freedom-threatening escalation to “save the country,” is key. It’s up to the People to see the truth, and demand it or, as history has repeatedly shown, succumb to large-government control.
Be warned that, as doubts of Trump’s full Epstein disclosure and constitutional commitment rise, the danger will amplify. Trump cannot even accept the adjudicated, clear defeat in 2020 (nor can you, Martin), and he is perfectly willing to light a massive fire as the lights begin to go out on his “strongman” identity. He and his administration will not reexamine their policies. He will use his powers, wildly amplified by the Roberts Court, to double-down, as his ego and character have always demanded. There’s every indication that Republican Congressionals will warm their hands at the conflagration.
Countries in the EU have been repeatedly denigrated and insulted by Trump’s mood-swing tariffs and disrespect for their “loser” governments. They see the bribes and pathetic fealty to Trump shown by the Silicon Valley and network billionaires, grift of the Board of Peace, Trump Organization businesses in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, his admiration for despots. They know where Trump’s real interests lie, and do not trust him. They worry that America is indifferent to the forfeit of free-world esteem.
If Republican Congressionals and the Roberts Court continue to value their careers over country, if pro-democracy voters do not rise in defense of the Constitution, and Trumpism prevails, it will not be necessary to attack America to bring it down, Martin. Democracy will crumble from within, as the Russians have long predicted, and the free world now fears.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.

To the Editor:
Aren’t you sick of it?
The late-night rage tweeting. The petty whining about the damned Nobel Peace Prize. Calling female reporters names like a schoolyard bully. Mocking the disabled.
Are there any public buildings safe from having his name plastered across them? Proposing monuments to himself with our tax dollars—while tearing down historic buildings that belong to us, not him. Let’s not forget the massively gaudy ballroom no one needs, funded by ethically questionable donor dollars. Guess who’ll pay for maintenance.
Demanding military parades in his honor, à la China. Trashing allies. Trampling treaties. Insulting allied nations and casually talking about annexing their land. Watching Gaza discussed as a future redevelopment opportunity—floated by his son-in-law like a beachfront deal. All while hawking luxury cars on the White House lawn, turned Big Donny’s Elite Motors.
Telling us he’d show us his taxes—then telling us we don’t want them. And now, because someone leaked them, Trump is suing the government he leads for $10 billion over his tax records—money that would, of course, be paid by us. He says he’ll donate it to charity, perhaps one close to home. The grift feels endless.
Then he complains that he’s the most abused president we’ve ever had. Someone should tell him about Abraham Lincoln.
And I haven’t even mentioned Epstein. Or 2020—with 60 court cases that went against him. 60. All of them. Plus two recounts. Epstein, warrantless searches, smashing windows, babies in detention camps, crypto scams …
I’m too tired to list all the drama. It makes me nostalgic for the good old days—when all I had to worry about was Joe Biden getting lost trying to leave a room.
Don’t you just want to wake up to a little peace and quiet—food prices easing, housing costs going down, not up—and no new dumpster fire before breakfast?
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca.
***
To the Editor:
It’s sometimes painful to have an “opponent” prove your case. Your retreat to characterizing our political differences as “semantics” is unworthy of you.
I have referred to Trump’s determination to turn our constitutional republic into an autocratic regime, but “silly kingship” has been embraced numerous times in Trump’s own virtual cards and reposted pictures of himself as a potentate, including one with a crowned Trump spreading his voluminous feces from a plane onto protestors below.
Trump has said that there is only one restraint on him, “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” How about the Constitution? Trump has also called for “nationalization” of federal elections, overseen by Republicans to ensure “honesty.” Compare statements of Republican congressionals just after January 6 and those three weeks later, and you will see that “honesty” went to the highest bidder. Last week, Trump’s Truth Social site posted a video again claiming the 2020 election was “stolen,” that included the heads of former president Barack Obama and Michelle atop gorillas “born” in the jungle. The WH blamed “a staffer” (likely Voldemort Miller) for the racist message, but Trump would not apologize and did not try to call it a “joke,” though he was finally pressured to take it down. These are not just “inexplicably ignorant and petty” acts and remarks, Martin. They are who Trump is.
Often overlooked is the conservative acceptance of Trump’s betrayal of the Second Amendment in the Good and Pretti murders. “You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t,” he said. Decades of defending shooting massacres to win gun owners’ votes, yet the sacredness of gun ownership was easily discarded when Trump needed justification for his storm troopers’ actions. Not a peep from Republicans, who apparently agree that only liberal protestors have no Second Amendment rights, unlike a Kyle Rittenhouse.
The Epstein Files are still not fully disclosed. Two million more have been designated as “privileged”, a defense unknown in the Documents Law. The information divulged is bone-chilling and heartbreaking. Many victims’ names, driver’s licenses, and photos, were left unredacted, though the perpetrators were all protected.
Trump has called for the country “to move on,” without justice for the victims, without accountability for the perpetrators, in a brazen betrayal of the Rule of Law, Trump’s oath of office, and promises to his own base. Trump knows the truth, and he is doing everything in his power to make sure that the country never does. It’s a fair question: “How bad is it, really?”
You are remarkably sanguine that Trump, “holds global security in his hands.” A man who drips self-congratulation, wraps himself in victimization, forever absolves himself of blame and ridicules others, openly admires dictators, takes another’s Nobel Prize as his own, treats immigrants inhumanely, is building an outlandish ballroom and massive Arc d’Trump in a time of economic uncertainty, and collects personal tribute from foreign nations (with permission from the Republican Congress). Every country in the world knows his vast vulnerabilities.
Like an old yellow dog lifting his leg on everything around him, Trump demands renaming the Kennedy Center, Penn Station, and Dulles Airport, for himself, as quid pro quo for unfreezing $16 billion in designated federal funds for two vital infrastructure projects in NYC..
Trump is not operating for the country’s security. He’d sell it for parts if it were to his advantage.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca