Letters: Jan. 11, 2024

Who was responsible for Jan. 6?

As we mark the third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, it’s important to remember how we got to that moment and who was responsible for it. Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a months-long criminal conspiracy after the 2020 election. They spread lies about voter fraud and used those lies to put pressure on state officials to illegally overturn election results. When their scheme to interfere with Congress’ certification of the 2020 election results failed, Trump and his co-conspirators incited a violent mob to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. MAGA Republicans nationwide have continued this assault on our democracy by introducing radical voter suppression bills in Congress and state legislatures, spreading false election conspiracy theories, and threatening to overturn election results they disagree with. Now, Trump is running for president again and he and his allies are planning for a second term that is even more extreme and authoritarian than the last one. If he is re-elected, he plans to pardon himself and his supporters, use the Department of Justice to exact revenge on his enemies, and purge the federal government of anyone who doesn’t agree with him until there’s no one left to say no. Just last month, Trump said if he was reelected, he would attempt to be a dictator on “day one.” We need to take him at his word. Too much is at stake for the American people to allow Trump to take back power. It’s up to all of us to say no to a second Trump presidency now, before it’s too late. Sincerely,

Melody Kannas – Virginia, Minnesota

The people have spoken

Some pundits say the voters, not the courts, should decide if Donald Trump becomes president. But the voters already made that decision - in 2020, and their choice was rejected in the form of a violent insurrection. The consequences of that criminal coup attempt are what the courts are now sorting out, and anyone who thinks Trump deserves a second chance should consider the repercussions of Hitler’s second chance after his failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923. 

David A Sorensen – Duluth, Minnesota

Stauber turns a blind eye
United States Congressman from the Eighth District and former Duluth police officer Pete Stauber has endorsed Donald Trump on the premise of manufacturing jobs, a strong economy, energy dominance and the southern border.
Having lived through 14 presidents, the division and drama of Trump’s making is tiresome to most sensible American voters.
How, then, is it a former Duluth police officer and now a congressman can support a candidate for the highest office who has 91 criminal charges ongoing, has paid off porn stars and playmates, had three marriages, committed adultery while wife No. 3 was pregnant, told over 30,000 lies, caused an insurrection and yet claims to have never done wrong, therefore never asked forgiveness?
Not only is Mr. Stauber overlooking Mr. Trump’s faults, but many religious leaders have convinced the faithful to vote Republican, based mostly upon his prolife stance by appointing three justices to the Supreme Court!
Last we heard, there was a big Red Wave coming. However, as it turned out, the Party for Life lost several offices.
An English author, William Congreve, coined the phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” The overturning of Roe V. Wade will bring out the women across this country, as they have been scorned, and democracy will prevail over autocracy.
Tim Kaspari – Wrenshall, Minnesota

 

Stand By Me
Ukraine’s perilous situation is under the daily onslaught of Putin’s genocidal drive to methodically annihilate their legacy and erase their existence.
Now is not the time to falter with the means we have to guarantee their survival and save their freedoms.
Gerald Norrgard – Duluth, Minnesota