Dwight Eisenhower must be turning in his grave. This brave general, president, statesman and prominent member of the Republican Party, Donald Trump’s own party, committed his life to protecting America and our allies. As the head of the Allied Forces in World War II and the first supreme commander of NATO, he was there when Europe almost completely fell to the Nazis. He was there when the Soviets decided to keep whatever territory from which they expelled the Nazis. He knew the value of commitment and honor. He knew the territorial ambitions of Soviet leader Josef Stalin and all of the Soviet premiers who followed.
For Donald Trump to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin today to invade any nation that has not paid up its NATO dues is beyond despicable. His admiration for a man who said that the breakup of the Soviet Union was the biggest tragedy of the 20th century is un-American. Is this how one makes America great again, by ignoring all of our principles?
Everyone who died during America’s wars has been disrespected by Trump’s comments. Yes, NATO nations should all pay their fair share. But how will Putin know which nations are in arrears? Will Trump show him the budget books? With America’s blessing, why wouldn’t Putin invade every nation that he feels was “lost” to the Soviet Union in order to undo “the greatest tragedy”?
What is even more surprising is the number of veterans who support Trump. Did they not take an oath when they joined the military to protect America from enemies foreign and domestic? They are a disgrace to their uniforms if they continue to support this traitor.
All Trump supporters need to reread their history books.
— Jan Goldberg, Riverside
Trump sides with Russia again
Since nearly all news outlets, including the Tribune, chose to ignore this, I felt it was my responsibility to make sure my fellow citizens are aware that former President Donald Trump has once again openly sided with Russia. Why it isn’t front-page news across the country when Trump openly encourages Russia to attack our allies is beyond me. Trump, who has repeatedly promised to be a dictator “on day one” (his words, not mine), said in a speech Saturday that he would not protect our NATO allies and, in fact, would encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want.”
I know there is some fatigue with our support of Ukraine, but the fact stands that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his henchmen have already threatened our NATO allies Finland and Poland. We must continue to support Ukraine, and under no circumstance should a man openly flouting NATO and praising dictators be allowed anywhere near the presidency. NATO is absolutely essential to defending our security and discouraging war and is the most successful military alliance in history.
I am frustrated and angry at the Tribune’s failure to cover this important issue (other than a mention buried in another article). Trump encouraging Russia to attack our allies is a disqualifying event and should be front-page news.
— Carole Delahunty, Mount Prospect
NATO nations’ investment
NATO allies should take note of former President Donald Trump’s remarks on NATO. NATO is a mutual and collective defense treaty, not a freeloader treaty.
Putting aside his talk of “dues” and “delinquencies,” which are rhetorical devices, Trump has a point. If our allies are unwilling to invest in the defense of their own countries, why should we? Put another way, if the Germans are unwilling to defend Berlin, why should we commit American soldiers to do so?
NATO can be only as strong as its weakest member. Our commitment to defend our allies can be only as strong as our allies’ commitment to defend themselves. Only then will NATO be the global force not to be trifled with and not a freeloader association that spreads American forces thin.
— Matthew Pajor, Palatine
NATO ushered in prosperity
Over the weekend, Donald Trump, the leading Republican presidential nominee, encouraged Russia to attack American allies and “do whatever the hell they want.” I don’t see any coverage in Monday’s Tribune. This should be front-page news!
NATO brought an era of peace, stability and prosperity to the Western world. This era will come to an end if he returns to the presidency. The consequences of a second Trump presidency need to be covered.
— John Eschbach, Palatine
What qualities do we want?
Donald Trump wants to stop the enactment of legislation to greatly improve Mexico border security. He also says he will encourage Russia to invade NATO countries if he is elected. Also, he has disrespect for our military. Consider his statements about Nikki Haley’s husband, who is currently serving in the National Guard in Africa.
Are these the qualities we want in the person serving as our president?
— John Hester, Indian Head Park
Special counsel’s Biden report
I can’t understand the outrage, coming from mostly “progressive” Democrats, at the release to the public of special counsel Robert Hur’s rationale on why President Joe Biden wasn’t going to be prosecuted. Biden didn’t get reported for some minor faux pas like having his fly open during an interview.
If Hur didn’t release the statement, would the citizens of this country be better off not knowing the leader of the free world is capable of, if not prone to, such behavior when handling matters of national security?
— Tom Sharp, Chicago
When memory counts
I am 80 years old. I take umbrage at the question of President Joe Biden’s mental acuity. When memory counts — local, national, global issues — I believe Biden’s memory is praiseworthy, enhanced by years of experience and wisdom. (Having experienced each age range, I can identify with Biden’s pauses and casualness of speech in off-the-cuff banter.)
Biden surrounds himself with people, such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whom he uses as valuable, knowledgeable resources. Does anyone recall staff members of a former president who had no experience in their assigned positions? (Some have ended up behind bars.)
I am extremely grateful to have Biden as our president at this time in our history when mental sharpness, experience, wisdom and diplomacy, in my opinion, really matter.
— Kathy Riordan, Chicago