Letters March 23

Risky business

What is happening to America? Why have Republicans and conservatives changed? It used to be their complaint that Democrats were not tough enough on communism and liberals were weak on defense.

Now we have President Trump who says he wants to increase our military budget (already the world’s biggest), at the same time he is soft on Russia.

Trump and some of his staff and associates have ties to Russia’s dictator, Putin and to Russian businesses tied to Putin.

This is bad.

Russia is not our friend.

Putin is former KGB, the Russian secret service.

Under his rule, journalists who wrote reports critical of Putin have been killed.

Putin’s political opponents have been killed and jailed.

The leopard has not changed its spots, but has become a wolf (Russian Bear) in sheep’s clothing.

We should not be fools.

In the 1950s in eastern Montana, my mother and I became part of the nationwide Ground Observer Corps, a group of people who volunteered a couple of hours every week to listen and watch the northern skies for any suspicious aircraft. This action was organized against the peril of Russian bombers coming over the North Pole while the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line radar system was being built. My mother’s and my participation was born of sense of our love of this country. The Republican mantra back then was “Better dead than Red.”

So, what’s going on now? Why are Republicans in Congress so hesitant to enable an independent investigation into the Russian cyber attacks? Why don’t they support investigation of those in Trump’s circles who have been so cozy with Russia? Are Republicans fearful that such a probe would uncover betrayal of America and bring down the Trump presidency? Only a few Republican Senators are concerned, brave enough to push for an inquiry.

We desperately need an independent official investigation with power to interrogate under oath any person involved in the Trump-Russia connections.

Let’s not forget that Russia invaded and annexed Crimea.

Let’s not forget the unrest that Russia is still fomenting in eastern Ukraine and the Russian missile that brought down a Malaysian Airlines civilian plane with many casualties.

Let’s not forget that without Russian support for Syria’s leader Assad, the war there may have ended, without prolonging the tragic refugee problem affecting so many European nations, but not Russia.

Putin must be in absolute glee about all the difficulties the refugees are creating in Europe, because that problem threatens to destabilize and weaken governments there.

Given all these facts, why should any American President want to go so easy on Russia? Lifting the sanctions against Russia would be a huge mistake.

Are the Republicans in Congress so giddy with their majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate that they are willing to overlook the very potent danger Russia’s interference in our government poses to our security? It appears they are gambling that nothing bad will happen. That is very risky business.

I think we should find out if our government has been and is being secretly, intentionally weakened and undermined before it is too late to protect ourselves. Any threat must be exposed and stopped. Congress must do its patriotic duty and protect the sovereignty of our great democracy.

Mark Bordsen,

Colfax

Preserve IMLS

President Trump’s proposed budget calls for the elimination of The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). While many have never heard of IMLS, we experience its benefits through our local libraries every day.

Per capita, Whitman County Library District is one of the top recipients of IMLS grants in Washington State. IMLS funding supports early literacy efforts, downloadable eBooks and audio books, technology classes for kids and adults (from Lego Mindstorms and Kids Coding Camps to software and hardware instruction for adults and seniors), technology equipment and telecommunication upgrades, The Rural Heritage online collection, services to the blind and physically handicapped, staff and board training and others.

Pick your favorite library service and IMLS likely played a hand in it. And, even if you don’t use the library, your family, friends, and neighbors probably do. Last year attendance at Whitman County Library classes and programs reached an all-time high of 39,000, traditional checkouts were steady at 121,000 and use of eBooks and other online resources topped 43,000; strong usage for a library district of just 15,000 people.

You won’t see a better return on your investment than tax support for libraries. Whitman County Library spends a relatively small amount to effectively educate and support people in every age group and from every walk of life. IMLS funds stretch our local dollars, insuring us access to reliable information and innovative services, resources that are taken for granted and easily afforded by our urban counterparts.

If local library service is important to you, I encourage you to call Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers at 509-353-2374 or in Washington DC at 202-225-2006. Your local library can also provide you with contact information for President Trump, our state senators or other legislators who represent us all.

Kristie Kirkpatrick,

Colfax