A medic treats an injured Ukrainian serviceman Tuesday near Pokrovsk, Ukraine.
End of Ukraine war
Many have wondered how Trump would “quickly” end the Russian-caused Ukraine war. We now know.
Those who oppose an all-out surrender to Russia, as do most Ukrainians, point out that Ukraine is a sovereign country, and it was Russia that started the war by invading. Trump is planning the same thing for Panama and Greenland; use our military to take over these countries entirely or parts of them.
If we allow one sovereign nation to take over another, two things will happen. First, we could no longer oppose Russia doing what we did, resulting in Russia dominating Ukraine, quickly.
Second, we would cause chaos in the world and could no longer legitimately complain about one country invading another, think China invading Taiwan or North Korea invading South Korea. Is that the type of world we want?
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Howard Strause
Foothills
The LA fires — stop the political hate
My heart goes out to all those affected by the L.A.-area fires.
I lived in West Hollywood and worked in Santa Monica in late 1988-early 1989. Some of the buildings destroyed are ones I remember. I also remember those good people from the Pacific Palisades I served at the lumber counter at Fisher Lumber when it was on the southwest corner of 14th and Colorado in Santa Monica.
My former boss and his family lived in the Pacific Palisades for generations and owned Fisher Lumber, then Fisher Hardware, before both those stores closed. His family is most assuredly homeless. They did nothing wrong. Those good people I helped who are now dead, injured or homeless also did nothing wrong.
Please keep the political heat off the L.A. fires. The Lahaina fire in Hawaii killed 102 and did billions in damage. This fire will cause hundreds of billions in damage and probably kill more. Nature is ruthless sometimes.
There are other parts of humanity besides hate. Please use them.
Matt Somers
Midtown
Reagan said it first
Soon, Elon Musk can say, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help!”
The nine most terrifying words in the English language.
Jerry Wilkerson
SaddleBrooke
A fantasy of greatness
This month, America becomes the stage of a gothic tale, a land waxed mad because of Trump’s meanness of mind. He has attracted men off-center and hollowed out of kindness, ready to start trouble in heaps. Buzzards and hyenas will be close.
Trump’s idea of becoming a conqueror of vast lands sends a chill down our backs. Everywhere else, his menace is unnerving, sending echoes of bygone autocrats.
As a consequence of his fantasy of greatness, the whole nation is ushered down the rabbit hole while he builds his empire.
Everything is reversed down there. Lies and deception are the coins of this realm. Trust and truth have no meaning; the only justice is likely injustice.
For us, great sorrow has taken the place of hope. But the worm will turn. It always does. Then Trump and his horde will slink back in humiliation.
And his empire will shrink as if it never was.
Ron Lancaster
North side
We live in interesting times
Only weeks ago, Americans who planned to vote for the future occupant were emotionally venting about just two things: supposedly raging inflation and the supposedly porous border. Few cared about foreign policy, and those who did took their cues from the FO — disdain for Ukraine, groveling for Russia. Acquiring Canada, Greenland or Panama? Renaming the Gulf of Mexico? They felt nothing about such maneuvers until Trump’s incoherent January 7 speech. But now that their master has suggested these lunatic aims, they are sure to begin singing the praises of his imperialist ideas.
Trump’s pattern continues: He announces one of his wild notions; FOX and OAN and a thousand Meta influencers make it sound normal while mainstream media tears out their hair and old-line conservatives stay silent; Finally, the FO’s followers fall slavishly in line like a bull with a ring in its nose.
As the prophet Isaiah says, “This people’s leaders lead them astray, and those who are led are lost.”
Jim Christ
East side
Presidential Trump?
Trump has said he can be presedential yet he seems to have forgotten how to do that this week. While the country honors and pays tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, Trump whines like a spoiled child because the country’s flags will be at half-mast for his inauguration. The flags are at half-mast to honor the late President Carter, which is standard for the death of a former president. The flags have nothing to do with Trump, but he thinks everything is about him, just like a narcissistic spoiled child.
Don Ries
Southeast side
GOP majority’s mixed-up priorities
A New Year, same old crazy news from the Arizona’s GOP Legislators. Senator Finchem wants to revisit the 2020 election and the Cyber Ninja fiasco, and complains about the length of ballots — his party’s handiwork. Senator Kavanagh wants a pay raise.
Senators, the 2020 election is over, stop referring unpopular measures to the ballot, and in case you didn’t know, pay raises are for people who do their jobs and do them well.
Sheldon Clark
Vail
A polite society
I would like to see Americans return to a polite society.
“Politeness is the practical application of good manners or etiquette so as not to offend others and to put them at ease.”
The meaning of politeness is simply treating people the way you would want to be treated.
Politeness is:
To say good morning and hello with a warm smile.
To say thank you and to write thank you notes when appropriate.
To hold doors open and let others go first
To give undivided attention.
To properly introduce your friends to people they may not know.
To say excuse me for minor inconveniences to others.
One’s propensity for polite behavior comes down to exposure. If you grew up in a household where being polite was emphasized, you probably have proper behaviors and habits.
The simple act of being polite can improve your life. Polite people often have better relationships, gain respect, and increase self-confidence and esteem.
Tom McGorray
Northwest side
An ethical and moral imperative
The treatment of prisoners reflects the moral fabric of any society. Recent news of prisoner abuse in Syria and Israel has brought this critical issue to the forefront, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform. Such practices not only violate basic human rights but also stand in stark contrast to ethical principles rooted in justice and compassion.
Islamic guidelines provide clear and profound instructions regarding the humane treatment of prisoners. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized kindness toward captives, stating, “Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and set the captives free” (Sahih Bukhari). In Islam, prisoners have specific rights that must be upheld.
Addressing prisoner abuse requires systemic reforms, transparency, and adherence to these ethical standards. By committing to justice and humanity, we strengthen our institutions and uphold the shared values of dignity and compassion.
Sohail Qureshi
Downtown
Bon Voyage Kamala
I read in a recent paper that Kamala Harris is going on a world tour in the last week of her term. How is this possible when the deficit is 31 trillion dollars? How much will this trip cost the taxpayers? What is she attempting to do, say goodbye to the world?
Congressional junkets happen all the time, and no one says anything about them. Congresspersons go all over the globe visiting countries where the United States already has ambassadors in place. Is not the value to be attained possible through Zoom meetings? What are ambassadors for?
COVID taught us that the world can go on with virtual meetings. During COVID, travel was restrained where only $1.5 million was spent on junket travels in one year. Last year, this expense ballooned to $15 million.
A saying, “less is more” comes to mind. Less money spent on worthless projects is more money that is left over for worthwhile projects. Duh!!! Wake up, America.
Ed LeGendre
East side
Trump’s unhelpful comments
I just read comments regarding the dire situation in L.A. made by Trump and Muskolini. As usual, they seek to blame someone rather than offer helpful, kind and empathetic suggestions. Meanwhile, my L.A. daughter, who was under evacuation orders in the Sunset Fire area, was out looking for “V,” a mentally ill, homeless veteran whom she helps out with food and blankets, to make sure he would get to a safe shelter. Fortunately, that fire has been contained and she is safely home again. But in mere days, Trump, a creature utterly devoid of character, honor, integrity, empathy and a moral compass, will once again befoul the Oval Office. To his “Christian” supporters, I’ll remind you that Jesus, often homeless himself, did not hang out with people like Trump and Musk. He kept company with thieves, prostitutes and unfortunate souls like “V.” This country is in really deep trouble, when a president-elect cannot summon even a scintilla of empathy for his fellow Americans.
Anne Lane
Northeast side
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