Letters to the editor: Propaganda, Trump’s wall, puppy-turtle verdict

Propaganda

Many still wonder how the citizens of a civilized, intellectual society like Germany’s could degenerate into a nation of such ruthless, sadistic monsters in World War II. Historians agree that Hitler’s propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, was most influential. “Propaganda is the conscious manipulation of the masses.”

Goebbels had little problem manipulating German citizens because the Nazi party seized control of the media. Recent events in America have revealed a similar media coup. Partisan operatives coined the phrase “fake news,” falsely convincing millions that only Fox News is “real.” Many Americans misled by this scheme are now paranoid of all other news sources. Citizens held captive by a single news source are easily manipulated (Germany, North Korea, Cuba).

Fox News thrives on fear-mongering, half-truths and demonizing political opponents. Half-truths are more destructive than lies.

Since there’s safety in numbers, multiple mainstream news sources (“freedom of the press”) have always been America’s greatest defense against sleazy propaganda thugs bent on manipulating voters and government.

Unfortunately, citizens often mistake party affiliation for patriotism ... which makes Americans more vulnerable to the toxic partisan propaganda that’s poisoning our democracy.

Get informed. Only fully informed voters can “Keep America Great.”

Trump’s wall

Trump campaigned that he would build a wall along the Mexican border, and Mexico would pay for it. For some crazy reason Mexico hasn’t stepped up to the plate. Seeing that wasn’t going to happen, Trump pushed for taxpayers to pay for the wall, but Mexico would pay through a redone trade deal (yet to be fully approved). Now, Congress isn’t on board to pay for the wall, so Trump wants to declare a state of emergency, and take money for the wall from emergency disaster funding. The only state of emergency in this country is that it is being run by a lying, corrupt narcissist, and no one in the Republican Party has the nerve, or love for this country, to stand up to Trump. In the meantime the government is shut down. Government workers are not getting paid for “essential” work, or furloughed, until further notice. As for the wall, it’s gone from concrete to steel. No actual plans have surfaced showing how it would be built. We are all for border security. Let’s work on border security, better processes at the border, and remember what this country stands for. This isn’t America.

Puppy-turtle verdict

When the story first broke about Robert Crosland feeding a puppy to his snapping turtle, it made me sick. After reading that he was acquitted, it made me furious enough to want to express my displeasure in some way. I have never written a letter to the editor, but this is just disgusting. Robert Crosland needs to be held accountable in some way, and being acquitted by a Preston jury in less than a half-hour makes me wonder where humanity lies with these people. I hope none of them own animals, and Robert Crosland should not be allowed to own any type of animals. Hey Robert, when you feel ill, give me a call. I would be happy to drive to Preston, pick you up and drive you somewhere there’s a shark tank. I could drop you in and watch you swim around for awhile until the sharks pull you under “to put you out of your misery” because you’re ill (in your own words).