Soap Box

Three countries that threaten the interests of the United States and the security of countries around the world are China, North Korea and Russia.

China is flexing its military muscle in the western Pacific. It has occupied and fortified islands in the South China Sea, claimed sovereignty over the South China Sea and continuously threatens Taiwan. It is significantly expanding its navy to project its military power and control maritime trade routes in the Pacific. More concerning is the increased Chinese development of nuclear delivery systems, which are projected to number 700 to 1,000 deliverable warheads by 2030. The U.S. should encourage Japan, the Philippines, Australia and India to expand their military forces to deter China’s ambitions.

North Korea continues to threaten South Korea and the U.S., and its overall aim is to conquer South Korea. North Korea threatens the U.S. with its long- range missiles. Gen. Kang Pyo Yong of North Korea said in 2013: “When we shell (the missiles), Washington, which is the stronghold of evils, will be engulfed in a sea of fire.” The U.S. has to support robust South Korean and Japanese militaries.

Russia’s war against Ukraine foretells President Vladimir Putin’s desire to return his country to the days of the former Soviet Union. He wants to bring the eastern European countries back into the Russian fold. NATO countries, including the U.S., are supporting Ukraine to halt the Russian aggression. The addition of Sweden and Finland to NATO, and the military buildup of NATO countries, will hopefully deter Russian aggression. – Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.

Get angry

By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court overturned a woman’s right to keep control over her own body. We have already seen the true cruelty of this decision: a 10-year-old rape victim refused an abortion, and a woman whose fetus has no chance of survival forced to carry it because her doctor could face life in prison for reducing her suffering.

But we are not far from the possibility of having this tragedy reversed. Congress can pass a law enshrining a woman’s right to choose. In fact, the House of Representatives has already passed it, in the form of “The Women’s Health Protection Act.”

This law could be passed by a simple majority if 50 senators voted to overturn the filibuster. Currently, two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, have refused. But if Democrats can keep a majority in the House and gain two seats in the Senate, the filibuster could be overturned and a woman’s right to control her own body could be made legal again.

In Colorado, Sen. Michael Bennet has consistently supported women’s right to choose while his opponent, Joe O’Dea, has pushed for restrictions. Adam Frisch, a Democrat running for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, believes that the government has no place in decisions between a woman and her doctor. His opponent, incumbent Republican Lauren Boebert, has passed more than a dozen bills restricting women’s right to access reproductive health.

It’s time to get angry and reclaim our rights. Get registered and vote Nov. 8 for Sen. Michael Bennet and Adam Frisch.

– Adele Riffe, Hesperus

The American way

It is being widely circulated in the mass media that Donald Trump said he would issue pardons to those convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. That is one of the most troubling, dangerous and potentially damaging statements I have ever heard or read.

If Trump were re-elected president and followed through on that, he would hollow out the formal legal system in the U.S. and violate the fundamental principles and laws of our democratic republic. Any semblance of law and order would be savagely, unthinkably and irretrievably trampled on and tossed aside. Lawlessness would follow.

It is time to take Trump at his word and denounce such radical, non-American talk. He must be called to account, just as those who stormed the U.S. Capitol who have been charged, tried, convicted and sentenced. Hundreds more will be charged and prosecuted as the legal system works in its constitutionally ascribed ways.

That is the American way. Any lesser approach leads to anarchy or dictatorial rule.

– Hal Mansfield, Arivaca, Ariz.

Thankfully, there are brand new signs posted in the streets of New York that say no guns are allowed, even if you have a registered concealed-weapon permit. A felony comes your way if you are found with any kind of firearm in public settings.

Will this keep former President Trump from pulling out a gun – as he said he could do in the streets of New York City? Remember he said he could kill anyone and not get prosecuted because of all his adoring fanatics who give him a pass for any wrongdoings.

Many still kiss the ring of this guy now living in Florida. Trump is responsible for the Jan. 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill, where people were killed and injured. Many ring-kissers have said there will be “riots in the streets” if Trump gets cited for stealing top secret documents from The White House and bringing them to Mar-a-Loco, also known as Mar-a-Lago.

What will it take to get the 70 million that voted for Trump in November 2020 to get a real Republican role model to enter the 2024 presidential race? Surely, there are Republicans with morals and scruples to take the helm. My father was a Republican and my mother was a Democrat, so I am all for the very best this country can offer on either side of the aisle.

For now, our current president, Joe Biden, is a seasoned politician with wisdom to keep us safe from becoming an oppressed country like Russia. God bless America, and may real freedom ring forever from the Liberty Bell and not from an autocrat.

– Sally Florence, Durango

Making life better

Barbara McLachlan is our Colorado State House Representative, now running for her fourth and final term. Looking at election results for recent decades, you’ll notice a couple things: it’s been a long time since District 59 elected anyone for more than one term; and McLachlan’s electoral victory margin has steadily increased with each election. Why is she so popular?

A lot of reasons support McLachlan’s return to the State House. For starters, her personal characteristics: she is warm and open, ready to talk with anyone about the issues that affect them, and she does so with a respectful curiosity and careful listening. This explains how she has been able to reach across the aisle so successfully, originating and supporting bipartisan legislation that helps Colorado families, workers, ranchers and businesses. She brings no ideological agenda to her job but one: to make life better for every Coloradan by truly representing the diverse community in town and countryside.

Her intelligence comes through at once with her thorough grasp of the information that leads to good legislation. Her legislative record is stunning on multiple issues affecting Colorado residents. In 2022 alone, bills she sponsored that were signed into law covered: education (she chairs the House Education Committee, with 15 bills signed into law); health care (3); business and finance (3); tribal legislation (4); transportation (3); and agriculture (2 bills plus 2 amendments).

“To know Barbara is to vote for her” – she is uniquely qualified to represent our beautiful rural Four Corners area. Visit https://barbaramclachlan.com/ – Cyndi Ortman, Durango

“We’ll print damned-near anything”

The Telegraph prides itself on a liberal letters policy. We offer this forum to the public to settle differences, air opinions & undertake healthy discourse. We have only three requests: limit letters to 750 words, letters must be signed by the writer; and thank-you lists and libelous, personal attacks are unwelcome. Send your insights by Tuesday at noon to: PO Box 332, Durango, 81302 or e-mail your profundities to: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com. Let the games begin ...

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