On anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrection, SLO readers warn against second Trump term | Opinion

Before it’s too late

“One attack, two interpretations: Biden and Trump both make the Jan. 6 riot a political rallying cry,” (sanluisobispo.com, Jan. 3)

As we mark the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, it’s important to remember how we got to that moment and who was responsible for it. Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a months-long criminal conspiracy after the 2020 election, spreading lies about voter fraud and using those lies to put pressure on state officials to illegally overturn election results. When their scheme to interfere with Congress’ certification of the 2020 election results failed, Trump and his co-conspirators incited a violent mob to attack the U.S. Capitol.

MAGA Republicans nationwide have continued this assault on our democracy by introducing radical voter suppression bills in Congress and state legislatures, spreading false election conspiracy theories and threatening to overturn election results they disagree with. Now, Trump is running for president again, and he and his allies are planning for a second term that is even more extreme and authoritarian than the last one. If he is reelected, he plans to pardon himself and his supporters, use the Department of Justice to exact revenge on his enemies and purge the federal government of anyone who doesn’t agree with him until there’s no one left to say no.

Just last month, Trump said if he was reelected, he would attempt to be a dictator on “day one.” We need to take him at his word. Too much is at stake for the American people to allow Trump to take back power. It’s up to all of us to say no to a second Trump presidency now, before it’s too late.

Jenann Mclennan

San Luis Obispo

Protecting democracy

“One attack, two interpretations: Biden and Trump both make the Jan. 6 riot a political rallying cry,” (sanluisobispo.com, Jan. 3)

The third anniversary of Jan. 6 is a solemn reminder that we cannot take our fundamental freedoms for granted, including our right to vote and choose our leaders. Despite the fact that Donald Trump is facing charges for inciting the insurrection and conspiring to overturn the will of voters in 2020 — in addition to sexually assaulting columnist E. Jean Carroll — he is still running for president. Too much is at stake for the American people to allow Trump to take back power.

Preserving our democracy takes work. This year, we must all do our part. Trump and his allies pose an urgent threat to our democracy, our fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

Camille Cherry

San Luis Obispo

Opinion

Who is responsible

“Reporters Without Borders accuses Israel and Hamas of war crimes, reports deaths of 34 journalists,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 1)

Journalists take deadly risks when they enter chaotic war zones controlled by barbaric terrorists who have subjugated and exploited their own people and used them as human shields and have murdered, maimed, raped and captured innocent civilians in a neighboring country.

Who is to be designated your guarantor of safety in these zones? The perpetrators or defenders? The anti-Semitic Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have pinpointed the Israel Defense Forces as the systematic evil perpetrators for the death of journalists. How so? Israel has been attacked time and again from the Arab world for the 75 years of its existence.

Hamas’ objective is not to coexist with Israel but to destroy it.

Phil Bauman

Morro Bay

Take the cannoli, leave the ‘cannolis’

“This SLO County husband and wife duo are dishing out cannolis, one farmers market at a time,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 28)

I enjoyed your article on Yolo Cannolo and am looking forward to a visit to their place of business. My family and I just had our annual cannoli making get-together, and I couldn’t help noticing the article’s incorrect spelling of this delicious, sweet treat. My Sicilian mother-in-law, Carmela Gentile, taught me that one is a “cannolo” and more than one are “cannoli.” This is the correct Italian spelling, and there is no such thing as “cannolis.”

Carole Gentile

Pismo Beach

Stunning display

“Paso Robles celebrates New Year’s Eve with bonfire, concert,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 30)

Cayucos chose to ring in a healthy 2024 with a polar plunge. Paso Robles, on the other hand, chose to ring it in with a massive bonfire, creating a senseless homage to pollution and bad health. It was a stunning display of stupidity.

M. Power Giacoletti

San Simeon

Studying problems

“Another COVID variant is on the rise across US. What is it and how bad is it in California?” (sanluisobispo.com, Jan. 3)

According to The Chicago Tribune, the U.S. — with 4% of the world’s population — had 20% of the world’s COVID cases and deaths. Other nations have studied the “why” question to help prepare for future pandemics, but not the U.S.

I was once responsible for problem identification and subsequent handling on the manufacturing side for a large multinational business. Years later, I watched with alarm over how the Trump administration handled COVID. Why hasn’t that administration’s reaction to COVID been studied for the benefit of future pandemics?

Mike Broadhurst

Cambria