Letters: Christians who hold Donald Trump in high esteem are in for a rude awakening

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Trump the antithesis of Christians

From what I read and see from watching conservative and born-again Christian books, articles and television evangelicals, the most important ideals that they hold highest and that are most important to their followers seems to be honesty, piety, belief in the Bible and strict adherence to the Ten Commandments, or am I misunderstanding what they hold dearly as to how one should lead their life?

If, in fact, this is true, why, oh why, do those people and their religious leaders hold Donald Trump in such high esteem? Can they not see that if you hold him up to the light that the only thing you would see is darkness without a speck of humanity’s light.

This is a man that has no problem breaking almost every Commandment, including stating that he could kill someone and not face any loss of his devoted followers, probably has not even thought of tithing his 10 percent to any religious entity, and graphically stated what he could do to women without any fear of objection to just name a few of his transgressions. Yet he is still praised in pulpits and Christian publications everywhere!

How dare any of you conservatives have the audacity to say anything derogatory or demonize any other politician, personality or person that does not kowtow to your praise and adulation of Donald Trump! When you worship a false god, you will surely face the consequences when you meet the real God!

— Tom Kaiser, Milton

Readers don't hold back: Letters: Donald Trump is a schoolyard bully who doesn’t deserve anyone’s vote or support

Bear threat doesn’t justify HB87

Florida residents who appreciate nature and wildlife should be concerned about proposed House Bill 87, also known as the “Self Defense Act,” which allows almost indiscriminate killing of black bears.

The threat from bears to people and property simply does not justify such an extreme measure. Friends World Committee for Consultation data shows there have been a total of 37 documented bear encounters since 2006, or the past 17 years. Of these, 18 were females with cubs and 23 involved dog/bear conflicts.

There are no recorded human fatalities from bear attacks in Florida. In perspective, according to the Florida Department of Health, there have been 10,200 people hospitalized and 34 killed from dog attacks in the same 17-year period. This law has the potential to create an open season on bears that will be killed on site regardless of the threat involved.

At a minimum, this law should be restricted to counties where bears are an actual problem - not statewide - and should not apply to females with cubs or bears that are obviously running away from the encounter.

If you share this concern, please contact your state representative and senator to voice opposition.

— Terence Jernigan, Pensacola

Trump’s faithful administration predicted

The House is full of MAGA Republicans who can faithfully serve in the next Trump administration. QAnon queen Marjorie Taylor Greene, who brought us Jewish space lasers and Democrat baby-eating cannibals is top pick for vice president.

If you think Harris is a dud, wait until you see MTG in action. Lauren Boebert, who was recently caught on video groping her boyfriend and vaping in a Denver theater, is eyeing a cabinet post. She can help the “Orange Jesus” in espousing family and Christian values to MAGA evangelicals. Only in America can a high school dropout who allegedly failed the GED test twice grow up to be congresswoman.

Just because he was expelled, don’t rule out George Santos. His credentials as a pathological liar and ability to raise millions on pure crap is rivaled only by Trump. Mr. Gaetz, of “crazy eight” fame who shut down the House for a month, is perfect as Secretary of Defense. He’d be strategically positioned to assist in the Trump coup d’état in January 2028 by controlling the military.

Finally, Mike Johnson could lead efforts to repeal the First Amendment so we can install a Christian theocracy in the U.S., shut down liberal media and imprison journalists. MAGA, again!

— James Bouzios, Pensacola

Salzman stepped up after controversy

After being criticized for her comments during the Florida assembly meeting, State Rep. Michelle Salzman repeatedly clarified what she meant by “all of them.”

Rep. Salzman recently agreed to meet privately with a group of her constituents to listen to their concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Local mothers, many with ties to Palestine and Gaza as well as local peace activists, were in attendance. The heavy toll of civilian casualties, the harsh living conditions in Gaza, the absence of food-water and the collapse in healthcare was shared with her.

Rep. Salzman attentively listened, expressed condolences to a young Palestinian who had 26 family members killed in Gaza. She also counseled a young high school student on combating bullying. Afterwards, she reviewed the official U.S. policy toward the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. She emphasized her support for Israel, the same support as the current U.S. administration.

The meeting ended with a call for peace in the Holy Land, an end of violence and atrocities for all civilians, and hope for a just resolution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.

Rep. Salzman is a bold and daring politician. She made amends by agreeing to listen to her constituents’ concerns about Gaza suffering. Opposing political positions should not prevent sincere dialogue where peace, justice and security are the goals.

— Aref Rifai, Pensacola

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Pensacola accountability in question

I wrote to the mayor with a simple question: Why has Pensacola failed at curbside recycling when so many other cities around the world seem able to do it?

He didn’t reply, so I resent my message. But he maintained his stony silence. I once contacted the previous mayor about something else, and received a rapid and helpful answer sent from his phone.

What does this tell us about this city’s commitment to the environment and to democratic accountability?

— Phil Goddard, Pensacola

Climate change not the threat Biden claims

Larry Chamblin’s letter on Dec. 17 regarding climate change is well thought out. I am no climate denier, but I also don’t believe it is the “existential threat” that many espouse.

Extreme weather occurs in cycles, so floods, hurricanes, etc. will occur regardless. These phenomena don’t unfairly target minorities either. If Biden believed climate change is so imminent, he would limit his weekly flights to the beach and he would discourage John Kerry from flying all over the world in a private jet.

He would encourage China and India to reduce their carbon emissions exponentially and cease the rapid production of coal plants. And he would discourage his bloviating sycophants from polluting the air with tripe. This “existential threat” is just a power grab. What better way to control us than to convince useful idiots the need to invoke emergency powers?

I will do my part to conserve our planet but until people put their money where their mouth is, I won’t buy into the hysterical rantings of our ignorant government officials. Vote Biden out of office and elect someone who will enact sane policies.

— Delta Hixon, Pace

Israel doing what must be done

In his letter, “Escambia County must reject Michelle Salzman’s call for Palestinian genocide,” Aref Rifai said, “Promoting dialogue and working toward a peaceful, sustainable, and just resolution should be our primary focus, rather than perpetuating the cycle of violence and human loss.”

I would agree with Rifai if only it was possible. However, Hamas is a terrorist organization with the stated objective of wiping Israel and its people off the face of the earth. They express the genocide of Israel when they chant from the river to the sea or gas the Jews. Hamas violated all sense of humanity with their Oct. 7, 2023, sneak attack on Israel. Over the course of one day, more than 1,300 Israeli men, women and children were butchered, raped, and dismembered by Hamas terrorists.

Their crime? Being Jews. The only solution is to destroy Hamas and remove them from Gaza forever. The Israel Defense Force are in the process of doing just that. It is tragic that innocence Palestinians in Gaza are injured and killed during IDF operations. However, it was Gaza’s two million-plus Palestinians who voted in Hamas. Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields and place their operational control in hospitals, schools, and churches.

They dare the IDF to attack. In 1967 Israel defeated Egypt in the Six Day War and took control of Gaza. But then Israel withdrew in 2005 and turned it over to the Palestinian National Authority. Hamas has been trying to destroy Israel ever since.

— Kenny Worthington, Pensacola

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Letters: Christians holding Trump in high esteem are in for a surprise