Trump’s lies about who started the war in Ukraine are immoral. Push back, Washington | Opinion
Trump lies about war in Ukraine
Trump says Zelensky is a dictator and is to blame for the war in Ukraine. Everybody paying attention knows that’s a lie. The truth is Putin’s forces invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine in 2014 and then did a full-scale invasion 3 years ago. Since then, Ukraine, under Zelensky’s leadership, has been fighting a courageous war against a far bigger invader with amazing results.
They’ve been aided by America and Europe, which have a huge stake in Putin being schooled that “war criminals never prosper …, so quit doing this!”
It’s depressing how few Republicans have pushed back against Trump’s initiative to stop aiding Ukraine and force it to surrender on terms that reward Putin’s aggression. They used to believe in defense against dictators. Rep. Dan Newhouse remains silent so far.
Trump’s administration is insisting on official descriptions of the war that don’t include words like “invasion,” which might offend Putin. He seems to think he and Putin can end the war without Ukraine’s consent.
Experts are sure they will fail, though, because Ukrainians know first-hand what Putin’s forces do to conquered people. Rape, torture and death. Ukrainians will keep fighting just like the Chechens and Afghans did.
Greg Carl, Richland
Rep. Newhouse, where are you?
Rep. Dan Newhouse, I applaud you for the courage you showed in voting to impeach Trump. You must summon that same courage to vote no on the budget resolution regarding crafting full-scale legislation to enact the Trump agenda and provide a parliamentary tool allowing Republicans to circumvent the Senate filibuster and opposition from Democrats.
Surely you realize the direction this administration is trying to take this country and only you and your fellow Republicans can save us. Are you up to the task or are you missing in action? Perhaps you don’t realize the majority of your constituents do not agree with the actions of this new administration, but if you aren’t engaging with us, you will never know.
What are you afraid of, Mr. Newhouse? Have you not the courage of your convictions and aren’t you willing to defend them in person? Or, do you only want to engage us when you are courting our vote?
Again, where are you, Mr. Newhouse? Will you be a hero, or will you be remembered as a coward who just went along and will be responsible for the fall of our democracy? Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
Janet Peterson, Richland
Why can’t we find Rep. Newhouse?
It’s a question echoing through our community: Where is Rep. Dan Newhouse? Despite repeated attempts to engage with him on pressing local issues, he remains elusive. As constituents, we deserve accessibility and transparency from our elected officials. Yet, town halls are sparse, responses to inquiries feel canned, and opportunities for face-to-face dialogue are virtually nonexistent.
Public service is a two-way street — it’s not just about casting votes in Washington but about staying connected to the people back home. Avoidance fosters distrust and frustration, leaving us to wonder: Is Newhouse deliberately dodging his constituents, or is there a breakdown in communication?
We understand the demands of office, but representation loses its meaning without direct engagement. We call on Newhouse to step forward, hold open forums and rebuild the bridge to his community.
After all, democracy thrives on dialogue, not distance. Let’s hope he hears this message — wherever he may be.
Diana Wlodarczyk, Richland
Social media and Musk not credible
The Richland mayor’s comments about DOGE in the Feb. 23 Tri-City Herald informed me our mayor takes the words of Elon Musk as fact because, “He’s being so transparent.”
She needs to research the meaning of transparent. Transparent, in terms of behavior or communication, means being open and honest, with nothing hidden. It means providing proof based on factual evidence. I have not read or heard any facts or evidence from Musk regarding the savings he claims. In fact, research by reliable news media has proved that Musk’s claims are either misstatements, uninformed assumptions or lies.
I want government to be cost-effective, but to turn loose a billionaire with a hidden agenda who does not know what is needed in government is shooting from the hip. His advertised results are intended to appear effective, needed and worthy of the illegal authority Trump has given him. He is making points with Trump for personal gain: research my statements or watch Chris Cuomo on the News Nation channel.
Social media promulgates conspiracy theories, lies and biased opinions by people who want to make themselves appear patriotic and intellectually superior. It is the root cause of divisiveness and uninformed voting.
Jim Tow, Richland
Know them from deeds, not words
“By their deeds you will know them.” (Matthew 7:16 King James version) Let’s look at DOGE and compare their words with their deeds. Trump and Musk claim they are hunting out fraud and abuse in the federal workforce. Lofty purpose.
But their deeds say otherwise. Firing huge swaths of people and then besmirching their reputations, disrupting whole departments by shutting the workers out and then braying about it while waving a fake chainsaw around. Those are the deeds of Trump and Musk. Methinks their deeds speak more truth than their words.
Kirk Williamson, Kennewick
Please keep dogs secure
I am writing to draw dog owners’ attention to the importance of keeping dogs secured at home or on leashes in public places as well as to be ready to protect themselves from dogs on the loose. On Feb. 20, I walked my two dogs on Harris Avenue. Close to the WSU campus, we were attacked and bitten by two dogs, possibly pit bulls. A man in a car stopped by and picked up those dogs but did not offer any help.
I am very grateful to the person who helped me up and a man in a car who saw one of my dogs running. He followed her to our home and then found me. Because of the fall and bleeding, I had to go to the hospital with several puncture wounds and a three-inch laceration. A big thank you to the homeowner who let me use his phone and chair as well as the Kadlec Emergency team!
Mila Townsend, Richland
An open letter to congressmen
To Reps. Dan Newhouse and Michael Baumgartner: Please do everything in your power to restore full funds to USAID. Our cancellation of funds hurts the United States both directly and indirectly. Our farmers produce most of the food for starving refugees. Without being able to sell wheat and other foods, our farmers may go bankrupt. Much of that food is rotting at ports, a terrible waste considering the hardships of those for whom it was intended. USAID offers not only food but also medicines and immunizations.
Two consequences arise if those folks vulnerable to disease do not get protected. First, more people will get infected and the disease will spread, eventually to the United States. Second, if the disease is unchecked, viruses and bacteria will evolve into catastrophic organisms which are more difficult to control.
Another reason to restore funding to USAID is that if we abandon those destitute people, Russia and China will take our place; one further consequence will be our potential loss of metals and raw materials essential for communication, transportation and alternative energy. Again, I beg you, gather other congressmen and unite to fully fund USAID; this is in the best interests of the United States!
Bob Carson, Walla Walla
Newhouse aide did make contact
I am happy to report as a consequence of my last note to you (the Tri-City Herald), that Rep. Dan Newhouse’s chief of staff, Noah Yantis, reached out to me regarding my lament regarding the firing of inspectors general and senior FBI administrators. Apparently, my email that I sent to him somehow went amiss. Perhaps I mistyped his address.
At any rate, Mr. Yantis and I had a very productive phone conversation. My read of what insights I could garner is that there is a level of frustration felt by our congressman regarding the assault on the interests of the state of Washington by the Trump administration and the political ability to stay in the Republican majority loop.
I am somewhat reassured that Mr. Newhouse is doing his best to thread the needle of advocating the interests of the Fourth Congressional District and remaining relevant as a legislator in the Congress. I encourage all Tri Citians to make your concerns known to those who govern us.
Jim Campbell, West Richland
Restore public to our public health
I’m writing about Franklin County Commissioner Didier’s motion to needle the Benton Franklin Health District over giving COVID vaccines. MAGA is plaguing us, as evidenced with the rise of Bobby Kennedy. The worst of the movement is reflected in Mr. Didier’s efforts to get answers to these questions: to address corporate liability for vaccine products (see, National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program/ HRSA.
Or, to give compensation and treatment for those harmed by vaccines. Most awful? To “(r)equire informed consent, transparency and labeling.”
The Health District’s unnamed “epidemiologist” says Didier’s effort is: “based on conspiracy and misinformation against the COVID-19 vaccine.”The Health District is the same agency now being sued by employees for workplace issues. An unnamed response to that lawsuit used words to the effect that the lawsuit is “totally baseless.”
Both health district responses strike me as symptomatic. They don’t seem to tolerate debate.
The worst of MAGA is the stumbling way they keep landing on real problems: only to be met with superior dismissal by experts. This is annoying. Despite my longstanding affiliation as a Democrat, fully vaccinated sort-of liberal, it seems we should start getting the “public” back in “public health.” Or let DOGE do it.
Jack Howard, Richland
A lot of fuss over a dozen workers
About a dozen DOE office workers are fired, and the Tri-City Herald attempts to scare readers into thinking this is a dangerous situation by showing photos of contractors working in HazMat suits and radiation warning signs.
If you have lived in the Tri-City area for very long, you know we have had layoffs of hundreds of contract workers at a time, mandatory and voluntary, over the years.
According to hanford.gov, there are about 13,000 people working daily on the cleanup projects at Hanford. A dozen probationary office workers less will not affect the safety or progress of the work going on at the Hanford site.
S. Boolen, Richland