Paid agitators? Yes, but not the way Trump suggests

Editor: The Trump administration and other Republican officials have frequently claimed protesters, such as those in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago and other cities are “paid agitators.” They continue to say this without ever providing an iota of proof. Conversely, the Trump administration has hired thousands of ICE agents and sent them, along with Border Patrol agents and National Guardsmen, to U.S. cities. And now they are even considering sending American troops to Minneapolis. It is the actions of these ICE agents and Border Patrol agents that seem to be agitating the citizens of this country. I would like to remind your readers that these agents and troops are paid using American citizens’ tax dollars. It seems that Trump and his supporters have got the story backward regarding paid agitators.

— Chris Carpenter, Petaluma

What Trump’s words and meanings say about his ability to reason

Editor: Columnist David M. Drucker describes how “Republicans’ clumsy verbal cartwheels are obvious attempts to avoid publicly disagreeing with Donald Trump while simultaneously attempting to avoid publicly agreeing with him” (“The dubious art of explaining what Trump’s rhetoric ‘really means,’ ” Jan. 18). It should be crystal clear to Republicans on Capitol Hill and everywhere else that Trump’s declining mental ability should be questioned. Why do prominent Republicans insist on treating Trump like a child or an old man, telling Americans that he doesn’t mean what he says? Who will Trump be today or any given day: a rambunctious 9-year-old boy (apology to 9-year-old boys, as most are not) or a nearly 80-year-old man, who is showing many signs of losing his ability to reason and remember from one sentence to the next?

— Cheryle Stanley, Yountville

Sitting out a candidates forum undermines nonpartisan race

Editor: George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796 warned Americans about the dangers of factionalism and blind party loyalty. He cautioned that political parties could harden divisions, elevate revenge over reason and ultimately threaten democratic self-government. His words remain strikingly relevant today.

That warning came to mind after former Cloverdale City Council member Melanie Bagby announced she would not participate in a supervisorial candidate forum because it was ticketed, suggesting attendance would help raise money for Donald Trump (“4th District supervisor hopefuls to take voter questions at town hall,” Jan. 25). That claim is inaccurate. The modest ticket price largely covers the cost of renting the Finley Community Center (approximately $100 an hour) and hosting the event, not funding a presidential campaign.

County supervisor races are nonpartisan by design. Declining to engage because of perceived party affiliation dismisses roughly 25% of county residents and undermines the civic dialogue Washington urged us to protect. If Bagby prefers to campaign along partisan lines, the newly created 1st Congressional District may be a better fit. This race requires representing everyone.

— Gary B. Thomas, Santa Rosa

Time for a new volume: ‘The Art of the Steal’

Editor: Almost four decades ago, a book came out, titled “The Art of the Deal.” In it, Donald Trump said it was his second favorite book after the Bible: a tome he probably never even cracked open. Perhaps now, the second in the series should be considered. It would probably be a shorter read, as it would only cover this past year — the time it has taken Trump, the “Don,” to economically, politically and culturally bring the nation, and the world, to their knees, as he once again presents himself as the “mythical” hero — hellbent on savaging his opponents, both foreign and domestic. The current working title being bandied about — “The Art of the Steal: Or How I Make Them Offers They Can’t Refuse.”

Stay tuned.

— Gene Gross, Santa Rosa