Republicans, please stop gaslighting for Trump

Thank you, Armstrong Williams, for your thoughts on urging both presidential candidates to respect the outcome of the election and to honor the peaceful transfer of power (“Armstrong Williams: Americans can defend democracy by turning out to vote,” Oct. 27). Everyone knows that this admonition should be addressed to former President Donald Trump. He is the one claiming he was cheated in the 2020 election and now says that he will respect the outcome this year “if it’s a fair election’.” This is what you referred to when you wrote that both candidates should accept the outcome “with no commas, question marks, or semi-colons.” He will only agree to the outcome only if he wins.

It is for that reason that I urge Republicans to stop gaslighting us. They bend themselves into pretzels trying to explain Trump’s actions and statements. The media has even contributed, bending over backwards to treat the candidates as equals. They are not equals. Trump attempted to overthrow the government on Jan. 6, 2021. He lied about COVID-19 from the outset because it would hurt his image. More than 400,000 died during his term with at least 100,000 Americans dying unnecessarily due to his delay. These issues alone should be enough for him to never get reelected.

Trump has a past full of lies. He is guilty of 34 felony counts. He was found liable for sexually abusing a woman. He lied many times in his first term. In a court, if a witness testifies falsely just once, the jury is instructed they may reject all of that individual’s testimony. By logical reasoning, this means that voters need not believe a word Trump utters.

I could list many more negatives about Trump. They come at us like water from a firehose. He is still endangering Haitians in Springfield, Ohio with his nonsense about them eating our dogs and cats. He is still lying about FEMA’s poor response to the recent hurricanes. He has called Vice President Kamala Harris lazy and stupid. Any racism there? And he has endangered the lives of women with his enabling, and praise of, overturning of Roe v. Wade.

There are no equivalencies with Kamala Harris that come anywhere close to Trump’s egregious history and his current campaign is based on lies and fear. I urge Republicans to muster the courage to put country over party. Do not vote for this highly flawed and dangerous individual to be President of the United States.

— Len Friedheim, Columbia

When it’s time to vote, do the right (non-shameful) thing

My friend and colleague Richard E. Vatz rightly questions why we should urge citizens to vote (“Should we really urge everyone to vote?” Oct. 28). I would like to add to his advice.

For those of you who have voted or plan to vote, let everyone know who you are voting for and why. There is no reason to hide the your identification with the candidate who shares your values. If you are scared to tell people that you are not voting for former President Donald Trump, that tells you something about who you consider Trump to be — a person to fear.

If you are voting for Trump, remember that, whether he wins or loses, you are very likely to be viewed by others as a person who shares his racist and fascist ideas, most likely for the rest of your life. If you are reluctant to tell others that you are voting for Trump, it is probably due to the shame you experience in relation to who he obviously is. That shame is likely to follow you wherever you go.

Above all, don’t vote for a candidate because someone else tells you to vote for him or her. Listen to the issues and arguments and decide for yourself.

I am proud to be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. While there are some policy issues over which we certain disagree, I am moved by Vice President Harris’s integrity and courage, her sincerity and genuine concern for all kinds of people. She radiates good will. Minnesota Governor Walz also impresses me as an honest type of person, someone who could not only lead our country as President in times of trouble, but also as a person people in other countries will respect.

As Spike Lee advises, “do the right thing.” Each person knows what that means. You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

— Jeffrey A. Schaler, Ph.D., Ellicott City