Last month, President Trump appointed his political strategist, Stephen Bannon, to a full seat on the principals committee of the National Security Council. At the same time, he downgraded the roles of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the director of national intelligence. These senior defense experts will attend meetings only when “issues pertaining to their responsibilities and expertise are to be discussed.”
The Security Council is meant to be apolitical, as Loren Schulman, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told the Miami Herald. Its job is to coordinate national security policy among military and security agencies and advise the president and executive staff on domestic, foreign and military policies. Separating politics from the Security Council makes sense, as it protects the council from, say, political pressure to use military actions to distract public attention from a scandal.
Thus, in two steps, the president has peeled away two layers of protection:
• First, he has inserted politics into the Security Council, a body that coordinates and advises policy.
• Second — and perhaps more importantly — he has cut himself off from the experience and knowledge of people who know and understand military and intelligence issues.
Does this make us safer?
Barbara S. Murdock, St. Paul
• • •
Thank you for the profile of Steve Bannon, who, with an office next to President Trump’s, is one of the most influential men in America at the moment (“Bannon turning ideas into policy,” Feb. 1). What I don’t understand is why it took 21 paragraphs to reveal his connection to the white supremacist movement, and 25 paragraphs to allow him in his own words to identify his real agenda: “Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That’s power.” For a man whose fingerprints are already all over the Trump blitz of the past two weeks, it’s probably important to know where he really stands.
Richard Robbins, Mankato
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE
Bill isn’t about Israel boycotts; it’s about curtailing your speech
In response to “Minnesota Legislature: Is Israel an appropriate issue? Yes, and here’s why,” (Readers Write, Jan. 30):
The writer seems to suggest that boycotting Israeli settlement activity is inappropriate and should be outlawed because Israel pays Palestinian workers more than they can make in the Palestinian territories. This comes as the Knesset is voting to legalize and increase the confiscation of Palestinian land in the West Bank and while Palestinian home demolitions continue at a record pace.
But even if one were to ignore these practices, there is no reason that the Minnesota Legislature should be abridging the free-speech rights of Minnesotans over such an issue. To make it illegal to criticize a foreign government is not the responsibility nor the proper role of our state Legislature. Would legislators go on to make it illegal to criticize Iran or Russia or France? This bill comes not to protect Israel but to prevent open dialogue and civil action. Israel has urged greater sanctions against Iran. Why is political discourse over sanctions illegal in the case of Israeli settlements? The Legislature should drop this ill-formed bill quickly.
Fred Rogers, Northfield
THE ROLE OF A LEADER
Country first. Why is that such a shock to some?
Psst. Star Tribune. I wanted to share some commonly known information so you can stop embarrassing yourselves. Prime Minister Theresa May said she (like President Trump) puts her country first — as do most leaders. That is their job!
Chris Schonning, Andover
• • •
Think back to President Barack’s Obama’s “apology tour” to Muslim nations soon after his election. It was a clear message of his support for those nations, including those sponsoring terrorism, and a slap in the face to Israel. Obama then closed out his term by giving Iran hundreds of billions of dollars under the nuclear development agreement, doing nothing as the “JV team” ISIL attacked and, finally, approving his secretary of state’s anti-Israel speech at the United Nations.
Now President Trump suspends entry to the U.S. from countries that house terrorists, and he pledges to move our embassy to Jerusalem as a clear statement of support for Israel. What a wonderful difference a change in president makes.
Bill Halling, Edina
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Canadian letter writer tut-tuts us on Trump, and yet …
I have never written to the Readers Write page before, but feel compelled to respond to the Canadian gentleman and his partner who canceled their vacation to our state (Jan. 31). Sorry you think that we are now a fascist country. Sorry that you feel personally violated by the president of a foreign country only 12 days into his term. I may not agree with some of what is happening, but we must give the man a chance. He has done nothing to me “personally.” Now, about a country that did do something to me personally — yours. Ever since 9/11, I have not been guaranteed entry into Canada, along with tens of thousands of other Americans. Why? Because I/they have a DWI on our record! You made a choice to not visit here. We, like the many people denied access, had no choice. This seems to me to be a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
John Borman, Brooklyn Center
• • •
While the letter writer from Toronto stated that they would not be coming to Minneapolis this year because of our president’s ban on some Muslims not being allowed to enter this country, he added, essentially, that they hope to visit in four years. It’s nice to see that they will be coming to celebrate Trump’s second inauguration.
Bruce Deinken, Bloomington
HEADLIGHTS AND SAFE DRIVING
Is it neglect, or are some blessed with night vision? Either way …
The Jan. 30 letter about driving home with one headlight was hitting a point that is considered a safety issue for all concerned, but it failed to mention that there are numerous instances of people driving with no lights on at all. On a recent night, I counted at least four such vehicles. Accidents are probable due to others’ not seeing those vehicles. Please, folks, for everyone concerned, turn your lights on when it is dark out so we can see you and you can see us. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Chuck Waldmyer, Brooklyn Park
• • •
Minnesota has the worst drivers in the U.S. They do not know the meaning of the word “merge.” They do not know what daytime driving headlights are for. When I am driving on cloudy and rainy days, it is unbelievable how many people do not have headlights on. Do they not know the purpose is to be seen, not to be able to see? It is impossible to see cars approaching until they are in front of your car. It is surprising that we do not have more accidents. I think automakers should build all automobiles with headlights that automatically come on as soon as the vehicle is in gear.
E.A. Boos, Minneapolis
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
