Reader submissions

So much disconnect

It is perplexing and worrisome to me that misconnections abound with President Donald Trump and his followers.

Trump signed Bibles in Alabama following the recent horrific tornadoes there. Yet, Trump has no issue being the world's biggest bully, often using cruel and nasty comments for folks who disagree with him. Latest: Calling his adviser's husband a "total loser" and bashing fellow Republican and war hero John McCain again.

Trump and conservative Republicans often cite fiscal responsibility as a rock in their platform, yet Trump has allowed the federal budget deficit to explode with his careless tax reform and unchecked spending. Latest waste of federal taxpayer dollars: Allocating $50 million to destroy border wall examples after spending millions to construct them.

I could go on and on, but the biggest misconnection is the negative actions that flow from Trump and his administration. Indictments, jail sentences, allegations of major wrongdoings, lies. Paying off folks to be quiet.

What are his followers thinking, especially the religious right, who promote this hypocritical, horrible karma? What will the universe send back to all of us if we allow this to continue.

Rob Westwood, Rancho Mirage

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Horses vs. children

So, 22 horses have died and Santa Anita Racetrack was closed. The use of whips at the track has been curtailed.

Yet, children have been murdered at their schools and guns haven’t been banned. Hmm …

Mariellen Boss, Cathedral City

Sound advice for parents, students

The refreshing March 16 column, “My child needed to learn a lesson from disappointment,” concerning child parenting and when to say "No" should be required reading for all "Parenting 101" classes.

Authored by Rene Syler, whose honest and sagacious advice concerning her daughter's educational choices and financial options struck a chord with me. Ms. Syler's forthright approach imparts a most valuable life lesson concerning today's sticky educational issues and the role that money now plays when it comes to student finances. The recent pay for play College admissions scandals by rich parents underscores the erosion that has befallen the country's educational system.

Ms. Syler doesn't offer a panacea, just sound advice that may help parents and young adults avoid the speed bumps and future potholes on the bumpy road of life. It's a must read.

Jack Lyons, Desert Hot Springs

Painful loss of a child

Re: “After the overdose: A La Quinta family’s journey into grief and guilt,” by Claire Galofaro, AP News

I wept as I read this story as I too have experienced the loss of a child (Nov. 21, 2014), although under different circumstances.

I know the pain, especially so as a parent. We always think we should be able to protect our children from anything. I wish I had some words of wisdom to impart other than you truly never get over the loss but learn to live with it.

There is a fabulous organization here in the Coachella Valley, Umbrella Ministries, which is of great help to mothers who have experienced this loss and I would highly recommend contacting them. My heart goes out to this family, but life does go on and the pain does soften. It just takes time.

Robbie Leiske, Rancho Mirage

Taking credit

Good news, the war against ISIS appears to be almost over. Hopefully this group of angry mobsters will no longer torture and murder civilians and warriors from the U.S. and other nations.

And who is taking credit for the apparent victory?

Not the Marine who lost his legs to an explosive device. Not the Gold Star Muslim parents of an Army captain. Not by a homeless veteran who is unable to work due to PTSD. Not by thousands who served in the longest war in U.S. history. Not by a professional football player who left the riches of his profession to die in Afghanistan. Not by another president who had to make the most difficult decision of his tenure to find and kill Osama bin Laden.

No, the credit was claimed by a man whose only exposure to war was being educated in a military prep school. The credit was taken by a man who escaped military service by claiming a disability. The credit was taken by the Commander in Chief of the United States who has visited the war zone only once.

The credit was taken by a man whose only purpose is to make himself look great again.

Allen Johnson, Palm Desert