To the editor:
I write this letter with a heavy heart. I am witnessing a tragic repeat of history that occurred only 85years ago. Back in 1938, Prime Minister Chamberlain of Great Britain travelled to Munich, Germany to meet with Hitler. After the meeting, he arrived back in Great Britain. Stepping off the plane, he waved a paper in his hand to a cheering crowd and yelled, “Peace in our time.” Great Britain had acceded to the wishes of Hitler. In 1939, a horror like never experienced followed.
Today, in the news, I heard two foreign policy announcements from Trump.
First, he now considers the European Union as a competitor and no longer an ally. Second, he is urging the Ukraine to accede to the demands of the Russian dictator and mass murderer Putin. I know foreign policy generally does not resonate with most voters and these current policies are of no interest to them. At least not to the people who voted for Trump. Thousands
Of innocent people are being bombed to hell each night. We are being told by our president that while this is terrible, we must accept it and the defeat of a sovereign, democratic nation in order to gain “peace.” Does this sound a bit ala Chamberlain? Together, the USA and the EU could stop the slaughter in the Ukraine.
With regard to the European Union, it was formed in 1993. Many of the European nations had learned the hard lessons of competition and war. The EU was formed to establish a platform whereby some common goals could be discussed and reached, conflicts could be avoided and a peaceful Europe could survive and thrive. And, as a single entity, it could partner with the USA to help safeguard the world against the Hitlers and Putins.
The EU was not formed to become a competitor to the USA. It was formed to work with the USA.
Now, Trump has called that all null and void. The average American, if aware, should be outraged. Where in God’s name is our country headed?
Will history refer to this time as one of the worst in our history? How far down the rabbit hole will this insane president bring us? And three more years to go. God help us. And God forgive the MAGAs who voted for him.
For the rest of us, it is not too farfetched to say that the bloodied dead and dying people of Ukraine can look to the USA and ask, why? Why did you abandon us to Putin?
Someone once wrote that man learns nothing from history other than that man learns nothing from history. 1939 – 2025. What a sad testimony to the stupidity and frailty of us humans.
Walter Haug
Highland Terrace
