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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2017)
7A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 YOUR 100 WORDS ON TRUMP’S FIRST 100 DAYS Transfixed by trials L ast November, Trump tri- umphed. Now, 100 days into his term, a truculent, troubled Trump is transfixed by trials and tribulations with Congress, the courts, and even his own troops. His tries to transform trade, taxes, immigration, medical care and the environment aren’t translating. He transcended himself by welcoming a treacherous, traitorous Trojan (Rus- sian) horse, to the trough. His tweets and travails in gov- erning have become a trite travesty — and yet, in spite of his trifecta, he triples down. A dose of The Donald triggering traditional values, truth- fulness and transparency would, in his own words, be huge — even terrific! DAVE ZUNKEL Warrenton How did it come to this? Consider the common good before yourself and your clan. Vote, be vigilant, speak up, Resist, protest, endure. Embrace diversity, accept differences, Live ethically, be honest, be kind. Happy days will come again. Don’t give up, don’t lose hope, and don’t give in. And by the way, save the parks and public radio. JANET BOWLER Astoria Trump’s ABCs resident Trump keeps his word. He’s appointed Justice Gorsuch and an expert cabinet. He continues to eliminate regulations that have stifled economic growth; enforce immigration laws; change for- eign policy for America’s security; change policies for stronger defense and needs of veterans; change energy policy toward oil indepen- dence; change law enforcement pol- icies for safer communities; and set stronger policies against drug trafficking. President Trump is working closely with Congress to revise the tax system and health care system. And, he’s rebuffed unprecedented attempts by disappointed Demo- crats and outrageously biased jour- nalists to negate his election. All-in-all a most successful first 100 days. DON HASKELL Astoria BCs of Trump’s first 100 days Authoritarianism Bigotry Corruption Disrespect, danger, defunding diplomacy Empty promises Family enrichment Great is what America won’t be Hidden agendas Ikea makes better cabinets Jared and Ivanka: chief brand-protectors, babysitters Keeping secret Trump’s taxes, Russian ties, visitor logs Lies and lies about the lies Mean-spirited: misogyny, migrants, Muslims, medical care Nationalistic, nativist nightmare Oligarchs: American, Russian Puppets of far-right extremists Quit already! Resist and Persist! Stolen Supreme Court seat Tiny hands, mind, soul Undoing Bill of Rights Vladimar Putin Working to cash in X-ing out truth, facts, science Yo-yo policies, practices Zoo: the White House LAURIE CAPLAN Astoria Still pondering Spicer will explain P T Kept his word P onderings. Sourdough starter is just getting good in 100 days. Give it a year or two; then taste those biscuits. Maybe President Trump just needs time to marinate. Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president of my “world” in 1933. I was 1 year old. In April 1945, he suddenly died. Mother was crying; father was saying bad words. We sat soberly around the radio. President Roosevelt was only 82 days into his fourth term. Dem- ocrat or Republican, didn’t seem to matter back then. We loved him. No television to tell us otherwise. One hundred days behind us? Still pondering. EMMA V. EDWARDS Warrenton New circus in town ome one, come all! There’s a new circus in town. It’s huge, tremendous and big league. Besides the unusual cast of characters, whose talents are untried and really dangerous, there is now an unpresi- dented new ringleader. True, he looks like a clown and acts like one, too, but consider his amazing feats of accomplishment in just 100 days of leadership: The jugglers perform upside down. Really. The acrobats even know how to spin the truth. The animals are running faster for their lives than ever before. And chain smok- ing inside is OK now, too, because everyone is already choking. CYNTHIA ADAMSON Warrenton C The real Trump T o make Donald Trump appear real, I turn to fiction. In Knut Hamsun’s novel “Mysteries,” the main character says he’ll stand against the world and never give up because he is right. When chal- lenged, he says he will discard what he said, and come up with some- thing better. Ogden Nash ends his poem “Who Did Which? Or Who Indeed?” with, “And I’d rather have my facts all wrong than have no facts whatever.” Shakespeare’s Henry IV shows that kings often use a foreign war to distract subjects from domestic problems. These authors wall in the true Donald Trump. REX AMOS Cannon Beach Don’t give up W e all deserve better than Don- ald Trump. History, the world, the nation, Our community, the environment, Women, elderly, children, Teachers, artists, musicians, Workers, retirees, immigrants, The poor, the sick, Democrats and even Republicans. A his not so massive missive con- cerns The Donald’s rotten, no good, horrible, very bad 100 days. He had discovered an amazing, sad mess! He would instantly build a wall, re-employ coal miners, ban- ish illegals of color, cancel obsolete alliances, expose the hoax of global warming. This total disgrace was plot- ted by that wiretapping foreigner from Hawaii, Obama, conspir- ing with nasty, lying loser Hillary, using alternative facts. He had been cheated! Instant success and adora- tion was not forthcoming. He would get even. Golf, tweets, a call to Bannon. This would change disaster to brilliant revenge. Mexico would pay. Spicer would explain. JOHN and SHERRI CRAWFORD Astoria ‘Major conflict’ A rrogance, insults, mockery, intolerance, fear, division, hate, “drain the swamp,” indiffer- ence, AltRight, nationalism, preju- dice, KKK, dog whistle, “lock her up,” misogyny, threats, bully pulpit, tweets, Russian interference, deni- als, “pussy,” lies, brag, manipula- tion, deception, tax returns, scams, Trump University, “fake news,” “wiretaps,” “Muslim ban,” “repeal Obamacare,” “build the wall,” contradictions, ratings, executive orders, “so-called judges,” media the “enemy,” immigrants, Putin, spies, money, emoluments, nepo- tism, paranoia, investigations, bil- lionaires, women’s march, DAPL, coal, jobs, global protests, resist, “alternate facts,” sanctions, scan- dal, climate change denial, bombs, antagonism, “boy talk,” revenge, money, power, national security, accountability, NATO, cover up, “major, major conflict.” CONNIE CROSSLEY Astoria My awakening he first 100 days of the Trump presidency have forced me to recognize that he really is a scoun- drel and a charlatan. He threatens world peace, Mother Earth and our precious democracy, especially the principles of liberty and equality. In the first 100 days of his administration he has pushed me to attend city council meetings, a town hall, an indivisibility meeting, the women’s march, and the Earth Say rally. I have joined the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Natu- ral Resources Defense Council. My awakening is an accomplishment of the president’s first 100 days. CATHY CRUIKSHANK Astoria T ‘Power corrupts’ T rump No. 45 is an embarrass- ment to our country. The only good is that he is making the come- dians popular. Signing executive orders is an easy way out, since no congressional approval is needed. An abuse of power: “Power cor- rupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Millions and millions of dollars are being spent protecting his fam- ily — that money could be spent in many other ways. It is a waste of taxpayer dollars. He is a disgrace — insisting that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. How low can a person go? CHERRY HARRIS Gearhart An embarrassment T rump is a vulgar, venal man with a very limited vocabu- lary and no real vision for America. He stages rallies to boost his frag- ile self-esteem. He makes irrational promises, such as that he will build a wall that Mexico will pay for. He is not president to serve his country. He became president to advance his ego, his position and his company, and that is all he has done since he became president. He has not done the hard work of figur- ing out compromises so important legislation can be passed. He is an embarrassment to America around the world. JEAN HOOGE Astoria Thank God A mericans can thank God that he has given us a Christian presi- dent —Donald J. Trump. President Trump has placed a pro-life judge, Neil Gorsuch, on the U.S. Supreme Court. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitu- tion protects the life of the unborn person. Life begins at conception. Abortion stops a beating heart and is murder. 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my peo- ple, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” JEAN JOHNSON Warrenton It’s not normal T he climate-change-denier (who I did not vote for) has shown that he is an impulsive narcissist, divisive bombastic buffoon, misog- ynist lacking sensitivity, delusional obnoxious egotist, arrogant racist, attention-seeking braggart, clueless bigot, short-sighted egomaniac and an offensive liar who is reckless, dangerous and scary. His abrasive phony con game is a disgrace, unpresidential and shows he is untrustworthy, and a pathetic opportunist who is discon- nected, dysfunctional, unprepared and an embarrassment to the office of U.S. President. It’s not normal. Where are his taxes? Stop with the tweeting and social media already! Support clean renewable energy for jobs; coal is yesterday. LaREE JOHNSON Astoria Just less L ess respect from the world. Less security. Less inclusive. Less kind. Less informed. Less knowl- edgeable. Less involved. Less cour- age. Less humor. Less of a leader. Less facts. Less than he promised. Less class. Less for science. Less for clean air. Less for clean water. Less for our national parks. Less safety in the workplace. Less respect for women. Less help for those that suf- fer. Less for art. Less for science. Less hope from our historic light of freedom shining in the world. RICH KRAFT Astoria ’Nuff said D onald Trump: I cannot share my tax returns because I’m being audited and my very expen- sive, quality, financial advisers tell me so. Also, I know the tax code better than anyone else. Mr. John Koskinen, commis- sioner of the IRS has stated clearly in public that they have no restric- tions on any taxpayer releasing their tax returns to the press, or anyone else, whether or not they are being audited. Mexico is going to pay for the wall. We’ll use taxpayers’ money for it? Trump, Republican health plans — missing in action? ’Nuff said. CHUCK MEYER Astoria Signs of the times A storia Women’s March signs of the times: Walk with us if you believe in democracy. Safety, civility, and a healthy planet. Dissent is patriotic. Nasty women and men stand together. Adam and even Ovaries are not a pre-existing condition. I stand with Planned Parenthood. Immigrants are welcome! Build bridges, not walls. Community not categories. Dignity for all. Injustice anywhere is a threat To justice everywhere! Support a principled press. Pay attention – make noise. Be fierce! Speak truth even if your voice shakes. Science is not fiction. We the people. Make America kind again. Nice matters. My planet, my future. MARY NEERHOUT Seaside Three words B igly disaster. Sad. BEATRICE MICHEL Tillamook Still protected T rump’s term is horrifying. How- ever, it occurs that this man is a gift to us all. Yes, he is morally and ethically impoverished, appear- ing to have the social skills of a second-grader. Almost every issue he backs spells disaster for many, or the earth itself. Yet, his blanket refusal to accept any authority but his own has reminded the nation that citizens are still protected from his ilk. By our Constitution. The laws he seeks to abolish were established long before he was elected, and will protect life, liberty and the pursuit of justice long after he is gone. SANDY REA Seaside Two things T rump has successfully accom- plished two things in his first 100 days: 1. To bring out of the closet and condone the darkest side of our con- fused society; flaunting selfishness, greed, bigotry, misogyny and indif- ference to poverty and illness, play- ing on hatred and fear. The seeds of the Third Reich were planted with the slogan, “Make Germany Great Again.” That was not so great. 2. Awakening a renewed com- passion to rectify this nightmare by resistance to this destructive agenda, and extend kindness to those less fortunate than we are. There is light on the other side of this darkness. TERRIE REMINGTON Astoria Schoolyard bully S ince this awful man, who seems to dislike us all, even his beau- tiful wife, became the leader of the free world, it’s the only time in my life when I can honestly say that I have hated being right. I knew what a jackass he would be. Once he won, I started hoping for the best, wishing somehow this overly enti- tled schoolyard bully would be chastened by the enormity of his task. That he would wise up, dis- play strengths we never knew he had, and pull something deeper out of himself. I’m desolate again to realize I was wrong. JOANNE RIDEOUT Astoria Anarchy and chaos ‘M ake America Great Again”? If the goal of Trump sup- porters was anarchy and chaos, they should be well pleased. The rest of the world continues to stare, mouths agape at Trump’s bullying, lies and atrocious behavior. His abys- mal treatment of the fourth estate makes one wonder what other debauchery he is trying to cover up. The man’s racism and bigotry has encouraged the same in people who strive to emulate him. Once some- one exhibits these traits, when their true feelings are unmasked, it can’t be unseen — causing more distrust and division, further tearing the very fabric of our nation. MARY SCHNASE Astoria Notice to Trump ‘B eware the Ides of Trump,” an acrostic poem Omen Notice to Trump … No. 1 — Gutting the Environmental Protection Agency. How can clean air, water, cli- mate make him Utter, “They’re Not necessary.” Deciding to redirect Planned Parenthood, Returning to times of no caring. Education … What’s that? Putting Devos in as secretary. Declaring that public lands And monuments are up for grabs. Yes, reopening the XL Pipeline through Sioux tribal lands, and Offering no moral reasons; only Follow the money without Thinking about our people, our land, our planet. Raising a border wall between Mexico and the United States: Immigrants are not people. And last, Mounting military Presence with North Korea. MARTHA WILLIAMS Long Beach, Washington The clown wins A merica, fed up to here with a corrupt, bought-and-paid-for political establishment in Washing- ton, D.C., elected a flamboyant and narcissistic huckster, famous mostly for being famous and ostentatiously flaunting the vast wealth he inher- ited from his dad. Given a choice between this evil clown and the status quo … well, of course they chose the clown. I think this says more about the state of our poli- tics than it does about the American people or Donald Trump. “When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become Presi- dent; I’m beginning to believe it.” Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) JOSEPH STEVENSON Astoria Apologies I feel the need to apologize to all the immigrants, especially Hispanics, in our community, for the additional stress and fear they are enduring due to our crazy politics. I know Trump and his policies scare you. They scare me, too. As a patriot, I find it deeply ironic that you are made to feel unwelcome here at the very time our country is in such need of what you bring to us: We need your sense of honor, your hatred of injustice and your corazon. We need your good cooking, too. JOSEPH WEBB Astoria Oblivious T rump is the most embarrass- ing leader of the U.S. I’ve seen in my 63 as a naturalized cit- izen. I mention that so he doesn’t try to deport me somewhere. He’s an aggressive, bullying, bombas- tic, hypocritical, misinformed, unin- formed boob. Pathological lying is his trademark. Nepotism, favoritism, and lucra- tive business deals for the presi- dency are the new themes of the White House. Apathy to the ecol- ogy of our country, as well as the rest of the world, are Trump’s themes. He is an elitist, bigoted, narcissist, oblivious to ever hav- ing had to live a normal working man’s life. TOM DENT Vancouver, Washington Pick up your game he first season of the new real- ity show “Washington Train Wreck” wound up last week with ‘The Donald’ still tripping over his own feet and spewing the same tired platitudes and incoher- ent tweets that initially made him a household favorite with TV viewers everywhere. Fans and world lead- ers wait and wonder: what crazy stuff will this nincompoop say or do next? Open up a casino in the base- ment of the White House? How about another war to spice up sea- son two — the four we’re fight- ing now are getting boooooring! Pick up your game Donny or we’re gonna change the channel. ALAN GRIMSTOCK Astoria T Long overdue I f liberty means anything, it’s the right to tell people what they don’t want to hear. Donald Trump has done exactly that. From his executive order ban- ning people from certain Muslim countries; to putting sanctuary cities on notice that they are breaking the law; slowing H1B visas where U.S. companies hire foreign over native- born and trying to secure our south- ern border. What he is doing is long over- due, regardless of what the left, and some on the right, say. Trump has done more for this country and the working class in 100 days than Obama did in eight years. ROBERT L. BOEHM Clifton