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Despite Trump’s liesUkraine support critical
President Trump has escalated his attacks on Ukrainian President Zelensky, calling him a “dictator without elections” and urging him to negotiate with Russia, claiming Zelensky “better move fast or he’s not going to have a country left.”
This follows Trump’s false claim that Ukraine started the war and his incorrect assertion that Zelensky’s approval rating is “down at 4 percent,” while polls show 57% support him. Trump also misstated U.S. aid to Ukraine, claiming $350 billion, while the actual figure for Ukraine’s defense is around $183 billion, with most of the money going to U.S. weapons manufacturers.
Zelensky responded by saying Trump is “surrounded by disinformation.” Trump’s remarks have alarmed European and U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who emphasized that Vladimir Putin is the war’s instigator. It is vital that the U.S. continue to support Ukraine’s democracy.
Jag SinghLos Altos
USAID bomb clearingmust be restarted
In January, the United States froze all overseas funding for the government agency United States Aid for International Development (USAID). Among other humanitarian projects, this freeze shut down the clearance of land mines and unexploded bombs all over the world. These devices remain decades after military conflicts end.
Taking Cambodia as an example. The United States dropped approximately 500,000 tons of bombs on that country. Also, multiple parties to Cambodian conflicts laid land mines. From 1979 to 2024, unexploded devices killed nearly 20,000 people and injured 45,000.
On Feb. 13, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to lift funding freezes and continue payments to USAID projects. It is unclear what the Trump administration will do next and how USAID will function. Especially with this uncertainty, I urge readers to contact senators and Congress members to restart explosives clearance in Cambodia and other affected countries.
Susan HarttSan Jose
It is vital that we takeback our country
Many farmers, especially in the farm belt and California, are worried about their workers being deported. How will they replace them? Fewer workers mean costs go up and farm production down.
Countries that U.S. farmers used to sell to will purchase their farm products elsewhere, especially excess grains and dairy — a loss for the U.S. farmer.
How will the U.S. consumer feel about continued increases in their food costs due to tariffs, when they aren’t happy now?
What will happen to the U.S. Farm Bureau, its loans on crops and subsidies to farmers? Is it an obsolete bureau to Elon Musk?
Seniors, Medicare, Medicaid — cut?
A broken government is anarchy, all bets off for the citizenry, only the oligarchs win — not you, not me. Pray we don’t lose our democracy and freedom.
The writing’s on the wall. Take our government back. Everyone, in all states, better think before they vote next time.
Marguerite SinnettMorgan Hill
Assisted living could beright call for seniors
I was in health care and considered myself invulnerable. I walked, biked, exercised and drove, forgetting that I was 83 years old and not immune to aging.
I was awakened and felt uneasy one night, so I called an Uber to the ER. They admitted me with a very high heart rate and kept me for a day and a half.
My wife and I received tremendous support from our family while transitioning from independent living to a setting where managing a home would be taken care of for us. This change would also enhance our safety. The wealth of socialization with peers who have navigated aging in various environments and backgrounds is a significant asset.
Considering the objectives we set out to achieve, it was a great decision.
We highly recommend that aged friends consider this choice.
Kohli SinghSan Jose