To the editor: President Trump has all the time understood that energy in fashionable politics just isn’t merely exercised; it’s carried out (“Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela after capturing Maduro in audacious assault,” Jan. 3). His cultivated unpredictability on the world’s stage capabilities much less as coherent international coverage and extra as spectacle, a posture that performs on to a phase of his base, together with white nationalist supporters who equate dominance with nationwide revival. On this worldview, diplomacy indicators weak point, restraint invitations exploitation, and volatility itself turns into proof of power.
For these supporters, there’s a visceral thrill in watching the US act as a geopolitical bully — loud, erratic and feared. The purpose, not less than politically, just isn’t strategic achieve however emotional payoff. Chaos turns into proof that America is now not constrained by guidelines or norms, and that energy has been reclaimed by pressure of will alone.
The prices, nonetheless, are profound. Worldwide stability depends on predictability, belief and alliances that deter battle earlier than it erupts. When the US embraces belligerent uncertainty, it doesn’t cow adversaries into submission; it galvanizes them. Anti-American sentiment hardens, alliances fray, and extremist teams achieve a robust recruiting narrative constructed round grievance and resistance.
That is the place unpredictability turns harmful. Instability overseas will increase the probability of uneven retaliation, together with terrorism. These assaults then validate the very narrative that produced the instability within the first place: a nation besieged by enemies and justified in escalating pressure. The cycle feeds itself.
We enter a interval the place intimidation replaces management, and spectacle substitutes foresight.
Mark Wyatt, Greenacres, Calif.
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To the editor: Traditionally, American navy motion got here after assist from a coalition of the prepared was obtained. That meant collaboration with and/or endorsement of our allies. That definition has undoubtedly modified to now imply “the coalition of the prepared American sycophants” of Trump: Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Nationwide Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, Joint Chiefs of Workers Chairman Dan Caine, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, Deputy Chief of Workers Stephen Miller and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Apparently, not even our elected representatives within the U.S. Congress are included or trusted in discussing, formulating or approving insurance policies of invasion.
Trump’s international coverage was referred to as “America First.” Clearly, what that meant was “America solely.”
What’s left of American and worldwide regulation that this administration received’t violate with impunity? I assume solely time will inform.
Joel Pelcyger, Los Angeles
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To the editor: That is paying homage to U.S. forces’ seizure of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989 below President George H. W. Bush. Noriega was charged with varied violations just like these dealing with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and tried and convicted right here, after which tried and convicted in France and Panama as effectively.
We should always let this example play out in our justice system as that one did. Let’s see the outcomes with out partisan interference.
Marcus Kourtjian, Northridge
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To the editor: Little question, Maduro has inquiries to reply in his personal nation, however Trump is appearing like an more and more reckless and lawless dictator himself. He’s the one who needs to be in jail.
No matter is happening in Venezuela just isn’t our drawback to intrude with, particularly with such absurd and possible unlawful measures. There are numerous methods to affect insurance policies in different international locations in need of navy seize of a sovereign nation’s chief. The notion that Trump can “run” Venezuela is outrageous.
Trump claimed for years that it needs to be “America First” and we shouldn’t be concerned in international wars. But now, regardless of not having served jail time for his personal felony convictions, he’s going after supposed criminals in different international locations with flimsy rationale, no congressional sanction and brazen use of measures which were broadly criticized as unlawful.
TR Jahns, Hemet
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To the editor: Ignore the pretextual rationales for beginning a conflict. It’s the oil, silly.
Robert Campbell, Palos Verdes Estates
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To the editor: Regardless of what Trump says, the nation and world doesn’t want extra oil, from Venezuela or elsewhere. The planet continues to heat alarmingly from the burning of oil, which specialists predict will result in environmental catastrophes compromising our well being, meals provide and property.
The options to burning oil are already in use and have to be expanded, however Trump and his administration’s fixation on burning and making merchandise from oil are main us down the fallacious path.
Matthew Hetz, Los Angeles
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To the editor: What are we doing about this? Are we calling for emergency conferences of all our political teams? Are we asking for city halls to satisfy with our representatives so our communities can share their opinions, and the representatives can current their choices and promise to behave on all of them? Are our grassroots political teams lobbying in particular person? Are they writing and calling our representatives, each on behalf of the teams and individually? Are they calling for boycotts? Are there protest marches taking place the place they’ll be most impactful? We have to do one thing.
Gloria Valladolid, Ojai
