Tump, Putin have much in common; doodle dogs offended; support for Novstrup: Your letters

Aberdeen News

May 17, 2022 at 11:28 AM·4 min read

Trump, Putin have much in common

Quoting Oscar Wilde: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." With regard to Putin and Trump, who is imitating whom? They have so much in common. Putin won election in 2012, and by 2020 he had maneuvered himself into the presidency for life. In 2018, Trump stated that he himself should take a shot at becoming president for life. In 2020, he took his shot when he backed an insurrection. He failed, but he will likely try again.

Trump coined the term "fake news." Now, Putin is using the same terminology to deflect criticism about his Ukrainian war. Both men promote disinformation and hide behind false narratives. Putin recently shut down the independent press in Russia so as to spread his Ukraine propaganda on state-backed media. Trump has expressed much disdain toward American free press, referring to it as the "enemy of the American people." He has even talked about jailing journalists who disagree with him. Putin poisons his opponents. Trump promotes his own brand of aggression. At political rallies he has encouraged violence toward protesters: "Beat the crap out of them." In 2016, he said he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and get away with it. Putin imprisons his critics. Trump has called for his political opponents to be jailed without consideration for due process: "Lock her up."

Both men engage in scapegoating in order to rally support against false enemies. Putin cites his war against non-existent Nazis in Ukraine. Trump scapegoats multiple minority populations in an effort to foment division and hatred. Putin and Trump, an autocrat and a wannabe, seem to be working toward the same outcome: a world devoid of democratic ideals. The two love power more than country. A new MAGA ideology characterizes both men: Make America Go Away.

Rick Benting, Redfield

Novstrup is a man of integrity

Matthew 12:33 reminds us that a tree is known by the fruit it bears. This is important when it comes to voting in South Dakota. We want a candidate bearing good fruit!

Today, we'd encourage our friends to re-elect Al Novstrup to the South Dakota Legislature.

We will start off by saying thank you, Sen. Novstrup, for your strong pro-life voting record. Thank you for serving on the South Dakota Right to Life Board.

Al was Senate prime sponsor of House Bill 1217 in 2011 legislative session that forced the abortionist to allow pregnant mothers three days to reconsider the abortion. Approximately 15% of all women who request an abortion do not return to the abortionist after the mandated three-day waiting period. Hundreds of babies have been saved by HB1217.

We've known Al over 30 years. He understands that babies are a gift from God. His has a 100% pro-life voting record.

He is a family man, small business owner and a man of integrity.

We're so thankful we live in South Dakota. Vote for Al!

Ron and Carol Loeschke, Aberdeen

What-a-doodle comment offensive to dogs

My dog was offended by the derogatory term "wack-a-doodle" used by state Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown.

My Schnauzer-poodle, or schnoodle, along with labradoodles, cockadoodles, bernadoodles, goldendoodles and all other right-thinking poodle crosses, do not want to be associated with any branch of the current Republican Party. They are all wacky.

Robert S. Johnson, Moscow, Idaho

Novstrup serves for all the right reasons

I have served with Sen. Al Novstrup for the past six years in the state Senate. It has been a pleasure to work with Al as he serves for all the right reasons. Al cares about the future of our children and grandchildren. Al treats everyone with respect and gives every bill a fair hearing.

Al is an effective voice for Aberdeen and Northern State University. The Aberdeen community worked as a team to persuade the Legislature to approve a new school of business, a new Innovation and entrepreneurship center, and an accelerated nursing program and admissions offices. Al was a passionate and effective voice within this team effort. I would encourage a vote for Al Novstrup for District 3 state Senate on Tuesday June 7.

District 13 Sen. Jack Kolbeck, Sioux Falls

Why do Christians support Trump?

One of the sickest enigmas in politics today is the evangelical loyalty to one of the most evil men on the planet. Do they think that supporting this corrupt, lying, treasonous, repulsive, Putin-loving, democracy-hating despot will get them into heaven?

Can anyone imagine Jesus voting for a person like Trump? What books are those who can read reading? They'd be hard-pressed to find anything in the Bible that would justify their behavior.

Terry Painter, Rapid City

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Letter writers sound off on Trump, offended dogs, support for Novstrup

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