Refugees do not have right to U.S.

The world is getting crazier. Us older guys remember another country. Reared on cowboy movies and tales of frontier heroes, we came to expect national unity, patriotism, linear thinking, a rule of law and — where necessary — actual justice.

Not anymore. Total absurdity has become the order of the day, and one of the greatest examples we see every day is the idiotic assumption by so-called “refugees” that they have a right to come here; it is our duty to take them in, support them, and tolerate whatever behavior their particular culture or religion practices. According to them, we exist to serve them, and they have a moral and legal claim to our country.

Thank God for Donald Trump. He came along at precisely the right moment in history.

RON SLADE SR., COVINGTON

Trump threatens democracy, freedom

I am a Cuban immigrant. I’ve been in the U.S. since 1964 and have been a citizen since 1969. I have never been politically active even though I voted in every election. This is borne out of my Cuban origins: fear and distrust of government, it is safer to keep a low profile, “to fly below the radar.”

But I can no longer do that. I see everything that I value about America at risk. I find this climate of racism, sexism, religious and national prejudice shocking.

When I first came to the U.S., I thought Americans were the warmest and most welcoming people in the world. They did everything to make my assimilation easy and problem-free. I now fear for the future of democracy.

The current president swore to uphold the Constitution yet he is in violation of the emoluments clause. He is threatening the First Amendment by trying to silence the press, political and citizen opposition. He is abusing executive powers and displaying the dictatorial tendencies that characterized his business career. Americans’ personal freedom and the principles of democracy throughout the world are at risk!

This is how it starts — rise up America, before it’s too late.

MARY CAMACHO SMITH, MARIETTA

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