As for Trump, let it snow, let it snow
An election is not a football game, and government is not just continuous rivalry between two teams or clans, the Democrats and the Republicans. If that is how you see it, you have missed the whole idea of America.
Also, people who dislike the way things are going are not "sore losers" nor are they "snowflakes." (If you ever experienced a North Dakota blizzard or an avalanche, you would not underestimate snowflakes.)
The duties of a citizen are not limited to voting. Our First Amendment rights include peaceful demonstrations as one of many ways to influence government policies. The recent Women's March was the largest in our history. The vast majority of protests are peaceful, yet sensationalist media and many conservatives tend to focus on tiny, violent groups -- criminals, nihilists, or false flag operations -- that sometimes attach themselves to a peaceful protest.
Protesting citizens are plenty worried about what has transpired since the inauguration: contradictions, confusion and blatant, irrational lies. Continuing conflicts of interest. Appointees who are at odds with the agencies they will lead. A white supremacist adviser given more military authority than our top generals. A president who gives unwanted advice to world leaders and argues with allies on the phone, who shows disdain for judges (the third branch of government).
Republicans act like they have a mandate, without an iota of bipartisanship, even though Clinton won the popular vote by the largest margin ever for a losing candidate, and Trump won the Electoral College by only 77,744 total votes in three swing states. They have plans to abolish the EPA and the Department of Education. People see Republicans reveling in power but without workable plans to replace what they tear down. Millions dread losing their health care. Seniors worry that the right wing in Congress will dismantle Medicare and Social Security.
Our deepest fears concern nuclear war, runaway climate change and authoritarian government. Nuclear war would destroy the planet, not just the "enemy." At a certain point, climate change becomes irrevocable. Mr. Trump's demagoguery -- starting with the Big Lie of Birtherism -- his choice of associates, and his arrogant personality all remind one of dictators past and present.
So no, you haven't heard the last from us "snowflakes."
Coralie Koonce
Fayetteville
Giving the president a grade on performance
The public has been asked: "What grade would you give President Trump on his first month in office?"
As a retired school teacher, I feel qualified to assign "Tweety" (my term of endearment) the grade of kindergarten. Of course, I would stipulate he not be allowed building blocks, lest he build a wall to keep out the other kindergartners out of the playground.
Ross Sanchez
Bella Vista