Lost in the noise of Mr. Trumps antics were some remarks given at the ceremony by Peter MacDonald, president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association:
America, we know, is composed of diverse community. We have different languages, different skills, different talents and different religion. But when our way of life is threatened, like the freedom and liberty that we all cherish, we come together as one. And when we come together as one, we are invincible We cannot be defeated. Afterward, the president of the United States referred to a sitting U.S. senator with a derisive racial slur in front of Native American elders that he invited into the Oval Office.
Attacks by government officials directed at minority groups and our free press are alarming warning signs; these attacks grow worse every week. Unchecked demagoguery precedes authoritarianism and autocracy. Our way of life is being threatened.
And yet Mr. Cole stands in the Oval Office with President Pocahontas, President Fake News, President Long-Form Birth Certificate, President Many Sides, Comrade Trump.
I suspect that Elder MacDonalds remarks were directed not at Mr. Trump, but squarely at Mr. Cole. I hope that he heeds them.
Nicholles Brooke
Oklahoma City
Rev. Patrick McAndrew
Oklahoma City
MSgt Daley (Letters, Kenneth L. Daley, Meaning of the flag, Nov. 15, Oklahoma Gazette), it is very sad and scary having men like you in our military, who do not feel our flag should be honored and protected. How many have died for what our flag represents? You and the spoiled, kneeling athletes only hold honor for their own selfish values and self-admiration. In time of danger to our nation, you would defect to another flag because your president is a Constitution-loving Republican? I suppose you would better enjoy the miserly freedoms of communism, socialism, totalitarianism or maybe even radical theocracy? MSgt Daley, remember when you were in our military and were not free to express your distorted interpretations of the words freedom, opportunity, respect, honor, injustice, etc.? Would you have fought for our safety and honor under President Trump? Your personal failures to obtain the equal opportunities you listed do not nullify the guarantees when applicable. The opportunities are there. We never promised you a rose garden. Myself, a 38-year E-7 USMC/Army retired, my 95-year-old WWII/Korea retired Navy pilot dad, and my four-tour Iraq/Afghanistan disabled son will enjoy our American freedoms and opportunities.
Michael Moberly
Oklahoma City