To the editor:
The United States has spent some 70 years creating and fostering a trans-Atlantic alliance whose main purpose has been to halt or forestall any sort of Russian aggression. We did this through our membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a body that helped create a world order based on democratic principles like free elections, free speech and the pursuit of justice—and not the use of force.
Now, in a few short months, the current president of the United States has purposefully and wittingly abrogated those responsibilities. To any objective observer, it would seem President Trump has no inkling of the history or importance of our long-standing commitment to our European allies.
I am not sure whether it is just ignorance on the part of the president, which could be alleviated by listening to his experts on foreign policy; or if it is, to use the words of comedian Ron White, a case of “you can’t fix stupid.” Either way, the president has surely damaged our relationships with our allies and enabled Russia to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy.
Larry Little, Fullerton
