Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

I ran over a snake today while riding my bike on the trail, and I can't stop thinking about it. I always watch very carefully for snakes, but I have to wear sunglasses because some of the trail is in the sun, and when I'm riding in the shaded part, it's hard to see more than a few feet in front of me. I'm going so fast that there isn't time to react when I see something.

The snake was about as thick as my thumb. If you've ever seen a snake skeleton, you know that the bones are quite tiny. My bike tires must have crushed the skeleton (in two places). I didn't stop when I ran over the snake, but I didn't see the snake on my way back, so it must have gotten off the trail. I picture it dying a painful death on the side of the trail.

Laugh at me if you want. I know that nature is red in tooth and claw and that predation is a fact of life for most animals. It's just that I don't like being the cause of death. This snake was minding its own business until I came along. But for me, this snake would be wending its way toward whatever destination it had in mind. I hope it survives somehow.

To the editor:

Once again, Bacevich has hit the nail squarely on the head. While the specific subject of this article is Syria, one constant of American foreign policy since the end of World War II is repeating the same strategy, over and over and over again.

While the current White House occupant has “diminished” our role in Syria (mostly for his own political advantage at home), if Joe Biden becomes the next president, no doubt the United States of America will reinsert itself in that quagmire.

Ultimately, it is the curse of all empires to maintain the status quo in both foreign policy and military matters. Sustaining your superpower persona overrides all other considerations.

It is what it is.

Bob Teigan, Santa Susana

Note from KBJ: This letter was written by Bob Teigan, the current spouse of his wife, the current occupant of his house, and a current living organism.

The Democrats, together with the corrupt Fake News Media, have launched a massive Disinformation Campaign the likes of which has never been seen before. They will say anything, like their recent lies about me and the Military, and hope that it sticks… But #MAGA gets it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020

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One of the most remarkable elements of Donald Trump’s acceptance speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention was the whistle. If you listened to the speech, I’m guessing you heard it. How could you have missed it? The speech was given at the White House and he simply could not resist the following:

“The fact is I’m here,” he said, and then continued, “What’s the name of that building? But I’ll say it differently. The fact is we’re here and they’re not.”

What’s the name of that building?

That’s right. The house is white.

Trump was saying: I’m white. You, my loyal Republican base, are white. We white people are here and “they” are not.

For some, it was a whistle. For others, it was a trumpet. But clearly it was Trumpist.

Jim Walsh

Nahant

Note from KBJ: If it's a dog whistle, Jim, then why do you hear it? Are you a racist?

Two years ago, when Texas had a lively Senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke, I saw dozens of yard signs in our housing development (Viridian). I used to count the signs during my bike rides to see which candidate was preferred by Viridian residents.

To date, I haven't seen a single Trump or Biden sign in Viridian, even though I ride almost every day. I wonder why. Has our politics become so antagonistic that people don't want to disclose their political preferences?

I myself am a Trump supporter. I wouldn't dare put a Trump bumper sticker on my car or a Trump sign in my yard. It would make me a target of the left-wing mob. Thank God for the secret ballot!

Not any more! https://t.co/7Z2wxA6K13

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2020

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