Letters to the Editor by DALE SMITH

     Russia paid Afghan Taliban fighters a cash bounty to kill American soldiers and U.S. Intelligence was aware of this as early as February. The Trump administration has done and continues to do nothing to stop the Russians from still putting a price on the heads of America’s finest.

     This report and proof of payments made have now been verified by virtually every reliable news source on the planet. The White House claims that Trump was unaware. If you believe these claims, you’re probably among those who ingested disinfectant to prevent COVID infection as well.

     The answer to one or more of these questions uncovers the Trump administration’s culpability:

     Was it that Trump wouldn’t be interrupted from tweeting in order to read about U.S. soldiers being killed for profit? Was it that his advisers were forbidden to convey any anti-Russian message? Was it the fear that Trump couldn’t be trusted with intelligence he might share with Putin? Is it that Trump and his administration are lying about all of it?

     I’m a U.S. military veteran and I have never witnessed or heard of such betrayal of our troops by a commander-in-chief. This new disgrace comes after Trump abandoned our Kurdish allies to be slaughtered in Syria, allowing Russia to get a more firm foothold. We know that Trump plans to remove many of our troops from Germany, thus weakening NATO — Putin’s goal since the collapse of the Soviet Union. By inviting Putin back to the G-7, Trump is willing to normalize the Russian annexation of Crimea. The pattern of Trump doing Putin’s bidding is unmistaken, unending and unforgivable.

     Whether you’re on active duty, a veteran, a military family member or a patriot, you must see this as un-American and unacceptable. A strong America must have a new and trustworthy commander-in-chief!