Dangerous to nation

I despair for our democracy. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects freedom of the press. The president frequently and vehemently ridicules and disparages news agencies whose reports do not mimic his messages.

Reputable journalists provide the nation with facts that have been researched and confirmed by two reliable sources. The president doesn’t like that. He wants to be the only source of information. He wants us to hear and believe only his self-serving words.

This is one of the most fundamental tactics used by those who seek autocratic power. The president refers to honorable news sources as “the enemy of the people.” Joseph Stalin used this phrase during his purges and murders of millions of people when establishing his power in the Soviet Union. It was used by Chinese dictator Mao Zedong to discredit his critics and maintain power. Again, millions died.

I don’t believe that the president would murder anyone, but he has expressed admiration for dictators who have been implicated in murder while he, both verbally and physically, has shoved long-standing allies of America out of his way.

Please refuse to accept from our president his disgraceful rude attacks on honest news sources. It is not amusing or entertaining. It is shameful and dangerous to our democracy. LYNN PACKHAM LARSON

Eureka Springs