Smith’s lack of leadership

Chris Smith shows his lack of courage and leadership again. By supporting the release of the “Nunes Memo,” Smith endorsed Trump’s attacks on the FBI and DOJ for political gain. This memo has been called inaccurate and misleading by the FBI, and runs counter to what is already public knowledge: the FBI was investigating Trump and Page before the Steele dossier, and received intelligence on Russian efforts from multiple foreign governments.

The memo will sow doubt about the FBI and make future sources less likely to cooperate. Its principal aim is to smear Rod Rosenstein, facilitating his removal and the installation of someone who will shut down the Mueller investigation. As congressional Republicans have shown they are unable to conduct a thorough inquiry, Mueller’s investigation is the only chance we have of determining questions of collusion and obstruction.

This is not the first time Smith has embraced Trumpian falsehoods. Smith accepted the idea of protesters as “paid agitators” during a radio interview last February. A common theme for Republicans last year, it broke into the mainstream when Trump retweeted a random individual’s claim from Texas. Everyone knew it was false, but once again, Smith played along.

The memo is a dangerously irresponsible attempt to mislead the public, and Smith seems willing to accept any harebrained idea to protect himself or the president. A 36-year congressman should know better.

Smith has a chance to set the record straight. He can support HR 3654 and HR 4669 to protect the Mueller investigation.

— Gregory DeLuca, Robbinsville

ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in August 1991, and Estonia has made remarkable strides.

Even though Estonia is a small country (17,504 sq. mi. of land) with about 1.3 million people, it is the birthplace of Skype, home to NATO’s cybersecurity headquarters, and a member of the European Union and United Nations.

Many Estonians fled from their homeland in 1944 to escape from advancing Soviet Union Communist occupation forces. As a result, people of Estonian heritage can be found throughout the world. Throughout central New Jersey are several thousand second and third generation Estonians that are proudly celebrating their heritage. In fact, the Lakewood Estonian House is still a big part of the local community.

Since 1952, the nationally elected Estonian American National Council (EANC) (www.estosite.org) has represented the interests of Estonian Americans. During the occupation years, the EANC played a key role in advocating for an end to the Soviet occupation of Estonia and the neighboring Baltic nations of Latvia and Lithuania, which are also celebrating centennials. We have been friends and allies toward other cultural communities such as the Ukrainians, advocating strenuously with success in helping their home land obtain lethal defense weapons upon the encroaching Russian military.

The Estonian American National Council urges all Americans to take time to reflect on our democracy and the freedoms that we cherish and to join in congratulating Estonia on its centennial.

— Matti Prima, Treasurer, Estonian American National Council, Lakewood, NJ