Black on Trump

Re: An incomparable presidency, Conrad Black, Jan. 16

I read with interest and some incredulity Conrad Black's latest defence of his much maligned hero, Donald Trump. To suggest that Trump's “stylistic infelicities” can be dismissed as “rabid partisan snobbery” is beyond the pale. Trump's “infelicities” have undermined the integrity of American institutions, challenged the very value of truth over fantasy and denigrated the value of international co-operation. Regardless of Trump's achievements, he has left, in his reluctant departure, a country in moral exhaustion unlikely to regain that enviable American spirit that made it unique among nations.

I take particular offence of Mr. Black's support of the nonsense that the election was “rigged.” To interfere in the harvest (Black's word) of ballots in multiple states, criminally, effectively, covertly and simultaneously, would require the silent co-ordinated felony of many people, much planning, expertise and incredible good luck. It is so unlikely that such an insidious operation could occur without a “whistleblower,” in or near the conspiracy, as to make its success highly improbable.

Even more incredulous, is the argument that conspirators in Republican states such as Georgia and Arizona, both of which have Republican election management, could have access to and successfully co-ordinate a corrupt interference in such a tightly regulated environment.

Finally, I take exception to Mr. Black's contention that Trump's words at the rally on Jan. 6 were not inflammatory. “Be strong; take back your country” are a licence to act on passions inflamed by lies and justified by mob rule.

Mr. Black, sir, I accept that you are an informed and articulate student of history, but sir, in my opinion, you are misguided in your judgment of this simpleton. Donald Cassidy, Burlington, Ont.

Many would disagree with Conrad Black's assessment of Donald Trump.

For conservatives (and even some liberals) in America, president Trump as chief executive had a very successful term in light of his policies and accomplishments in immigration reform, energy procurement and self-sufficiency, climate realism, tax reform, Middle East diplomacy (where most everyone agrees), maintaining a conservative judicial system, to name just the few major areas.

At the same time, he will likely go down as the most vulgar and incompetent vindictive bully ever to hold that office.

Worst president ever? That's debatable.

Morton Doran, Fairmont, B.C.

To all the Trump haters in this country — and that includes a wide swath of the media — how is the new Commander-in-Chief working out for you? One of his first decisions in the Oval Office was to cancel the Keystone pipeline, the one that would have given thousands of much needed jobs to our people out West. Say what you want about Trump, but he approved this project. Biden and his ilk are super protectionists; they don't really give a wit about Canada. As for our own PM, he is probably secretly smiling since he never really wanted this project in the first place. Stephen Flanagan, Ottawa