Worried about the state of the environment under Donald Trump? Here’s how to help | Opinion

Protect our environment

“In the era of Donald Trump and wildfires, do environmental rules even matter? | Opinion,” (modbee.com, Jan. 29)

Once again, our air, water, soil and protected national parks and lands are under attack by President Donald Trump.

During the last four years, much of the damage his administration caused to our environment was repaired by hard-working environmental groups. Now, Trump has openly vowed to remove safeguards and laws that exist to protect our environment as a thank you to big industry for their contributions to his presidential campaign.

We are at the point of no return: If any further damage is done to our environment, it will be impossible to repair — not only for our survival, but for all future generations.

Please join or contribute to an environmental group that will fight for and help protect our precious natural lands and resources during the next four years and help stop Trump from further destroying our environment.

Ken Westervelt

Modesto

There’s hope yet

“Donald Trump’s 2025 Inauguration Speech: Read the Full Manuscript Here,” (modbee.com, Jan. 20)

We now have a man whom investigative reporter David Cay Johnston called “the greatest con artist in the history of the world” as president. According to Timothy Snyder’s book, “On Tyranny,” Donald Trump’s lie quotient rose every year he was in office, reaching 27 lies a day in 2020.

Sadly, many people were led astray by the endless repetition of these lies. Now, this time around, many billionaires and multi-millionaires will take advantage of the Trump presidency to remake the rule in their favor and pay even less taxes. Add in self-seeking Supreme Court Justices and Trump’s destructive orders, and the futures of our country and planet become monumental concerns.

Yet, there is hope: Add up all the honest, ethical and charitable members of our society, and reflect on their steadfast goodness — the help given to and for each other. Together, we may gather the courage to oppose tyrannical orders and never give up the fight for freedom and truth.

Diana Doll

Modesto

A lesson in peace

“Merced unity march honors MLK Jr.,” (mercedsunstar.com, Jan. 20)

The annual Peace and Unity March in Merced to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a joy to see and participate in. To be a part of the well-represented diversity of Merced was beautiful, meaningful and moving. This year’s event was well attended, well organized and a lesson in peace.

Merced’s Martin Luther King Jr. Committee Chairperson Tamara Cobb and her team did an excellent job organizing and carrying out what had to have been a huge endeavor. Kudos and many thanks to those who worked to create such a memorable morning.

Many thanks also to the Merced Police Department and the community groups, civic groups and speakers who marched in or otherwise took part in the event. Thanks also to Club Mercedes, who provided food for children, and to the many groups and people who donated and made their spaces and services available at little or no cost.

I, for one, am greatly appreciative of how our community came together to make such an important statement at such an important time in history.

Pamela Merritt-Bennett

Merced

Budde’s courage

“Thousands Sign Christian Petition Backing Bishop Who Confronted Trump,” (modbee.com, Jan. 26)

I would like to thank Bishop Mariann Budde for her courage and honesty in saying what so many of us are thinking during this very difficult time in our country. While her words certainly fell on the deaf ears of President Donald Trump, it was gratifying to watch as the entire Trump family sat through an expression of concern, love and truth delivered calmly by the cleric in the pulpit.

Clearly, she had divine guidance in the matter, and the result was of great importance to our nation. This is what leadership should look like.

Scott Turner

Modesto