To the editor,
In a not-so ironic twist, it appears our self-proclaimed “law and order” president has become a supporter and spokesman for state-sponsored terrorism overseas. The plain facts widely reported provided from the onset lead me to believe that, our “ally,” Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Muhammed Bin Salman, in all likelihood is behind the brutal torture and murder of former Saudi royal turned critic Jamal Khashoggi. Or was it the “rogue killers” President Donald Trump speculated about, despite the videos showing reported Saudi agents in the airports and outside the consulate in Turkey?
We should care. Not least because Trump’s business associate is connected, but because it was a gross violation of human rights and an atrocity against a journalist living in the United States. It was an act of terrorism and a clear warning to other journalists. America used to stand against things like torturing journalists. Taking a stand against this would be one thing Trump could do to actually “make America great again.” But his demonstrated hostility to the press, and hence to the First Amendment, gives brutal rulers like Muhammed Bin Salman free reign to terrorize their critics across the globe.
I want to agree with U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who said it’s absolutely extraordinary that the President of the United States would run public relations cover for Saudi Arabia given the heinous nature of this crime against humanity. I wish it were extraordinary for the president to deny obvious facts. It is not. Then again, reality TV was never all that real either.
Lance Kazzi
Beacon Falls