Opinion: What Sen. Corker understands: Only Republicans can stop Trump

To the editor: Thank you very much for encouraging other Republican leaders to follow Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) in denouncing the president’s dangerous bellicosity. (“Corker’s colleagues must join him in calling out Trump’s recklessness,” editorial, Oct. 11)

I didn’t have many illusions that Donald Trump would make a good president, but even my worst fears did not encompass a man who could joke about starting a war or who could tweet insults to a deadly enemy.

Given their majority in both houses of Congress, Republicans are the only ones who can save us from a potential catastrophe by speaking out.

Glenna Matthews, Laguna Beach

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To the editor: Your editorial concludes by speculating that it may be foolish to expect that a forceful critique from congressional Republicans will force Trump to change his ways.

No force from any source will change Trump. You can’t change the stripes on a tiger.

I suggest that a more realistic method of controlling Trump would be for the president’s Cabinet secretaries to exercise Section 4 of the 25th Amendment and effectively remove him from power as soon as possible.

Trump should not be allowed to do further irreparable damage to the United States and the world.

Dan Herscher, Los Angeles

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To the editor: This editorial and another the same day regarding Harvey Weinstein speak truth to power and demonstrate why the free press is vital to providing that voice. Thank you for speaking out on behalf of those who have been trained to silence.

Both the current president and the movie mogul call to mind not only Lord Acton’s observation about power tending to corrupt, but another: “There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.” Yes, it is easy for those in positions of power to become intoxicated by their authority and see themselves above common decency.

Trump once remarked, “When you’re a star, they let you do it.” No they don’t; they are stunned by such improper behavior and recognize the damage that such abuse of power can inflict. It is the insidiousness of such action that taints everything it touches.

Bridget Tucker, San Bernardino

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