Letters to the Editor: It’s time to stop embracing Russia and treat it like the threat it is

On July 26, I received a call from a local number that originated in Russia. Russia is continuing its effort to influence the political and social state of affairs of our country. At no other time in our history would our government let this happen. Why is the current administration allowing this outside meddling to continue?

What kind of country are we going to leave our children? A country that denies its citizens free speech. A country that denies its citizens the right to the religion of their choosing. A country that denies its citizens the right to a free press. A country that routinely lies to its citizens for the benefit of those in office. A country that seizes its citizens for noncriminal reasons.

This is happening now.

Edward Pacheco

Fountain Valley

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Why does congressman embrace Russia?

In mentioning the Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) Showtime spoof and his reluctance to attend a Feet to the Fire candidates’ forum, Daily Pilot columnist Barbara Venezia’s piece on July 26 does ask a salient question: “Will Rohrabacher ever answer some tough questions this election season?”

One of the most important for voters would be, “Why all the contacts with key Russian figures, including a bistro dinner with alleged Russian spy, Maria Butina in 2017, a 2015 St. Petersburg meeting with Butina and a Russian oligarch, and hosting an inaugural event in January 2017, which attracted several key Russian guests?” It’s good that Rohrabacher’s losing an early 1990s Cold War arm wrestling contest with Vladimir Putin didn’t count. One does wonder if he would beat Butina in such a contest.

Jim Hoover

Huntington Beach

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America must secure itself

There is not a day to waste when it comes to saving our democracy from Russian hacking. If nothing else, don’t we owe it to those who died at Pearl Harbor, and during the 2001 terrorist attacks, to mount an aggressive cyber response of our own? I’ll be anxious to see what Congress does next.

Denny Freidenrich

Laguna Beach

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