To the editor: Even when solely at this level unofficial, President Trump’s transfer to rebrand the Division of Protection because the Division of Struggle disregards the damaging political impact it will have (“Trump govt order goals to rename the Division of Protection because the Division of Struggle,” Sept. 3).
His thought may be traced again to an earlier musing that Ukrainians mustn’t solely defend themselves but additionally take the offensive. The irony, in fact, is that he’s not offering Ukraine with the form of weaponry it might want to really mount such an offense.
Traditionally, each nation frames its struggle as a simply and “defensive” one — Putin himself described his invasion of Ukraine as a defensive measure towards Western aggression. However the phrase “Division of Struggle,” even when not explicitly conveying aggression, undeniably carries that suggestion. Phrases have penalties. It’s puzzling, to say the least, that our president would gratuitously attempt to make such a change.
Jack Kaczorowski, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Since Trump is so keen to alter names, I’ve a number of ideas to extend transparency and accuracy in naming: Change the Division of Justice to the Division of Retribution and the Departments of Training, Labor, Power, and Well being and Human Companies to Ignorance, Large Enterprise, Fossil Gas Improvement, and Sickness and Demise, respectively.
Whereas he’s at it, it is likely to be a good suggestion to name the Environmental Safety Company the Environmental Destruction Company.
Thomas Van Huss, Tustin
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To the editor: With Trump brazenly campaigning for a Nobel Peace Prize, making an attempt to rename the Division of Protection the Division of Struggle appears each weird and squarely on model.
David R. Ginsburg, Los Angeles
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To the editor: It looks like only a semantic problem, rebranding the Division of Protection because the Division of Struggle, however let’s face it: America now has 750 army bases all over the world. The protection price range is upwards of $800 billion yearly. All of this to maintain the peace and defend our nation? What number of bases does China have across the globe? How about Russia? Someplace round 21, largely in former Soviet states.
It’s onerous to think about our unprecedented give attention to the army not resulting in extra elective wars. Why have this gigantic army presence for those who by no means flex your muscular tissues? Division of Struggle? Sadly, it appears applicable.
Peter Marquard, Northridge
