Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Greenland, Venezuela, 'Donroe' doctrine

It is no surprise that five years since the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Republicans ignored the date and what transpired after President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol, while Democrats observed it and reminded Americans about the horrendous and heinous actions of Trump supporters on that day, whom he subsequently pardoned [“5 years after Capitol riot, views differ,” News, Jan. 6]. It is time for all Americans to wake up and look at the video with open eyes to see the reality of one of the worst days in America, caused by Trump’s inability to accept losing a fair and just election to Joe Biden.

Ironically, also in Tuesday’s Newsday, in This Date in History, we learn that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his 1941 State of the Union, outlined his goal of “Four Freedoms”: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Two different presidents on the same date, Jan. 6. Which one made America Great?

— Sandy Cohen, Hauppauge

We are marking today with five years of horror and shame!

We all saw with our own eyes and heard the assault on humanity and our democracy.

Since that day, there has been a consistent effort by far too many Republicans to convince us that we should not trust our own senses and believe the false and absurd narrative that they present.

It is time for citizens to go back to trusting themselves and not giving our power over to people who do not have our best interest at heart. Mob mentality not only exists in action, but in thought!

We must be free thinkers and not follow anyone or anything that is obviously misleading and ill-intentioned. This, sadly, is not the only time there are those that want you to believe them, not your own eyes and ears.

— Brenda Ferrante, Lindenhurst

I read with disgust about the Long Islanders [“14 current and former LIers clear since pardon of Jan. 6 charges,” News, Jan. 6] who were pardoned for their actions on Jan 6. I wonder if Trump supporters believe the pardons were warranted. It seems the rules of right and wrong have been turned upside down.

The fact that the GOP does not show the respect to recognize what happened that day is shameful.

— Teresa O’Halloran, East Islip

I was so glad to open the paper and see the names of those from LI that took part in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, which injured those defending the Capitol. Hopefully, those names will be published every year for all to see.

— Barbara Bolger, Bayport

Greenland, Venezuela, the ‘Donroe Doctrine’

Greenland is a territory of Denmark and has been for a long time. Denmark is a member of the NATO alliance. The Trump administration’s imperial ambitions have now threatened Denmark [“Allies, foes oppose U.S. intervention,” News, Jan. 6]. Article 5 of NATO states that an attack on one is an attack on all. It has been invoked only once, when all of NATO supported the United States after 9/11.

Denmark should be prepared to ask NATO to invoke Article 5 against the United States should Trump follow through on his threat against Greenland.

— Jack Bilello, Massapequa Park

The United States should enter into an agreement to lease property from Denmark for 99 years for its Greenland military base, for protection under NATO [“Europe leaders back Greenland sovereignty,” Nation & World, Jan. 7]. This would be a face-saving proposal for both nations, and security for the Western world. Just be sensible.

— Vincent Pascarelli, Mastic

In the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” that the Republicans in Congress passed and President Trump signed last summer, there was no money to extend urgently needed subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. There were also cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. But there seems to be endless money available for military operations in the Middle East and now South America [“Is there a plan for Venezuela?,” Editorial, Jan. 6]. Venezuela, for all its problems, is not a serious threat to this country. Affordability, climate change, and infectious diseases are. We don’t need more oil, we need renewable energy. And we need affordable health care for our citizens, not a return to “gunboat diplomacy.”

— Carla Samodulski, Hicksville

According to Trump, we are now following the “Donroe Doctrine.” Do not, for one minute, believe that he said this in jest. Realize, as well, that he definitely has been following the “Donstitution,” rather than the rules of law upon which America was founded.

— Sherry Eckstein, Huntington

Correction: One letter inaccurately referred to those "killed and injured" defending the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It has been corrected. At least five people died in the riot and its aftermath, one of whom was Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. He died after battling the mob, but a medical examiner found his death was from natural causes. More than 140 law enforcement officers were injured.