Of course Trump will leave if he loses in 2020 (which he won’t)

Trump will respect the process

I am disappointed, but not really surprised, that the Star-Telegram saw fit to print claptrap by John M. Crisp that another loose cannon, Leonard Pitts Jr., espoused a few weeks ago: Namely, that with the unlikely defeat of President Donald Trump in 2020, he would refuse to exit the White House. (March 13, 16A, “Will Trump go quietly in 2021?”)

This is the same hysterics tossed around by the opposition about President Barack Obama during both his terms. It ill serves the republic for either party to cast doubt on the legitimacy of an election for political gain, and by promoting it, the Star-Telegram forfeits the trust of the community.

Please, learn from world history

One country defeated by Germany in World War II was known for what one historian called its “people’s ineradicable love of political squabble.” It led to intolerance, bitterness and strife. Government officials were most concerned with staying in office and didn’t address the country’s problems.

These problems, together with worldwide economic difficulties, brought France to the brink of anarchy. Does any of this sound familiar?

We have extremists on the right and left vying to fill in the big gap, which continues to increase. The more divided we become, the more vulnerable we are to defeat. Who will be the winner? Russia? China? North Korea? Or will we implode?

We must think about what’s best for the country as a whole, not just one side, because we have enemies who want to see us divided.

Cause, effect, then cause, effect

The biggest problem for the Trinity River Vision Authority project may well be the leadership managing it. Its focus on Panther Island invites the kind of feedback and concern this project is getting.

The focus should be on why the solution being offered — a channel to form the island — is the best option to control flooding, which has been caused by urban sprawl over the 65 years since the current levees were built.

Woody Frossard, a Tarrant Regional Water District engineer, explained in a video that when you raise the levee system, it must get wider, too. That causes a host of problems, from utility relocation to private property acquisition. Raising the levee also means that about 16 bridges that cross the river must be rebuilt.

The channel solves the problem without levees — a better option, but only if understood by the public. The TRVA should concentrate its communication efforts on this fact.

Gallagher should have been caught

The arrest of William Neil “Doc” Gallagher, of Gallagher Financial Group, should have happened when he first operated as an unlicensed adviser starting in 2001. (March 14, 1A, “North Texan used religion to rope in Christian investors, steal millions, officials say”)

Radio stations that broadcast his show should be investigated by the SEC and FCC for permitting a unlicensed adviser and scam artist onto their airwaves. They should also be fined in the amount that Gallagher paid to broadcast his illegal advice. TV and radio stations, newspapers and others should be mandated to verify the credentials of any licensed professionals, including financial advisers, they give platforms to.

Let’s hope the debacle with this Dallas-Fort Worth-area version of Bernie Madoff never happens again. Gallagher’s $19.6 million in stolen money is enough.