Opinion
What’s Left When the Smoke Clears?
Threatening our own federal workforce, ignoring the law, threatening tariffs, threatening migrants, threatening women — threats, threats, threats — made voters cheer, Congress irrelevant, and the courts complicit. Wow! It has been, if nothing else, an education! We are living through a repeat of history. Will the suckers and losers please speak up?
And, so they did: Give ’em up, folks! Your personal data, your money, your nuclear secrets, your oil, your minerals or — your internet! The attempted humiliation of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy last week was an embarrassing made-for-TV smoke bomb. Reuters had already reported their plan for ending the Ukraine war and recovering our investment: Threaten them (of course) — Their minerals or their Starlink service.
But no pressure! If Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy isn’t interested, Putin reportedly made his own offer to sell us Ukraine’s minerals as soon as he gets them.
Clever! Aside from ethical and moral objections, our Constitutional framework, and the extortionist vibe, what’s wrong with exchanging a few natural resources for military weaponry?
Starlink provides military communications services. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SpaceX, the only internet company launching its own communications satellites, sending up hundreds of them to create a linked meshwork around the globe, enough to cause concern among scientists about light pollution and space debris! Massive US government contracts have contributed financially to this marvel of technology, embedding it into our national security. Meanwhile private companies are free to create serious competitive pricing stress on local telecom companies in other countries as well as our own. With this unregulated and monopolistic global power, have Starlink and SpaceX paid US taxes on their enormous earnings or are US taxpayers going into debt unfairly in their service?
We may never know. The owner, Elon Musk, is securing his future by firing thousands of our federal civil servants and rummaging through our confidential and classified databases. If this all seems justified, amusing, or unimportant to you, for tax cuts — stop!
After what we saw last week versus what was previously reported, one might ask: Who is the real puppeteer? Good businessmen don’t fire mission critical employees, blow up materials contracts, destroy their accounts receivables department, step on their boss in public, sell trade secrets, or throw diplomacy to the wind.
Does this heist come with a threat to pull our internet?
C.A. Wulf
Warren County
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the letters published on this page are solely those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Royal Examiner’s editorial team, its affiliates, or advertisers. The Royal Examiner does not endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any statements made by the authors. The Royal Examiner has not independently verified the statements and claims presented in the letters. Readers are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and critical thinking skills when evaluating the content. Any reliance on the information in the letters is at the reader’s own risk.
While the Royal Examiner makes every effort to publish diverse opinions, it does not guarantee the publication of all received letters. The Royal Examiner reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length, and adherence to editorial guidelines. Moreover, the Royal Examiner does not assume any liability for any loss or damage incurred by readers due to the content of the letters or any subsequent actions based on these opinions.
In submitting a letter to the editor, authors grant the newspaper the right to publish, edit, reproduce, or distribute the content in print, online, or in any other form.
We value the engagement of our readers and encourage open and constructive discussions on various topics. However, the Royal Examiner retains the right to reject any letter that contains offensive language, personal attacks, or violates any legal regulations. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community of readers and contributors, and we look forward to receiving your diverse perspectives on matters of interest and importance.