No conspiracy in assassination attempt

To those MAGA Republicans who think Donald Trump being shot at was some sort of conspiracy by President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats, may I remind you that the shooter did not come over the Southern Border, nor was it a woman, transgender or person of color. He was a white male and registered Republican living in a small town that’s 92% white. May all be reminded that when people encourage hatred, violence and chaos, it will eventually show up on their doorstep.

Doris K. Reed, Palm Desert

Re: "History has shown that we cannot be indifferent to our country's political future"

Thanks to Ray Smythe for comparing what led to fascism in Germany to what’s happening in America today. Many Germans were indifferent to events in the 1930s and believed Hitler’s lies, which led to the Holocaust. Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and author, wrote: “…indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor – never his victim.”

Pay attention before it’s too late. If we don’t reject it, Project 2025 and Trump in the White House again will lead to fascism here. Don’t say “it can’t happen.” Nazis banned and burned books; book bans have started here. Nazis sent Jews, gay people, Roma, Catholic priests, and disabled people to concentration camps; Project 2025 and Trump call for doing just that.

Please don’t be indifferent. Do research on how fascism rose in Germany. Donate and volunteer to elect candidates that don’t support Trump’s lies. On Nov. 5, reject Trump and his far-right, fascist agenda. French and British voters just did. We can too.

Dori J. Smith, Palm Desert

Attacks on democracy come in many forms

The Desert Sun’s lede July 15, declaring the attempted assassination of the former president that read “An Attack on Democracy” was accurate. That said, the headline lacks context. The deadly mob attack on our Capitol encouraged by the former president to overturn election results, his statement that he would be a dictator on his first day if reelected, his failure to acknowledge free and fair election results, the attack on democratic goals contained in Project 2025 which will guide his presidency (if elected) – are all attacks on democracy. That should be remembered when the presidential hopeful and admirer of dictators tries to wrap himself politically as a defender of democracy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thank God the assassin's bullet missed and pray that the winner of the next election doesn't kill democracy itself.

Richard Leslie Brock, Indio

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: No conspiracy in assassination attempt