Your Say | Grading the Mueller report

Once he secured the presidency, all the national security agencies of the United States informed Trump as the president-elect of Russia's interference in the campaign in numerous ways: by hacking into the Democratic National Committee computer servers, by releasing false information through social media outlets, by attempting to hack into ballot machines, and other means.

Trump rejected the findings, saying he had spoken to President Vladimir Putin, who assured him that Russia did not interfere, and saying that he believed Putin. Consensus among many was that since Trump lost the popular vote by over 3 million votes, winning through the Electoral College process, he took his position fearing that an admission would infer that his presidency was illegitimate.

Trump underestimated the firestorm unleashed by his rejection of national security advisers and his taking Putin's word instead. There was an immediate presumption of wrongdoing shared by no less than half the nation, in turn unchecked daily news and further congressional and FBI investigations, while deeply dividing the nation.

Trump's consistent attempts at ridding his presidency of the yoke of possible wrongdoing have only made matters worse, creating further national division and suspicion. His insulting attacks on the press — dubbing reporting "fake news" and making derogatory accusations about the work of the nation's intelligence and investigating agencies as "witch hunts" — have given cause to accusations of collusion and obstruction imperiling his presidency and destroying his credibility.

Worse yet is his not accepting the continuing danger Russia represents to our nation's elections, the cornerstone of our democracy. That leaves us unprotected for another attack in which China may well join Russian subversive efforts.

The Wall Street Journal on Aug. 8, 2018, reported that the Senate Republicans blocked a $250 million election security measure amendment that would have provided cybersecurity and funds to replace outdated election equipment in states with such need.

For the sake of the nation and President Trump's presidency, it is imperative that the president instructs Senate Republicans that funds be immediately available and at all speed protect the nation before the 2020 elections.

Patrick Osio Jr., Chula Vista

San Diegans should be breathing a sigh of relief

On April 19, the day after the Mueller report cleared President Donald Trump of any Russian collusion, which should have allowed San Diego to breathe a sigh of relief, The San Diego Union-Tribune slogged away at its readers with articles, editorials and commentaries that berated the president.

From his documented comments to White House employees, to accusations questioning his moral compass, the Union-Tribune revealed its true venomous hate for this man. I'm fairly certain all presidents have said much worse to their employees and when it comes to a moral compass, well, just look at President Bill Clinton. This country is never going to heal if the media doesn't get over its hate.

Are you listening, Union-Tribune? We've had enough!

Dave Dowler, Valley Center

Mueller, some top Trump aides acted honorably

Two points jumped out at me after reading portions of the Mueller report. The first is that there are and were people who work(ed) in the administration who either refused, ignored or knew better than to obey fake President Donald Trump's bidding. They are not the toadies or suck-ups whom Trump is used to having around. Former FBI Director James Comey, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis and former White House counsel Don McGahn are but three who refused, ignored and knew better than to follow Trump's insane, illegal orders. Don McGahn put it best when he said, Trump was asking him to do "crazy (expletive)."

And it is because of their noncompliance with Trump's demands that he was not charged with obstruction of justice. Had the three followed through with Trump's orders he, and probably they too, would be facing charges today.

Now, Trump can either be thanking these true patriots for disobeying his wacky orders, thus saving his hide — Trump did throw in the towel saying he was "(expletive)!" when heard about Mueller investigating — or he can be fuming over their disobedience. The easy choice is fuming because that's what Trump does often and best. Acknowledging anyone for their service in keeping him out of trouble (although I doubt that was their motive) is just not part of Trump's character.

Any normal person would see that these three and others saved Trump from himself by refusing his directions. But since we all know Donald Trump is not a normal person, the only thing he sees is exoneration for which only he is responsible. He is blind to the fact that the report does not exonerate him but does state that the evidence was insufficient to confidently bring charges against him. And that is all due to the fact that some people didn't break the law and aren't going to break the law for anyone. Not even the president of the United States.

The second point is that it would be difficult at best to find a more fair special investigator than Robert Mueller. This report gives Trump the benefit of the doubt in every instance. It offers reasons for investigating, reasons for the findings and reasons for conclusions. Nothing was overlooked. Robert Mueller also showed deep respect for the Department of Justice policy that says a sitting president cannot be indicted. So he didn't. He did however leave open the door for Congress to pursue the matter further. Some have called this punting. Others say Mueller is passing the buck. I call it a fair and reasonable opportunity for our government to do its job. And all of this is documented in such a clear manner that even the everyday person, like me, can understand it.

It is now up to Congress to understand their constitutional duty to the American people and get to work.

Neil Proffitt, Oceanside

Impeachment process is chance to 'cleanse office'

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said the president "doesn't even have to be convicted of a crime to be impeached, if this body (Congress) determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role. Because impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office."

Of course, Graham was speaking not about the almost daily transgressions and outrageous behavior of Donald Trump but about the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Clinton clearly brought shame upon the office of the president.

But that was then. Graham is now one of the staunchest supporters of Donald Trump, a president who shows no respect for the laws and institutions of this country and embarrasses us in front of our international allies and foes alike.

Thankfully, the Mueller report did not find collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. But if there was no collusion, why did Donald Trump attack the special counsel, literally hundreds of times, over a two-year period? And why have there been multiple indictments and convictions of Trump's closest associates?

Trump's handpicked attorney general did exactly what he was hired to do: whitewash the Mueller report and deliver a finding of "no obstruction of justice." Barr stated that Trump was merely "frustrated" with the special counsel's work and therefore was within his rights to attack the special counsel process. Seriously? And now Trump and the GOP are doing everything in their power to shield the full Mueller report from the citizens of this country. What are they hiding?

I must be from a simpler time, when if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. To most citizens of this democratic republic, if something looks like obstruction of justice, sounds like obstruction of justice and stinks like obstruction of justice, it is obstruction of justice, even if it may not meet the legal requirements to prosecute the crime.

Trump's modus operandi is so well-known that we are becoming numb to it. Personally attack, bully and belittle your opponents; demonize the media for doing its job; continually lie about almost everything; create diversions so the public is constantly caught off-guard; and surround yourself with sycophants who will do your bidding, regardless of legality, common sense or common decency.

It is truly bizarre to me that Trump would have clearly been guilty of obstruction of justice if several of his underlings had not refused to follow his orders. Of course, Trump is now claiming all of these people who testified under oath are liars. Anyone who now works for Trump must have the following qualifications: They no longer know right from wrong or follow any commonly accepted standards of ethics or morals, but they must do everything to protect Trump and his corruption.

We should not forget that the Mueller investigation was first about Russian interference in the United States' political and election process. Trump denounced his own intelligence officials' unanimous assessment about Russian interference, instead siding with Putin's denial that Russia interfered. Why does Trump want to cover up what is becoming crystal clear to any interested observer?

Let's circle back to our dear Sen. Lindsey Graham, who once upon a time ago said, "Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office. You don't even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic." Let's get on with impeachment.

Elwood Miller, Rancho Peñasquitos

Think of Trump as a CEO and us as stockholders

Full disclaimer: We have not read the entire redacted report, but from what we have seen, it paints a very unflattering picture of Donald Trump and his henchmen. Trump may not have been found guilty of committing a crime, but only because his underlings belayed his repeated unlawful orders. This is not comforting.

It made us think about an example that we mere mortals could identify with.

Imagine you are considering an increase in your stock investment in a company. You read a due diligence report on the company. In the report, you learn the CEO tried multiple times to commit illegal acts such as insider trading, falsifying records, shielding income from taxes, lying to shareholders, cavorting with porn stars and multiple bankruptcies. The report goes on to say that he was only prevented from breaking the law because his senior managers refused to comply with his orders, thus saving themselves and their boss from lengthy prison sentences. At the very least, the report paints a picture of an unhinged megalomaniac untethered from reality and unfit to run a publicly held company. Is he a blithering idiot or a willing participant in illegal business practices?

Even worse, his fellow CEOs see nothing wrong with his actions. After all his company is profitable, isn't that the only measure that matters?

Do you want to buy more stock in that company? We wouldn't. Too bad we already own stock ... .

Bill and Suzanne Loeber, Del Cerro

Let us go forward with excellent governance

For days now we have heard every possible interpretation of the Mueller report, from "nothing there" to "impeach him." May I remind my dear fellow voters, this is propaganda. We sneer at other governments who remain in power as they spew propaganda to their citizens. It happens here by our corrupted and well-funded party systems, augmented by slanted press on either side and plenty of money.

I want to ask you one question, Democrats. Suppose Richard Nixon, when the tapes were discovered, had taken a hammer, bleach, whatever destructive tool was available, to destroy them. Would you have felt that behavior as innocuous as Hillary Clinton's mix-up with her computers?

And to the right: As mixed-up in allegiance as you are, your nose-in-the-air dignity is insufferable. "Unsuitable, unpresidential, so crude!" In our sex-besotted society, you sniff at the peccadilloes of one who never aspired to sainthood. He is an honest broker for the mores and feelings of much of American society. You offer me Dole, McCain, the Bushes? Trump is not presidential? Whatever the president does is presidential, and Trump exceeds in ability all of the above put together.

Trump offered another way, and we took the bait in 2016. He loved America, as a country with its own commitments, its own history, its own culture, religion and ways. Our own story. Many of us believe with him in strong border control, law and order, sensible courts, and states' rights up to but never refusing obedience to federal laws. We once fought a terrible war to establish these principles, and they should not be flouted for political advancement. Cry havoc? I say, cry treason!

So where do we go from here?

First, stop. Let us go forward with the excellent governance we have had for two years from our president in spite of the most destructive attacks against him. He is our duly elected president, and you may not overturn an election you do not agree with. Our first duty is to educate the illiterates in America including those who abide in our Congress as to this sacred duty of submission to election results, one of the standard bulwarks of democracy.

Second, gird up for the next election. Keep it clean. Fight with all your might, money and energy to convince voters your solutions are best. Change laws where necessary, but don't flout those in place.

Third, rigidly guard and protect our sacred right to vote. Make registration difficult, show a birth certificate, speak English. I would permit felons who have done their time to come back into society. Other restrictions are fine. If we can operate the worldwide web safely, we can do this.

Fourth, alert our citizenry as to how our society has been changed, not by an agreement of the majority, but by anointment of self-appointed elites who have twisted the meaning out of gender, marriage, rights. Money talks, as it should, socialists, but let it not in the future be determinative.

Patricia Sharp, Carlsbad