New World order

To the editor:

President Trump considers himself the smartest and most-admired man in the room. There have been numerous others over the course of history who believe themselves to be extraordinary: Among them Napoleon, Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler and Putin.

Let’s look at their accomplishments: Napoleon had Imperial dreams with the domination of Europe his end game and along the way millions of people died. Mussolini introduced fascism and look where it got Italy and its people. Hitler followed suit and millions of people died in Europe and Asia. Stalin’s trail of death and destruction needs no introduction, and Putin sees the return of the Soviet Empire as his end game and doesn’t care how many of his countrymen die and how much of Ukraine is destroyed.

The US version of the smartest man in the room has just unfriended Canada, Mexico, the Ukraine and Europe as a whole, while he threatens Panama and Greenland with invasion. While Making America Great Again, he is willing to wreak havoc on other countries’ economies with his thoughtless tariffs and at the same time does everything he can to remake the US into an imperialistic country in the mold of Russia and China.

He’s willing to do this as he takes a wrecking ball to our government. We are in uncharted waters. Judging from the outcomes of the other extraordinary men in history, I think we have much to worry about.

Rosalind Renouard

Bainbridge

Review still doesn’t get it

To the editor:

On March 4, the Bainbridge Island Review issued an “apology” for printing Christine Flowers’ column, “Not accepting Trans definitions not cruelty, just biology.

The headline, “It was insensitive of us to run Flowers column,” incensed me nearly as much as the Review running Flowers’ column. Insensitive? How about these three simple words: We were wrong.

Thank you to those who took the time to write letters expressing their disgust. I couldn’t have said it better.

I understand publishing differences of opinion, but hate is hate and lies are lies. They have no place in this paper or any publication. Alerting our community to agents of hate is one thing; being a megaphone for their voices without critical analysis is another.

A real apology acknowledges harm and articulates steps to prevent it from happening again. While the Review recognizes the damage, I urge them to go further: develop better judgment and commit to preventing similar egregious blunders. Discontinuing Flowers’ columns is a good start, but the paper must also pledge not to publish any content that amplifies hate and intolerance.

With Tyler Shuey stepping in as editor, I, along with many in our community, look forward to meeting with him—to listen, offer perspective and insight, and support his learning to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Jing Fong

Winslow

Apology disappointing

To the editor:

I am writing regarding the OpEd by Christine Flowers, published Feb. 28, and your apology published March 4, 2025. I was dismayed by her comments, and disappointed by your apology.

You apologize for hurting people’s feelings. But Flowers went further by spreading misinformation, negating the existence of people who are under attack by our country’s leadership. What about apologizing for not checking her facts about there being only two fixed genders? A quick Google search would have yielded information of the fluidity of gender, both biologically and societally.

What about apologizing for not acknowledging that you were promoting homophobia and transphobia by publishing a column that refuses to acknowledge the existence of trans people? I know two people who transitioned in their 20’s. They are your neighbors in Kitsap County. Your publishing the column contributed to the attack.

You say that a newspaper ”strengthens our community by giving voice to shared experiences, providing a sense of belonging, support and connection.” What about apologizing for using a column by a writer who isn’t even from Kitsap ? If nothing else, couldn’t you do some due diligence to find local residents who might be able to write for your publication? And, finally, what about having a strong editor who checks on what’s published, not to censor but to ensure that basic journalism standards of truth are met?

You say your “first step towards a more inclusive path is to discontinue Christine Flowers’ columns.” I suggest that your next steps should include a commitment to going much deeper, to familiarize yourself with the diversity of people who call BI home. There are a diversity of opinions, for sure, just as there are a diversity of identities, lifestyles, socio-economic circumstances. Diversity is the strength of BI. Learn it by immersing yourself in BI’s activities, not just observing them.

G. Maria Carlos

Bainbridge