PORTLAND: Trump should see its reality

Trump’s effort to militarize our cities is both unconstitutional and based on out-and-out lies about ‘terrorists’ and ‘rampant violence’ occurring. 

Trump should go unannounced and incognito (because announced would cause a disturbance, no doubt) to Portland. Tour the zoo area, the riverfront areas, and each residential and commercial area. 

He would find Portland to be much the same as most metro areas. Busy, happy people going about their business. Kids in school, people enjoying strolls on sidewalks, or in a neighborhood park. Thriving businesses, both retail and commercial. 

Of course, they have some problems, and less-fortunate areas. Humans are humans! When you have several million of them domiciled in a relatively small area, you have some of everything. It is impossible, even with adequate law enforcement, to have a perfect or even near-perfect metro area. 

How do I know this about Portland? I have a son who has lived in Portland for 30 or more years. I have also lived on the Oregon Coast and driven to and through Portland hundreds of times.

JOHN MUSHLITZ

Coeur d’Alene