Grateful there is a vaccine for measles

I am a senior lady who remembers having measles when I was 5 years old before vaccines were available. I was seriously ill and even had hallucinations from the high fever, according to my mother. It was awful.

My mother used to give us a daily dose of cod liver oil. I remember because I did not like the taste! I got measles anyway.

Vaccines have been a blessing for my children and now my grandchildren. Please vaccinate your children.

DIANNE SHORT, ROSWELL

Trump’s maddening world makes America dangerous

As Trump paused tariffs because carmakers asked him not to impose them on vehicles that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) because car prices would increase by 25%, his team leaders eroded confidence in America by cutting staff and overseas programs.

He laughingly goads Democrats with disdainful criticisms, providing a derisive role model for MAGA sycophants. Denying climate action reflects his ignorance. Starting tariff wars as he withdrew support for Ukraine. As he threatens American expansion — Greenland, Panama, even the Gaza strip(!) — he supports Putin’s effort to reclaim portions of Ukraine. Electing Trump introduced a maddening world. Trump’s claim that “woke” is dead in America is spot-on. Trump voters, wake up! You’ve unleashed a monster. And he’s proud of it. God did not save him to make America great. It’s made America dangerous.

BOB JAMES, ATLANTA

Veterans deserve a fully staffed VA

The efforts to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs by 80,000 employees who care for veterans is not something Abe would likely have done. When a veteran appears at the VA, they ask three questions. Did you serve in Southeast Asia (possible Agent Orange exposure)? Did you serve in the Gulf War (toxic smoke from burn pits)? Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune (exposure to toxic drinking water)?

Those three questions illustrate some reasons the VA is staffed up to handle the current problems some veterans are experiencing, which are attributed to their service. I did not see Musk or the current president when I was stationed at Camp Lejeune. When the current administration looks back on how it cared for today’s veterans, let’s remember who made America great.

DANIEL F. KIRK, KENNESAW

DOGE staff cuts are callous and cruel

All organizations need to be carefully evaluated periodically to ensure that they are operating effectively and efficiently. The DOGE operation is the opposite. It is haphazard and uses a meat axe rather than a scalpel. It is being conducted by 20-somethings who most likely have little knowledge of the missions of the agencies or how they are carried out.

It sometimes seems counterproductive, e.g., why cut employees at the IRS in the middle of the tax season? Because of the speed of its implementation, it disregards the crises it is causing in the lives of those affected. Let’s call that disregard what it is — callous and cruel.

JOHN TITUS, PEACHTREE CORNERS