The Rev. Robert Moore, Princeton
To the editor:
Recently, we’ve seen the media talk about Donald Trump as a sexually aberrant individual, and as the biblical Samson, chained to the Republican temple, bringing its walls down around him. Bad as these things are, they miss the central point of keeping the United States free and safe, and preventing the greatest existential threat — the use of nuclear weapons.
Mr. Trump has asked CIA briefers: “If we have them (nuclear weapons), why can’t we use them?“ And yet, numerous prominent Republicans have endorsed him, even though they agree he should not have the most sobering and awesome presidential power of all: being able to single-handedly order the use of U.S. nuclear weapons.
As we know, Mr. Trump has also said that perhaps Japan, South Korea, and even Saudi Arabia should obtain their own nuclear weapons. Would Mr. Trump be willing to sell them materials to make nuclear weapons? After all, this could cut the deficit. Or would he approve Russia selling them nuclear materials? We just don’t know.
Pennsylvania’s Sen. Pat Toomey and New Jersey’s Rep. Scott Garrett have tried to have it both ways — distance themselves from Mr. Trump’s excesses in behavior, but ignore the existential threat that Mr. Trump poses on nuclear use, and nuclear proliferation.
These are but two examples. The Republican Party’s leaders need to decide if their priority is the United States’ safety from nuclear weapons, or for a Dr. Strangelove foreign policy. They have less than a month to decide, before the voters decide it for them.
Readers wanting more information are invited to view Presidential and Senate Peace Voter Guides comparing the candidates on such issues by visiting peacecoalition.org.
The Rev. Robert Moore
Executive Director
Coalition for Peace Action
Princeton
