Grassley and Ernst must show courage

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, I am a U.S. Navy Medical Corps Vietnam veteran. When I see the president of the United States - someone who dodged the draft, someone you have stood by and made excuses for - salute our flag and stand next to Vladimir Putin and declare that he believes Putin over our intelligence agencies regarding Russian intervention in our elections, I get physically Ill.

Does no one have the courage to stand up to this man? When will you come out and tell him/us enough is enough.

Our children are watching. When the sad history of this man's betrayal of his country and the inevitable destructive consequences of alienating our allies, an unnecessary trade war, separating vulnerable children from their families; what will you tell your grandchildren? You did all you could? Untrue.

Democracy is a delicate thing that relies on fair and free elections, and in the USA is very ill indeed. To date, your silence and your weak rationalizations are facilitating this illness. For goodness' sake, use the power we have invested in you to take a firm stand against this man's self-serving lies, divisiveness and betrayal of his country before he tears our democracy apart.

Bruce Brown

Iowa City