We must uphold nation's standards

In 1940, after the fall of France, Great Britain faced the might of Nazi Germany alone. A desperate Churchill asked President Roosevelt for the loan of 50 old destroyers for the Royal Navy. Suppose FDR had let it be known that the destroyers would only be released if Churchill announced the opening of an investigation against Wendell Willkie, FDR's probable opponent in the 1940 election? That would be extortion. It would be a disgrace. Of course, FDR would never have engaged in such extortion. None of our presidents would have. Until now.

Today, Ukraine is in a war with Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed the Crimea by force. Russian troops, under the guise of being "volunteers," invaded eastern Ukraine to support a rebellion. Putin has the long-term goal of re-establishing the former Soviet empire. Like Britain in 1940, Ukraine is fighting for its life. Yet Trump conditioned release of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, on the president of Ukraine making a public announcement of an investigation of Joe Biden and his son. Extortion.

For most of my life, I was a Republican. Not anymore. I was against impeachment until Trump engaged in this attempt at extortion. We cannot let this pass without acting. We cannot let our nation's ethical and moral standards sink to Trump's level.

If you are still a Republican, why? The lies, the character assassinations and now, this. Are you really OK with it? I am proud to have voted for Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. None of them would have approved of Trump. Unless your ethical standards are as low as Trump's, you need to terminate your support for Trump and the Republican Party he leads.

Wiley W. Edmondson

Geneva