Trump, slavery apologies and a peaceful Five Ways Island in 1942 – readers’ letters and archive memories

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Today’s drivers would scarcely recognise Five Ways Island, better known to many locals as Vine Island on the Stafford Road, looking this tranquil. Captured in 1942, long before it became one of the city’s busiest modern thoroughfares, the wartime junction sits remarkably still, dotted with vintage bollards, tram wires, and hardly a motorcar in sight.placeholder image
PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Today’s drivers would scarcely recognise Five Ways Island, better known to many locals as Vine Island on the Stafford Road, looking this tranquil. Captured in 1942, long before it became one of the city’s busiest modern thoroughfares, the wartime junction sits remarkably still, dotted with vintage bollards, tram wires, and hardly a motorcar in sight. | Express & Star archive

Donald Trump, slavery apologies and a tongue-in-cheek request to the Prime Minister feature in today’s letters

​Donald Trump has morphed

It is with great regret that the Don, in whom I had great faith at the start, has morphed into perhaps what he really was: a man drunk on power, believing, like some Roman Caesar, that all should obey his every dictate, no matter how foolish. He is a man who surrounds himself with bootlickers, fearful of his wrath.

The start filled me with promise. He was right on immigration. He was right that the West was not paying its way on defence.

Then came his tariffs, his pandering to the enemies of the West, and in particular to Putin. This has led to the emboldening of those who wish to destroy our democratic way of life.

His disastrous economic policies have affected America as well as the West.

His regular childlike outbursts tend to make one wonder whether he is in control of his faculties.

OK, so he can blame the war in Iran, but he conducted it. Yes, I agreed with weakening that theatre of evil, but surely the effect in the Straits should have been contemplated.

Finally, by his actions, he has let in the Left by allowing the Democrats to ensure he is a lame-duck president.

Even now, he cannot restrain himself:

"If it had been my name on the ballot paper, we would have won."

Alan M Etheridge, Sedgley

Others should also apologise

We all know that slavery was abhorrent throughout the ages, but why are we the only ones trying to apologise for our part in this evil activity?

Centuries ago, the Romans enslaved nearly half the world. Attila the Hun played his part over the years, and let’s not forget the Germans, who enslaved nearly half of Europe until they were defeated in the Second World War.

Kenneth Clibery, Lanesfield

Please can you pick us up Andy

Dear Prime Minister, Aunt Dolly, Uncle Norbert and I are flying to the Caribbean next month from Stanstead Airport in Essex. As this is very inconvenient could you arrange for the flight to pick us up at RAF Shawbury?

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

Fears for Boots

While I welcome a new Boots at St John’s Retail Park, I presume it will eventually lead to the very sad loss of yet another big store in the Mander Centre.

Cath Pickett​​​​​​​, Penn​

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