TO READERS: This collection of letters was updated Dec. 8, 2025, to add this correction: A Dec. 7 letter incorrectly described the professed political views of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist.
Let’s fondly remember Bill Knapp. No need to rope in Zohran Mamdani.
As I read Rekha Basu’s heart-warming tribute to my friend, Bill Knapp, I easily forgot that Rekha and I agreed politically on practically nothing. Her words flowed off the page of the Register and expressed a lot of what I felt about the hole left by the passing of the giant of a man, William C. Knapp. And I knew that Bill’s wife, Susan, daughter, Ginny, family, and legions of friends would appreciate the deserved accolades expressed by Basu.
Unfortunately, she was compelled to politicize her eulogy by including the mentioning of New York City’s soon-to-be Communist/Socialist Mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Basu has every right to espouse her exuberance over the mistake made by the voters of New York, but she should have saved those thoughts for a different day’s column. Even left-leaning Bill Knapp would not vote for a Communist.
Stu Bassman, West Des Moines
Trump policies hurt America
Do we make America great by refusing to send food aid to refugee camps and other starving people and by raising tariffs, both reducing the market for farmers lowering prices and discouraging them from buying implements thereby causing layoffs?
By villainizing hard-working taxpayers, breaking down their doors at night and dragging them off, terrorizing the family? Do we not know that children without parents are more likely to end up in prison and certainly in poverty?
Why are we surprised when someone who risked his life to help American soldiers in war, then spent years being hunted before coming here and certainly not welcomed, would become an assassin?
Do we make America great by gunning down small boats because we “said” they had drugs on board?
We depend on foreign doctors. Why do they have trouble getting citizenship and why do the brilliant kids they brought with them have to leave the country when they turn 21?
Helen Duncan, Cedar Falls
Democrats’ military video message was abominable, not to mention dangerous
Just when you begin to think Democrats are at an ethical bottom, they find a way to go deeper.
I’m referring to the Democrat-produced video “reminding” uniformed military members of their obligation to disobey unlawful orders. While I don’t know exactly what would constitute an unlawful order, clearly neither do they, as there was zero specificity.
First of all, the video is an insult to all service members (active or retired). As I recall, the concept of disobeying an unlawful order came up fairly early in basic training and I can’t believe my Army training on the subject has changed much in the past 50 years.
Secondly, the video’s mention of the post-World War II Nuremberg trials was a thinly veiled threat to retaliate against anyone who follows an order congressional Democrats don’t like. No one would ever be safe from prosecution. This is yet another result of Democrats’ mindless hatred of Commander-in-Chief Donald Trump.
Lastly, and most dangerous, is breaking the chain of command. No military can ever hope to succeed in any endeavor if subordinates question orders. The video refers to checking with a JAG officer for clarification of legality; what a joke if someone is shooting at you. Any hesitation in following orders will get people killed. The American military relies on the integrity of those issuing orders and proper training of those following orders.
I don’t know exactly what constitutes a seditious act, but common sense tells me that this video is more about insurrection than sedition. Democrats can never be trusted with power again.
Jon Johnson, Grimes
Democrats are out to sea on military discipline
As a former Democrat and former Air Force officer, I’m disgusted with those six Democratic senators advising active-duty personnel to refuse fighting on missions they think are illegal. If those on active duty followed such stupid advice, they might be court-martialed.
Max D. Isaacson, West Des Moines
One example worth following
I can’t be the only Iowan who noticed a sharp contrast in the pages of the Dec. 3 Register. On Page 2A, a story described President Donald Trump bragging, boasting, and commending an underling for possible war crimes.
In contrast, a story on pages 1A and 3A described the influence of Jay Holstein, a longtime teacher at the University of Iowa.
Holstein read to his students from Ecclesiastes, honored the values of humility and grace, and urged students to use their time meaningfully. We can be thankful that it was Professor Holstein who directly influenced thousands of undergraduate students.
Jean Thomson, Mount Pleasant
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fondly remember Bill Knapp, don’t make it political | Letters
Reporting by The Register’s readers, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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