Words matter much
Regarding “Disclosure of possible campaign collusion comes as Comey rejects wiretapping claim” (Page 1, March 21), recent White House contortions explaining what President Trump meant by “wiretap,” combined with statements by the FBI director as well as the House and Senate Intelligence Committee chairs that there is “no wiretap evidence,” reaffirms what Democrats and Republicans have known for many months: Richard Nixon notwithstanding, for the first time in modern history — perhaps the first time ever — we have a president of the United States whose words mean anything and therefore absolutely nothing.
Trump has little credibility. He cannot be trusted to speak truthfully, accurately and consistently. He seems totally unaccountable for his discourse. This is an extremely dangerous state of affairs. If we cannot take the commander-inchief ’s words literally, and if Trump and his surrogates interpret and reinterpret his words after the fact to mean anything they desire, where does that leave our ability to communicate and govern? At this point, why would or should anyone, whether foreign leaders, members of congress, citizens, etc., believe or count on him?
The only question remaining is: How long will we ignore, excuse and permit Trump’s irresponsible and unethical rhetoric to persist?
Richard Cherwitz, Austin