Who’s the troll?

Re “Obama’s trolling miscalculation,” Opinion,” Sept. 20

President Obama is a troll — really ? Jonah Goldberg’s always been provocative (that’s sort of his job I suppose) and a bit wacky, but now he’s gone overboard.

To blame the president for the rise of Donald Trump is flat-out ridiculous. It’s Goldberg who is trolling, not Obama.

This is one of the farright’s favorite tactics: to smear their opposition by accusing them of exactly the behavior or tactics that they themselves have been using. Mike Greene

Tustin

Clearly, Obama’s addiction to appearing hep and cool often gets in the way of communicating with his constituents. Snarky smirking is not the best way for him to communicate his message. Celeste Whitlow

Arroyo Grande

According to Goldberg, Obama — with his calm reason and determination to do his job when members of Congress will not do theirs — is deliberately provoking conservatives and therefore is responsible for Trump’s outrageous behavior and ascendency.

Goldberg offers no mindreading credentials or work history as a soothsayer, so I know readers would appreciate that information to fully appreciate the validity of such assertions.

Interestingly, though, his mind-reading apparently does not extend to shrieking, unreasonable fools. Lorraine Feuerstein

Moorpark

Ah, Jonah, Jonah, Jonah. I had to read your opinion piece twice to get your little joke. Obama’s apparent trolling is responsible for the rise of Donald Trump?

Ah, but wait. I retread your definition of trolling: “an [internet]term for saying outrageous things in order to elicit an even more outrageous response.” I would call you, Mr. Goldberg, the King of the Trolls. Jill Gluck

West Hollywood