Los Angeles Times

A dangerous war of words

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When the president this week warned North Korea to stop making nuclear threats, declaring it would be “met with fire and fury” like the world has never seen, dozens of Times readers offered choice words of their own.

A dismayed majority slammed Trump’s “heated rhetoric,” calling it unhelpful or another distractio­n. Most strongly urged diplomacy, while a few backed the tough talk approach. Here is a sampling of the responses. — Sara Lessley, letters to the editor department

David N. Hartman in Santa Ana asks:

Doesn’t our president realize that when he threatens any nation with such apocalypti­c language that the scene he envisions could end up here in America? Has Trump ever considered he has the ability to sit down with any national leader and negotiate peace treaties that endure?

Comments David Woody in Bishop:

A possible goal of Trump’s outrageous rhetoric

is to goad North Korea to “fire the first shot,” which Trump would use to justify an overwhelmi­ng response. This would result in a war that would destroy North Korea and much of South Korea with little risk to the U.S. mainland.

Richard Merel in Hermosa Beach offers:

Every psychiatri­st-intraining learns, very early, that in dealing with an agitated, frightened, threatenin­g and potentiall­y dangerous patient, one should speak firmly and calmly. Trump is not a psychiatri­st, and there is no training program for the presidency. But someone should help him understand that our tense relationsh­ip with frightened, angry bullies in North Korea will not be improved by behaving as if this is a playground feud.

Says Phil Kirk in Encinitas:

When I read the headline of threats of fire and fury like the world has never seen, I thought immediatel­y that it was a statement from the irrational Kim Jong Un. No, it was from the unstable and bombastic person we laughingly call the president of the United States. Although, it’s not much of a laughing matter anymore.

Robert S. Henry in San Gabriel differs:

Quite candidly, as a Trump hater, the one thing Trump has done with which I wholeheart­edly agree is his threat to North Korea. Kim Jong Un is a madman and Trump's statement sends a message to those top military men around him that it is time for him to go.

Chet Chebegia in San Marcos seconds that:

Well, I'm a Democrat, voted against Trump, but I think he is right to stand up to this two-bit punk in North Korea.

Sometimes the only thing an enemy understand­s is power.

Dan Linn in La Jolla thinks it’s a Trump tactic:

The bombastic rhetoric from the president is consistent with his ever-present M.O. when facing a difficult situation. Bingo, it's time for a distractio­n. Congress and the people need to step up and make it very clear that diplomacy is the only allowable route for this (or any) administra­tion.

 ?? Nicholas Kamm AFP/Getty Images ?? TRUMP warned North Korea on nuclear threats, declaring it would be “met with fire and fury.”
Nicholas Kamm AFP/Getty Images TRUMP warned North Korea on nuclear threats, declaring it would be “met with fire and fury.”

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