Trump’s scripted condemnation

Re “Facing sharp criticism, Trump calls out racists,” Aug. 15

I do not compliment President Trump or have any sense that he has now done the right thing by reading words on a teleprompter denouncing the hate groups that descended on Charlottesville, Va., this weekend.

When Trump initially responded to the violence on Saturday, I got no sense of sadness from him or any feelings for those who died that day in Charlottesville. In the second go-around Monday, when he explicitly condemned the hate groups, he was not apparently speaking his own words or thoughts. There was no emotion or passion in his voice as he stoically read off the teleprompter.

The deaths of Virginia state troopers Jay Cullen and Berke Bates and of Heather Heyer seem to mean little to Trump. This is not what those of us who looked to Trump to make positive change voted for. Sid Pelston

Beverly Hills

Racism is evil. Really, Mr. President?

“Racism is evil,” said President Trump, “and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.”

Well, all that is fine and good, but that same day he spoke of considering a presidential pardon for Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., who was convicted on contempt-of-court charges for failing to stop racially profiling Latinos.

Trump cannot have it both ways. If he pardons Arpaio, he will send the worst message possible: Racism is OK against Latinos. Rosario Marin

Huntington Park

You’ve got to give Trump credit. He’s sewed up the pro-life vote and the pro-Nazi vote. It’s quite a trick. Renee Leask

Glendale