Trump’s words, far from comforting

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Seaford, L.I.: Exactly what kind of comfort could our president possibly provide to the communities of Dayton and El Paso? When Republicans claim that they are prepared to combat gun violence, they are blowing smoke in the face of all Americans. Mitch McConnell and his GOP have watched over 20 years of civilians and police being slaughtered by gun violence and have done nothing. This only proves they can live with the status quo. Can we?

Bob Bascelli

Bronx: Donald Trump’s reading off a teleprompter and mouthing those words written for him means nothing. It’s pure bull! He does not believe one word of condemnation of white supremacists, white domestic terrorists, the alt-right and others of that ilk. Putin must be having a good laugh. He wanted America more divided and at war with itself. He’s got it. Pauline Graham Binder

They are listening, too

Bronx: “In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” the president told us on Monday morning. Does he, or his speechwriter, want us to listen to his words, take them to heart, and act on them? If yes, why tell us that it is outrageous to believe that some people — among them folks who own assault rifles — also listen to, take to heart, and act on other words that he has uttered, time and again, that openly, or in thinly disguised terms, exhort people to act violently toward others?

Miriam Levine Helbok

Look in the mirror

Manhattan: As Trump was decrying the massacre in “Toledo” (I’m assuming he meant Dayton), he declared: “Hatred warps the mind, ravages the heart and devours the soul.” Could there be any better proof of this statement than the man himself?

Anne Stockton

Media fail

Bronx: The Fourth Estate is the information highway for the people. When the media is compromised by politics, be it right or left, it does an injustice to the nation. The New York Times recently changed a headline which read “Trump Urges Unity Vs. Racism” to “Assailing Hate But Not Guns” after pressure from anti-Trumpers. The fact that the news media can be politically influenced is despicable. Where do we turn to for the facts? Who can we trust to report the news accurately?

It doesn’t matter what your political preferences are, when media sets out to manipulate public option, it’s an affront to our democracy.

Al D’Angelo

Lesser of two evils

Narragansett, R.I.: Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have them. Maybe that is better than what we have now? Jeff Tkacs

Take it or leave it

Mt. Sinai, L.I.: The white nationalists of this country have to get it into their thick heads that the 19th century is long past. They must either adapt and assimilate into our “melting pot” modern American culture or leave — it’s a simple choice and they won’t be missed. Karl Bean

The upper hand

Whitestone: Voicer Kalan Wood-Vincent is absolutely right that any Democratic candidate debating Trump will lose. But the reason is that there’s a double standard. Democrats have to rely on dignity, unity, facts, documentation and reality. Trump can fire up his base with racism, bigotry, sexism, ignorance and plain ol’ bulls—t.

Robert LaRosa

Don’t resist

Manhattan: To Voicer Pamela Carter: You are correct. This tragedy was avoidable. All Eric Garner had to do is comply with a lawful order and put his hands behind his back. If this were the case, I am sure that no force would have been used and the outcome would have been different. It’s time we stop blaming police officers and start looking at the contributing factors that leads to injuries, mainly lack of compliance during an arrest. Jose Rodriguez

A hypothetical

Yonkers: Just curious. What would happen if some miscreant with a bucket filled with water or some other unknown substance, e.g. bleach, acid, lye, etc., attempted to douse an officer with the unknown contents of the bucket and the officer, unsure of the pending danger, felt his well-being was at stake, drew his or her weapon and fired upon the douser? Would the officer be justified in using this force? How would prosecutors view this? The community? The media?

Thomas J. Mullen

Mercy

East Rockaway: Ditto Voicer Rhonda Castellani! Early mornings, it’s my solace and comfort to solve the Daily News crossword puzzles while enjoying a cup of coffee. I look forward to this part of the day and it gets me out of bed with joy and aspiration! Lately, however, the puzzles are designed as if they are impossible to crack without Google or some other digital devices! Please, whoever styles them, ease up a bit and return to the patterns we used to have for many yeas prior! Tanya Cabrera

Standing together

Manhattan: Thank you, Voicer Rhonda Castellani, for writing your letter regarding the recent changes in this paper’s Crossword II. It definitely has evolved negatively into something other than a traditional crossword puzzle! They should rename it “Crack The Code!” Burton Schein

And the polls say

Tarrytown, N.Y.: NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill should take an anonymous survey of 1,000 police officers asking them this question: If Officer Daniel Pantaleo gets fired, will they take PBA head Patrick Lynch’s advice and call a supervisor every time they encounter a suspect who resists arrest as Garner did?

Jack Culkin

Hey, Teach

Dumont, N.J.: Bravo to you, Voicer Susan Caprio, for speaking the truth about what constitutes good teaching! I am a retired teacher who, like you, always tried my very best to create a learning environment in which my students, no matter their race, religion, etc. felt welcome,

/EVAN VUCCI/AP safe, and, if I did things right, developed a genuine love of learning. Teaching is an art and what makes a difference is not the color of educator’s skin, but rather his or her sincerity, preparedness and true passion for this most noble of professions. Enough of this divisive and unfounded rhetoric; let good teachers do what they love doing! Have a wonderful school year, Ms. Caprio! I have no doubt that your students are in capable hands.

Jeannie McDermott-Weldin

Irresponsible parents

Middletown, Del.: Voicer Bill Brown wants automakers to install more equipment on their cars to help parents who forget that they have kids in the back seat. While I applaud his thoughtfulness, I don’t think it should be required equipment on all new cars. While I realize that kids are the future of this world, parents must be responsible for them. They should put a Post-it note on their car dashboard, set an alarm on their cell phone, put something important in the back seat. Maybe automakers could make a free app. Don’t make the general public pay for an over-engineered solution that only applies to a few.

John Herman