The Bomb Threat to Dems: A Sign of America’s Divide
Suspicious packages were sent to President Barack Obama, the Clintons, John Brennan, Eric Holder, Maxine Waters and others (“Mail bomb attack,” Oct. 25) .
All of these individuals have been critical of President Trump, and all have been viciously attacked by the president and his followers in speeches and tweets. Coincidence? Hardly.
I don’t believe that Trump directly caused these violent attacks, and I believe the White House was sincere when it immediately condemned what transpired.
But we must admit that a leader preaching hatred and demonizing people will breed more hatred.
Richard Cherwitz Austin, Texas
You reap what you sow. Clinton, Rep. Maxine Waters and Eric Holder preach violence, and Republicans are regularly accosted.
As reprehensible as it is for bombs to be directed at the Clintons, Obamas, Soros and CNN, the blame falls squarely on the Democrats. The incendiary language and actions of the Democrats are clearly the cause.
Bob Dickstein Paramus, NJ
During his administration, Obama made a series of remarks expressing sympathy for unarmed, disproportionately black victims of police brutality, while emphasizing that most law-enforcement officers are heroes who deserve our thanks.
Somehow, that stance was equated with him declaring a war on cops and therefore personally to blame for any act of violence against them.
Just recently, Trump praised a GOP congress- man who assaulted a reporter and seemingly ran interference for the murderous Saudi regime.
I’m not going so far as to blame Trump for some nut sending bombs to a bunch of people the president happens to routinely demonize, but let’s pause to note the double standard here.
Eric Hagemann Brooklyn
Those who give a platform to people who advocate terrorizing others in restaurants and on the streets and refuse to condemn them are complicit in these despicable displays of hatred.
Any level of harassment and terrorism is completely unacceptable in a civil society. Shame on all who fail to speak out — on the left or right.
Michael Maurer Long Branch, NJ
Let’s put the blame for encouraging nutcases where it really belongs: with Rep. Waters, Antifa, and every other liberal and organization that uses violence and vitriolic, threatening language when it suits them. Dori Ann Harasek Staten Island
The discovery of potentially life-threatening bombs sent to Democrats was clearly provoked by the rhetoric of the president.
Rather than calm the heated atmosphere, he behaved in an uncaring, mocking manner, telling the Wisconsin rally, “Do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?” Trump, where is your civility? Obviously you just don’t care.
Alan Hershman Manhattan
I hope certain elected officials are seeing the error of their ways.
Encouraging their constituents to harass other officials in public is only asking for trouble. The way to affect change is at the ballot box, not the mailbox.
Thomas Deady Montrose
Given the vicious rhetoric of our political leaders, both Democrat and Republican, is it any wonder that they are the recipients of bombs sent by mail and of mob violence?
Most Americans have grown weary of the savage political fisticuffs of our legislators. It is time to bridge the divide, use the ballot box to voice our disagreements, respect our differences and reclaim our national dignity.
Sharon Borenstein Springfield, NJ
When you consider the timing and targeting of the bombs and the fact that none went off, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to suspect this whole episode was staged by someone on the left.
Democrats are eager to cast themselves as victims of violence instead of perpetrators of it. As Trump says, “jobs not mobs.”
Chris Tripoulas Manhattan