Provocations by the president
Concerning “Blame game” (Letters, Oct. 29): Here’s a question for the letter writer who insists that “anti-Trump” forces were too quick to link the Florida man who sent pipe bombs to Democratic leaders with the president: Did you notice this man’s van, plastered with images of Trump and diatribes against his favorite targets, including CNN and Hillary Clinton? Trump has repeatedly encouraged violence at his campaign rallies, leading “Lock her up!” chants and encouraging police to “rough up” criminal suspects. Don’t falsely equate Democrats who are telling protestors to “stand up” to bullies like Trump (and his GOP enablers who label protest groups as “mobs”) with a man who speaks words and tweets images that promote hateful actions. Trump speeches aren’t just “politically incorrect,” they’re blatant provocations for anarchy.
Elliot Branca, San Francisco
Stand up to Trump
Regarding “Trump’s dangerous message” (Editorial, Oct. 26): Why should anyone be surprised that our “Tweeterin-Chief ” is blaming the “fake news” media and his critics for the pipe bombs being sent to prominent Democrats? This so-called “leader of the free world” has also attacked the FBI and his own attorney general, and would rather court dictators than defend democracy.
On Nov. 6, voters can stop Trump’s authoritarian aspirations by electing leaders who will stand up against his relentless bullying and ensure our basic civil rights.
Cynthia Samuelson, Pleasant Hill
Switch the sport
With the mounting evidence of youth football injuries from the National Federation of State High School Associations and medical research studies, it is difficult to understand how parents would consider allowing their children to participate. Team sports are valuable for physical exercise and camaraderie, yet baseball, soccer and basketball are among the safer alternatives. Christina Stockton, Moss Beach
Resentful denial
Regarding “Logic of vendetta replaces reasoned political dialogue” (Insight, Oct. 29): Can Jonah Goldberg really be so benighted as to confuse heinous crimes, including murders, shootings and bomb threats, as well as President Trump’s manifestly destructive responses, with expressions of political view? Goldberg, criminal perpetrators and propagators of hatred provide no basis for dialogue or insight. As a conservative, do you relativize Trump’s profound misanthropy because you are getting your way on policy? The reason so many of us loathe Trump is that he has refined incompetence, aggressive dishonesty, hurt and resentful denial of normal human sentiment to high art. As to the media, you know perfectly well that their members are bound to standards of honesty, the same as any other profession. They are nearly all just reporting what they learn. Kenneth Ginsburg, Woodland
Dangerous rhetoric
In reference to “Blame game” (Letters, Oct. 29), the author somehow sees an equivalence between President Trump’s calls for violence against those who oppose him, and the words of Democratic lawmakers Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters and Cory Booker? Maybe I missed something on Fox News, but I don’t recall any calls for violence from those Democrats. Perhaps the author can provide those quotes for us? The president of this great country provides the tone for the mood of the citizenry. To dismiss the inciting speech of Trump as maybe politically incorrect is a phenomenal and dangerous understatement.
Kenneth Miller, San Francisco
Scary suggestion
So the massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue might have been averted if only — according to the 45th president — there had been “armed guards” present? In a country where guns already outnumber citizens, the suggestion that we need armed guards in our places of worship, our schools and elsewhere is both frightening and outrageous.
Agatha Abernathy, Palo Alto