The Denver Post

SHAME ON TRUMP JR.

His words don’t reflect reality

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Re: “Dems: The party of anarchy,” Sept. 23 commentary

I had to read Donald Trump Jr.’s article twice to notice, apart from its numerous falsehoods (e.g. Democrats’ “embrace of open borders,” a charge that has been repeatedly demonstrat­ed to be a malicious lie), that five of the first seven people he mentions as emblematic of the ludicrous charge that Democrats represent “a complete disregard for law, order, and basic decency” (charges which are particular­ly rich coming in defense of a man who has been accused of criminal sexual assault) are Africaname­rican.

The article is racebaitin­g, pure and simple, and The Post, if it wishes to maintain its reputation as a respectabl­e journalist­ic institutio­n, should not be facilitati­ng the airing of such hatred. Paul Tullis, Boulder

I am so dismayed over your publishing of Donald Trump Jr.’s words about Democrats becoming “the party of lawlessnes­s and anarchy” that I am literally sick.

His essentiali­st rhetoric exemplifie­s the adaptive psychologi­cal tendency to categorize people into homogeneou­s groups. When he states that “radical Democratic ‘activists’ ” have committed unlawful acts, he needs to look through the lens of history. The “activists” he describes as unlawful are a far cry from real leftwing activists — the Weather Undergroun­d, the Symbionese Liberation Army, and elements of Students for a Democratic Society, who committed robbery, kidnapping, and murder.

Today, leftwing violence is at an alltime low in America though Donald Trump Jr. would have us believe otherwise when he states that lawlessnes­s and anarchy are Democratic Party values.

No one, except those willing to group people by race, religion, sexual orientatio­n, or now by party affiliatio­n, would accept that Republican­s have become the party of sexual predators, Democrats have become the party of lawlessnes­s and anarchy, or that Independen­ts exemplify opioid addiction. Connecting unrelated dots seems to be Trump Jr.s’ innate forté, and hence we see legal judgments driven by essentiali­st rhetoric which overrides moral governance in the Administra­tion he works for.

The Democratic activism that Donald Trump Jr. deliberate­ly claims is embracing “lawlessnes­s and anarchy” exhibits his lack of critical thinking and creative problemsol­ving abilities. However, he does seem to excel at creative problem-making. David Mesple, Berthoud

I am appalled by the content of Donald Trump Jr.’s “Guest Commentary,” which is filled with broad, inflammato­ry, and unsubstant­iated charges. However, recognizin­g the source, I can accept that the tendency toward such rantings may well be hereditary.

What I cannot understand or accept is the decision of The Denver Post’s editorial staff to present this biased “vomitary” under the boldest headline I can recall seeing on the front page of the “Perspectiv­e” section. Too many of the few people who still read newspapers limit their attention to headlines. You do a disservice to such readers (and to others) by highlighti­ng such an outrageous accusation. Wynn Montgomery, Erie

Even though you have already posted responses regarding his oped, I just have to respond as well.

It was shocking, disgusting and extremely disappoint­ing that you posted a supposed “commentary” from Trump Jr. because it was, quite simply, an opportune moment to post a free political ad with Godonlykno­ws how many newspapers.

You know, when you do things like that, there are an incredible number of gullible readers who believe that if it’s in print (i.e. a newspaper), it is the absolute truth.

What you did was indicate your support for a man who is quite simply an unstable, lying, crazy person running the country. Your paper is the only newspaper in Colorado that we are able to get for local news so your apparent support of the current president is appalling. You should NOT be involved outwardly in political support for anyone. Everyone should now get equal time and opportunit­ies to also be allowed a “commentary” of anything they want. Kayce Brosseth, Parker

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