A message to Donald Trump: Wink wink; nod nod
Small segment
Re “Why does Donald Trump keep babying white supremacists?” (Erika D. Smith, Aug. 15): Unfortunately, President Donald Trump has shown with Charlottesville that he represents a small segment of America, which approves of the alt-right agenda camouflaged in the name of free speech. The ideas of the KKK and white supremacists are not an example of free speech, but rather unacceptable behavior. Trump does not serve the American people, but his own ego, his own narrow constituency and his own financial interests. The president has lamentably left the building.
Robert Blake, Davis
Free speech
Unpopular speech is precisely the type of speech that needs to be protected. Who’s to say the speech you prize will one day be looked upon unfavorably? There is a famous saying: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.” Now, extremists on both sides say: “I disagree with what you said, and I will fight you to the death because you have no right to say it.” We will not long be in a free society with that attitude.
Paul Lineback, Cameron Park
Chest thumping
Re “Tiresome” (Letters, Aug. 14): Letter writer Robert Reark says The Sacramento Bee, CNN and MSNBC “include many negative views of President Donald Trump” and says it’s “tiresome and destructive to the unity of America.” Trump has done nothing but try to undo all the good that President Obama did. He seems to be bent on getting us into a nuclear war with his chest thumping. If there is a positive, I have yet to find it.
Janet Klein, Sacramento
Euphemism
The term “alt-right” may sound short and catchy, but when media use that term, they give white supremacists legitimacy they don’t deserve.
Martha Sward, Sacramento
Wink, wink
I have one response to Donald Trump’s “condemnation” of hate groups. Wink wink; nod nod.
John McFarren, Sacramento
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This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 10:16 AM with the headline "A message to Donald Trump: Wink wink; nod nod."