Trump outrage has nothing to do with vulgarity
A writer (“Hypocrites decry vulgar remarks,” Readers Write, Oct. 14) states that “there is not a man alive that has not made a vulgar remark in private conversation about a woman at some point in his life.” The conclusion is that taking Trump to task for his recorded comments is “hypocrisy.” Trump says the same thing when he talks about it as “just locker room talk.”
Well, in my opinion, this has nothing to do with vulgarity, but rather lack of respect and empathy. In my 73 years, much of it involving locker rooms and including 27 years of military service, I have not personally, nor have I ever heard a man:
- Talk about his daughter in sexual references.
- Brag about being able to grab women's genitals because they let you.
- Brag about being able to barge into dressing rooms because you own them.
FRED HOLLINGER, TUCKER
‘Swiftgroping’ is 2016’s ‘swiftboating’
During the presidential campaign of John Kerry (who served in Vietnam), Kerry was making inroads against George W. Bush (who didn’t serve in Vietnam) in the polls. That is until swiftboat sailors who had served with Kerry in Vietnam brought forth accusations refuting Kerry’s heroic service claims. The group’s statements seriously undermined Kerry, and their tactics birthed the political expression “swiftboating.”
Discrediting a political opponent by demonizing them is as old as politics itself — the substance of the accusations are often as questionable and distasteful as the tactic. Enter Donald Trump and myriad accusations about his sexually abusing women — accusations dormant for decades. Supposedly assaulted women have surfaced at a feverish pace. Truthful or not, they are in media everywhere claiming to have been groped by Trump.
If we get nothing else out of this presidential race, we’ll have the term “swiftgroping” added to the vernacular.
GREGORY MARSHALL, MARIETTA
We must look for new ‘blood’ after Nov.
Although it may be a little early to reflect on the 2016 presidential race’s impact on our nation, I cannot help feeling we all have missed a huge opportunity. Coming off eight years of largely ineffective leadership by our current president, due to a lack of experience and an appalling disinterest in the political process, we should have been looking for a real change agent in our new president. Instead we are down to the wire with two highly flawed candidates, neither of whom fills me with confidence for the future.
After November, both parties must look for new political “blood,” who have a real vision and leadership qualities and who can provide hope for the majority of our diverse country.
IAN SHAW, CUMMING
Government works and is essential
Besides me, is anyone else tired of the constant rant that the federal government is too large, too wasteful and full of fraud? Libertarians, tea party, Republicans and some Democrat supporters proclaim the enormous size of the government is an assault on our liberty. Really? A significant part of the federal government works very well and is essential. The next time you get on a plane, or the next time you get a flu shot or the next time you get a drink of water or breathe the air, you are enjoying the benefits of a federal government infrastructure that leads the world in all of these categories. If you think it’s best we leave commercial air travel to the private sector, or public health or municipal water or the air itself, please consider the consequences. (By the way, I am a small business owner and not associated with the federal government in any way.)
RODGER BURGESS, ATLANTA
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