Letters to the Editor — Washington, D.C., protesters, St. John’s Episcopal Church, rhetoric, police training

Missed Beatitudes opportunity

Shocking as it was that peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C., would be pelted with sting balls and tear gas, it is also disturbing that one man commands so little respect that he would require the force of the U.S. military and National Guard to cross the street for a photo op. This unchurched president awkwardly posed holding a Holy Bible with all the reverence he might display toward a Trump steak.

Perhaps he should have opened the book and shared the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel: Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Mary Beth Miles, East Dallas

Bible held like a trophy bass

I am a 74-year-old lifelong conservative who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and will again in 2020. (What real choice is there?) However, I find Monday’s “Trump Walk” to St. John’s Episcopal Church one of the most disgusting stunts I have witnessed since his inauguration. It was nothing more than a staged photo op, holding a Bible much the same as someone hoisting a trophy bass with a lake in the background.

That same Bible warns us of charismatic pretenders of faith in Matthew by the Sermon on the Mount. I am both saddened and sickened by this senseless display.

David C. Zoltner, Denton

Great speech, then ...

I have written of, railed against, poked fun at, complained about Trump for nearly four years now. His vision is contrary to the America I am used to. However, his Rose Garden speech Monday evening seemed a departure. It was tough. It included praise, indeed support for sincere protest (and there is much to protest).

He justifiably stated that those who loot and destroy should be punished. He didn’t stare down at notes but looked about. The short speech seemed, on the whole, presidential, even while I couldn’t agree with all of it. If a notable Democrat had uttered his words, she/he would have been lauded and many sound bites would have been tagged for campaign use.

But then came the tear gassing of protesters so he could have an outrageously posed photo op at the boarded up St. John’s Church. Poof! The momentary positive image vanished. It was all a stopped-clock illusion. The curtain was pulled back and we could see the real man behind. How sad it is for America that his raw words will get such a positive response from so many who are aware of so little.

Robert M. Lebovitz, North Dallas

Consequences of rhetoric

I’m a 68-year-old white male of privilege, observing the best and worst of the United States over the course of my lifetime. Yet never have I been so worried and scared about where our country and democratic republic are headed.

As a communication scholar and teacher since 1974, it makes me physically ill witnessing how our president is using his rhetorical skills and media experience — as a reality television host — for such negative and unsavory purposes. Trump’s absurd and staged photo op at the church , combined with his contradictory actions (using the military and tear gas to remove peaceful protesters so he could walk to a church) and declaration of war against American citizens, are just the most recent examples.

While it may sound absurd, I am convinced that Trump actually can carry out a national coup via rhetoric — something I never could have imagined. The consequences of rhetoric may be even greater than many of us who study communication have ever thought.

Richard Cherwitz, Austin

What will it take for change?

I do not condone looting or violence yet completely understand why peaceful protests escalate into chaos. I know from participation in peaceful protests in Dallas, New York and Washington, D.C., that the media does not cover that well. I have been in marches of thousands that were deemed not newsworthy. That’s a bitter disappointment, but chaos always gets attention.

On Monday, the news mentioned that 147 cities had peaceful protests. It was said nothing like this has ever been seen before. Already the media has forgotten that all over the world, women marched and protested after the last inauguration. It has been seen before! It was peaceful; soon forgotten. Later last evening, marchers on the bridge prompted the police into chaos. It was covered for hours, preempting regularly scheduled TV.

Malcolm X said peaceful protest was not enough; Martin Luther King Jr. insisted it was the only way. We killed them both just the same. What will it take now to begin to effect real change, real equality? If not peaceful protest, if not chaos, what?

We are due answers and leaders who can provide them and the hard work it takes for transformation. Please vote and please insist the more be done.

Julia Ousley, Dallas

Questions need answers

There is no excuse for the murder of George Floyd that we witnessed or for the potential danger that black citizens face at the hands of police. No parent should ever have to deliver “the talk” to their son — the talk that creates fear of people who wear a uniform meant to signify safety, protection and assistance.

I have some questions that need answers: Do most members of our police force live in our community, or do they live in the suburbs and consider much of Dallas “shaky town"? Why does so much police training focus on the use of a gun? Why must police officers in protest situations resemble sci-fi warriors? How many conflict resolution courses are included in police training? What possible defense is there for the “code of silence” that seems to restrain the majority of decent dedicated officers from standing up to the few aggressive brutes in their ranks?

And finally, why does our president address the situation in our country’s streets without a mention of racism but with the comment, “I will defend your Second Amendment rights.” Why? Why? Why?

Mary Jean Hayden, Dallas/Knox-Henderson

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