Sydney shootings, Reiner murders, Trump comments, economy
The media gather at the Hollywood Walk of Fame star for Rob Reiner on Monday. Credit: AP/Damian Dovarganes
A consoler in chief he is not
A mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, another at Brown University, and the tragic murders of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner have left many mourning this holiday season. Senseless killings adding to a world already overwhelmed by needless suffering and loss of life.
Unsurprisingly, the U.S. commander in chief squandered the opportunity to act as a consoler in chief. Instead, President Donald Trump doubled down on the toxic rhetoric that has become his calling card by attacking an individual who was just murdered [“Trump ties Reiner deaths to director’s political stance,” News, Dec. 16]. The Reiners’ murders were not politically motivated, but that didn’t matter to this American president. Everything must be about him. This is who he is.
While no one should be surprised by his narcissistic tendencies, this unacceptable behavior cannot be normalized. Instead, we must stand in contrast to this poor example of leadership and show one another kindness, grace, and compassion not just this holiday season but always.
— Carolyn Faggioni, Bellmore
I was appalled by Donald Trump’s comment on Rob Reiner. What a horrific thing to say after a horrific and violent murder. Reiner and his wife, Michele, did not just “pass away.” They were brutally murdered. And they were not murdered because of their political stances.
Trump makes everything about himself, even this.
The president is supposed to be a role model and a symbol of strength and what is right. Trump continues to go after innocent people while pardoning scores of others who’ve committed crimes. Any of the Republicans in his administration who are afraid of him and do not speak out against this dangerous rhetoric should be ashamed.
— Clare Brown, Huntington
The murders of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner are the most shocking Hollywood crimes since the O.J. Simpson case in 1994. Matt Davies’ Dec. 16 political cartoon about Donald Trump’s initial Truth Social post regarding the incident was solid.
The president’s remarks were acerbic because Rob Reiner was a vocal critic of his. Times like these demand compassion, unity, and dialing down the divisive rhetoric. It’s a low bar for a president, but this president failed to reach it again.
— Josh Paul, Islip Terrace
We look on in horror as murder is committed based on senseless hate. Sadly, we live with the same type of hate emanating from the highest office in the land. The president’s supporters needn’t say, “I was wrong,” publicly or privately for empowering him.
They should just consider stopping their blind support. Stop making excuses for him. Stop explaining “what he really meant.” Stop denying what he said when it is well documented.
— Michael J. Genzale, Shoreham
I applaud Mick Foley on his decision to not renew his contract with WWE and no longer appear on behalf of the organization [“Wrestling icon quits WWE over Trump ties,” News, Dec. 17].
I feel the same way he does about Donald Trump and the comments the president made about Rob Reiner and his wife’s deaths. Foley has shown he is a decent human.
— Jack Kagan, Melville
Why would we expect anything else to come out of Donald Trump’s mouth except meanness and hate? Expecting him to have a level of decorum as president should be forgotten.
As my father would say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, close your mouth.”
— Karyn Rhodes Dornfield, Westbury
Trump should accept credit for these, too
In his nationally televised speech, President Donald Trump assured us that “an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen” will be coming “very soon” [“ ‘I’m fixing’ economy, Trump says,” News, Dec. 18].
This president has a penchant for hyperbole. Perhaps he should take credit for some other things that were “never seen before” in combination under a single administration.
These might include the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, the inequity in health care, the alienation of our allies, the attack on the media, the appointment of unqualified Cabinet members, the denial of science, the weaponization of the Department of Justice and, most important, the purposeful division of our citizens.
He should limit self-praise and begin nurturing unity.
— William J. Bennett, Huntington
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