Editor,
After reading the editors’ column this week, I’m perplexed at the rationale in their criticism of Donald Trump and Meyrl Streep. First, expecting Trump to act presidential when he campaigned without any demonstration of presidential values is disregarding the reality of human nature. The man ran tweeting and name-calling. He will govern name-calling and tweeting.
As for Streep’s speech, I’m amazed at people’s inability to acknowledge what her themes were and her reasoning for sharing her thoughts on Trump’s behavior. She was addressing the press and Hollywood’s responsibility to act with values and compassion we wish to see in the world.
Politics aside, Trump’s behavior often fails to embody the average American’s values. As for not mentioning the video of the people torturing the disabled, that did not happen in the media or in Hollywood. Trump used the media to peddle his behavior. The assailants in Chicago used Facebook, which isn’t expected to follow the same ethical code as media and Hollywood, which is why it wouldn’t fit with Streep’s address. Even in the editorial, the editors’ inability to properly analyze and address themes often reflects a disrespectful and inarticulate perspective. It’s frustrating to see that our community can’t engage in more respectful discourse when voicing a strong opinion.
Dawn Lambert, Westfield