Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

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The Post-Gazette via its editorial “Turn the Caravan Back” (Oct. 25), has joined Donald Trump in misleading and lying to the American people. Both repeatedly refer to the legal attempts of unfortunate Central Americans to seek asylum and safety in the U.S. as “illegal.” Of course, seeking asylum is legal nationally and internationally. Due process and the rule of law do not seem to be familiar concepts to those espousing imagined or made-up threats to national security. We have seen the disastrous results of the Trump administration’s cruel, inhumane and illegal policy of separating children from their parents at the border, as if these people were non-human or evil.

Who supports open borders? No one but a few extremists, if that means a wave of people, some dangerous, simply rushing into our country willy-nilly without any formal intervention. Certainly not the Democratic Party, no matter how often this lie is repeated by President Donald Trump and his supporters. Who fears open borders? Many of us, but especially those who believe the lies and hate that surround this issue today.

Why can’t the Republican majority work with Democrats to create a sensible immigration policy that is humane and sensible? Why would a fair and intelligent president not sign such a bill? Meanwhile, the myth of “open borders” is a tactic used by Mr. Trump and the Republicans to produce fear and votes so that voters will not think more deeply about this issue or their own immigrant roots.

Millie Beik

Upper St. Clair

Note from KBJ: Donald Trump has been begging Democrats to work with him on securing the border. Are you paying attention, Millie?

Here are the latest rankings. There are only four unbeaten teams: Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and UCF.

Watching the Dodgers/Red Sox final innings. It is amazing how a manager takes out a pitcher who is loose & dominating through almost 7 innings, Rich Hill of Dodgers, and brings in nervous reliever(s) who get shellacked. 4 run lead gone. Managers do it all the time, big mistake!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 28, 2018

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Thanks to John Sullivan for the link.

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For the past year I have often written denouncing President Trump for his hateful, bullying, and racist discourse. My arguments are not primarily partisan. As a scholar and teacher of rhetoric, I have argued that Trump’s words have real consequences for which all Americans must be concerned.

On Wednesday, we learned that suspicious packages were sent to President Obama, the Clintons, John Brennan (via CNN), Eric Holder, Maxine Waters, and George Soros . All of these individuals are political figures critical of President Trump, and all have been viciously attacked by the president and his followers in speeches and tweets. Coincidence or pattern?

To be clear: I do not believe that Trump “directly” caused or perpetrated these violent attacks. I also believe the White House was sincere when they immediately condemned what transpired. Nevertheless, we must admit that, when you have a leader preaching hatred, demonizing people and groups, and making ad hominem arguments, this increases substantially the likelihood that such rhetoric will breed more hatred, empowering and enabling others to engage in despicable behavior.

Words do indeed matter. Applauding an elected official for body-slamming a member of the media, calling the press “the enemy of the people,” and inciting those at his rallies to chant “lock her up” have consequences. It is time for President Trump to be held accountable. American citizens should not vote for any candidate or incumbent who fails to rebuke—or has a record of failing to rebuke—the president.

Richard Cherwitz

University of Texas, Austin

Note from KBJ: President Trump responds in kind to personal attacks. Richard Cherwitz thinks he should just take it.