to the editor: In October 1999, “Fight Club,” a film based on a fictional story, was released in theaters. It represented violence and toxic masculinity. And now, thanks to our president, it's becoming a true story on the White House lawn (“'This is a kidnapping': UFC White House brawl and race cars take over National Park Service grounds”, May 29).
This is how President Trump wants to celebrate his 80th birthday and America's 250th. I'm not surprised he chooses this violent and toxic way to celebrate, but it's sick. Not only has he desecrated “The People's House” and its properties, but he is imposing his horrible idea of a celebration on all of us and expects us to accept it. I do not accept this, I never have and I never will.
It's pretty disgusting to deal with how vindictive he is and how much he seems to enjoy his colleagues in Immigration and Customs Enforcement caging innocent people or starting a war for no reason that is affecting the entire world. Now we will also be able to witness “Fight Club” at the White House.
Sheryl Kinne, Van Nuys
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to the editor: OMG, a UFC show right in front of the White House as an event celebrating the signing of the semi-quincentennial of the Declaration of Independence (“UFC fight cage rises on White House lawn for fight celebrating America's 250th anniversary”. May 27)? And most of the fighters are from other countries? What perfect symbolism for this president.
What's next, the presidential limousine on blocks in the front yard? Knocking cans in the paved rose garden? Let's get out those beer coolers and fire up the rusty barbecues. It's MAGA time!
Jerrold Coleman, Santa Clarita
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to the editor: Is there anything more disgusting than this UFC battle taking place on the White House lawn? The analogy with Roman gladiators is obvious. We may be fascinated by ancient history, but haven't we evolved at all to want to see people punching each other in the face as a public spectacle?
This is less vulgar. The rest of the world used to admire us. Now they must shake their heads at the disgusting baseness of our society.
Ken Christensen, The Bears
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to the editor: Probably everyone in the United States knows that July 4 will mark 250 years since 12 of the colonies voted to approve the Declaration of Independence (the 13th was New York, which abstained because its delegation did not have approval. But I'm happy to say that the state I was born in did get permission to approve it). July 9).
That Americans celebrate this event is fully justified. That day a nation based on the rule of law was born. So how does the government celebrate this momentous event in our nation's capital?
Sigh. Cage matches on the South Lawn of the White House, a Grand Prix around the National Mall, painting the Reflecting Pond blue next to the Lincoln Memorial pool, and a limited-edition passport with our president's photo. Don't forget the nine-hour prayer festival led by fundamentalist Christian preachers, and now, oh joy, again a new limited edition $250 bill with the image of our beloved president frowning at us (“Treasury Secretary Bessent confirms limited steps toward $250 bill featuring President Trump's image”. May 28).
There could have been many more obvious ways to celebrate this event, the kind of thing you can see in almost every city on this anniversary. Fireworks, reenactments, readings of the Declaration, planting of gardens, public concerts, parades, dance parties, cultural festivals to honor the many ethnicities that have joined the American experiment; heck, even pie eating contests. As a country, we certainly find ourselves in a strange place on this anniversary.
Erica Hahn, Monrovia
