To the editor: In the wake of the horrific shooting of Donald Trump, count me among those independent voters who embrace bipartisan support for his speedy recovery and condemnation of political violence in any form.
But I fear that Republicans and Democrats will campaign with contrasting images of the assassination attempt. That can be deduced by looking at two photos from the LA Times.
One accompanies the editorial, showing Trump's beleaguered and bloodied face as several Secret Service agents help him up from where he had fallen after being shot.
The other appeared on page A6 and shows Trump defiantly raising his fist, reflecting his sudden realization of the potential that tense moment had to become a campaign-boosting photo opportunity.
My hope is that Democrats won’t use the first photo to bolster their criticism of Trump’s hostility to meaningful gun control laws, and that Republicans won’t use the second photo to convey the supposed divine inevitability of his election. That’s probably a very unrealistic hope.
Rona Dolgin, Los Angeles
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To the editor: While we can all be thankful that the former president was not seriously injured by the shooter, the image of former President Trump standing up “bloodied” and “defiant” sends the wrong message.
Most victims of mass shootings are not powerful politicians protected by security detail. They are more likely to be concert-goers, church-goers, schoolchildren and teachers. Most are not able to stand up, raise their fists and shout “Fight!” in front of the cameras.
Let us be clear about the goal of this struggle: to put an end once and for all to this disgusting armed violence.
Nancy Kern, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Does anyone realize that Trump’s show of force is contrary to the Secret Service agents’ goal of protecting a former president? The goal is to get the former president out of the line of fire for his own safety. As the agents surrounded and protected the former president, as they are trained to do, Trump raised his head and clenched his fist, setting himself and the agents up as easy targets for any remaining gunfire.
His instinct for showmanship completely overrode his responsibility for security. Is this really the person we want as commander in chief? Do we want a leader who prioritizes showmanship over responsibility? Is the image of strength really more important than good judgment?
Marvin Gordon, Laguna Beach
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To the editor: After publishing a long series of articles and op-eds questioning President Biden’s cognitive powers, The Times now puts Trump on the front page as a hero.
Which candidate, Trump or Biden, consistently opposes gun control? Which candidate urged his supporters to attack Congress on January 6? Which constantly uses defamatory and inflammatory language in his speeches? Which is a convicted felon, convicted of sexual assault, a thief of classified documents, a self-confessed dictator? Trump is no hero.
If the apparent assassination attempt was actually an attempt by a disgruntled Republican, then Trump is the only one to blame. And the Times is making the mistake of not being a free press organ by presenting him as a picture of strength.
Maureen Sheehy, Van Nuys
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To the editor: What a difference perception makes. While I was surrounded by men trying to save his life at their own risk, I saw a stupid man repeatedly expose himself to a potential killer (or killers) so he could raise his fist.
Erica Ferro, Torrance
