to the editor: It is an unfortunate sign of our times that the president of the United States brutally attacking a journalist's reasonable question by snapping, “Quiet, little pig,” does not draw more substantial national condemnation. It suggests we are becoming desensitized to the ugliness the president spews. Columnist Anita Chabria wrote a brilliant analysis on this topic (“'Calm down, little pig' was not a joke. It is a dangerous invitation to violence,” November 21).
President Trump's shocking and extremely ugly insult to this reporter is simply the latest in a long line of his personal attacks on women. His usual insults are calling a woman. “very low IQ” (particularly when insulting a woman of color) or calling women “nasty” or “awful.”
Whether we like it or not, Trump's behavior (like the behavior of all previous presidents) is an example for young people. Do we really want Trump's aberrant behavior to be modeled by a generation of young people? Do we want that behavior to be inflicted on our wives and daughters? By not more forcefully condemning Trump's egregious behaviors, we appear to be indifferent to them, or even tolerate them. What kind of dangerous society are we creating then for the women and girls of this country?
Matthew Singerman, Newbury Park
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to the editor: Chabria's column hit the target. She watches as Atty. General Pam Bondi continues to enjoy a good reputation for following the Trump administration's playbook. It seems press secretary Karoline Leavitt is also toeing the line and adding her own special twists.
Leavitt always manages to respond with more force. Your official response The “Easy, easy, piggy” comment was that Trump is frank, open and honest with journalists (apparently insulting them), unlike his predecessor, who remained distant.
Another turn by Leavitt came when six Democrats in Congress made a short video reminding service members that they had the right and responsibility to refuse illegal orders. Leavitt changed things say that all the orders of the commander in chief are lawful. My question is: Does Leavitt really believe these things?
Gene Nielsen, Crescent Mills
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to the editor: A sad and honestly pathetic addition to Trump's disgusting behavior is that no one at the time – not a single journalist (and including the woman herself, the object of gratuitous misogyny) – spoke out in his defense, on behalf of his colleague and in the name of decency and against low, rude and thuggish behavior.
Being a journalist used to be about getting to the truth, no matter the cost. Now it seems it's about keeping your place on the plane, in the briefing, in the pool.
Mitch Paradise, Los Angeles
