To the Editor:
Re “‘Take Out Los Angeles’: What Trump Said, Exactly” (news article, Oct. 7):
The latest outrage from our norm-busting so-called leader of the free world? President Trump’s comments to his supporters suggesting that Iran “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego were understandably met with anger by California officials.
Whether he is threatening the military destruction of another nation’s civilization or suggesting the obliteration of American cities, the level of depravity in this man’s soul appears unmatched by any of his predecessors.
Regardless of his intentions, words from a president matter, and those who wish us harm are listening. Mr. Trump is utterly unfit to be commander in chief or a leader of any kind.
Anthony Arnaud Laguna Niguel, Calif.
To the Editor:
President Trump’s latest stream-of-consciousness abomination was bad enough, but what sickened me even more were the cheering and smiles on the faces of his adoring fans in response.
Many of these same people often demand that voters like me, on the left side of the political spectrum, make a good-faith effort to respect them and sympathize with their grievances.
Despite the convoluted efforts of spinmeisters such as the White House communications director, Steven Cheung, to have us believe otherwise, Mr. Trump’s casual remarks remain repugnant in the extreme. Anyone who laughs at them deserves no respect.
Bryan L. Tucker Boston
To the Editor:
Re “Trump Has Moved the Boundaries of What Is Ethical,” by Peter Baker (White House Memo, Oct. 5):
The online summary with this article says, “The president’s decision to hold an international summit at his own private golf club, an idea rejected in his first term, illustrates how much he has shattered norms.”
Even more striking is how much it illustrates how willing we have all been to go along with him.
Jonathan P. Levin Northampton, Mass.
To the Editor:
No! Ethical boundaries are still the same. President Trump’s choices violate — not alter — them. We will all do well not to confuse the two.
M.B. Barlow Eugene, Ore.
Remember Climate Risk
To the Editor:
Re “A.I. Threat Grabs Attention From Climate Risks” (front page, Sept. 23):
This synopsis of twin crises matches my thinking, and my fears. But the A.I. crisis could be shut down more efficiently than the climate crisis.
Even if we curtailed fossil fuel use tomorrow, our planet would continue to warm and the symptoms of this catastrophe — deadly heat waves, sudden floods and insidious wildfires — would continue to plague us for some time.
If only we had taken robust action to eliminate climate pollution decades ago we would be in a much better place today. Eight million to nine million people would not die prematurely from fossil fuel pollution every year.
Oceans would be closer to their ideal temperature, allowing coral reefs to thrive. Thousands of acres of forests would be healthier. Heat waves would be far tamer. Droughts would have less of an impact.
In 1987, a group of world leaders met in Montreal to tackle the destruction of the ozone layer. At that meeting they chose to ban ozone-damaging chemicals, and the ozone layer has been recovering ever since. Let’s find our collective sanity!
Sally Courtright Albany, N.Y.
Colleges and A.I.
To the Editor:
Re “Universities in U.S. Sound the Alarm on A.I., Even as They Embrace It” (news article, Sept. 17):
Educational institutions need to double down on what it means for students to be in community with one another and what it means to be human. Instead, higher education is mired and entangled in a never-ending struggle over A.I. use.
Institutions need to take a step back, refocus on their missions and remind educators that nurturing the core values of collaboration, creativity, purpose and ethics will stand the test of time and technology. It’s not the technology. It’s us.
A recent M.I.T. report warning that A.I. is causing “cognitive surrender” is the closest one to get this.
Matt Levinson Los Angeles The writer is the head of school at the Wildwood School and the author of “From Fear to Facebook: One School’s Journey.”
The post The Trump Outrages Keep Piling Up appeared first on New York Times.
