President should tone down rhetoric

Jan. 8, 2011, U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords was nearly killed when she had a rally. At the time, there was conjecture that the shooting happened due to the actions of an opposing politician who had posted a map of the U.S. with bull's-eyes marking certain U.S. representative districts. The politician said violence wasn't their intention, but that is open to conjecture.

We now have a president who has attacked the press since he took office. Hardly a day goes by when he doesn't say something such as, "The press is evil." "The press is fake news, you need to listen to me for the truth." "The press is the enemy of the people of the country." etc.

At a recent rally, it truly was amazing at the vitriol that his supporters showed. There's little doubt in my mind, had security not been what it was, members of the press would have been attacked. The one person responsible for all of this is the president. There is a reason that the First Amendment covers freedom on the press.

It's time for the president to significantly tone down his rhetoric. Is he willing to take the responsibility for one of his supporters attacking, or killing a member of the press?

Walter O'Brien

Dundee