Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and the Military

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/opinion/hillary-clinton-donatrump-and-the-military.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Candidates Flex Debate Muscles During TV Forum” (front page, Sept. 8):

Donald Trump’s astounding ignorance was on full display during the forum on Wednesday evening. If anyone, anywhere, had questions about his lack of knowledge, his coarseness and his monumental unsuitability to be president, this forum should have put the matter to rest.

Hillary Clinton’s measured, detailed, fact-filled, coherent answers clearly reflected her years of experience at the highest levels of government. Mr. Trump’s convoluted nonanswers, his grade-school rhetoric and his nonstop Obama bashing were transparent attempts to divert attention from his incredible lack of knowledge, understanding or experience in world affairs.

I would have wished for two things in this event: 1) that the moderator had made a greater effort to counter Mr. Trump’s evasiveness and press him on what, if anything, he actually knows; 2) that Mr. Trump would have heeded (as Mrs. Clinton did for the most part) the moderator’s request to avoid bashing the other candidate and focus purely on his own qualifications (such as they are).

RALPH TUREK

Strongsville, Ohio

To the Editor:

Re “Moderator of Clinton-Trump Forum Fields a Storm of Criticism” (news analysis, Sept. 8):

Matt Lauer’s sorry performance as moderator of NBC’s appearance by Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is the latest dismaying example of how TV news seems unable or unwilling to get a handle on the Frankenstein’s monster it largely created in the person of Mr. Trump.

After 40 years in TV news, I know full well why TV news got hooked on Mr. Trump early on. He was like crack cocaine, and producers were buying it to get high on ratings. Mr. Trump was seen as a joke. So what’s the harm, right?

He has long since ceased to be funny. And the potential harm to this nation — to the world — in the form of a Trump presidency is a frightening prospect.

There’s still time for TV to get a grip. I urge — no, I beg — the moderators of the presidential debates still to come to hold Mr. Trump accountable. It won’t be easy. He will dismiss, deflect, evade and generally avoid being pinned down for his words and views. You can’t let him get away with that. Don’t do another Matt Lauer. There’s simply too much at stake.

DON PORTER

Seattle

To the Editor:

For the left to complain that Donald Trump received preferential treatment over Hillary Clinton from Matt Lauer on Wednesday night is like a white person complaining that a black person received preferential treatment from the police.

Republicans are habitually treated so much worse by the press that any change to the contrary ought to be seen as long overdue. Mr. Trump, in particular, has been utterly vilified by the press for so long (most of it deserved) that if he did have it a little easier Wednesday night, the fact that the media is so worked up about it only further exposes its liberal bias.

MARK R. GODBURN

North Canaan, Conn.

To the Editor:

What, exactly, is the “long overdue course correction” those 88 retired military officials are looking for in their endorsement of Donald Trump (“Clinton Says Trump’s Foreign Policy Credentials Do Not Measure Up,” news article, Sept. 7)? It’s one thing to support a five-time draft evader because, back then, many men had many reasons for getting deferments. But, after having successfully stayed out of harm’s way himself, Mr. Trump then downgrades the heroism of Senator John McCain because he was captured in Vietnam, and insults the parents of a Muslim officer killed in Iraq while trying to protect his troops.

Is that the example these military people wish to set for those fighting to support our foreign policy?

IRV ZUCKERMAN

Rye, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Re “Trump Proposes Vast Expansion of U.S. Military” (news article, Sept. 8):

Donald Trump vows to increase military spending and build a new infrastructure — both laudable goals. But who is going to pay? The average taxpayer, of course. But perhaps not Mr. Trump, who I suspect pays little or no taxes whatsoever since he refuses to release his own tax returns. In other words, Mr. Trump is making promises using other people’s money.

JAMSHED BATLIWALA

Southbury, Conn.