Opinion: Comparing thick-skinned Obama to tantrum-prone Trump is ridiculous

To the editor: Barton Swaim asserts that President Obama and Donald Trump share a “searing contempt for their critics.” He offers nothing concrete to prove it, aside from his own interpretation of Obama’s words. (“What Trump and Obama have in common,” Opinion, Dec. 4)

Obama has faced an unprecedented level of disrespect. In 2009, during a presidential address to Congress, GOP Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina bellowed, “You lie!” Obama calmly continued with his speech. While campaigning for Hillary Clinton, Obama engaged hecklers respectfully. By contrast, people opposed to Trump have been kicked out of his rallies, often at Trump’s urging. He even offered to pay the legal bills of supporters who physically assaulted protesters.

Swaim states Obama’s “offense isn’t so much rhetorical as attitudinal.” I’ve been on the planet long enough to recognize this as code for “uppity.”

The Obamas have been depicted as radical Muslims, apes and monkeys, and they did not engage the offenders. In contrast, Trump responded like a petulant child to the cast of a Broadway play that asked him and his vice president-elect to be humane leaders of this country.

This isn’t becoming of a man about to occupy the most powerful office on the planet.

David P. Lewis, Long Beach

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To the editor: To compare Obama with Trump is to compare a sewing machine with a war tank, a gentleman with a thug.

Obama had the humility to defer to many congressional defeats, much to the chagrin of progressives. His language was inciting, but of political action and support — and apparently resentment in those who either didn’t agree or didn’t understand. Trump’s language has incited hate and retribution.

There is a world of difference between these two men. One exemplifies dignity; the other, self-will run riot.

Betsy Rothstein, Long Beach

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