Opinion: Failing to hold Trump or Roy Moore accountable sends a terrible message to accused harassers

To the editor: A decade before he ran for president, Donald Trump revealed the pleasure he took in groping and kissing women without consent in the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape. Sixteen women have accused the president of some sort of sexual harassment or assault. (“Trump fully endorses Roy Moore after urging from Bannon, amid tight polls in Alabama race,” Dec. 4)

Now in the White House, Trump is a public servant. What if the president’s past dalliances are not properly addressed and instead ignored?

Let’s say Trump’s endorsed candidate Roy Moore, who is accused of child molestation, wins in Alabama and is seated in the Senate. That would appear to give permission for the other lawmakers accused of harassment to keep their seats.

If alleged sexual harassment is overlooked from the highest office in the land and by our public servants, what is the big deal over Harvey Weinstein, Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer and whoever else comes along?

Ken Johnson, Pinon Hills

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To the editor: Trump’s endorsement of Roy Moore, an accused serial child sexual predator, along with the backtracking now of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on whether he may seek to deny such a person a seat in the Senate if he is elected, reminds me of the movie “Chinatown” and screenwriter Robert Towne’s brilliant script.

Foreshadowing the ultimate revelation of incest, Noah Cross (played by John Huston) tells Jake Gittes (played by Jack Nicholson), “You see, Mr. Gittes, most people never have to face the fact that at the right time and the right place, they’re capable of anything.”

Kevin Patrick, Del Mar

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To the editor: I was thinking of running for elected office, but since I’m not a habitual liar or an accused sexual harasser, I figured I don’t have much of a chance.

Maybe I’ll spend the next couple of years polishing my resume. Any women out there care to be subject to unwanted advances or worse? Does anyone want to watch me lie through my teeth on a daily basis?

Otherwise, how can I get my qualifications for public office up to snuff?

Richard Spring, Redondo Beach

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