Trump is about as funny as a hemorrhoid: Letters

Nov. 13 − To the Editor:
Every once in a while I read something so asinine I cringe audibly.  The piece by Alan Forbes in Tuesday’s “My Turn” section provided just that effect.  Forbes writes, “Trump is a happy, funny guy and happy, funny people make jokes.” Prior to this observation, Forbes writes, “If you hear Trump say something crazy, ask yourself, ‘is he joking or serious?’ Most likely, he’s joking. He does that a lot. If you’d let him, you’d find he’s actually very funny.  Hilarious, even.”
Funny? Hilarious?  Trump is about as funny as a hemorrhoid, cancer, rabies.  The writer misses the subtext, innuendo, abject cruelty of Trump. The critical thinking skills, the depth of knowledge is stunningly vacant from Forbes’ piece. Trump’s words and, inevitably, future actions are to humor what brain surgery is to chewing gum. Mocking the disabled, women, immigrants?  Oh, dear God, THAT is funny? 
As we move forward into this tumultuous and deeply frightening time, let’s not dumb down even more.  It’s vital we read, we question, we act.  It is equally important we laugh – at humor that invites creativity and cleverness, not cruelty and mockery.  
Forbes asks, “Should you be worried?”  Absolutely.  
But – we can still laugh – uproariously, joyfully, – not at people but with people. And simply because the future leader of the free world is deliberately cruel and calls that humor? No need to call that hilarity − ever.
Susan Dromey Heeter
Newmarket
Nov. 12 − To the Editor:
How wonderful it was to see so many people standing patiently in line to cast their vote on Tuesday. I, along with many others, stood for two hours, chatting, laughing, and observing something quite historic. However, I couldn’t help but wonder how the elderly and physically challenged would manage this very long and slow crawl to the voting booths. I was also concerned because I knew that my son (who is physically challenged) would be heading over after 8 hours of work to be unexpectedly confronted by the aspect of this 2 hour wait. I hoped  there would be an obvious official to usher those in need to the front of the line. I did notice a person helping a few elderly, but how to tell my son which person this was or how to get their attention? 
Unfortunately for him, upon arrival, he made his way to the front to explain his situation only to be taken aback by several people pointing and repeatedly yelling at him to stop cutting the line. He saw no security personnel to assist him, and so rather than get into a confrontation, he left. 
It struck me that an event that was so uplifting to me was so frustrating, and disheartening for my son. And thus this contradiction of feelings compelled me to share and hopefully raise some awareness. 
My plea to you is this:  If you see someone who is seemingly “breaking the rules” but bringing no harm to anyone, temper your feelings with empathy; temper your comments with kindness. Seek understanding rather than condemnation. A disability is not always obvious or visible. You cannot always see or know the irreversible challenges that a person faces every minute of the day. Be the person that changes one of those moments into the brightest spot of their day. Your small, but very significant act of kindness could do just that.
Susan Wallace
Hampton
Nov. 12 − To the Editor:
As usual, all the first post election letters writers were so sad and downtrodden. Sad and downtrodden because a very, very mediocre nominee, who could not articulate policy, failed miserably in her quest to become the first female president of the United States. Nothing wrong with a woman becoming president, just not this one and a vast majority of voters made that known.  Not one writer expressed a positive view of the next Trump White House. How odd given the numbers that voted for him. But, then again, this area has become an enclave of smug, liberal elitists who have been, over time, manipulated by our education systems and media outlets. There were many reasons why Trump won, the primary being that the Democrat party has been hijacked by the far left and that group is so far out of touch with mainstream America. 
I stayed up on election night until the decision was not in question. It was perhaps more exhilarating than the 2016 cycle.  I don’t have to think about Harris having direct, over the table discussions with Putin or Xi resulting in word salads that no one can comprehend. I don’t have to worry about Harris steering our complex economy. After all, she had a billion dollars in campaign funding and ended up $20 million in debt. But, she did make Oprah, Beyonce and a number of others happy. No, it was a good day for our country and yes, most of us did get what we wished for.
Dan Hurley
Dover
Nov. 12 − To the Editor:
In the Opinion piece “Trump won in a landslide. Should you be worried?”  (Portsmouth Herald Nov. 12, 2024, Your Turn),  Alan Forbes, Guest columnist, wrote:
“The election is finally over, and we have a new president-elect, Donald J. Trump. Personally, I’m elated…
Should you be worried? I don’t think so, and here’s why:
Depending on where you get your news, you might think that Trump is a misogynist (woman hater)…
Depending on where you get your news, you might think that Trump is a racist…
Depending on where you get your news, you might even think that Trump is in bed with Putin…
Depending on where you get your news, you might think that Trump intends to be a dictator…”
The question I have for the author is, Where do you get your news?
Lyn Watson
Hampton
Nov. 13 — To the Editor:
One of the items on the long list of changes we may be experiencing is the Department of Education going away. That makes sense considering what has been taught in the United States for centuries. We used to admire our first President George Washington because he told the truth about chopping down a cherry tree. In our new world, that admission was a dumb move. We used to admire “Honest Abe” Lincoln for making the effort to return money to someone, but that’s now a bad business move.
Hogan’s Heroes, a 1960-70s comedy series about Stalag 13, can now be considered a documentary. When private interests profited from public resources during the Teapot Dome Scandal, we understood that it was a bad thing. Now having government officials profiting from Uncle Sam is a good thing. In Sunday School we learned about turning the other cheek, treating others as we would like to be treated and following the Ten Commandments. Now we are told to punch people in the face, insult people and violate the Ten Commandments whenever we feel like it. We will also need to adjust to our new single national religion and laws recognizing cellular personhood. Yea, it’s going to take an adjustment.
As far as forgiveness goes, perhaps we should all be afforded the same four years that the incoming folks took, if we are not deported or incarcerated as “an enemy from within” before then. Of course the detention camps will likely be for-profit as well.
Don Cavallaro
Rye