Re: “Trump fails test of leadership, chance to unite” [Opinion, Aug. 20]: In your editorial you state that most have rightly criticized President Trump for saying “both sides” are to blame for the violence in Charlottesville. Yet, you say Antifa has perpetrated numerous vile acts. So on the one hand you criticize President Trump’s words, and on the other hand you agree with him? It is so confusing to me, trying to reconcile the “correct” with the “politically correct.”
— Greg Beck, Laguna Hills
Read it for yourself
Your editorial lambasted President Trump for his remarks on the Charlottesville riot. I have seen an lot of undocumented criticism of his comments and so I sought a copy of both the Saturday and Monday comments.
From what I read, I simply say, bravo Mr. President.
The Register’s editorial is misleading, unfounded and so egregious that I call on you to make an apology to the American people.
Please read the president’s remarks for yourself and you, too, will be astonished at the arbitrary and capricious media comments.
— John Rette, Mission Viejo
Goethals an honorable man
Re: “No death penalty in botched Dekraai case” [Opinion, Aug. 20]: I have known Judge Goethals on a professional basis for over 35 years. I first knew him as a prosecutor, then as a private attorney, and of course as a judge. In my opinion, he is the quintessential judge; bright, thoughtful, courteous and conscientious. He is a decent person and exactly the kind of judge we want on the bench. I’m sure there will be an outcry for his removal either through recall efforts or in his next bid for re-election. That would be outrageous. The job of a judge is not to succumb to public pressure and do what is popular. It is to be fair, follow the law and make independent decisions.
In this case, there was overreaching by the prosecution and law enforcement to such an extent that deputy sheriffs actually lied on the witness stand. This cannot be tolerated under our system of justice. The prosecution had a slam-dunk case and blew it by getting greedy. It’s as simple as that. Judge Goethals did exactly the right thing in this case. Let’s hope it sends a message to the DA’s Office and the Sheriff’s Department so something like this won’t happen in the future.
— Tim Severin, La Palma