To the editor:

In “The Shaming of America” in the Opinion section of The Messenger on Aug. 13, Kathleen Parker writes of how shame has become part of the 2020 presidential race. Even though Parker suggests some Democrats contribute to the shaming, I believe Democrats look at Trump and his supporters, and Republicans in general, as having a monopoly on shaming. Such a monopoly is not true.

Parker quotes words Trump used when talking about illegal immigration as a presidential candidate over four years ago and connects them to the recent mass murder in El Paso.

The murderer in Dayton was said to be a liberal who stated his support of Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Did Warren somehow inspire the Dayton shooter?

Recently a MSNBC guest contributor said “I want pitchforks and torches” outside homes of Trump donors. Just what was to be done with those pitchforks and torches? Many prominent Republicans (and others just for wearing a MAGA hat) have been targeted and verbally assaulted. Could such “shaming” lead to violent acts?

Tucker Carlson of Fox News and Sen. Mitch McConnell have had protesters outside their homes yelling and screaming and in McConnell’s case making death threats. Yes, I know there is that thing about exercising one’s right of free speech, but when the yelling and screaming and spitting are getting too close and are becoming threatening to that person or that person’s family, bad things might happen.

Just days ago, shots were fired at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in San Antonio, the fourth attack on an ICE facility in the past month. Many of the Democrats running for president have called for the elimination of ICE. Any connection?

Within the last week, Universal Pictures called off the release of “The Hunt” (for the time being, which means when things calm down you can bet it will be released). The movie, that was due to be released Sept. 27, features rich elites hunting and killing “deplorables” for sport. Remember, Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election campaign called “half of those that support Trump” deplorables.

I suppose, like the producers, there would be similar-minded people that would go to, and even enjoy, such a movie and of course would say no one would be influenced to act in any similar way. Or would they? I for one don’t want to find out.

Chuck Peterson

Fort Dodge