Trump needs to watch his words. His example is contagious.

While Mr. Trump and his supporters disavow any connection between his inflammatory rhetoric and the recent attempted bombing and horrific shooting of innocent people, history shows what leaders say and do can greatly influence the behavior of their followers and the public at large.

Perhaps the French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld said it best: “Nothing is so contagious as example; and we never do any great good or evil which does not produce its like.”

While there is no direct link between the recent attacks and Trump’s frequent promoting of hate, fear, and violence, it is inconceivable that his inflammatory rhetoric hasn’t helped some people convert their bad thoughts to actions.

When you say words that influence someone’s behavior, you own part of the results of that good or bad behavior whether you want to admit it or not. Words have consequences and Trump’s words are more powerful than most, even when they are far from the truth and can encourage people to commit violent acts.

Will Kaydos

Raleigh

Not Trump’s fault

The left has blamed President Trump for the murder of Jews in Pittsburgh. This president has a daughter, son-in-law and grand kids who are Jewish. The Jews of America and the Nation of Israel have no greater friend than Donald Trump. Support of Iran, condemnation of Israel, welcoming the Farrakhan’s of the world have been highlights of a Democratic Party that cares more about its supporters than it does about their votes.

Look at the anti-Semitic events happening at our colleges and universities. My once beloved Democrats are being lead down a road of destruction by out of control lunatics.

Steven Metzler

Raleigh

Changing citizenship

If the president can change our Constitution with regard to who is a citizen by executive order, the president is a dictator. He could just as well change the name of the office from president to King and make it a lifetime tenure by executive order.

Roger McFeeters

Raleigh

Shackled juveniles

Thank you for pushing Durham District Court Judge Jim Hill to say that he will stop allowing juveniles to be shackled in his court.

I hope Judge Hill will live up to his promise. For the past 18 months he has served as chief district court judge and had the ability to do what he promises now but didn’t deliver on: putting in place processes that would encourage all district judges to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting fines and fees or penalties for failure to appear. Nor has he supported changes that would result in pretrial release for justice-involved individuals who are not a risk to themselves or others.

Judge Hill makes promises when he is up for election, but will he keep them? Maybe it’s time for change.

Sondra Stein

Durham

Renewable energy

I would like to congratulate the Wake County commissioners’ unanimous vote on a resolution to transition to 100 percent renewable energy for all county buildings and cars by 2050. I especially welcome the commissioners’ actions given the UN’s 2018 IPCC report, which states global warming caused by human activity is worse than expected.

My suggestion for CO2 reduction would be for Wake to provide a street-side compost collection service. According to Paul Hawken’s book, “Drawdown,” Global adoption of approximately 50 percent food waste composting would reduce CO2 emissions by over 2 gigatons. I urge the board to work hard and fast on a robust plan, implementing it as soon as possible to help prevent a dire future for our ecosystem.

Stephen Ineson

Raleigh

Younger generations

I apologize to the readers under 25 years old. The generations before you haven’t made the best decisions to prevent the spread of hate and senseless violence.

If we started with hindsight, things would be different, but none of us planned for what’s occurring. Even though we were aware of hate groups, we lost sight of how to change the heart with love. We’ve been consumed with goals and visions of inclusive change, yet our best efforts unintentionally excluded some.

We’ve exercised the choice of silence during the moments of dire concern and looked away in indifference hoping someone else would take responsibility. We’ve lost the ability to build respectful relationships and perpetuated avoidance of accountability. I apologize that we are paying the consequences together and respectfully ask for your creative involvement.

Dani O’Quinn

Wake Forest