We can choose to be a different kind of country

At first, many thought: Are the photos that began to flood social media manipulated with artificial intelligence? No, they were and are real. America seems to be entering a new dark period, divided in two by great enmity. And if America goes into darkness, then the whole world will follow.

The agenda now changes radically, shifting from discussions of President Biden’s age. Political violence returns to the scene. Memories of the assassination of John F. Kennedy will return. Maybe even thoughts of the American Civil War.

“God Bless America” has never been a more necessary sentiment than it is in these hours. America needs all of us, too. Let us think of Aristotle’s three virtues, which should distinguish the citizen: justice, courage and temperance. And let’s walk ahead all united from now on.

Dimitris Eleas, Brooklyn

For those, like myself, whose formative years included the assassinations of the 1960s, the attack on former president Donald Trump is a reminder of how, in an instant, our country and its political system can be shocked and dazed. But, in the face of the current rhetoric across the political spectrum, no one should really be surprised when the unbalanced and deranged hear bellicose words as a call to action.

That’s why on macro political levels, as well as on micro personal ones, what is needed now more than ever is a compact of civility. It’s long past time for our political leaders and their speechwriters to avoid hyping rhetoric and embellishing themes that are designed to escalate important and heartfelt differences into hateful and toxic disunity.

And on a personal level, each of us should take responsibility by asking ourself if we are being driven by a desire to incite and inflame when we share news reports, rather than acting with deliberation and a search for truth.

Simple steps like these won’t ensure that civility returns to our political life and personal interactions. But at least it’s a start up that road, long and winding as it might be.

Chuck Cutolo, Westbury, N.Y.

The author worked as legislative director to Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).

We watched the news of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump with shock, sadness and anger. This event echoes the traumas of the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s life in 1981.

Our beautiful country emerged as a model republic and an economic and political power after World War II. During this period, the United States has played a pivotal role in promoting democracy and good governance around the world. At home, our political leaders in the House and Senate dealt with their differences with relative civility and reached a political consensus based on the demands of their constituents and the national interests of the United States

Unfortunately, in the past few years, our great political and democratic system has become stuck in the gridlock of tribal politics. The politics of dissonance and division have adversely affected people’s perceptions toward each other, and those with different opinions and ideologies are demonized. It is time for reconciliation in the United States.

Reconciliation is an act of empathy, mercy, truth, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness and justice. The burden is upon our leaders in the House and Senate to acknowledge and accept responsibility for the mistakes of the past and adopt a philosophy of empathy, acceptance and forgiveness under this spirit.

A. Matin Royeen, Chicago

An attack on the republic

I do not like or support Donald Trump. That said, attempting to assassinate the former president was a heinous and horrible act of political violence that should not and cannot be acceptable in America.

Coups and assassinations take place in developing and autocratic nations, not in the greatest democracy on the planet. Make no mistake: This attempt on Mr. Trump’s life was a direct threat to our 248-year-old democratic republic and a threat to all political figures in what has become a battleground in the true sense of the word.

Perhaps this brush with death will persuade the former president to back off from his ugliest rhetoric. I pray this event will not be the start of retaliatory attacks of violence on Democratic leaders by anyone who has been itching for an excuse to lash out and attack democracy. Praise to the Secret Service men and women who acted quickly and professionally. Their jobs just became many times more difficult.

Henry A. Lowenstein, Newport, R.I.

Violence of any kind is never acceptable, but political violence is anathema to our nation’s founding ideals. Every American, regardless of political affiliation, but especially politicians, has the right to speak out for or against any issue. Anyone who has lived through the ’60s knows of the trauma associated with assassinations and the long-lasting effects they have on the nation’s psyche.

I am diametrically opposed to everything Donald Trump stands for, but I still support his right to say whatever he wishes. My only wish is that he learns from this life-threatening experience and cuts back on his volatile political style.

Skip Strobel, Washington

Fighting disillusionment

Hate has won. The country has lost. People are so angry that some of them are treating violence as a legitimate option. In the 1860s, it was Blue vs. Gray. The country barely survived. Now it is Red vs. Blue.

With no middle ground, with no one talking civilly, with only anger to guide how we think and act, is there any future? People are just going to withdraw and give up on this country. “I am tired, and I can’t take it anymore” will be the mantra. Democracy without participation is not democracy. A motivated minority will be in total control, and the majority of people will just put their heads down and try to get by each day.

Like a disease that must take its course, we, the majority of Americans, can only hope that the ailment is not fatal.

Michael J. Makara, Mays Landing, N.J.

An awakening

Is there any chance that an assassination attempt on a former president could wake us all up to the desperate need for gun control in this country?

Nora Post, Kingston, N.Y.

Regarding the July 14 editorial, “What do we want to do, America?”:

Respectfully, this is a meaningless editorial. This is not a watershed moment. Ask us instead about Sandy Hook. Uvalde. If we’re not willing to do what it takes to protect our children, why would you think we would feel differently when it comes to our politicians?

What will it take to turn the tide on violence? All of us indeed. Including politicians who have unleashed or enabled the violent epidemic our country is facing.

Nancy Mueller, Seattle

What about the Secret Service?

The roof where the shooter stationed himself should have been under the direct observation of the Secret Service. At least two or three Secret Service agents should have been on the highest roof in that warehouse area, at which point they would’ve seen the sniper and incapacitated or killed him before he was able to fire.

The roof was within 150 yards of the stage upon which Donald Trump was speaking and had an unobstructed line of sight. No one should have been on a roof with a clear view within 1,500 yards. If one cannot secure the area from snipers, there should be bulletproof glass around the stage or podium. This is not rocket science.

Wayne L. Johnson, Alexandria

An unfortunate headline

The July 13 front-page headline “Biden trains fire on Trump” proved an unfortunate choice by The Post’s editors. It is past time to tone down the expressions of violence in our civil discourse, no matter how incidental.

Margaret McKelvey, Arlington