This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Readers were being asked not to "shoot yourself in the foot" by not supporting the Republican nominee Donald Trump ["Republicans must support Trump," Aug. 15]. Hasn't Trump already done that to himself time and again, and again and again? Religious persecution and banning Muslims from entering the U.S.? Mexican illegal immigrants are rapists and murderers, though a few may be good people? When the Gold Star dad Mr. Khan spoke at the Democratic Convention he asked Trump what sacrifices he had made, but all Trump could reply was that he has been a successful businessman who has employed thousands of people, and he called that a "sacrifice?"

Some of Trump's operatives, or those trying to clean up and make excuses for him, have complained that the media does not show the crowd size or enthusiasm of Trump's rallies. Why should they? Show it once and that should be enough. White and white, not a whole lot of the diversity that is needed to win a national election.

Earlier it was "little Mario," then "lying Ted," then "crooked Hillary." The latest Trump catchphrase is the "disgusting and corrupt media." He will say absolutely anything to deflect the blame and make excuses for why he is not doing as well as his ego thinks he should be doing.

Jack Lakey

Salt Lake City