It’s not open season for women

On November 5, a woman was attacked while walking on a Gahanna trail.

On the news, a passer-by said: “This could have been a lot worse… I’ve always felt safe on this route.”

Although most likely unintentional, these comments completely minimized the ordeal the victim had just gone through. Could it have been much worse? That was “worse!”

Since the victim fought and escaped twice, safety was not part of this route. Any woman who has taken a self-defense course knows that the exercise of getting rid of a man is no easy task. The survivor of this attack showed great strength and presence of mind.

Opinion: Harris was qualified. What does Trump’s victory say about the American people?

It’s time to stop minimizing violence against women.

If a car had been forced off the road, overturned, and the driver had tried his best to free himself, we wouldn’t say, “It could have been a lot worse.” Should women guess where it’s safe to go?

Not.

Our next leader has not been and will not be an example of how to respect anyone, especially women.

It is up to each of us to lead with our speech and actions, making it known that disrespect and violence against women will not be tolerated and we will stand together against it, even if our leaders won’t.

Jill Gaydos, Hilliard

Hope is not dead

I read them both with interest of Rex Huppke and Gabe Roehrenbeck’s columns on November 7 reflecting on the election results.

I found Roehrenbeck’s “5 Reasons for the Election Outcome” to be insightful and quite plausible; however, I disagree with his hope that Trump will be able to lead without divisive rhetoric and have the ability to focus on policies that will benefit everyone — he’s given us no reason to believe he ever will .

Which brings me to Huppke’s refusal to accept that “America is better than this” since “the people have spoken” and this divisive rhetoric and bigotry is obviously what “the people” want.

I’d just like to remind Huppke that just under 50% of the people who voted in this election are “better than that”. I would also like to share a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. — “Though we must accept finite disappointment, we must never lose our infinite hope.”

Ann MacDonald, Dublin

Was it worth it, America?

I would like to congratulate racism, misogyny and the 1% for their election victory. to the rest of Americaor most as I said, not so much. I hope the egg prices were worth it.

Ryan Beem, Columbus

Expecting the worst

Gabe Roehrenbeck’s Thursday column it reflects a self-delusional dream world that is anchored more in imagination than in any reality.

I really hope that the final prayer he offered comes true, but I think the past has shown that it will most likely turn into a nightmare from which we cannot wake up.

William Young, Etna

Tell him how it is

Immigration scare tactics were instrumental in determining the outcome of the election. If our immigrants come from the UK or Canada, would that be a problem? Certainly not. Call it what it is: blatant racism.

Daniel Finn, Worthington

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opinion: Has Trump ushered in the season for women?