Regarding the use of profanity by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., while addressing the progressive group MoveOn.org at a bar on the very day she was sworn into Congress ("Rep. Tlaib profanely promises impeachment," Jan. 5):
The story may sound interesting because Tlaib outperformed the profanity king Donald Trump in his own kingdom of insult and name-calling. But at the same time, she stooped down to the level of President Trump, which is disgusting.
While addressing her base, she lectured: "Don't you ever, ever, let anybody take away your roots, your culture, who you are. Ever." She went on to say, "we're gonna go in there and we're gonna impeach the mother------."
I wonder if using profanity from a public platform is Tlaib's culture? Is this what she is? I am pretty sure her Palestinian roots and her religion do not approve of such irresponsible behavior.
She goes on to verbalize her made-up conversation with her young son and utters the unspeakable profanity. What kind of culture will she pass on to her young children? This is a reprehensible behavior, if not of a public figure like her, certainly of a mother of young children.
Har N. Shukla, Anoka
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One expects an elected officeholder to exhibit some characteristics of an orator, a statesman and a role model. Webster's defines an orator as "an eloquent public speaker." A statesman "shares wisdom, skill, and vision." A role model "is unusually effective or inspiring."
Rep. Tlaib apparently knew how to speak effectively and inspire in order to get herself elected. With the Hollywood awards season starting up, she is deserving of some kind of recognition for her acting abilities.
John Sherack, Thief River Falls, Minn.
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In the 1960s, I was the first woman in our group to not wear a bra. Got lots of derision and put-down for that. I was one of the first to drop the F-bomb regularly at card parties. These days, whenever the F-word slips in, I'm quickly brought to task by one of my nine grandchildren. Once, when grabbed by the behind by a "friend" who said "How you doing?", I turned to him, grabbed him by his b---- and said, "Just fine — and how are you?" A lot went on in the '60s.