To some, Obama’s approach to ISIL appears weak: #tellusatoday

Letters to the editor:

President Obama, like President George W. Bush before him, spoke about how we are at war with radical Islam and not Muslims themselves (“Destroy ISIL, not American values: Our view”).

Contrast that with Donald Trump and others during the silliness of the primary season. Serious times demand reasonable and careful dialogue, which both Obama and Bush exemplified.

Steven M. Clayton; Ocean, N.J.

I listened to President Obama address the nation from the august surroundings of the Oval Office.

This was an address that was long overdue. He said many things worth remembering. Yet, his tone was oddly cool, detached and professorial. I failed to feel his emotion. Unlike his Democrat predecessor, Bill Clinton, I did not get the sense that he “feels our pain,” our concerns, our fears.

The president did not address the sense of vulnerability many of us Americans now feel in places we formerly would not give a second thought as to our safety. Mr. President, I, for one, am sadly not reassured.

Ken Derow; Swarthmore, Pa.

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Our enemies laugh at our values and take advantage of us. When you fight a savage, you have to fight like a savage. We are not the moral authority of the world. Our obligation is to protect our own with whatever means available.

— Richard DellaValle

President Obama should have gone after the Islamic State two years ago. That being said, Congress would not have gone along with it. Had Obama forged ahead using or abusing his authority, Congress, particulary the GOP, would have cried foul and launched impeachment calls anew. There is plenty of blame to go around for the genesis of ISIL and its continued rise. It is now a serious threat worldwide.

— Larry Hurst

We asked our followers what the nation can do to combat terrorism at home. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

We can stop meddling in the Middle East. We invite this barbaric blowback by bombing and killing civilians. Peace now.

— @andrewnappi

Go after ISIL and make sure its members are destroyed.

— @cgarciasoldier

People are vigilant, but no one knows what’s in the hearts and minds of others.

— @a92854jordan

Although distasteful, put boots on the ground. Hit terrorism where terrorists live. But voters won’t like it.

— @michaelhanks66

Be diligent, report anything you think looks suspect! Don’t let fear drive you.

— @APGsMom

No guns for those on terror watch list. No assault weapons for anyone.

— @ChanceMax1

Fix our internal problems and stay out of other countries’ affairs. We’ve made a lot of enemies domestically and abroad.

— @J_Gordon843

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.