Applause is approval

In response to: “Republicans distance themselves from Allsup …” (Aug. 3, 2018.

“… though he did speak disparagingly of gay people, transgender people and detained immigrant children.”

“At one point, Allsup praised President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, for saying “womp, womp” on live television to mock a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome who had been taken away from her mother at the border in South Texas.”

Quote from Mr. Ed Pace’s interview: “I applauded when he was done, but it was like how you applaud for anybody that speaks,” Pace said. “That’s what groups do.”

Definitions of “applaud”: Show approval or praise by clapping; show strong approval of (a person or action); praise.

Synonyms: praise, commend, acclaim, salute, welcome, hail, celebrate, express admiration for, express approval of, look on with favor at, approve of, sing the praises of, pay tribute to, speak highly of, express respect for.

Sorry, Mr. Pace, but when you applauded you sent a public message that you approve of what you have heard. Don’t try to deny it after the fact. Just because everyone else in a group applauds, you refrain from doing so if you do not agree with the speaker.

Arlene Rowden

Spokane Valley