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Trump, supporters woefully ignorant of history; Glenn Collins, Sr. (GC); Beaver County Times; October 1, 2017.
Reviews of previous GC letters are here and here.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“Donald Trump says most Americans agree that professional athletes should stand when the national anthem is played.
“Most Americans believe he should release his tax returns. Most Americans are also appalled that some years he allegedly paid no taxes on his personal income.
“His supporters say he is within his rights not to release his tax returns and that his manipulation of the tax laws is not only lawful but brilliant. They say leave Trump alone.”
[RWC] Why do I need to see the tax returns of presidents and presidential candidates?
Even if the comments about Donald Trump’s (DT) taxes were true, Congress and DT’s predecessors enacted our tax laws, not DT. As long as it’s done legally, there’s nothing wrong with “manipulating” “the tax laws” to minimize your tax liability. When you take any deductions, exemptions, etc, you do so to minimize your tax liability.
“But, Trump supporters say, athletes who fall to their knees to remind us that all are not truly safe and free in this land of the free should not exercise their lawful rights. They should be fired.
“Like Trump, they claim they are disrespecting flag, soldiers and country. Like Trump, they are woefully ignorant of history.
“Patrick Henry said, ‘I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’”
[RWC] That’s a negatory. It appears Patrick Henry didn’t say, “I disapprove of what you say …” Though I didn’t find a “name brand” reference, the consensus source of the quote appears to be Evelyn Beatrice Hall (pen name S. G. Tallentyre) in her 1906 biography of François-Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire). I have no clue why some people attribute the quote to Patrick Henry. GC probably shouldn’t claim others “are woefully ignorant of history.”
“Henry is just one of the founding fathers who fought the Revolutionary War to make sure U.S. citizens would always be able to peacefully protest. They believed peaceful protest ensures the nation corrects and does not hide its faults.
“Our founding fathers would join most U.S. citizens who believe our president is a disgrace to his office, this nation and our flag.”
[RWC] More than Bill Clinton (WJC)? Readers may be surprised to learn I did not believe WJC did what was claimed until the blue dress. I didn’t like WJC, but I didn’t want to believe a sitting U.S. president would have such little respect for his country, his office, and his family that he would do what he did.
“Most citizens abhor the name-calling and vulgarities he has substituted for thoughtful and meaningful debate. They are disgusted because their children are witnesses.
“Most feel that no woman should be called a female dog. Most agree calling people SOBs are fighting words and hate speech.”
[RWC] Regarding name-calling, GC accused “the white males in [DT’s] base” of racism regarding Obamacare in his letter “Trump promised us better heatlh [sic] care.” GC’s proof? DT supporters “constantly call [the ACA] Obamacare” because “The only thing the Trump Republicans want you to know is the ACA was enacted by a black man.” GC apparently forgot he himself twice referred to the ACA as Obamacare in his letter “Should health care be government-mandated?” I’m sure GC is equally offended by Hillarycare, Ryancare, Trumpcare, and so on.
Finally, I posted a comment about this letter on the BCT website. GC claimed I misquoted him, which I didn’t. GC conceded, “Yes, in March I did refer to ACA by its popular political name but I decided to call it by its official name because I do not want to be part of those who use its popular name to defame the law.” GC didn’t concede he was wrong about the alleged Patrick Henry quote.
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