As a publication that prides itself on informing the people of the greater Washington area and beyond, we were troubled by the speech which Donald J. Trump made during his recent main stage appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
Trump, in no uncertain terms, seemed to blame his failure to achieve a resolution with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the Democrats. His rationale proved impossible to follow – particularly given his self-described reputation as a master negotiator.
Further, in casting the blame elsewhere, we wonder why the buck never seems to stop at his desk or at his feet when it’s clear that success or failure remains within the president’s hands.
As the pomp and circumstance of the CPAC event spread over those in attendance, with American flags and all things red, white and blue dominating the scene, Trump suggested that those who oppose him in Congress, the Democrats specifically, have many members who “hate America.”
It’s one thing to assert a philosophy to “make America great again” – even though we wonder when did America find itself in the stead of a veritable “stepchild” thus requiring it to become “great” again. But to suggest that because members of Congress, or anyone else for that matter, are enemies of the state and “hate America” simply because they do not agree with Trump, is the kind of statement that should not be ignored.
Trump went on to say that he has a list, a long list, with the names of the alleged haters of America. We would certainly like to see that list and the proof that makes them “haters.”
There’s great power in words. And when our leaders, particularly the president of the United States, throws out such statements without verification, they only serve to further stoke the flames of discontent.