“Stop the words of hate,” the rabbi urges our political leaders after the massacre at his synagogue. President Donald Trump keeps tweeting. He’s not going to change and neither are his supporters. Trump says at his rally the night of the shootings: “Should I tone it down?” “NO!” scream the attendees.
Hillary Clinton was correct. These are deplorables.
Throughout human history, societies have shunned those among us who exhibit aberrant behavior. This is hard to do now when the president of the country is so aberrant.
But we can turn away from those who cheer, post, share — or abide — the hate speech. If you don’t like Donald’s words but “like” his policies – whether tax cuts for the rich or Supreme Court Justices — you have made a deal with the devil. Another person can occupy the White House, put forth these policies, without this price to pay.
I was talking to a Republican friend who said we can’t impeach Trump – even though my friend acknowledges Trump’s horror – “because we can’t put the country through that.” Really? Would it be worse to send a message — through your vote or through his removal — than to continue to tolerate and engender hate?
Judy Zone, Salt Lake City
