Editor, Times-Union:
Words matter. Truth matters. If you do not pay attention to what “they” say, you may some day pay the price — unless you are one of them, the people saying the words that could destroy our country as we know it. Who are they? What are they saying?
Nick Fuentes, antisemitic Christian fascist and former dinner guest of Donald Trump, says that when his America First movement takes power, all non-Christians will be executed: “When we take power, they need to be given the death penalty … They must be absolutely annihilated when we take power.’”
Roger Stone, long-time Republican campaign advisor and friend of Donald Trump (and convicted felon), ranted to a security guard before the 2020 presidential election, “Either Swalwell or Nadler [Democrat congressmen] has to die before the election. They need to get the message. I’m just not putting up with this s—t anymore.” It has been determined that Stone’s words were not made in jest.
Stephen Miller, political advisor and speech writer for Donald Trump, “I will say and do things that no one else in their right mind would do.” “I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched American soil.” (Miller was the mastermind behind the plan to tear migrant families apart, put children in cages and then fly dozens of them to foster care all over the country.) FYI: Miller is currently gathering a cadre of Trump legal loyalists to join his team and make sure their fearless leader’s plans for “retribution” will get off the ground as soon as he regains his throne.
Donald Trump’s immigration words to make America great again should he be re-elected include “sweeping raids, giant camps and mass deportations.” In other words he “wants not only to revive some of the immigration policies criticized as draconian during his presidency, but expand and toughen them.” (The New York Times, 2023) Looks to me like his policy will be to eliminate the immigrants, both legal and illegal, rather than fix the immigration problem!
Donald Trump’s words in an interview with Chris Mathews about punishment for abortions: “The answer is there has to be some form of punishment.” Mathews asked, “For the woman?” Trump answered, “Yeah, there has to be some form.”
Donald Trump’s words reacting to one of his indictments: ”In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you….”
Pay attention. Nobody’s “coming after you” - unless you have assaulted women, defrauded banks and insurance companies, stolen secret government documents, or incited an insurrection while trying to overthrow our government. Or maybe you defamed/slandered attorneys, judges, election workers … and their families. Maybe you were responsible for the injuries and even deaths of police officers as well as some not-so-innocent rioting citizens.
Words, words, and more words. Words really cannot hurt us — but could they lead to the “sticks and stones” that might if Trump is re-elected?
Jeanne Schutz
Winona Lake, via email