A Presidential Response

 WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HAVE SAID

The (Aug. 12) events in Charlottesville were unfortunate and tragic. Perhaps they could have been prevented if the Alt-Right protesters had been more restrained, or if the police had kept the protesters and counter–protesters physically separated, or if the counter-protesters had gotten a permit to assemble at a different place and time. As it is, all three groups bear some responsibility for what happened. Violence and assault is always wrong, always unacceptable. 

Hatred and intolerance are mental attitudes against which we cannot legislate. Nor should we. Hatred and the verbal expression of hatred does not cause violence. Are haters more likely to be violent than lovers? Undoubtedly. We can outlaw violence. We cannot outlaw hatred. 

Should I condemn haters? And, if so, which ones? Just the whites who hate blacks and not the blacks who hate whites? I believe moral condemnation should be the purview of He who created us. 

Diversity and tolerance require us to accept those with attitudes and beliefs differing from our own. The American principles of equality and universal rights necessitate our withdrawing support from those who abuse others for any reason. While I refuse to condemn haters and white supremacists, I also choose to not support any such people who abuse others.
R. Geiger
8/17/17