Despite having read several previous letters posted here in past issues of Mountain Xpress in which I chose silence over response, I am suddenly and strongly (to coin a word our American president seems to fancy) compelled to do so now. Roger Gilmore of Mars Hill states — among a host of other, equally entertaining claims — that the United States is respected by the rest of the world as a direct result of the current administration’s policies [“Trump Must Not Go Away!” Jan. 1, Xpress].
If Mr. Gilmore happened to be, say, a satirist or performance artist, I’d duly doff my hat to him in tribute to his brilliance. Sadly, he is neither — further scrutiny of Mr. Gilmore’s letter suggests that he believes every word of his inane theory. It would be my pleasure to enlighten this fellow (and all others who have force-fed similar narratives to themselves, guaranteeing the comfort they can only find in make-believe worlds of their own derivation) by assuring him he is dead wrong: The “rest of the world” most decidedly does not respect us.
At best, this fake and incompetent president’s amateur hour performance has left them scratching their collective heads in bewilderment. At worst, we are despised by other countries and cultures more than ever before. Prior to settling in this mountain paradise, I knew Donald Trump (and a goodly number of his criminal family) for 30 years back in New York.
If ever I wish to learn more about the rich and lovely culture of Western North Carolina, I’d ask a native. If those Asheville-area residents who support this monstrous mistake of a leader wish to learn more about Donald Trump — ask me.
— Harry Waldman
Black Mountain
Careful! If Trump reads this letter, he’ll almost certainly withhold all COVID-19 aid from NC.
And of course this in no way means he’s not the #GreatestPresidentforLife who’s ever been or will ever be!!! #MAGA #KAG
(ps. I have a hijacked semi full of hairdryers and malaria medicine I’m willing to let go of cheap.)
Or perhaps threaten Mountain Xpress with a SLAPP suit for saying mean things about him!
Amazing how he is both a big strong man and a weakling incapable of tolerating derision or criticism – pick one Donnie!
The letter writer is not coining a word.
Snark is cheap.
I actually have some empathy for President Trump. On the one hand, he ID’d some festering issues in our society (unlimited illegal immigration and huge trade imbalances), on the other had he is like such a little boy in many ways that he gets his feeling hurt very easily. Of course it doesn’t come across like that, instead he lashes out. But if you can see past his responses, what you have is very little boy.
I don’t agree at all with many of his values (greed is good, step on the next guy) but frankly he’s not the first one to come along with all of that in America (in positions of leadership). Bush? Clinton. Obama was well grounded and a decent sort but he didn’t rock the boat for much of anything.
Trump got elected by a majority of the US. That is a fact so you have to respect at least the intent part. A lot of Americans are hurting and have been screwed by all manner of things. So they voted their feelings/beliefs and that is how our system works.
Along those same lines, we can all take solace in the fact that even with a personality like Trump, we have enough decent and more emotionally balanced people around him to keep the ship from capsizing. That too is our system and we are blessed in its balance even if we disagree on results sometimes.
Sort of a rambling but I am trying to look at the positive side of things. We (the press included) should really be trying to help this man be better and succeed. Yes he says some very dumb things. But to constantly badger him on those does no one any good. I’m not saying ignore them. Report what is correct or figure out a way to change the dialogue but all this animosity does the country no good.
Uh, no. He didn’t win the majority of votes, H. Clinton did.
…and aren’t we totally thankful about that! can you imagine if that witch were in office ? omg….
Before hearing any more of what Harry has to say, I’d like to know a few things about Harry.
What is his age?
His education level?
His profession?
His income?
In my experience people who are against this president are uneducated, uninformed, and somehow getting money and some sort of kickbacks from the government. The very things President Trump has vowed to cut off.
I don’t care if other countries like us or respect us. I care that we send money and they are not even civil.
Bravo for cutting off the funding to WHO for not doing its job. Keep cutting the free money flow, because after it all, it’s my money, it’s your money and if you want it, you should have to come see me, not my government.