Trump needs another history lesson

Trump, review history on politicians

Donald Trump stated this week that he believes no politician in history has ever been treated as unfairly as he has been treated. And he said this “with great surety.” Perhaps he meant with great certainty. However, because he is not a student of history and seems to believe that the world revolves around him much like a child, I suggest he and his supporters read the life story of Nelson Mandela, or recall what happened to Jack and Bobby Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln. Even when Mr. Trump was making erroneous statements about President Obama’s legitimacy to be President, Mr. Obama handled this “unfair treatment” with grace and maturity. I am deeply troubled by Trump’s lack of emotional intelligence and intellectual curiosity.

Trump sets the ‘bullying’ example

In the article about the rude and unkind remarks made about Senator Tillis after his collapse, there was not one reference to our leader of impropriety, Donald Trump. Mr. Trump is our bully in chief. “Lying Ted”, “Crooked Hillary”, “newspaper reporters are the most dishonest people in the world”, etc. It is Mr. Trump who has given permission for us to call people vile names, skewer reputations, and tweet and tweet without any regard for truth.

Pentagon doesn’t need budget increase

President Trump wants to reduce the budget for some governmental departments because they are inefficient. Can he identify those inefficiencies within, for instance, the National Institute for Health? One department, the Pentagon is definitely inefficient. Inexplicably, Trump wants to reward that department by increasing its budget.

Media ‘bias’ different from lies

There is an important distinction to be made between news media – liberal or conservative, and so-called “fake news.”

Legitimate news organizations report facts, and all such organizations make editorial decisions as to which facts to emphasize or omit. Such decisions may suggest a slant in one direction or another, but these reports are factual notwithstanding such inferred bias.

This is far different from “fake news” which is contrived falsity, cynically generated for political and/or commercial gain.

The president is not a victim of the media, but of his own actions and utterances of his own mouth. Those are facts that cannot be slanted.

N.C. bill threatens building safety

The N.C. House of Representatives recently introduced HB 590, which would give certified interior designers the ability to sign and seal drawings for the construction of interior architecture, a power currently held by only licensed architects. As an architect, I believe this prospect is both dubious and dangerous. The licensure of architects exists to protect the safety and welfare of the public.

Architects are required to earn a degree from an accredited program, while degrees are not required for interior design certification. Their minimum requirement is a two-year associates degree. Architects take six licensing exams, while interior designers take only two exams. Although there are likely some interior designers with the necessary knowledge, this bill would confer the power on all certified interior designers.

Mueller good pick for special counsel

The decision to appoint Robert Mueller as a special counsel is a move in the best interest of all parties and a step in the right direction. Mueller was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, and is trusted by both sides of the aisle to lead a thorough and independent investigation. If any collusion or illegal activity exists, the investigation will reveal it. If not, Congress will have no choice but to put Trump’s alleged ties to Russia behind them and focus on important issues such as health care and tax reform. This move will put the drama playing out at the White House to rest and allow lawmakers to attend to their agenda.

This story was originally published May 20, 2017 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Trump needs another history lesson."