Powell made
outlandish accusations
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
I was shocked that you chose to publish Scott Powell’s Commentary column, “Obama, Dems go low vs. Trump.” It was not only inflammatory, but absurd. It advances the very undermining of democracy it claims to be exposing.
Powell accuses former President Obama of wrecking the presidency whatever the cost to the country; creating a leak mechanism to ruin Donald Trump’s presidency; sympathizing with Marxism; engaging in Soviet-style propaganda; embracing a philosophy of the ends justifying the means; staging mass protests to Trump’s presidency; encouraging a war on police and purposely trying to socially and financially ruin the country because “socialist transformation first requires collapse of the old order.”
I find these claims hard to square with the “no-drama Obama” who told his administration that Trump’s election was not the apocalypse, that the United States is going to be all right. Throughout his presidency he demonstrated unflappable decency, took moderately liberal positions, respected Republican ideas and sought a grand bargain with Republican leaders to solve some of our biggest problems. Unfortunately, Republican leaders tried to deny him any accomplishments.
The irony of Powell’s article is that some of his claims apply better to the Republicans in Congress and it is Trump whose behavior is undermining trust in our democratic institutions. It is laughable that Powell claims Trump is a “bold leader with the courage to take on corruption in the media” when in actuality Trump labels the most distinguished news sources as fake news and freely makes up whatever accusations he wants.
I’m prepared to give Trump a chance. I want him to have accomplishments that truly benefit the U.S. and the world. But be aware: This man is dangerous — and so are the outlandish accusations by Powell.
Ryan Ahlgrim.
Richmond.