by Bill Salterberg, Stevensville
Compared to the Iran War, the economy, immigration and countless other issues that make the daily news, Trump’s Reflecting Pool project should not be a big deal. But the President has loved to make it another of his grandiose projects that we the American people are supposed to get excited about.
Anyone watching the news this spring observed, in typical Trump fashion, his daily clamor about how great his renovated pool would be, far greater than any efforts by Barack Obama. The joints and cracks would be filled and it would be covered with an impervious coating, so tough “you couldn’t even cut it with a knife, so strong, so powerful”, and it would be painted “American Flag Blue”.
We all know the story. Pool turns green, filled with algae. Then chunks of sealant start coming up. Of course, Trump blamed vandals, a “290-300 foot slit right through it. Probably a box cutter or a knife”. “The scum in court with be prosecuted to the MAX”. “Animals”.
Interior Secretary Doug Bergum and former Fox news host Jeanine Pirro, Trump’s pick for US attorney for the District of Columbia, both regurgitated Trump talking points. These criminals will be brought to justice. The damage was absolutely the result of vandalism, with long cuts made in the pool floor. Jesse Watters and other Fox News hosts showed clips of a suspected individual caught red handed dipping their hand into the pool for a few seconds! Sure proof! Video evidence! Leftist pool slashers exposed!
One of the alleged perpetrators was David Hearn, a 67 year old man spotted leaning over the pool, an ex-Olympic canoeist. He was indicted on criminal charges along with at least 3 others who faced lesser charges. Now comes the shocking part.. No one who has observed Trump for the last 10 years should be surprised when he lied and insulted and attacked and blamed others for his own magnificent screw ups. The shock came when Pirro’s office released a stunning admission… “the damage was a result of a botched installation and not vandalism”. Her prosecutors were dropping the case against Hearn.
Trump, of course, held fast. Never one to admit defeat, he blasted Pirro, “I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro”. “I don’t know what she was thinking. To me, it was a pure case of VANDALISM.”
My guess is that Jeanine Pirro will be looking for another job. Any Trump staffer who has deviated from supporting their glowing leader, shining a bright spotlight on his lies, is probably not long for their position.
Kevin says
Under the bus, you just described 4 years of an Auto Pen and the dreamcatchers behind it!!
Gomez says
What I’ve noticed the last year or so is that the pro-Trump has gotten very quiet. I’m not seeing Trump flags on trucks anymore. Trump bumper stickers are faded. It’s rare that I see a red hat at Super One other than if it’s on some really old guy. Even here, in the Opinion section of the Star, the usual suspects have gone quiet.
Bob Spitzer says
Before accusing anyone of a crime, public officials should first establish the facts. That is not a partisan principle—it is an American one.
Bob Spitzer
Stevensville
Bob Spitzer says
Before accusing anyone of a crime, public officials should first establish the facts. That is not a partisan principle—it is an American one.
Bob Spitzer
Stevensville
Tom Potts says
The President is always willing to throw an innocent person under the bus rather than admit an error. His recent assertion that damage to the mall grass was caused by vandals is risble. We all know how it happened, but members of congress (all of them) have failed to call BS on his nonsense. We know why here also. They call themselves public servants and act more like Penelope’s suitors.