We had harsh words for the Governor when he sounded like someone dismissing a sales call with regard to Syrian refugees.
But he got this one right — denouncing Donald Trump’s vow to shut down immigration by Muslims. He put it just right:
“I just sat here and celebrated the miracle of Hanukkah, which is about religious freedom. And the fight of the people of Jerusalem to ward off a bully who was trying to take away their right to peacefully practice their faith,” he said.
“I’m standing in a State House that’s less than a mile from the Warren Tavern, which is where the patriots of this nation began their initial conversations about how to secure their freedom out from under the British crown,” the governor continuted. “And I’m standing in the State House, which is probably the most significant symbol in this city of the original fight for freedom, which goes all the way back to why people came here in the first place, which was to have a chance to practice their faith and their religion.”
Baker, a moderate Republican in a heavily Democratic state, paused.
“And I can’t believe that I’m reading this, which is basically directly in contrast and in conflict with most of the most important values that people in this country hold most dear,” he said. “Among them, the right and the ability to practice your religion peacefully.”
The governor paused again and then said: “Yeah, I think this is a really bad idea.”
People who ordinarily wouldn’t want to speak out about this stuff — like Baker — are going to have to start. Sadly, Trump’s views are actually mainstream within the Republican party — he is as flames to kindling. I have never seen this level of ethnic ugliness and tribalism in this country. I wouldn’t have thought it possible. But here we are. This is hard and will take hard and creative work to mend.
dave-from-hvad says
somewhat low to praise Baker for calling out Trump only now that Trump is almost literally foaming at the mouth with his hate-speech.
It’s clear that Trump feels he must up the ante every time and toss the media something even more outrageous than the last time. I’m predicting that in the next few days or weeks, at most, Trump will:
1. Call for the deportation of all Muslims currently living in the U.S., whether they are are legal citizens or not. In which case, he will:
2. Call for the deportation of President Obama, who he’s already accused of being a Muslim.
The only bright spot in all this will be if Trump wins the nomination and goes on to lose by a landslide in the general election.
Christopher says
He’s begging for attention and getting it. I hope your last sentence is true, but I’m not sure I’m willing to bet a lot on it, unfortunately.
Donald Green says
Why did Gov Baker have to need the crutch of a Hannukah celebration to condemn Donald Trump? To think some kind of venue existed in that ancient time that coincides with the First Amendment, a non religious document, is a bit off the beam.
The real problem with Mr. Trump is his words incite people in this country to give credence to their hates, and incites others in other countries to feel their cruel tactics are justified. Mr. Trump has and always had a sense that he belongs to a superior tribe. His various calls for destruction of one group or another based on nothing is what is so dangerous. The dangerous part is that too many people buy it.
Governor Baker had the right theme, but its tone amounted to a slap on the wrist. Plain and simple Trump is an immoral and malevolent man.
thegreenmiles says
Baker thinks banning refugees because they’re Syrian is OK, but banning them because they’re Muslim is horrifying? Trump isn’t making a religious attack, he’s just using a broader category of Scary Brown People. Aren’t we just taking about different shades of the same xenophobia?