Dear Editor,

In an article titled “Caption (sic) Waffle and the Ship of Fools” a local writer, after an ingenuous admission of not blaming President Trump for the ‘Chinese Virus’ outbreak, proceeds to waste 18 of 22 column inches describing what he found ‘wrong’ with the Presidents words, thoughts and/or actions. The writer acts like a ‘Monday Morning Quarterback’ finding faults with a Sunday performance.

It takes no brains to criticize after the fact; it takes zero intelligence to point out what someone should or should not have done - afterwards. The person who is on the field in the thick of it is the one DOING something about it. Any dimbulb watching the highlights can say “Oh, if he only ran that way instead of there then this wouldn’t - or would have - happened.” But that couch potato is not the one doing the running; they are not facing the threat(s) of the moment nor the ever- and always changing dynamics of a situation. In the service there is a saying “No plan survives first contact with the enemy.” When the center hikes the ball or after the first shot is fired, all prior planning becomes worthless.

The writer laments further: “It is typical of him to attack anyone who could be a source of criticism of his own actions.” Darn right he does! After three years of his term the Leftists/Democrats - and those with TDS (Trump Derangement syndrome) - have never ceased their caterwauling and endless criticism and second-guessing of the President, still hacked off  that Hillary lost. Think she could have done any better?

Let us not forget what the Left was saying and doing during this time, such as the totally specious impeachment indignity, Pelosi’s absolutely insulting and unprofessional act of ripping her copy of the SOTU speech almost before its end (where the oncoming virus matter WAS presented to the nation) and many more disdainful and - dare I use the word - deplorable acts. And during the time the writer listed presidential words and deeds with which he found fault, what were the Leftists saying and doing?

Speaker Pelosi encouraged citizens to flock to Chinatown towards the end of February even as the pandemic was spreading! “It’s exciting to be here, especially at this time, to be unified with our community. We want to be vigilant about what is out there in other places, but we want to say to people ‘Come to Chinatown, here we are … come join us.” Sounds responsible considering a growing pandemic, doesn’t it? Let them eat ice cream.

‘Groping Joe’ Biden called the President a xenophobe and accused him of creating panic and mayhem. “We are in the midst of a crises with the coronavirus, we need to lead the way with science - not his record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering. He is the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health emergency.” Okay then, who - of anyone out there - is better for this job? Joe … heck, he can’t remember his own name half the time and his record with treating women negatively goes back decades. Who then?

Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City; is HE the one to lead us through this crisis? “I’m encouraging New Yorkers to go on with their lives, get out on the town despite coronavirus. I thought I would offer some suggestions …” He then goes on telling New Yorkers they should see plays, shows, etc. Wow, there’s someone with their finger on the pulse of the matter.

In summation, anyone can look backwards and find fault with actions, taken or not. That seems to be a tactic of the Left; no matter what the President says or does, they will castigate, criticize, find ‘fault’, hamper every action and impede every move. It’s like trying to carry the ball towards the goal line with someone - supposedly on the same team - hanging on to you weighing you down. 

Republican or Democrat president, are they not there to serve the people of this country? Sometimes there’s a Republican quarterback, sometimes a Democratic one, that’s the purpose of elections. But once the quarterback has been chosen, doesn’t it behoove the team to get behind the leadership and get down to business? Petty disagreements, pity-parties and outright sabotaging the quarterback do nothing but hurt the team - which is THIS NATION! If you don’t like the quarterback, an election is right around the corner but right now he IS our quarterback.

The writer in his article ponders “I am not sure he (President Trump) is the man for the job.” My response is “Whether or not he’s the man for the job, he’s the one who is doing it NOW.” He needs all our prayers and support. In November we as a nation can again make a choice. Just who on the left side of the aisle is there to take his place?

Drew Chitiea
Gilpin County

(Originally published in the April 30, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)