Letter to the Editor: S***hole Countries

To Honorable Senator Johnson and Honorable Congressman Gallagher,

Upon reading of President Trump’s crude reference to Haiti and African nations as “s***hole countries,” I was saddened. This is a country of immigrants, many who came here when their country of birth was going through difficult times, whether it be the famine in Ireland, the military conscription in Germany, or a number of other catastrophic events. The trauma these people were facing caused them to venture forth to the United States, a land of opportunity.

I was also angered by the President’s comment. I have two grandsons who were born in one of those “s***hole countries.” My daughter adopted her two sons from Ethiopia. I accompanied her to that “s***hole country” on each occasion and found something entirely different than the President’s perception. (Has President Trump ever visited one of these “s***hole countries?”)

What I experienced in my interaction with numerous Ethiopians was a friendly, gracious citizenry. Yes, a citizenry that faced extreme poverty, but a citizenry that was trying to overcome problems of colonial conquest, environmental catastrophe and government mismanagement or abuse.

I talked with people working multiple jobs to provide for their children. I visited an incubator site where women were weaving capes and baskets in order to try to lift themselves out of poverty. These people were not asking for handouts. They were hardworking people trying to make life better for themselves and their children. Some of them may have aspired to immigrate to the U.S. or other nations, but I did not meet one person who referred to their nation as a “s***hole.” In fact, they talked with pride about their historical past.

The President’s comments were an insult to nations in the world that do not meet his criteria of possessing a quality population. Unfortunately, President Trump’s criteria seems to be strongly biased against nations and people of color. How does my daughter explain to her sons that their nation of birth is viewed as a “s***hole” by President Trump? This is not a rhetorical question. I look forward to specific suggestions from each of you.

It is time that Republican politicians stand up to this President and his bigotry. It is time Republican politicians condemn this kind of comment. Do either of you have the intestinal fortitude to do so?

So far, there has been little appetite among most elected Republican members of Congress to stand up to the President. Are either of you willing to do so over this egregious comment?

With respect and waiting for your reply – both publicly and personally,

Michael Sweeney

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.