No Trump is an Island

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave

Washington D.C.  20500

7 February 2017 

Dear President Trump,  

Perhaps there is a difference between your public persona and the real you.  Your public persona casts aspersions on the judges who do their best to faithfully execute their office, belittles those who engage in peaceful protests, and attempts to marginalize the media.  Perhaps there is a real you that views these actions as part of an act – one that serves some political purpose. 

If that is the case, I would encourage you to let the real you to the surface and understand that, as the poet John Donne said, “No man is an island entire of itself.”  Your actions have effects on real people.   

When you cancel regulations that prevent coal companies from dumping their tailings in streams, you kill wildlife and pollute water that people depend on.  When you treat America’s valued allies, some of whom we have fought beside, as if they are naïve contractors whose contracts you can renegotiate to suit your own ends, you may be depriving America of allies we will one day need.  When you deny refugees who have been carefully vetted by the Department of Homeland Security the right to enter this country, you may inadvertently be recruiting more members of ISIS. 

I have two best friends who I have known since junior high.  Though I do not always get along with them, I deeply value their opinions.  I listen to them, even when they disagree with me.  Sometimes I learn a lot from our arguments.  

Who are your friends that you listen to?  Is there someone you respect enough that you will listen when they tell you that you are wrong about something?  I hope so.  Because the persona you display publically is that of a man who does not listen to anyone who tells him he needs to rethink something or reconsider an issue.  Your public persona, sir, comes across as being rather foolish.  It is my hope that the real you has enough wisdom to at least listen to your friends, it not your enemies.

Sincerely,

Bill Boerman-Cornell