From history: The corruption and incompetence of the Russian Imperial government led to its overthrow under the strain of WWI. Its longest lasting successor was what became known as the USSR. A significant factor in stimulating opposition to the reign of Czar Nicholas II was the speech by Pavel Milyukov, now commonly referred to as the “stupidity or treason” speech. Milyukov described the tragic events of Russian suffering in the war and asked if they were the result of stupidity or treason. After each point was made, some delegates in the Duma, the Congress of Imperial Russia, yelled out “treason” while others yelled out “stupidity.” Milyukov said, “chose either, the consequence is the same.”
I must ask a similar question about our President. I will not say “stupidity” – it will be “misinformed,” but the consequence is the same. I will not say “treason,” it will be “dishonest,” but the consequence is the same.
Our President is wrong so often. Is he misinformed or dishonest? A few examples are now cited. The President repeated the claim that 80% of Caucasian-American murder victims were killed by African-Americans. The figure is around 15%. Was he misinformed or dishonest? The President claimed that U.S. steel was building six, later amended to seven, new steel mills in the U.S. U.S. steel spokesmen have stated that there were no plans for any new steel mills. Was the President misinformed or dishonest? The President stated that Puerto Rico had received $91 billion for hurricane relief, a sum greater than any other relief package in history. The total allocated for Puerto Rico is less than half of that figure and other relief packages have exceed that total. Was the President misinformed or dishonest? The President said that he received the largest electoral vote victory since President Reagan. Presidents George H.W. Bush, Clinton and Obama all received more electoral votes than he. Was the President misinformed or dishonest?
There are more examples compelling me to ask if our President is misinformed or dishonest. The lesson of history tells me to chose either, the consequence is the same.