"This is the story of a simple-minded, ill-read man who, handed the levers of power, thinks he knows best about American history and wants to control what every American understands about it. That would be troubling enough, but this obvious racist—whose agenda is fueled by his white supremacist views—also imagines he can dictate how we should love our country.
"The malevolence of which I speak is Donald Trump, of course. On Friday, he expanded his attack on the Smithsonian Institution and particularly the Museum of American History with another executive order ridiculously described as 'restoring trust.' His order demands that the much-trusted National Park Service install signs on the sidewalks and pathways leading to the museum; these should inform visitors that the museum’s exhibits 'should be renovated' and visitors should go elsewhere to find 'locations and resources for accurate information regarding America’s history.' [snip]
"But this is what Trump does: He demeans experts and demonizes institutions he wants to control. Forget 'love of country.' Forget 'fostering unity.' Instead, we can expect more politicizing of respected nonpartisan institutions like the Smithsonian and the National Park Service—all for the purpose of rejecting the beautiful, complex and diverse history of our beloved country.
"This latest attack on our
national memory is pitiful. It showcases Trump’s weakness. It reveals
how a simple-minded authoritarian believes that he can deny us the truth
and stunt our will. In 98 days, on Nov. 3, we can prove how wrong he
is." -- writer Steven Beschloss, in his "America,America" Substack, on the simple-minded Malignant Fascist's "attack on our national memory," in an attempt to whitewash it into conformance with his and his party/ cult's white "Christian" nationalist ideology.
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