Editor,

This letter is in response to Fred Wilfreth’s letter in the Aug. 24 edition of the South Whidbey Record.

Firstly, according to Congress.gov and other news outlets, Trump’s words after the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA in 2017 were: “You had some very fine people on both sides.”

It’s on YouTube. The man said what he said.

There are over 300 million Americans and we have many different beliefs – small government is best, pineapple has no place on pizza; even the way toilet paper is supposed to hang on the little bracket is a contentious issue.

But for heaven’s sake, if there is one idea on which we should agree at our core as Americans, shouldn’t it be that white supremacy has no place in our society? Some would say that’s not asking much.

Secondly, you argued Biden is one of the worst presidents we’ve ever had. [Insert chin-scratching emoji here]

How about the bipartisan infrastructure bill after an endless series of “infrastructure weeks” under his predecessor that produced the net sum of nothing? How about emerging from a global pandemic stronger than any other country on Earth? How about record-setting job creation, including manufacturing jobs that his predecessor promised but never delivered? How about expanding benefits for benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits? A guy could go on, but…

And lastly, expressing concern for the thousands of innocent citizens of Gaza killed in the Israeli response to the horrific Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks does not make Joe Biden an antisemite. No, friend, it makes him empathetic.

If only the former president had even a scintilla of empathy, maybe he wouldn’t have equivocated white supremacy with true, liberty-and-justice-for-all American patriotism. Again, some would say that’s not asking much.

Worst president ever, Fred? Tell that to the family of former US Marine Paul Whelan who embraced him on the tarmac of Joint Base Andrews after 2,043 days in a Russian prison. Or the families whose loved one recovered from COVID-19. Or a military wife whose husband is buried at Arlington who’d prefer his valor and good name not be desecrated by an overstuffed New York shyster standing on his hallowed grave with a grimace and a thumbs-up like he’s opening a soon-to-be-failed Atlantic City casino.

Basic decency isn’t asking much either. For the highest office in the land, some might even say it’s the bare minimum.

William Harper

Everett