I would like to comment on the article about the WPIAL investigating accusations of racial slurs during the Connellsville-Penn Hills soccer game (Sept. 13, “Connellsville Boys Soccer Team, Fans Accused of Using Racial Slurs”). While I think the school, the athletes, their parents and the community bear responsibility for their actions, if this behavior occurred, I also believe such alleged behavior is a direct result of the hatred and bigotry released within our society by Donald Trump’s dangerous rhetoric.
I could go on and on about Mr. Trump and what a blight his presidency is on this country, but that would ignore an important fact: Mr. Trump is essentially a malignant narcissist who is beyond any hope of redemption. Criticizing his behavior and the harm that it has caused would do no good because it will not change him. Instead, I think that responsibility should be directed to the Republicans in Congress, who enable his reprehensible conduct, which is eroding our culture, norms and the generous, tolerant and positive nature of the average U.S. citizen.
The Republicans seem to think they can remain silent about the hatred that spews from Mr. Trump and filters down to students. They think they can absolve themselves of responsibility by not commenting on it or by making some platitudinous statement objecting to it. They are wrong, however. When they ran for public office and were sworn in, they agreed to take up the challenge of leadership for all Americans. Leadership is hard. It is lonely at the top. Going against the crowd takes guts and integrity, things that our Congress clearly lacks.
That Congress will not remove him from office is a failure of our national leadership. That all Americans are not demanding that Congress do it is a failure of our national morality.
JOHN JOSEPH LIPCHIK
Ridgemont
Note from KBJ: We can't wait to vote for him again, John.
