Tough talk, poor recollections

Shea Wilson
Shea Wilson

A year into Donald Trump’s presidency, one thing is apparent: the memories of Republicans are no better than those of Democrats. Seriously, Americans should be alarmed by the lack of recollections in Washington. Are memories zapped when people enter the Capital Beltway?

Hillary Clinton used variations of “I don’t recall” 21 times when asked 25 questions under oath about the deleting of 33,000 State Department emails. The former democratic presidential nominee and First Lady conducted State Department business on a private email server during her time with the Obama Administration.

Her actions and lack of recollection was a huge point during the presidential race. Then-candidate Trump referred to the email issue often and the words “lying” and “crooked” we’re usually included. Republicans, in general, blasted her lack of response.

Now Republicans can’t recall comments made by President Trump days ago during discussions about a permanent solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen faced questioning about her memory of the Oval Office immigration reform meeting Jan. 11 in which Trump referred to African nations as “s—-hole countries.”

Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, confirmed graphic reports about the president’s descriptions of Haiti, El Salvador and several African countries. He was soon under fire for misrepresenting what Trump said.

Nielsen, who appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Jan. 16, said she “did not hear” the word “s—-hole,” or one similar. She did say she remembered “rough talk” and “tough language” during the bipartisan White Housey meeting as it pertained to conversation on immigration reform.

“Apologies. I don’t remember [a] specific word,” Nielsen said. “What I was struck with, frankly, I’m sure you were as well, the general profanity used in the room by almost everyone.”

The president has acknowledged “tough” language was used during the meeting but denied making “derogatory” remarks about Haiti in particular. Arkansas’ Sen. Tom Cotton was among those who came to Trump’s defense and said that the media and Durbin misrepresented the president’s comments.

OK, what did he say? What is the accurate representation other than tough? No one remembers … no one can recall. Pardon the expression, but I smell bulls—-. There’s a room full of people and no Republican in attendance can remember what the president said. If they can’t recall, how can they say he didn’t make the comments confirmed by Durbin?

And quite frankly, if the characterization is accurate about the countries, the greater shame is that it reflects poorly, in the minds of some, on those who have the misfortune of being born there and who want to seek better lives here.

I started thinking about the tough language and recollection of it after reading a social media post by my high school English teacher: “I’m just wondering what would happen … if a kid gets in trouble at school for using profanity, should the kid explain to the teacher that he/she was just using tough language. No big deal.”

What happens to little Johnny when he says one of his classmates lives in a “s—-hole” neighborhood? Can he refer to it as tough talk and avoid detention? What if his friends rally to his side and don’t recall the exact words, though others heard and remember what was said? Does the state of confusion mean he gets a pass? Is that right? Is anyone bothered by the display of vulgarity, in general, these days?

The language used, what is said and what is acceptable to the group matters. It matters in Washington and it matters across the country. Set the example — and please for all of our sakes, raise the bar of expectations for elected officials. And that should apply to all, regardless of political affiliation.

Shea Wilson is the former managing editor of the El Dorado News-Times. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @SheaWilson7.

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