Randi Kreiss

The hottest place in hell is getting overcrowded

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The poet Dante Alighieri famously said, “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in periods of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.” Five months ago, when many of us realized that Donald Trump’s nomination was an awful possibility, I evoked this quotation in a column.

What has changed in these five months is that his nomination has moved from possibility to almost certainty. And with that, we face a moral crisis. Because Trump has flouted basic standards of decency and embraced racist ideology, he is not qualified to serve as president. Neutrality is not a reasonable option. Every one of us bears the burden of righting our listing ship of state.

Trump is on the record. He will build a wall across our southern border, he will ban Muslims from entering the country and he will consider expanding the use of nuclear weapons. Barring people from America based on their religion? Think yellow stars and internment camps.

I read that the Bushes 41 and 43 have said they would not endorse a candidate in this election. I hope they enjoy intense heat. Our country needs respected GOP leaders and former leaders to condemn Trump’s hate-mongering.

I’ve heard people call on leaders in the Muslim community to denounce jihadists. We understand that people within any given group have the greatest power to defeat its extremists. Well, where are the sane, sober Republicans ready to denounce Trump as the bigot and bully he is? Answer: Many are either in hiding or in the process of formulating a non-endorsement endorsement of the candidate.

Sen. John McCain is flip-flopping like a flounder on a hook. And according to a New York Times story last week about GOP reaction to Trump’s candidacy, reporters contacted more than 70 Republican governors, mayors, senators and representatives. Only 20 returned calls, and nearly all of those who responded said they had not yet taken a position on the race. Better get the asbestos suits ready.

This year it is not politically savvy to remain silent; it is cowardly. Trump’s threat to American democracy requires us to speak out, loud and clear.

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