Stout column was disingenuous
I was surprised by Gary Stout’s May 12 commentary in the Observer-Reporter, “MAGA Republicans Do Not Understand Hungary.” It is a reprise of a similar Stout rant about Hungary that appeared on your pages in January 2022. It mirrored its 2022 cousin, except it contained six points instead of five, and Stout did exhaustive research on his subject – he spoke to cab drivers and tour guides during a vacation in Budapest.
Both commentaries are disingenuous and unsupported with facts.
Both Commentaries highlight flaws and strengths of the “authoritarian” Hungarian government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whom Mr. Stout holds in low regard. Stout then alternately suggests that the Hungarian flaws are aspects that appeal to “MAGA Republicans,” while the good things in the Hungarian society are beyond the comprehension of “MAGA Republicans.” The obvious objective of both commentaries is to demonize Donald Trump and his supporters before they can “gut American democracy”-Stout’s words, not mine.
OK. I get it. You don’t like Trump-we have had eight years of negative commentaries, letters, and cartoons abusing him in the O-R. However, in the last three years your readers have not been treated to much analysis of the decisions and actions of the Biden administration. Why not turn your commentator loose to examine the other side of the ledger? Consider these topics for starters:
-The president’s betrayal of Israel by levying an arms embargo on it at a time it is fighting for its survival. And please spare us any pap that he’s a great humanitarian; address the nub of the issue – the Michigan electoral vote.
-An analysis of the U. S. standing as leader of the free world after our retreat from Afghanistan, the Russian attack on Ukraine, the slow-rolling of support to Israel in its Gaza war, a Chinese spy balloon traversing our country unchallenged, and after a series of “don’t” presidential admonitions to our enemies have been ignored and ridiculed.
-The purpose and results of not enforcing oil exportation sanctions against Iran while tightening the screws on American energy production and exportation.
-The purpose of allowing 10 million people to illegally enter our country-10 million!
We Republicans need to take a break from figuring out how to “gut American democracy” to learn how much better off our nation is as a result of the Biden administration actions and decisions.
Steve Johnson
Washington