A letter to the editor entitled “Finally, an adult in the White House” (Dec. 15), has caused some confusion.
The content of the letter makes it clear that the writer was not being ironic or humorous with that title, rather he is a passionate supporter of Mr. Trump, and he seems to equate the term “adult” with rhetoric about getting our allies to respect us and being tough on our enemies.
While I disagree with the writer’s politics, one thing we do seem to have in common is a compulsion to quote Mark Twain when making a political or philosophical point. One observation Mark Twain made in 1917 that seems to be relevant to our times was: “Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a congressman can.” I’m not sure whether we should be comforted or appalled by this evidence that nothing much has changed in the last 100 years.
In a philosophical mood, Mark Twain mused: “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.” But even Mark Twain, the godfather of cynicism, could not conceive of the situation we are facing today, in which it seems the world will be run by an imbecile who is putting us on.
One thing I am certain of. If he were alive today, Mark Twain would not be a Donald Trump supporter.
Bruce Goderez
Amherst