Sen. Mitt Romney’s op-ed in Tuesday’s Washington Post decrying the divisive rhetoric of President Donald Trump was a breath of fresh air for many Utahns who support a conservative agenda but find the president’s methods distasteful.
Even I, a devout liberal who voted against Romney, found myself impressed by his statement. It must be said, however, that it is not enough to oppose hateful discourse. Hateful results must be condemned just as strongly.
Being a descendant of Utah pioneers, I was taught all through my childhood about the persecution of my ancestors. Though Trump’s pseudo-Muslim ban and family separation policy do not yet parallel the extermination order issued by Lilburn Boggs, the children of pioneers know well the dangers of intentionally discriminatory governmental policy.
Vitriol and spite have no place in our discourse, but polite hatred is not any more tolerable. I implore Sen. Romney to back up his dedication to Utah values, and to elevating the character of our nation, by opposing malevolent, intolerant and prejudiced policies, just as much as he would their angry, bitter and resentful methods of delivery.
Zachary Veach, Lehi