Editor:
The savage, murderous attack on a Quebec city mosque – a hate crime if there ever was one – was allegedly perpetrated by Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, a Laval University student. On Monday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer, speaking for Trump, declared: “It’s a terrible reminder of why we must remain vigilant. And why the president is taking steps to be proactive, not reactive.”
(Quebec is an American state, not a Canadian province?)
For the past two years Donald Trump spewed non-stop bigotry, lies, ethnic and outright racist rhetoric, hurling poisonous invective all the way to the White House and beyond. Words have consequences and lead to action. In the case of the Quebec mosque massacre, Trump’s words may well have infected the mind of Mr. Bissonnette.
This is not an “alternative fact.” It was reported that Bissonnette is a strong supporter of far-right politicians such as France’s Marine Le Pen and, more to the point, that Donald J. Trump is one of this young man’s personal idols.
Donald J. Trump! Bissonnette often spoke admiringly of him.
One is left wondering just how much of Trump’s toxic, demagogic message seeped into, was absorbed by, and influenced Bissonnette’s beliefs and mindset.
We may never know with certainty. But if Trump’s gilded loafers and tiny golden gloves fit – wear them, Donnie!
Jan Michael Sherman, Halfmoon Bay
