In Defense of Donald Trump

No, The Sensible Conservative is not a Trump fan.  In fact, if Donald Trump is the GOP nominee, I expect to be faced with a choice next November between two very unsuitable candidates.

But fair is fair.  Mr. Trump has said many foolish and ill-considered things.  However, his comments on the temporary prohibition on Muslim immigration have brought down undeserved condemnation.

Consider these common sense propositions:  self-proclaimed Muslims commit terrorist acts.  Some Muslims wish to enter the U.S. to commit acts of terrorism.  Banning all Muslims will keep out those who desire to commit terrorist acts. 

That each of these is an undisputed fact does not mean, necessarily, that a religious test is the best or most efficient way to prevent future “San Bernardinos”.  Of course, a blanket religious test poses Constitutional problems; excludes prospective visitors not from the Middle East and would bar obvious Muslim friends such as the King of Jordan.

So Trump was being Trump.  He shoots from the hip and makes clear he hasn’t thought through the ramifications or consequences of what he proposes.  Yet, undeniably, his comments, in a general sense, resonate with large segments of the public.

Judging by the often hysterical reaction – from both right and left – you’d think that finally he has grossly stepped over the line.

Liberals called him “fascist”, compared him to Hitler and labeled him “a mendacious racist”.  On the right, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said Trump “has rejected what America is all about”.  Even Charles Krauthammer, usually an astute and level headed conservative commentator, termed Trump’s remarks as “bigoted and indefensible”.

Nonsense.

The fact that thirty-eight percent of Republican voters agree with Donald Trump doesn’t, in itself, disprove the allegations but should generate a healthy dose of skepticism (except for those on the hard left who believe that anyone who disagrees with them is stupid and/or evil).

The clear intent of Trump’s comments (and the millions of Americans who concur) was to prevent future attacks, not to single out Muslims for their religious beliefs.

Ironically, the net result of the nearly universal political and media attacks on Trump was to increase his polling support because of the unfair assault.  And it was.

Note:  there are very legitimate concerns to be had about attitudes toward terrorism in the broader Muslim world.  For instance, a recent poll in Britain showed that twenty-five percent of Muslims “sympathized with” the attack earlier this year on the Parisian magazine which ran cartoons of Mohammed.  And one-third of Muslims students there support killing for religious purposes.  Personally, I find those numbers shocking. 

It is neither bigotry nor paranoia to point out this larger reality which should have a strong influence on our foreign guest and immigration policies.