"We Gave Him a Chance" Tom Dentton Letter to the Editor

We Gave Him a Chance

Those familiar with the history of the 1960s will recognize an anthem from that era, the refrain from John Lennon’s song, “Give Peace a Chance" (1969).

All we are saying
Is Give peace a chance


That anthem has been revised in 2017 by “soft” supporters of the Trump administration:

All we are saying
Is Give him a chance . . .


“I’ve got health insurance through my job, but I’ve got COPD and they’ve been laying off lately. What would happen to me if I’m next?”
Let’s give him a chance


“My daughter had a super teacher for her physics class. He’s a foreign graduate student, studying in the U.S. What’s going to happen to him? She’s really upset.”
Let’s give him a chance


“Too much whining about the bad press he’s getting. He’s supposed to be the tough guy. C’mon, every President gets criticized and lampooned. They stay quiet about it. Not him. Thank God we’ve got a free press.”
Let’s give him a chance


“Sure, we need to destroy ISIS, but isn’t this Muslim ban going to give the bastards just what they need—more recruits for a holy war?”
Let’s give him a chance


“I have to admit that he makes me nervous. The way he yells and threatens foreign leaders, never mind regular Americans that get on his wrong side. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll fix it.’ Does he think he’s a king instead of a president?”
Let’s give him a chance


“What? He’s threatening Iran and China, and kicking our allies in the teeth? Is he going to have us in a war within a month?!!”
Let’s give him a chance


Music shifts to another sound: The actor, Slim Pickens, whooping it up, riding an h-bomb like a cowboy as it drops on Russia to trigger Armageddon. (Dr. Strangelove, film, 1:27, 1964 )
We gave him . . . . . a chance

Publishing History

NP Times 2/16
Oracle 2/13
Saugerties Times 2/19