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MY TURN: Pardon me, but your hypocrisy is showing

by ETHEL STEINMETZ MARMONT/Guest Opinion
| December 13, 2024 1:00 AM

It becomes increasingly difficult for those of us who do not subscribe to MAGA to tolerate the “news” and “opinion” coming from the paper. It’s important to recognize that a percentage of readers are outraged by what is proposed in Project 2025, and we want to be heard as well.  

To that point, I want to express my concern about some of the thoughtless, glib and hyperbolic cartoons featured in the paper. The last cartoon I recall depicted a pile of dung with Hunter Biden’s pardon appearing as the “cherry on top.” While some citizens may find that hilarious, many of us do not. Additionally, I have never seen a political cartoon in this paper that portrayed the right negatively. 

If Hunter Biden were my son, I would have pardoned him too because Trump and his associates were intent on targeting him. I believe that if he had been sent to prison, he might not have survived.  A post on “X” suggested that Trump wanted Hunter Biden “executed.” With all Trump’s talk of vengeance and crazy cabinet picks, I, too, would have been concerned. A prison sentence should not become a death sentence. After Beau’s death from cancer, Hunter is President Biden’s only remaining son. 

Moreover, it is the height of hypocrisy to criticize Biden for actions that Trump has already taken. For example, Trump pardoned Jared Kushner’s father, who was guilty of witness tampering, tax evasion and revenge against his family members, including his brother-in-law and his own sister. Trump subsequently appointed this felon as Ambassador to France. I doubt Kushner speaks any French, and I question his qualifications for the role of ambassador to any country. Kushner was convicted by none other than Chris Christie, who stated that Kushner had committed “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he had ever prosecuted. 

Trump also plans to appoint Kash Patel as the next director of the FBI. Patel has already compiled a “hit list” of people he intends to take revenge upon. This enemies list includes Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden, John Podesta, Senator-elect Adam Schiff, Representative Eric Swalwell, former FBI Director James Comey and many other prominent current and former officeholders. There are a total of 60 names on the list. Putting people on a list makes them much more susceptible to those who are crazy and want to carry out Trump’s deranged idea of justice. 

Trump’s picks for governmental positions are beyond bizarre. Most of them have no professional qualifications to do their appointed jobs. Additionally, he is expected to pardon the Jan. 6 felons, many of whom were involved in injuring or killing Capitol Police officers. He previously pardoned Steve Bannon after Bannon was charged with defrauding donors in Trump's "Build the Wall" scheme. He also pardoned disgraced General Michael T. Flynn, who made unauthorized contacts with the Russians and lied to the FBI about it. There is a lengthy list of pardons for felons favored by Trump. Between 2017 and 2021, Trump issued a total of 144 pardons. 

So, pardon me, but your hypocrisy is showing. How about a cartoon with a big pile of felons provided clemency by the felonious incoming president? Let’s put a cherry on that. 

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Ethel Steinmetz Marmont is a Coeur d’Alene resident.