Do words matter? How far do they go once uttered? Does anyone really hear them or take them to heart? And if they don't go over well, can't you take them back the next hour, or the next day?
Well, here's what they heard in Indonesia, as reported in the front section of the Jakarta Post: Trump Threatens to Shoot Migrants.
This is what we heard in America, and this is what folks on the far side of the world heard. Now our president seeks to deny what he said, to tell us that we did not hear what we heard. I did not say 'shoot', he objects. And that's right, he did not. What he said is that rocks that are thrown will be responded to as if they were bullets from rifles.
In other words, which are really the same words: Trump threatens to shoot migrants.
This was what was heard by a people accustomed to venerating America and to idolizing Americans. I know many Indonesians who immigrated to America. I know many more who only dream of doing so. I know many who would consider that being born in America is the same as being born under a special blessing of God.
I know a bright young Indonesian, full of energy and hope, who until recently was bound for a future in America. He has decided to go to Dubai instead, where, as he reckons, he is less likely to be shot. Or rather, 'responded to' by a bullet.
Well, here's what they heard in Indonesia, as reported in the front section of the Jakarta Post: Trump Threatens to Shoot Migrants.
This is what we heard in America, and this is what folks on the far side of the world heard. Now our president seeks to deny what he said, to tell us that we did not hear what we heard. I did not say 'shoot', he objects. And that's right, he did not. What he said is that rocks that are thrown will be responded to as if they were bullets from rifles.
In other words, which are really the same words: Trump threatens to shoot migrants.
This was what was heard by a people accustomed to venerating America and to idolizing Americans. I know many Indonesians who immigrated to America. I know many more who only dream of doing so. I know many who would consider that being born in America is the same as being born under a special blessing of God.
I know a bright young Indonesian, full of energy and hope, who until recently was bound for a future in America. He has decided to go to Dubai instead, where, as he reckons, he is less likely to be shot. Or rather, 'responded to' by a bullet.
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