Apology from America

Apology from America

verysorryTo my colleagues and friends in Africa:

We’re very, very sorry.

Trump’s denigrating, vulgar remarks yesterday do not reflect the vast majority of us Americans. We apologize for them and we’re horribly, unthinkably ashamed. Unfortunately a small very radical minority currently controls America. So, unfortunately, at this moment in time those remarks do represent “America” and it makes most of us Americans sick to the stomach. Ashamed isn’t a strong enough word.

Most Americans feel as aggrieved as you must.

Trump represents only about one of every 4 or 5 Americans. Remember, he didn’t win the majority of the vote. Our constitutionally enshrined minority protections were exploited to assure his victory. He won roughly 31 of every 65 votes. I realize that’s a lot more than 1 in 5, but America didn’t realize at the time how absolutely horrible a man he was.

Many Americans, probably half or more of those “31″ who voted for him did so because they so disliked Hillary Clinton. There wasn’t any other choice. It was a protest vote, and I think now they realize how horribly irresponsible protest voting is.

Probably a quarter to a third of those “31″ were contrarians, voters just so fed up with the system that they just wanted to wreck havoc. This, too, is terribly irresponsible. So a significant number of voters were very irresponsible, and I think they just so take American stability for granted that we can’t really think of them as bad. They just didn’t realize that sometimes you really have to choose the lesser of two evils rather than just neglect your responsibilities.

But another quarter to a third were bad people. They are the evil-acting Machiavellians – power brokers and political strategists who believed they could control Trump once he achieved power. They are those Republicans who today seem to rally around him, but at their increasing peril.

We’re trying everything possible to stop this behavior. Our everyday lives are disrupted reading more news, attending more protests, supporting and creating more activist groups. We’re terribly worried.

What’s happening right now – provoked by the racist remarks of yesterday – is that the Machiavellians are having to choose sides. Important politicians (like Graham, Cotton, Grassley and Ryan) very soon will either have to clearly support him or abandon him. So far they’ve tried to walk a tightrope. They won’t be able to much longer.

I don’t think impeachment is yet in the cards for a very unusual reason. The man who would then become President who you probably don’t know as well, Mike Pence, may actually be worse.

Many of you have similar situations at home, so I know you’ll understand this peculiar time in history when our government procedures – elections in particular – are not representing the actual voters. But we responsible Americans accept our special role in the world today, our unfair control of global power, and we promise you that we are doing everything we possibly can to change this disgusting situation.

Please help us. Don’t be timid criticizing America. Let’s think of this as a global effort, an effort against radical right-wing neo-Nazism. We should all abandon our tribes and predispositions and class affiliations and work together for a greater good. We struggling Americans need your support. We disavow with all our heart the despicable words of our President. Help us end this behavior.

55 thoughts on “Apology from America

  1. I am so ashamed of this president and his supporters. Please accept our profound apologies

  2. Please accept an apology from the citizens that do not feel that way which is the majority of Americans. #NOTMYPRESIDENT

  3. I am embarrassed for my country. Our president is a disgrace who does NOT represent the views of the majority of citizens.

  4. Donald Trump is the biggest embarrassment our country has ever had as president. Please do not think he represents, in any way, the thoughts of most Americans. We are sorry for his insulting and untrue remarks.

  5. I humbly apologize for the inexplicable behavior and the vulgar ignorance of our current commander and chief. There are no words to express how truly embarrassed I am to be an American in our country today. Please know that his actions and words do not reflect the majority of the American citizens especially mine! I can only hope that our government will soon hold this despicable individual accountable for his actions in the very near future.

  6. Words cannot express in words how embarrassed I am. Please accept our (the majority of Americans) apology.

  7. I cannot express in words how embarrassed I am of our illegitimate President. Please accept our (the majority of Americans) or sincere Apology.

  8. We in our household are appalled. Aside from the unthinkable message, we do not use or approve such language. Come to America. We welcome you, and we will have change.

  9. Please know that the vast majority of us are absolutely ashamed of this President. He and his racist ignorance is not us. Please accept our apology and help us change, as a county, for the better.

  10. Donald Trump is not MY president, but he is the president of OUR country and we, the majority of the American people, vehemently disavow his racism and xenophobia. We continue to support and embrace our African friends in every way that we can.

  11. Trump is an ignorant racist. Please accept my apology. We will work to make America better and I will continue to travel to Africa to show support.

  12. I am embarrassed by and ashamed of the man who currently leads this country. Neither his vile and vulgar comments nor his racist and xenophobic beliefs represent the majority of Americans. I am deeply sorry for the hurt and damage he has caused – both yesterday and most of the past 365 days.

  13. I can see Trump is making American great again…..by insulting other countries……what makes this immigration syndrome is intrusion of Americans and causing havoks and wars in those countries then you later call them #shitholes…..God forbid

  14. i am ashamed by these remarks. They are so contrary to everything I believe this country stands for and strives for.

  15. I am in deep shame of Trump who is not qualified to lead our country. He brings new crazies on a daily basis. Please accept our apologies for this ignorant man’s lies.

  16. Thank you , Jim. We realise that this awful person does not represent the American people. Such a tragedy that he is where he is.
    Best Regards,

    The Team at Kili-Worldborn-Safaris

  17. Dear Jim
    Thank you for your note.
    Your sentiment is actually deeply appreciated
    All the best
    Dereck Joubert
    CEO Shi Tole Safaris PTY Ltd.
    National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence

  18. I apologize for remarks made that do not reflect the true regard of US citizens. I’m deeply sorry and ashamed of this man.

  19. Well said Jim.
    I’m a Brit but we also have our Trump supporters – I’m ashamed to say. I’ve also had conversations with Kenyans, male and female, who have cheered for him in the past – perhaps they’ll change their minds about him now.

  20. It brings me great pleasure to talk negatively about our current president. He is a mental midget in charge of the USA. My husband and I feel very strongly about the people of Africa and the countries within its borders. I apologize for his stupidity and ill-mannered behavior.

  21. Mr. Heck verbalize what is truly in my heart. I did not vote for DTrump because I had his number from the beginning.
    Once again, his racist, despicable thoughts do not represent me and many if my friends.
    I am so ashamed of this nightmare named DT.
    Please continue to hold your remarkable selves, high.

  22. This loser does not represent me. Send him to the woodshed. Better yet to Siberia by his buddy.

  23. America is embarrassed of our president and hope the administration wakes up and does something about it. Until then, we can only apologize for the wrong doing of our crass and ignorant leadership.

  24. I’m embarrassed and humiliated that Donald J. Trump (idiot) is my beloved country’s president. What a sick and angry narcissist he is. I pray that all of those of us who did NOT vote for him can create the climate for change in the IMMEDIATE FUTURE… before he irreconcilably and irreparably RUINS every relationship we have with any other country in this world.

    My son has spent much time in Africa as a musician/missionary and we still support our friends there.

    Please do NOT equate all of us here in the great country of United States of America with this devil of a human who is consumed with hatred and vitriol for everyone. We must pray for him.

    In the meantime, forgive us, do not blame us, but help us as we try to move forward together and create solutions for world peace.

  25. Let’s see how many hypocrites would gladly accept Haitian refugees in their own neighborhood. In my experience, rich white liberals use zoning and traffic concerns to block affordable housing in their communities and would send Junior to private school before letting him attend a school dominated by Hispanics or Blacks, much less foreigners. Trump said what half the country or more thinks.

  26. Dear Jim
    Thank you for your well written letter. As you know, Ole and I are so disgusted with this creature who is in the White House. I just hope that those who voted for him realize their terrible mistake. Yes, Pence would be even worse, because he is smarter and more evil than Trump.
    We will survive this terrible state of affairs. I just hope that the people of this country realize how they can find and elect a more responsible and enlightened person next time.
    Still hopeful.

  27. 43% of African immigrants to the US have college degrees compared to only 33% of Americans overall. Clearly we benefit from this immigration. The sentiments expressed by President Trump are just wrong.

  28. The comments of Donald Trump do not reflect most American views. I apologize for this morons comments.

  29. I am an American living in North Carolina. I am ashamed and embarrassed by Trump’s words. If there is any good to this, he is bring racism out of the shadows and people are having to decide if this is who we Americans are as a people. Trump gives voice to America at its worst. He does not speak for most Americans. We reach out to the people of the world with words of hope. We will do all we can to bring this conduct to an end.

  30. Trump’s approval rating are appalling. There are many good people in our country who feel that he is not their president. He certainly isn’t mine. Loved the hospitality that we received in our two trips to Africa and I’m disgusted by his comments.

  31. I AGREE THESE COMMENTS, WHETHER MADE IN PUBLIC OR IN PRIVATE, ARE DISTASTEFUL AND DO NOT REFLECT THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE.

  32. Thanks for making this apology on behalf of all us. I could not agree more. I remember when I had to apologize to my French friends for the Bush admin nonsense about “french fries” and other insulting remarks. I was embarrassed by that at the time; but this exceeds anything I ever expected to see in a person who is in the U.S. presidency. It is a shameful situation. I am sorry he is mean, and I am sorry he is there. I hope he goes away soon.

  33. Thank God for our Democracy that allows us to stand up to people like Donald Trump. We wish for everyone to have that same freedom.

  34. Thanks Jim. As an individual and owner of a travel company based in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, I know first hand how wrong Trump’s comments are and how hurtful they can be to fellow Africans. Maybe your President should visit before he damns an entire continent as a sh@& hole. Keep up the fight.

  35. Hi Jim,
    I think the world in general knows that Donald doesn’t speak for all Americans, as embarrassing as he may be. Hopefully he’ll just be a blip on political history! Cheers from Botswana (#1 ****hole extraordinaire!)
    Clive
    Safari & Guide Services, Botswana

  36. Please accept my apologies for the remarks and beliefs of our vulgar and uninformed president. Most Americans do not share his beliefs and we are ashamed of his comments.

  37. Thanks for posting this. It made me sick to hear it first yesterday morning as this is NOT who Americans are. Even his own father changed his heritage from German to something else… how dare he? The only s__t-head sitting in the WH is that a__s-hole, and we sure don’t need Pence. At least many true Conservatives are appalled by his comments.. Let’s hope he has a heart-attack or somehow decides to retire early, both of which can’t be soon enough. .

  38. We are one humanity, despite the inhuman behavior of a minority.
    Still, we must look at how this result has come to pass.
    Progressives, liberals, Democrats and the press have been all been culpable for not calling out the corrupt and criminal behavior of the GOP ever since Nixon. This is not a new problem.
    Where do we go from here, so that this shameful horror is once and for all time shown for what it is, and that the lies, cheating and stealing of elections is not allowed to continue.
    Our republic is in extreme danger, but somehow, we’re all still acting like reason will save the day. I am not convinced.
    With a compliant Supreme Court, continued degradation of voting rights will continue, to the point that we will be no better than Putin’s Russia with a phony election to frost the corrupt cake.
    How did we, so proud of being reasonable, science-and-fact based, intelligent and aware citizens allow this to come about?
    http://hopelessness.info

  39. I am a US citizen, doing EVERYTHING I can to challenge this president and to challenge his racism. I am working in every way I can think of in our political system. He is NOT my president, and I am ashamed that he said this. I have lived in South Africa and been to Tanzania and Kenya. I love Africa and have many African friends. Immigrants from Africa are a crucial lifeblood of the contemporary US. This Trump nightmare will end, and maybe we can elect someone as wonderful as Obama again.

  40. I am so embarrassed and disgusted by the latest comments from Donald Trump. Please accept my apologies for the despicable words from this despicable and boorish man. The majority of Americans do not feel this way, although unfortunately there are enough average citizens and members of the Republican congressional hierarchy that support this dreadful man. He embarrasses us all.

  41. Dear Jim
    Thanks for keeping me updated.
    I was your guide at the District Six Museum, Cape Town.
    I’ve moved from Cape Town and now live in a place called Gansbaai, on the coast. (also known as the shark capital of the world.).
    I always find your comments very interesting and informative.
    I wish you all the best for 2018.
    Kind regards, Linda Fortune

  42. Dear African countries,
    Our president is a vain vile sociopath…a narcissistic child, and a racist.he makes the vast majority of the USA want to vomit.
    I hope to live to see the day when I pick up a newspaper and his name is not in it.

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