Ralph Ginorio of Coeur d’Alene denounced President Biden’s speech in his letter last Friday, putting words in his mouth and framing him as a “divisive dictator.” Let’s look at what our president actually said:

“I ran for president because I believed we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. I still believe that to be true. I believe the soul is the breath, the life, and the essence of who we are. The soul is what makes us us. The soul of America is defined by the sacred proposition that all are created equal in the image of God. That all are entitled to be treated with decency, dignity and respect. That all deserve justice and a shot at lives of prosperity and consequence. That democracy — democracy — must be defended. For democracy makes all these things possible.”

Hmmm. The exact opposite of divisive and dictatorial.

Ralph also claimed: “he called the loyal opposition in our centuries-old two-party system ‘the enemy.’” [Note: “the enemy” is in quotes.] Biden never used the word “enemy” in his speech. He did, however say, “I want to be very clear, very clear upfront. Not every Republican, not even a majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology. I know because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans.”

Again, the opposite of divisive and dictatorial.

Whereas Trump has actually called liberals “fascists.” I don’t think he understands what that word means.

RICHARD SAUNDERS

Coeur d’Alene