The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Letter to editor: Lessons of history don’t lessen

In+this+April+6%2C+2017%2C+photo%2C+President+Donald+Trump+walks+from+the+podium+after+speaking+at+Mar-a-Lago+in+Palm+Beach%2C+Fla.%2C+Thursday%2C+April+6%2C+2017%2C+after+the+U.S.+fired+a+barrage+of+cruise+missiles+into+Syria.+Trump%E2%80%99s+White+House%2C+one+perpetually+plagued+by+infighting+among+aides+jockeying+for+the+president%E2%80%99s+ear%2C+has+been+sharply+divided+by+a+new+rivalry%2C+one+pitting+his+powerful+son-in-law+with+unfettered+access+to+the+president+against+the+sharp-elbowed+ideologue+who+fueled+Trump%E2%80%99s+populist+campaign+rhetoric.+%28AP+Photo%2FAlex+Brandon%29
AP
In this April 6, 2017, photo, President Donald Trump walks from the podium after speaking at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Thursday, April 6, 2017, after the U.S. fired a barrage of cruise missiles into Syria. Trump’s White House, one perpetually plagued by infighting among aides jockeying for the president’s ear, has been sharply divided by a new rivalry, one pitting his powerful son-in-law with unfettered access to the president against the sharp-elbowed ideologue who fueled Trump’s populist campaign rhetoric. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Howard Zinn must be rolling in his grave. Why don’t the talking heads in the media correct President Trump? The separation of church and state was not initiated by the American government nor the Founders. It came from the Baptist Church that petitioned Thomas Jefferson to not let the government interfere in its religious practices as the Church of England and the Catholic Church had done in Europe.

By not allowing religion to be at the center of government decisions, the U.S. has avoided the pogroms that have infected most of the world — and grown rich.

American history is very interesting, and more of the media elites should study/know it. Or as Santayana stated: “If you do not know your history, you are bound to repeat it.”

— Mary Gravitt

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