There's a spate of news stories in the last day reporting about how Melania Trump has ordered that a 200 year old magnolia tree at the White House be cut down. The tree was planted in honor of the wife of president Andrew Jackson. Most of the stories focus on the age of the tree and that it was Melania's decision to axe it.
But what has the media left out?
First, the media has not told people that this tree is dying. It is decaying and weakened. The White House arborist is of the view that any strong storm will fell the tree and place both the White House and other trees in danger. The First Lady just approved a move that the groundskeepers recommended.
Second, the media has also been silent about the fact that this tree has been declining for years. In fact, the gardeners have taken cutting from the tree and grown them into small tree so as to have one to replace the dying tree. One of those saplings is already ten years old. The program to replace the tree started during the Bush presidency. It's hardly a sudden decision by Melania Trump.
So, the media portrays this as an attack by Melania on a tree when it's actually the inevitable result of the aging of the tree which has nothing to do with the First Lady.
But there's another question here too. If this were a statue of Andrew Jackson, there's no doubt that many Democrats and journalists would want it removed because Jackson (and his wife) owned slaves. Wouldn't you think that these same people would cheer for the removal of a tree planted to honor Mrs. Jackson? Apparently, removal of a tribute to the Jacksons is a good idea for these fools unless the order to do the removal comes from Mrs. Trump.
But what has the media left out?
First, the media has not told people that this tree is dying. It is decaying and weakened. The White House arborist is of the view that any strong storm will fell the tree and place both the White House and other trees in danger. The First Lady just approved a move that the groundskeepers recommended.
Second, the media has also been silent about the fact that this tree has been declining for years. In fact, the gardeners have taken cutting from the tree and grown them into small tree so as to have one to replace the dying tree. One of those saplings is already ten years old. The program to replace the tree started during the Bush presidency. It's hardly a sudden decision by Melania Trump.
So, the media portrays this as an attack by Melania on a tree when it's actually the inevitable result of the aging of the tree which has nothing to do with the First Lady.
But there's another question here too. If this were a statue of Andrew Jackson, there's no doubt that many Democrats and journalists would want it removed because Jackson (and his wife) owned slaves. Wouldn't you think that these same people would cheer for the removal of a tree planted to honor Mrs. Jackson? Apparently, removal of a tribute to the Jacksons is a good idea for these fools unless the order to do the removal comes from Mrs. Trump.
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