October 3rd, 2024

Letter writer’s quote was mistakenly attributed


By Letter to the Editor on December 1, 2021.

Editor:
Contrary to what Mr. Alvin Shier wrote in the Herald recently, no President of the United States every said “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong…. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich…”.
Who did write these words? Back in 1916, a failed ex-clergyman by the name of Wiliams J.H. Boetckerm did. Ronald Reagan repeated them and “fell for one of the great hoaxes of American history.”
And, as we move into the season of Christmas, let’s forget these uncharitable words from a century ago and focus on the message that all major religions share which is, of course: “Love thy neighbour”.
Leslie Lavers
Lethbridge

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biff

thank you for a great perspective.