Trump opposed to removing Theodore Roosevelt's statue from outside Museum of Natural History

[webfact]

Trump opposed to removing Theodore Roosevelt's statue from outside Museum of Natural History

By Kanishka Singh

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump pauses as he addresses his first re-election campaign rally in several months in the midst of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., June 20, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he opposed removing the towering statue of Theodore Roosevelt from outside New York City's American Museum of Natural History.

 

The move was announced by the museum on Sunday and comes amid anti-racism protests across the United States and the world after the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, in police custody on May 25 in the United States.

 

The statue shows Roosevelt on a horse, with a Native American man and an African man by his side. It stands prominently on a plinth outside the museum's main entrance, overlooking Central Park.

 

Roosevelt, a Republican like Trump, was U.S. president from 1901-1909. Known for his exuberant and daring manner, he carried out antitrust, conservationist and "Square Deal" reforms, and, critics said, took an interventionist approach to foreign policy, including projecting U.S. naval power around the world.

 

Many critics have said the Roosevelt statue symbolizes racial discrimination and colonial expansion.

 

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that the city was in favor of the request from the museum to remove the statue because it "depicts black and indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior."

 

"Ridiculous, don't do it," Trump said in a tweet on Monday https://bit.ly/3ez5QmU.

 

In the ongoing ant-racism demonstrations, protesters across the United States and around the world have demanded that authorities take down monuments honoring pro-slavery Confederate figures and the architects of Europe's colonies.

 

"Simply put, the time has come to move it," the museum's president, Ellen Futter, told the New York Times https://nyti.ms/2YZncTo.

 

She said the museum's decision was based on the statue itself, along with its "hierarchical composition", and not on Roosevelt. Futter said the museum continues to honor Roosevelt as "a pioneering conservationist".

 

Roosevelt's face is also one of the four presidents - along with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln - whose faces are cast in 60-foot-high granite sculptures at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

 

Trump has blasted the anti-racism protests, saying demonstrators have behaved badly.

 

"The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments - our beautiful monuments - tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We're not conforming", the U.S. president told supporters at a rally last week.

 

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru Editing by Gerry Doyle, Toby Chopra and Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-23

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[kotsak]

Next will be stop calling stuffed bear toys as Teddy Bears..

 

[Puchaiyank]

The quickest way to assure the statue is removed...is to have Trump tweet he wants it to stay...????

[JensenZ]

Now why would this article display a photo of Trump, and not a photo of the statue of Roosevelt they are discussing. It's what I would have liked to see... 

 

Edited June 22, 2020 by JensenZ

[EVENKEEL]

I think we should abolish all statues. Remove them all.

[ezzra]

Really... how far this silly PC movement will go? removing every sign of black people ever been subservient of white people? might as well wipe half of the USA history and practically every past president up until modern times, you can not wipe out the feeling of inadequacy and being past over by revolts burning looting and killing, it is come from within...

[tribalfusion001]

18 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

Now why would this article display a photo of Trump, and not a photo of the statue of Roosevelt they are discussing. It's what I would have liked to see... 

 

I can see why this statue needs to be removed, white man on a horse and below an Arican and a native American.

[tribalfusion001]

9 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Really... how far this silly PC movement will go? removing every sign of black people ever been subservient of white people? might as well wipe half of the USA history and practically every past president up until modern times, you can not wipe out the feeling of inadequacy and being past over by revolts burning looting and killing, it is come from within...

How far will this movement go, all the way, it's the early stages of fundamental cultural change. It has nothing to do with black rights now. I noticed that some of the placards on Saturday's BLM protest in London were starting to change to professionally made placards unlike previous demos, Socialist Worker Party name was at the bottom of them.

 

Rising unemployment, more businesses going bust, localised lockdowns causing unrest and riots. Countries won't be able to afford lockdowns, but are stifled by public opinions on rising death tolls, so will re-inpose lockdowns and eventually go bust. So new social and economic systems will take their place, history usually does repeat itself and gets revised accordingly.

[OZinPattaya]

21 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I think we should abolish all statues. Remove them all.

While you're at it, why not abolish history itself, the good and the bad? And let's pretend that this history never happened. Much better to base the future of a nation on a generation that has no knowledge of history whatsoever and is therefore more than happy to tear down its monuments.

[EVENKEEL]

6 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

How far will this movement go, all the way, it's the early stages of fundamental cultural change. It has nothing to do with black rights now. I noticed that some of the placards on Saturday's BLM protest in London were starting to change to professionally made placards unlike previous demos, Socialist Worker Party name was at the bottom of them.

 

Rising unemployment, more businesses going bust, localised lockdowns causing unrest and riots. Countries won't be able to afford lockdowns, but are stifled by public opinions on rising death tolls, so will re-inpose lockdowns and eventually go bust. So new social and economic systems will take their place, history usually does repeat itself and gets revised accordingly.

You know I used to laugh at the survivalist nut jobs, but now not so sure. The way these protestors are given free rein to do as they please it's getting a bit scary for those who have something to protect. What happens when the blm kind of folks come to your suburb and start protesting and burning because you have a nice house and they don't and that's just racist. How dare you have something I don't have. Just because I'm a lazy piece of s*** doesn't mean I shouldn't be given a nice house. This is just the beginning, sand bags and guns folks.

 

Kum Bah Yah America......

[Enoon]

 

Have a another statue made, copying that sculptural style, to replace the original.

 

With the two standing figures removed, or with them both also seated on horses, either side of Roosevelt, or with all three figures on foot.

 

 

Edited June 22, 2020 by Enoon

[meechai]

30 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

 What happens when the blm kind of folks come to your suburb and start protesting and burning because you have a nice house

Would be the last stupid thing they did in their pathetic excuse of a  life

[tribalfusion001]

26 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

You know I used to laugh at the survivalist nut jobs, but now not so sure. The way these protestors are given free rein to do as they please it's getting a bit scary for those who have something to protect. What happens when the blm kind of folks come to your suburb and start protesting and burning because you have a nice house and they don't and that's just racist. How dare you have something I don't have. Just because I'm a lazy piece of s*** doesn't mean I shouldn't be given a nice house. This is just the beginning, sand bags and guns folks.

 

Kum Bah Yah America......

It's all an illusion, race war, collapse of society, new system takes it place. What takes over with a system of controlling it's people and stopping these things happening, Nǐ hǎo zhōngguó (hello china).

 

The survivalist nut jobs and far right will never win, but will play their part in changing society.

[DoctorG]

OK, let's talk about changing the name of Yale University, named after not only a slave owner, but an actual slave trader.

What's that? Too many politicians and Elites are graduates? Cannot have that change then.

[Emdog]

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I think we should abolish all statues. Remove them all.

As a young lad I liked many statues of naked or partially naked women. Helped a tad in my sex education. Maybe

How about casting some new Caucasian faces to put over African and Native American figures? Problem solved

[Yinn]

World have real problems eg Covid and economy.

 

Immaturity.

Same kids fight about dolls. 

 

Protest= more covid.

protest = burn building, business= economy more worse. Can not go work if building fire.

 

 

Stupid.

Idiots

 

 

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

Just remove the other 2 people. Guess the protesters would find something in that to whinge about.

Unfortunately USA is on the path of disaster all round. Virus, Riots, guns and protests. 

Must be hard for people to feel proud of their country these days.

????❤????????????????

 

[Tug]

I’m all for removing the statue to A SAFE PLACE till the craziness calms down then return it to its rightful place teddy was no confederate trying to split up the USA the confederate statues on the other hand imo should be removed and placed in a class A museum were we can study and reflect on that horrible time in our history not to be glorified 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Tug

[ThailandRyan]

3 hours ago, JensenZ said:

Now why would this article display a photo of Trump, and not a photo of the statue of Roosevelt they are discussing. It's what I would have liked to see... 

 

To me it shows all three in the manner they moved about in life, Teddy on his horse and his friends walking.  Teddy was a rough rider, and rode a horse whenever he could.  Would the Queen of England or the King of a country also be on the same level as people below the office held.  Just think of this country and realize certain things are as they are.  Why can not people leave history alone and learn from it.  Removing everything offensive is tantamount to a total whitewash and sanctimonious appeasement.  The whole world is becoming a society of Snowflakes.

[phantomfiddler]

All of these protesters are too stupid to see it but they are, in essence, destroying themselves and their country ????

[blazes]

2 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

Have a another statue made, copying that sculptural style, to replace the original.

 

With the two standing figures removed, or with them both also seated on horses, either side of Roosevelt, or with all three figures on foot.

 

 

 

Why not add a dozen cavalry and three Cherokee?  There, that should do it.  About the right demographic proportions...

Might make entering the museum a bit of a bother though.....

[Hayduke]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Many critics have said the Roosevelt statue symbolizes racial discrimination and colonial expansion.

 

The ‘perpetually outraged’ are maybe getting a little ahead of themselves.

 

Better to wait for the Ministry of Truth to rewrite all that incorrect history first.

 

Then we'll know exactly what books to burn, which statues to destroy, and who needs to be sent to reeducation camps.

 

 

[graemeaylward]

The world was outraged when terrorist Isis forces destroyed some ancient Babylonian historical buildings to "erase" history. Symbolic destruction of buildings, statues, names, cannot erase the past nor should it! All of the above should serve as reminders of our outrageous colonial past in order that we can learn from our mistakes. If we started removing statues of "notorious" figures in UK, there would be few left! Statues or buildings named after Queen Victoria, David Livingstone etc. would be the first to go as they were very much in favour of the colonialist British Empire of the 18th century. All Lives Matter, regardless of colour, creed, sexual orientation, ability or gender. We can only learn from our mistakes through history and constant reminders. We cannot change history, but we can change the present and the future. 

[Susco]

4 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

4 hours ago, JensenZ said:

Now why would this article display a photo of Trump, and not a photo of the statue of Roosevelt they are discussing. It's what I would have liked to see... 

 

I can see why this statue needs to be removed, white man on a horse and below an Arican and a native American.

To me they look all 3 equally green

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

Have a another statue made, copying that sculptural style, to replace the original.

 

With the two standing figures removed, or with them both also seated on horses, either side of Roosevelt, or with all three figures on foot.

 

 

Or all three of them on the same horse!?

[Proboscis]

5 hours ago, kotsak said:

Next will be stop calling stuffed bear toys as Teddy Bears..

 

Perhaps but unlikely. And something else highly unlikely would be that people will start calling them Trump Bears!

[Jingthing]

Some statues should go but reasonable lines need to be drawn. 

 

I think all statues glorifying pro slavery confederate generals need to go. They were built long after the Civil War to prop up white supremacism. 

 

But this is getting ridiculous now. George Washington stays. It's doubtful that the USA as an admittedly flawed democracy would even exist without him. Jefferson stays. Christopher Columbus stays. What are they going to do? Change the name of the District of Columbia? 

 

I do understand the issues with this Teddy Roosevelt statue but I think it belongs on the side of the line of statues that can stay. 

 

People should focus on the confederate civil war stuff. Otherwise that movement will be diluted and invite a backlash. 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Jingthing

[Mick501]

Perhaps all references in history to racial oppression of any kind should be removed, and laws passed to prevent any discussion.   At least that way we will stop seeing the victim card being continually played, and it will benefit these self proclaimed victims as they will now be able,to live for the future instead of the past, and be the best version of themselves.

[Bluespunk]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments - our beautiful monuments - tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control. We're not conforming", the U.S. president told supporters at a rally last week.

The divisive nature of trump becomes clearer with every speech he makes.

 

He is not trying to unite the nation, his reference to 'our' history/monuments/statues is intended to tell his followers 'it's us against them', the history of America is the history of all its citizens, no matter their ethnicity. He may believe what the protestors are doing is wrong, but as president surely it is his role to try and listen and act on their concerns, sooth their anger rather use it to shore up his base support and create a siege mentality in their minds.

 

Change is coming and that does scare many people, that's why trump will most likely lose the November election. People need a leader who can guide them all not one who chooses to divide them for his own political wants.

 

trump relied on a lot of swing voters who wanted to give him a chance to see if a change was for the better. It wasn't, his entire presidency has been a debacle, and the polls continue to show those undecided voters who voted him in in 2016 will vote him out in 2020.

 

The clock is ticking. 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Bluespunk

[bluesofa]

35 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

4 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

Have a another statue made, copying that sculptural style, to replace the original.

 

With the two standing figures removed, or with them both also seated on horses, either side of Roosevelt, or with all three figures on foot.

Or all three of them on the same horse!?

Then they'd be some bitching about who should be sitting at the front, at the back, etc. Or does the horse need to be walking sideways to avoid that complaint?

 

Perhaps we should all go back to being single cell amoeba. Less arguing.