One of the most controversial issues today is whether or not memorials, including statues, to Confederate leaders and soldiers should be removed from public property in the U.S.
This issue has caused much tension in Seattle as well as across the country and has resulted in riots in cities such as Charlottesville, Va.
President Donald Trump and many others say those memorials represent important historical events and should remain standing.
Others say the memorials celebrate and glorify people who were traitors and fought to preserve slavery.
Gen. Benedict Arnold was a traitor during the Revolutionary War, having defected to the British.
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were traitors because they passed military and nuclear secrets to the Soviets in the 1950s.
Their actions were of significant importance in U.S. history.
If Trump is correct [and monuments should remain], do you think we should have a statue of Arnold or the Rosenbergs on public property because of their historical importance?
I doubt very much most of you would think so.
We must remember history in all its positive and negative aspects, but to remember our history does not mean we should celebrate and glorify traitors with memorials and statues.
So, I say remove from public property every memorial and statue to any Confederate leader or soldier.
David Tonkin,
Port Townsend