On The Lincoln Memorial's 94th Birthday, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D, NY) Is Right -- Give The Money Back, Mr. Trump

First, I must note that 94 years ago today, with Mr. Lincoln's then 78-year old son in attendance, US Supreme Court Chief Justice William Howard Taft dedicated the Lincoln Memorial Monument -- and handed it over to the people of this nation. And with it, this day became a day to reflect on WWI war dead, and all prior war dead. In that spirit, I offer this rebuttal of those who would dishonor our war dead's ultimate sacrifices -- with their policies of fascism. So many died -- to defeat fascism.

The Democratic Congressman -- from New York's Tenth District -- has penned an open letter to Donald Trump that deserves wide-spread attention. It tells us many truths about this man's character (or lack thereof).

Do go read it all -- and consider that Mr. Trump disgraced the Memorial yesterday, with his lies:

. . . .Many Americans may be surprised to learn that after 9/11, you deliberately sought and accepted money from a fund designed to help small business owners harmed by the attacks. Using one of your companies – 40 Wall Street LLC, through which you own a skyscraper in Manhattan – you obtained funds from the World Trade Center Business Recovery Grant program.

It’s been reported that on your grant application, you claimed 40 Wall Street LLC – which employed 28 people and had $26.8 million in annual revenues at the time – as a “small business.” Despite the federal definition of a small business as having less than $6 million in revenue, you accepted a $150,000 payout.

In grabbing that money with both fists, you took it out of the pockets of small business owners in New York who were truly hurting, and prevented them from taking full advantage of the relief so generously offered by their fellow citizens.

You claim to be one of the biggest, richest, most successful developers in the city – yet you took taxpayer money from a grant program designed to help the “little guys.” Do you really consider yourself a small businessman? You have staked your reputation and your campaign on being anything but.

Of course, without releasing your tax returns, the true size of your success will remain a mystery. But in the meantime, we must conclude that you eagerly helped yourself to money meant to comfort those who lost so much in one of the worst national tragedies in our history.

Moreover, we know you did not use that public money to rehabilitate the allegedly “small business” at 40 Wall Street. Shortly after the attacks, you told a TV reporter that none of your properties were affected by the attacks. If you don’t remember saying that, you can watch the video on YouTube. Later, in 2005, you valued that same property – 40 Wall Street – at $400 million. . . .

In those dark days, New York did show the nation our very best. But your exploitation of our bravest and most generous citizens shows us all we need to know about what lies within your heart. We should all expect better – especially from someone running to be our President.

Whatever the size of your business, we need no further proof that you are a small man. . . .

We will return to our regular beat tomorrow -- covering life science and health care delivery -- but we will no longer be complacent about the threat he poses to our system of ordered liberty. Remember this day that our peace at home -- is borne of all soldiers' "last full measure of devotion." [With Happy Birthday wishes, to the youngest of the Charleses! Smile!]