Doug Robinson: Oversimplifying motives is a disservice to US history

To The Daily Sun,

Charles Ajootian’s recent letter (“Trump and Hegseth want to elevate all of history’s losers”) offers a passionate critique — but unfortunately, it’s built on selective history and partisan caricature. By reducing Robert E. Lee to a symbol of moral failure and smearing those who seek to honor his military legacy, Ajootian misses the opportunity for a more honest, conversation.

Lee was not a perfect man, nor was the Confederacy a noble cause. But Lee’s tactical brilliance, post-war efforts toward reconciliation, and personal integrity deserve recognition — some glorification, national acknowledgment. To pretend that honoring such complexity is equivalent to endorsing slavery or rebellion is intellectually lazy and historically dishonest.

As for the swipe at Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth: it's a political swipe, not constructive, blanket accusations of elevating “losers” oversimplify the motives of those who believe in preserving military history — even the uncomfortable parts. Our nation’s strength lies in its ability to wrestle with our history, not erase it.

If we’re serious about civic integrity, let’s stop cherry-picking history to score political points. Let’s honor the full story — even when it challenges our personal political beliefs.

Doug Robinson

Laconia