On Thursday night, Republican candidate Donald Trump took pride for the following clause in his acceptance speech.

As your President, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology.

This is offensive on many levels.  Not only is selective protection of human rights unacceptable, it is not even a step in the right direction.  In effect, it accommodates hateful behavior by those not called out.  In this case, Trump has no problem condemning followers of Islam for their treatment of specific U.S. citizens but turns his back when Americans, including his choice for running mate, pass laws and propose policies designed to degrade and demonize those who live an “alternative” lifestyle.

Second, what is a foreign ideology?  Christianity and Judaism are also foreign ideologies.  They did not originate in the United States.  They were brought to America (ready for this) by immigrants many of whom were not screened or vetted.

Third, does this mean traditional Mormon attitudes toward members of the LBGT community were okay since Mormonism is home grown.  Many in the LDS community now reject gender discrimination, but as late as 2012 Pew Research reported 65 percent of Mormons felt “society should discourage homosexuality.”

Fourth, as part of the naturalization ceremony, immigrants who adopt America as their home are required to take the following oath.

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

It requires naturalized citizens to defend the county against “ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.” Natural born citizens of the U.S. are not obliged to take a similar pledge.  Even the presidential oath does not include this phrase. The only native born Americans who take an oath containing this phrase are members of the armed services.  Shouldn’t the commander-in-chief do the same?

Let me propose a simple solution.  When registering to vote, every American should affirm their allegiance to the Constitution and swear to resist all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP