I’ve just picked myself up from falling off a chair with laughter after reading the letter to the editor on Aug. 22.

The writer was incensed at seeing Peggy Bennett, our District 27A representative, sitting by a cardboard likeness of President Trump at the county fair. Did this writer feel it was necessary to relate one of Trump’s transgressions long before he decided to run for the White House? Was this brought up because it’s difficult to find any skeletons in Peggy Bennett’s closet? I’m sure when she ran for her first term her past was surely researched.

Consider the book “Once upon a Secret” by Mimi Alford. Mimi was a White House intern who was invited by a White House aide to take a swim in the White House swimming pool. While there she was approached by none other than President Kennedy, who invited her for a personal tour. Expecting others in the group to accompany them, she found herself alone with the president. He took her to Mrs. Kennedy’s room, where he proceeded to take her virginity. During that summer she was toured around the country to various locations, where she was kept isolated in rooms until the president was free to slip in to spend nights with her.

Ms. Alford married after graduating from an all-girls school in Wheaton, Massachusetts. Her secret was kept until her husband passed away, when she chose to write her book.

Lyndon Johnson also had a mistress from 1948 through 1968 with whom a son, Steven, was born. After President Johnson’s death, the son sued for part of the estate. Sadly, he passed away before the courts could finish the case.

Volumes have been written about Clinton’s wild behavior. Two offenses took place in the Oval Office. (An office intern and Kathleen Wiley) Ms. Wiley has written graphic accounts of her struggle with Mr. President’s advances. Volumes have been written about the Clinton era, with Mrs. Clinton going public to demean her husband’s accusers.

So, we find other presidents who had some sordid ordeals occur while they were in the office. All humans are flawed Maybe it’s time we move on and forget the juicy little tidbits about our leaders and focus on getting our country back together by working side-by-side for the good of our nation. Hopefully we all will spend our energy on keeping our hospital here in Albert Lea. Let’s fight the good fight.

Carol L. Bybee

Albert Lea