Editor’s note: The views expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily those of The Costa Rica Star, its advertisers, or its staff.

Warning: Beyond this point expect to encounter some “shitholes.” What does it matter if President Donald Trump called a spade-a- spade in describing numerous countries like El Salvador and Haiti as a “shithole?” Some of those in the Oval Office last Thursday say they can’t remember if this “shithole” comment was said by the president or not. Some say yes he did, while others say — no he didn’t. At least Costa Rica did not make Trump’s s—t list.

My-oh-my how things have changed. Remember back a few decades ago when the late-great comedian George Carlin came upon the national scene with his sidesplitting ‘Seven Dirty Words You Can’t Say On TV.’ Well … that word ‘shit’ is one of them. For the past few days those words ‘shit’ and ‘shithole’ have been in newspaper headlines, broadcast live by mainstream media news anchors, all over social media and websites in a frenzy of cussing aimed at belittling President Trump. There is no more ‘beeping’ out the swear words – not this time. How many kids this week asked their parents “Mommy! Daddy! What’s a shithole?”

The uproar over the president’s alleged comments is not in dispute, but what he actually did say is. Here’s a perfect example why conversations in the Oval Office of the White House should be recorded but held in confidence under the president’s ‘Executive Privilege’ meaning such recordings would be released to the public on a case-by-case basis to clarify what the president said or didn’t say. Of course there would be those times when the president would turn off the recorder for frank and open discussions and he should be allowed to, but when the recorder is on it should not be a secret either. Everyone, including the president, should know they are being recorded in the Oval Office or anywhere else within the White House like the ‘Situation Room’ where unfolding events such as the U.S. Navy Seal Team take down of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011 are monitored and vital decisions are made on the spot. Such a recording system would be better for everyone involved in high-stakes political negotiations by keeping them honest and conduct the nation’s business forthright with dignity.

It’s funny as s—t how the Democrats in the Oval Office that day recall the meeting so differently from the Republicans. There is a night-and-day difference in there recollections.

Liberal Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) told reporters on Friday that President Trump used the “shithole” phrase several times plus “things which were hate-filled, vile and racist” during the closed-door Oval Office session to discuss forthcoming immigration legislation.

“I cannot believe that, in the history of the White House in that Oval Office, any president has ever spoken the words that I personally heard our president speak yesterday,” Durbin told CNN. Behind closed doors former Presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson swore like sailors. Of course mainstream media has rebroadcast Durbin’s comments continuously.

On the other side of the political spectrum but also present in the Oval Office were conservative Senators Tom Cotton (R- ARK) and David Perdue (R-GA). Cotton and Perdue issued a joint statement defending the president which was published in the New York Times, but mostly ignored on mainstream media.

“President Trump brought everyone to the table this week and listened to both sides, but regrettably, it seems that not everyone is committed to negotiating in good faith,” the senators said. “In regards to Senator Durbin’s accusation, we do not recall the president saying these comments specifically, but what he did call out was the imbalance in our current immigration system, which does not protect American workers and our national interest.”

This recent “shithole” controversy comes on the heels of another White House meeting that occurred Tuesday in which President Trump was discussing all the same immigration issues with 44 congressional lawmakers – including Durbin who sat next to the president — as it was broadcast live to the nation from the Cabinet Room. The president was in complete control of the meeting going around the room hearing what Democrats and Republicans had to say. He looked good and came across sincere. But give it two days when a cuss word or two flies out of the president’s mouth behind closed doors all hell breaks loose and that ever-present liberal “racist” nonsense starts up.

In a Friday Tweet, President Trump denied the remarks saying that he “Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!” There is something fundamentally wrong with people like Durbin who would use such an occasion — where confidentiality is expected — and then turn the president’s words against him and stab him the back.

What this “shithole” thing boils down to is “some people know their shit while others can’t tell the difference between shit and shineola. There are lucky shits, dumb shits and sweet shits. There is bull shit, horse shit and chicken shit. You can throw shit, sling shit, catch shit, shoot the shit or duck when shit hits the fan,” as scrawled upon many a bathroom wall.

All-in-all the USA is better off with a crude talker than a smooth talker.

About the Author Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.