Regardless of leadership in American government, this nation has been said to stand for and behind certain ideals of conduct. In just the last two years, under President Donald J. Trump, and his entourage, so many of these “ideals” have been absolutely trashed, as to put a lie to them. I have not the space here to adequately chronicle these horrors, so I’m hoping that three of the most egregious will be an example.
On Trump’s orders, around 3,000 children — most Hispanics — and many younger than 5, were kidnapped from their families, stored in cages or other detention facilities for undetermined time spans. A lot of them many never be reunited with loved ones.
These children and their families were seeking asylum in America along our southern boarder with Mexico. Most were fleeing terrible living conditions in Central American countries like Guatemala and Honduras. With straight faces, how many reasonable human beings believe this would have been done to white kids and their kin? — And gotten away with it?
Approximately as many Americans — 3,000 — were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack, lost their lives after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Trump originally preened that less than 20 residents of that land is perished, then tossed paper towels to a few of the survivors.
Unlike 9/11, however, there has been no federal investigation into what is obviously a poor response to the 2017 tragedy in Puerto Rico. Again, is it because of the skin color (most of the deceased were Hispanics)?
The late Republican Senator form Arizona, John McCain, was (is) an American hero. Shot down on a mission over Vietnam in 1967, he was held by the Viet Cong (Communists) and tortured for over five years.
Given an opportunity for early release as a propaganda measure (his father was an influential Navy Admiral), McCain would not abandon his fellow prisoners. Trump said he liked “people who aren’t captured better.” Just what you’d expect from a man who sought and received five deferments from service during that conflict.
Why are such deplorable things (as above) acceptable to tens of millions of Americans supporting Trump?
Two electoral results from the 2016 Presidential Election will forever define one of the shabbiest periods in the history of this republic. Fifty-three percent of white woman voted for Trump — after more than 15 members of their gender accused him of sexual assault. Trump was caught on tape bragging about “grabbing women by the,” well, this is a family newspaper. Eighty-one percent of white Evangelicals cast their lot the most immoral man — virulent racist, liar and bully — to ever hold the highest office in this land.
There is no apologizing for or explaining away the indefensible.
The last great American President Harry S. Truman (1945-53), once said, “We get the government we deserve.” So true.
