Now We Know

After the defeat of Adolf Hitler there was a soul searching. How did the population of what was then the most civilized country in the western world permit such barbarism, such lawlessness, to occur? Why did they not rid themselves of Hitler? Now we know. It appears that a majority of United States citizens do not support Donald Trump. But that doesn’t matter. Disposing of the man is nearly impossible, even as he continues to show signs of mental deterioration to go with his melt downs. Congress is a body that fears him so much that they did not even insist on his following such fundamental laws as appropriation bills, or the fact that inspectors general can only be fired with the consultation of Congress. There you have it — disposing of a president requires a remarkable consensus by a body that fears him. Further, Trump’s supporters seem willing to physically threaten those who challenge him.

Quiet Piggy

We all know Donald Trump is a president like no other we’ve had. Many of us are repulsed or just very annoyed at his behavior, while his supporters seem delighted at his acting out, while he “sticks it to the libs.” Let’s try to remember that we are a country, not a playground, no matter how childish the president’s rants are.

Do we really want a president who melts down most nights over perceived slights (or possibly just the lack of coffee ice cream in the White House mess)? Apparently we do, as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt constantly reminds us. Not only is he the president the American People wanted, for her money his every tantrum is what we voted for. The only thing missing is an appreciation from Leavitt that Trump has special glands to make him go with so much energy. That was Jack Valenti’s supposition on LBJ’s great stamina.

But Trump is no LBJ. It’s a different era, and the question is “what kind of drugs is Trump getting to keep him going?” And what is so special about Donald Trump that makes him feel totally unconstrained, able to insult anyone just as easily and naturally as some of us brush our teeth? And finally, what is it about Trump that freezes Congress even as Trump dumps, re-embraces, and dumps again allies. Last week he was sending high performance land attack missiles to Ukraine; this week he’s ready to throw Ukraine to the wolves if it doesn’t accede to all of Vladimir Putin’s demands. His BFF Vlad wants Ukraine emasculated, so that’s good enough for The Donald.

And... what the heck will be left of the US when Trump is finally, blessedly gone?