Long ago, I saw (by accident) an episode of “The Apprentice,” and learned that Donald Trump is a bully. I never ventured there again. Trump is still a bully. He likes to pick on people. He likes to see others squirm and suffer. He loves to make others angry. He carries grudges, and now he’s brought his bully friends along to help him “get even.” He’s singling out individuals and groups with views other than his and using his power to punish them for speaking out or not thinking his way.
I learned in fifth grade that the way to handle a bully is to stand up to them. Do you want to live where you need to be fearful — as opposed to thoughtful —about what you say? If not, it’s time to be brave.
As we slide into February, the Felon in Chief takes opportunity to blame a tragic air accident on innocents, persecute the FBI for doing their job, bully our neighbors and attempt to dismantle government, good and bad. Since January 20, Trump has been striking out like a pissed-off, spoiled three-year-old who was not allowed to have his way, throwing a full-on tantrum. His tantrum will cost our country friends —which he cares nothing about — and money — which he cares way too much about. Not ours. His. And making ours his.
MAGA might crow about a “landslide,” but 47 (as his supporters delight in calling him) won the popular vote by a slim margin — slimmest since 2000, when Bush beat Gore by chicanery and one electoral vote, though Gore had half a million more popular votes. In 2016, Hillary got nearly 3 million more votes that the Donald. (Is the electoral college outdated? Yes.) This time, Trump garnered 77.284 million. Kamala got 74.999. The margin is 1.5 %. If this was a county commission race, there would be a recount.
If you are one of the 74.999, don’t despair. The noise of MAGA comes from a relatively few Kool-Aid drinkers; in the millions maybe, but not tens of millions. More sensible folks who cast R votes are likely kicking themselves as they watch the Terrible T do his thing. The congressional election in two years has a chance to change the balance in Congress, if people have long enough memories about what the Donald is doing right now. A large number of those who voted for His Childishness are likely watching hopes go up in smoke, including those who’s economic well-being have already been threatened by executive order. Tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods are not going to make food prices go down or housing more affordable.
We’ve not elected a savior. Trump worships no sort of God but himself and his fortune. Maybe the reason the ultra-conservative Christian community is so much about Trump is that they believe the Bible’s warning that Jesus can’t come back until after the Antichrist shows up, and they’re trying to hurry things along. (1 John 2:18, 2:22, and 4:3; 2 John 1:7)
This will make some of you cringe and maybe even rage. The rest of you, hold this thought: if we’re going to move past where we are now, and where we have been much of the time since Bush 2.0, divided by finger-pointing, rhetorical blaming, conspiracy theory and all-consuming self-interest — both personally and on both sides of the Congressional aisle — it’s time to start acting like grown-ups who see that what’s good for the neighbors is likely good for us, as well. I think that’s what Jesus really had to say. (Matthew 22:39)
It is time to be brave.
A Few Thoughts on Bullies and Bravery
Long ago, I saw (by accident) an episode of “The Apprentice,” and learned that Donald Trump is a bully. I never ventured there again. Trump is still a bully. He likes to pick on people. He likes to see others squirm and suffer. He loves to make others angry. He carries grudges, and now he’s brought his bully friends along to help him “get even.” He’s singling out individuals and groups with views other than his and using his power to punish them for speaking out or not thinking his way.
I learned in fifth grade that the way to handle a bully is to stand up to them. Do you want to live where you need to be fearful — as opposed to thoughtful —about what you say? If not, it’s time to be brave.
As we slide into February, the Felon in Chief takes opportunity to blame a tragic air accident on innocents, persecute the FBI for doing their job, bully our neighbors and attempt to dismantle government, good and bad. Since January 20, Trump has been striking out like a pissed-off, spoiled three-year-old who was not allowed to have his way, throwing a full-on tantrum. His tantrum will cost our country friends —which he cares nothing about — and money — which he cares way too much about. Not ours. His. And making ours his.
MAGA might crow about a “landslide,” but 47 (as his supporters delight in calling him) won the popular vote by a slim margin — slimmest since 2000, when Bush beat Gore by chicanery and one electoral vote, though Gore had half a million more popular votes. In 2016, Hillary got nearly 3 million more votes that the Donald. (Is the electoral college outdated? Yes.) This time, Trump garnered 77.284 million. Kamala got 74.999. The margin is 1.5 %. If this was a county commission race, there would be a recount.
If you are one of the 74.999, don’t despair. The noise of MAGA comes from a relatively few Kool-Aid drinkers; in the millions maybe, but not tens of millions. More sensible folks who cast R votes are likely kicking themselves as they watch the Terrible T do his thing. The congressional election in two years has a chance to change the balance in Congress, if people have long enough memories about what the Donald is doing right now. A large number of those who voted for His Childishness are likely watching hopes go up in smoke, including those who’s economic well-being have already been threatened by executive order. Tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods are not going to make food prices go down or housing more affordable.
We’ve not elected a savior. Trump worships no sort of God but himself and his fortune. Maybe the reason the ultra-conservative Christian community is so much about Trump is that they believe the Bible’s warning that Jesus can’t come back until after the Antichrist shows up, and they’re trying to hurry things along. (1 John 2:18, 2:22, and 4:3; 2 John 1:7)
This will make some of you cringe and maybe even rage. The rest of you, hold this thought: if we’re going to move past where we are now, and where we have been much of the time since Bush 2.0, divided by finger-pointing, rhetorical blaming, conspiracy theory and all-consuming self-interest — both personally and on both sides of the Congressional aisle — it’s time to start acting like grown-ups who see that what’s good for the neighbors is likely good for us, as well. I think that’s what Jesus really had to say. (Matthew 22:39)
It is time to be brave.
A Few Thoughts on What We Have Now
My last column brought interesting letters to the editor, some of which weren’t printed because the writers didn’t wish to be in the public eye. One that did get published suggested the editor ban me because my views didn’t agree with theirs. They may wish to brush up on the
A Few Thoughts on Bullies and Bravery
Long ago, I saw (by accident) an episode of “The Apprentice,” and learned that Donald Trump is a bully. I never ventured there again. Trump is still a bully. He likes to pick on people. He likes to see others squirm and suffer. He loves to make others angry. He
A Few Thoughts on Learning to Ski
Winter has finally arrived, though the frosting on my small forest looks more like December than January. Thankfully, the frosting is much thicker on our mountains. I’ve not had to use the snowblower or shovel down here — at least not yet. Up there is plenty to ski on. Those
A few thoughts (or more) on November 6 at 8:30 a.m.
When I was young, I had a book, I Have Five Pennies, in which a young boy is sent to the store by his mom for groceries. She gives him five pennies for himself, and as he goes, he sings, “I have five pennies to spend on candy; all for
Happy Holidays from the Scenic Route
This was written some time ago, but it still applies, I believe. Thanks for reading. Dear friends, On my drive home tonight, at the small city of Hope, Idaho, I watched a meteor inscribe the black heavens with a golden signature. It blew across the southern sky, as if launched