Thursday, August 17, 2017
275. And the soup boils over
In 2008, I flew to California to take a bar exam and on that flight I met a guy from Alabama.
He was a former professional baseball player so I enjoyed hearing some of his “playing day” stories. Later we noticed that then-presidential candidate John Edwards was on our flight and the conversation turned to politics. His most memorable comment was when he told me that the country just wasn’t ready for a black president.
I naively thought this was a preposterous idea, but maybe he was right.
The question is how did we go from the crowning civil rights achievement of my generation in electing a black president to debates over white supremacy groups, Confederate flags, and the election of Donald Trump?
I don’t think we can identify one thing that has led to the racial tension facing this country. I think it is more like a soup made up of many elements that has finally boiled over.
The election of Barack Obama for two terms annoyed those who still felt racial prejudice against the advancement of minorities in this country. He and his family were often treated with disrespect and subject to cruel racial stereotypes.
There has been a building frustration with political correctness. Liberals are largely to blame for the ridiculous notion of treating each other with kindness and respect.
The increasing diversity in this country, including not only minorities, but also women, groups (like gays, lesbians, and people who are transgender) and programs like affirmative action continue to be an issue for a segment of our population. Some whites, particularly males, feel like their rights are being eroded and an unfair preference is being given to others.
The oppressors had suddenly become the oppressed.
Fox News, conservative talk shows, and other resources like Breitbart continued in popularity and hammered Obama, later Hillary Clinton, Democrats, and liberals on a daily basis. The attacks continued mercilessly, fueling further animosity toward these people. Vilifying things like the Confederate flag supported their notion of suppression and discrimination.
Increasingly we live in the age of validation. Ideas, no matter how crazy, can be found and supported somewhere on the Internet. The Earth is flat; Sandy Hook was a conspiracy theory. Fake news furthered the craziness and engaged those susceptible to believing such nonsense.
Black Lives Matter and the police shootings divided the country, as though there were only two sides. Either you were with the blacks or you were with the police. The power and attention of the movement infuriated racists.
The economy, though improving throughout the Obama administration, still left individuals struggling to make ends meet. The rich continued to get richer but the blame of middle class stagnation typically fell on so-called entitlement programs. And with Obamacare, some Americans felt like there was too much subsidization and not enough capitalism. Mexicans and the outsourcing of manufacturing was costing too many American jobs.
The continued fear of terrorism, particularly from ISIS, fueled discriminatory attacks on Muslims and Muslim nations.
Mix it all together and along comes Donald Trump. He stumbles in at the perfect time of American history, and immediately, to the delight of millions, crushes political correctness. He brings back the idea of American nationalism and American capitalism. When in doubt, build a larger military. Winners win, and they are wealthy for it, and losers lose and it’s not my problem. Criticize Trump and he will attack you with everything he has—and then call you names. You are either friend or enemy.
He says what he wants and whatever he thinks people want to hear. He doesn’t care and doesn’t suffer political consequences even after dozens of damaging transgressions are revealed. Even after he tells lie after lie, he finds millions of supporters who feel like they finally have a voice, someone who represents them. Principle has nothing to do with it.
Trump parlayed this with traditional Republicans desperate to win the White House, regardless of the candidate, and religious conservatives who continue to vote Republican despite the moral sludge, because they relentlessly focus on a couple of specific social issues. Trump was also fortunate to square off against Clinton, a villain among conservatives who was unable to grab the enthusiasm of Democrats.
Thus a troubling American underbelly created President Donald Trump and he has given them permission, even approval, to express themselves. Supporters grew in momentum as it became socially acceptable to act the way the president does. The alt-right was created.
Republicans got their president and the alt-right and white supremacist groups were empowered to promote their views and beliefs. And these beliefs were validated by the election and views of Donald Trump. They knew they were right all along.
It took Trump two days to reluctantly criticize the racism that led to the attacks in Virginia. Both sides saw it for what it was — disingenuous and politically motivated. Trump confirmed those suspicions when he recanted and again tried to blame both sides. No way he was abandoning these supporters. He needs them because he knows the other Republicans, though they might occasionally speak out against him, will again fall in line when push comes to shove.
Hate and racism, particularly blatant racism, has no place in this country. Neither does a president who inspired it and refuses to disavow it.
Monday, July 17, 2017
274. Meeting Maybelle, Adeline, and Dudley
On several occasions, I have caught my wife watching a video on her phone with tears streaming down her cheeks.
She is easily moved by animals, particularly when their personalities are shared and when they are rescued from bad situations. She quickly forms an emotional bond to the animal and its story, regardless of whether she has ever met the animal.
The Gentle Barn in Knoxville, Tenn., is a rescue farm, one of four locations around the country. They rescue injured, neglected, abused, and escaped animals.
Founder Ellie Laks wrote about its mission:
“We live in a concrete, violent, noisy, high-tech, busy world. We have lost our connection to animals, to nature, and most of all, to ourselves. Animals are living lives of torment from beginning to end, their cries are unheard, their pain is unseen, and they are suffering. The rainforests are being destroyed, we are in a global drought, we are polluting our air, and species go extinct every day. At the Gentle Barn we stand up for the innocent… We open people’s hearts to the connections with nature.”
And while the Gentle Barn warmly rescues animals, it also understands that it is about something bigger than ourselves – it’s about nature, the planet, and the future of all living things. Through the animals and their stories, people realize that what they do on a daily basis affects the world we live in and share with other sentient beings.
We made the trip to this beautiful place for my wife’s birthday this past April. The Gentle Barn opens its doors to the public each Saturday. Lunch was provided and included field roast veggie dogs and sausage — a deliberate attempt to help guests make the connection. It was delicious!
Waiting for the event to begin, sitting among people from around the country, we were greeted by a neighborhood dog who stops over every Saturday as he sees the cars arriving. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being in the peaceful presence of such love and kindness, as well as the feeling of spending time with the few fortunate animals that have been saved from the fate awaiting millions of others.
Here are a few of the animals at the Gentle Barn that my wife has gained such a spiritual connection with and that we were so fortunate to spend time with.
Maybelle the dairy cow was thanked by her family for her service when they retired her to the Gentle Barn to live out her days, rather than to send her to slaughter.
After her arrival, the staff quickly answered her constant cries by going back to her dairy farm family to see whether she had left a calf behind — the answer was yes. The family kindly allowed the Gentle Barn to take her nine-month-old baby Miles to be reunited with Maybelle. Also, it turned out that Maybelle was pregnant when the Gentle Barn took her in. She later gave birth to Eclipse, who was born on the day of a rare eclipse of a harvest moon. Eclipse will be the first baby that Maybelle is able to raise from birth. Thanks to the Gentle Barn, this family of three will live together forever.
On Thanksgiving 2015, Adeline was rescued from a slaughter farm. In April 2017, this sweet, beautiful turkey made her trip to the Gentle Barn via cross country car ride from the flagship location in California. So many people got to know Adeline’s almost-human personality as Ellie and others shared moments on Facebook Live throughout the journey. Adeline loves nothing more than to be with people. She is called a “cuddle turkey,” which could not describe her better.
Playing in the mud you will find Henry, Horton, Lillie, and Dream. Each of these pigs is so fortunate to have escaped the slaughterhouse thanks to kind citizens and the Gentle Barn. You can read about each of their stories on the Gentle Barn’s website. Dream was rescued on Martin Luther King Day and her name was chosen by Gentle Barn supporters.
And then there is Dudley, who may be the most well-known animal at the Gentle Barn. If you’ve ever heard the story of the cow with a prosthetic foot, that’s Dudley. What a special animal. This beautiful big bull was rescued from a farmer who was raising him for slaughter. Dudley lost his foot after bailing twine had been wrapped around his ankle for days. A friend of the farmer reached out to the Gentle Barn and they created the Tennessee farm just for him.
After months in the hospital, Dudley finally got to go home. Along the way, he made millions of fans, including my wife. She would watch him, keep up with his life on Facebook, and engage in the emotions of the story. Dudley became such a great ambassador, opening many eyes to the horrors of factory farming. Supporters all over the world got to know him so well as he played with his large ball in the pasture, romping around on his prosthetic foot. Dudley helped change people’s eating habits and provided inspiration to others. Unfortunately, my wife and so many others have been crying for weeks now after learning that the world has lost Dudley to an unfortunate ulcer that ruptured after a routine surgery.
Laks has shared that her goal is to open a Gentle Barn in every state. The “St. Louis Six” are the reason for the newest location that will be open soon in St. Louis, Mo. Admittedly, I want to open an Ohio location as I can think of few things more meaningful than to spend my days caring for animals like these.
My wife has pledged to someday move near a Gentle Barn so that she can volunteer her time.
She is easily moved by animals, particularly when their personalities are shared and when they are rescued from bad situations. She quickly forms an emotional bond to the animal and its story, regardless of whether she has ever met the animal.
The Gentle Barn in Knoxville, Tenn., is a rescue farm, one of four locations around the country. They rescue injured, neglected, abused, and escaped animals.
Founder Ellie Laks wrote about its mission:
“We live in a concrete, violent, noisy, high-tech, busy world. We have lost our connection to animals, to nature, and most of all, to ourselves. Animals are living lives of torment from beginning to end, their cries are unheard, their pain is unseen, and they are suffering. The rainforests are being destroyed, we are in a global drought, we are polluting our air, and species go extinct every day. At the Gentle Barn we stand up for the innocent… We open people’s hearts to the connections with nature.”
And while the Gentle Barn warmly rescues animals, it also understands that it is about something bigger than ourselves – it’s about nature, the planet, and the future of all living things. Through the animals and their stories, people realize that what they do on a daily basis affects the world we live in and share with other sentient beings.
We made the trip to this beautiful place for my wife’s birthday this past April. The Gentle Barn opens its doors to the public each Saturday. Lunch was provided and included field roast veggie dogs and sausage — a deliberate attempt to help guests make the connection. It was delicious!
Waiting for the event to begin, sitting among people from around the country, we were greeted by a neighborhood dog who stops over every Saturday as he sees the cars arriving. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being in the peaceful presence of such love and kindness, as well as the feeling of spending time with the few fortunate animals that have been saved from the fate awaiting millions of others.
Here are a few of the animals at the Gentle Barn that my wife has gained such a spiritual connection with and that we were so fortunate to spend time with.
Maybelle the dairy cow was thanked by her family for her service when they retired her to the Gentle Barn to live out her days, rather than to send her to slaughter.
After her arrival, the staff quickly answered her constant cries by going back to her dairy farm family to see whether she had left a calf behind — the answer was yes. The family kindly allowed the Gentle Barn to take her nine-month-old baby Miles to be reunited with Maybelle. Also, it turned out that Maybelle was pregnant when the Gentle Barn took her in. She later gave birth to Eclipse, who was born on the day of a rare eclipse of a harvest moon. Eclipse will be the first baby that Maybelle is able to raise from birth. Thanks to the Gentle Barn, this family of three will live together forever.
On Thanksgiving 2015, Adeline was rescued from a slaughter farm. In April 2017, this sweet, beautiful turkey made her trip to the Gentle Barn via cross country car ride from the flagship location in California. So many people got to know Adeline’s almost-human personality as Ellie and others shared moments on Facebook Live throughout the journey. Adeline loves nothing more than to be with people. She is called a “cuddle turkey,” which could not describe her better.
Playing in the mud you will find Henry, Horton, Lillie, and Dream. Each of these pigs is so fortunate to have escaped the slaughterhouse thanks to kind citizens and the Gentle Barn. You can read about each of their stories on the Gentle Barn’s website. Dream was rescued on Martin Luther King Day and her name was chosen by Gentle Barn supporters.
And then there is Dudley, who may be the most well-known animal at the Gentle Barn. If you’ve ever heard the story of the cow with a prosthetic foot, that’s Dudley. What a special animal. This beautiful big bull was rescued from a farmer who was raising him for slaughter. Dudley lost his foot after bailing twine had been wrapped around his ankle for days. A friend of the farmer reached out to the Gentle Barn and they created the Tennessee farm just for him.
After months in the hospital, Dudley finally got to go home. Along the way, he made millions of fans, including my wife. She would watch him, keep up with his life on Facebook, and engage in the emotions of the story. Dudley became such a great ambassador, opening many eyes to the horrors of factory farming. Supporters all over the world got to know him so well as he played with his large ball in the pasture, romping around on his prosthetic foot. Dudley helped change people’s eating habits and provided inspiration to others. Unfortunately, my wife and so many others have been crying for weeks now after learning that the world has lost Dudley to an unfortunate ulcer that ruptured after a routine surgery.
Laks has shared that her goal is to open a Gentle Barn in every state. The “St. Louis Six” are the reason for the newest location that will be open soon in St. Louis, Mo. Admittedly, I want to open an Ohio location as I can think of few things more meaningful than to spend my days caring for animals like these.
My wife has pledged to someday move near a Gentle Barn so that she can volunteer her time.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
273. They divide us, then ask for unity
In the wake of the shooting of a Republican congressman practicing for a charity baseball game in Virginia, politicians from both parties, among others, have called for the end of divisiveness, to come together as a country.
Politicians also bonded together: “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” Paul Ryan proclaimed.
Politicians can’t have it both ways. They can’t purposely, explicitly, and even angrily divide us for votes and then ask us to pull together when that divisiveness ends in tragedy.
President Donald Trump has called other Americans “losers” and “the enemy.” He led his supporters in chants to lock up Hillary Clinton. He tried to impose a travel ban against Muslims and build a wall to keep out Mexicans he described as rapists and killers. Donald Trump Jr. said Democrats weren’t even people.
The country is divided as perhaps never before. Just read the comment sections on national stories — people are mean and angry. They are looking for a way to vent.
I think the American public increasingly feels that politicians put politics and party before people. Previous disagreements with Republicans were ideological, in terms of policy, where opposing arguments were genuine and worth contemplating, even compromising. But today, due to differences in morals and values, it’s hard to warm up to a Trump voter.
Politicians have been sticking it to the poor and middle classes for a long time. They cater to lobbyists and the interests they represent. They help the rich get richer and put the wealth in the hands of a small percentage of Americans while stacking the deck of opportunity and class mobility against the poor and middle classes. The middle class barely gets by; the poor are portrayed as a burden, requiring public assistance and nearly voiceless.
Most of all, politicians take care of themselves. Political money decides elections. Politicians are well paid, with excellent benefits, refuse to impose term limits, and gerrymander districts.
More than ever, politicians are insulting the people they represent. They say some things that are nearly incomprehensible and fail to represent reality. They tell the lies that they know people want to believe. They say they are going to do things they have no intention of doing.
At some point, people have had enough.
I am a certified pacifist, but I understand violence and the reasons for it. I understand that war is sometimes necessary to stop tyrants like Adolph Hitler or terrorist groups like ISIS. It’s self-defense, for the greater good, on a larger scale.
I also understand — but of course do not agree with — political terrorism. Attacks are either random as an ideology, or in the most recent case, directly targeted at political figures. The political terrorist often feels oppressed and the intent is to create fear.
Republicans have canceled town hall meetings and are currently working in secrecy on a health care bill. Protests have broken out all over the country. And now this political shooting in particular, and others in general. In a sense, it is a tiny modern rebellion. It is a little like the American revolution in which the Continental army would disrupt the British army with unconventional warfare, hiding in trees, disappearing into the night.
While I would advocate activism, through peaceful protests and civic engagement, and I still believe in democracy and the integrity and responsibility of elections, not everyone is a pacifist. And the more politicians turn their backs on the people they represent, insult them, even mock them, the more they risk violent protests, angry town hall meetings, and political terrorism.
It is not until politicians decide to stand up to corporations, institutions, the wealthy, and other political interests that America will be what she can be. It’s about doing the right thing regardless of who benefits.
It might be indecorous to note that Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who was shot at the baseball practice, is a strong Second Amendment advocate and had an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. He also voted against the measure aimed at keeping the guns out of the hands of individuals with mental health issues. I am sure Scalise will remain defiant, but it is true that often people don’t act until their interests have been affected.
If politicians really want to end the divisiveness that is growing in this country, they need to stop talking and lead by example. We need publicly financed, civilly-debated elections and term limits. We need real discussions, in which politicians can speak openly without the fear of betraying supporters or becoming a sound bite for the other side. We need to stop giving air time on the major news stations to the political surrogates, who often lead the way in absurd partisan commentary.
People need to feel that politicians really understand them, and care about them — and will make the tough decision for them.
Enough talk.
Politicians also bonded together: “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” Paul Ryan proclaimed.
Politicians can’t have it both ways. They can’t purposely, explicitly, and even angrily divide us for votes and then ask us to pull together when that divisiveness ends in tragedy.
President Donald Trump has called other Americans “losers” and “the enemy.” He led his supporters in chants to lock up Hillary Clinton. He tried to impose a travel ban against Muslims and build a wall to keep out Mexicans he described as rapists and killers. Donald Trump Jr. said Democrats weren’t even people.
The country is divided as perhaps never before. Just read the comment sections on national stories — people are mean and angry. They are looking for a way to vent.
I think the American public increasingly feels that politicians put politics and party before people. Previous disagreements with Republicans were ideological, in terms of policy, where opposing arguments were genuine and worth contemplating, even compromising. But today, due to differences in morals and values, it’s hard to warm up to a Trump voter.
Politicians have been sticking it to the poor and middle classes for a long time. They cater to lobbyists and the interests they represent. They help the rich get richer and put the wealth in the hands of a small percentage of Americans while stacking the deck of opportunity and class mobility against the poor and middle classes. The middle class barely gets by; the poor are portrayed as a burden, requiring public assistance and nearly voiceless.
Most of all, politicians take care of themselves. Political money decides elections. Politicians are well paid, with excellent benefits, refuse to impose term limits, and gerrymander districts.
More than ever, politicians are insulting the people they represent. They say some things that are nearly incomprehensible and fail to represent reality. They tell the lies that they know people want to believe. They say they are going to do things they have no intention of doing.
At some point, people have had enough.
I am a certified pacifist, but I understand violence and the reasons for it. I understand that war is sometimes necessary to stop tyrants like Adolph Hitler or terrorist groups like ISIS. It’s self-defense, for the greater good, on a larger scale.
I also understand — but of course do not agree with — political terrorism. Attacks are either random as an ideology, or in the most recent case, directly targeted at political figures. The political terrorist often feels oppressed and the intent is to create fear.
Republicans have canceled town hall meetings and are currently working in secrecy on a health care bill. Protests have broken out all over the country. And now this political shooting in particular, and others in general. In a sense, it is a tiny modern rebellion. It is a little like the American revolution in which the Continental army would disrupt the British army with unconventional warfare, hiding in trees, disappearing into the night.
While I would advocate activism, through peaceful protests and civic engagement, and I still believe in democracy and the integrity and responsibility of elections, not everyone is a pacifist. And the more politicians turn their backs on the people they represent, insult them, even mock them, the more they risk violent protests, angry town hall meetings, and political terrorism.
It is not until politicians decide to stand up to corporations, institutions, the wealthy, and other political interests that America will be what she can be. It’s about doing the right thing regardless of who benefits.
It might be indecorous to note that Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who was shot at the baseball practice, is a strong Second Amendment advocate and had an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. He also voted against the measure aimed at keeping the guns out of the hands of individuals with mental health issues. I am sure Scalise will remain defiant, but it is true that often people don’t act until their interests have been affected.
If politicians really want to end the divisiveness that is growing in this country, they need to stop talking and lead by example. We need publicly financed, civilly-debated elections and term limits. We need real discussions, in which politicians can speak openly without the fear of betraying supporters or becoming a sound bite for the other side. We need to stop giving air time on the major news stations to the political surrogates, who often lead the way in absurd partisan commentary.
People need to feel that politicians really understand them, and care about them — and will make the tough decision for them.
Enough talk.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
272. No, I won’t get over it
Gosh, if I only had a dollar for every time a Democrat or liberal was told to “get over it” in response to Donald Trump winning the presidential election.
The ironic part is that Trump is not over the election himself. It drives him crazy that he lost the popular vote by nearly three million votes. He keeps saying he won in a “landslide,” but in truth the election was decided by about 70,000 votes in key Electoral College states. And it drives him bonkers that many more people attended President Barack Obama’s inauguration than his, so much so that he had his people lying for him on the issue.
On the hypocritical side, Trump (and many of his voters) could not get over the question about Obama was born, dragging the issue forward even after Obama produced his birth certificate. He also could not get over how much golf Obama played, only to play golf much more than Obama. And let’s be fair, much of America, probably most of those who voted for Trump, never got over Obama getting elected — twice.
Isn’t it time that Trump got over the mainstream media? Trump’s relentless and obsessive attack on the media clearly interferes with his ability to run the country. He sends out a preposterous tweet and then loses his mind when the media challenges it. Trump also needs to get over shows like “Saturday Night Live,” which has ridiculed presidents, candidates, and other government leaders for decades. Samantha Bee opened a recent show with the question to Trump, “What’s wrong with you?” She and other political comics like John Oliver — while they appreciate the surplus of material — are slowly getting over the jokes at his expense. At some point, it is not funny anymore.
Maybe Trump should get over his unconstitutional travel ban, which keeps losing in court, being recognized for what it is: religious discrimination. And Trump should get over his preposterous wall. His proposals and continued insistence that Mexico is going to pay for it is just short of delusional.
What does surprise me is how quickly Trump supporters are getting over him. His approval rating continues to nosedive, sinking from 47 percent in February to approximately 38 percent now, according to FiveThirtyEight.
These people seem to have gotten over the urge to defend his lying and have become keenly aware of the clear indication that this is not about the middle class, jobs, tax reform, or health care— it’s about Trump, the Trump brand, and making the wealthy wealthier. They are also realizing there is not going to be a wall, health care reform is headed to disaster, ISIS has not been defeated in 30 days, and that the president has not “drained the swamp.”
I think almost everyone is over Trump and his ties to Russia. There are glaring concerns about possible collusion and obstruction of justice, and Trump didn’t make things easier for himself by littering his administration with those who may have had Russian ties. His apparent harassment of FBI Director James Comey to end the investigation doesn’t resemble the actions of an innocent man.
Surprisingly, many business leaders who looked to benefit from Trump’s stance on regulations have had enough of his dedicated ignorance to climate science and negatively view his decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. General Electric CEO Jeff Immlet said, “Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.” Gap Inc. issued a similar statement: “We will continue to work with like-minded businesses, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support solutions that will create a more sustainable and economically strong future for the people and communities touched by our business around the world. It’s not only the right thing for the planet, but also the right path forward for business growth, job creation, and human health.” Government leaders of six states have stated that they will continue efforts to reduce carbon emissions despite Trump’s withdrawal.
Finally, I am under no obligation to “get over it.” I am over the election, but I am not over — nor should I be — the incredible damage Trump is inflicting on the country and around the world. My morals and values are not subject to election results. I will keep fighting for issues such wealth inequality, climate change, discrimination, social justice, national health care, and animal compassion.
Frankly, I am appalled that Donald Trump was elected president.
I am not going to revisit every transgression that should have led a moral and principled America away from Donald Trump. It is hard to get over the realization that nearly half the voting public was willing to throw their values in the gutter just to make sure Hillary Clinton wasn’t elected, to make sure a Republican won, or to stick it to liberals purely out of spite. I also cannot get over what I thought were “reasonable” Republicans in public office who continue to support Trump, living up to the mantra, “party over country.”
I will perhaps never get over it. That’s my right. I thought we were so much better than this.
The ironic part is that Trump is not over the election himself. It drives him crazy that he lost the popular vote by nearly three million votes. He keeps saying he won in a “landslide,” but in truth the election was decided by about 70,000 votes in key Electoral College states. And it drives him bonkers that many more people attended President Barack Obama’s inauguration than his, so much so that he had his people lying for him on the issue.
On the hypocritical side, Trump (and many of his voters) could not get over the question about Obama was born, dragging the issue forward even after Obama produced his birth certificate. He also could not get over how much golf Obama played, only to play golf much more than Obama. And let’s be fair, much of America, probably most of those who voted for Trump, never got over Obama getting elected — twice.
Isn’t it time that Trump got over the mainstream media? Trump’s relentless and obsessive attack on the media clearly interferes with his ability to run the country. He sends out a preposterous tweet and then loses his mind when the media challenges it. Trump also needs to get over shows like “Saturday Night Live,” which has ridiculed presidents, candidates, and other government leaders for decades. Samantha Bee opened a recent show with the question to Trump, “What’s wrong with you?” She and other political comics like John Oliver — while they appreciate the surplus of material — are slowly getting over the jokes at his expense. At some point, it is not funny anymore.
Maybe Trump should get over his unconstitutional travel ban, which keeps losing in court, being recognized for what it is: religious discrimination. And Trump should get over his preposterous wall. His proposals and continued insistence that Mexico is going to pay for it is just short of delusional.
What does surprise me is how quickly Trump supporters are getting over him. His approval rating continues to nosedive, sinking from 47 percent in February to approximately 38 percent now, according to FiveThirtyEight.
These people seem to have gotten over the urge to defend his lying and have become keenly aware of the clear indication that this is not about the middle class, jobs, tax reform, or health care— it’s about Trump, the Trump brand, and making the wealthy wealthier. They are also realizing there is not going to be a wall, health care reform is headed to disaster, ISIS has not been defeated in 30 days, and that the president has not “drained the swamp.”
I think almost everyone is over Trump and his ties to Russia. There are glaring concerns about possible collusion and obstruction of justice, and Trump didn’t make things easier for himself by littering his administration with those who may have had Russian ties. His apparent harassment of FBI Director James Comey to end the investigation doesn’t resemble the actions of an innocent man.
Surprisingly, many business leaders who looked to benefit from Trump’s stance on regulations have had enough of his dedicated ignorance to climate science and negatively view his decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. General Electric CEO Jeff Immlet said, “Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.” Gap Inc. issued a similar statement: “We will continue to work with like-minded businesses, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support solutions that will create a more sustainable and economically strong future for the people and communities touched by our business around the world. It’s not only the right thing for the planet, but also the right path forward for business growth, job creation, and human health.” Government leaders of six states have stated that they will continue efforts to reduce carbon emissions despite Trump’s withdrawal.
Finally, I am under no obligation to “get over it.” I am over the election, but I am not over — nor should I be — the incredible damage Trump is inflicting on the country and around the world. My morals and values are not subject to election results. I will keep fighting for issues such wealth inequality, climate change, discrimination, social justice, national health care, and animal compassion.
Frankly, I am appalled that Donald Trump was elected president.
I am not going to revisit every transgression that should have led a moral and principled America away from Donald Trump. It is hard to get over the realization that nearly half the voting public was willing to throw their values in the gutter just to make sure Hillary Clinton wasn’t elected, to make sure a Republican won, or to stick it to liberals purely out of spite. I also cannot get over what I thought were “reasonable” Republicans in public office who continue to support Trump, living up to the mantra, “party over country.”
I will perhaps never get over it. That’s my right. I thought we were so much better than this.
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