Political Thoughts

I can’t remember a time when I’ve not been interested in politics. Especially Presidential elections. My first vote was for Harry Truman and I’ve been a Democrat ever since. Especially for John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama.

Both President Trump and Hillary turned me off, so Bernie got my vote. But, both Republican and Democrat dynamics intrigue me. Especially the inauguration of President Trump. Every part of it.

The prayers, the speeches, the swearing in, the Presidential speech -and in particular his philosophy.

There were six (6) religious leaders that participated. Including a Rabbi, a Cardinal (Catholic) and four Protestant preachers. Their social orientation (gender, race, ethnic heritage) is diverse.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan is Catholic and Irish. He is controversial because he was very critical of Trump. He has been the Archbishop of New York since 2008.

Rabbi Marvin Hier is the founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. He was the first Jewish leader to participate in an inauguration since 1985.

The Reverend Samuel Rodriguez is President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. His organization represents about 100 million Hispanic evangelicals in the United States and Latin America. He stated that his participation was “Not only a patriotic honor but also a sacred duty.”

Pastor Paula White is a Florida televangelist and pastor’s a church in Apopka, Florida. She is controversial among evangelicals because she is an advocate of the “Prosperity Gospel.” Very similar to Joel Osteen.

The Reverend Franklin Graham is the son of Billy Graham. He has participated in several presidential inaugurations for both Republicans and Democrats. He is currently the President of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Foundation He is a strong vocal supporter of President Trump.

Bishop Wayne T. Jackson runs Great Faith Ministries and his church hosted Trump when he visited Detroit. Jackson also interviewed Trump on his network last September.

Several passages of Scripture were read from the Bible (I Kings, Proverbs and I Timothy.) The short sermon delivered by Paula White was extremely inspirational. All four Protestant ministers were of the evangelical persuasion. I wondered why the more liberal churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational) were not involved and why the Muslims were not included.

I was particularly impressed with Senator Chuck Schumer’s oration. As a leading Democrat, he cataloged the list of President Trump’s goals for our country, with the hope-I’m sure-that President Trump would not forget them.

I’ve not been aware until recently that President Trump suffers from ADD-Attention Deficit Disorder-but I noticed that as he sat in the bleachers that his attention constantly shifted. His son, Baron, must also have it because he seemed to be affected with ADD also.

My most analytical observation was about the content of our 45th President’s speech. When he is not denigrating the opposition, he is notably boring in his delivery. However, it was his content that concerns me. His ADD seems to affect his behavior; it also dominates his ideas. He changes them with the proverbial wind.

However, I wish to take him at his word in this article. And it is that, that bothers me. Trump is a master at verb denigration. Just consider what he did in the Primaries. Mocking his competitors unmercifully. Leaving them bowed down, almost whimpering. This was continued into the debates with Hillary; constantly describing her as “crooked.”

Consider his badgering of ordinary people: a Fox female reporter; a handicapped reporter; an Indiana Judge, a beautiful young lady, accusing Barack Obama of not being an American, a disregard for the Khan family.

Consider his draft dodging, his bankruptcies, his not paying workers, his buying clothes from third world countries. On and on.

There are six basic verbal techniques that are often used to denigrate or mislead individuals or an audience. In some ways, they often overlap.

1. Inferences-It is used to point out infirmities or weakness in others.

2. Hyperbole-It is the use of exaggerations. Magnifying what is done.

3. Lying-Outright evading the truth. It is a wicked form of hyperbole.

4. Sarcasm-It is also called the “lowest form of humor.” It has a bite to it.

5. Mis-direction. This is the key to about 90% of all magic. Magicians capitalize on it.

6. Double-entendre-the use of double meanings.

Obviously, President Donald Trump is a master in the use of all six.

President Trump and Adolf Hitler, in many ways, are similar. Neither one ever smoked, drank or used drugs. My concern is the message of both. It is the same or at least very similar.

Both were consumed with themselves. History records Hitler’s narcissism but President Trump’s is as obvious. On Sunday (January 22) he spoke to the CIA, in front of the 117 names of those who died for the USA, and constantly referred to himself. His arrogance is only exceeded by his ignorance.

Today, January 23, he brazenly said his IQ was higher than any other world-wide CEO.

President Trump has over 500 businesses in his company and hundreds of them are outside the U.S. Yet, he is advocating isolation for us. And he is endorsing the separateness of our country, the same as Hitler did. President Trump’s Hitlerian attitudes is cause for concern for all of us. Remember: Hitler blamed the Jews; Trump blames the Mexicans and Muslims.

In typical Hitlerian style, President Trump has filled his Cabinet with bankers and military personnel.

By the way, Trump’s grandparents, were immigrants. His mother and two of his three wives are immigrants.

Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs said, “It’s hard to be respectful of someone when we all have kids and we’re watching him be misogynistic and xenophobic and racist and make fun of handicapped people.”

Amen. Selah. So be it.