The Problem with Trump, and Other Stuff

The Problem with Trump, and Other Stuff

Our president has issues. Not just the self-centered ones. He has been very contentious with staff, and has had a line of people who have served with him only to be fired for one reason or another. Some have also resigned to seek other work. Further, he has been subject to a wide variety of leaks coming from within his administration, which have not helped his public image.

Now Trump has been right about a number of things, like it or not. He has been and is right about the “fake news,” the media which is clearly biased. I grew quite angry the other night when watching ABC News, as they lied over and over about the “peaceful demonstrators” who were in actuality throwing bricks at Park Security before they were cleared out before the president’s visit to the church. Further, Trump is condemned if he stays in the White House during civil turmoil, and condemned if he leaves. It is not very balanced coverage, quite frankly. 

Trump had been a master of the economy before the pandemic. The good he has done for all classes of people is being ignored and even downtrodden as people who seemingly live in a different world naysay, negate and even wish ill will on our president and our own country in an attempt to overthrow his tenure. One day they decry the president for wanting to open up the country, accusing him of murdering innocents by way of Covid, and the very next week they are in jubilation that droves of people are congregating in masses well beyond 100 or 1,000 people. 

While I strongly denounce and oppose any form of bigotry, slanted application of law, or personal slight or insult to *anyone* based on race or origin, I feel that to say “Unless you adopt our mindset as your own and walk in lockstep with our thoughts in every area regarding political correctness, you are a racist,” is bigoted in itself. “How dare you not denounce racism with my fervor? How dare you not speak out? How dare you not ignore the murders, fires, vandalism, riots and attacks on police in the name of righteousness?” That is essentially what I have been hearing from some friends and in the media. 

I have been reading. A lot. I have been seeking to understand. I have been open to hearing others and critically examining my own thoughts. What I am not open to is death, destruction and dismantling our country in the name of any cause. By anyone or for anyone. 

Eight Christians across the world are murdered every day because of their faith. Every. Single. Day. You can guess the source and location. Is there any cry, any voice, any thought of reason or compassion from those who are so vocal in their advocacy for others? The silence is deafening. 

But back to Trump. His problem, the one I named this column for is communication. Trump had the opportunity to invite civic leaders from cities and the African American community to the White House on the very first day of outrage and anger for the purpose of just plain listening. Not to speak to them. Not to oppose in any way. Just to listen. He should have requested national air time to address the nation on the very first night of unrest, and gone into it without a polished speech or teleprompter, just sharing his thoughts and feelings with the public about his feelings and our shared values to condemn senseless bigotry and violence, from any source. 

I would have applauded such a measure. Would the media have castigated him as a racist and urged no one to go? Without question. I think he should have made the effort anyway. There is no doubt he was angry about the riots, the destruction and fires that had been set. The Dems have been calling Trump a divider for his Rose Garden speech, for his remark about “dominating the streets.” They are right in this respect, in that his speech should have been much more affirming and validating for those who feel oppressed. What many do not see is that Trump’s dividing is not the only dividing that is going on. 

Also with regards to communication, about a month ago, Trump had an interaction with a reporter that did not show off his communication skills. From the Washington Post, May 12: “At a Rose Garden press briefing, CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang asked the president why he so frequently claims that the United States is doing “far better than any other country” at testing for coronavirus. “Why does that matter?” she asked. “Why is this a global competition to you if every day Americans are still losing their lives?”

Should I step into Trump’s shoes, I would have said “Please allow me to elaborate. What I meant when saying that is that I am very proud of our workers and industries who are laboring with great effort to produce as many tests as they can in order to save lives, which should be commended. This extends to everyone, including yourself and members of the press here who are self-isolating to prevent the spread of this pandemic.” 

Instead he had to rail against China, who is guilty of allowing the spread by ceasing regional air traffic from Wuhong while allowing international traffic to continue. That was clearly a calculated move. However, his response, “Go ask China” triggered the reporter’s sensibilities and she basically accused the president of racism. Not his finest moment. 

So, to those who inquire about my speaking out against racism, this is it. While my voice is small, my metaphorical pen is more pronounced. While I cannot say that I understand the black experience, I can say that I am strongly against any form of discrimination in law or society. To state that pointing out other problems and issues in our times takes away from the goal of removing racism is disingenuous. 

We are all just people. That’s it. We are not our culture, our race or our political affiliation. When we pass this earthly realm, we will not take any of those things with us. We are each individually responsible for our decisions, our actions and eventually, our destination. 

Let God be true and every man a liar.

G.Houtchens

Armchair coach

Amateur historian