Our Lesser Angels

 

Comparisons are NOT something individuals should make of themselves.  I wish it were.  I’d be telling you I am second only to Will Rogers in terms of political satire.  But I’ll wait for someone else to make that observation.  And, I readily admit, I’m not holding my breath waiting for that to happen.

In contrast our pretender-in-chief during a rally in Youngstown, Ohio last Wednesday night likened himself to the 16th chief executive of the United States.  Alluding to his critics, Comrade Trump said:

Sometimes, they say, ‘He doesn’t act presidential. And I say, ’Hey look ― great schools, smart guy ― it’s so easy to act presidential. But that’s not going to get it done. … With the exception of the late, great Abraham Lincoln, I can be more presidential than any president that’s ever held this office. That I can tell you. It’s real easy.

Funny, I’ve not heard another human being echo that sentiment.  But since Trump wants so badly to be compared to Honest Abe, I’m more than glad to oblige.  Every time I see or hear Trump I do think of Lincoln and wonder, if still alive, how the man from Illinois would assess the current White House squatter.  Lacking that, the best alternative is to draw on Lincoln’s own words.  Consider the closing paragraph of his first inaugural address on March 4, 1861.

We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

From that perspective, the only conclusion one can reach is that Donald J. Trump is the anti-Lincoln.

  • Our better angels do not call on us to humiliate and dehumanize brave citizens who serve in our nation’s armed forces.
  • Our better angels do not believe those suspected of crimes should be roughed up while being arrested.
  • Our better angels do not applaud telling young men the goal in life is to make enough money to host orgies on massive yachts.
  • Our better angels would not approve of threatening to take away federal funding from Alaskans because a U.S. Senator stuck to her principles.

While we should be looking to our better angels for guidance, this week, it appears it is our lesser angels who have taken up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

2 thoughts on “Our Lesser Angels

  1. This made me sad. I hope you’re right that his base (and legislators who continue to support him) will erode, quickly. Don’t have much faith in the so-called Freedom Caucus, though.

  2. I’m feeling more encouraged now than the last 6 months. The cracks are happening just not fast enough!

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