It seems a century ago since a couple of
the highest integrity occupied the White House; since America's reputation
internationally was at the highest point it's been for decades; since the
country was moving forward internally on all progressive social fronts, and
internationally as a leader in diplomacy and tackling climate change. Freedom
of the press was taken for granted. The right to a better life for all was
recognized by those who had the power in government to work towards that end.
From the President down, the administration
was filled with bright, informed, intelligent and highly qualified people.
Issues were discussed at length from every angle. The President listened to his
advisers and took the trouble to do what a president is obliged to do—he made
sure that he too was informed on all aspects of every matter.
America had plenty of its own social and
economic problems, but they were acknowledged, and steps were being taken to
address them. The social, familial and individual values that allow for a
society to function, address ills, and move forward, were respected. Truth was
honored. This was a civilized, progressive, forward moving, first world
country.
Both the President and the First Lady were
recognized internationally for their leadership qualities. Both were having a
huge impact on the world. The White House was a place that deserved respect.
From that to this. It's painful now to
think back to the campaign trails of Hillary Clinton and the current occupant
of the White House. There was so much hope that the US would keep moving in the
direction it had been going for seven years. The candidate who was least
qualified—a known liar, bigot, racist, con artist and sexual abuser with very
low intelligence and total absence of integrity—publicly demeaned the Muslim
parents of a soldier who had died in service. He cruelly mocked a disabled
reporter, insulted women, labeled Mexicans as rapists and criminals, talked of
banning all Muslims.
The outrage exploded. The world looked on
with shock as Republican politicians, desperate
for power, made a deal with the devil and endorsed this low-life, as did a
swathe of American citizens, punch-drunk on entitlement to ignore decent human
values. Hate-crime burgeoned.
The putrid underbelly of American society that
had been lurking just below the surface when an African American had the audacity
to run for president and then to win, came into focus and gained momentum. On
the other side, though, Hillary Clinton shattered the glass ceiling, despite
the monumental obstacles thrown in her path. The Obamas campaigned for her
passionately, articulately, energetically. The battle between good and evil
raged, but good seemed to have the upper hand. The liberal press finally got
off the fence, openly endorsing Hillary Clinton.
Unequivocally condemning the Republican
candidate. Who was then revealed to have
been recorded bragging about doing whatever he wanted with women without their
permission, and grabbing them by the pussy.
It was the last straw. Women and decent men
of all races and lifestyles, in the US and around the world, expressed their fury,
disgust and pure outrage. A global movement was birthed. Finally the world was
acknowledging that this sexism was not normal, not acceptable and never would
be. Speaking for myself, my world changed. I felt vindicated for my own rage at
abuse I've experienced, and openly and unconditionally supported by millions of
women and decent men. I felt taller, stronger. Shame was driven out.
Yet Republicans voted for this vile,
debased excuse for a man. Voter suppression targeted Democrat African
Americans. Russian interference, fake news, conservative media and the far
right slagged Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party 24/7 and pumped the
airwaves with untruths, myths, and wild conspiracy theories about her. Truth
was a lone swimmer in a wild ocean filled with man-eating sharks and predators.
And the unthinkable happened. Evil
triumphed over good. The White House descended into chaos as the current
occupant's utter incompetency and mental and spiritual degradation spread like
a deadly pathogen into every corner of the administration. The US back-pedaled
faster than the speed of light.
Respect, honor, integrity, social values,
competency, intelligence and truth have no place in the American government
now. So it wasn't a surprise when the leader reverted back to his campaign
modus operandi of publicly demeaning women.
I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came..— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017
...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017
The President of the United States. Whose
tweets are official statements.
CNN host Brian Stelter set the record straight.
CNN host Brian Stelter set the record straight.
For the record, this is a picture of @MorningMika at Mar-a-Lago at the time Trump is claiming she was "bleeding badly." pic.twitter.com/NJgioOD3Va— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 29, 2017
"I put lipstick on a pig", said
Tony Schwartz, ghostwriter of Trump's book Art of the Deal, in July 2016. The words still ring true. Apology to pigs.
