Few Americans wasted time hoping the coronavirus would finally catch up to President Invulnerable and his sizable number of recurring contacts. As to myself, neither will I devote any get-well wishes to the man whose moral recklessness has contributed to the virus’s ability to lead thus far to 7.5 million covid-19 cases, 4.9 million of whom recovered (fewer if we count the “long haulers”), .21 million deaths, and uncounted millions of persons whose economic pain has by no means been trivial. Almost certainly, he spread his virus-loaded breath even more on the very day he announced his first positive test.
Any worrying I do is reserved for persons who mistakenly assume their president has their best interests at heart. Many Americans are voluntarily wearing masks to protect others more than themselves. There’s no reason for the president to have less empathy than they. And with Trump’s faulty understanding about airborne viral transmission, many have been led toward practices that make them more vulnerable, not less. They’ve derisively laughed along with Trump in mockery of those who wear masks, treated distancing as silly and even dangerous, or were convinced their religion would save them. I’ve neither tears nor sympathy for Donald Trump, for his “strong flu” was self-imposed.
Even as late as a week ago I watched Mark Meadows, Chief of the White House Staff, say on camera the reason he didn’t have a mask on was that he’d tested negative that morning. I don’t for a minute think someone in his important position is unintelligent, though his statement was ridiculous. A test may be more or less accurate, but even if perfect, it isn’t remedial any more than a speedometer slows a vehicle’s speed. Consequently, making such an absurd remark reveals either a simple misunderstanding or some other factor, such as pleasing the boss. When other White House staff frequently make the same mistake, it appears more as if they’ve been admonished to do so. In any normal setting, I’d not arrive at so suspicious a conclusion. But we’ve learned that the White House is a setting where everything is played by Trumpian rules, such as minimal disagreement with Trump’s decisions and using words more to obscure reality than to clarify it.
We’ve observed repeatedly that White House staff seem to consider wearing a mask to be burdensome if not a symbol of weakness. If asked why they are not wearing a mask, they pull one out of a pocket or purse and say proudly they have one “if needed.” I assume that means when in in close proximity with others or in the presence of per
sons known to have tested positive. When not normally wearing a mask, to do so hurriedly at these times is better than not. But it isn’t always possible to know these conditions quickly enough or to make safe assumptions about others, such as when a person walks into someone’s small office unannounced. I have been on maskless strolls through a park, for example, when surprised by a couple quietly overtaking me in a narrow walking area. I’m not meaning to advocate masks in the shower here, just pointing out that when a risk is great, the value of caution becomes even greater.
Those in Trump’s camp who slavishly seek to please him have for almost four years gone to extremes to rearrange reality to fit his egotistical construction of it. Even after the advent of Covid-19, they are expected to endanger their lives to fulfill his political wishes. Republicans not directly dependent on Trump have little or no excuse, for ostensibly they have the freedom to think for themselves. Unfortunately, Trump’s rallies exert a social pressure to leave one’s mask at home. Pretty clearly, disciples’ decibels at rallies indicate that they to exercise their freedom sparingly. As to Trump’s side of the equation, the screams of adoring fans shower him with too large a narcissistic drug for any other pleasure to compete; not even the best ice cream can lure an addict away from his heroin.
So I’ll not be sending a get-well card, nor praying for Trump’s speedy recovery. Those hopes I’ll reserve for persons with decency, caring, honesty, and a detectible caring for the United States and its people, not to mention seven billion human beings trying to help each other live in this often difficult world.
[JohnJustThinking is an irregular commentary by me (unless otherwise noted) on social, ethical, scientific, and non-partisan political, partisan political, and cultural interests. More than 230 essays have been posted since mid-2013, all accessible from any page. If you choose to be a Follower, you’ll be automatically notified with each new post.]
John just thinking . . . . 
The United States of America is in the throes of crises which may render our republic unable to defend its citizens. We can certainly debate our individual opinions as a diversion from crises, but we are mandated to seek facts in deciding upon a presidential candidate. To endorse is to affirm. And those who endorse and affirm Joe Biden are voting for him, for his ability to govern.
In the past weeks, respected journals have endorsed Joe Biden for president. The New England Journal of Medicine, Scientific American, The Lancet Oncology, Nature, all endorsed Joe Biden; and cited specific data for their endorsements. These are but a few journals whose credibility is based on documented data, not simply opinion. The Union of Concerned Scientists has endorsed Joe Biden.
In recent weeks, more than 400 National Security Leaders endorsed Joe Biden for president. The group, National Security Leaders for Biden, said that President Trump “has demonstrated he is not equal to the enormous responsibilities of his office” and “cannot rise to meet challenges large or small.” Those who signed the letter include 22 retired four-star generals and numerous high-profile Republicans such as former Navy Secretary Sean O’Keefe and former CIA Director Michael Hayden. Their endorsements were based on the Trump administration’s documented failure in foreign and domestic policy. Further, the Security Leaders stated their reasons why they are FOR Joe Biden, “…they believe Biden “has the character, principles, wisdom, and leadership necessary to address a world on fire. And “…Biden “has learned hard lessons and grown as a leader who can take positive action to unite and heal our country.” (The Hill, 09/24/20 ).
We could continue to list former and current GOP officials and national leaders who’ve said publicly they’ll vote for Biden. Current Senators, Representatives, Governors, Mayors are endorsing Joe Biden. Scientists, academics, clergy, veterans, doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters are endorsing Joe Biden. There is a rising tide of citizens who see the grave need for integrity and ethics in the White House; integrity and ethics have been missing during the Trump years.
The points to be made are these: The United States requires good governance. The United States requires full citizen participation. Citizens decide on a candidate by scrutinizing records and analyzing candidates behavior. It’s clear that the current president has a record of failure; it’s clear that his supporters are changing their minds. It’s increasingly apparent that the Biden-Harris ticket offers the better option for our country. Biden-Harris offer stability, diversity, skill, and decency.
Casting our vote for Biden-Harris implies that we’ve thought it all through, we’re ready for our candidates to lead the country. The fact that the less worthy person is defeated is simply a fact; it’s a fact that will reclaim our standing in the world.
Thank goodness at least one of your followers doesn’t wish Trump dead. Actually two, counting myself.
Dan, Are you sure about that count? I found not one who wished Trump dead in the comments to “A vile man…”
There’s a difference between loving one’s country and “hating” those who’ve sabotaged our country. It’s probable that no one who follows these posts would wish anyone dead. It’s likely that all of us want our country to be governed by competent, ethical women and men. During the Trump/GOP administration, citizens have witnessed ruination of government – corruption that extends into every agency. Nobody desires Trump dead, but those of us with eyes to see would wishTrump/GOP soundly defeated.
We have reached a sad state of affairs in our country where we no longer vote For a candidate based on his or her record of accomplishments, but Against the candidate whose character and personality we dislike, regardless of his or her accomplishments for the good of the nation. I am guilty, for I voted against Ms. Clinton instead of voting for Donald Trump. I believed then and still believe now that she was and is a crooked politician with a record of crooked dealings. Present investigations into her crooked shenanigans are finally being exposed. On the other hand, while acknowledging his obnoxious behavior and stretching of the truth, four years of fruitless, intensive investigations into Trump’s alleged crooked dealings and an impeachment attempt to remove him from office have failed to satisfy the Dems and most of the Rachel Maddow and Don Lemon types who are still fulminating over the results of the 2016 election victory of Trump. And yes, Hillary won the popular vote. But does that justify getting rid of the electoral college just so California and New York elect the president of the entire country? By the way, you have your opinion, I have my opinion, Dr. John has his opinion, and everybody else has their opinions. But they are all just opinions and each one worthy of discussion and debate, not any one the final say-so to the exclusion of all other points of view. Unfortunately, we seem to have lost the desire to debate other points-of-view. Let’s hope Dr. John’s blog does not do that.
My bad. Unnecessarily sarcastic comment. However, I do worry about Trump’s safety if he’s reelected. Pelosi and associates (the democrats and the mainstream media) have tried every trick in the book to get rid of him without success, and the hate toward Trump is at a fever pitch. So what’s the only sure thing left? Is it an understatement to say that would be bad for the country?
For those who haven’t read the Biden-Harris proposals/policies, there are some 49 comprehensive policy/plan proposals listed at http://www.joebiden.com. The site is quite accessible; the proposals offer structure and solutions to issues that have worsened during the last several years. It’s worthwhile to read and learn about an opponent’s strategy to solve problems.
Have you Trump haters thought about what you would do if he is reelected? It is possible, you know. Biden/Harris’ refusal to reveal their complete agenda to us deplorables does not bode well for their election.
But “I’m not Trump is not a winning strategy for Biden/Harris in my opinion. Biden is very quiet on how he would run the country, seeming to rely on hate for Trump to win. I believe that will backfire in Trump’s favor.
If honesty, ethics, empathy, governmental integrity, and other desirable blessings do not contribute to an America that themselves reverse the sickness Trump brought down that elevator in 2016, then perhaps the Biden/Harris “winning strategy” doesn’t deserve to win.
Blaming Trump for Covid-19 deaths would be like blaming General Eisenhower for the D-Day invasion deaths. We are at war with Covid-19 just as surely as we were at war with Germany and Japan. Deaths are a casualty of war. Eisenhower may not have handled the invasion perfectly, and Trump may not have handled the virus invading China virus perfectly – but even if they had, there would still be deaths. “War is Hell’ said a famous General.
Of course Trump cannot be blamed for Covid-19, but he can be blamed for mismanagement of our response on a colossal scale. If Eisenhower had sent men into Normandy inadequately prepared and supported and 3 times or 20 times as many deaths had occurred, Ike would have been rightly excoriated.
Well said, Dr. C.
Great observations, thank you for another clear and crucial indictment of this president’s callous, dangerous behavior. Trump’s sickness is a sickness that infects our entire republic; we may not soon recover from the virulent behavior of this GOP tool and his enablers. GOTV, get ballots ready, get them delivered or mailed. We have one chance to vote Trump out, one chance to vote up and down ballot for Democrats who’ll bring some sanity back to Washington and to statehouses. And our concern is for those world-wide who suffer from COVID-19. Our fear is that the deliberate ignorance of those elected officials who disregard protocol will be the downfall of our country. GOTV.
Thank you. Trump has provided a never ending stream of that “callous, dangerous, virulent” behavior that one might (must!) trust finally to expect the sanity exhibited by previous presidents of both parties. The America we remember included many contributions to the world at large and may well return to a pre-Trump partner with the world. I agree that involves the end of “deliberate ignorance” and shabby governance.
Another good post! My friend, a semi-retired nurse said she wouldn’t wish him dead, but would sure wish him a few weeks in ICU and on a ventilator. Sounds good to me, so that’s my wishes for Trump too😁
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Darn good post JC!
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