Talking Politics has never been one of my favorite topics and now it is almost verboten. Donald Trump, our current ex-President, is either loved or hated. Where is the middle ground? It was once a matter of Democratic or Republican values. Of course, with extremes on both sides. But now, one’s family or best friends may be on “the other side”.
How do we cope with this? I can understand a person either voting for or against Trump. I have to admit that for me, in the many elections, it seems like a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils. But in all my years, and I’m 84, I have never seen such diversity with the results of the election.
What Role Does The Media Play
Does the media play a part in this? I think the answer is “yes”. How can multiple news stations present the “news”, and the “facts” so differently? Facts are facts are they not? But, Donald Trump has fanned the theory of “fake news” and now people believe only what they hear on their favorite station. And they believe anything different from what they hear is “fake news”.
This brings up the question, should news stations have to tell the truth? There have always been “opinions” broadcast, but the facts were the facts. Or were they?
Good and Bad Propaganda
The New York Times recently published an Opinion article about the early days of Hitler and how he pioneered “fake news”. The article begins “On Oct. 16, 1919, Adolf Hitler became a propagandist.” It goes on to tell how, through his propaganda, he made a second world war possible, and defined Jews as Germany’s foe. Hitler’s fictionalization was repeated until an enemy was exterminated.
I’m not here to write about Hitler or to take sides, because I truly try to listen and understand both sides. I’ve always considered myself an Independent and tried to weigh both sides of every argument. But I do find similarities now in how Trump ramps up a crowd with fictionalized facts.
Facts vs. Fiction of Trump
One does not have to be a scholar to recognize the deviations in Trump’s rhetoric from the truth. Is it because he just doesn’t know the truth? Or is it a ploy to spread fictionalized facts? Is he dumb or sly? And why?
Many of his “advisers” have stated that he just doesn’t want to listen – to facts or advice or anything else. Maybe he is just a classic ADHD kid. Attention Deficit Disorder that was never diagnosed. It doesn’t make him evil, just unreliable and unbelievable.
I think everyone on both sides has to agree that Trump does love the limelight. He loves being the center of attention. He certainly enjoys touting his acting ability in his TV show and it seems like being President is just a further stage for him. And it doesn’t seem to matter if the “news” is good or bad, as long as he is the center of it.
The World Stage of Trump
When the news is not favorable he just keeps doing things to make it worse and worse. Further, it seems like he is used to getting his way. It appears that he feels rules do not apply to him. To act within the ethical parameters of previous Presidents seems beyond him. Everything seems to be his way or the highway.
Is he acting to the best of his ability or is he deliberately trying to destroy democracy in favor of oligarchy?
during his term as President, there was an impeachment investigation. Should this President be impeached? Did he know that what he was doing by asking the head of a foreign country was something he shouldn’t so? Or did he just think he could do anything he wanted to do. And regardless of the reason, should he be impeached and perhaps removed from office?
How dangerous is he? Is his lack of knowledge going to put the USA in bad light with our allies? Or is he just making us a laughing stock?
