One week after the apparent killing of George Floyd by four policemen in Minneapolis, and five days after mass gatherings of citizens protesting yet another gross, tragic occurrence of police brutality of an AfroAmerican being arrested for a non-violent offense, President Trump has finally spoken. Remaining silent when the stark video of the man being killed was made public, silent when peaceful demonstrators began protesting in Minneapolis, and silent when state and local officials began speaking out, expressing dismay, calling for justice to be reached, and asking for calm among those protesting. Still remaining silent when the mass protests spread to cities across the nation, and became increasingly violent and destructive. Silent when protests began outside the White House, other than calling State Governors weak in their response to the protests, at the same time as he was seeking shelter in the safety of the White House's bunker! Then, finally, he emerges from the White House, crosses the street after it had been fully cleared of peaceful protesters by riot-prepared police, and, Bible in hand in front of a church, spoke a few words. No mention of the need for justice for George Floyd, no call for calm among citizens choosing to protest, no mention of their rights being protected, or the need to deal with the long-standing, still unresolved issue of institutional racism that has plagued the United States since its founding centuries ago. Only an emphasis that if States don't get tougher in dealing with the protests themselves, he will activate US military forces to respond, labeling the protests as domestic terrorism, by invoking an old Insurrection Act, and send troops in to restore full order. Of questionable constitutional legality, such action would not at all deal with the basic underlying issue raised by those protesting, further ignite their anger over repeated incidences of the racial bias and injustice that all add to the grave disparity and inequality that remains in our society, and increase the widening polarization that already divides our nation.
The lines seem drawn. While Biden phones to talk personally with Floyd's family, sharing
compassionate, empathetic, reassuring words, and calling for calm and for justice, Trump's call to
them drew a response from the family that "he didn't let us talk". While Obama presents an outline of some steps needed to promote viable, real change in some crucially neglected issues, and political and religious leaders of all races join with black leaders in calling for relevant social and institutional change, Trump, with his authority as president, only calls for an increasingly militant response by governors, and a return to law and order. And if they don't, he will call in the US military to take over the communities to provide it. No real mention of compassion, understanding, or justice regarding the Floyd killing.
Some have called Trump a "would-be dictator". He does have a peculiar affinity for autocrats, dictators, those with imperial rule. He loved being in total control of his Trump corporate enterprises, of hiring and firing people arbitrarily and unilaterally on his TV program, he has no regard for racial and economic equality, or basic fairness for those investing in his private enterprises, as his frequent bankruptcies reveal. Running a democratic government is clearly not his thing, few of those originally in high positions in his Administration are still there, having either chosen to resign or having been fired. He is obsessed with winning, whatever the cost. Truth, integrity, empathy, legality, mean little or nothing to him, as long as he saves face and looks good, in his own eyes and to those who remain loyal to him.
How will this battle end, this mounting confrontation between Trump, his presidential authority, and those supporting him on one side, and those diametrically opposed to his single-minded rule and his ignoring basic issues of justice, democracy, and the well-being of all citizens on the other. Trump is falling behind in polls concerning the upcoming elections. Will he try to somehow delay the election? Will he try to prevent voting by mail for states or for individuals that may require it? Will most GOP leaders continue to support him, at risk of losing support from their own constituents or further endangering their own integrity? Will foreign governments again try to influence the outcome of the election through devious means, or will Attorney General Barr intentionally announce an investigation that could impact voter support, as Comey unintentionally did prior to the 2016 election? If Trump wins the election in the Electoral College only, will the losing majority accept the outcome peacefully? If Trump rules another four years, will our democratic form of government survive? Will a major Constitutional crises arise that will go to the Supreme Court, and how will the potential swing voter, Chief Justice Roberts, decide? A major collision of political forces is occurring right now in our nation, a virtual "perfect storm", and the future nature and direction of our government rest with the outcome. Stay tuned, what we are witnessing, and participating in, couldn't be of more importance!
No comments:
Post a Comment