It is very comforting to believe that leaders who do terrible things are, in fact, mad. That way, all we have to do is make sure we don’t put psychotics in high places and we’ve got the problem solved.
—Tom Wolfe, Our Time (1980)
I wasn’t going to write about the election today, instead focusing on art or music or anything else. This election has been an overwhelming time for many people, me included. A break seemed in order.
But seeing the words that the GOP candidate spoke at one of his events last night made me shake with fury this morning. It needs to be seen and addressed by every single American today.
For those of you who were not aware, this is what he said at an event last night in Glendale, Arizona. He was in the midst of an unhinged tirade against his perceived enemies, calling them scum and other things throughout. These are the words he directed at Liz Cheney, the ultraconservative former GOP rep who has stood against his authoritarian march:
Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, okay? Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.
Nine barrels shooting at her face…
That is not political rhetoric. It is not hyperbole. It is not an offhand comment meant for comical effect. This is dangerous in every possible way. It borders on psychotic. This has to stopped now.
I know there are legions of gutless GOP politicians and operatives who are going to hit the airwaves trying to defuse the situation, claiming his words were misinterpreted in some way. And his cultish followers will accept it fully and even cheer it on even further.
We are about nine years of his madness and throughout he has always had an army of people who are constantly trying to explain away his crazy bullshit or divert the meaning to something altogether different. I have never seen a politician with so many minions willing to debase themselves by twisting words and meanings into illogical pretzels.
But throughout those nine years, he has always revealed himself clearly despite the best efforts of his minions. We know what he is and what he wants. You can’t cover that up with all explanations or makeup. There’s not enough bronzer in the whole goddamn world.
It has been evident to me since he began his first campaign that he wanted absolute power. The funny thing is that he had it in his hands but didn’t know what to do with it. The power that he had as president far exceeded the perceived power he so adored in foreign leaders. His ignorance kept him from recognizing that he held all the cards against the authoritarian leaders out there that he fawned over. With all due respect to the people of these countries, Hungary, Turkey, North Korea and Russia pale in magnitude alongside the strength of our nation. Yet, he often sees America as somehow lacking when compared to these countries as he speaks glowingly about these autocrats who hold tight grips on their countries. He just wants to be part of their little club, even if it means subjugating himself and this country.
It shows his weakness of character, both as a person and as a leader.
I think this stems from a dislike he holds for the principles of America– justice, equality, fairness, sacrifice, responsibility and accountability. To be honest, I don’t think he truly likes this country or its people. This just happens to be where he is at the moment, and we are just the rubes to be exploited.
He doesn’t hold a single drop of care or empathy for the plight of any one of us. Or this country. If he did, he wouldn’t try to hurt or destroy so many of us in his quest for power. He would sacrifice any or all of us to get what he wants. That is only form of sacrifice he understands. Never self-sacrifice.
If he has to, he will burn down the house with all of us in it. And unfortunately, he has convinced some of us to willingly stand in the fire he has set.
If he somehow gets back in power, expect the worst, just as his words imply. It is up to each of us to stand against him now with our votes and voices. Especially our votes.
I am sorry if this isn’t what you wanted to see this morning. I get that. I sure didn’t want to write it nor even have to feel the need to do so. But I had to post this, for myself, if only to get it out into the air. I felt that if I could somehow ignore such language and intentions, others will as well.
The psychosis then becomes the norm. And I don’t want to have any part in that. Just vote, okay?
Redtree Times