Mr. Trump Hits the Trifecta

It Was a Challenge to Squeeze This Much Bad Judgement and Childish Behavior into One Week – But He Did It

Donald Trump went out of his way last week to show once again why he is hopeless as a President. This was a record week of making bad situations worse and debasing the office he holds for the moment. Let’s take a look at three examples from the week:

John McCain: Let us start with the simplest, and in so many ways, the most egregious. Mr. Trump presided over the signing of the Defense Authorization Bill. The bill was named by his colleagues after Senator John McCain.

I have had my disagreements with McCain over the years. His selection of Sarah Palin as his VP arguable helped lead to today’s Republican party and its fellow travelers. But I have never doubted his patriotism, nor minimized his service. On occasion he has shown flashes of humanity and grace that are worthy.

The man is essentially on his death bed. Still, Mr. Trump could not find the decency to even utter his name. He chose not to acknowledge the legislation was named after him. Anyone this petty, this small hearted deserves only our contempt. Even for Mr. Trump, this was a new low in simple decency. Donald Trump appears to have no capacity in this most essential quality of a leader.

Amarosa Manigault Newman: I cannot imagine anyone less suitable for the White House. She has been appalling and a fish out of water since the beginning of this administration. And yet….

Mr. Trump called her “a crazed, crying lowlife” and a “dog.” I get he is angry, and likely more than a little frightened. But civilized adults don’t call each other such things. It is unacceptable behavior for anyone. For someone who holds the title of president, it is embarrassing for the nation. This is an aged child throwing a temper tantrum. We all deserve better than this, even Ms. Newman.

There is, at least, some irony in all this. Ms. Newman is Trump’s MiniMe. He created and trained her in his image. They go back 15 years. They share self-centeredness and only casual acquaintance with truth. Now he is being stalked by one who has his “values” and plays by his rules. Not sure Mr. Trump is the best bet on this one.

John Brennan: This one ties with McCain for most egregious conduct – at least for the week. And like the McCain affair, it highlights the moral depravity of the Republican party today. If their leadership is not willing to stand up for McCain or Brennan, what would they stand up for tomorrow? Apparently, only against their own lynching. Ironically, their conduct is buying the rope for said lynching. See you in November.

I understand that some are uncomfortable with Brennan being so outspoken. But I am also convinced that he does so because he sees Mr. Trump and his circle as primary threats to our country. I do not believe he feels he has any other choice.

For Mr. Trump to pull his security clearance in a fit of personal anger is unconscionable. To be clear, Brennan does not need a clearance at this point in his life. However, we as a nation need people like him kept current and available to assist. Trying to cut him off because he exercises his rights as a private citizen is petty tyranny at its worse.

I don’t know how a legal or administrative review might go, but I hope Brennan acts to restore his clearance. There is a need to forestall this happening again (and it will, soon). The president has authority, but there are processes and procedures for this. They were not exercised in this case.

By the way, the most eloquent rebuttal of Mr. Trump’s action here was in an open letter from retired Admiral McRaven. He led the Special Operations Command, including oversight of the Bin Laden mission. Missed it? Here is a link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-scorn-trump-security-clearance-admiral-mcravein-0819-story.html

And that was all in one week.

I began this blog in part to provide a forum where people that disagree could have civil discussions. Perhaps we could learn at least something from each other. Not easy for me, but I came prepared to recognize when Mr. Trump did something well. I wanted to give credit where it is due, and to look for opportunities to reach out to his supporters.

As this past week has illustrated, such a task has proven impossible on any scale. It appears we are witnessing a government unravel from the top. The incidents described above do not happen in real governments. They certainly are not carried out by stable, mature leaders of sound mind.

This cannot continue long. We will either reach a breaking point, or we will decide this is no longer the country it once was. It’s almost show time.

    Bill Clontz

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