Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 1:58 PM
One of the reasons I hold the publisher of this newspaper in such high esteem, apart from the fact that he bucked the establishment and did things his way, is because he’s beholden to no one! He struggled, and charted a new course after his days of rage and agitation, and built something anyone could be proud of. He persevered in spite of the obstacles politicians from both parties put in his way, and is answerable only to himself! This is not an homage to the publisher, but I’m using him as an example in light of what has just happened in the United States, and what will transpire in the days to come!
There is nothing worse for a leader, or for anyone in authority, than to be surrounded by yes men, sycophants who will enable the worst instincts of that leader. Donald Trump has shown us all that he will always have his way, in his personal life, in his business dealings, and now as a politician, and soon to be the 47th president! His campaign is the most striking example of how he will rule, and I mean rule – no checks and balances for him; and like the PUP, he has no one to stop him. He owns congress, the courts, the electorate, the business community! He has Putin- like autonomy, uber alles.
This election was fair, as all the others have been in recent times! He won resoundingly, an outright victory that I still can’t believe. After all his many failures and utter disregard for conformity, a majority of the American electorate chose him to lead for the next 4 years. Knowing who he is, what he promised, the good and the bad (in messianic terms), every section of society voted for him, even those he holds in contempt. Wat a ting!
We can only hope that this man will overcome his narcissistic tendencies, his arrogance and need for revenge, and try to mend the broken heart of this nation. I personally believe that it is a pipe dream. Knowing him from past experiences tells us that he will continue to be petty and vindictive; but one can hope. He has no one, or nothing to constrain his ambitions, whatever those might be.
We can only hope that he will be magnanimous in victory and try to unite a deeply divided country, a broken world! I don’t want to be too pessimistic before he’s given a chance to show all those who put their trust in him that it is worth the risk they took. Most of his followers don’t see it as a risk, but as an investment in their own selfish agendas. We all know that his followers are not all on the same page; they range from the extreme to the gullible, but we shall have to wait and see.
I am heartbroken by the results of this election, as are most of the people I care about. But the deed has been done; we have to respect, not agree, with the decision of the masses. We have to understand that we will never be able to see things the same way in this country. We have to try and understand what just happened, and try to live our lives according to our convictions, while respecting the opinions of the other side! That in itself is divisive, talking about the other side. But that’s the world we live in, the world of us, and them!
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long, long ago. — Christina Rossetti
Glen