WE know what a “real president” does but I do think it is important to clarify this, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Who does not know this? Did Trump voters know what makes a person qualified morally and intellectually? I do not know, but the answer to that question may prevent another Trumpacolypse. We are mired in the sludge of Trump 2.0. Our wagon wheels are stuck in the rutted, muddy road of what is left of our democracy. What we have to do now is figure out how to pull this wagon out. Are some of us going to sit in the wagon while the rest of us pull it, or will everyone get out and help???
I truly believe my own large East Coast family do not understand what having a Dictator, And or Facism and or and Oligarchy means.
I was born right after the end of WWII, my neighbor was drafted for the Korean War when I was 6 or 7. My high school friends and husband were drafted or volunteered for Vietnam. During all of those times the news was filled with details of the war and comparative discussions of Democracy vs Dictatorships
Also there was the real threat The Bay of Pigs incident which even in high school we knew could lead to WEIII.. but fortunately did not.
I sometimes consider those growing up now do not have the understanding or insight from living through these experiences.
A real President doesn’t threaten our Allies while coddling those who wish to do us harm. A real President works publicly and behind the scenes to strengthen our alliances and partnerships, valuing quiet diplomacy over public disparagement.
A real President demands that our foreign opponents operate within accepted norms and, when they don’t, uses all of our instruments of power (diplomatic, economic, and military) to enforce those norms. A real President does not repeatedly threaten actions, but always chickens out in the end, thus weakening our global position.
Why have those of malign character been able to attract such a massive following? I believe that until these traits are carved into tablets and their truths resonate with those who have invested meaning and purpose in the morally bankrupt, violence will continue to appear as the solution. Character is quiet strength. It does not shout loudly or cleave communities asunder. It does not thrive by harboring ill will. It is born of forgiveness and grace, trailing goodness in its wake. Because it speaks quietly, the loudness of anger drowns out character’s abiding message of friendship. Anger toward others gives frustrated young men a warped but abiding sense of purpose. The call to hate one’s neighbor is the sirens’ call, beckoning the traveler onto rocky shoals. The hero’s journey cannot be completed without allies, and without being an ally to others. Character sees the ally within every stranger in need. Will we see the emergence of those with good character being more attractive and purpose-affirming than those with ill? I pray we do.
It is like have a mean vicious dog for president. There is not an ounce of goodness in him. That he was able to mesmerize so many young men is a sad commentary on their upbringing. Very sad.
You’ve outlined a real president well. Something going into 2026-2028 that will be unfamiliar for many voters. Certainly not from the right who see this as not only a tragedy but an opportunity.
I live in a zip that divides blue and red areas. Yesterday evening I received at text supposedly from Kirk’s widow. I’m sure the link goes to fundraising. They’ve wasted no time. Big donors were the first to be asked to re-commit.
Charlie Kirk was the public face of TPA and it gave him sizable wealth & influence. Behind the scenes were a couple deep pockets who also wanted to offset MoveOn and other liberal organization. Losing Kirk has given these forces a more specific target - us - and put their ‘rivals’ (particularly Nick Fuentes) on the back foot.
WE know what a “real president” does but I do think it is important to clarify this, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Who does not know this? Did Trump voters know what makes a person qualified morally and intellectually? I do not know, but the answer to that question may prevent another Trumpacolypse. We are mired in the sludge of Trump 2.0. Our wagon wheels are stuck in the rutted, muddy road of what is left of our democracy. What we have to do now is figure out how to pull this wagon out. Are some of us going to sit in the wagon while the rest of us pull it, or will everyone get out and help???
Hi Ellen.
These are question I’ve considered as well.
I truly believe my own large East Coast family do not understand what having a Dictator, And or Facism and or and Oligarchy means.
I was born right after the end of WWII, my neighbor was drafted for the Korean War when I was 6 or 7. My high school friends and husband were drafted or volunteered for Vietnam. During all of those times the news was filled with details of the war and comparative discussions of Democracy vs Dictatorships
Also there was the real threat The Bay of Pigs incident which even in high school we knew could lead to WEIII.. but fortunately did not.
I sometimes consider those growing up now do not have the understanding or insight from living through these experiences.
??
💙🇺🇸💙
A real President doesn’t threaten our Allies while coddling those who wish to do us harm. A real President works publicly and behind the scenes to strengthen our alliances and partnerships, valuing quiet diplomacy over public disparagement.
A real President demands that our foreign opponents operate within accepted norms and, when they don’t, uses all of our instruments of power (diplomatic, economic, and military) to enforce those norms. A real President does not repeatedly threaten actions, but always chickens out in the end, thus weakening our global position.
Everyone knows he is not “real”. We are all living inside “The Reality Show From Hell.”
Why have those of malign character been able to attract such a massive following? I believe that until these traits are carved into tablets and their truths resonate with those who have invested meaning and purpose in the morally bankrupt, violence will continue to appear as the solution. Character is quiet strength. It does not shout loudly or cleave communities asunder. It does not thrive by harboring ill will. It is born of forgiveness and grace, trailing goodness in its wake. Because it speaks quietly, the loudness of anger drowns out character’s abiding message of friendship. Anger toward others gives frustrated young men a warped but abiding sense of purpose. The call to hate one’s neighbor is the sirens’ call, beckoning the traveler onto rocky shoals. The hero’s journey cannot be completed without allies, and without being an ally to others. Character sees the ally within every stranger in need. Will we see the emergence of those with good character being more attractive and purpose-affirming than those with ill? I pray we do.
How long do we have to keep asking if we will see emergence of those with good character? Feels like we are screaming into the wind.
Hi Judy
I don’t know how long but I feel deeply we must “keep screaming” against the Trump
Regime actions. We must not go silent. We must nonviolently rage; And help each other through this.
I know Trump will not always be here and then we will still have to work to Right our Ship.
It is like have a mean vicious dog for president. There is not an ounce of goodness in him. That he was able to mesmerize so many young men is a sad commentary on their upbringing. Very sad.
A real president doesn’t lie non stop and avoid taking responsibility for his decisions.
💙👏🇺🇸
This is one of your important comments, Steven, that in particular affected me:
A Real President:
…”Doesn’t prefer dictatorship over democracy.
He knows that he’s part of one of the greatest experiments in the history of the world and sees himself as its steward.”
💙🇺🇸💙
If you used AI to conjure the most Anti-President for America, you would get a Donald Trump.
It's behaviour would match, to the letter, everything we know that ".. a real President doesn't do".
You’ve outlined a real president well. Something going into 2026-2028 that will be unfamiliar for many voters. Certainly not from the right who see this as not only a tragedy but an opportunity.
I live in a zip that divides blue and red areas. Yesterday evening I received at text supposedly from Kirk’s widow. I’m sure the link goes to fundraising. They’ve wasted no time. Big donors were the first to be asked to re-commit.
Charlie Kirk was the public face of TPA and it gave him sizable wealth & influence. Behind the scenes were a couple deep pockets who also wanted to offset MoveOn and other liberal organization. Losing Kirk has given these forces a more specific target - us - and put their ‘rivals’ (particularly Nick Fuentes) on the back foot.