A Terrifying Prospect

For some time many Americans have grown uncomfortable with a variety of Trump’s antics, now focused on impeachment. I have previously written about my continual irritation. But in the past few weeks my discomfort has undergone a marked change. I suppose what I am feeling came to a head one evening last month as I watched Trump’s speech at his rally in Minneapolis. Perhaps it was not that different from what he has been saying at any of his performances. But it struck me as presenting a new terrifying prospect facing the nation. I know it is gauche to say that politician A or politician B sounds like Hitler, but so help me, as listened and watched this hour-long rant I could not escape the identification. I had previously seen recordings of Hitler’s speeches, and the similarity suddenly struck me. Here were almost identical demigods in full flight.

It is not just Trump’s nationalism that got my attention. While I disagree with that emphasis, my discomfort went far beyond his political stance. There was the swagger, the absolute arrogant preoccupation with self. At least half of the hour was spent demonizing anyone who even remotely suggests a criticism. Even his totally cowed party supporters know that even to raise a question is to have their careers decimated. So, no matter what they might privately believe, they are fully aware that political survival required silence.

Any nation hoping to hang on to democracy must rely on a free press, unencumbered by government threats or even pressure. Throughout the rant Trump would point at the press row and in a torrent of vitriol brand it as the enemy. Up to now, Fox News has managed to escape the fiery blasts, but when one of its anchors registered a somewhat contrary opinion, the axe fell and he is no longer on the channel. Throughout the speech, surrounding Trump
was a solid contingent of hand-picked supporters who cheered wildly or snarled on cue. Here was Trump’s faithful base to whom he directed the entire diatribe. was directed.

This event was not the only foul wind recently blowing from the oval office. Now anyone raising serious questions or who attempts to process what is going on is called disloyal or is branded a traitor and a spy, and Trump reminds his followers that he knows how we used to treat them.

For now, standing between Trump’s fascist leaning and utter catastrophe is the one force still keeping him from total domination. It is the military establishment. Even while the president is the nation’s commander in chief, America’s generals have managed to maintain their independence. In fact among our military brass, present and former, are those daring to be openly critical of their boss.

As bad as things are at present, there may loom on the horizon an even darker cloud portending a more deadly storm. As the months roll by, what if it becomes clear that Trump may not win next year’s election. Given who he is, what might he do? Would he attempt to salvage himself by taking the nation to war perhaps against Iran? Russia or China would be too big to tackle, but the US, supported by Israel, might find Iran just the right size for us to destroy. Short of that, might he declare a national emergence and use Marshall Law as a way to cancel or postpone the election? Anyone who believes that Trump would go quietly has not been paying attention.

I might hope that there are enough level-headed patriots who might see the devastation clearly, calm the waters and convince enough Americans to come out of hiding, and take care of our melodramatic president at the ballot box. I have not lost faith in America’s roots. Note that I have not mentioned impeachment, the Mueller report or the Ukrainian debacle. Given the intransigence of the Republican Senate, those impeachment may remain a risk not worth taking.

Every now and then I get responses from readers thanking me for my optimism. I doubt if this column will elicit that comment. But somebody said to a friend,”cheer up. Things could get worse.” So he cheered up, and sure enough they got worse!