America Gripped By Bomb Threats
By Trevor K. McNeil
Not All
Not everyone who voted for Donald Trump is evil or even stupid. Many are, but not all. It is truly sad, yet also understandable, the large number of people who had once voted for Obama that swung to Trump in 2016. What brought about this radical change? Was it just a terrible Democratic candidate? Or was it an honest, if misguided, wish for change? As far as I can tell the root of Trump’s popularity is that he is not an establishment politician. Something which appeals strongly to the latent, borderline anarchist, anti-government streak in this country dating back to Tomas Paine. It is in our national DNA as shown by the founding documents; which were willfully engineered to maximize individual rights and limit direct government control.
Media Coverage
Until recently Trump’s anti-statist position remained camouflaged. It is popular, and fun, to point out how Trump is the worst president in history; who has done things no one ever has, only to be countered by professional smart ass comedian Adam Conover and opinionated op-ed writers, observing that there is historical precedent for everything Trump has done and is doing. There is, however, one area in which Trump is a true and terrifying original. His relationship with the media is the worst of any President in American history. An ironic fact given the key role media coverage, both positive and negative, has played in his success.
The Historical Record
Looking to history, there have been political leaders in America who have had strained, if not a
borderline adversarial relationship with the press, but until Trump there has never been the fierce and unrelenting daily attacks on the media by a president of the United States. The difference between Trump and the leaders of the past is that the leaders of the past had the knowledge and political experience to hide their disgust of the press and play the political game. Richard Nixon an astute politician knew enough to talk football with the notorious journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who would later become one of his greatest opponents and detractors.
“Boss” Tweed
Going even further back into the dark and brutal past, we find William ‘Boss’ Tweed. Tweed was an infamously corrupt New York politician made famous by the book and film versions of The Gang’s Of New York. Tweed ran the Tammany Hall Democratic political machine in 19th century New York city with known links to some of the most brutal gangs of the day. His provocative nickname was of course bestowed by the press. “Boss” Tweed, like Trump, was a favorite target of editorial cartoonists, each image more scurrilous than the last. When he asked advisers is there “something we can do about them damn pictures.” No, he was told, the press was protected because they did not imply anything that was not obvious and demonstrably true. Not even Boss Tweed dared go so far as to call the media ‘an enemy of the people’.
Beyond the Pale
George W. Bush was known for his often dangerous, and scattered hyperbole. (Also, keep in mind, Daddy George H. W. Bush Sr. was a former CIA director). If anyone could turn inconvenient members of the news media to pink mist without anyone knowing it, it would be one of these guys. Yet they didn’t. Because they were not that kind of crazy. Trump is that kind of crazy; not only calling media ‘an enemy of the people’ but congratulating an elected government representative for assaulting a reporter who asked a question he didn’t like. Trump has no understanding of American history. He is a failed leader. He is unable to step up to the challenge of uniting this country. Instead he stokes the fires of hatred and social division. The targeted bomb threats are a reflection of Donald J. Trump and his dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric.
Terror Attacks
There is certainly no evidence that Trump in any way is directly responsible for the terror attacks on a string of prominent Democrats, former government officials and celebrities; but you can only vilify something or someone for so long before mentally deranged people start to believe it and potentially act on that belief. The constant din of hate emanating from the Trump White House has set a tone that has inflamed a nation. Remember, the devices mailed to the Clintons, the Obamas, George Soros, Eric Holter, Joe Biden, CNN and Robert DeNiro are deadly weapons. These devices, although described as “primitive” are fully functional. The potential for mass murder is obvious. Each newly discovered explosive device increases the risk of someone getting killed, whether it be an intended victim or a mail carrier, or a first responder.
Trump Tweets
During this time of ongoing terrorism, what does President Trump do? This morning, October 25th, 2018 Trump started his day with an inflammatory Tweet lashing out at “fake news” and telling the mainstream media to “clean up their act”. On a human level Trump has not reached out to any of the targets, he has not offered reassurances to the country but he has kept the divisive rhetoric at full volume and fueled a raging political fire.
