Dear President Trump, I’ve been struggling with the issue of belief all day and it’s giving me a headache. It’s not so much what people believe that has me going in circles, it’s more trying to sort out how to know whether what someone says they believe really is what they believe. Generally this shouldn’t … Continue reading We want to believe that you believe what you are saying, but we shouldn’t
Month: July 2018
Words matter (2)
Dear President Trump, One of the things you seem to know instinctively is that words matter. Although you’re certainly not one of the more verbally facile individuals on the planet, your ability to read situations and groups of people has enabled you to find and tune phrases that will worm their way into your supporters’ … Continue reading Words matter (2)
“I don’t care if he’s lying.”
Dear President Trump, I have an ambivalent relationship with questions like “What would X do?” or “What if it were Y doing Z?” Even if we use these questions in a pro-social, work with your best angel-self kind of way, asking them rarely seems to have much positive effect. And yet. Sometimes asking such questions … Continue reading “I don’t care if he’s lying.”
What more does Vladimir have on you now?
Dear President Trump, Where did the stupid phrase “walk back” come from? Sort of correcting what one has said is nothing like walking back to somewhere from somewhere. If you say something incorrect or that is wrong for some other reason (e.g., it was hurtful), then one should own the mistake, apologize, and perhaps ask … Continue reading What more does Vladimir have on you now?
Seriously, why are we acting so shocked?
Dear President Trump, If it wasn’t so damn serious and frightening I would almost enjoy the nutso consternation and shock people are expressing over your failure to support our intelligence agencies in favor of your BFF Vladimir. You’ve been saying from Day 1 that Russia didn’t interfere with the election, you won completely fair and … Continue reading Seriously, why are we acting so shocked?
Not all acts of war involve bombs
Dear President Trump, So we allowed you to meet alone with the man who orchestrated massive attacks on our election process to tilt the results in your favor. No aids, no note takers, no formal record of what was said. And as far as I know, there were no protests over the weekend, no one … Continue reading Not all acts of war involve bombs
Wounds that need tending
Dear President Trump, I could tell from a block away that the owner of the navy blue sedan was a bumper sticker enthusiast; the entire back end was plastered with them. As I pulled up next to him it was clear that this was a rare sighting of an avowed Trump supporter. I’ve never seen … Continue reading Wounds that need tending
Vladimir is also using serious sticks
Dear President Trump, I think you were telling the truth, for once, when you said “So all I can do is say, ‘Did you?’ and ‘Don’t do it again.’” I believe it’s true that this is all you can do to confront Vladimir Monday if you want to wake up Tuesday or if you want … Continue reading Vladimir is also using serious sticks
He’s feeding his pet monkeys
Dear President Trump, I don’t understand why we aren’t all automatically asking “What did Vladimir get from that incredible debacle?” all the time. Anyone trying to make sense of your all’s behavior is going to drive themselves crazy trying to find normal logical explanations. The only thing that makes sense is that you are trashing … Continue reading He’s feeding his pet monkeys
Strategic social opprobrium
Dear President Trump, Just a few more days before you get to relax and stop manufacturing stupid things to lash out at our allies over. Counting today, you’ve only got four more days before you get to have your tete a tete with Vladimir. Are there protocols in place to protect the interpreters from poison … Continue reading Strategic social opprobrium
Daily Trump Letters 