Notwithstanding the fact of Donald J. Trump having been duly elected the forty-fifth president of the United States of America;
Notwithstanding the fact that Donald J. Trump will be duly sworn in as President on January 20, 2017; and
Notwithstanding that those of us who did not vote for or otherwise support Donald J. Trump's candidacy must accept his presidency,
We are under no obligation to accept, endorse, or support the policies, positions, views, values, economic programs, interpretations of the Constitution, etc., that Donald J. Trump has articulated before, during and after his successful candidacy for the Office of President of the United States.
Though we may be obligated to respect the Office of the President of the United States, we are not obligated to respect the man, here Donald J. Trump, who will occupy that office.
We are not obligated to respect Donald J. Trump, a flat out racist and someone whose candidacy was supported by, and who embraced the support of, various white supremacy organizations.
We are not obligated to respect Donald J. Trump, a flat out sexist and misogynist and alleged and self-professed sexual assaulter.
We are not obligated to respect Donald J. Trump, who would discriminated against Muslim citizens of the United States based on religious affiliations and beliefs, and who would bar immigration and asylum to individuals and families based on religious affiliations and beliefs.
We are not obligated to respect Donald J. Trump, a self-described "law-and-order" person who does not believe in the rule of law, does not believe in justice, but rather who is vindictive, revengeful, and petty.
We are not obligated to respect Donald J. Trump, a man who characterizes America as the victim because, according to him, everyone (e.g, politicians, bankers, the Chinese, the Mexicans, the Japanese, the UN members, NATO, NAFTA members, "the Blacks", the environmentalists, the regulators, and on and on) is cheating or lying (e.g., the current media, the rigged political process) America.
We are not obligated to respect Donald J. Trump, a man without a plan (though he assures us the plans he does not have are unbelievably great, amazing, are tremendous).
So, though President Obama and Secretary Clinton have requested us who did not vote for Donald J. Trump to accept the results of the election, support a peaceful transition of power, and to work to try to make the presidency of Donald J. Trump successful for America, for the American people, etc.; and
Though I will respect that request . . .
I cannot respect Donald J. Trump at this point.
I am not optimistic about what the Donald J. Trump presidency will bring to America; in fact, I am very pessimistic about it.
So, this blog, "When America Went Dark: The Land of Liberty Under Donald J. Trump, 2016--," will be my public forum to muse about the actions, policies, statements, etc., of Donald J. Trump, his administration, his numerous followers both inside and outside of government.
(I will also muse on the Democrats.)
I do not believe patriotism entails loving one's country right or wrong. It does entail critical thinking about the country and being prepared to say the country (and its President) is wrong when it (or the President) is wrong.
Being an American for me means looking after and caring for the powerless.
I do not believe looking after and caring for the powerless will have any place in Donald J. Trumps presidency. I hope I am wrong.
I fear that Americans will have to learn the hard way, through personal experience, that liberty and freedom and the pursuit of happiness are not compatible with an authoritarian presidency.
Respectfully,
Leonard J. Long
