The Republican congress has chosen to trash the FBI rather than allow special counsel Robert Mueller to complete the Russia investigation unimpeded. They are determined not to risk the chance that he might find something that will prove, or even implicate, that Mr. Donald Trump was complicit with Russia in meddling in America’s 2016 election. And it appears that they certainly do not want him to find that Mr. Trump actually colluded with the Russians and obstructed justice in his efforts to prevent or, at the very least, determine the outcome of the ensuing investigation. It does not seem to matter to them that if he is found guilty of these things that he is unfit to occupy the Oval Office. Virtually every Republican who ran for president in 2016 has already said that he was unfit. They might not have called him treasonous but they called him almost every other derogatory name that they could think of at the time.
All of the dishonorable and underhanded things that these Republicans are accusing the FBI of doing, if they are not illegal, certainly border on being so. Not only do these accusations that are leveled against the FBI as a whole stain the long-held and hard-earned honor of the men and women who regularly risk their lives to keep the rest of us Americans safe, but they serve to discredit the FBI in the eyes of far too many Americans (even if it is only one) and countries around the world. The sad thing is that they are doing this solely to protect a proven adamant liar who has worked harder to divide and weaken America than he has to pull us together and help us to maintain our current strength and, hopefully, grow even stronger. Why is he doing this? There is no doubt that we are stronger together: hopefully, Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation will provide us with the answer or if not, at least clues that will point us to the answer.
It is disconcerting to see America in so much chaos and just as disconcerting to see those elected officials in congress who are supposed to be our leaders and the protectors of the Constitution selling out, whether it is to personal ambition, party, Mr. Trump, all three or any combination thereof! Mr. Trump has indeed broken the mold. I cannot recall any other president in my lifetime who has ignored presidential norms and traditions to the extent that Mr. Trump has. So it naturally follows that I cannot recall a congress of either party that would so willingly follow a president down a rabbit hole if there was even the slightest chance that that president might be guilty of subversion of any type. Either Mr. Trump has the charm and charisma of the very first snake in the apple tree or those congressional Republicans who are following and supporting him are just plain dumb.
No matter which it is, I hope that the Russia investigation will somehow be completed despite any obstruction that occurs; and I hope that it will be completed fairly and without bias. I also hope that American voters will hold all of those to account who for nefarious reasons worked to impede the investigation. Whether they worked to support Mr. Trump through speaking on his behalf when they knew that he was lying, knowingly obfuscated the truth, hid evidence that would incriminate him, provided him with information so that he could prepare his lies in advance or lied themselves on his behalf, they should and must be held to account at the polls come November 2018 and 2020. They must not be allowed to continue to help Mr. Trump move America backward, dismantle everything that America ever stood for, and strip her of all of her dignity and respect and the place of honor and high esteem that Americans have worked to earn in the eyes of all of those around the world. They must not normalize him and empower him so that he can pull all of the rest of Americans down to his level.
If Mr. Trump’s only goal is to acquire and store up accolades and always stand before an audience that adores him and showers him with affection then he should go back to reality television and all Americans should wish him good riddance. They should do this because that is where those things that he is seeking can and should be found. They should not be sought after in such an esteemed and serious office as that of the President of the United States of America because that is not where these things should be found.
Instead, the Oval Office is a place that demands a dedicated Commander-In-Chief who is dedicated to America and the American people and who is seeking to take the lead in continuing to nurture and grow something that has always been and still is bigger than any one person including their self. It is a place where that elected leader has accepted the responsibility of taking the entire weight of all of the American people – their dreams, their desires and aspirations – upon their shoulders. The load is heavy, especially with America being a melting pot, and should not be taken on lightly and without long and serious consideration.
Most, if not all, of America’s past presidents recognized this grave responsibility, had seriously considered and prepared for it, and entered into this Office with an open mind, willingness to learn, and a determination to be all Americans president. That has not been the case with Mr. Trump. He believes that he should be the Mr. Trump only to those who agree with him, admire him without reservation, and shower him with praise and adulation; and for the greatest part, that is his base.
So whether or not you agree with the direction in which Mr. Trump is leading America you should always get out and vote. If we all determine that that is what we are going to do and we step up to our responsibility as citizens and vote, then America will travel in the direction that the majority of Americans want her to travel…whether I agree with that direction or not. Consequently, me and those Americans who might not agree with the majority can make our feelings known and the president with the best interest of America and its citizens in mind – in the spirit and intent of fairness – and with their great ability to sort through things, can use their great leadership skills combined with their determination to consider and empathize with all of the American people, to make a decision as to what should be done to effectively address the situation.
I realize that what was just said is more than a mouth full but I hope that you get my point. All of the things (and many more) mentioned in the preceding paragraph are necessary ingredients in the politics of the POTUS if they are to be successful while leading such a diverse group of citizens such as those that we have here in America. Fortunately, Americans can change the direction that America is traveling in with their vote. Things will never always go the way that everyone wants them to go and there will always be winners and losers. But that is democracy! So whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, get out and vote. And always remember, your vote is the most important one of all…unless you don’t use it!
Eulus Dennis – author, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line