One of the casualties of the Trump reign is the quickness with which we can go to a place of skepticism and distrust. For example, it would surprise me only a little if we learn that Trump’s covid-19 diagnosis was an elaborate sham. Just something to make him appear leader-like, a changed man, as having had an epiphany. And all in time to give folks a chance to change their minds about him before November 3. There seems to be no bridge too far for this outfit.

Given what’s unfolded since the announcement of his diagnosis, though, it appears he has indeed contracted the virus. And he or someone close to him may have contributed to additional spread among key figures in his administration. Way to go, folks.

The only thing that might change is a perspective that arrives way too late. He will not change a bit.

Strength doesn’t look like someone who just rants and raves and tries to talk tough. That’s not strength. That’s more the glorified antics of a playground bully who’s had his fifteen minutes, who’s afraid of spending his life in obscurity, scratching and clawing for relevance and a way to stay visible. Or to stay out of jail.

And since when is “domination” a desirable trait in what was hoped to be an edifying exchange of ideas? Do people really just want to be entertained? Do they need a winner more than they need an opportunity to learn where the potential Leader of the Free World stands on the issues?

Trump might have dominated, but he looked like a fool. And he didn’t say anything of great significance, other than give license to a hate group, and provide confirmation to all who believe that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Perhaps fear is our main stumbling block. How can people be so fearful of difference and change? Do we come by it naturally, is it born of an innate selfishness? Or do we learn it by listening to our lazy, opinionated, insulated elders and the loudest misinformed voices among us? Can it be addressed with education and venturing beyond our own zip codes, by seeing a bit of the world beyond our doorsteps?

The irony here, or one of them, is that the “proof,” the reasoning behind such narrowness, is fueled by the Bible– more accurately, influenced by an incomplete, unexamined, selective reading of scripture. You can’t claim you embrace a sanctity for life- at least unborn life- and also support violence or just act indifferently toward people who have a different skin color or religion than you. You can’t be against abortion and for taking away peoples’ healthcare- especially under the odious and convenient guise of unconstitutionality. You can’t pick and choose your own personal moral high ground.

There is a refusal to acknowledge a certain commonality and universality of the human experience, of human need. There is a desire for things to be simple, clear-cut, un-messy, homeostatic.

Life is seldom that way.

So Donald and Melania have tested positive for covid-19.

Really? Or is this some sort of distraction, another campaign stunt? What, if anything, does this mean? Are they lying about it? Why now? What’s the strategic significance of this?

News reports hinted at this possibility last night by saying Hope Hicks, a close aid, had tested positive, and both Trumps were in close quarters with her, not wearing a mask or social distancing.

The headline is they’re positive, but really? And so what? I’m sure they’ll be just fine. If needed, they’ll both get treatments few others have at their disposal. They will move beyond this and Trump will brag about doing his part for herd immunity, offering that “it wasn’t that bad.”

Dems in state legislatures better not take their eyes off the ball. Hear that, Pennsylvania? Because Trump and his Z-Team are up to something.

As troubling as Trump’s non-response was when Chris Wallace confronted him with an opportunity to speak out against white supremacy, did anyone really expect a different outcome?

A made-for-TV moment that Wallace was most likely hoping would be a feather in his cap turned out to be a real “moment” for a different reason—Trump wasn’t going to take that bait and concede anything. He wasn’t going to let someone put words in his mouth.

What he ended up doing instead was legitimizing a hate group, fanning flames and paving the way for things to get really ugly around and after November 3.

Regarding the presidential debate…

Why bother?

Let’s declare everyone- participants and viewers- losers. I can’t see how declaring a “winner” means anything when there’s nothing but loudness and shouting going on. Partisans will declare winners, but I can’t imagine most people learned anything they didn’t already know— Joe Biden is a decent guy and Donald Trump is a bullying asshole. You’d think by now most will have had their fill of him.

It’s pretty clear that Trump’s intent is to make a shambles of ground rules and decorum. If this is what his supporters have meant by him shaking things up, then they have it all wrong.

Donald Trump, of all people, doesn’t get to be the one who throws out the rule book. In fact, no one does.

As a close acquaintance suggests, just interview the candidates one-on-one and see if they can elaborate on their platforms in a manner that actually helps. Or turn their mics off after two minutes if they’re just gonna yell and interrupt.

If a person seems most suited for operating in the midst of chaos, what might we learn about his fitness to lead, or his intentions? We shouldn’t be impressed with Donald Trump’s ability to stand mostly upright and function in the midst of all that is going on right now. We should be alarmed by it, because he’s causing much of it, or at least allowing it to flourish.

He either plants or allows seeds of doubt to be planted, then fertilizes them with his endless tweets and the steady stream of empty and troubling verbiage that emanates from the front of his contorted and bitter countenance. He and the shadowy figures wanting him to stay in power have created a situation where many people are being convinced of the pandemic’s use only as a political tool to be wielded against him. In related news, a picture in the paper this morning showed a crowd in London demonstrating against virus restrictions, with someone holding a sign that read, “The reason why the UK is getting a second wave is because it fits the political agenda and narrative.”

First of all, kudos for fitting a complete sentence on a demonstration placard. But really? It couldn’t be that the virus is enjoying a resurgence because people are buying this line of propaganda, and acting as if covid-19 doesn’t exist? Kool-aid consumed.

If this alternate reality attitude is widespread enough, then there is little hope for us. For many, there is no such thing as reason or logic, or trusting people who make their life’s work dealing in measurable and quantifiable facts.

Donald Trump and Co. don’t like such facts. Facts aren’t useful to them unless they can be twisted and weaponized.

So the concept of herd immunity has taken hold among Always Trumpers, including Scott Atlas, the radiologist now in charge of the Coronavirus task force. This country really is skydiving without a parachute.

From what can be observed, it would seem the President is quadrupling down on his decision to downplay the severity of the virus and going with the “easy” route of just letting it take its course through the population. Driven by his obsession with bolstering the economy, he has consciously chosen to take the heartless course of action that will, with no shadow of a doubt, continue to cause untold, unimaginable, unfathomable, unnecessary loss and grief.

This is what good leadership looks like? How on earth can there be anywhere near enough people still willing to vote for this monster? How can polls tell us that things are close and getting closer?

Do the mindless, brainless numbnuts who show up at his rallies have even a whiff of a clue of what it means to take this route to immunity? Are they really willing to watch their neighbors and family members suffer or die- or risk getting sick themselves- just so they can remain “free” of government interference and the heinous inconvenience of wearing a fucking mask?

They’re all idiots. Every one of ’em. No matter how smart they might otherwise claim to be.

Amy Coney Barrett.

Already, the mere mention of the name conjures that running gag in Young Frankenstein. She sounds like the perfect fit for the Republican dream of a conservative court, and the perfect nightmare for progressives. She’s presumed to already be in the President’s pocket, the missing piece that will secure the votes needed to strike down the ACA, repeal Roe v Wade, turn the clock back on environmental regulation, and potentially pave the way for a stolen election and Trump’s second term. Who knows? They may even feel emboldened to repeal the Equal Rights Amendment.

And by virtue of all of this, return us to the 1950s. A grand minority vision for the majority, courtesy of the Grim Reaper.

If the whole nomination and confirmation process gets fast-tracked before the election or even before Jan. 20, 2021, then even if Democrats by some miracle secure both chambers and the presidency, damage will already have been done. And the spiral of revenge tactics will continue, with pushes for statehood for D.C. and maybe Puerto Rico, and additional justices for the SC.

The bad blood and retribution, doing and undoing, are never going to stop. Pent up Covid craziness will erupt, along with all the other reasons people are pissed off, and this country will explode with unrest and violence, the likes of which will make this past summer and 1968-70 look like child’s play.

If Trump is somehow able to secure a second term, we can say goodbye to the Great Experiment. At the very least, America will be rendered unrecognizable for decades to come.

Cue the neighing sound.

There are no leaders among them, just followers and opportunists. They refuse to stand up to Trump because… they see nothing off about him? What more do they need to see?

Are they operating on the notion that Democrats are merely still sore about 2016, their concern just thinly veiled sour grapes? 

McConnell and Co. are willfully ignoring the signs, apparently ok with putting up with this tyrant so they can keep their jobs, wield the power. It seems criminal now.