We rethink the week with Dean Spiliotis, Civic Scholar and Presidential Scholar at Southern New Hampshire University; David Leventhal from the Center for Public Integrity, and Paul Peter Jessup, attorney, writer, and former member of the Republican Party.
We discuss the similarities between our present crises and the history of pre-Civil War America. The good news is that massive crowds of Americans from all races and walks of life are continuing to demonstrate for an end to systemic racism and the building of a more just economy, society, and criminal justice system. The bad news includes still more police violence toward people of color, and a president who demonizes the victims and praises the perpetrators.
Pres. Trump’s upside-down worldview includes room for “special” people (with himself first among them) who are not to be held accountable if they fail to meet their responsibilities. He denies or pardons their misdeeds. It doesn’t stop with Roger Stone or General Flynn. At West Point’s graduation, Trump acknowledged that some of the cadets may have committed infractions, but his solution was to exercise his authority as commander-in-chief to “absolve” them of all punishment. “That’s a nice one. Don’t you feel better.” Sounds like the Godfather.
We also discuss Pres. Trump’s upcoming rally in Tulsa, OK which is uncanny in its ability to intertwine the wrong answers on several major issues all at once. During a pandemic where the best doctors and scientists are urging us all to practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid congested areas, Trump will hold a large campaign rally in a city where COVID-19 infection rates have been soaring, in a venue where social distancing is impossible, and modeling his refusal to wear a mask to protect himself or others. To top it off, he had originally scheduled the rally for Juneteenth, a day that is sacred to African-Americans: the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation of the slaves. (Trump has since moved the event to the next day, after receiving a lot of push-back. But the slap in the face comes at a time when large numbers of American people are recognizing our country’s history of systemic racism and are actively demonstrating their demand that the US put an end to such racism.)
And, of course, we talk about politics. Biden is leading in the polls. (Do they matter? Are they reliable?) Trump is in denial, even though his own polls are also dismal. So who is Biden going to choose for VP? We talked about several options, pro and con. One hopes that he selects the person who is best able to take over as president if that becomes necessary.
