This year is not starting out the best for me! Last week I had to confess to making several mistakes in my accounting of Lebanon history, and this week I am “eating crow”. Yes, I was one of those Republicans who didn’t think Donald Trump could ever be nominated, let alone elected. And I had grave doubts about his qualifications and ability.
I was really in a quandary. I knew the Democratic candidates were absolutely not an option, for many reasons, including but not limited to the need to preserve the integrity of the Supreme Court and the sanctity of human life. There were several to choose from on the Republican ticket. Donald Trump was not one of them.
Then came the convention, and I was trapped. I hasten to clarify here that I had no problem with any of Trump’s stated policy positions.
I knew he didn’t have a racist bone in his body. There was too much evidence out there to the contrary. I knew he wasn’t a misogynist or a sexual predator. You had only to look at all the women he employed in his companies to figure that one out.
Of course he doesn’t like, and won’t condone, radical Islamic terrorists of any shape or form, but that doesn’t mean he is anti-Muslim per se. And the only immigrants he is opposed to are those who come here illegally.
He certainly isn’t anti-Semitic. His son-in-law is Jewish and they are raising Trump’s grandchildren in a Jewish home. And if you don’t know by now that he would trust his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to Jared Kushner, the husband of Ivanka, you haven’t been paying attention. And we all know how grandparents are, those little ones are the most precious part of the family, so prejudice against Jews just isn’t a part of Trump’s personality.
But I just couldn’t get past the blustering, and the bragging, and the constant need to tell us how great he is. This all made me cringe, and still does, including the present debate about the size of the inaugural crowds or the so-called massive voter fraud. He isn’t perfect and I’m trying to accept the fact he is just that way and it has apparently worked out well for him. And I have come to realize that all those things that bothered me so much may have just been a part of his strategy to win.
But when I would get so annoyed at him, my mind would go back to a moment in one of the early debates when I caught a glimpse of who I now know is the real Donald Trump.
In that debate the moderators called out the names of the candidates and one by one they made their way on to the stage and over to their podium. Dr. Carson’s name was called and he didn’t come out. The TV cameraman switched over to show us the scene where the candidates were standing, waiting to be called. Dr. Carson was standing back there, clearly confused as to what he should do. He started to walk onstage but then another name was called and he moved back closer to the curtains. He told the press later there was so much noise out front that he didn’t hear his name called.
When he didn’t come on out, the moderator continued to call the others, and one by one they came, passing Dr. Carson on the way, without acknowledging him at all. Trump was due to be called as the last one so he was standing there at the edge of the curtain and when he saw what was happening to Dr. Carson, he moved closer to him, putting his hand on his arm, and smiling. When Trump’s name was called, he motioned for Dr. Carson to come with him and together they walked on stage and to their respective podiums, thus saving Dr. Carson from any further embarrassment. It was a real show of friendship and affection, even before it blossomed into the President naming him to his cabinet this week.
And so I voted. And I do not regret my vote. The inaugural address was beautifully powerful, full of lyrical phrases which really appealed to me as a writer, but at the same time reflected a sincerity that I have not heard in political speeches in a long time. Also, I was deeply moved by the patriotic spirit that was present, along with several references to God as the protector of our nation.
Every day since then has opened up a new opportunity for us. In just seven days we have seen major changes take place with regard to government, and new possibilities for changing the course of our country. For the first time since the March For Life began after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, we saw the White House participate in this annual massive show of support for the protection of unborn babies. Vice-President Mike Pence makes us proud in every appearance and public statement he makes.
It is my hope and prayer that President Donald Trump will mature in office. Some presidents do. And the quality of the men and women he has chosen to surround him in cabinet positions and as Counselors in the Oval Office give me a sense of assurance that the President will receive good guidance and advice, even in the midst of his flaws and human weaknesses, and, yes, the constant use of Twitter.
So this weekend I am setting some traps (or whatever you do to catch a crow), and getting out my crockpot. I hear that crow really isn’t that bad when you cook it slowly for hours and serve with a heaping helping of mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy.
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