As a Game of Thrones viewer I got to thinking about what would happen if the Unites States faced a threat similar to the one the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros faced from the Night Walkers.
The rival families of the Kingdoms had to choose between uniting against a common enemy or being individually destroyed.
Suppose that was a choice we as Americans faced, either unite against a common enemy or remain divided and be conquered, even destroyed, individually.
Who would be able to unite us? The usual answer would be the President, but is there any reason to think Donald Trump could be that kind of President?
Could he call the nation to unity in a time of crisis? On what basis would he be able to persuade us to set aside our differences and unite to save the nation?
Maybe Trump would call all Americans to unite in fighting to preserve the Constitutional principle of the rule of law. Would no one listen because of his own contempt for the rule of law and his belief that it doesn’t apply to him?
How about duty and honor?
Could Trump convince all Americans to unite on the basis of honor and integrity without making everyone laugh or gag?
How about fighting together in the name of liberty and justice for all?
Think his remarks after Charlottesville or his Muslim ban or his crimes against humanity via a policy of abusing immigrant children would undercut his credibility regarding freedom and justice for all?
How about rallying Americans in the name of doing what is right? Would any of us have reason to believe Trump himself would ever do anything because it was the right thing to do?
Maybe he could appeal to the value of self-sacrifice for the sake of the common good? That would, of course, make us wonder if Trump has ever sacrificed for anyone other than himself? Maybe he would apologize for avoiding military service during Viet Nam with a phony diagnosis of “bone spurs.” Or maybe not.
Maybe Trump could assure us that our Western allies are standing with us, except they would be the same allies he has insulted, called names, and made clear he prefers the company of our enemies more than theirs.
Of course, all of this is hypothetical because Games of Thrones is just a story. There were no Seven Kingdoms, no Land of Westeros, no White Walkers, no Night King.
But there is a United States of America that is being threatened in plain sight by a man who is trying to establish an Imperial Presidency that will destroy our once great government of, for, and by the people.
Instead of being the kind of leader who could lead our nation during a real crisis, Donald Trump is the crisis.
Moreover, he hs managed to become the leader of an Army of the Blind whose “soldiers” believe they are marching into battle to make America great again when they are in fact being led over a cliff?
They will go over, every one of them, but the rest of us cannot let them take America with them.
Just as the leaders of the mythical Seven Kingdoms knew their only chance was to defeat the Night King of the White Walkers, so we who are real must defeat Donald Trump anyway we can in order to defeat his real Army of the Blind.
To defeat him is the way to defeat them. That is the genuine and urgent challenge around which the majority of Americans must unite.
Jan, it’s a good question because as his corruption continues to be revealed and he gets backed into a corner more and more, I fear he will start a war with either Iran or North Korea, a move that might force some institutions to back him but will cause even greater division in the country.
Wilbur, I think he has started a war with the Congress already, and that is the battle ground. A foreign war will come into play when he starts losing the constitutional war in the courts.
I wish I was more confident in what the Supreme Court might decide.
Jan,
I know absolutely nothing about The Game of Thrones, but your main point about Trump’s qualificification to lead our Democracy is so on the mark that i must do all I can not to despair about our future for the next two years.
Cheerz!
Gene
So good to hear from you again, Gene. Your struggle against despair is one so many of us are dealing with. It is at least encouraging to know we are struggling together so thanks for writing. And I recommend the Game of Thrones series highly, but you have to view all episodes to keep up with what is going on. I found out it’s worth it.