Trump wants to be king, not president
And so once again, I find myself using the Daily Herald forum (so glad it exists) to comment about Mr. Trump's reaction to recent events. Professional sport figures kneeling during the national anthem do not intend to disrespect the flag and the American ideals for which it stands (many have lost loved ones defending it) but rather to protest racism and the man who disingenuously uses our flag as a prop to spew his dangerous and bullish rhetoric to control and manipulate others on both the domestic and world stage.
Most recently the president utters (with some approximation by this writer): "If a football player kneels during the national anthem; Mr. owner, fire him. Stephen Curry and your championship warriors are invited to the White House - Oh, you don't agree with my pronouncements - invitation revoked. Yo, Mr. North Korean Rocket Man, you start up with us and we will totally destroy your country."
Whether you agree with the import of his statements or not, it is the disturbing narcissistic manner in which he delivers his edicts that troubles so many of us. He seeks to reign over a monarchy, not a democracy. He seeks to be a supreme ruler over the free world and beyond.
"King" Trump does not descend from royalty but from reality TV and a heavy bank account. He cares not what he says to whom - let alone its consequences. We saw this during the Republican primary; the debates should have been stopped and Donald escorted off the stage. No president in recent memory has acted like this, even those candidates that lost: John McCain, John Kerry, Al Gore, Edward Mondale, Bob Dole were all sane and honorable. Where have all the statesmen gone?
Larry J. Powitz
Arlington Heights