Speak of the Devil

Last night I witnessed one of the most memorable speeches made by an American president. Oh, I wasn't there, but observed and listened for just about an hour as the current inhabitant of the White House delivered his comments to the White House Press Corps at their annual dinner. The nation was curious to see this version as the originally scheduled one this year was abruptly cancelled due to another assassination attempt on the president's life. Also, it was the first time that Donald Trump personally attended this event while president. The exceptionally thin-skinned POTUS is not one to appreciate the subtlies of sarcastic humor directed toward his majesty.

So, what made his remarks so memorable? Their lack of sheer relevancy to anything currently troubling this divided country. Often one to ramble and drift into the weeds surrounding his prepared text, Trump was in rare form last night. He was more concerned with the light fixtures in the room and tossing barbs at the journalists that attempt to fact check and ask the important questions than the many social, political, and economic questions currently dividing this nation.

Surprising? No. We've come to expect this level of disappointment from one who brings a business/real estate perspective to the complex world of diplomacy. Add in the lack of empathy for the millions of Americans currently struggling in the current economy, and the picture that is revealed is a pseudo leader completely out of touch with the majority of the country.

Muddy Waters sang "You can't lose what you never had." Perhaps Trump didn't lose his concern and understanding of where things are today. He simply never had it.

Here's a thought. Contrast last night's speech, or any other by Trump with one made by one of the great orators that held the office of president. Try Lincoln, who often scratched out his ideas on scraps of paper, or FDR. Try Jefferson, or Teddy Roosevelt, or Barak Obama. Try Eisenhower or evenHarry Truman. You see what I mean?

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