What Does It Say?

What does it say about a man who wanted to be in power, who ran for office, but now wants to stop leading in a meaningful way when it counts? Trump liked the idea of having daily briefings from the press office because he couldn't have rallies, but the briefings turned into a political and personal disaster for him because his approval plummeted. His approval plummeted because the emperor showed up without clothes on and he walked off in a pique. His political aides all told him that the daily viewings were a disaster, an idea so distasteful that he said he wouldn't hold briefings anymore.

Then someone told him that if he did that he would look like a spoiled brat who was taking his very expensive ball and walking home so he decided or perhaps he didn't decide to continue briefings.

That's where we are right now. We have a leader who only wants to lead if people kiss his butt and praise him. But that is not what we need now. We need clear direction not just from our state governors but from our federal government. We need leaders who aren't afraid of losing popularity if they know they are doing the right thing but Trump cannot even listen to the medical and scientific experts long enough to understand what the right thing is. First it was hydroxychloroquine, an ongoing treatment for malaria and lupus but untested and unproven for Covid-19 but a drug that was known to cause heart problems. And yes, it is still untested and unproven for Covid-19 because scientific tests need more than anecdotal evidence.

Then of course there were the statements about light and disinfectant. No matter what has been said subsequent to the original statements, Trump was not being sarcastic when he asked Dr. Birx about testing both of those. Just exactly what he wanted tested remains in limbo but it sounded as though he wanted light beams run through people's skin while they were injected with disinfectant directly into their lungs where it could have a "tremendous effect".

Well, yes, I can absolutely guarantee that if you swallow a light bulb and drink bleach you will not die of Covid-19.

I sincerely hope that this is not the leader that anyone wants any more.