Trump: commander in chief

Chain of Command

I didn’t want to be paranoid about traveling to the States after the election of Trump.  The country has much to offer and I didn’t want a little thing like a twitter happy, narcissistic, ego-centric, power hungry, lying, racist, hyperbolic, wall building, war monger, womanizer to ruin my excursion.  In fact I vowed that I would not discuss politics during the entire course of the trip, a promise I soon broke through no fault of my own.

America although no longer a great nation, apparently soon will be again.  I find that it is a schizophrenic place in that it has some of the best of things and the worst of things, or  maybe just bipolar.  It’s complex. 

Our road trip took us to Winston/Salem, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Daytona, Sarasota and Naples, Florida.  About 5500 km. One event which stands out in my mind took place as we were having breakfast in a chain hotel,  after reading the USA Today, I looked up at the huge flat screen TV to catch a story on Gander Newfoundland.  Yes, Canada had made the news in the United States. 

The report simply told the 911 story of how during the no fly period after the bombing planes were forced to land in Gander.  The reporter highlighted the gracious hospitality of the good people of Gander and how they took in, fed and housed the many stranded Americans during this epic crisis.  During the reporting it became clear to others in the restaurant that we must certainly be Canadian because of my vocal way in which a viewed the report and made many comments.

As a result the many Americans in the room asked for more information and I told them what I knew.  My surprise was that they did not know this story.  A broadway play now also honours the events during which Trudeau and Trump attended, (What did they talk about during intermission?). It is stories such as these that give me hope about the goodness of people both American and Canadian.

As we left the restaurant my wife and I were personally thanked for Gander, as if we deserved any.  I did accept it on behalf of all Canadians as I made my exit.

During the remainder of our trip several Americans commented on how lucky we were to be Canadian and to have such a wonderful Prime Minister.  For some mysterious reason they almost seemed ashamed of their own leader.  How could this be?

Some Americans asked us about Universal Health care and how it works.  I thought perhaps they are great no longer because they do not know how to take care of themselves.  Do Americans feel they are not deserving of what the rest of the civilized western world almost takes for granted, to help the poor is a national weakness. I get confused at about this point.

While in Fort Augustine we ate next to a young engineer from the navy who asked us how Trump was received in Canada.  My wife answered that we view Trump cautiously and with fear as we don’t know really what to expect.

From a military person I was not eager to discuss politics but he was, and told us how the military, especially concerning events in the South China Sea, fears that Trump has very loose terms of engagement and a war could easily result.  As an engineer he added that the military does believe in global warming and must strategically prepare for it but it is difficult to do so with a commander in chief who under funds environmental agencies and denies fundamental environmental realities.

During the trip I had the impression no one actually voted for Trump just as I did when I travelled the States after Bush was elected. However a recent BBC report interviewed hard core Trump supporters who seem totally aware of his lies and misdirections and are perfectly fine with his behaviour as these voters wish to “stick it to the man.”

I realized there is no reasoning with chaos theory.  And how does a billionaire actually “stick it to the man”?  Isn’t he the “Man”

Okay then on the next trip to the States I won’t talk about Trump.