Donald's Not-So-Instant Karma

 

After spending nearly nine solid months downplaying the severity of the coronavirus, the president of the United States - and the first lady - have both tested positive. This is a scenario that might have been written by O Henry.

Early this morning someone named Dennis Hartsfield sent me the news on Facebook. My first thought was to think he had been the victim of a hoax. Less than an hour later it was announced on CNBC that this is, in fact, the case.

"Instant Karma's gonna get you. It's gonna knock you right on the head. Better get yourself together, darlin'...."

-John Lennon

This is not to gloat; I do indeed wish the both of them a safe and speedy recovery. They have, after all, a young son. But, Damn! Ain't this some kind of a plot twist? If this breaking news is true, I do hope that it finally gets his Imbecilic followers to take the precautions that too many of them have thus far been ignoring. See? there are a few silver linings behind these nasty clouds!

First of all, bitter experience has taught me not to believe a damned thing that comes out of this White House - and this latest "news" is no exception. To my mind, Trump gave such an insanely poor and unhinged performance at the debate on the twenty-ninth, that there is a good chance that his team has manufactured this event as a way of ducking out of the two debates scheduled for the rest of October. I'm sorry, but I cannot take seriously a single word that is uttered by a cabal of proven pathological liars. I'd like to know what Dr. Faucci thinks about all of this. Will he be allowed to examine the president? I'd love to know the answer to that one.

His key assistant Hope Hicks, who is with Trump nearly every minute of the day, tested positive for the virus two days ago. Knowing this, he spent several hours yesterday attending an indoor fundraiser at his Jersey golf club. This is the definition of a sociopath, folks. How much more proof do we need?

The fact that this latest spectacle is transpiring before us should come as a surprise to no one who has bothered to pay attention; as a matter of fact it was inevitable. And, again, while I do not wish any harm to come to the man, it is rather amusing to see that karma has come to bite him on his ampule bottom. I get the feeling that he thought that he was immune to the virus for no other reason than the fact that he is, after all, Donald Trump. It was also funny to catch the expressions of smug privilege on the clueless faces of his unmasked kids during the sparsely-attended debate - while nearly everyone else in the hall had their faces covered. I've got a feeling that the entire Trump family will soon find themselves in quarantine - not to mention the entire White House staff. That this is happening during the final month of the most consequential campaign of our lifetimes is an irony wrapped inside an amusement. It's all too weird to even begin to contemplate.

The Age of Donald Trump has been an anxiety-laden period in the life of  America that will take a long time to shake from our consciousness. From Day One it's been akin to a ride through a House of Horrors at any amusement park or county fair; the only difference being that these horrors are very real. Sadly, more horrors appear to be on the horizon. Armed militant groups throughout the country have made no secret of their plans to make potentially lethal trouble if Trump is not reelected on November the third. To make matters worse, The Donald has been encouraging these nitwits to stand vigil at polling places all across the land. This disgusting administration's history to date will be seen as a gentle prologue to what is yet to come. Brace yourselves for the coming shit storm.

The possibilities are grim in every direction. The latest report tells us that the president is now showing symptoms of the virus. As noted on this site yesterday, Trump is seventy-four and is not in particularly good health. If he becomes the ninth president in American history to die in office, the specter of electoral chaos and catastrophe cannot be dismissed lightly.

Since the morning after the election four years ago, I've been saying to everyone who would listen: "This is going to end badly". I think I called that one.

Tom Degan

Goshen, NY

SUGGESTED READING:

This article from The Atlantic website by Mike Gigio was published yesterday. He discusses the militia groups across the land who are proving to be a real threat to the peace and security of the United States. It's a bit long but is essential reading:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/right-wing-militias-civil-war/616473/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&fbclid=IwAR17F1HD-Atf5b9CMhfHEvD9o-Ob1Y3NAWshzfA2zQG7Tgn_-WdytoVNyTc

We live in such interesting times, don't we?

AFTERTHOUGHT:

Usually I write on average between 56 and 60 pieces per year. The one you have just finished reading is Number 87 since January 4 - and the year is only three/quarters over with. Donald Trump inspires a good many things. Writers' Block is not one of them.