I was recently listening to a song from 1965, Barry McGuire’s Eve of Destruction. The war in Vietnam was being waged, and the Cuban Missile Crisis was just three years in the past. Thinking back on that time period, we would not expect McGuire’s song to be timely to the world in 2021. Yet it is. Scarily so. What I am going to do is relate the words of this classic song and then provide some appropriate commentary.

Eve of Destruction

The Eastern World, it is explodin’. Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’. You’re old enough to kill but not for votin’. You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’. And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’. (Paragraph 1)

But you tell me over and over again my friend. Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction. (Paragraph 2)

Don’t you understand what I’m trying to say? Can’t you feel the fear that I’m feeling today? If the button is pushed, there’s no running away. There’ll be no one to save with the world in a grave. Take a look around you boy, it’s bound to scare you, boy. (Paragraph 3)

But you tell me over and over again, my friend. Ah you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction. (Paragraph 4)

Yeah, my blood’s so mad, feels like coagulatin’. I’m sittin’ here just contemplatin’. I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation. Handful of Senators don’t pass legislation. (Paragraph 5)

And marches alone can’t bring integration. When human respect is disintegratin’. This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’. (Paragraph 6)

And you tell me over and over again my friend. Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction. (Paragraph 7)

Think of all the hate there is in Red China. Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama. Ah, you may leave here for four days in space. But when you return, it’s the same old place. The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace. You can bury your dead but don’t forget to leave a trace. Hate your next door neighbor but don’t forget to say grace. And you tell me over and over and over again my friend. You don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction. You don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.(Paragraph 8)

Now some commentary: In terms of the first paragraph, Asia is still “exploding” as is the Middle East. From Afghanistan to Israel, violence is a regular occurrence. In paragraph 5, the song stresses “truth” and “Senators” that don’t pass legislation. Well, the absence of truth-telling during the last few years is readily evident and the Senate has become almost a vestigial organ in terms of doing any substantive work. The next section (6), highlights the failure to achieve full “integration.” Today, progress, but surely not enough. The final paragraph also refers to “hate,” race relations, and hypocrisy, especially regarding religion. In many ways, today’s America witnesses Christian fundamentalism at its worst, and extremism among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, too often masquerading as “God’s will.” In sum, Barry McGuire’s rendition of a mid-sixties America on the brink of moral and political decay, bears too many similarities to America and the world in 2021 for anyone to feel comfortable.

If the song was written today, I would expect that it would focus on a deadly, pervasive strain in American culture—selfishness. The most incompetent, dangerous, and selfish of American Presidents, Donald Trump, has left echoes of this trait in our selective response to the Covid crisis. Despite the fact that vaccines save lives, millions of Americans remain in denial and refuse to be vaccinated. The spread of the disease to innocents is what I am most concerned about. Vax deniers, in order to protect everyone else, should perhaps gather together and let it all play out. They will likely then not be around to knowingly harm others. Anyone want to write a new song about this newest “Eve of Destruction” that too many are facing?

An old friend of mine from Graduate School used to play drums in a band. He is also a brilliant biologist. When Elvis died in 1978, until today, he remains insistent that Presley’s death is a myth and the singer remains alive. Along with most of the world, I believe to the contrary and don’t expect a miraculous reemergence of Mr. Presley. Credible evidence does not exist otherwise, and most consider the case closed. Hopefully, forty years from now we will not still be debating the “Big Lie” that contends the 2020 Presidential election was rigged.

In the same contentious manner shared by many Americans, debate is already spreading about the cause(s) of the recent tragic building collapse in Florida. Sparked by a 2018 Engineering Study of the structural integrity of the building which highlighted major safety concerns, people are wondering why that information was not widely shared three years ago. But, unlike the absence of credibility regarding affirmations of Elvis’ health and Trump’s “victory,” it is likely that enough plausible information will soon emerge revealing the why a twelve-story building suddenly fell.

With Trump and 2020, the facts are in. Election audits, government reports and reams of data make evident that this election was probably the most secure ever. Yet, thousands, if not millions of people remain convinced that an unelected person is serving as our President. Why? First, stupidity. Remember, there are many Americans who can be too easily convinced that the moon is made of green cheese. Also, an explanation rendered by noted psychiatrist Erich Fromm, in his book ESCAPE FROM FREEDOM, is quite revealing. He argues that individuals do not readily make difficult decisions autonomously. Instead, they seek emotional and practical support from those who can supply easy answers for their problems and concerns. They thus turn to their “Leaders,” be it a Mussolini, Hitler, or Trump. Whether their perceived problems are due to Jews, Socialists, immigrants, or Muslims, they require a person, and/ or group, to blame for their difficulties. They then can shift accountability away from themselves for whatever is problematic. That’s where occurrences such as the “Big Lie” enter the picture.

As with Elvis’ health, Trump, et al have no facts to support their claims, so they must be made up. In Florida, to the contrary, there already are, or will soon be facts to explain a building’s collapse. The truthful explanation may be contentious, but it will likely derive from reality. Other than the actuality of Trump dying his hair, there is little about him that meets the same standard.

In 2024, a Presidential election will be held. In the intervening period between now and then, a political party filled with “Know Nothings” will likely continue to chip away at American democracy. The other party, the Democrats, despite its abysmal failure to FORCEFULLY challenge and confront the political and social evils fostered by the Republicans, still has enough time and opportunity to develop a strategy that does so in a smart and powerful manner. The American experiment in freedom is on the line.

When one examines relations between Israel and the Arab world, the commonly accepted story revolves around a beleaguered David—-Israel—-surviving for the previous seventy-three years against a rapacious Goliath—-the Arab world. But, from 1948 (when Israel was established) to the present day, the story of Israel and its relationship with its Arab neighbors, was often skewed, and not factually reliable. Today, following a renewed round of fighting, this time solely between Israelis and Palestinians, it has become ever-more apparent that both sides are caught in a spiral of hatred and violence that can only end in disaster.

Let’s review the generally accepted version of the basic story: Israel emerged in 1948 from the tragedy of the Holocaust. Enmity between Israel, the Arab world and the British, the latter being the colonial overseer of the territory known as Palestine, was at the level of civil war. Within that territory, battles raged on a daily basis as the newly created United Nations sought to obtain a political settlement. President Truman, meanwhile, sought a diplomatic solution that would create, as recommended by the UN, two states: one for the Jews, another for the Arabs. Jerusalem was to be internationalized. With the Arabs rejecting that formula, Israel successfully emerged from this war for independence. Palestine was divided: a Jewish state, with remaining Arab territory controlled by Jordan. Jerusalem was split in a similar manner.

From then on, four major wars were fought between Arab nations and Israel, along with many significant outbreaks of violence. Diplomatic interference by the United States, the Soviet Union, England and France sometimes produced small initiatives that advanced the peace process, but no comprehensive settlement has been achieved. Along the way, Israel became a military powerhouse; the Palestinians have secured divided administrative control over parts of the West Bank and the entire Gaza Strip.

In 2015, despite countless warnings coming from American Jews and Israeli officials, Israeli Prime Minister “Bibi” Netanyahu accepted an invitation by Republican leadership to travel to Washington and address Congress. President Obama was purposely ignored and the visit proceeded on schedule. The Prime Minister was in the midst of fighting American sponsorship of a nuclear agreement with Iran. So, Bibi put aside the strong possibility of destroying Israel’s bipartisan American support and went ahead with the visit. Since then, Israel has been perceived by countless Americans as a tool of the Republican Party and, especially, its Trumpian wing.

Also emerging in the United States was extraordinary support for Israel among Evangelical Christians. In fact, Israeli political leadership often leans in their direction over the advice of powerful segments of American Jewry. This will, eventually, be a disaster for those trying to sustain a democratic Israel that seeks to make peace with the Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution.

Is there hope? Just maybe. A few weeks ago, political patterns began to shift; a new paradigm in Israeli politics and relations with the United States has emerged. Israel now has a new Prime Minister—Naftali Bennett.

After nearly fifteen years in office, Bibi fought to remain in power. Obviously, he lost that effort. Like his fellow would-be dictator, Donald Trump, the process of keeping him permanently displaced won’t be easy. But at this point, removal was key.

While both in the U.S., and Israel, political change is necessary if democracy is to avoid severe damage, their respective foreign policies will likely shift significantly as their political elites move in and out of power. With Israel, the growing power of its secular and religious rightists means an equitable settlement with the Palestinians is unlikely. (Remember, Israel’s new Prime Minister is more obstinate on this issue than Bibi: he remains opposed to a two-state solution and favors annexation of the West Bank). And in the United States, American support for Israeli policies are shrinking. Especially affected are younger American Jews whose traditional liberalism has encompassed support for Palestinian rights. These beliefs are deeply felt and must be accommodated by political elites in both countries if American Jews are to remain a powerful voting bloc for the Jewish state. Israel’s strength and ultimate survival may depend upon it. An Israel perceived as an apartheid-like state by much of the world is a recipe for continued political and social turmoil. Isolation and global opprobrium will result and likely become an existential threat.

In the mid-1850’s, a nativist political party and movement arose in America. Members were largely Protestant and believed that Catholic immigrants were conspiring—according to Wikipedia—to “subvert native-born Protestants” in what they described as “defense of their traditional religious and political values.” Jews were also identified as their enemies.

This party was called “Know-Nothing,” but not due to their ignorance. Rather, members were instructed, when asked about the party, to say “they knew nothing.” Later on, towards the end of their political viability, they called themselves the “American Party.”

Party membership was largely restricted to “White, Anglo-Saxon Males.” Females were told they could best serve the country by taking care of their children and having more of them.

By 1855, the “Know-Nothings” had elected thousands of local officials, including eight Governors, 43 House Members, and five U.S. Senators. In office, they were largely unsuccessful in passing any significant legislation. They sought literacy and other voting tests to restrict “undesirables” from voting. Thankfully, by 1859, their influence was on the wane. Although originally aligned with the Whig Party, remaining members moved to the newly formed Republican Party. Immigrants, as expected, supported the Democratic Party.

If the above seems familiar, it is because those Americans who seem most like their “Know-Nothing” predecessors, are now known as “Republicans.” One caveat, most of today’s Republicans, and probably all their leaders, really do KNOW-NOTHING.

Today’s Republicans (i.e. Know-Nothings), support Big Lie(s), especially regarding the reality of their collective losses in the 2020 election cycle. Despite what they argue, Trump was not the victor in 2020 nor did innumerable states suffer voter fraud. Also, the cure for Covid-19 is not bleach, nor other home remedies, despite Trump’s insistence that they can be safely used. Further, Derek Chauvin was not wrongly convicted for killing George Floyd nor was ANTIFA responsible for recent civil unrest. Mexicans are not, as Trump contended, “rapists and killers” anymore then you can single out any ethnic group for its miscreants. In fact, the foremost danger to American society is Donald Trump and his band of fools (i.e. Republicans). Two hundred years of American democracy, and relative political and economic stability, are threatened by this thug and his supporters. Eighty years ago, a similar set of individuals was enraptured with another candidate for political office. His name was Adolf Hitler and we remember ( I hope), what he wrought.

Keep at it so-called Republicans. Your behavior and rhetoric indicates that most of you “know-nothing.” You bring only disgrace to yourselves and the country. What a shameful epitaph!

In 1964, Kitty Genovese, a 28 year-old bartender, was stabbed-to-death outside her place of residence in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York. This was not a quiet or invisible “crime-in-progress.” 38 bystanders watched passively as Ms. Genovese was attacked. Unfortunately, in America 2021, such indifference to violence and human life remains.

A few weeks ago, an Asian woman was physically struck and pushed to the ground in Manhattan. At least three people witnessed the attack. None tried to assist the victim. Similar episodes of apathy and indifference have recently occurred throughout the nation.

In terms of the latter, publicly sanctioned racism, Covid-vaccine avoidance, voter suppression, and a problematic legal system, are major, growing challenges that we face as a nation. At the same time, public and private disinterest in one another, alongside toxic public actions and policies, are eroding civility and personal responsibility in American society.

Surely, well before Donald Trump became President, our society was breaking-down. In the years following civil rights and Vietnam era activism, we have moved, as a nation, to new levels of racism, and lack of personal respect. We have taken the notion of “Me Firstism” to heightened degrees of selfishness and irresponsibility.

Today, in America, the political party of Abraham Lincoln has been seized by individuals who spout and practice “White Supremacy.” Think about it. Seventy-one million Americans voted for a hateful, bigoted individual, more concerned about political victory than individual lives, to be their President. Medical professionals have testified that Trump and his administration’s indifference to science cost the lives of at least 400,000 Americans. Purposeful lying, lack of compassion, and sheer incompetence were accessories to this disaster.

If Trump had been re-elected, climate upheaval, intensified racism, the dismissal of science and, ultimately, rule by pseudo-fascists, was what we had to look forward to. An “America First” foreign policy was leading us towards war in Asia. At home, civil unrest was becoming the pattern of everyday life.

Americans, in vast majorities, believe in sane gun laws, yet the Republicans say no. People support policies–from climate science to economic equity–that improve lives. Again, Republicans say no. Their displays of ignorance, lack of humanity, and absence of moral responsibility for their actions, is breathtaking. Will most Americans continue to respond to this rationally, primarily at the ballot-box, along with peaceful protest? Or, will the response also be inflamed rhetoric and actions that further damage our democracy? I don’t have ready answers.

I am writing this post shortly after the conviction of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, for the murder of George Floyd, an African-American citizen of that city. The media has repeatedly noted how different things may have turned-out if a young, Black teenager had not decided to become involved and record the scene as Mr. Floyd’s life was drained from him by Officer Chauvin. Unfortunately, as was the case with Kitty Genovese, the victim’s life was not saved. But, with Mr. Floyd, people did bear witness. For the future, questions remain as to lessons learned and the depth of real concern we share for each other.

I have related this story before: In mid-winter of 1946, President Truman was beset with international crises. World War II had ended less than a year earlier; Europe was in economic and political unrest precipitated by the Soviet Union and communist insurgents; Palestine was in the midst of near civil war between Jews and Arabs. At home, refugees from Hitler’s Europe sought entry to the United States and, especially, American support for admission into Palestine.

At a Cabinet meeting that February, Truman had to face the issue of American backing for a Jewish State in Palestine despite Arab and British opposition (The British had been the occupying power in the area since the end of World War I). In turn, the Zionist movement–both in the United States and Europe–was lobbying hard for American sponsorship of displaced refugees. In reference to those pressures, the Cabinet was sarcastically asked by the President, “If Jesus Christ couldn’t satisfy them here on earth, how the hell am I supposed to?” The then Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, responded by noting America’s strong need for Arab oil and, consequently, the need to support the Arabs. Truman shot-back: “I don’t care about the oil. I want to do what’s right.” In the President’s mind, doing “what’s right” would be both compassionate and smart; solving the refugee problem would be the key to ending unrest in the area, making it less susceptible to the kinds of violence that could draw into the political vacuum, America’s enemies.

Today, following the damage wrought to our security by the previous administration, President Biden appears to understand the importance of maintaining and enhancing American values in the quest for national security. In his handling of the pandemic, immigration, racism, criminal justice, etc., Biden has made compassion a key element of the policy formulation process.

Like Truman, Biden was raised in a working-class household constantly worried about finances. The respective families were also religious in the best sense of the word. Years later, when about to enter the United States Senate, Joe was struck with family tragedy—the death of his wife and baby daughter in a horrendous auto accident that also left his two young sons badly hurt. More recently, his adult son Beau died from brain cancer. Thankfully, instead of turning bitter, Biden’s political life was shaped by these tragedies into displays of empathy and concern whenever he had to make key decisions on relevant issues.

What does this have to do with American security? Everything. In policymaking, the past is almost always a vital guide to determining future action. By bringing empathy to that process, decision-makers continue to follow an American political tradition of promoting justice, equality and decency as central to our domestic and foreign policies. In turn, attempting to “do what’s right” has been a primary component of Biden’s approach to the pandemic, as witnessed by the already approved American Cares Act. At least on paper, one would expect to see actions on improving America’s infrastructure, voting and human rights, refugees, etc., replicated on an international scale consistent with the development of a moral, just, and salutary foreign policy for the United States. This President, thankfully, behaves in the manner of Harry Truman, not our Chuckles the Clown former President.

Trump escaped conviction in his two impeachment trials. But, he was guilty of incitement, insurrection and much more. He committed treason and should be judged accordingly. He is a serially corrupt. Unfortunately, his character was shaped at an early age by a racist, anti-Semitic father. We are all paying the price.

For the ex-president, his three oldest children and his acolytes (e.g. Rudy Giuliani), their evil natures and “overweening ambitions” (Macbeth’s best known feature), catalyzes all else. Trump remains Satanic in every sense of the term. Most of those involved in helping him attempt to secure his goals are absent a moral code and are “Enablers” in the Hitlerian sense of the term. They remain willing to do as he asks for their respective benefit and to satisfy their ambition. How do we confront this challenge?

The media may play the biggest role. The former president loves attention and is a dictionary definition of a narcisist. Perhaps, we should, unless the issue or event is of truly major importance, just ignore him. Twitter has decided to do so, and he is, thankfully, slowly disappearing from the daily political discourse. Let’s leave it to his fringe media enablers at Fox, Newsmax, et al to broadcast his lies. His base won’t believe CNN or MSNBC, so why pay him any attention? Also, let the written press deal with the untruths when analysis is necessary; otherwise, why provide the con-man with any audience for his cons?

The Justice Department, as well as every government entity throughout the 50 states that can find a reason to institute a legal proceeding against the former President and his tottering empire, should do so. Already, New York, Georgia and the feds are proceeding apace on this front. Hopefully, we can so occupy Trump’s time and resources, that he has little time to play attention to politics. The country may get lucky and Trump is convicted of something.

While Trump is ego-centric in practice, the problems he presents too often remain existential in result. His hands are no longer on the nuclear trigger, but he and his followers can cause catastrophic damage now and into the future. Remember what we so recently faced: the United States was headed towards an autocracy led by amoral, selfish grifters. The President was interested solely in his own advancement, strutted like Mussolini, and advanced policies that benefitted Putin’s Russia.

Today, an America under new leadership must deal with massive problems evaded and caused by Trump. Over 500,000 Americans have sacrificed their lives to an incompetent, uncaring President who made sure he, his family, and their acolytes received superb medical care while the rest of us received treatment centered on availability, affordability, status and luck. The message was clear: Others can handle Covid. We have more important things to do (like playing golf). Does anyone really want more of this?

Remember Albert Speer, Hitler’s Architect and Armaments Minister? Historians consider him one of the worst of the Nazi leadership. Unlike the Nazi sycophants, at his trial Speer admitted that “he knew better.” Well, Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator, Graduate of Stanford and Yale, sedition leader and enabler of Donald Trump, is our latest disgusting example of those who sell themselves to Satan (i.e. Donald Trump), for the sake of perceived political and career enhancement. There are many others—Ted Cruz, Maryland’s own Congressman Andy Harris, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Guliani, etc., but Hawley helped lead and instigate the horror and spectacle of the “Insurrection” of January 6th.

It is vital to understand why educated individuals like Hawley are so dangerous. Robert McNamara, the former Secretary of Defense for most of the American involvement in Vietnam, admitted his “guilt” for exactly that reason: he knew what was happening in Vietnam and understood its implications for the United States and the people of Southeast Asia. He publicly observed, on numerous occasions later on in his life, that “war crimes” were being committed by his country in Vietnam.

Hawley, Cruz et al, attached themselves to Donald Trump’s “big lies” for their own ambition(s). They were afraid of alienating Trump supporters as they moved ahead in their political careers. Their ultimate goal: the Presidency. They must be stopped. We know where “over-weaning ambition” (thank you William Shakespeare), can lead. They are smart (unlike Trump), which makes them even more dangerous.

Buffoons like Rudy Giuliani also exist and they must be challenged. But, we must focus on the enablers. Accountability is necessary. For the Nazis, the war crimes trials in Nuremberg following the war provided education for the masses. In turn, those committing capital offenses were executed following their trials. Mercy should never be granted to those not remorseful. Think about it: at least half-a-million Americans will have died from Covid-19. Thousands surely would have been saved if Trump deferred to the scientists. Additionally, there are at least 500 children who remain separated from their families because of Trump’s immigration policies. His Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and policy adviser Stephen Miller, also deserve much of the blame on this one. To separate children from their families is definitively a “crime against humanity.” To date, no-one has been held accountable.

What about all of us? Racism, greed, and stupidity was and remains rampant throughout Trump’s voting base. Everyone acting on those traits is responsible. Too many behaved like the “Good Nazis” of Hitler’s Germany. Here, too, those of you who “knew better,” know who you are. At the minimum, apologies are in order. Public repentance is salutary, but I don’t expect this to happen. Remember, if Trump and his cohorts had succeeded, American democracy would be on life-support, and it would be likely that our futures would have been filled with with Hawley, Cruz, and many other Trump-like creatures filling our highest political offices. Elections would—as the “Big Lies” of 2020 demonstrated, not have been necessary; we would just rely on the Enablers and Insurrectionists amongst us. Remember, Hitler was elected leader of his party democratically. Within months, he became “Chancellor for Life” and freedom for Germany was gone.

Thanks to Trump no one can say “It can’t happen here.” Remember that.

It’s eight weeks since Liberation Day (better known as Election Day). Thankfully, we are immersed in the political and legal removal of Donald Trump from office. Over the coming months, there will be much to explain and explore.

While Political Scientists et al are studying why the polls were wrong in many states, we have only recently learned about the ethnic and religious breakdown of voter support. Remarkably, around 30% of the Hispanic community voted for a man who, on the day he began his campaign, called them “rapists,” “drug dealers,” and “criminals.” Also, while it has not become that unusual for a Republican to secure about 25-30% of the Jewish vote, Trump was and is a different-type candidate: an exploiter of racial and religious division with a long family history of anti-Semitism. Thus, for both the Hispanic and Jewish communities, Trump is not the obvious “chosen” candidate. Is this a mere aberration in voting patterns, or a fundamental shift in political behavior?

In general, I have argued in other posts that Americans voted for Trump in 2016 for three primary reasons: racism, ignorance, and greed. Jews and Hispanics fit into that explanation, but why in such large numbers?

Both groups live in many different parts of the country and have been quite mobile over the years. With Puerto Ricans residing primarily (within the continental United States) on the East Coast, their significant presence in Florida and Nevada has been a relatively new development. Mexican-Americans can be found throughout the West Coast, the Southwest and Gulf States. Cubans have been a major segment of Florida’s populace since the 1960’s. Residents from other nations in Latin America are scattered among the 50 states.

Jews, since the late 1800’s, have settled primarily on the East Coast and in major cities throughout the country. With assimilation a major factor, they nevertheless tend to vote Democratic, especially for President, and usually by at least a 3-1 margin. But, never before did they knowingly vote for an overt racist, especially in such large numbers. Why? The simplistic explanation is that they are comfortable with someone who has a Jewish son-in-law and Jewish grandchildren. I would contend you need to probe deeper for an answer. Racism, and especially greed, are more likely explanations. Countless numbers of Jews have forgotten their pasts as victims of massive oppression. Also, too many have demonstrated increased avarice along with rising wealth.

The American Jewish community has done well for itself economically, yet have too often forgotten the biblical mandate “to repair the world.” Support for Donald Trump is an inexcusable result.

For Hispanics, it is important not to overgeneralize their voting behavior. Voters of Cuban and Venezuelan heritage supported Trump in higher numbers than other Hispanics. Identification with anti-Communism (despite Trump’s love affair with Putin, they haven’t forgotten Castro and Chavez), is an obvious explanation. For Puerto Rican and other Trump supporters, those who voted for him regardless of his racism, probably did so because of a sharing of views on such religiously-charged issues as abortion and same-sex marriage. I am at a loss for other significant explanations.

Clearly, the 2020 Presidential election will be studied for years to come. Based upon the data available so far, with 74 million people voting for Trump, the need to improve education, especially in the areas of diversity and tolerance in, would be a good beginning. Remember, these people voted for a con-man and easily identifiable racist. Thus, the American future, based upon the probable reappearance of a similar candidate (Ted Cruz or Josh Hawley for example), leaves me with little optimism. Biden has his work cut-out for him.

A certain segment of the Evangelical Community believes that Donald Trump is the “Lord’s Messenger,” sent to help implement “God’s mandate” regarding such issues as abortion and same-sex marriage.

To my mind, if Trump was elected to serve any purpose, it is at the behest of a different entity—the Devil. Mr. Trump has been responsible for making a pandemic worse, with increased sickness and death as a result. His policies and actions have left parents without their children (initially imprisoned in cages) and, in over 500 cases, still not reunited with their loved ones. Muslims, Hispanics, and the Black and Brown communities have also been subject to his racist taunts and policies. He has even belittled the handicapped. I could go on, by why do so?

It is a few days before the election. Most minds are made up. If any of you plan on voting for Trump, remember that you are helping to legitimize evil. For this blogpost, enough said. Your future and that of your loved ones are really in your hands. The last four years are not the scariest Stephen King story ever written. It’s real.

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