Oh, America
As this was written, at least six explosive devices were sent to as many targets in four different locations in the eastern United States. All six targets have, at one time or another, been the subject of harsh verbal attacks by President Donald Trump. What is not being said in the ensuing conversation is that all six targets have just as harshly attacked Trump.
The incident is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism. That none of the bombs exploded is instructive. It could be that there was never any intention to harm but merely to send a message. But that message is not meant for critics and enemies of the president alone. It is a message for all Americans.
And the message is this: Unless the Americans themselves pause and take stock of the situation, the time is not far when this once-great country will eventually end up eating itself up. This incident is a very clear manifestation of that eventuality. At the very least, America right now appears to be trying so hard to shame itself in front of the whole world.
The inevitable demise of America is rooted in its failure to recognize the inherent hypocrisy that underlines much of contemporary American life. And nothing makes this more evident than its continuing failure to accept the product of its very own political system.
At the heart of this hypocritical display is Trump himself. Trump is a product of the American way of life. He was freely elected in a democratically-held election that Americans themselves freely participated in. Yet when he won, a part of America refused to recognize the result. They never for a moment gave Trump a chance to lead.
This resulted in a very divided America. This, of course, is not the first time the country has been divided on anything. But while before America always managed to find a way to reunite and heal the divisions, this time those who caused the rift are doing their best not just to sustain the rift but to in fact widen it.
Just listen to the coverage of CNN about this incident. Instead of reporting objectively, it is openly blaming Trump for inspiring whoever was or were responsible for sending the bombs. And all because Trump, at one time or another, verbally attacked the targets.
What CNN is pointedly avoiding saying is that CNN itself has never let up on its daily attacks against Trump. It is one thing to enjoy press freedom. It is another to relentlessly never give another a chance. That CNN cannot bring itself to admit driving up a one-way street smacks of the acknowledged hypocrisy that is tearing America apart.
‘The inevitable demise of America is rooted in its failure
to recognize the inherent hypocrisy that underlines much of contemporary American life.’