Don’t be consumed by hate like Trump

FRIDAY will see a lot going on, whatever the state of the government by then.

Thousands will be coaching to London to join a self-righteous ‘Trump not welcome here’ rally, complete with a Baby Trump blimp flying overhead, resulting in photographs that will guarantee media coverage. Count the pictures on Saturday and see it on Friday night.

But it won’t just be there. Here in Manchester there’s a demo in Albert Square from 5.30 to 7pm, called by a partnership including unions and the council. People can expect speeches from Pat Karney, a DJ, Mexican singers and dancers and banners, placards and many of the same mind about the president.

Whether Councillor Karney can keep Trump’s tweeting helicopter out of our airspace as he is carried up to his property in Scotland from his audience with the Queen in Windsor I don’t know.

Manchester has portrayed itself as a city of peace and a nuclear free local authority. It’s also proud of welcoming migrants and refugees and promoting anti-sexism. So it’s not surprising the city fathers find this an easy cause to support.

But like it or not, this misogynist, egocentric, hateful fantasist is the elected president of the United States, elected by millions and challenging norms and tired attitudes that have alienated many.

Bernie Sanders also gained support for being different and not like Hillary Clinton was, one of the old political establishment. And, like it or not, he is a human being.

Many will turn out and for some it will be their first political demonstration. Some will be embarrassed and many will watch these goings on but feel they don’t do politics. Go these people, we need the saying that all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

And others will be tied up elsewhere. I’ve been invited to fly a kite and fish for crabs by the seaside in celebration of my granddaughter’s third birthday.

Do we help ourselves and others by behaving no better than he does in depersonalising, dehumanising and being consumed by hate for people he perceives as different?

Some things are important. S. Donson, Chorlton