Behavior’s expected

Get over it, people! Expecting Donald Trump to apologize for his and his staff ’s disrespect to John McCain is tantamount to expecting Niagara Falls to run upstream or Pope Francis to advocate for euthanasia for an influenza patient.

The worst part is realizing that Trump’s untruths and insulting behavior and language are deliberate and intended to draw attention to himself, and that otherwise intelligent and well-meaning persons fall into his trap. He revels in the bad publicity. Republicans, entrenched in their “for love of party” dogma, often feel obligated to defend him. He finds that the increased polarization in the country makes it unlikely that any collegial approach to America’s needs and programs can occur. Thus, the way is more open for his random, knee- jerk, unprincipled approach to governing.

Until his narcissism is fully recognized and we begin to ignore him and deprive him of the attention he seeks with his childish tantrums and outbursts, the political body of the country will be diverted from its true purpose. As it is, his anti-Obama resentment is setting the stage for wide-ranging economic and environmental problems in our future. His attempts to undo everything he links to President Obama are another reason to curtail his regime.

It is time we treat him as a caring parent would treat a naughty child: Ignore his tantrums, quit using techniques which reinforce his position as center of attention, and prevent him from destroying the peace and welfare of the family. DENNIS A. BERRY

Bryant