No one wins in this war of words
There is a hackneyed phrase that begins, “Words are weak tools ...” They may be weak tools when using them in an attempt to convey someone’s overwhelming appreciation for an act of kindness … or in praising someone for a monumental accomplishment.
But, in other arenas, they can be the most powerful forces known to man.
Take, for instance, the political arena.
Look at the case of two men … from very similar backgrounds … working at an accomplished level of the same occupation … even from the same home state. Each makes a onesentence statement and the entire country erupts emotionally. With opposite reactions. Forming anger-fueled confrontational armies.
President Donald Trump, who drew a lot of attention with many things that he said during his historic path to the White House, had one particular phrase that stirred the emotions.
“Make America Great Again,” became the buzzphrase for an astonishing alliance of Americans who were particularly dissatisfied with the course their country had taken during the previous eight years … and with the state of American political affairs, in general.
President Barack Obama began his first term in office by traveling the world on an “apology tour.” It turned into a major burr under the saddle of many Americans who admit their country’s shortcomings but still saw it as a shining leader of the Free World. They rallied behind Trump’s slogan.
At the same time, Trump’s signature phrase infuriated those on the Left, who believed passionately in the words of then presidential candidate Obama, who pronounced a goal of “fundamentally transforming the United States of America.” The mention of returning to anything from the past was cause for hysteria on the Left.
One simple sentence. Two very opposite reactions.
Fast forward to earlier this month. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was giving a speech at an event titled Fighting for New York Women and Girls. He began with a reference to Trump’s calling card, saying, “We’re not going to make America great again. It was never that great.”
He continued by citing examples from the past of unequal treatment of women. Was he just pandering to his audience … or revealing a deep-seated loathing of the country that many Americans love?
The reaction from the Conservative side of America was vitriolic … though not quite reaching the levels of hysteria that Trump has been able to inspire among his haters.
Marc Molinaro, the Republican candidate for New York governor who will oppose the liberal incumbent in November, said that Cuomo “owes the nation an apology.”
Former George W. Bush presidential press secretary Dana Perino said Cuomo’s comments were the exact opposite of his late father, former New York governor Mario Cuomo. In his 1984 Democratic National Convention speech the elder Cuomo characterized America as “a magnificent mosaic.”
Now we are left with a verbal duel between the two men who have inspired such visceral reactions with the use of a single sentence.
President Trump targeted his antagonist by saying during a rally, “Any politicians who get up and say that our country was never great … You heard that? … I think that’s the end of their career.”
Governor Cuomo lashed back at his fellow resident of Queens by saying, “New Yorkers know who you are, President Trump, and we look forward to seeing to it that you find a new line of work.”
Two elected officials, engaged in a war of words. Each hoping the other loses his job. There is no chance of this disagreement ever reaching a civil level.
Words may be weak tools for some … but not in the hands of extremely powerful people.
Tony Leodora is president of TL Golf Services, host of the weekly GolfTalk Live radio show on WNTP 990-AM and host of the Traveling Golfer television show — as well as editor of GolfStyles magazine. He is former sports editor of The Times Herald. Send comments to tlgolfservices@aol.com.