Republic editorial:
The past few days offer two examples of how to protest this president; one was right, but one was very wrong
Griffin’s stunt is an example of the wrong way to protest the president.
Hey, Trump opponents: Here’s a primer. Getting active in local politics? Good. Posing on video with what looks like the president’s severed head? Not good. It’s a shame we have to point that out. Even in these politically volatile times, standards still matter. In fact, they matter more than ever. Critics of Donald Trump who take the low road are his useful idiots.
They lose credibility and play into his narrative about being the victim. They provide him with a distraction from the very serious questions about the involvement of his son-in-law and his campaign with Russia.
Bad-taste commentary, such as Kathy Griffin’s video with what looks like the president’s severed head, debases America.
Sure. She apologized, offering a second video to say: “I went way too far. The image is too disturbing. I understand how it offends people.” Too far? No kidding. Ironically, it is Trump’s own contribution to lowering the standards on civil discourse that has his opponents upset. But we aren’t playing limbo, people. In these days of endless stimulation and social media one-upmanship, getting noticed is a goal in itself. Controversy gets attention. The outrageous gets clicks, likes and shares. That’s no excuse. The pushback over Griffin’s subterranean tour of the offensive is hopeful sign. She was shamed into apologizing. What’s more, Squatty Potty, a Utahbased bathroom-products company, issued a statement Tuesday saying it had suspended an ad campaign featuring Griffin, according to the Associated Press.
Fill in your own punch line.
But don’t lose focus on what’s happening to our country.
Trump is rightly criticized for being too small for the big job of being president of the United States. A lot of people believe the country is being poorly led. They should also know better than to stoop to being offensive just to show how offended they are. That brings us to another model. A recent report in the Arizona Capitol Times attributes a surge in the number of Democratic precinct committeemen to one man: Donald Trump.
The number of Democratic PCs is up more than 1,000 since August, the Cap Times story says.
This represents increased interest in impacting politics at the local level, getting out the vote and making a difference.
Although statewide voter registration still favors the GOP, and Maricopa County remains solidly Republican, Democrats are using discontent over Trump as an organizing tool.
They are showing that they believe in the system enough to use it to amplify their voices.
That’s how free people act on their political beliefs, exercise their constitutional rights and express their political differences.
There has been a great deal said and written about how Trump has coarsened our politics and cheapened the presidency. He continues to demonstrate the need for a booster seat as he sits in the Oval Office.
But this isn’t just about him. This presidency also challenges Trump’s opponents to follow the advice of Mahatma Gandhi and be the change they wish to see in the world.
Resistance is a good way to oppose an increasingly unpopular president. Wallowing in bad taste is not. So we salute those who have contributed to a surge in involvement in local Democratic politics. We invite the Republicans and other parties to follow suit.
And we have pity for those who aim their protests so low that they discredit themselves.
Even in these strange times — especially in these strange times — standards still matter.