My Response to Clarence Page. RE: Democrats, beware Trump Derangement Syndrome

[Martin Eden]

Clarence Page is a regularly featured columnist in the Chicago Tribune. I almost always agree with him, but I just had to write him an email objecting to his criticism of Democrats at Trump's State of the Union speech.

Here is the link to Page's column, and some excerpts. My letter to him follows.

[link:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-trump-derangement-democrats-0204-20180202-story.html|

--snip--
After President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address, I am ready to send a version of Horowitz’s message to congressional Democrats. As I used to hear an old Chicago Democratic ward boss say: Don’t get mad, get smart.
--snip--
But consider the congressional Democrats who decided to sit silently and look visibly displeased throughout the speech, even when it touched on issues or developments of which they approved — such as a record dip in black unemployment. The Democrats are understandably displeased that Trump brags about that statistic as if it reflects a trend that started on his watch, when it actually began in 2011 under Obama.
--snip--
But, ah, it is not the facts or ideas that make a difference in the political impact of major events. It is the optics. As long as Trump is seen by his supporters and persuadable moderates as reaching out to other races and standing up for America, the details don’t matter. It’s how people feel about you that counts. In his mastery of those “instincts,” as Trump likes to explain, he comes closest to Ronald Reagan, the nation’s only other president to come from the entertainment industry.
--snip--
But, as long as the option is available, Democrats, don’t let Trump Derangement Syndrome stop you. You owe it to yourselves and your constituents to work with this president as much as you would want Republicans to work with the next Democratic president.

My email to Clarence Page:
Dear Clarence,

I like your columns but I have to take issue with your criticism of Democrats attending Trump's SOTU speech. The term "derangement syndrome" is accurately applied when words and actions demonstrate extreme hyperbole and animosity out of touch with reality.

Such is not the case with a refusal to stand and applaud a pathological liar whose word can never be taken at face value. Donald Trump is a petty vindictive malignant narcissist who is trying to undermine the civic institutions upon which our democracy depends. His attacks on our free press, judiciary, intelligence services, and law enforcement are a threat and a dangerous trend which must never be accepted or normalized.

I would have been furious at any Democrat who applauded this speech at any point, even when words from the teleprompter echoed their own position on an issue. As we saw at the meeting preceding the government shutdown, this POTUS can invite a compromise then completely reverse course with vile "shithole" comments. He has shown his true colors on multiple occasions. The Dems would be fools to dance like puppets on his string with applause for words which should not for one moment be trusted.

Was their displeased silence "bad optics?" Perhaps, but I'll take sincere conviction over hypocrisy or falling for the lies of a con man. There is wisdom in the admonishment to get smart, not mad. Optics and public perception are important, but I submit it is bad optics at a much deeper level to applaud a president who undermines our democracy and may very well be criminally complicit with a foreign adversary. His refusal to implement sanctions overwhelmingly passed by Congress would be a major scandal in any other administration -- as should be his release of a highly partisan and misleading memo with classified material, against the advice of the FBI and Justice Dept.

The truly bad optics here are the rousing applause for this president and Republican collusion in undermining a criminal investigation involving an assault on our elections by a foreign adversary.

The Republicans do not hesitate to play hardball on every issue, not giving an inch. I do not suggest the Democrats should embrace lies and abandon principles as their opponents do, but neither should they or any pundit who understands the high stakes give credence to this narrative criticizing a lack of applause for a dangerous demagogue.

Even if an impulse to do so arises from a sense of being fair and balanced, it is not being smart or helpful in the struggle to overcome the damage being done to our Republic. We are heading towards a Constitutional crisis. Please don't carry water unless it is to help put out the flames.

[louis-t]

1. It will be a long time before repugs "work with" Democrats.

I say, fuck them. Don't even try to act like you are falling for their bullshit. Charlie Brown, meet Lucy. And her football.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. GOP is not a political party anymore, they are a group of white supremacist males

who seek to turn us into a version of Nazi Germany.

Not all of them, but enough of them to make their party no longer a viable political party.

Were they just dedicated to giving EVERY penny to their masters and eliminating the middle class, which has been their goal for decades, then dealing with them would be possible, not fun but possible.

But their agenda is first and foremost to assure white supremacy, and for that reason they are not a political party but are a sort of domestic terrorist organization.

[Martin Eden]

7. The Republican Party needs to crash and burn.

Only after crushing defeat can it possibly be rebuilt into something resembling an ethical political party.

[woodsprite]

2. Excellent response!!! n/t

[kentuck]

4. +1000

clap: :

[mountain grammy]

5. Great response. Much more reasoned and rational than mine.

which would be, Dear Clarence, STFU you damned fool.

[Martin Eden]

8. Thank You

The important thing is that we speak up and speak our minds.

[NewJeffCT]

6. great response

thank you for taking the time to write it.

[PJMcK]

9. Great letter, Martin!

You've articulated your thoughts with excellence and they mirror my own.

Let us know if you get a response.

[smirkymonkey]

10. Excellent response!

Well done!

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Nicely Done, Martin

I too have been a long time fan of Clarence, but i agree with your assessment on this matter.

[jalan48]

12. Great Response-keep Trump's past behavior at the forefront and not forgotten.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. Excellent!

May it reach many.

[spanone]

14. the republicans NEVER applauded for Obama....this is horseshit.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. I am usually of the mindset

that we should never stoop to acting like Republicans but we haven't had such a crass and blatantly offensive person in the WH in my lifetime, be they Republican or be they Democrat. I don't really care if Democrats were sitting on their hands during SOTU, playing Candy Crush, or even absent from the SOTU given the present circumstances.

[spanone]

18. .. this is pretty standard fair for the always highly partisan SOTU speech

but donald wouldn't know that cause he's not a politician...

[dchill]

15. Regardless of reputation, only a fool normalizes Trump's...

Derangement, which is what Clarence Page has just done.

[rainin]

16. Thank you!

We should never normalize what is not normal. Critics will always criticize. Our refusal to applaud sent a message to the world that we are not standing for this. We are fighting to right this ship.