FLASH
Shkruar nga Colbert I. King
Why does Donald Trump's sense of morality matter?
Donald Trump's presidency is a moral issue. Naturally, his actions and behavior as president are subject to the political process. However, his values and sense of right and wrong are another matter. Trump's beliefs matter. So does his behavior.
The Reagan National Airport tragedy, where 67 people died when an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided, brought no immediate "Republican" or "Democratic" response. In fact, no response was required or expected. Politics has no place in an accident.
But Trump is different. He used a press conference to baselessly blame his Democratic predecessors, despite acknowledging that the cause of the crash was still unknown.
Where are his values? His sense of right and wrong? The first responders working selflessly on the scene. The troops in the Potomac. Families torn apart by grief. Did Trump know it was the wrong time for a president to strike below the belt?
Compare his reaction to the grand words and compassion of President Ronald Reagan for the bombing of Pan American 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988, which killed 270 people. Reagan said, “ I know that America and the world mourn the loss of these wonderful people. And I ask that all of our citizens offer a special prayer this Christmas for those who have felt the pain of those losses. May God be with them .” And he wisely left questions about the cause for another moment. Other presidents have performed with similar grace in difficult times, guided by shared values. What about Trump?
On the first day of his second stint in the White House, Trump attended the interfaith prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, which was held the day after the inauguration. Traditionally, the Episcopal Church service has been a moment of prayer for the nation and elected leaders.
That Tuesday morning, the Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, delivered a sermon in a tone and manner that many of us have grown accustomed to hearing. She also used the occasion to preach a message of mercy. Budde said, in her words to Trump: “ In the name of our Lord, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are afraid right now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families. Some who fear for their lives. The people who harvest our crops and clean our offices, who work on poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash dishes after we eat in restaurants, and who work the night shift in hospitals. They may not be American citizens or they may not have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals .”
For them, Budde again asked Trump to "have mercy ."
But the President lashed out at Social Truth, calling Budden a " so-called Bishop " and " a hard-line hater of Trump's radical left ... who brought her church into the world of politics ." " She was mean in tone, and not persuasive or smart. And not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology! " Trump demanded.
Trump, by the way, has a history of using the word "nasty" on people he doesn't like, especially female public figures.
The bishop’s convictions were based on Scripture and the policies of Episcopal Church leaders. Neither Budde nor the church owe Trump an apology for calling for mercy. Mercy shapes their faith. People committed to bringing equality and opportunity to the workplace are also shaped by their sense of mercy. It reflects values. / Adapted from “Pamphlet” by “Wshington Post”
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