Why Are You Surprised?

If I did not view the present administration as one of the most dangerous and despicable administrations ever in our 200-year American experiment in democracy, I would be laughing uncontrollably at some of the reactions of those who voted for and those of us who voted against Mr. Trump.  I would be laughing at those who seem so surprised that President Trump would fire acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates hours after she announced that the Justice Department would not defend his controversial executive order temporarily banning all refugees and travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.   He bragged that he would “fire” people—why are you surprised? (Yes, folks, the President of the US does appoint the Attorney General and can “fire” the Attorney General.  And more than that, the president can determine that a prosecution by the Atty. Gen. might undermine our national security and order that prosecution not go forward).    Check out on social media what Jeff Sessions (appointed and awaiting senate confirmation to be the new Attorney General) asked Sally Yates when she was being confirmed.  He meant, of course, that she should say “no” to President Obama.  I wonder if Jeff Sessions will say “no” to Donald Trump? 

Why are you surprised about the immigration ban over the weekend?  Mr. Trump told you this is what he was going to do. The president has power under federal law to “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens” if he sees them as “detrimental” to the national interests.  (The same law, however, says, “no person shall receive any preference or priority or be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person’s race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence,” but why are you surprised that this part of the law is being ignored?)  Mr. Trump repeatedly during his campaign ignored the First Amendment rights of those who opposed him and he continues to do so as president.  This is no secret! It has not been hidden and it is not hidden from any of us now. You should not be surprised.  He has called those who did not vote for him illegals, opponents, enemies, and the press as “dishonest” and most recently his “buddy” Bannon has said that the new administration sees the press as “the opposition.”  Why are you surprised?

Some people have been so surprised by the fact that Paul Ryan and other congressional leaders have not reacted negatively to the recent immigration ban (and all the other stuff).  Why are you so surprised?  Didn’t you see  Ryan, Cruz, McConnell and so many others (Romney, Perry) tucking in their tails during the campaign, and then snuggling up when Mr. Trump became the president-elect?)

Do you know anything about human nature?  Have you ever read the Bill of Rights or the Constitution?  Have you ever paid any attention at all to history?  Did you really listen to Mr. Trump during his campaign?  Why are you surprised?  I wish I could laugh at the varied reactions, but I cannot—instead, I cry.