Apocalypse, Now

Sadly, it seems pretty definite that Mitt Romney won’t be challenging Clinton/Trump.  But he also won’t be voting for either of them:

“Mitt Romney says Donald Trump will change America with ‘trickle-down racism'”

He’s right, of course.  The president isn’t merely the chief executive; he (or, now, she) is a symbol.  The president both manages the federal government  and lays wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The president is both head of state (in other systems, this is the king, queen, or president) and head of government (in other systems, the prime minister).

Millions of school children look up to the president, admire the president, seek to emulate the president.

Mrs. Clinton will at least be a symbol for young girls of what they might achieve.  Mr. Trump will be a symbol of . . .  There are many things that he represents.

I’m deeply sad that Mr. Romney, the one man with the name-recognition, network, integrity, gravitas, and preparation to mount a serious challenge at this late time, will not be doing so.

I know that the prospects of victory are and were slight.  Nonetheless, I think that there was a shot, that it was worth the effort, and that it’s a historic opportunity missed:

“Trumpeters, Fuzzballs, and Fury”

By the end of a vicious presidential race, as I expect this one to be, scores of millions of Americans will recognize how unappetizing both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump are.  I’m quite confident that, by early November, many of them will be yearning for an alternative.  But there will be none.  The one judged to be least loathsome will win.

I really think an independent candidacy could have been done.  As others also think:

“Trumpeters, Fuzzballs, and Fury”

By the end of a vicious presidential race, as I expect this one to be, scores of millions of Americans will recognize how unappetizing both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump are.  I’m quite confident that, by early November, many of them will be yearning for an alternative.  But there will be none.  The one judged to be least loathsome will win.

I really think an independent candidacy could have been done.  As others also think:

“On an independent bid, a third candidate”

In the meanwhile, the general-election demolition of Mr. Donald Trump has already begun:

“Hillary Clinton releases ad featuring quotes from Donald Trump on women”:

http://www.mediaite.com/uncategorized/hillary-clinton-releases-ad-featuring-quotes-from-donald-trump-on-women/

Mr. Trump is a very, very easy target.  His record is long and unpleasant.

But Mr. Trump, in his turn, has promised a really, really rough campaign of attacks on Clinton Inc.  For which there is plenty of material.

On a cheerier note, though, parts of my country are descending into madness:

“Students Create ‘Healing’ Space to Recover from a Speech They Didn’t Even Attend”

These delicate little plants need therapy if an idea that they don’t hold is voiced within a few thousand yards of them.

On the other hand, little girls and their parents are irrational bigots if they’re even slightly uncomfortable should a man choose to use their restroom, enter their locker room, or shower with them.

“Democracy,” said H. L, Mencken,” is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”

Of course, the vast majority of Americans haven’t voted for Mr. Trump.

Those who inform me that the People have spoken, and that I’d better darn well get on the train with the rest of Das Volk — or what? be sent to a reeducation camp? — are speaking on behalf of a rather tiny American minority:

http://www.upworthy.com/11-things-that-put-the-number-of-people-whove-voted-for-trump-in-perspective

We’ll see what happens in November.