Politically Pastoral
Childish attacks from some classmates punctuated parts of my childhood. So, no sanctioning of bullying children will occur on my watch. However, Karlan’s wordplay needs no defense. Rep. Matt Gaetz and the White House are the only entities exploiting him.
First Lady’s Response
A minor child deserves privacy and should be kept out of politics. Pamela Karlan, you should be ashamed of your very angry and obviously biased public pandering and using a child to do it.
Genuine Tweet or Not?
If the First Lady writing this ENTIRE Tweet herself was believable, my response wouldn’t be warranted. House Republicans (spending more time providing the Trump White House talking points than confronting the issue at hand) helped produce this largely melodramatic response.
The Tweet’s first sentence sounds like a Mama Bear protecting her cub. What follows Its remainder has nothing do with protecting Barron’s privacy and honor.
Feigned Concern For Children
With that said, witnessing this administration’s caging of children — and ripping them from their families — makes me question its and the First Lady’s concern for minor children beyond her own.
Trump administration policies are making same-gender loving/LGBTQ+ people and people of color, particularly young people, targets of discrimination, ridicule, and violence. Having the First Lady come to their defense would be nice. But, that’s a pipe dream.
Karlan Apologized. Will He?
Karlan quickly apologized for the perceived insult — while vainly hoping President Trump issues some apologies. The comment simply gave House Republicans, the Trump administration, and Trump worshippers mileage — providing hours of Fox News coverage.
Until President Trump apologizes for his barrage of insults heaped on nearly everyone — who isn’t male, rich, straight, and White — this overreaction to Karlan’s innocuous comment is itself pathetic pandering.
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