. . .to destroy. He did anyway.
There is so much this president is tearing down. So much destruction. So little respect. No caring at all, except for himself. The demolition of the East Wing, the East colonnade, and the East garden, are in some senses, not nearly as harmful as so much of the other wreckage he has inflicted, and indeed celebrated—most notably, the rule of law, which he and his minions are dismantling brick by brick by so many bricks.
But the physical destruction of a part of the house (the American people’s house!) that presidents should feel privileged to inhabit, not entitled to do whatever they please with, much less destroy, hit me in a visceral way. It is symbolic. And it is devastating.
It was part of our house. The part that First Lady Betty Ford described in this way, “If the West Wing is the mind of the nation, then the East Wing is the heart.” He is breaking the heart of our nation.
We, the People, so many people, rose up and declared “No Kings!” He responded with bulldozers days later.
We must rise up, in November and protect voting rights. We must rise up, next November and elect a Congress that will do its job. We must rise up every day and stop the havoc this man delights in wreaking. We must build together, not tear apart. We must raise our voices and build community against destruction, chaos, and hate. It is not about politics (which, though I read and think about (and lose sleep over), I tend not to write about), it is about right or wrong.
It wasn’t his to destroy, but rubble is all this man leaves in his wake. But we—We, the People— can build something from the broken bricks. We must.
Well said. It’s a perfect metaphor for his presidency. Just a human wrecking ball. No money for hungry people but a quarter billion dollars for a ballroom that looks like Uday Hussein designed a Motel 6.
What a great response! I love the description of the upcoming ballroom!
Yes! The destruction of the East Wing of the White House also hit me viscerally. An unapologetic– I don’t give a dam about the people’s house. The wrecking ball and the chaos and debris left on the ground was a microcosm of Gaza. How to maintain hope and work together is what I am seeking. Thanks for your eloquent words.
Appreciate your stepping into this territory!
Thank you for capturing in your eloquent way my sentiments and sense of outrage over this ongoing travesty.
Right on target Deb! So many people are asleep at the wheel to what is going on in this country. You are exactly right that it wasn’t his to tear down. I hope people will heed your call to get out an vote and will think long and hard before voting for anymore members of this fascist regime. Next Tuesday is another opportunity to send a message to those in Washington who support this nonsense! Great job, and keep the posts coming!
Extremely well said; from the gut to the heart and hopefully the brain, we the people will defeat this evil force.