Wondering on Wednesday (v146)

Let's ponder, let's wonder, about the op-ed that appeared in the NY Times this afternoon.

The piece was published anonymously, at the request of the author.  That person, a senior official, requested anonymity because his or her job would be in jeopardy otherwise.  The author's identity is known to the Times.

President Trump is facing a test to his presidency unlike any faced by a modern American leader. 

It's not just that the special counsel looms large. Or that the country is bitterly divided over Mr. Trump's leadership. Or even that his party might well lose the house to an opposition hellbent on his downfall. 

The dilemma - which he does not fully grasp - is that many of the senior officials in his own administration are working diligently from within to  frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations.

I would know. I am one of them.

Holy defending America, Batman. Holy resistance. Not that kind of resistance, the author points out - not the capital R kind, but the kind that seeks to have the president be successful, and at the same time honor their duty to country first. And the country needs protecting from Trump's worst instincts, it seems.

And, of course, there's that other thing, the thing we've known for a long time:

The root of the problem is the president's amorality. Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision making.

Here's one more, before we move on. After telling us that we'll be OK because "there are adults in the room", the author notes the following:

The bigger concern is not what Mr. Trump has done to the presidency but rather what we as a nation have allowed him to do to us. We have sunk low with him and allowed our discourse to be stripped of civility.

No wondering there, right?  I mean, that has seemed pretty clear all along.

Also something about which I don't have to wonder are these comments I saw on a post slamming Colin Kaepernick and Nike for the 30th anniversary #JustDoIt campaign. The comments from this person echo the comments of the anonymous senior administration official who penned the Times commentary.

Take a look:

Wow, one of the biggest problems in this country is poor, disrespectful communication. If we take the time to listen to one another, then maybe we can come to a place of mutual understanding.

...I understand how you feel about this protest and I respect your right to feel that way but respect my right  to see it from a different perspective. I have several family members that have served and retired from the military. My great uncle and my great grandfather served in WW2. While serving, they were not allowed to stay in the nice barracks because (those) were for whites only. While serving in the war they were called n@@ger over and over again. When they came home from the war they had to ride in the back of the bus; they couldn't drink at the nice water fountain or use the bathroom because it was for whites only; they couldn't eat in the dining area of the restaurants because it was for whites only.; they couldn't swim in the public FEDERALLY FUNDED pool or play in the park because it was for whites only. Many black soldiers were beat up for wearing their uniform in public and some were lynched for wearing their military uniform for the country they served.  My cousin served in Vietnam, came home and was murdered by the police for mistake in identity. The autopsy determined his hands were up because he had bullet wounds on the inside of is arms. Now the police are killing unarmed black men and going home to be with their families. 

I love America and choose to stand during the Anthem, however I understand and support their right to protest. That is our constitution and the very right our soldiers fought for.

 I have a question for you, if we took our flag and a human being and sat them in front of God, which one would God deem more important? The flag or human life?

This is not for the sake of arguing but to bring us to a place of mutual understanding. God bless you and your family. 

I've got to say, I don't think there's any wondering about the patriotism of the comment's author, or that of his family. Or about the choice God would make if presented with the choice this writer describes.