WHERE WE STAND

      

The president’s speech was a bit long and a bit dull; I liked it; but it left me with an odd desire to hear a more elaborate prose. I would have definitely enumerated what he and his followers consider to be successes despite the all out war declared by the left, but I would have also named the outstanding challenges ahead; the imperfections and how the other side could make things easier with a little less militance. Let me be clear; those who hate him will always call him names even if he reads the Bible out loud, but sometimes you score points by lowering your guard.

He used the same hyperbolic and exaggerated spinning of statistics all politicians use; however, whether one likes him or not the numbers are self evident and while the whole thing could burst tomorrow it is impossible to deny that 2017 has been one of the best years ever for our economy. Corporate America voted for Barrack Obama but it didn’t trust the previous president; they sat on their coffers and did nothing. They purse their lips when they see Donald Trump, but they seem at least for now, willing to gradually let some cash out of their vaults.

In the substance, however, Mr Trump appeared firm and resilient; a touch too braggadocious if you will, but in sync with most of the promises he made during his campaign. To me the best part of the speech from the oratorical point of view was when he affirmed that Americans are dreamers too. And for the life of me I can’t surmise how the hell his speech writers did not apply an in crescendo rhetoric from there that led to something like: “DACA individuals dream ONLY because they arrived in the land of dreams and opportunity and we all must, together, dream of a way to help them achieve their goals” yes, extremely opportunistic and manipulative but after calling us all dreamers I believe he missed a golden opportunity to semantically milk that line further and put the Democrats on the defensive.

Probably what I see as a weakness is his strength: who knows?; after all he won being a street fighter candidate who used plain and simple words; but again, the speech underscores the divide in America; the two opposing visions for our nation and the need to move forward, which leads me to the Democratic response: a sterling silver spoon fed liberal who calls on us to welcome all those in need; I understand your golden crib renders you unable to realize what living pay check to pay check means Mr Kennedy III; but since you used a few words of Spanish in your rally (it was hardly a speech) let me enlighten you with the wisdom of my Hispanic heritage: “no hay cama pa’ tanta gente”. We have the right and the duty to choose who gets in and when and we have the right and the duty of cherry picking not on the basis of color but on the basis of how much the candidates can contribute to the success of America and how much they love our values. That’s what all countries do and those were the guidelines observed when your late grandfather was AG and your slain grand uncle was president.

Aesthetically; Mr Kennedy’s drooling mouth kept the viewers guessing whether he had been asleep during Trump’s speech, or had left an unfinished greasy burger in some plate close by. It was a turn off and I only hope it receives as much coverage as Marco Rubio's improvised "water break". Kennedy III’s diatribe was a precooked barrage of demonizing of the opponent and with his background, looming saliva trickle, and smearing attitude reminded me more of an angry kid whose lunch has been stolen than of a consummate politician trying to make an honest point.

After both speeches had been delivered I remained convinced that we are in for a bumpy ride and that where we stand right now is not a very safe juncture.