“I am proud to shut down the government,” barked Donald Trump during a recent Oval Office meeting with Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. “I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I’m not going to blame you for it.”
Of course, the shutdown occurred after Trump's tantrum over not receiving five billion in funding for a border wall -- and who advised him to hold out for the money? Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. That's what we've become -- a country run by a criminal man-child with no adults in the room, and the nut-job is receiving advice from right-wing nuttier-jobs. And Trump is now backing away from his promise to take the mantle for this madness.
The entire fiasco calls to mind Emmett Lee Dickinson's now-classic poem "'Tis true -- They shut us in the Cold" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "'Tis true -- They shut me in the Cold" (below on the right).
By Emmett Lee Dickinson: ‘Tis true – They shut us in the Cold – But then – Themselves were warm And could not know the feeling ‘twas – Forget us – Trump – and Them – Let not our Wellness hinder Them In Cowardly deceit – No Sacrifice for them – Confirmed That he asked for the Blame – The Harm he’s done – is long – And since ‘Tis we – who bore it – don’t Forgive him – Even as he sinks – We will – forgive not him – | By Emily Dickinson: 'Tis true – They shut me in the Cold – But then – Themselves were warm And could not know the feeling 'twas – Forget it – Lord – of Them – Let not my Witness hinder Them In Heavenly esteem – No Paradise could be – Conferred Through Their beloved Blame – The Harm They did – was short – And since Myself – who bore it – do – Forgive Them – Even as Myself – Or else – forgive not me – |