Less applicable, however, is the entertainment factor since the events playing out on planet Earth continues to be the  pathetic and dreary tale of a once  promising new species not being able to live up to its full potential.  In short, as opposed to acting as an evolved species that was able to take full advantage of the unique intelligence and incredible creativity they were born with, they descended into the suffocating void of selfishness, small-mindedness and other self-destructive traits,  preventing them from being  able to see beyond their immediate self-interest and grasp the larger vision of being a successful species at the forefront of an evolving world.

A case in point is the tragedy currently being played out in the United States of America, that once great country and former leader of the free world that is currently at the receiving end  of a dire prediction come true  as it was once made by an American newspaper columnist by the name of H.L. Menken (1880-1956)

“On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

Enter Donald J. Trump, the 47^th President of the USA, elected on November 5, 2024, by 49.9% of the popular vote, versus 48.3% for his opponent, the hapless Kamala Harris.

A moron is sometimes described as “a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment”, and based on what he has demonstrated during his previous term – and even more so after 6 months in his current term – DJT excels in both categories. This concerns the leader of a country who is actively trying to demolish  his country’s international  reputation,  trust and prestige while ignoring  its constitution,  undermining its democracy and  decimating its governance. Aided and abetted by his hand-picked flock of toothless  sycophants  masquerading as federal officials and who’s only qualification is their blind fealty to their lord and master –  I can’t think of a better way to describe the chaotic wherewithal of the person currently in charge at the White House.

The real issue of course is not D.J. Trump, an intellectual clodhopper with  the  mental disposition  of a 5-tear old toddler and the personae of  a carnival barker; he simply can’t help himself.  The problem lies with the people who voted him into office (again), as well as the roughly 1/3 of the US eligible voters who did not vote  because they were  either too lazy to vote or just could not care less about the state of democracy in their country.

So here we have the MAGA crowd, a so called “populist” movement at the core of his support. They have shown themselves to be essentially a xenophobic anti- immigrant movement with the stench of racism that blames many of the things that are problematic in the US – e.g., crime, illicit drugs, cost of living, lack of affordable housing etc. – on people that are not native to their country, and even more so if they are there  illegally, as well as being non-white, non- western or- in particular – of the Muslim persuasion.

The less said about MAGA the better, but if I can draw one conclusion from their collective prowess to Make America Great Again it is the suspicion that education did  not figure  prominently in their individual  ability to think for themselves and make an informed decision  about what kind of person might be the best choice for serving the interests of their country as their president.

As it is, this quote by Thomas Jefferson might seem appropriate:

“The government you elect is the government you deserve.”

The most amazing thing about this political tragedy is that – after having endured  the first 6  month of  his farcical reign as their country’s president – there isn’t some massive national protest brewing to turf him out of office at earliest opportunity – and before it is too late and the dictatorship he is actively trying to estalish will  prevent any such action with the maximum of brutality.

Be afraid, be very afraid …