Presidential Malpractice
My Opinion
CONTEXT: In almost any field in which one is responsible for the well-being of others—law, medicine, psychotherapy, for instance—the profession in question has well established standards of care. Failure to meet those standards may constitute malpractice and potentially result in charges with financial or criminal liability. Unfortunately, the same is not true of the most visible “profession” in the country, namely politics; yet politicians make decisions that may affect thousands or even millions of people.
THE MOST DISQUIETING POINT: At the pinnacle of American political power sits the president, and the one we have now displays astounding levels of carelessness and incompetence. The combination of ignorance, impulsiveness, and insecurity he displays endangers not only our own citizens but allies and foes alike.
What’s the most concerning? That he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know? That he has no interest in well-thought-out public policy? That he lacks the judgment to consistently name competent, experienced people to crucial government posts? That he eschews even the most rudimentary standards of respectful human behavior? Answers will vary, as test makers would say. They’re all major concerns.
In the space of a very few days here’s a smattering of what he did, not necessarily in this order:
THE MOST DISQUIETING POINT: At the pinnacle of American political power sits the president, and the one we have now displays astounding levels of carelessness and incompetence. The combination of ignorance, impulsiveness, and insecurity he displays endangers not only our own citizens but allies and foes alike.
What’s the most concerning? That he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know? That he has no interest in well-thought-out public policy? That he lacks the judgment to consistently name competent, experienced people to crucial government posts? That he eschews even the most rudimentary standards of respectful human behavior? Answers will vary, as test makers would say. They’re all major concerns.
In the space of a very few days here’s a smattering of what he did, not necessarily in this order:
- Speaking to Boy Scouts at that quintessential American event, the Boy Scout Jamboree, he shouted ungrammatically, “Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I’m in front of the Boy Scouts?” … Whereupon he proceeded to give a rambling speech about, well, politics, heavily seasoned with his favorite spice, the wonderfulness of Donald Trump … and forgive me the observation that words matter. Hell, when speaking to young Scouts?
- Between 5:55 and 6:08 a.m one day, he put out this tweet, which opens with a lie: “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you”
(What? Did he just wake up thinking, “It’s too quiet around here. Who can I trample on just for the hell of it?” Fortunately, he got pushback from the military, not known as a bastion of liberal thought.)
- He hired Anthony Scaramucci, a wealthy foul-mouthed investor with no governmental experience, as White House communications director. Ten days later, before being officially installed in that position, Scaramucci was fired after a profane rant to a New York Times reporter.
- In a speech before a group of New York police officers, Trump said, “Please don’t be too nice like when you guys put someone in the car and you’re protecting their head, you can take the hand away, okay?” This, at a time when police departments are struggling to improve their practices and community relations.
I could go on, but I want to keep these pieces short enough that busy people will read them. (There was, for instance, the classless firing of FBI Director James Comey; the persistent harassment of his own attorney general, the raging nepotism, the stream of lies, the nearly total absence of presidenting.) Trump loves the campaign; he loves speaking in front of the masses. It’s governing that he doesn’t like, doesn’t understand and can’t do. At best, he’s an embarrassment. At worst, he’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.
August 2, 2017