[Goose]

I have an idea. Tell the goddamned truth for once.

Imagine Winston Churchill telling Brits that Germany wasn't really a threat and they'd all just go away. No need for anyone to change their daily routine. No need to listen to air raid horns, take shelter at night, and no need to prepare for a hard fight that will require each Brit to pay a heavy price to save themselves, but if they do they would prevail. 

If the POTUS leveled with the American people, told them how hard things were going to be but that he had their back, took full responsibility for everything, was visibly working his butt off, while providing transparent data, and otherwise demonstrating competence, it would be a demonstration of leadership that would make re-election easy, no matter how bad things are. Instead, the white flag is waved, and there is now an effort to suppress truth - the same thing that was supposedly so unconscionable for China - from the American people, while blaming others.

The facts demonstrate the guy's mind is unfit for the job he has. Maybe we should all feel sorry for psychopaths. My sorrow is more reserved for the lives of those they destroy.

I totally agree that Trump has demonstrated his mind is unfit for the office of the president. However OF, Winston Churchill lied to the British public daily as a matter of policy. He was much smarter than Trump in that he acknowledged the things he could not deny, but obfuscated a whole lot of other things. He is a very poor example of "leveling with the people". Nobody outside of Whitehall actually knew how many ships were being sunk in the Atlantic and Western Approaches. Very bad example. Was what he did necessary? Probably, IMHO. However, trump says things "everybody" knows aren't true. He also probably believes them. Churchill knew the real facts. He just didn't share them unless he had no other choice. Actually, that is not quite true. Churchill also had his "chloroquine moments". See air mines.

[Goose]

I have an idea. Tell the goddamned truth for once.

Imagine Winston Churchill telling Brits that Germany wasn't really a threat and they'd all just go away. No need for anyone to change their daily routine. No need to listen to air raid horns, take shelter at night, and no need to prepare for a hard fight that will require each Brit to pay a heavy price to save themselves, but if they do they would prevail. 

If the POTUS leveled with the American people, told them how hard things were going to be but that he had their back, took full responsibility for everything, was visibly working his butt off, while providing transparent data, and otherwise demonstrating competence, it would be a demonstration of leadership that would make re-election easy, no matter how bad things are. Instead, the white flag is waved, and there is now an effort to suppress truth - the same thing that was supposedly so unconscionable for China - from the American people, while blaming others.

The facts demonstrate the guy's mind is unfit for the job he has. Maybe we should all feel sorry for psychopaths. My sorrow is more reserved for the lives of those they destroy.

I totally agree that Trump has demonstrated his mind is unfit for the office of the president. However OF, Winston Churchill lied to the British public daily as a matter of policy. He was much smarter than Trump in that he acknowledged the things he could not deny, but obfuscated a whole lot of other things. He is a very poor example of "leveling with the people". Nobody outside of Whitehall actually knew how many ships were being sunk in the Atlantic and Western Approaches. Very bad example. Was what he did necessary? Probably, IMHO. However, trump says things "everybody" knows aren't true. He also probably believes them. Churchill knew the real facts. He just didn't share them unless he had no other choice. Actually, that is not quite true. Churchill also had his "chloroquine moments". See air mines.