Trumped

Donald Trump got zinged pretty good last night by President Barack Obama during the president's final State of the Union address. While Trump's name was not used overtly, the allusions to Trump by the president were obvious. The president spoke of the negative rhetoric used by some to denigrate certain ethnicities and those of different religions. He also spoke candidly about those who say that America is in decline, noting that our strength and way of life are still intact.

Kudos to the president. Rumors have circulated for some time that he was itching to weigh in on the nasty rhetoric used by the current GOP candidates for president. Last night, he managed to do so with language that was both pointed and yet statesmanlike.  This wasn't surprising given the president's exceptional rhetorical gifts.

The president ended his speech by generalizing about the horrible nature of politics in the United States and the need to elevate ourselves above the contentious name-calling and partisanship that have swept the country for the past seven years as a result of the snarky allegations thrown out irresponsibly by Tea Party Candidates who helped lead the obstructionism against the president (begun by Senator Mitch McConnell). Kudos again, Mr. President. I only wish you had been more plainspoken earlier.

The president also shot a verbal assault across the bow of Senator Ted Cruz when he said that carpet bombing our enemies wasn't an answer to complex global situations.

We live in dangerous times. Weapons and fear-mongering and insulting rhetoric are not going to make the world a better or safer place. Honesty and integrity, however, just might stand a chance. Let's hope.

Cat Spaulding