Aiming True.

I see the Dork of New York is now making an enemy of the American sporting establishment with his short sighted, mean minded, typically juvenile reaction to athletes who protest peacefully during the playing of the national anthem. He claims that they are insulting America and should be fired.

OK, at the risk of offending the American people (a few of which I count among my most liked and respected of people), let me make a point.

America’s reputation on the world stage has always been ambivalent. To explain why would take a longer, more complex post, but please take it from me: it has. At times it’s been high, such as during the Kennedy and Obama years. Kennedy and Obama were both statesmen with a statesman-like bearing and a statesman-like attitude. There was maturity, good sense and a cool head about them, which was noted and respected. At other times it’s been low, such as during the GW Bush years when everybody was laughing their socks off wondering what the hell the Americans were playing at.

But I doubt in all seriousness whether America’s reputation has ever plumbed the depths to which it has fallen now that Trump is in charge. What was it one NBA player said in reply to his silly tirade? ‘Being invited to the White House was an honor until you showed up.’ Quite. Straight from the mouth of a loyal American.

Having said all of which (and having deliberately kept it short), isn’t there a certain irony involved here? If anybody in America is insulting the nation, the flag, and the American people, it’s Trump and his lamentable pretence at being a President. So shouldn’t he be the one to be fired?