A Letter to a Friend Who Sees Things Differently
Dear Mike,
Your call inspired me to write a blog to help process my thoughts so I could move forward with a clearer mind. Like many on the Right I have a few close friends and some family members who share your strong feelings of frustration and concern about Trump. I understand that emotions run high on this topic, and history will judge how we all handled these divisions... Who knows how it will play out.
One of the smartest people I know is a very successful lawyer who ran for office as a Democrat. She's one of my best friends and one of my most valued clients. Last year, she mentioned her belief that Trump's assassination attempt was staged. It's hard to imagine a bullet grazing someone's head, missing by just half an inch, as a publicity stunt. For the life of me I can't comprehend why anyone might question this assassination attempt even in these polarized times.
You and I are both thoughtful enough to recognize that Trump doesn't always know as much as he claims, that he's getting older and that he often says or does things that can be frustrating or misguided. Where we differ is that I'm willing to overlook much of this because I see value in many of his key policies and actions. Furthermore, unlike you I believe his intentions are generally aimed at what he thinks is best for the country.
I felt content during his first term, and I was also okay during Biden's term. So far, I'm feeling positive about Trump's second term. Do I need to adopt your perspective to understand the concerns that make you feel angry and disheartened? One big realization for me has been noticing how biased the media is. It's absolutely eye-opening once you start seeing it, like when you're thinking about buying a specific car and suddenly spot it everywhere.
Mike, you brought up the death of Officer Sicknick, mentioning that he was bludgeoned by January 6th rioters and died after being in a coma. I encourage you to look deeper into the details. Nearly everything on the Web is about how this officer was attacked but they don't show anything to because his bludgeoning was a lie. Maybe he was sprayed in the face with bear spray but but his autopsy didn't even backup that claim..I challenge you to did deeper and find the videos Congress released of officer Sicknick walking around the rotunda helping with the cleanup after the riot ended. Definitely review his autopsy report and compare that with the press reports involving a fire extinguisher.
Similarly, take a closer look at the shooting of Ashli Babbitt, a former Air Force enlistee. Watch the video of the incident and note the two officers in riot gear at arms reach to her right. Read about the officer who fired the shot and then "left" the scene promptly. She was climbing through a broken window, and while she could have been apprehended and arrested, which might have de-escalated the situation, instead she was shot in the neck, which halted the advance.
Did Ashli Babbitt deserve to be killed? No. Did her actions put her in a dangerous situation and result in her death? Yes. Clearly the officer felt threatened in that chaotic moment. It's fortunate he didn't accidentally hit one of the officers behind Ashli. His quick departure from the scene and the $5,000,000 settlement raises serious concerns about protocols, accountability and the need for deadly force in this matter.
Mike, as you know I live in New England, where if you want an example of how systems can feel rigged look no further. Just over 40% of New Englanders voted for Trump even with the Left leaning media, schools, colleges, and universities, which often promote progressive viewpoints.
How can I say the system is rigged? Even with 40% conservative support Republicans hold only 3% of New England's congressional delegation. Only 1 of New England's 33 seats in Congress and the Senate is Republican. It's very likely that over $100 million will be spent trying to unseat Susan Collins, potentially giving Democrats full control of the region's representation all in the pursuit of democratic outcomes. Wasn't taxation with out representation a thing 250 years ago?
Here's a biscuit we might both consider chewing: There's agreement across the political spectrum that Trump genuinely believes he won the 2020 election. Yes, Trump delayed the transition while court cases were dismissed one by one. In the end, though, the only thing that was different was the cordial White House handover. Citizen Trump boarded the Marine helicopter, flew to Andrews, and departed on "Air Force One" without shaking Joe Biden's hand. Democracy persisted, even as the nation navigated challenges under a leader whose cognitive health was embarrassingly downplayed by the MSM for the next four years.
It's tough for anyone deeply invested in one viewpoint to shift perspectives, but I hope you can one day see things the way I do and return to the Republican party. Regardless, I firmly believe Trump will once again become just a citizen on or before January 20th, 2029 and you Sir will scratch you head and say... Hummm that wasn't so bad.
