I'm still struggling with being on social media, being a Catholic, and president 45.
After the Women's March, I felt energized. I could be on social media and advocate for issues of importance. In the process, I eliminated "friends" and blocked others. I was even called an asshole. Granted, I compared her to her mother so might have deserved it. Wasn't wrong, but was an asshole move.
I watched 45's press conference Thursday, expecting to hear who the new secretary of the Department of Labor nominee would be for his cabinet. Google was up and ready for me to learn more about this new pick. What new controversy was going to surround this person?
Turns out the controversy wasn't what I was expecting some 70 odd minutes later. It was 45 himself and his live therapy session with the world.
It was also insulting for him to tell us, the public, that we aren't smart enough to know what or who to trust.
"You know what it is? Here's the thing. The public isn't -- you know, they read newspapers, they see television, they watch. They don't know if it's true or false because they're not involved. I'm involved. I've been involved with this stuff all my life. But I'm involved. So I know when you're telling the truth or when you're not. I just see many, many untruthful things.
And I'll tell you what else I see. I see tone. You know the word "tone." The tone is such hatred. I'm really not a bad person, by the way. No, but the tone is such -- I do get good ratings, you have to admit that -- the tone is such hatred." - 45
Just saying something does not make it true. We need the media and those who are willing to break the law to shed light on what is really going on in the White House. We also need to demand integrity from trusted sources. We can also research much on our own.
Instead, we are being distracted from the real issues.
What about discussing how the immigration ban was not a success. It was a disaster. Or, how about releasing taxes to show that 45 has no businesses in Russia. He didn't inherit a mess. Obama did and left our country better than it was for most. Not all, but most.
Who's not worried that he turned his uber exclusive resort into a situation room in full view of public guests as they snapped selfies. Speaking about selfies, how about the selfie posted on Facebook with the man carrying all the nuclear secrets for the president.
I'm not so surprised by the dinner table quarterbacking - the attack on Yemen raid was supposedly done at dinner. That's a rumor or a leak. Mother Jone's has more.
And, will Michael Flynn be locked up? When will Russia be put in place? Is it okay they have a spy ship off the coast of Deleware? Or, the fake attack on a U.S. ship?
Here's a goodie - the website for kids to learn about the environment was scrubbed of facts by our government. They rewrote it to support climate change as fiction and that coal isn't too bad for the environment.
I'm at a loss. I can't wrap my mind around how 45 can stand before the people and lie. I tried to reach out to the people I know that voted for 45, but their Facebook pages are littered with mean, hateful memes. And, unreliable news sources. Even their arguments are defensive opinions, not facts.
I've been questioning many of my own beliefs, including my religious ones. I'm Catholic. But, my heart breaks with every racial slur and hateful rant I witness online.
This is not Christ-like.
But, it's the new normal. Pope Francis recently said, "Insulting has become normal. We need to lower the volume a bit and we need to talk less and listen more." How are we not appalled that elected officials behave the way they do? How are we okay that we do this to each other?
It's so difficult for me to admit to being Catholic, even in private lately. I don't agree with all of the church teachings as they apply to homosexuality, marriage, and women in the priesthood, but I believe in the basic teachings. And, Pope Francis had renewed my confidence in the Church.
The Two Great Commandments that contain the whole law of God
You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind, and with your whole strength; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
To love God, our neighbor, and ourselves, we must keep the commandments of God and of the Church, and perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
I'm scared for my country, I'm scared for my family, and I'm especially scared for my children.
For those who believe that 45 is doing a good job - I hope you are right.
