August 29, 2020 – Barb Adams and John J. Higgins, Rapid Intensification | Ken Goldstein, Talking Faith

This week we witnessed the awesome power of Nature as a tropical storm underwent rapid intensification, becoming a major Cat 4 hurricane named Laura, bringing terrible destruction to those in its path. Like the hurricane, Trump’s rhetoric of fear and loathing also underwent rapid intensification this week at the Republican National Convention, threatening destruction of our democracy and American experiment.

For those who are awake and aware, the contrast between this week’s  RNC (aka, TNC -Trump National Convention) and the Democratic National Convention couldn’t have been more obvious. In sharp contrast to Biden’s speech of Hope, Light and Love, Trump ramped up the darkness, delivering a defiant speech full of fear aimed at his base, giving them just what they asked for – a demagogic speech full of propagandizing that painted an apocalyptic vision of a nation on the verge of takeover by violent anarchists who would use Joe Biden to destroy their America, i.e., white America.

Not only was Trump’s acceptance speech agonizingly long, but the dark monotone in which he delivered it helped emphasize the nightmarish image he described. The speech displayed little of the optimism promised by his strategists and even less empathy, in spite of his subordinates and family’s attempts to build his personality cult.

In sharp opposition to Biden and the DNC, Trump and the RNC insisted the pandemic is over as his supporters gathered in close quarters sans masks on the White House lawn. But numbers don’t lie. During the 4 days of the RNC more than 4,000 Americans died from COVID-19. To put this in perspective, the U.S. lost more Americans during the RNC than it did in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Once again labeling himself the Law and Order president, Trump and his aides actually showcased a string of violations of the Hatch Act. The RNC had an inordinate number of federal employees participating in the proceedings in celebration of Trump’s nomination for re-election, and Trump’s acceptance speech took place on the South Lawn of the White House, which was the first time the national icon had been used for such a purpose. Large screens with their glaring Trump/Pence logos were a disturbing sight on the grounds of the White House, which is financed by all taxpayers. Even the fireworks show afterwards was held on the National Mall, which is public land, where Trump campaign slogans were on full display. The final night of the RNC made a mockery of the rule of law, and all of it was a defiant metaphor highlighting Trump’s willingness to not only eradicate the traditions of the presidency, but to put his own immediate gain over the dignity of the office while attacking his so-called enemies in the process.

And his attacks on Biden were numerous. Trump’s fearmongering about all the future violence and chaos that a Biden presidency would supposedly bring stood in sharp contrast to the reality of the footage of violence and chaos he put on display for all to see, which has been and continues to happen under Trump’s watch.

Trump’s speech, like his message for re-election, is dark and empty. He’s making the 2020 election all about himself: One man, not one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

We must choose this November between continuing down the dark path we are currently on with this president towards rapid intensification of divisiveness and authoritarianism or we can choose to unite in Hope, Light and Love.

Friday marked 57 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech at the Lincoln Memorial in which he urged America to “make real the promises of democracy.” Let us finally realize that dream – for all Americans!

JOIN Barb and John as they discuss Rapid Intensification.

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