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A Polarizing President

A Polarizing President

There has never been a time in American history when our president’s every move becomes instant news, as it does in the world of today. From CNN to Fox, and everything in between. The real news and real fake news is available in an instant on television and at the tips of your fingers on your Smartphone. The World Wide Web is filled with dot-coms claiming to be accurate and factual, but at the end of the day, most are politically and agenda-driven. This, combined with President Donald Trump’s inability to put his cell phone down in the name of Twitter, provides almost an instant look into our president’s daily decision-making and personal thoughts. So is this information overload about the Oval Office good, bad or just plain ugly, as the saying goes?

Just recently, our president met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in what was billed as a “historic meeting”. Every news organization and beyond reported on the meeting. Depending which source you pick, dictates what actually happened at “The Summit in Singapore”. President Trump and the North Korean leader even had some alone time without anyone present but their interpreters. Can you imagine the fun you could have if you were either ones’ interpreter, and said the exact opposite of what they wanted you to say? I probably shouldn’t joke about this. Even with interpreters though, do you think either one really said anything of significance or meaning? Other than maybe this is a win-win for both of us, smile, and tell everybody how well it went. When we exit we’ll sign the most ‘comprehensive deal’. This is the official name of the document.

Please don’t take me the wrong way; I am glad the meeting took place, but really what could have been accomplished? Those that question any deal with Iran, must also feel the same about any agreement with North Korea. How can you trust or believe they will follow any guidelines. At best, I would put it in the keep your friends close and your enemies closer category.

In my travels, I couldn’t believe the number of people talking about the meeting in Singapore and the wide variety of interpretations on what happened. This seems to happen with every issue that President Trump addresses or takes to Twitter with. There are more Americans than ever before following with their own interpretation depending on the source. Individuals that never had any interest in politics now seem to be mesmerized by a real reality television show playing out on a world stage.

In my own house, my mother-in-law Theresa never took much of an interest in politics or our president. Now she can give you an up to the minute report on President Trump’s actions of the day. I will not tell you what side of the political aisle she is on other than her source is CNN. I’m sure you can think of someone close to you that now follows what’s happening in Washington and beyond that never did before. To me, is a most positive aspect of the Trump presidency. Whether you’re for him or against him, there’s never been more people watching and interested in American government. This is also where the importance of honest and ethical reporting become such a key factor for “We the People”.

Hopefully, at the end of the day, President Trump’s energizing of American politics equates to the largest voting America ever — educated by the facts not fake news. It is up to us to sort through the wealth of information and decide what is most credible.

The ugly of the whole situation is the division created in our great Nation. People love to hate President Donald Trump. In many ways, he has chosen to fuel this fire instead of diffusing it — back to that Twitter thing and personal attacks on folks. However, this also separated him from both parties and may be why he was elected in the first place.

At the end of the day, President Trump will be judged on the job he does. Never has there been a more important time for action in American history. I honestly believe come election time in 2020 the cards will fall as they should. That there will be a true judgment of President Trump’s first term. I trust the American people.

As fellow Americans, we cannot allow politics to create animosity amongst each other — the media preys upon division. Thus also another reason President Trump’s reality TV viewership is at an all-time high. We need to respect and appreciate each individual’s point of view, even if we don’t agree. This is what makes our Nation so great, and why people are fighting to get in not out.

In the love/hate world of the Trump presidency, the old adage of three things to avoid talking about at the dinner table has never rung so true. Believe me there used to be some spirited discussions when my dad was alive at the Webb dinner table. There are always members in every family that are easily riled up. I apologize to my sister Morgan and brother Brian if I may have instigated them in any way. I got this honestly from my father. Carol was always the voice of reason who would remind us of the old adage.

Just a reminder of those three things: religion, politics, and money.

God Bless America.

Jim Webb
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