This is an update to the final chapter of Connie Lawn’s book – “You Wake Me Each Morning – the Final Chapter” The book is available in print or digital media.
The Trump Presidency – 2017-2018 Cultural Shifts in Society
One of the biggest surprises in modern presidential politics was the election of Donald J. Trump as President. Even many Republicans were amazed and the party was split. Hacking by the Russians and others may have helped steal the election from Hillary Clinton, but she made many of her own mistakes. She was vulnerable because she was a woman candidate. She also used her private emails when she was Secretary of State, although others have done the same thing.
I predicted Trump might win, because I had many Conservative listeners and viewers who supported him. Unfortunately, he expressed much of the prejudice and hatred rampant in society.
Trump’s first year in office was chaotic, with a number of his top aides being fired or forced to resign. There was bitterness and a lack of loyalty on all sides. Trump’s Secretary of State refused to comment on an NBC report that he once called Trump “a moron.” Trump alienated many top Republicans, as did Richard Nixon during the Watergate impeachment years.
There was an explosion against President Trump after the publication of a book called “Fire and Fury.” The remarks against the President, Steve Bannon, and others were truly sensational, but many were backed up with recordings and notes from other witnesses. The kiss and tell book became a worldwide best seller. It leads to many serious questions, including whether President Trump was sane enough to be leader of the most powerful nation in the world. It recalled times when problems with John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan were kept hidden. Presidents can keep much hidden when the press does not have frequent access to them.
Some of Trump’s policies and speeches were good, but he then undermined them with his narcissistic words and personality. Trump alienated many in this country and around the world. But he faced great challenges, including unrest, terrorism, cyberthreats, and nuclear buildups in Iran, North Korea, and other areas.
The Trump years were highlighted by a series of tragedies. In 2017 there were a number of devastating hurricanes, fires and earthquakes, which tore apart Puerto Rico, Mexico, Texas, Florida, California and other areas. As usual, the United States was generous with its aid, but Trump often added insult to injury, with some of his words and actions. He even blamed Puerto Rico for the money spent recovering from the death and destruction.
The American people also faced a deadly and meticulous massacre in LasVegas in September, 2017. At least 58 innocent concert goers were slaughtered and several hundred wounded. Americans are wrestling with the gun culture, and the “right” to buy, carry,.and use guns. The shooter was brilliant, meticulous, sick, and filled with rage. Tougher gun control laws may not have stopped him, but Congress needs to have the guts to at least try.
There was a major, long overdue shift in Mideast policy on December 6, 2017 – President Trump officially declared Jerusalem to be the eternal capital of Israel. This is the true status for 3,000 years. Please God a peaceful two state solution will somehow emerge.,
In addition to terror, sexual scandals spread from Washington to Hollywood. Top film producer Harvey Weinstein was driven out of his company, after years of rumours about his abuse of power against those women hoping to succeed in the movie industry. He denied many of the stories, but settled some claims privately. It is a pity young women and men around the world were never warned about such abuse and tactics when we were young; it is a talk I never had. But it has all come to the surface now – maybe politics, business, entertainment, and life in general will be better for it.
There has been a seismic shift in society, with powerful male executives being forced from their jobs. I wish I had the courage to speak out against tv executive Roger Ailes when he demanded oral sex from me in exchange for a job. But there was no proof and no one to talk to in the 1970’s. Now women and some men have sued and gotten million dollar settlements – good for them.
I never did get the job, but I did get an apology of sorts from Ailes the year before he died.
He called me an honest reporter and a good friend!
I am not criticizing honest affection – I hug and kiss male and female friends all the time. But that is a far cry from an abuse of power, and I love it.
The abuse of power was not just confined to Conservatives. Powerful and respected Liberals, such as tv host Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer, Congressman John Conyers, and Senator Al Franken, have been accused of sexual abuse to lesser degrees. In some cases the accusers were secretly paid off from the public coffers, and had to swear not to discuss the matter. But some of the men later lost everything. Why, I ask, would men risk their own hard fought career for a bit of sex and a display of power?
Terrorism and wars and abuse are spreading around the globe. But there are a number of good people around the world. I hope I can help inspire the good guys to prevail. I am deeply touched by the large number pf people who have come up to me to hug me, kiss me, and thank me for the tears, laughter, and inspiration. I am also grateful to the White House for allowing a Hollywood tv crew to follow me around and film me for a documentary. This helps me find the will to keep fighting to live.
�\R�