The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
President John F. Kennedy used this quote in a speech he made in 1961. Often incorrectly attributed to the philosopher Edmund Burke, one thing is certain; there can be no misinterpretation of its meaning. It is both powerful and sobering.
It is for this reason I changed the theme of my column today. Since it is the Holiday season, I had intended to write a light-hearted story about keeping the Christmas Eve tradition of “The Feast of the Seven Fishes.” However, the more I thought about the current situation in this Country, I could no longer do so in good conscience. The fishes will have to wait.
Although humor and diversion are essential to living well, especially at this frenetic time of year and I have already written extensively on the subject, I could no longer look past the evil staring at me directly in my face.
The more I think about the trajectory the Trump Administration is leading us in, the more I associate it with a quote we got from a doctor when my aging mother was approaching the end of her long life. In a consultation with my sister as to what our next steps might be in my mother’s care, she said, “I must be totally clear with you right from the beginning. This is not a situation of things might get worse before they get better. They are simply going to get worse.” And we knew exactly what she meant.
So it is the case with America today. It is simply going to get worse. There is no quick remedy or easy fix. We are being led by an increasingly unhinged megalomaniac who has found himself where he always dreamt he could be, i.e., running the world’s greatest grift. And even more disturbing are the sycophants who surround, support, and even worship him.
The list of Donald J. Trump’s egregious, vile, inept, and incompetent behavior was apparent to me from the very beginning of his life in the political arena. But the most terrifying aspect of all of this is that he is getting even worse! He could never speak well and now he babbles. He makes up words that do not exist and uses others completely out of context. He falls asleep in meetings. He spews false statistics to make his points and is rarely challenged on their veracity. Trump has been completely disrespectful to the Press Corp, particularly to women reporters who have the audacity to do their jobs and challenge him on his plethora of false statements and accusations.
Of course, I could go and include things like: the release of the Epstein files, the destruction of the south wing of the White House, the brutal crackdown on the immigrant community, the loss of health care and food benefits to the most needy, his plethora of poorly qualified Cabinet choices, the abandonment of Ukraine and our European Allies, blatantly racist statements, the Trump gold sneakers and credit cards, etc.
However, perhaps the most concerning of all these transgressions is the Administration’s continued actions against Venezuela. Under the guise of stopping the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., for weeks now President Trump has ordered a huge military build-up in the Caribbean. He has also stepped-up attacks on alleged drug smuggling boats, obliterating them and their crews. Many, even in military circles, see this as wanton murder. And what is particularly disturbing is that fentanyl is not even produced or moved through Venezuela! It is all part of this Administration’ s galling hypocrisy.
Then, just to exacerbate the situation, we were treated to dramatic video of US Special Forces repelling down from helicopters to board and seize a huge Venezuelan tanker ship. Of course, this action was another effort to stop the drug trade. But wait! No drugs of any kind were found. The huge ship was not loaded with fentanyl but oil. Gee, what a coincidence. An oil tanker found off the coast of a country with largest oil deposits in the world? How odd.
Come on people. We know what this is about. It is about oil and the money that can come from it, enough to line the pockets of the World’s Greatest Grifter and his cronies. Mr. Trump likes to attach that term, Greatest, to everything he associates with himself. Well, let him wear that title too. He sure has earned it.
Perhaps one day I will write that story about the “fishes”. But now it is more important that we stay focused on what is happening to OUR Country right before our very eyes. Although it’s hard, we cannot look away hoping that things will get better. WE must make them better. Remember, we got here because SO many people did not participate in the last Presidential election. Now we live with the consequences. Do not let it happen again. Stay active. Be involved. Vote. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.
Frank LoBuono is a Nyack Resident, photographer, blogger and retired CBS News journalist.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are those of this independent writer and not the Nyack News & Views editorial staff. We welcome submissions from anybody who is interested in publishing their thoughts, ideas and perspectives about issues facing our community, both large and small. Please send submissions to info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
Photo credit: Frank LoBuono
