Comedian Patton Oswald correctly noted that last Wednesday, a Google search of the words "Trump + shithole" returned results for nothing more than hotel reviews. All that changed Thursday when Trump, the most powerful racist in the world, use the term shithole in reference to a number of countries primarily populated by people of color.
Trump continues to be an abhorrent stain on all things decent. Republican politicians in general remain complicit refusing to denounce the President in equally "tough" language. In short, those not standing against Trump are racists, cowards, and deplorable.
The entire shitholeghazi episode is an outstanding reminder of why words matter. Mastery of language is one of the most powerful tools we have to elicit emotion and action. Trump can barely put a coherent sentence together most days and the limited vocabulary he uses diminishes the message and fails to lead the country toward any deliberate outcome other than chaos.
Trump's oratory style seems to register with some on a basic level. Supporters say they infer a clarity of word from Trump other politicians don't deliver. In actuality, the audience is often left to fill in the blank themselves on the message. Even in the instances where Trump doesn't put forth a statement in direct opposition to the position of his administration, staff and supporters routinely have to explain what the President meant to say.
One of the hallmarks of a leader is the ability to use language to deliver a message that bridges differences and moves them towards a common goal. Ronald Reagan could deliver a scripted speech with an aplomb even his detractors had to admire. Barack Obama's eloquence of delivery is without political match. Trump is neither accomplished or eloquent. His merely delivers emotionally charged statements, offering scapegoat over substance, that resonate with supporters looking for someone to blame for their socioeconomic situation.
Adolph Hitler used a similar strategy. Fortunately, Trump can't match Hitler's mastery of word and discipline of message. Hitler workshopped his delivery, hand gestures, and body language while practicing his speeches. Trump tweets the first thing that comes to mind while watching Fox News. That seems to indicate Donald Trump isn't even a stable genius by comparison to Adolph Hitler.
The fact the Republican establishment cannot bring itself to strongly condemn Trump for his words is astonishing. Words left unsaid also matter. Two of the three Republicans in the room during shitholeghazi said they didn't recall the remarks. They are either tone deaf to racism or lying. Either way, the message the Republican party is sending is that it is complicit with racism.
Trump and the Republicans must be held accountable for the words they've used as well as those they haven't.
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