No Clever NFL Graphic; Just Common Sense: 45 Fumbles On The Law Of Peaceable Assembly...

Day by passing day, anyone who reluctantly voted for 45, back in November -- and now tells me that they aren't responsible for what 45 says or does. . . is another someone who (I believe) owes America an apology. Mr. Trump is performing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in exactly the fashion he has led his entire public life: with palpably venial cowardice, and a small minded, sad [mis-] understanding of what our nation's founding documents contemplate -- as the core of our system of ordered liberty.

Anyone who voted for him, knew this, from the day his campaign began. So now it is up to those same voters to help us all unseat him, early, by impeachment -- as their form of penance for inflicting him upon the nation. [Some other day, if his rhetoric continues on this topic, we will discuss 18 U.S. Code § 227.]

And so, as I rise, on a fine Monday, I think this is spot on, below. Here it is, from the op ed in the Chicago Tribune overnight:

. . . .Ugly words by Trump, but worse: unnecessary. The president's opinion wasn't invited. There was no great protest underway that required his refereeing. Some players have taken a knee before games to call attention to police shootings of unarmed African-Americans. . . .

In the wake of the president's incendiary rhetoric, game day risked devolving into Liberals vs. Conservatives, Black Lives Matter vs. White Supremacists and possibly teammates vs. teammates, fans vs. fans.

Instead, what we saw from our perch in front of the TV was something hopeful: displays of unity from players and owners in defiance of Trump, and in support of the right of players to express themselves. Numerous owners called out Trump for being divisive and unhelpful. Bears Chairman George McCaskey endorsed "the freedom to express oneself in a respectful and peaceful manner." Seahawks coach Pete Carroll declared this to be a "new day" in which players — the majority of whom are African-American — would be "messengers of change" against inequality.

On the sidelines Sunday, some players at games did kneel. At Soldier Field, the Bears stood together with arms locked as the anthem played. . . . [Ed. Note: like the Titans and Seahawks, the Steelers visiting here in Chicago stayed off the field, entirely.]

Our own view on the anthem protests is that American democracy is even tougher than football. Our form of governance was built to withstand, and embrace, peaceful demonstrations. Players who take the knee aren't disrespecting the flag; they are living out the freedom it represents. By the same token, team owners have a say in the behavior of employees, but they've signaled their acceptance. If only the president could grasp such nuances.

After Charlottesville, we wrote about Trump's regrettable pattern of speech on race. Because he can't speak from the heart on the subject without sounding like an apologist for hatemongers, we said we'd prefer he keep his thoughts to himself. . .

I guess this may be a blog less about life science, and more about the mess 45 has made of America -- for a while yet.

Up next, though, is one I missed while I was off grid with family duties -- that does relate to life science, and Merck.

नमस्ते