Official White House photo-Joyce N. Bagdosian

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Two big reasons why we should wish Donald Trump well

Oct 5, 2020 | 4:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — IT’S VERY TEMPTING to let our small selves gloat over the predicament of President Donald Trump.

The man who has downplayed — even ridiculed, at times — concerns over the pandemic since it became a part of our lives last March, now finds himself stricken with COVID-19, his presidential re-election campaign in tatters.

Trump is a lying narcissist who appears to be without sympathy for the struggles of others. Why should we feel sympathy for him?

After all, does he not deserve everything he’s getting? His comeuppance, as it were?

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Well, such thoughts might fleetingly come to mind, but we should quickly reject them. Trump is, after all, a human being whether or not we wish to acknowledge it. We shouldn’t wish COVID-19 on anyone.

He’s a man with a family, too. Let’s not forget that his wife Melania has also tested positive. Not to mention several others with whom he had recent contact.

There’s a practical reason we should wish him a speedy recovery, as well. Trump must be beaten in the upcoming election, and he needs to be healthy and at his obnoxious best, or it will mean nothing.

Defeating a debilitated Donald Trump would do absolutely nothing to remedy the chaotic, violently divisive and racist state of society in the United States. A Joe Biden victory in such circumstances would only give Trump’s base an excuse to challenge the validity of the election.

The validity of that election is already being challenged by Trump himself in anticipation of his defeat.

No, the decision must be clear. No incapacitated incumbent, no close call. Biden must win both the popular vote and the electoral college decisively for there to be any chance of the U.S. healing its wounds. The world needs it.

So, never mind his photo ops and self-aggrandizing, let’s keep our small selves under wraps and wish Trump the politician, and Trump the man, all our best.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.