Trump's "Dark" Inaugural Speech

The mainstream media lost no time in saying that Trump's inaugural speech was "dark." For example, the first page of the next day's New York Times referred to a "uniquely dark vision of the U.S." Their lead editorial that day was entitled "President Trump's Dark Vision." So let's take a look at the darkest paragraph in Trump's speech.

"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the way we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."

To be honest, that does sound somewhat bleak, perhaps dark even. Except, it was not Donald Trump who uttered those words. The above paragraph actually came from the January 20, 2009 inaugural address given by Barack Obama. And the very same New York Times criticizing Trump, said this about Obama's speech: "President Obama gave them (the people in attendance) the clarity and respect for which all Americans have hungered. In about 20 minutes, he swept away eight years of President George Bush's false choices and failed policies..." Does anyone really not understand why Trump does not trust the media?

Trump was also accused of giving a divisive, rather than a unifying, speech. Here is what he said: "The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans." Divisive? How? "When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us 'how good and pleasant it is when G-d's people live together in unity.'" Not exactly divisive.

Trump: "It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget: that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American Flag." Why is that not unifying? Admittedly, he did not mention each and every interest group that the left panders to - the Muslims, the gays, the transgenders and the rest of the "identity politics" crowd. Now, before any of you accuse me of G-d knows what, let me be clear. I have lived my life with the simple philosophy of treating everyone I come across as another human being - entitled to respect as such, until proven otherwise. But Republicans and conservatives look at the world differently from the way the left does. For us, regardless of you who are, if you are here legally, you are a fellow American. We don't care if you are a black American or gay American or any other type of American.

Trump: "And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator." Dark? How? It would not surprise me if Trump feels far more motivated to help those kids in Detroit, and in other troubled cities across America, than Obama ever did. If he even tries, he will have done more than Obama did. If he succeeds, he should have no expectation that the media will praise him.

Go ahead and read Trump's inaugural speech. Perhaps those on the left will only see darkness and divisiveness; and those on the right will only see a unifying and uplifting speech. This writer has frequently noted that perception becomes reality. And while many on the right have criticized Trump (myself included) over various issues, do not look for the left to praise him on anything. And definitely do not look for the mainstream media to give a fair take on any of Trump's words and deeds.