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SINCE TRUMP’S ELECTION victory, some of his apologists have suggested that those who are appalled by his election are “elitists” who should now hang their heads in shame.
They argue that we are all condescending liberals who don’t understand ordinary American folk. That argument is tendentious and should be rejected out of hand.
One only has to look at Trump’s initial appointments to see the most pessimistic warnings proven true. A man opposed to protecting human health advising on appointments in the health sector and possibly set to become Health Secretary. An Ambassador to Israel who believes Israel has a rightful claim to occupied Palestinian lands and has dreamed of building a holiday home there.
A Fox News host as Secretary of Defence, and the latest and most shocking of appointments from those on both sides of the aisle, highly controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, his pick for Attorney General.
And if anyone has any doubt that Michael O’Leary was overhyping the importance of businessmen in politics, Elon Musk’s appointment to Trump’s Cabinet will quickly dispel any lingering doubts.
Sure, the Democrats made mistakes. Biden should have withdrawn from the race much earlier. Aspects of the truncated Harris campaign, including the clarity of its messaging, were poor. Yes, the Democratic Party should urgently analyse how it can better plug into voters’ concerns and do better next time — on the optimistic assumption, that is, that Trump doesn’t implement his plausible threat to make this the last truly democratic US election.
However, infinitely worse than running a poor campaign is running or supporting an immoral one. Only in a travesty of democracy is winning an election an end in itself. Only in an ethical wasteland does winning an election justify the use of deplorable arguments or supporting a politician who is a convicted felon, who seeks to overturn the outcome of elections that he hasn’t won, and who, in a reversal of Abraham Lincoln’s eloquent aspiration, appeals without fail to the “worst angels” of people’s nature.
So, no. It is not Kamala Harris and her supporters who today should hang their heads in shame, even if they must accept criticism for significant mistakes. They should rather be proud that they stood by the values of tolerance, of fairness and of democracy itself. Yes, they lost a vital election. But what they didn’t lose, unlike their opponents, was their dignity or their basic moral compass.
Those who should be ashamed are rather those who in recent years have supported, or remained silent, about Trump’s racism, xenophobia, misogyny and criminality. They should be ashamed about his cosying up to the world’s worst tyrants and his undermining of US democracy.
Winning an election is not a magic potion that can wash away the shame of those who have brought ignominy on their country or that can justify the havoc that Trump has been emboldened to wreak both at home and abroad.
A great many people around the world, including the vast majority of Europeans, are rightly horrified at the choice made by the US electorate. Like half of America itself, we will not be intimidated by the bullishness of Trump’s triumphalist apologists or by their utterly unwarranted high moral tone. Rather, we will redouble our support for our own democracies and fundamental values that face growing challenges, both from within and from outside.
It is hardly surprising that all of those who threaten Europe’s democracy and values are, without exception, strong supporters of the next US President: from Putin to his lapdog Orban in Hungary, from the disgraced Boris Johnson to the far right Alternative für Deutschland in Germany.
It is a measure of political sophistication and education levels in Ireland that Trump supporters here are relatively few and far between. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste were, of course, right to send their congratulations to Trump on his election. Ireland should seek to have the best relationship with the new US Administration that is possible in the challenging circumstances.
In common with every other country, Ireland should strive for pragmatic working relationships even with countries, the political leaders of which do not share our values. Moreover, there is a historical friendship between the Irish and American peoples that has withstood some ups and downs and will do so again.
Likewise, the European Union, with Ireland’s full support, will seek to work pragmatically with the Trump Administration, aiming to dissuade him from giving full effect to some of his most egregious campaign rhetoric. Of particular importance to Europe will be to avoid, if possible, a tariff war that would do significant damage to both parties, to maintain the US commitment to European security and to dissuade Trump from encouraging further war by throwing in the towel to Putin.
In this country, we should be both reassured and proud that our own current election campaign, apart from a small number of anti-migrant candidates on the far right, is largely devoid of the sort of populist rhetoric that has returned Trump to power. In comparison with most countries, we are comparatively well served by our political parties right across the political spectrum.
The highest priority of the next Irish Government must be to maintain and strengthen the decent and democratic values that distinguish us from Trumpian America. In that regard, our foremost obligation will be to take an ambitious approach to strengthening the European Union that remains, following the hopefully temporary suspension of traditional values in Washington, the world’s most significant bulwark in support of a democratic, decent, multilateral, law-based international order.
Bobby McDonagh is a political commentator and former Irish Ambassador.
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Sure it’s just a bit of craic. Although sometimes I don’t know why people bother. Like on this site anytime Northern Ireland is even mentioned in an article you can take it as a given that the same old pointless pissing match will ensue in the comments section.
Yeah between those who support violence and those who oppose it.
Yeah but when you’re bored mention NI and watch the fun.
Stop mentioning it so.. I’m only here to see Mister Fantastic setting red thumb records every day…keep up the shite work,you’re doing awful..
It’s just another of walter mittys (rodgers) accounts.
Mister Fantastic cannot be Richard ,Mike … Where’s Saul when I need him ..
I’ll be 74 years old in September. This website has brought so much highlight to my twilight. I feel like I’m 20 again.
Keep up the good work!
Adebayo
And here I thought theJournal.ie commenter were a representative cross section of society…
Whatever gave you that idea?
No i don’t -
Only when Richard Rodgers or KKK are on the Fascist prowl !!!!!!!!
Does it ever embarrass you that SF support is only ever strong in anonymous, online forums. All those multiple troll accounts still only count as one vote each in real life – hence 85% of people not voting for SF in the last local election!
“SF support is only ever strong in anonymous, online forums. ”
Yep, thats why they’re the only party with elected MEPS in each constituency in the country, and have between doubled and tripled their elected council representatives in the last local elections, because they only have strong support in online forums….
Doubling and tripling f**l all is still f**k all.
There’s old Buddhist legend which goes as follows: Imagine a mountain, 10 miles high, 10 miles wide. Every 10,000 years a rook sharpens his beak on the top of the mountain and flies away. When the mountain has been worn down Sinn Fein will be ready to enter government.
Will all yee stop piggybacking off my comment please -
@James: Why? It wasn’t very interesting before.
Because you lot are talking bollox
@James: Seems like a natural extension of your comment then.
On an unrelated topic – Maybe if you spent a little less time cavorting with Madam Palm and her five daughters, you’d be a little more alert.
And the highest Vote of any Political Party in the 32 Counties of Ireland too !
Mister Fantastic – your views are only fantastic – if they were only factual – they would be even more fantastic – now that’s fantastic – isn’t it ?
Ciarraioch, jesus it shows how desperate SF is now if they have to start adding the votes from two different countries. Sure let’s bring China into this while we’re at it. Oh no I guess the communist party has won again.
Why would you take the votes in another country where none of the other parties ran for an election which wasn’t held in that country? Is this how SF is planning to do our Budgets? Well yeah we f**ked up and the country is in massive debt with poor international investment and rising unemployment. But sure when you add in northern ireland it all looks amazing!
Ogra Sinn Fein paint post boxes green in Northern Ireland. They’re nearly a parody of themselves.
When you think about it – former Royail Mail post boxes painted green are a parody of themselves. And yet we still have so many of them.
Only idiots comment on a forum like the Journal.
Oh, wait…
I’m managing to comment less than I used to. So hopefully I’m becoming less idiotic!
The best comments are often by people who don’t comment regularly and who just contribute their own experience to a particular story. Pity there is no filter just for those comments!
Occasionally but always regrettably
Regrettably for those reading your comments also.
Applies to your’s aswell Mister.
Norman, I am really surprised at you writing ‘aswell’.
Draws them out Patrick.
I nearly have a bet that our good buddy Patrick was the first person to comment ever on the Internet.
That would explain the general poor quality of thought in comment sections, they give a platform to those with shout loudest and think least. I’m looking at supporters of one political party in particular.
How does one “shout” in the written format?
YOU TELL ME
Still can only read your nonsensical reply, no sound.So again how does one shout in the written format?
Ha.
Never
Long time reader,
First time commenting……
It beats trying to get a letter published in the IT, seems to be reserved for those who know someone on the inside judging by the frequency some names get published.
Maybe try saying something interesting next time. You never know.
@misterfantastic as I have stopped buying the IT some years ago I am not going to waste my time, prefer this platform instead.
It’s not the worst minority to be a part of
Oh yeah and most people that complete these surveys always tell the truth. They the same spoofers that say they don’t have a telly.
Obviously didn’t ask anyone here so.
Only lunatics comment online.
Sponge monkeys flogle
I never comment on anything online.
Some people just shouldn’t ….. eyes roll up lol
I sincerely doubt that “lol” you claim to have done.
If you have snapchat I’d gladly send you a lol ….
Never! Wait.
Moriarity is that you?
Empty vessel, is that you?
No it’s not. I’ll leave you guessing:):)
Yup.
Look closely at the picture. It says “RT yup”!
Well having two i’s on the keyboard would be a bit redundant.
There is no “I” in “the keyboard”
i’d never comment on these things but then I’m over 45
Also hard to post using a 2006 version of internet explorer I’d imagine.
Pity the graphic is unreadable. Ongoing issue on this app.
Yes I do, but no-one listens
I think it depends on the sites a person frequents.
Youtube is terrible for comments recently. The only people who seem to comment are those against whatever the video in question is saying. and then a handful of people defend the point leaving an endless circle or debate. Mixed into that you get some people with strong or radical views posting the same messages on every video related to that topic.
I think it’s fair to say that those responding here are not a representative sample.
have your say