In our Topsy-turvy world where we laugh at politicians and seek comedians for common-sense insights wrapped in a giggle, comedian Jim Jefferies is renowned – in part, Jim shares the fun of watching Trump’s lunacy. It’s no longer fun, when you see the impact of his words. Imagine hearing someone who could become the President of your own country -spread fear and hate about Muslims, when you’re an American-born, Muslim youth. The equation is simple. Fear and suspicion equal hatred.
Trump put the same equation in play this week when he spread fear to a gun-loving crowd in North Carolina. What could make those folks more fearful than to hear that “Hillary Clinton definitely plans to abolish the Second Amendment!” “Hillary Clinton is coming to get your guns” runs a close second. Trump dropped a now-infamous hint that those folks might know how to stop her. He now says it was ‘a joke.’
Jefferies is a much funnier man than I’ve painted him. He’s also very thoughtful, and claims the following bit of advice is ‘the most hippy thing’ that will ever come out of his mouth. Because hate grows, the way to stop it, is to return love to those who hate you. The comedian reasons that it might just win the other party over. On the chance that they still hate you, you’ll still win, because they look like the ass-h*le.
I can’t help but wonder, with Trump, where’s the gain ?!
cartoon by Adam Zyglas