Attempted Assassination and Wild Speculation

The pundits are shitting their pants. An article in VOX, by Zack Beauchamp, declares that “America is not ready for what comes next,” and “we should all be terrified.”

The people of Gaza are (and should be terrified), but America is as strong as ever. Only a young lad at the time, I remember the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, when most of our Pacific Fleet was destroyed while Hitler raged in Europe. That was existential, as was the Great Depression that preceded it. This whistling shot at Trump is a symptom of our troubled times and something not to be taken lightly, but merely a hiccup on the way to a presidential election that will disappoint many of us, no matter who wins.

The difference is conspiracy theory, social media and the dizzying speed of the internet

All of the above are buzzing with busyness, feeding the wild speculations that follow a half-decade of school shootings, job loss, a takeover of government by the rich, endless pressures on a disappearing middle class and the corresponding failures of political bipartisanship. Those are the problems that need our attention. That is the work to be done.

The contest between two old men for the presidency of the United States is a mere distraction that amounts to nothing. We know who they both are, and what they represent. It’s a busted flush in a meaningless poker game. We remain, for as long as we keep our cool, a nation of law, no matter the continuing nonsense of our highest court. Those laws will carry us through the next four years, which will see the final term of both current candidates.

What we’re witnessing now is the frenzy of social media

Opinion, both left and right, has its wild-eyed adherents and each claim to speak for a majority. The house is on fire, someone is burning the furniture. It simply is not so, but there is money and reputation to be gained from fanning the flames.

“A gunman’s bullet has just sent the country hurtling into an abyss. The only question now is how far we fall,” claims Zack Beauchamp in his final sentence.

A better example of exaggerated and hysterical punditry cannot be found.

Get a grip, Zack.

Settle down, folks, we have more serious work to do.