Was it only 11 days (as I write this) since Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States. Somehow, it seems like much, much longer. Since the inauguration, he’s been more sworn at than sworn in. More column inches (or should I say centimetres as a good European, before it becomes a Brexit offence), have been written about him, in both print an electronic media, than any other president in history, most of it unfriendly and some of it downright abusive.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think much of him myself. He doesn’t seem like the sort of guy normal folk could be friendly with. Not the sort you’d meet in the pub for an after work drink. Not the sort you’d invite to your Hogmanay party, unless, of course, you were Theresa May, who was desperate to invite him to a party she was throwing at Buck House, just as soon as she persuades Queenie to do as she’s told and open the door.
No, what concerns me is why Trump’s getting so much attention in the media. You’d almost think the MSM had something to gain from it.
But wait. In the last two weeks, how many stories have you seen about foodbanks, how many about cuts to someone’s Social Security benefits or sanctions imposed by DWP on some jobseeker who was a minute late for an appointment. How much publicity has there been about the plan to close 24 Jobcentres in Scotland, 8 of them in Glasgow, and others all over the UK, leaving great chunks of the country with perhaps only one Jobcentre and thereby forcing claimants to travel many miles to appointments, increasing the cost and time taken for the claimant, not to mention the chances of being delayed and then sanctioned by a Jobcentre rep with a target to meet. Even Brexit is not getting the treatment it was getting before the great Trump storm hit the headlines.
What we have seen is a shedload of anti-Trump rallies being held all over the UK, many with large numbers attending. What demonstrations have we had about foodbanks, benefit cuts or sanctions during this time. What demonstrations we had before Trump hit the headlines, have had much less publicity and, perhaps as a result, have been smaller. It’s a pity that folks seem to have more interest in demonstrating against a situation in another country, which they can’t really change, and less in demonstrating against situations in their own country which they have at least some chance of affecting.
We all know that Trump’s election influence what happens in the UK, particularly as Theresa May appears to be happy to offer everything and sign up to any deal Trump suggests in her panic to get something to show that Brexit is not going to be the disaster many have suggested.
So, all those involved in writing, talking or demonstrating against Trump might like to wonder whether they’re being encouraged by the MSM to forget about domestic issues that are a bit of an embarrassment for the UK Government and spend all their collective energy in other ways to let the government off the hook.
Think on it.
Angry Weegie 