early to bed, early to rise
There’s no denying our Donald doesn’t intend to let the grass grow under his feet. Since setting-up shop in the White House, his audience-baiting has consistently kicked-off around six-ish and those tweets have become a staple of many a breakfast.
Obviously an early-riser, the president is clearly in the Thatcherite ‘four hours a night’ camp in terms of his sleep needs, but unlike our very own first lady, he’s never held back his disdain of those who require a little more, labelling them as chronically lazy. This thinly veiled barb was aimed at Barack Obama, who had a very different morning routine. Rising at seven, he’d breakfast with Michele and their daughters, before working out in the gym and hitting the newspapers for an hour. We know from his biography that Mr T doesn’t read and gets his world view via cable news, specifically Fox News & MSNBC. When asked how he keeps informed on national security the president of the world’s most powerful country informed us “I watch the shows”.
The same routine goes for the evening. Obama would dine, with his family, at around six-ish and return to work thereafter, whereas Donald’s is on the hoof, on his jack-jones, in front of the TV. The beautiful Melania’s not been on the scene since the inauguration as she’s back in NY and for all intents & purposes Ivanka appears to be filling in on first lady duties. Sounds a helluva life he’s leading.
OK, I admit I’m making light of the office of president but, perhaps more importantly, how will we judge Barack Obama’s legacy in years to come?
Irrespective of your political leaning, it’s not been a bed of roses for several years. The truth of the matter is that Trump’s appointment would not have been possible had it not been for the anger, frustration and disillusionment felt by a great deal of the population, and Obama needs to accept his role in this. And now with health care, climate change and immigration reforms being rapidly and visibly dismantled, what’s left? Syria, Cuba, Afghanistan & Iran remain debatable. Steadying the economy post 2008 and growing job numbers all came about through throwing greenbacks at the problem. Even Donald could’ve done that. And he will.
No, for my money, his legacy should not necessarily be viewed solely in terms of what he achieved but the manner in which he tried to achieve those things. Throughout his presidency, and taking account of the precarious Democrat positions within both houses, Obama conducted himself with admirable dignity and decorum. Calm under pressure, the family-oriented ex-president avoided gaff, gossip, drama and scandal – no blue dress, no cigar, no hacking, no bile, corruption or vindictiveness, and precious little sycophancy. America will soon rue the loss of this most presidential of gentlemen and no amount of rising early is going to help in the current incumbent’s quest for wisdom.
And on that final point, as it may come as a surprise to us on this side of the pond, it turns out there is already a wall, one that measures over 700 miles. But, I agree, it’s not enough – illegal migration has been falling for over a decade and now, more Mexicans are heading south than north – leaving poor Mr T with no alternative but to build high and build wide, to keep everyone in! If he doesn’t, America won’t have a large enough workforce to undertake the infrastructure work he’s planning or do the jobs the indiginous population have no intention of doing.
