Finally, to keep America safe, we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war…
Whether you are a Democrat, centrist, or Republican, President Trump’s address to Congress on the final day of Black History Month cited civil rights principles and endeared all threads of government to form a tapestry symbolizing unity, weaving necessary ingredients to shine as a peace-seeking nation and superpower of democracy. In doing so, talking points spoken at the lectern were met with varying degrees of applause and/or ovations as President Trump seemed to physically point to key figures in the audience who are positioned to get this job or that job accomplished, mouthing “thank you” to whomever was his focus of recognition and responsibility at the time.
A smattering of applause from half-hearted Debbie-downers was also discernible, but overall, the house was bathing in the cleansing ingredient found in national pride.
President Trump’s gestures throughout the address were nothing shy of encouraging, like a coach does for the well-practiced players on the team’s bench. Yes you can attitudes typically result in historically great dividends, and the president’s outline is convincing.
As a petite female photographer scooted up and down the center aisle documenting history, the president spoke the words “divisiveness” and “unity” and “American spirit.” Smack dab in the middle was Mr. Trump, who, albeit not a political titan, exuded national pride and sentiments to fortify US principles of peace, liberty, justice, and equality. His can-do spirit was beyond palpable, even if some sitting right under the commander-in-chief’s nose refused to clap, stand, or show anything other than resignation. People from all over the nation witnessed a seemingly fractured government. The chasm of our political party system may have evoked gloom from some, but in my opinion, this attitude was outweighed by welcome change from others.
This morning, I read about a few elected officials who opted to boycott the president’s address, reciting “he’s not my president” childishness. That reads like a bumper sticker tainted by exhaust. He is the president of the United States of America. If you are an American citizen who also happens to hold elected office, then that makes him your president. Any member of the Senate or Congress representing constituents’ interests betrays that elected honor and responsibility by choosing to sit out and brood. Perhaps the most optimal construct of absentia is second-guessing poor decisions. But it came to bear, because the absent few spoke to the media about it. Misplaced effort is how I see that maneuver. As a part of the government, protest is counterintuitive and counterproductive and sets you apart (especially from those who put you there). Hopefully this is remembered by Americans come re-election season.
Other Side of the Aisle
In both a literal and figurative sense, as I watched via whitehouse.gov, I kept wondering why we do not do away with that metaphorical aisle. Why we chronically recognize, mention, and insist its existence as if it’s our government’s only artery befuddles me. Repealers of laws ought to heed repealing their own decorum; American respect would surely touch the stratosphere. As a public safety practitioner, I respect fire codes and special egresses for people to traverse safely and accordingly, thus I am suggesting re-arranging the furniture and bringing political diversity elbow-to-elbow without removing the pathways to mingle.
Learned, highly intellectual people occupy the Senate or Congress, representing millions of American voices, yet we split ourselves in two while clearly seeking national unity. It reads like a cheap logo advertising a potentially great company. As educated and highly integral government figures, surely we can sit among ourselves to parlay what is best for Americans without inciting spitball fights, gum-chewing, or dogging ideas of others that do not congeal with our own. Just take a seat, any seat, and talk. Want change? Start at humanity, not Republican or Democrat. Our soldiers, cops, and firefighters do it. Nurses do it. Teachers do it too.
The president’s words were resoundingly clear that he wishes to be the steward of American spirit, with broad plans to bring hands together, primarily within the borders of the United States. Signifying a borders-without-boarders approach, President Trump bellowed his actionable plans to shore up our weak spots that make (keep) our country vulnerable. “We want all Americans to succeed, but that can’t happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law at our borders,” President Trump said. His business acumen assures Americans he has their best interests at heart—and boy did he speak from the heart.
Several moments praising our law enforcement and military warriors played like a symphony of standing ovations telegraphing the convictions of putting money where the mouth is. By now, the only organism unaware of President Trump’s immigration enforcement objectives is maybe an unborn crayfish. Our president ensuring safety, protection, and rule of law principles is akin to you taking the same measures for your household—it is constitutionally sound.
President Trump’s accolades to law enforcement were pinned appropriately:
“Police and sheriffs are members of our community. They’re friends and neighbors, they’re mothers and fathers, sons and daughters—and they leave behind loved ones every day who worry about whether or not they’ll come home safe and sound. We must support the incredible men and women of law enforcement.”
The very definition of “sovereign government” is a nation whose right to act independent of other foreign powers is sacrosanct. Indubitably, when it comes to exercising rights on behalf of everything within its borders, deciding domestic policies and protocols, and defending against its inviolate constitution, countries are not unlike parents whose interests are in children (citizens) prospering in destiny. Illegal (hence criminal) aliens who seek to circumvent our ways, means, and rights fly in the face of constitutional, sovereign rights—our rights, since they’ve not appealed for theirs legally.
Examine the constitutions of other nations and you will see close parallels to ours. Some offer no latitude and convey a sense of attitude with respect to non-citizens who seek to stand upon their sovereign soil. When it goes awry, we have the right, the duty, and the responsibility to remedy affronts to our sovereignty (family) by using the rule of law as a tried and true guide.
Of course, reshaping our nation to what we wish it to be is not as simple as stretching and shaping Play-Doh, but at least our nation’s leader has no qualms about getting his hands in the mix, pillaring law enforcement actions and seeing it through. I like that he views the entire machinations of nationalism from a business perspective and not from a political popularity platform. I like that he invites anyone into his vision and invites participants to meet at the table. I like that he bolsters the requisite forces (police and military) to hold the lines as we seek better standing for ourselves before we relinquish our reins for foreign entities to reign without legitimacy.
In recognition of our military might, the president boasted, “Finally, to keep America safe, we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war. If they must, they have to fight and they only have to win.”
Respectfully, he added, “My budget will also increase funding for our veterans. Our veterans have delivered for this nation, and now we must deliver for them.” That sentiment definitely aligns with his “Americans first” credo.
I like that he dignifies what is on his mind. Like the zipper analogy, I love it that our 45th president guides the mechanism linking the left side with the right, effectively ridding us of that proverbial separatist thing in the middle.
In roughly 70 minutes, President Trump’s speech encapsulated the direction of our nation and the vessels we have to get there. In uniform or not, I am content to be along for the ride, together. Images of President Trump’s guests in the gallery, each representing heartache, hardship, and hard-won battles, punctuates stewardship and dedication to nation, including a slain Navy SEAL’s widow who wept an emotional fusion of sorrow and pride. As all parties in the room pointed their attention to her, she pointed skyward to her beloved husband, who died for American sovereignty. These are the remnants and sentiments with which I awoke today—the same thoughts that will transport me to a slumber this evening and long after.
Rest well, my friends. We have collaborative work to do.
Stephen Owsinski is a Senior OpsLens Contributor and retired law enforcement officer whose career included assignments in the Uniformed Patrol Division and Field Training Officer (FTO) unit. He is currently a researcher and writer.
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