There is nothing stable in the world; uproar’s your only music, wrote Keats.
If uproar is indeed playing out in a discordant global symphony, then Donald Trump appears to be its principal conductor. Opponents’ attempts to wrest the baton from him have so far come to naught. Yet the scale of recent revelations suggests he may be facing his own final movement. A whistleblower complaint, alleging he abused his office by trying to get a foreign power to interfere in next year’s election and cover it up, has sent shock-waves around Washington. Democrats have described the reports as “explosive” and “deeply disturbing”.
Whatever way the impeachment drama ultimately plays out, it is likely to cast a pall over the 2020 elections. But some would argue Mr Trump’s influence goes way beyond the United States.
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Commentators in the UK yesterday were quick to draw comparisons between Boris Johnson’s ruthless focus on consolidating his core Brexit vote with Mr Trump’s fixation with protecting his own base – at any cost. Indeed the ugly scenes at Westminster, the incendiary tone, smouldering rage and deliberate stoking of dangerous passions appeared straight out of the Trump playbook.
They were a chilling reminder that in times of political volatility it is vital to maintain a degree of civility. Blunt force, even in language, leaves no room for reason or compromise.
MPs leaving the Commons in tears after Mr Johnson’s dismissal of their concerns of threats against them marked a new low. His comment that the best tribute the house could pay to the murdered Jo Cox (a fervent Remainer) was to vote for Brexit was remarkably callous. But appeals to tone down the polarising rhetoric were derided as “humbug”.
The dangers of fashioning simplistic slogans primed to stoke up resentment and stir up latent feelings of rage are written all over the pages of history. Yet speaking to the UN this week, Mr Trump suggested that each nation’s independence and sovereignty should be prized above international frameworks.
But so many of the problems currently faced by the US – and the UK – are the result of looking inwardly; without due regard for the intricate relationships in an ever more co-dependent world.
There is such a thing as global community; only by acting in concert can matters like terrorism, climate change, poverty and other social issues, which transcend national boundaries, be best managed.
This week the ‘Washington Post’ pointed out that it was the US that led the creation of the United Nations from the wreckage of two world wars.
Its basic principle was that every nation must work together to protect global peace and security.
It is a simple but potent message at a time of such growing mistrust and tension. Co-operation is crucial for co-ordinating the interests of countries amid so many burgeoning crises.
Some form of accord must eventually be found; but signs of harmony in the rancour-filled sessions of parliament or in the testy corridors of Capitol Hill seem more remote than ever.
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Home » Analysis & Comment » Editorial: 'Trump and Johnson shame the corridors of power'
Editorial: 'Trump and Johnson shame the corridors of power'
There is nothing stable in the world; uproar’s your only music, wrote Keats.
If uproar is indeed playing out in a discordant global symphony, then Donald Trump appears to be its principal conductor. Opponents’ attempts to wrest the baton from him have so far come to naught. Yet the scale of recent revelations suggests he may be facing his own final movement. A whistleblower complaint, alleging he abused his office by trying to get a foreign power to interfere in next year’s election and cover it up, has sent shock-waves around Washington. Democrats have described the reports as “explosive” and “deeply disturbing”.
Whatever way the impeachment drama ultimately plays out, it is likely to cast a pall over the 2020 elections. But some would argue Mr Trump’s influence goes way beyond the United States.
Please log in or register with Independent.ie for free access to this article.
Log In
New to Independent.ie? Create an account
Commentators in the UK yesterday were quick to draw comparisons between Boris Johnson’s ruthless focus on consolidating his core Brexit vote with Mr Trump’s fixation with protecting his own base – at any cost. Indeed the ugly scenes at Westminster, the incendiary tone, smouldering rage and deliberate stoking of dangerous passions appeared straight out of the Trump playbook.
They were a chilling reminder that in times of political volatility it is vital to maintain a degree of civility. Blunt force, even in language, leaves no room for reason or compromise.
MPs leaving the Commons in tears after Mr Johnson’s dismissal of their concerns of threats against them marked a new low. His comment that the best tribute the house could pay to the murdered Jo Cox (a fervent Remainer) was to vote for Brexit was remarkably callous. But appeals to tone down the polarising rhetoric were derided as “humbug”.
The dangers of fashioning simplistic slogans primed to stoke up resentment and stir up latent feelings of rage are written all over the pages of history. Yet speaking to the UN this week, Mr Trump suggested that each nation’s independence and sovereignty should be prized above international frameworks.
But so many of the problems currently faced by the US – and the UK – are the result of looking inwardly; without due regard for the intricate relationships in an ever more co-dependent world.
There is such a thing as global community; only by acting in concert can matters like terrorism, climate change, poverty and other social issues, which transcend national boundaries, be best managed.
This week the ‘Washington Post’ pointed out that it was the US that led the creation of the United Nations from the wreckage of two world wars.
Its basic principle was that every nation must work together to protect global peace and security.
It is a simple but potent message at a time of such growing mistrust and tension. Co-operation is crucial for co-ordinating the interests of countries amid so many burgeoning crises.
Some form of accord must eventually be found; but signs of harmony in the rancour-filled sessions of parliament or in the testy corridors of Capitol Hill seem more remote than ever.
Source: Read Full Article