When
I served as the American ambassador to Zimbabwe (2009-2012) I had a
conversation with a southern African politician that intrigued me. He said that
when African politicians spoke publicly, it was a good idea to know who they
were really addressing, because they only
spoke to their intended audience, and anyone else who happened to overhear
should shut their ears.
Watching
and reading the news lately about the shenanigans of the 45th
President of the United States, this conversation came to mind. Just at the
time Donald Trump’s considering petitioning the Supreme Court to reinstate his
ban on visas to people from five predominantly Muslim countries, he’s been busy
on Twitter and giving interviews that expose the true reason behind that ban—just
such conduct that caused two federal judges to put a hold on his original
attempt, on the grounds that his public utterances gave a different
interpretation to the motives behind his executive orders—motives that were at
odds with what the DOJ attorneys were telling the courts.
Again,
he demonstrates his tone-deafness, or his inability to understand that words
and actions have consequences.
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