CHAUVANISM

     Chauvanism is defined as extreme patriotism, it was broadened in the 1970s to include misogeny. If you are male and escaped the Women's Rights advocates calling you a male chauvinist pig at that time, congratulations. The word is derived from a much decorated French soldier who was wildly supportive of another world leader reputed to have tiny hands (or whatever), Napolean Bonapart. Some sources say that this story may have been an exaggeration: as devoid of truth as Republicans are devoid of empathy. Never-the-less the word remains with us, as does the actions illustrated by this word. Another irony, most people who practice chauvinism would not know the definition, or think there is something wrong with it.

     Among this group of people who practice chauvinism is one Officer Derek Chauvin who, until recently was a Minneapolis police officer and member of a supposed group of "Cops for Trump". This is the Donald Trump who is using the presidency to enrich friends and family, a violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution Republicans claim to be protecting. This cop, Derek Chauvin, is now accused of the death of George Floyd by kneeling on his neck while handcuffed for nearly 9 minutes while the black man reportedly said repeatedly, "I can't breathe." 

     Most of us, at least those of us of a more enlightened outlook, are outraged that any person, let alone an enforcer of the peace, would think such a tactic is acceptable for arresting a citizen who is not resisting arrest. Some people, Republicans and Trump sycophants, chief among them, are unconcerned that this tactic hues so closely to the metaphor, "keeping your foot on their neck". They are unable, it seems, to see this as an indicator of active oppression. Oddly enough, this never happens to criminals whose pigmentation is similar to that of the Republican party. As for crimes it is increasingly more difficult to recognize a difference between crimes normally committed by Republican targets of derision, and those committed by Republicans.

     It is bad enough that Republicans generally, and Trumpies specifically, are unable to see the too common instances of irony in their actions. It is unacceptable that they would defend such blatant cruelty. Increasingly Republican officeholders are indistinguishable from the Central Casting elements of villainy that Republicans campaign against. Donald Trump has filled appointive offices with people who normalize such behavior. The Senate majority leader has vetted and approved the Inspector General who will investigate his wife. The guy who is replacing one of the three IG's Trump has fired for generally inspecting people like him, and Mitch McConnells wife. Our country, primarily thanks to Republican legislative majorities has become indistinguishable from the "banana republics" we supported in service to the cold war. Yes, there are Democrats who can be included in this rogues gallery of villainy, but they at least have people willing to stand out in opposition. People who will be accused of being, too liberal, or socialists, or unChristian by people who allow this autocratic behavior to continue and use election engineering openly.

     Our forefathers were not perfect people, yet they envisioned a country that would continue to work towards perfection even as they fell short. Our presidents and legislative leaders were not perfect either, but there are many that we honor for their noble attempts to advance our democracy. These people we honor in our history books. We create myths about these people, which we pass on to our children. The villains are seldom remembered, which may be our biggest failure. These villains who infest the Trump administration, his party, the cable news channels that honors the virus of patriotism that these people do not deserve, these people must be villified forever in our history books. Either that or we will once more succumb to the dishonorable behavior we now see exhibited.