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Pelosi tearing up Trump's speech: power move, or idiotic move?
This was a terrible own goal by Pelosi.
Both in its actual efficacy, and for the sake of the country and the state of politics.
Just look at this picture.
What would a moderate think of it?
In the bset case, a moderate would think she's overreacting. In the worst case, that she's gone mad and she's letting rage get the best of her.
I think it's an own-goal because Pelosi had the chance to show that in the room there was a (Republican) bully, doing shameful self-promotion and refusing a handshake, and then there was a (Democrat) adult, who respected the institution.
You can't win the staunch Republicans as a Democrat.
That's a given.
But Trump's own speech, plus his refusal to shake her hand, was her chance to win over the moderates.
She could have played the professional adult, the level-headed thinker, the one who respects the importance of politics.
By tearing up the speech, she gave up the role of the adult.
With Pelosi's gesture, the many moderates and apolitical ones (like myself) will be shaking their heads muttering "how low have they gone".
If Pelosi had remained professional, she could have rallied people to shake their heads together with her, muttering "how lower can he go".
Pelosi wasted a chance of looking superior and making Trump look like a selfish, childish bully. Instead, Pelosi also became a childish bully.
Now she's competing at Trump's level.
And Trump is an expert there.
Finally, tearing up the speech was a mistake because of the genders roles and expectations.
Like it or not, people are more likely to forgive a man for being aggressive. They are less likely to forgive a woman.
So Pelosi lost more people's support than Trump that night.
In the end, we all lost with Pelosi allowing Trump to get under her skin.
Where are some adults when we need some?
Like a bunch of children fighting over an old toy.
Contemptable. And a shameful representation of the US in general. And ultimately, of us as a whole. We made this. We made Trump, we made SJWs, we made toxic masculinity and extreme feminism and the rest. This rot wouldn't last a fortnight without our consent.
The best we can do is become better people, one at a time. Learn power, mix with warmth, and do our best not to repeat their mistakes.
Quote from Kellvo on February 5, 2020, 8:41 pmThe best we can do is become better people, one at a time. Learn power, mix with warmth, and do our best not to repeat their mistakes.
Exactly, Kellvo, exactly.
I also see a silver-lining when shameful acts come from those who are either famous, or at the top of their organization.
It can serve to empower those who are not (yet) at the top with more motivation and responsibility.
First of all, to provide a counterbalance.
Since there are no guarantees that people who reach the top of any organization are going to be the best people possible, it means that it's up to each one of us, no matter where we stand, to provide better examples.
And the second motivational aspect is to reach that top in order to provide a better example, and a better leadership.
