Upon Learning of the COVID-19 Diagnosis for the Trumps

I met Richard Nixon in the White House in 1972. I thought he was a much taller man. In fact, he was rather short. I had just met the most powerful man in the world and was profoundly underwhelmed. I learned an extremely valuable lesson that day.

I learned that powerful people are just people. In our country, no one is more "important" than another person. They may have more responsibilities or wealth, but they are not innately endowed with privilege by God. That is because the American ethos dictates that all citizens are equal. We have no kings or queens. No person is above the law.

More importantly, I hope we take heed of the great lesson here... that many people in our country cannot see themselves in the moral and spiritual darkness of Trump's reflection, that they have fashioned him as god/emperor out of their deep rage of threat to what they perceive as "exceptionalist" privilege, and that truth will out – no matter how much we attempt to delude ourselves with an alternative to it.

I sincerely hope the Trumps learn from their experience with COVID-19 that they are not above any law made by man or nature. Their fate will be sealed by the imperious, reckless behavior they malevolently induced others to emulate.

It may be that over 207,000 people, like Shakespearian ghosts, are karmically beckoning the Trumps to their bosoms. It may be that nature is simply balancing the books. It may be that humanity needs to learn, yet again, that there are consequences to ignoring natural systems far more powerful than ourselves.

The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" has been playing over and over in my mind for days, even before the announcement that the Trumps have contracted COVID-19. I have considered these words, ever more poignant now:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on..."

We Americans have lessons to relearn about humility, connection, governance for the common good, healing, egalitarianism, respect, and reconciliation. I sincerely pray for that.