| Satire from Lima Charlie Politics

Op-Ed, by Carolina Sam

In the wake of President Trump’s Executive Order banning entry to the U.S. for individuals—including refugees fleeing unspeakable horror—from seven Muslim nations, many thousands of Americans have taken to public locations to protest. These have included mass demonstrations in front of the White House, Capitol Hill, and most major airports in the United States. Though many people desperately seeking refuge inside the safety of our borders have been barred from entry, another terrible side effect of the order has been large numbers of people detained in U.S. airports, in some cases being denied access to an attorney.

Many Americans have flooded the internet and phone lines seeking information about what they can do to help. And while citizens have left hearth and home all over the country to pour into the airports to make their voices heard, this has left a dangerously low number of Americans able to ensure that brunch operations in expensive restaurants have been sufficiently well-patronized.

But at times like this, we’re reminded again of the old adage that not all heroes wear capes.

Thank you, Hillary Clinton!

You see, Members of Congress like Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8) took it upon themselves to leave restaurants unattended, and to add themselves to the throngs jamming in every crevice in their local airports. They left nature’s beauty in the New York hills unexplored, instead joining in solidarity with their people when they need support.

Raskin, in particular, represents an egregious example. A respected constitutional law professor before he entered Congress, he actually took it upon himself to try to use his legal training to help people trapped in Dulles International Airport.

Hey Bub, where do you get off?! Those people had a meal on the flight, they’ll be fine for a few days.

Clinton, however, was nowhere to be found in any protest, even while individuals were still being detained in an airport in her own state. While on the surface that could seem like an overwhelming act of cowardice from someone who has never taken a moment to get her hands dirty with meaningful organizing, I disagree. Few fully comprehend the dangers of a dirty set of hands in this germ-infested age.

Others would also point to Clinton’s ability to still command instant press attention. These Negative Nancies would say that she should have been there to draw more national media focus to these detainees, instead of sitting idly by while CNN spent hours over the weekend replaying their miniseries about the 1980’s.

Y’all bitched about Hillary Clinton, told her to go home…but now that shits bad you’re asking where she is? She’s at home, like u told her pic.twitter.com/EeRXCtoSYb — Alex (@alexmalloyy) January 29, 2017

Again, I disagree! Times are tough right now, and more than ever, Americans need to be reminded by their national media of the cultural significance of Huey Lewis and the News.

Quite rightly, a number of people have reminded me of how hard it is to run for president, how unbelievably grueling the process and the toll is to a candidate. As if I need to be told!! Staying in hotels for many nights and travelling in a private jet with a pantheon of supporting staff is one of the worst sentences a person could receive. It is probably one of the most grinding set of difficulties one could suffer, much more so than fleeing both a psychopathic head of state and a ruthless terrorist organization at the same time. So much running is a great workout!

On the flip side, many candidates are known to gain weight from the poor food choices available on the campaign trail. You tell ME who has it worse.

Hillary Clinton is a better woman than I. I would be #OnHere searching tweets asking where I am and responding like JK Rowling. pic.twitter.com/fctD7Y3oR6 — Joanna Simkin (@JoannaSimkin) February 1, 2017

If Donald Trump’s executive order is allowed to stand, some of the people who are frantically trying to find a way through an extremely arduous, often years-long process to flee the most heinous violence in the world will die. While the enormous might of the U.S. security state is already brought to bear to vet and analyze these refugee-seekers, that simply isn’t enough to sate the xenophobic excesses of the Trump Administration.

When I think about this, I feel bad, and bad is a feeling I don’t like to experience. I feel like as an American, it’s my responsibility to fight wherever, however, and whenever I can for people that just want to live in freedom, and more than that, just have the freedom to live. With many responsibilities comes many others (Spider Man!). I don’t like it!

Thankfully, we still have Democratic figures like Hillary Clinton that show me it’s OK to take a pass, and to leave the hard work to others.

Stronger Together, when it’s convenient. Now THAT’S a message we can all get behind!

Sam Watkins is a former Army Specialist, living in North Carolina. He served without distinction for three tours in Iraq. On several occasions his vehicle inadvertently drove near roadside IEDs, but was deemed “too insignificant” by local insurgents to bother with. He has been honored with several military discounts from local restaurants, and is currently waiting to hear back on a number of opportunities in the Winston-Salem area. When not providing valuable insights on a number of open Facebook threads, he can be found enjoying the company of friends. He is, of course, a Cav Scout.

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