Divertimento

(Wag the Dog )

Divertimento, a musical form from Mozart’s time, usually meant as a time killer.  Take away a source of angst, maybe.  Consider the current political situation:  The Donald’s approval rating is in the tank.  A majority of the nation’s voters view (to put it mildly) his presidency as a failure.  What can be done to get some of this bad Karma off his back?  An improvement in his party’s fortunes? How ‘bout an attempt on his life?  It has worked before.

The White House Correspondents Dinner is hardly POTUS’ favorite event.  This was to be his first, after attending none during the first term.  Too thin a skin?   But, what if someone took a shot at him? Why not stage a bogus asassination?

Chaos! His favorite go-to! (reminds me of a saying during my Navy service, to wit, “When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout….).  Remember the scene: the Secret Service hustling Trump and Vance off to a safe place, the would-be assassin (safely) well out of range.  After a suitable interval, the rest of the “event” (the Dinner) is effectively  called off. Over the (reportably) vigorous objection of Our Intrepid Leader; the show must go on, etc.etc.  This is bound to raise his popularity, at least in the short term.

As directed, the miscreant was arraigned the following Monday, and charged with attempted murder.  They’ll deal with him (much) later with a middlin’ likelihood  of a presidential pardon.  Who knows what else he might get for playing the role. Was he promised a cushy Bureau of Prisons placement, a la Ghislaine?

Haven’t we seen this movie before? Wasn’t POTUS somewhat behind Kamilla in some polls in 2024? There he was, being defiant, heroic, even, shaking his fist that afternoon in Pennsylvania? Or, when certain death threatened him on his golf course in Florida?

When the going gets tough, the tough get….., oh, never mind.  Profiles in courage, indeed!