Reign of Toads

It's still a shock to me. And, I think, to most Americans, how many of our fellow citizens were closeted criminals. Trump brought them out of the woodwork. We assumed there were shared values and a core commitment to the rules and a modicum of tolerance and good-will. But, no.

It was an illusion. Culpability becomes an issue. I'm against the 'insanity' defense because it muddies the waters and raises unanswerable questions. Someone who commits a crime should be found guilty. Then, competency, compassion and suitable consequences can come up in the sentencing. 

If there were compulsions or delusions in play it makes a difference. We are there now. We are there with an entire political movement openly engaging in illegal acts. Where to draw the line? If some Trump toady commits crimes for Herr Donald, by order or inference, how guilty is he? 

The Manson Family is the model. Which, it is to say, it's a judgement call. Various factors must be weighed and balanced. The 'scales of justice' analogy is apt, but it's harder with the Trump movement. Layers, and so many of the actors are insulated. Evil Stephen Miller had his own lesser crime cult. 

A professional racist and hate czar, he was responsible for terrible acts of cruelty, but couldn't have done it without Trump. It would be hard to hold him accountable, which counts. Trump must be held accountable. He and his close associates who committed obvious criminal acts must be jailed. 

The rest is a judgment call. Miller wasn't a drone. Many of Trump's underlings were. He was a separate locus of evil authorized and empowered by Lord Sauron, aka Trump. But most of the Trump movement consists of toadies. They'll do opposite things on different days if Herr Donald orders it. 

Fealty is everything. In that sense they are less guilty than Miller but practical aspects of the prosecution will win out. So, the toadies get busted and Miller goes free. Sorry, it's probably the best we can do. I know it's not right. It's irritating as hell. But Miller can be found guilty in the 'court of public opinion.'

Spat on in restaurants and such. 

He can be made the pariah he should be and scorned. If we come to our senses. Or if, I should say, the people who have any sense and care, who still constitute a (slimmer than we thought) majority, regain the power and restablish the rule of law, a term I don't even like but it's all we have.