Merriam-Webster defines antithesis as a direct opposite. That's one image in my mind at the moment - Donald Trump addressing the nation from the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday.
Despite his claim to have been consecrated the greatest President since Lincoln, Trump has, in my opinion, absolutely nothing in common with our 18th Chief Executive. Lincoln sought to reconcile disparate groups of Americans; Trump tries to tear us apart from pone another, and from our own humanity. Lincoln wanted us to follow the better angels of our nature; Trump delights in insults and in stoking the flames of fear.
Don't be drawn into the reality show Donald Trump has planned for the 4th. Not his 20 minutes of inane partisan rhetoric at the Lincoln Memorial, nor tanks rumbling onto the National Mall, nor Air Force One flying low over the Capitol, nor any other of the events that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars, in any way adequately celebrate our democracy.
For that, I'd recommend you read Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence by Garry Wills. It's available from Amazon, and through the Library System of Delaware County PA.
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