Below is a conversation which may take place in any number of locations involving an aspiring student, interested in heading his/her student council, and his/her father:
“Dad, as you know, I have been interested in politics for several years and as a rising senior, I am seeking your guidance as I am seriously considering running for Student Council President. Here is the dilemma which I am facing — should I trace the path to office which has been recently followed most successfully by President Trump?
“Look, President Trump is enormously rich and occupies the most powerful elected office on earth. That is a simple fact. But, what bothers me is just what methods did he use to be elected? He has said some things which are bald-face lies: President Obama was born in Kenya; Senator Cruz’s father was somehow involved in President Kennedy’s assassination; his Inauguration Day crowd was the largest in history (actually smaller than that of President Obama’s in 2009); and, he saw (no one else did) thousands of Muslims celebrating in New Jersey when the World Trade Center Buildings collapsed on 9/11.
“He makes up nasty nicknames for people against whom he is running for office: ‘Low Energy’ Jeb; ‘Little’ Marco; ‘Lying’ Ted; and, ‘Crooked’ Hillary. Dad, that might be attention grabbing, but it just is not nice!
“In addition to the above, he calls the fired former FBI director, described as an honorable man by all with whom he has associated a ‘nut job’ and a ‘grandstander and showboat.’ Dad , do you think that this is honest or fair? He also fires a long-time federal civil servant and Acting Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates (who also enjoyed an outstanding professional reputation) because he did not like her opinions. He publicly besmirches the reputation of his predecessor, President Obama, by falsely ‘tweeting’ that our 44th President ‘wiretapped’ his Trump Tower residence!
“Give me some guidance here. I know that my probable opponent, Johnny S., is an A student, captain of the football team, and spends his weekends doing charitable work for his church; just about all the kids think very highly of him. I am not a bad student, but I do not want to reveal my GPA as it is nobody’s business and will embarrassingly compare to that of Johnny’s. I also do not wish to address the issue of my non-participating in any worthwhile student or volunteer charitable activities. But, I am a dynamic, attention getting speaker who has a way of attracting public attention.
“Here is where I really do need your parental guidance in determining how to conduct my campaign for Student Council President. Should I spread some ‘fake news’ concerning Johnny? I was thinking that if I truly want to be Student Council President I could falsely claim the following regarding Johnny: I have ‘evidence’ that he grossly cheated on last year’s physics exam; he not only uses prohibited drugs, but is a dealer; and, last, but not least, he encouraged his girlfriend to have an abortion.
“Now, here is where I really need a decision from you. Should I say nothing negative concerning the outstanding character of Johnny and lose the election which I definitely desire to win or replicate, in a high school manner, the successful manner in which Donald Trump became our 45th President and continues to operate to this very day?
“Dad, I truly need and await your heartfelt guidance.”
Wade Williams
Peachtree City, Ga.
