Trump seeks ‘Monsters to Destroy’ in unhinged Inauguration Speech

 

Trump seeks ‘Monsters to Destroy’ in unhinged Inauguration Speech

On September 19, 1796, outgoing first president George Washington gave the most famous Farewell Address in American history. In it he warned against “foreign entanglements” which could lead to unnecessary wars.

On July 4, 1821, future president John Quincy Adams reinforced Washington’s admonition by warning America must not go abroad. “seeking monsters to destroy”

Instead of adhering to those wise presidents when it comes to foreign adventurism, Donald Trump chose his second Inaugural Address to promote America taking back the Panama Canal from Panama. In so doing he cited 19th century predecessor William McKinley, the first president to seek out monsters to destroy in initiating US empire abroad. McKinley gave in to US empire proponents Teddy Roosevelt, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and publisher William Randolph Hearst to initiate war with Spain in 1898. The quick victory gave America Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippians and Guam to compete with the great empires of Europe.

Trump’s bizarre justification was delusional nonsense.

“President McKinley made our country very rich, through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States. The United States — I mean, think of this — spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated.

American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form. And that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back.”

McKinley wasn’t a businessman, much less a natural one, and didn’t give TR money to build the Canal as he was long dead before TR snatched Panama from Columbia to build it. America controlled the Panama Canal till Jimmy Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, officially transferring the canal to Panama control in 1999.

 

Trump then fired off a volley of lies to justify his proposed canal grab. Panama has neither violated the treaty nor broke promises to America. Nor does Panama overcharge or treat America unfairly. Most preposterous is Trump’s charge China is operating the canal. No matter what part of the world Trump interferes with, he always manages to toss in his favorite bete noir China.

If Trump truly wants to seek out monsters to destroy, he might start by looking in the mirror.