What happened back in 2016 in the US sent shock waves around the world. To a lot of us, it seemed like a huge joke. A joke that quickly turned sour. Fast forward to the events of 6th January 2021 and by that time we realised the joke had turned into cold, hard – and dangerous – reality
At the start, Trump was portrayed as a big orange blowhard, a cartoon character with comedy hair. His own party seemed the most shocked of anyone. Electing a comedian/reality show host/actor* to the highest office was something other, smaller, more reckless, countries did for a protest or a laugh or out of desperation (*yes, there was Ronald Reagan but he did actually take an interest in politics). Sadly, the ‘grand old party‘ appears to have gotten over the shock, and seems to be okay** with keeping Trump in reserve, like some kind of resting Golem. (**yes, I know there are Republicans not okay with this. Good on ya!)
I’ve always said – go easy on laughing at the man. He might seem to half the electorate as the most ridiculous thing ever but in ridiculing him you insult – and entrench the views of – the other half of the electorate. And while most of that half are probably perfectly decent people, they’ve been infiltrated by a sizeable group of hate-mongers, bolstered by the careless/calculated rhetoric of the Uber Oompa Loompa. They’re like parasites on an unsuspecting host. Most worryingly, they’re tooled up.
Back in 2017 I was inspired to write my time-travel tale Letter from America – not to laugh at Trump (I’d stopped laughing by that point), more to articulate a wistful wish for ‘the big bad man to go away’. I know it’s never the most clever – or polite – thing to offer an opinion on another country’s domestic or political affairs. But, as there’s a Scottish connection to the Trump tale, I felt I was entitled to add my tuppence worth. It’s not solely anti-Trump though (he isn’t named in the story), it’s more of a bitter-sweet valentine to ordinary everyday people – not born into riches and so faced with difficult decisions. Oh, and it’s a tribute to the beautiful Western Isles as well. More recently, I’ve added a follow-up to the story: Letter from America, part two: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
To mark the solemn first anniversary of 6th January 2021 I’m offering a **free download** of Letter from America, parts 1&2 (6-8th January 2022).
**See the freebies page**