Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year for 2016 is “post-truth,” and is defined as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief: ‘in this era of post-truth politics, it’s easy to cherry-pick data and come to whatever conclusion you desire’ (and) ‘some commentators have observed that we are living in a post-truth age.’”
The website continues, “The term has moved from being relatively new to being widely understood in the course of a year – demonstrating its impact on the national and international consciousness. The concept of post-truth has been simmering for the past decade, but Oxford shows the word spiking in frequency this year in the context of the Brexit referendum in the UK and the presidential election in the US, and becoming associated overwhelmingly with a particular noun, in the phrase post-truth politics.”
Pontius Pilate cynically asked, “What is truth?” On the other hand, Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” “Post-truth” could just as easily be “Post-Jesus” or Post-Christian.” Cynics today presume nobody knows.
Many of us hoped when the election was over, the election would be over. Not so much. The election continues via rioting in streets of major cities, blame games among media and political elite, and social media gurus declaring the removal of “fake news” from their platforms. Wonder how that last group is going to determine “fake news” in our post-truth era? Have you watched CNN lately?
President-elect Trump has made several key selections for his cabinet, none of which have been received well by the elite media establishment (EME). Trump selected Sen. Jeff Beauregard Sessions (R-AL) for Attorney General.
EME response? “RACIST!!!”
Earlier Trump had selected Stephen Bannon as his “senior counselor and chief West Wing strategist.”
EME response? “RACIST!!!”
Trump selected Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) for Director of the CIA.
EME response? “RACIST!!!”
You may be sensing a trend. Evidently Trump is selecting only racists for his cabinet and administration. Or, maybe that is the post-truth spin the elite media establishment have chosen to color all of Trump’s selections and decisions?
Trump has set out an ambitious agenda for his “first 100 days” in office. He has pledged to begin working on the following:
1. Nominate judges who will uphold the Constitution.
2. “Build a wall” on our southern border and control immigration.
3. Rework trade agreements.
4. Offer incentives for corporations to keep jobs in America.
5. Repeal and replace Obamacare.
6. Lift federal restrictions on energy production.
Just like President Obama, President-elect Trump will enter office with two years of solid partisan support in both chambers of Congress. Obama quickly signed a nearly $1 trillion stimulus bill for “shovel-ready” jobs. Democrats in Congress passed and Obama signed the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare without a single Republican vote.
What might Trump accomplish in his first two years in office?
As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope Americans will accept election results and give the new administration and representatives a little leeway to do what they deem best for America.
I hope Americans can agree we’re all thankful the election is finally over! And, maybe we can endeavor to distinguish the documented facts from emotions and personal beliefs.
