100
2 votes
Apr 26, 2017

Unfortunately, I've lost the comment on this topic before I wrote this version, but I hope I can still remember the most important parts of it (verbatim):

I think he could have been a lot more effective so far; instead he spent most time complaining about the status-quo. For example: media-wise, when he was criticizing media outlets from the podium of his own Twitter feed; or the politics/choices of his predecessor, "causing" him to lament the very burden (i.e. "messed up world") he is "forced" to carry/"responsible for". That's not very inspiring (if not somewhat untrue), and at best I could rationalize these remarks as a continuance of the/his campaigning season. Still, that's a waste of his time and my energy.

In all honesty, it just hasn't occurred to me yet that his Presidency has actually begun. During his inauguration I thought he gave an impressive and inspiring speech, but that seems like a fake memory now in the face of so much contradictory acting and nitpicking over petty things.

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100
main reply
1 vote,
Apr 30, 2017

You really can't tell much after 100 days, the new president is really stuck with what the out going president did, as it takes time to set the agenda and get it moving.

Now like many new presidents, he's finding out it's not as easy as he thought, the problems are much more complex, the solutions can't always be agreed upon, and you have to deal with congress, and judges. Really he's spent much of his first 100 days revoking many of Obama's executive orders, and not much else.

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100
1 vote,
May 1, 2017

Another factor may be the agenda Trump has set for himself, though. It contains some controversial points (expansion of the border wall with Mexico, reversal of climate change policies) that are not only ambitious but also contradict intentionally and directly with former policy. So to be publicly complaining about delay and counterwork - actually emphasizing these adversities - seems naive at best and immature at worst.

And deeply complex as the problems may turn out to be; from the start, Trump's approach/response to them has been primitive/simplifying (which [currently] appeals to many, possibly due to the challenges of globalization and overall chagrin). It's like watching someone throw a beautifully intricate bicycle over the length of a puddle so they can cross the short distance without getting their shoes muddy, discard it, then afterwards hear them complain about the long walk home.

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100
1 vote,
May 4, 2017

I have to say, that bicycle metaphor is beautiful. Gotta warn you, I just might steal that in my personal political conversations. Even after reading metaphor after metaphor from professional journalists and op-ed columnists about how successful or unsuccessful his first 100 days have been, what you just wrote stood out the most.

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0
0 votes,
May 4, 2017

Thank you, that's a really nice compliment to receive and I'm glad and even honored to know that in your opinion it was an apt paraphrase of what many've tried to indicate.

To find the right metaphor is certainly a challenge. When I wrote it, I had to sit back and think for a minute to envision what would be the ultimately unnerving action for me to witness in my metaphorical and literal powerlessness. Therefore a little warning in case you might use it for personal purposes: bear in mind the worth of a bicycle to a Dutch person; the level of despair might not translate accurately across the border.

Meanwhile I just learned of Trumpcare's modest win, so now I'll have to eat a couple of my rather unfortunate words concerning his "disappointing" productivity.

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