A Farewell to a President
...and a Welcome to an Unforeseen Era...
Dear, Mr. President.
You will have to forgive me as I have written to address very few famous people until now and don't quite know how to begin this.
As a candidate back in 2016, you inspired me.
Yes; in the third election that I was eligible to vote in, I voted THIRD PARTY (Libertarian). It was the first time since I was of age to vote that I hadn't voted Republican (I am still young; it may happen again).
THERE in lie your very first inspiration to me. This had to do with you as a CANDIDATE at the time and I hadn't yet seen you at work as a sitting president just yet.
...To govern would be a difficult job; especially from the position of leading an entire Nation. One individual's ideals and leadership will never appease everyone. I will readily acknowledge that I could never fill your office effortlessly with full dignity and grace either and I applaud (or at least try to minimize the bad-mouthing of) the efforts of MOST Presidents for at least putting forth the attempt.
You tried to do a lot for everyone (a person's accomplishments always ring a lot truer when SOMEONE ELSE acknowledges them through a different platform. Self-back patting and boasting only impresses a tiny margin of a populace). You put forth some of the best efforts at your disposal, Mr. President. You TRIED to improve the economy for EVERYONE; you even made a special effort for the employment and appreciation of historically marginalized people groups. You sought prison reform. You endorsed peace between Nations (though, via social media, you could have closed off peaceful communications with certain other world leaders). No major foreign wars/conflicts involving the U.S.A. on your watch.
These are all GREAT messages and ideals. They required a great MESSENGER with kind, concise, and, at times, humble words so that people would want to HEAR them.
I know that you had it in you to share a great message in humility; it showed, sometimes, in your State of the Union addresses when you chose to address the Nation as a whole and NOT stoop to name-calling your political adversaries. The attempts to share an honest message from a sincere place were overshadowed by your consistent boasting, complaining, and (worst of all) the endless name-calling over Social Media. America today needs more civility in its discourse; NOT more polarizing name-calling of the other side. This is not strictly a problem with you, or the media, or your political allies or rivals; civility is dying between EVERYDAY Americans. One president's use of Twitter didn't necessarily invoke the shift in decorum; it didn't help END incivility and mudslinging to hear it from the mouthpiece of a Nation's leader either.
The abuses of both a political and social media platform were seemingly unbecoming of a leader. The media, fresh off of lionizing other presidents for years on end, took a seeming breach of conduct and ran with it for four long years. Between yourself and your adversaries in the media and entertainment, I have lost track of WHO started this bitter rivalry, Mr. President; and, moreover, I have lost track of WHO would be the first to rise ABOVE traded bitter barbs for the good of decency and unity.
I want to address what happened at the Capitol on Wednesday, January 6th. It should have never happened; but there it was. The people forcefully invading the Capitol CLAIMED to represent YOU. They did NOT represent innocent Americans who merely went to the polls for you, who even prayed over your leadership, and left their endorsement of you there. I heard the words of MIKE PENCE specifically condemning their actions. I believe that you did too in your own way.
America has spoken and a new day is dawning for our great nation. I don't know for certain what this next four years will bring for our country; but part of me does fear over it.
I feel that anyone willing to take up the mantle and lead the Nation is owed at least SOME thanks. (Again, I know that I couldn't have done it with full dignity either. [How long would it have been before I turned on the exact same media if they seemed to abuse me in the same way? I would have been wrong too, by the way.])
In closing, thank you, Mr. President. Enjoy some time out of the media spotlight for a while as a new day for an America that has always seemed fairly GREAT to me (despite failing at points in history; and even falling short of civility lately) rises...
About the Creator
Kent Brindley
Smalltown guy from Southwest Michigan
Lifelong aspiring author here; complete with a few self-published works always looking for more.
https://www.instagram.com/kmoney_gv08/
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Italy’s Hidden Gem: Discovering a Town with La Serenissima Views and Its Own Cipriani
Italy is a country celebrated for its iconic cities—Rome, Florence, Venice—but tucked away between the famed tourist routes are towns that seem frozen in time, offering charm, history, and beauty in abundance. Among these hidden treasures lies one of the country’s most unsung towns, a place where you can sip a cocktail reminiscent of Venice’s glamour, while gazing at La Serenissima-inspired vistas. Even more surprisingly, this little town boasts its own Cipriani-style experience, rivaling the luxury and sophistication typically reserved for Venice itself. A Venetian Feel Without the Crowds The first thing that strikes visitors to this town is its unmistakable Venetian vibe. Canals weave gently through the streets, their waters reflecting pastel-colored buildings and ornate bridges that could be lifted straight from Venice. Gondolas glide gracefully, though here, you’ll find far fewer tourists jostling for photos. The pace is slow, the atmosphere calm, and the view—breathtaking. 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