Donald Trump recently described how immigrants enter this country in such a way as to trigger derision from talk show hosts. Seth Meyers may even have made his joke twice (or maybe the second time was Stephen Colbert).
Trump said (paraphrasing): They make a left turn. Or a right turn. Usually it's a left. They make a right turn, go along the border until the barrier ends, then they make a left turn into this country.
The talk show guys joked that these words are gibberish. But I understand perfectly what he's talking about:
Immigrants approach the western end of the border, say around Tijuana. But they don't attempt to cross. Instead, they make a right turn, headed east, and follow the border on the Mexican side until the barriers peter out. Then they make a left turn (north) and enter America. Because without a wall or sturdy fence to stop them, they can just come on in.
What makes Trump's version sound so nonsensical is the lack of context.
I remember a scene in one of the Stephanie Plum mysteries. Two characters are driving in a car. They get into a conversation that comes to an end when a third character chimes in.
Was the third person hiding in the backseat of the car? No. The main characters had arrived at a destination, got out of the car, and walked to the front door of a house. The third person had to emerge from the house in order to enter the conversation.
But the author provided no context, no running description of the action of the two characters. This allowed the third character to come out of left field and begin talking. It was startling, disconcerting. I don't know, maybe it was supposed to be.
(Or maybe I remember the scene incorrectly. What do you want me to do, read the entire series again to see if I can find that scene?)
Trump's version of the migrants' journey lacks context. It needs more description to ground the listener. But he seems unaware of this. Why?
I think it's because he's aways been a rich man. Trump lives in a world where he can get away with stuff like this.
Like in the recording his "fixer" made of the two men discussing a payment to a third party to compensate him for buying off one of Trump's alleged sexual playthings. The big guy suddenly bellows for somebody to get him a Coke. (Pretty sure he said "please.")
When you're rich and powerful, your underlings have to be constantly on the alert for random demands from the boss. And be ready to comply instantly to make his every wish come true. Trump is used to this behavior, on his part and on theirs.
In his defense, he's paying for the service, and if his people don't like it, they can take a hike. And they do, in droves, if his presidency is any example.
Like rats from a sinking ship.
(Is that expression even true? What about "Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky at morning, sailor take warning"? Is that true? Anyway, how does it benefit a rat to leave a sinking ship before anyone else? So they can get a good seat on the lifeboat?)
When you're rich and powerful, you can be oblique and things still get done. Say it however you want, they'll figure it out. Their jobs depend on it.
People get used to the behavior they can get away with. It becomes part of their self image. It's who they are.
(It works in the arena of sex, too. "When you're a star, you can do anything you want. Grab 'em by the pussy, whatever," some guy famously said.)
When Trump wants something, he usually gets it. Right away, and perhaps with a little bow of deference. "Here you go, sir. And may I just say you're looking especially orange today. Keep up the good work!"
This is why being president is so frustrating for Trump. The machine is broken. He makes demands, and folks just mill about, ignoring him. Or tell him he's great, and do nothing to help him.
And now, instead of being able to fire all those annoying Democrats, there's even more of them to get in his way.
Son of a bitch!
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