Written after week one of #47, this still holds true. “Lately it seems like a bunch of frat boys have been daring each other to bigger and bigger pranks. The current president has a practiced excuse that comes to mind with his signature shrug – “Who knew?”

Dear Neighbor, 

When I taught high school the highly esteemed Latin teacher always gave the same Friday speech to his students, one that spoke to a teenager’s own responsibility over the weekend. The kids loved it and many had it memorized. I often heard them repeating it to each other. Although my advice didn’t come in speech form I did use the same phrase often… If you are asking yourself or your friends, “should I?” the answer is likely “NO!”  Consequences matter. 

Fast forward to 2025 in the United States of America. Seems like some in the new administration could use a Friday speech to moderate their reckless actions that are already causing unexpected ramifications. Lately it seems like a bunch of frat boys have been daring each other to bigger and bigger pranks. The current president has a practiced excuse that comes to mind with his signature shrug – “Who knew?” That’s a pretty weak justification when making policy or taking executive action. 

As the repercussions of this first week of political actions continue to unfold, it appears that we, the people, will need to be good teachers with ready reminders that could foresee the possible outcome of this administration’s unchecked impulses. It is difficult to unsee a president-elect not place his hand on the bible when he took the oath – “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” 

Neighbors, I believe that we, the people, can’t ignore the recklessness that is becoming more and more apparent from a man who views everything as a transactional approach that must benefit him or his billionaire buddies. Can we accept his impatience with the process as an acceptable reason to release convicted criminals who assaulted police officers and were found guilty of other violent crimes? Isn’t it definitely more than a “technical oversight” when a president ignores legally required congressional notice when firing 18 inspector generals? Yes, it is more than politics as usual when a judge rules that #47’s nationwide ruling is an egregious violation of the 14th amendment. Who wouldn’t wonder if it is a dangerous precedent to give 6 month temporary high level security clearances to his hires and ignore the vetting for potential security vulnerabilities for those handling highly classified information? What’s wrong with calling him out for being weak for blaming “the bureaucracy” rather than being transparent about his refusal to participate in the formal transition period between presidents? 

I could keep going, however I’ll end with 47’s priority executive order to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the U.S. government and the U.S. military. Reuters reported on Saturday, 1/15/25, “that the video about the Tuskegee Airmen as well as another about civilian women pilots trained by the U.S. military during World War Two, known as “Women Air Force Service Pilots,” or WASPs, were not being taught in basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland pending a review.” Thankfully, it’s been overturned as of Sunday night. Sadly we have no idea what this reversal may spawn in this mercurial POTUS. Especially since Alabama Senator Katie Boyd Britt has described the decision to pause teaching the videos as “malicious compliance” with 47’s executive order to end all DEI immediately. Malicious compliance? –  REALLY? Or could it be that it’s just positive criticism in response to the unpredictable nature of poor judgment through executive orders? Kind of like potentially reckless teenagers and Friday speeches. 

In our United States our presidents are elected. They aren’t kings. We don’t need any of them becoming authoritarians or oligarchs ready to overturn the rights of the people for their personal benefit and wealth. Those who are reckless with democracy need a regular dose of a Friday speech and it’s been around for years. You might recognize the opening.  

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

“Dear Neighbor” authors are united in a belief that civility and passion can coexist. We believe curiosity and conversation make us a better community.