So Emotional

There is hardly anything more annoying than watching an out of control six-year-old in a full-blown tantrum; I mean they want the ice cream and nothing else matters. I have experienced this as a parent and witnessed other people’s kids as a casual bystander; for my money it is more maddening if it is your own child. That’s because you know you are responsible for breaking this habit your offspring has developed; the passing observer can shake their head and walk away. As a parent, despite the fact you understand they are still learning how to act, and are consumed by conflicting emotions, it is awful to deal with an out-of-control child. In the end, however, you give them a break; it is part of maturing.

I have also seen athletes, at all ages, lose their mind for a moment as the intensity of competing overwhelms them and they act like a wild person; without regard for what they are saying or doing. Society typically accepts their outburst as part of the deal, with limitations. Coach Bobby Knight once threw a chair across the court when he was bothered by an official. He wasn’t fired or negatively judged; he was revered for his competitive spirit.

But what are we to do with the silly explosion of emotion that occurred last week between our President and his former buddy Elon Musk. All it took was one small act of disloyalty and we were witness to two grown men acting like the most petulant second grader. At least last week’s display of insults played out thoughtfully; on social media, because that is where meaningful dialogue is best suited.

It started when Musk pointed out the obvious fact that the big, beautiful bill can’t be both big and beautiful. That didn’t sit well with Trump and so he fired back with a degrading comment, and the gloves were off.

My dad once told me that nothing good happened after midnight. I have come to believe that it is because he wasn’t awake and able to stop my likely dumb decisions. Have you noticed our President sends out the craziest messages well after midnight. I especially love the ones in all caps; he must really be bothered when he yells with his fingers. Could it be there isn’t anyone to stop him, as most sane people are sleeping. Left alone, and to his own offended self, he is free to lash out.

Some people took joy and pleasure in watching two powerful men fight like children, I did not. I don’t want the most powerful person swinging at every pitch thrown his way. I mean, when you have power, the power alone is enough to get what you want. There is no need to show your immaturity because someone hurt your feelings.

It is sad really to see them part ways. It is obvious, Trump has had enough, and he is serious. He went so far as to say he was going to give back the fabulous Red Tesla he “bought” from Musk weeks ago in the White House portico. What a shame, I was really looking forward to seeing the former President cruising South Florida looking for entertainment in his best bud’s invention.

And why did Musk bring up Epstein? That was a low blow. I mean boys shouldn’t disclose secrets about their friends. That was unnecessary; I don’t blame Trump for questioning Musk’s value as a person, given what Musk suggested about him.

It reminds me of a coach I had in my younger days who said, “You don’t want to get into a pissing contest with a skunk, you will just end up smelling bad.”

I think that sentiment applies here; both Trump and Musk came out of this looking silly.

But as a say that, I am reminded that this type of juvenile behavior is the hallmark of both men. Neither seem to have a restrictor plate holding them back when it comes to lashing out and demonstrating their inner six-year-old mentality.

Many people say it was predictable, and they are most assuredly right. These two guys weren’t destined to hang out. They are use, and dispose, kinds of people.

The more I think about it, the more it reminds me of a time when two of my good friends lost their mind and decided to get married. They were a bad fit from the beginning, but they plowed ahead. Not surprisingly, the relationship blew up quickly. Who knows what happened behind closed doors to get them so mad at each other. All I know is their dark secrets became the power source for aggressive personal attacks which played out in front of their shared friends. It was ugly, but it was more embarrassing. Their emotional meltdown evolved into a cry for who would follow who.

Now I had to choose between two people I liked, when, in fact, their vitriol for each other was not my concern. I imagine there are many Trump supporters who can find no wrong in him, who gladly adopted Musk as the next Trump love child and now they must disown him; that must be hard. I have relatives who for the last three months have talked about Musk as though he was the most amazing man that ever existed. Before Trump kissed him on the forehead last fall, they would have said nothing about him. What are they to do now? They can’t stop loving Trump, but their professed smartest man in the world is now a discarded Trump bum.

If you think this silliness doesn’t matter to you, I am afraid that’s misguided. True, whether or not Trump and Musk find a way to become besties again is irrelevant. What isn’t, however, is the demonstrated nature of the emotional reaction our President has whenever he feels slighted. I find this trait most bothersome as it relates to our position in the world. His reputation is known by all, and they behave as such. When he hosts world leaders and TV covers it in the Oval Office, it I obvious how the guests manipulate him. And it is obvious they don’t trust him. I know some of you will push back on that idea but think about your life and see if you can recall a person who was unpredictable in what they would say or do; always one moment away from some emotional meltdown. Did you trust them? Would you permit them to oversee something you valued? If you’re being honest, I think the answer is no.

What fun some had last week watching two important people argue over who ran the schoolyard. The media ate it up and Washington was abuzz with intrigue. Meanwhile, the country has problems that aren’t being addressed.

The behavior of our President isn’t going to change; he is who he is. We elected a person who possesses a mental mindset like no one we have ever seen in that role. With that we get the good and the bad that comes from his peculiar way of thinking. However, we should never accept it is okay for him to act so emotional. It isn’t okay to say, “Boys will be boys.” That’s not good enough.

I never want an emotional person in charge. I want a cool head and calm demeanor who can separate their feelings from the task at hand. I don’t have to agree with their policies; I just want to trust their judgment. I am not alone in that feeling, maybe it is why I have heard a relative of mine say so many times, “Thank God we have never had a woman President, women can be so emotional.”