2016 Feb 13^th

About 2000 years ago in Rome a conquering Roman general could count on a “triumph” when he returned home. A triumph was a very big deal. The hero of the day led a parade, his chariot followed by wagon loads of booty, usually gold and silver, trailing strings of former enemy soldiers, now conquered slaves. Crowds lined his path cheering another Roman victory. But riding in the hero’s chariot and standing just behind him was another man, often a slave, who whispered to him, “Remember, you’re just a man.” This was intended to guard against excessive hubris, a Greek concept but surely applicable to Roman generals.

Now we have another conquering hero and he has had many splendid triumphs. Thousands and thousands have come to see him and hear him speak, but no one stands behind him to suggest that he “is just a man;” that is unfortunate because “Mr. Trump,” as he is always called by his myriad employees, is riding perilously close to the edge of being truly offensive to a portion of his public.

He cannot offend the people who come to see him; they will cheer for him and wave banners no matter what he says. If someone in the audience disagrees with him his supporters will shout, “Kill him,” or “Burn him alive.” Trump never objects to such comments when they are directed against those who disagree with him. Many of his comments over the course of his candidacy have led to predictions that he “has gone too far this time” but so far he hasn’t.

Will things be different now? What’s changed? Trump must now appeal to South Carolina voters. Politics in South Carolina is fraught with risk. McCain’s opponents claimed that he had fathered a black child out of wedlock when, in fact, he had adopted a Bangladeshi child. In South Carolina politicians can lie about their opponents all they like, that will not matter to the voters. The use of smutty language on the other hand is another matter altogether. Trump referred to an opponent by calling him by a gutter term for a portion of the female anatomy and he has repeatedly used other terms not ordinarily heard in South Carolina living rooms.  As one of his unhappy viewers, and former supporters said, “I cannot support someone to become President of the United States if I cannot let my fourteen-year-old daughter listen to his speeches.” I believe the lady has company.