"Sing Praises to His Name, He Forgets Not His Own..."

A few hours ago, the benevolent leader sent out the following tweet.  I include it here below because otherwise, if I merely typed out what he wrote, most people might not have believed it.

Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2017

Hey, Thanksgiving is next week, so why not beg for thanks?!  I guess this is the time of year for it.

For those unaware of the story, the very short version is that the UCLA basketball team was in China to participate in a basketball tournament.  Three players incredibly-stupidly shoplifted sunglasses, were arrested and -- this being China -- faced the potential up to 10 years in jail.  Efforts were being made on a lot of levels to deal with this, and since it overlapped with the president's trip to China and with him and the State Department there, reports are that he was contacted about reaching out to the Chinese president, and the issue was resolved.

And then we get this whiny, petulant, bizarre tweet.

I sent my own response thanks to the magic of social media, which I'm sure will have a significant impact on international relations.  A longer version of all that is --

Yes, I actually think it's extremely likely that all three kids (they'll all still teenagers, I believe) WILL say "Thank you" -- to everyone who helped them out, not just the president. I think they'll fall on their knees thanking their coaches, the school, and the State Department, as well, all of whom helped resolve this. But, y'know, when this tweet from Trump was sent...they hadn't even landed yet in Los Angeles!   Not to mention they hadn't yet even gotten to their homes!  So, geez, how's about we let them UNPACK first, and maybe rest first after the 12 hour flight (!) before whining about what they haven't done to say "thanks" yet...OKAY??!! 

And by the way, although it's absolutely possible they could have gotten 10 years in jail...that was the maximum sentence, and it is not only not likely they would have received that, but they were NOT "headed there," on their way to jail  There hadn't even been a trial yet.

Is the president a petulant child??

Yes, it was just a small tweet – tiny compared to so many of his others, and especially compared the far-bigger news of the day -- but it really was just numbing.  Perhaps because it was so small and unnecessary.  And utterly petty.

Only Trump would would be so bizarrely thin-skinned to publicly cry out for thanks for doing...well, for doing anything...but most especially for this, as if he did some massive diplomatic effort worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize (which Barack Obama did win, it must be noted, which I'm sure galls him...) -- when his action, while absolutely proper and good that he did it and worth the "thanks" he will likely get,  was the most basic thing for any president, let alone human to do. He made a call at the end of a long, involved process to keep three young kids from potentially getting up to 10 years in prison for stealing sunglasses.  To not have called would have bordered on inhumane and malpractice.

But sure, thanks for doing your job.

UPDATE:  After writing this, it turns out I was right!!  (Though it was pretty darn easy.)  The three players are now finally back home and held a press conference -- and they DID thank Trump, as well as thank the United States government. And everyone who helped.  Gee, go figure.  Imagine that.  Why on earth would Trump have thought they wouldn't thank everyone??  Because they're black and, in his warped mind, ungrateful people??

So, Happy Thanksgiving.  It came early this year for Trump.  One wonder if when he pardons the national turkey, it will be himself.
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