General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Bob Woodward sat on this audiotape for 7 months [View all]Bucky
(53,997 posts)I for one would have loved to read another four months of this sort of story chipping away at Republican morale, enthusiasm, political fundraising, and hypocrisy.
https://www.salon.com/2020/09/12/donald-trumps-fatal-flaw-of-his-many-defects-bob-woodward-may-have-identified-the-worst/
Who could have done anything? The people who weren't wearing masks and social distancing could have. The Republican enablers who were denying the existance or threat of the virus could have figured out they need to at least shut up and keep their paranoia to themselves--especially those who were advising Republican governors across the Sun Belt on how to navigate this crisis.
The Dunning Kruger effect is a thick layer of armor built around Trump's incompetence and veniality. We need all the weapons we can muster. This story is a strong sword. I would like to have had it sooner. Turning people around from their chosen ignorance is a slow process, like turning the Titanic around from its trajectory.
Don't forget that every time a Trumper wakes up, the first thing they do is put on a mask. An earlier release would have saved lives. At the end of the day, Woodward prized his access to Trump over those lives. Of course we can never know the exact number. But seriously, why haven't YOU personally stayed silent about the danger Trump presents to the republic? Why haven't you waited until a more politically dramatic moment to denounce his recklessness and thievery?
I think it's because you do know that an ethical person knows they have an obligation to warn people about the dangers they're in, even if they doubt the potential victims won't take the warning seriously. You owe that to your fellow human beings.