Our government has known for months that the saviour of the nation was going to be the roll-out of the vaccine. Why in God’s name do they not have an IT system up and running to deal with it ? Our country, which boasts vibrant tech and pharmaceutical sectors, is still reliant on pencil and paper. Its pathetic. So how is the distribution going ? Not so well according to Dr. Jack Lambert of the Mater who said earlier this week “ The Mater has vaccinated less than 50% of those who need it because we have not been given enough vaccines”. He then asked “ Who made these decisions”. I think we all would like to know the answer to that question. The very least we deserve is total transparency and proper communication. So important and critical is this for the nation’s future that we should have a Cabinet Minister dealing with it. Don’t they get it – jabs on time save lives.
Well, count down the days til the US is rid of a “Clear and Present Danger” to be replaced by a Clear and Present Hope. Trump impeached for the second time and now facing trial by the Senate. Biden will not want this to interfere with his first 100 days programme and wrestling with Covid and the US economy. It has taken real courage from the Republicans who have chosen to impeach the President. Take Congressman Peter Meijer from Michigan, one of the 10 Republicans who voted for impeachment. He said “Our expectation is that someone may try to kill us”. He also stated “ I have colleagues who are now travelling with armed escorts out of fear for their safety. Many of us are altering our routines, working to get body armour”. He also noted that body armour is a reimbursable expense. Imagine your local TD having to file for that. Add this to the 20,000 troops currently stationed in Washington and it gives you an understanding of the tension. Trump’s call to end the violence was too little and too late. He needs to speak directly to the American people and acknowledge Biden’s victory in a fair election. Of course, the liar-in-chief is incapable of speaking the truth. Make no mistake about it, for the sake of US democracy, the Senate need to get rid of him and in the process see him banned from public office for life. Maybe Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who by this stage hates the Donald’s guts, will judge that this is a golden opportunity to cast him out of the party. I will wait to see if he has the balls.
Years ago when I was a student at Harvard, Nixon was President. He too was a Republican and brought down by the Watergate scandal. He resigned, avoiding impeachment and ultimately protected his legacy. Trump’s fate looks very different. I have always admired the American system – most particularly its checks and balances. However, it will only survive if those who seek to destroy it are held accountable – in this case by trial in the Senate. In truth there are great inequalities in America today. They are among the root causes of Trumpism. They must be addressed.
Published: 16/01/2021