OPINION - Editorial

A flashback

The current president has a habit of using a particular determiner in his speech. Call it a tick. An unfortunate tick. Such as when he sort-of, maybe, got-close-to defending American intelligence outfits, which have accused the Russians of interference in the last presidential election:

"I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today."

My intelligence people.

He says the same things about "my generals" and "my military." Which brings us to a story from years ago, when another president was just getting started in the Oval Office.

Accounts have it that President George W. Bush, just coming off a close win over Al Gore, walked into the White House in the first few hours of his presidency and was met by an over-anxious young person who wanted to shake his hand. Said young person told Bush II something like this: "It's a pleasure to work for you, Mr. President."

To which George W. reportedly answered: "You don't work for me. You work for the American people."

It's not just another way of talking. It's another way of thinking.

Editorial on 07/19/2018

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