Trump Rally — Scary!

Witnessing jarring parallels while in paradise

It happened on my drive between the beauty of Princeville, Kauai and the magical splendor of Hanalei Bay. I was cruising slowly, aloha style, marveling at the scenery, luxuriating in the calm that entering Hanalei town brings me.

Then suddenly, a Trump rally/motorcade by his supporters roared by, passing me in the opposite direction.

Every vehicle sported several huge American flags flapping as they drove, honking and lights flashing at oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

“If you’re not with us you’re against us, and against MAGA” seemed to be the unspoken message.

All the vehicles were either trucks or SUVs, black or brown, many aggressively raised, with over-sized tires. Drivers were yelling out of their windows and flashing either thumbs up at presumed supporters or thumbs down at those who ignored them or seemed to hold countervailing views.

Ominously, many drivers and passengers held their arms out the car windows allowing the wind to blow their palms upward in a scene reminiscent of Nazi salutes at Hitler’s rallies.

The convoy seemed to last forever even though only several dozen cars were involved.

I was left chilled and shaken in spite of the warmth of the Hawaiian sun.

As of this writing, the events above happened yesterday, and I can’t shake them from my mind.

How is it possible that a scene of this nature occurred on a simple one-lane road in a calm and beautiful little town on Kauai’s north shore?

I fully understand that people have the right to express their political views.

However, respecting the serenity of the environment they were in and placing signs along the roadside with their man’s name would have done as much to show their support.

It’s actually what Biden’s supporters were doing.

Instead, the Trump camp was demanding attention much like a group of rude inconsiderate bullies in a movie theater when they menace others by talking back to the screen or using their cell phones.

Then there’s the issue of using and overusing the American flag to drive home their message. It was clear that the chest-thumping ethnocentric flag-waving show was intended to demonstrate that Trump supporters are “real” Americans and others aren’t. Yet another way to drive a wedge between groups in this country with differing views. This was reinforced by the motorcade of giant vehicles flashing lights and honking, demanding attention whether one wanted to be engaged or not.

I was stunned and disturbed but couldn’t look away, akin to watching a speeding train demolish a school bus full of children stuck on the tracks.

And what of the thumbs up vs thumbs down, like flashing gang signs?

Again, I understand a group’s right to support their cause, but why the judgment? Have we reverted to ancient Roman times where a “thumb’s up” indicated that you’re with us, and you get to live, because you are with us. “Thumb’s down,” and you’re dead. We don’t discuss. We just gesture and your fate is sealed.

And finally, the hands held out the windows drifting aloft under the pressure of the wind. I’d like to see it that way, an innocent accident of wind against flesh, but what if it wasn’t?

What then?

“Never again” is a powerful message.

Can “Make America Great Again” topple it?