The Left-Cheek Ass Clown for March, 2017

As we approach the end of March and enter the third full month of the Trump administration, the crowd of eager ass clowns clamoring for recognition grows every day. Mr Trump himself is the all-time record holder for ass clown recognition, having been a winner or a co-winner of the award seven times in the history of this blog (dating back long before his ill-fated* presidential campaign); thus, I have decided to retire his eligibility (however well it may be deserved) in favor of other deserving recipients.

And so it is with a bit of trepidation that I decide once again to award recognition to yet another repeat recipient, one who has worked nonstop and with great energy to earn his place in the roster of world-class ass clowns.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Readers, the

Left-Cheek Ass Clown Award

for

March, 2017

is presented - for the second time** - to

White House Press Secretary

Sean Spicer

The job of White House Press Secretary is a difficult and an important one. The Press Secretary is the face of the administration, speaking to the American people and to the world with the voice of the President. He - or she - is the person we expect to present the essential truth while putting the best possible face on bad news.

Mr Spicer is a colossal failure on all counts.

In his (very weak) defense, he is representing a president who has absolutely no problem with lying shamelessly and doubling down on it when presented with proof of his falsehoods. Nevertheless, by twisting himself into rhetorical pretzels*** in defense of the indefensible, Mr Spicer has contributed to the cheapening of his position and the reduction of the American presidency to an international laughingstock.

As parents, we tell our children that words matter, that truth is better than lies, that our integrity is a priceless asset not to be squandered. Parents today have a difficult time impressing those lessons on their children when their president and his chief spokesman stand up every day and fire off not only lies, but needless lies that are easily disproven, that make the speakers look like clueless idiots. This opinion piece by former National Security Advisor and permanent US representative to the United Nations Susan Rice pretty much sums it up.

For his blind abetting, in the face of all contrary evidence, of the blatant lies of the Trump administration, Press Secretary Sean Spicer is presented his second Ass Clown award.

And we are the losers.

Have a good day. Come back tomorrow for Cartoon Saturday - more thoughts then.

Bilbo

* For the country.

** He was designated the Left-Cheek Ass Clown for January, 2017. 

*** Graydon Carter, writing in Vanity Fair, described Mr Spicer as "the M.C. Escher of the English language."