Schools throughout the country are reopening for another year and administrators, teachers and parents continue to combat the crisis of bullying that harms countless kids every year. Bullies do irreparable harm to defenseless children considered powerless, weak or different by these aggressors. These anti-bullying campaigns are essential.
That raises a troubling question. Why are we applauding a true belligerent bully in the presidential campaign -- one who can spark enormous damage to one of the most critical decisions we make as U.S. citizens in electing a president? For that name tag defines Donald Trump. He displays all the tormentor's traits. He's physically aggressive, confident, belligerent, volatile, impulsive, intimidating and he shows no concern for his victims.
This scourge of political bullying -- an unusual crisis topic, indeed, but one that hasn't been addressed surprisingly -- needs to be tackled because it subtracts from the most important element in deciding who should be our next president. That is the debate on ideas. Not to mention the effect Trump the Bully is having or will have on kids prone to torment others who see a bombastic presidential candidate being praised for his bullishness.
As a father of three children, Trump's conduct has proven troubling since the first GOP debate in Cleveland when Trump disparaged an easy target, Rosie O'Donnell. It was nasty -- despite the lusty cheers from the audience -- because she wasn't there to defend herself. If you listen to why she herself disparaged Trump, you likely will see her point.
For bullies, their conduct is all about power. This is certainly true with Trump. He lauds his billionaire celebrity status as the power to say and do despicable things about practically anyone who looks sideways at him, whether it's O'Donnell, Megyn Kelly or John McCain. Simply look at the pictures that appear when you Google Trump's name. They telegraph bully. Trim a few years off him and he's the spitting image of tormentor Buzz in Home Alone or Ace Merrill in Stand by Me.
The disappointing thing about bullies is that they attract bystanders who never intervene to set them straight. Indeed, none of the other nine GOP presidential aspirants on that debate stage said, "Wait a minute," when he bashed O'Donnell or snarked at others. Ohio Gov. John Kasich even contended Trump had touched a nerve with the American public. As an intimidator? And how many of those who practically filled an Alabama football stadium were there because they like Trump's harassment style?
Can anyone imagine the spectacle of a President Trump -- from inauguration day and every day thereafter? He would be a bully in a China shop. Nothing would get done on his watch -- except constant verbal fisticuffs with anyone who disagreed with him about practically anything. On the world stage, he would be the laughingstock. Can you imagine Trump vs. Putin? Or Trump meeting the pope? As for a Trump presidency's effect on financial markets, heaven forbid. They would be in constant turmoil.
What's deeply concerning is the unknown but conceivable effect that candidate Trump has on school bullies, especially as they see crowds cheering his boorishness. In effect, he's countering practically everything that our schools and we parents are doing to stop such victimization. I don't know yet what truly matters to Trump except, perhaps, the notion that he might be president. But there's no reason on earth that this country -- with its history and legacy of statesmen as presidents -- should continue to indulge Donald Trump's obsession with the bully's pulpit.
Quite simply, there's can never be a place for a bully in our schools or our presidential politics. It diminishes our humanity at the very least.