It’s hard to believe that we are facing a crisis in this country surrounding the indictment of Donald Trump. For those of us who have watched the Trump Show for so many years, it seems only logical that at some point he would be held accountable. The irony is, of course, that, like Al Capone, who was convicted of tax evasion and not the numerous crimes he committed, having the former President indicted, and perhaps convicted, over a tawdry episode in a life filled with them, somehow seems appropriate.

What is not appropriate, however, is the uniform reaction of Republican elected officials and other commentators on the circumstances surrounding the indictment that is still sealed. It is as if they all became experts on criminal law and clairvoyant to know the details of an indictment that no one who is commenting, has even read. We seem to live in a time when outrage is the rule, and the view of Trump being persecuted is indeed laughable given the disdain he has shown for others – plus his lifetime behavior of sneering and misbehaving with no consequences. We seem to have entered a time where anything that goes against anyone with whom we agree must be illegitimate.

A final thought is that either Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, is a complete idiot (which I doubt) or he has a very strong case. The reactions of the Republicans and Trump World were predictable and, frankly, no sane person would bring this down upon themselves without a sincere belief that their case was strong and they were doing the job they were elected to do.

I must confess that I am anxious to hear from Republicans as they survey the landscape in Florida under the design of Governor DeSantis. Censorship and restrictions on free speech enforced by the coercive power of government are evidently acceptable when your side holds the power.

Who thought I would ever be nostalgic for the days of Bob Dole and George Bush? It is amazing what Trump has accomplished!