Trump, an outsider at Bush Senior's funeral.

When Americans voted for President Trump, they were going for a different kind of presidential breed. 

It is definitely not voting out of ignorance because Trump’s amoral (most times mind boggling) ways were already well known or publicised by then. 

While many evangelicals would consider him as their own, calling him a Christian, I reserve my opinion on that. If anything, at times, I don’t even consider myself a Christian - but just a follower of Christ. 

And wrily speaking, I am rather consoled to know that when Jesus called his disciples, he asked them to follow him, and not, “come, become a Christian.” 

I guess Trump made that term quite loaded, pregnant with double meaning (maybe “Cross-bearers” would be a more apt alternative?)

But I have sidetracked, and this morning’s post is not so much about Trump as it is about Poppy. Yes, that’s the childhood nickname Mr George Herbert Walker Bush was known as, and he has passed on at a ripe old age. 

Comparing the two, the 41st and the 45th, journalist Maureen Dowd wrote: “The narcissistic, amoral, vulgar reality-TV president and the modest, principled, classy, old-world president could not be more different.” 

Well, I tend to agree. And it is as plain as vanilla to the eyes when you put them side by side. Both claims to be believers, yet one is devoted to his marriage, a lifetime vow, and the other is, well, less so. 

In fact, if one defines marital unions in a progressive, postmodern way, where you become happier with every change of marital companion, then maybe Trump trumps on the marital front. 

Then, when it comes to humility, being gentlemanly, respectful and employing choice positive words, they are quite worlds apart, especially when it comes to shooting from one’s mouth. 

In the papers today, the focus was on the presidential discomfiture of Trump when he and Melania attended George Bush Snr’s funeral. All three past presidents were seated on the same front bench with edgy Trump at the far left edge of his seat. 

His signature pursed lips were maintained almost throughout the mourning or remembrance ceremony. 

And on the subject of bad-mouthing, the order of their seating arrangement goes something like this as reported: - 

“First was the president Mr Trump said was illegitimate (Mr Barack Obama); then the First lady he called profligate spender of taxpayer dollars (Mrs Michelle Obama); then the president he called the worst abuser of women (Mr Bill Clinton); then the first lady and Secretary of State he said should be in jail (Mrs Hillary Clinton); and then the president he said was the second-worst behind Mr Obama (Mr Jimmy Carter) and his wife, Rosalynn.”

It is also reported that “it was impossible to pay tribute to the 41st president of the US without drawing implicit contrasts with the 45th.” And here is what was said in a nutshell about Bush snr.

“His life code was: “Tell the truth. Don’t blame people. Be strong. Do your best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the course. And that was, and is, the most American of creeds.” (Mr Bush’s biographer Jon Meacham). 

So, yes, both believed in one faith, both presidents declared it before the cheering electorate, but if the fruit of one’s life is the determining measure, then at this point, the fruit Trump bears markedly differ from the fruit that the late Bush bore. 

One will be remembered for his service of integrity, leadership of courage and acts of love in his heart for the citizens of our country, so said his son, the 43rd. 

But the other thus far is of a different harvest field where truth is fungible, integrity is about adaptability, and modesty is non-existent. 

Now, let’s be clear, no one is perfect. And funnily, when you hear that qualifier, you know the next line from the same mouth is going to be about a string of self-boasting. 

But in the context of this post this morning, I know that Bush snr has his own demons he struggled with. All of us do, and are still “doing”. 

In fact, when asked about Trump by Maureen Dowd, Bush snr snapped, “He’s an ass.” So, pent-up frustration still needed an outlet to vent as we are all imperfect human beings, whether president or otherwise. 

But let me say that the entry of Trump’s presidency wholly redefined human imperfections for me, and sometimes I caught myself muttering beneath my breath, “Is Trump the new moral?” 

Then, I consciously rebuked myself and quickly sift through the sand path for the footprints of my saviour. 

So, let me end with Maureen’s words. 

“As politicians go, 41 had many good qualities. Most of the time, he tried to do the right and decent thing, as he saw it, to act for the good of the country and the world. He earned his sobriquet from his biographer Jon Meacham: The Last Gentleman.”

Well, maybe another gentleman will come by to take over the presidential baton in a term sprint from the incumbent. But, when it comes to being a gentleman, Trump is hands down far from being one. Cheerz.