The Band Played On

And the band played on
And I was a dancer
The world was mine and the striking maestro
A benevolent tyrant lashed out at random
With a reckoning arms and a besieging look
The ensemble tended with utmost reverence
To the maximum queen,
The diva in silk
And the slaughtered smile on the quivering lips
The violin moaned with inexorable sadness
And the cello echoed the renderings with intent
My body moved in a chaotic maize
Yet harmoniously
With the cowardly lights, occasional applauding and rhythmic sighs
The treasured dream is no longer guarded
It washed off an island shaped as a horn
With nameless fruits and sandless shores
The guard is no more for the tenor is on
Cursing and burning the crescendos in all
As the soprano did the vibratos
And I, molded in one,
As the lyrics and Maria,
The molten trumpet and the ravaged drum
Noble we were and the novel odds
Maria was mine and the sumptuous hips
Tyranny was my way and, once , I was a dancer.

Azzam Elayan
1990s

The Recount and the Ralph Nader Conundrum

I support the presidential vote recount in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, although it is not clear why it's Jill Stein who has called for it. Had she and Gary Johnson dropped out of the race, due to zero odds of winning, Hillary would have most likely been the president-elect, instead of Trump. They were the "Ralph Nader" of this election, good intentions & progressive platforms notwithstanding.

I understand why those who voted for Stein and Johnson did; I voted for Nader in 2000 while living in Vermont. Principle aside, my vote for Nader did not hurt Al Gore in Vermont (which Gore won by a large margin,) but surely those in Florida who voted for Nader then cost Gore the election. They never wanted George W. Bush to become president, and would have voted for Gore if Nader was not an option. By analogy, those who would never vote for Donald J. Trump, and are in mourning today over his win, have actually awarded him the White House, by simply voting for Stein and Johnson. It seems diabolical, by default, even if not malicious.

Dr. Azzam Elayan
November 29, 2016

Rain Falling Still

Rain is falling
in the stillness of silence.
Still, the rain is falling.
Falling, the rain, still.
Get up, move,
let the rain wash away
the sediment of doubt,
off everything.
Plan an outing,
a dance with a friend,
a lover. Move, dance.
Your lovely cheeks,
plum and sweet,
don't let them lie in waiting
for that tender kiss,
Your lips aching for same,
mouth watering,
they quiver with expectation,
passion they won't deny,
longing you care to express.
Rain is falling, still.
It is, still.

Azzam Elayan
November 15, 2016

Equating Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is Simply Wrong

To say that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are equally bad, or crooked, is to (1) believe thirty years of highly organized assault on the character & integrity of the most qualified person, Hillary, to ever run for president in our times, and (2) to overlook a lifetime of Trump thievery, lies, tax dodging, xenophobia, sexual predatory conduct, claims of genetic supremacy, and outright contempt for the less fortunate & the very people he portends to care for.

He had been sued hundreds of times for fraud, and over two hundred and thirty times, he settled with plaintiffs. She, on the other hand, has never been sued and has never been found at fault for any criminal activity. After tens of investigations, from White Water to Benghazi, she was never found guilty of anything, even though Republicans have tried, and are trying, their very hardest, since 1991 through this very moment, two days before the election.

Equating Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is simply wrong. The notion that she is corrupt is entirely a far right wing product that has no basis in reality. In a society which celebrates ruthless profit making and rewards corporate greed with mammoth bonuses, faulting Hillary for a $250K fee per speech is diabolical. Trump charges millions of dollars, monthly, for the mere use of his name on residential buildings, hotels, golf courses, etc., without even giving a monthly speech on behalf of those businesses, and that is seen as savvy business.

Why is it acceptable for his name to become a brand and a franchise while she is denied the benefit of good old fashioned capitalism and free market trade? After all, her words & speeches are her intellectual property which Goldman Sachs and others place a monetary value on and are more than capable of paying for. She has the right to charge whatever fee she deems appropriate and the inviting companies are free to choose whether to invite her. The idea that the speech fees were a form of "pay to play" is insulting and baseless. She was a private citizen when she gave those speeches and any "promises" she may have made are aspirational and are based on her personal perspective, which she is entitled to express as part of her right to freedom of speech.

She had no way of knowing that she would win the Democratic nomination for president, or if she will win the presidency in two days, on November 8th. If she is to win the presidency and to carry out her "promises," she is fully entitled to do so, as they are part of her vision for America, a vision which she has developed during decades of public service in various capacities. The fact that Goldman Sachs and others agree with parts or all aspects of her vision is why they would invite her to speak to begin with; it is not because they somehow believe they can dictate what her vision should be.

Beyond the profound qualitative ethical & moral edge she possesses, she is ready to govern on day one; he, however, is the least qualified person to ever run for president.

Azzam S. Elayan
November 6, 2016

Election Riggedism: Another Vile Trump Innovation

As Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump realizes that his defeat is imminent, he is trying to create doubt about the legitimacy of the next president of the United States, Hillary Clinton, as he has about the legitimacy of the current president, Barack Obama. While providing zero evidence, he is claiming that the election is rigged, three weeks before the election, just as he claimed for years that President Obama was not born in the United States, without providing a shred of evidence. Such a pathetic, reckless shame. This Trump innovation, "rigged election," or what I call 'riggedism,' can undermine trust in our democracy and spur dangerous consequences for our nation.

Trump should bow out gracefully, now, or after the election. Preferably now. He has brought such acrimony and disrepute to public discourse and presidential politics through a history of lies, foul-mouth manufactured outrage, and fake contempt for a system which has served him exceptionally well. His poll numbers are dropping due to his mushrooming misogyny, race-baiting, tax-dodging, xenophobic rants, and his fomenting of fear, inciting of hate, and the growing list of sexual assault victims who have been coming into public view since the start of this October.

The worst revelation came out last week, in the form of the 2005 Access Hollywood video, in which Trump offers graphic instructions on how to sexually assault women, in a lewd a conversation with then Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. How low can a presidential nominee go? Not much lower than Trump has, who may even go lower, depending on what other shoe or shoes may drop before the election. Some in the media refer to the video as Trump's 'October Surprise,' and while that might be true from an election standpoint, I view the tape as a vile, reckless shame, brought about by an unrepenting predator.

Besides, which of the scandals which marred Trump's campaign would not qualify as an 'October Surprise?' For a typical presidential candidate, characterizing Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals, and Muslim immigrants as terrorists, would have been an immediate disqualifier. Trump made these accusations at his first campaign press conference, in which he declared his candidacy for  president. Therefore, from day one, from the very first hour of his campaign, Trump disqualified himself.

The down-spiraling Republican Party and the ad-dollar greedy media capitalized on this demagogue, and pushed him all the way to the top of the GOP ticket. Realizing Trump is losing now, especially after the release of the Access Hollywood video, the GOP brass has begun moving away from him. Nonetheless, House Speaker Paul Ryan and others in the leadership have not withdrawn their endorsements of Trump, yet, for fear of Trump voter backlash. As if Trump voters would want to be, or could find a home, anywhere else but in today's Republican Party. So, why are many Republican leaders leaving, or appear to be leaving, Trump? I will return to this question shortly.

The media has finally turned on Trump since they realized after he got the GOP nomination, that he could actually win the election and if he does, he would very likely curtail freedom of the press and infringe on the First Amendment. He may do so through new restrictive "legal" instruments or decrees. Journalists and citizens could then be at personal risk of prosecution, and possibly persecution, if they say anything critical of Trump or his policies. He would be expected to use government resources and powers to target various media firms, like CNN, CBS, ABC, and NBC, which would ultimately hurt their parent conglomerates' bottom lines, profit and clout. He has shown virulent contempt for the media during everyone of his populist rallies, and therefore, moving aggressively, "like a bitch," against them would not surprise anyone.

The Republican leadership supported Trump for months, knowing full well that he is no where near qualified to be president of the United States. Again, why abandon him now? At the same time, the media trumped up Trump, the Andrew Dice Clay of presidential politics (plus the irony), because he is "good TV," he is good for ratings, and covering him nonstop sells a lot of TV ads. Neither the Republican Party nor the media gave a damn about what this election should be about, the interest of the American people, as one people, and the well being of the nation, as one country, one United States of America. Until now. Why?

The primary reason the Republican party is abandoning Trump now is the lack of regard which the GOP nominee has shown for proper party decorum. He burned more bridges with the party and its elders than did the Nazi Blitz of London during World War 2. Most notable were Trump's devastating attacks on both presidents Bush, presidential candidate Jeb Bush, and Senators John MacCain and Lindsey Graham.

A secondary reason the GOP is moving away from Trump now is the lewd Access Hollywood video, which fluoresces in shades of long-standing criminal conduct by Trump, and which threatens Republican support in middle class and affluent white suburbia. The graphic assault on two well-known, wealthy white women (Nancy O'Dell and Arianne Zucker,) directly targets the very demographic of women the Republican Party identifies with the most amongst female voters. Almost every Republican Senator, Congressman, Congresswoman, and party leader, who criticized Trump's demeaning remarks cited having daughters, as if to say they would have not found the remarks objectionable but for having daughters.

As a result, the Republican party is deeply concerned that losing white suburban women vote would lead to losing both houses of congress and many state and local elections, in addition to the presidency. They are trying to stem the tide of disdain for a devolving party before it is too late. At the very same time, they are trying to do so without withdrawing their endorsements of Trump, again, in order to avoid offending his voters. Unfortunately for the GOP, Trump has repeatedly chastised Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders for distancing themselves from him. This should offer those leaders threshold context for withdrawing their endorsements.

The tertiary reason for the GOP's move away from Trump is fear of his temperamental and single-minded approach to conflict resolution. Such approach could prove rather dangerous in dealing with other nations, many of whom expressed concern and displeasure with Trump's brand of "iron fist" diplomacy. There is a genuine concern amongst leading conservative intellectuals, including George Will and Charles Krauthammer, regarding the embarrassing candidacy of Donald Trump and his unsuitability for the presidency. The two Republicans have strongly admonished Trump on his poor knowledge of the issues and ill temperament. [Pertinent editorials and interviews can be accessed through routine online searches.]

Ironically, Trump's running mate, Governor Mike Pence of Indiana, and many Republican notables have indicated on several occasions during the past few days that they believe the election would not be rigged and that they would accept the election results, regardless of whether Clinton or Trump is the winner. This alone speaks volumes about the discord in the Trump campaign and in the Republican Party, and about how greatly removed the party's nominee from reality and from his own running mate. Further, it speaks to the insidious nature of Trump's riggedism that even his running mate has recoiled away completely from Trump on his incendiary, baseless assertion.

A large majority of polls suggest that Hillary Clinton will win the election and become the next, and first woman, president of the United States. Then, the single most important question will be the following: once defeated, what will Donald Trump do? Will he accept the results gracefully, or will he resign to his tower of hollow grandeur and call on his followers to riot? Will his followers, many have legitimate concerns, heed his call and riot, or will they trust the vast majority of election experts who have unwavering trust in the fairness of the American election process? Will they break the law and put many lives, including their own, at risk, or will they move their concerns forward in a democratic fashion? Will they in the future chose a candidate who genuinely cares about their concerns and about this country, or will they cling to one who would use them, as Trump has, to climb up to the party's nomination and possibly the presidency? Only time will tell.

Azzam Elayan

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Parenting "Advice" Books

As Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump realizes his defeat is imminent, he is trying to create doubt about the legitimacy of the likely next president, Hillary Clinton, as he has about the legitimacy of the current president, Barack Obama. While providing zero evidence, he is claiming that the elections are rigged, three weeks before the elections, just as he claimed for years that President Obama was not born in the United States, without providing a shred of evidence. Such a pathetic, reckless shame. This Trump innovation, "rigged election," or what I call 'Riggedism,' can undermine trust in our democracy and spur dangerous consequences for our nation.

Trump should bow out gracefully, now, or after the elections. Preferably now. He has brought such acrimony and disrepute to public discourse and presidential politics through a history of lies, foul-mouth manufactured outrage, and fake contempt for a system which has served exceptionally well. His poll numbers are dropping due to his mushrooming misogyny, race-baiting, tax-dodging, xenophobic rants, and his fomenting of fear, inciting of hate, and the growing list of sexual assault victims who have been coming into public view since the start of this October.

The worst revelation came out last week, in the form of the 2005 Access Hollywood video, in which Trump offers graphic instructions on how to sexually assault women, in a lewd a conversation with then Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. How low can a presidential nominee go? Not much lower than Trump has, who may even go lower, depending on what other shoe or shoes may drop before the elections. Some in the media refer to the video as Trump's October Surprise, and while that might be true from an election standpoint, I view the tape as a vile, reckless shame, brought about by an unrepenting predator.

Besides, which of the scandals which marred Trump's campaign would not qualify as an October surprise? For a typical presidential candidate, characterizing Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals, and Muslim immigrants as terrorists, would have been an immediate disqualifier. Trump made these accusations at his first campaign press conference, in which he declared candidacy for the  presidency. Therefore, from day one, from the very first hour of his campaign, Trump disqualified himself.

The down-spiraling Republican Party and the ad-dollar greedy media capitalized on this demagogue, and pushed him all the way to the top of the GOP ticket. Realizing Trump he is losing now, especially after the release of the Access Hollywood video, the GOP brass has begun moving away from him. Nonetheless, House Speaker Paul Ryan and others in the leadership have not withdrawn their endorsements of Trump, yet, for fear of Trump voter backlash. As if Trump voters would want to be, or could find a home, anywhere else but in today's Republican Party. So, why are many Republican leaders leaving, or appear to be leaving, Trump? I will return to this question shortly.

The media has finally turned on Trump since they realized after he got the GOP nomination, that he could actually win the election and if he does, he will very likely curtail freedom of the press and infringe on the First Amendment. He may do so through new restrictive "legal" instruments or decrees. Journalists and citizens could then be at personal risk of prosecution, and possibly persecution, if they say anything critical of Trump or his policies. He would be expected to use government resources and powers to target various media firms, like CNN, CBS, ABC, and NBC, which would ultimately hurt their parent conglomerates bottom lines, profit and clout. He has shown virulent contempt for the media during everyone of his populist rallies, and therefore, moving aggressively, "like a bitch," against them would not surprise anyone.

The Republican leadership supported Trump for months, knowing full well that he is nowhere near qualified to be president of the United States. Again, why abandon him now? At the same time, the media trumped up Trump, the Andrew Dice Clay of presidential politics (plus the irony), because he is "good TV," he is good for ratings, and covering him nonstop sells a lot of TV ads. Neither the Republican Party nor the media gave a damn about what this election should be about, the interest of the American people, as one people, and the well being of the nation, as one country, one United States of America. Until now. Why?

The primary reason the Republican party is abandoning Trump now is the lack of regard the GOP nominee has shown for proper party decorum. He burned more bridges with the party and its elders than did the Nazi Blitz of London during World War 2. Most notable were the devastating attacks on both presidents Bush, presidential candidate Jeb Bush, and Senators John MacCain and Lindsey Graham.

A secondary reason the GOP is moving away from Trump now is the lewd Access Hollywood video, which fluoresces in shades of long-standing criminal conduct by Trump, and which threatens Republican support in middle class and affluent white suburbia. The graphic assault on two well-known, wealthy white women (Nancy O'Dell and Arianne Zucker,) directly targets the very demographic of women the Republican Party identifies with the most amongst female voters. Almost every Republican Senator, Congressman, Congresswoman, and party leader, who criticized Trump's graphic remarks cited having daughters, as if to say they would have not found the remarks objectionable but for having daughters.

As a result, the Republican party is deeply concerned that losing white suburban women vote would lead to losing both houses of congress and many state and local elections, in addition to the presidency. They are trying to stem the tide of disdain for a devolving party before it is too late. At the very same time, they are trying to do so without withdrawing their endorsements of Trump, in order to avoid offending his voters. Unfortunately for the GOP, Trump has repeatedly chastised Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders for distancing themselves from him. This should offer those leaders appropriate context for withdrawing their endorsements.

The Tertiary reason for the GOP's move away from Trump is the fear of his temperamental and single-minded approach to conflict resolution. Such approach could prove rather dangerous in dealing with other nations, many of whom expressed concern and displeasure with Trump's brand of "iron fist" diplomacy. There is a genuine concern amongst leading conservative intellectuals, including George Will and Charles Krauthammer, regarding the embarrassing candidacy of Donald Trump and his unsuitability for the presidency. The two Republicans have strongly admonished Trump on his poor knowledge of the issues and ill temperament. [Pertinent editorials and interviews can be accessed through routine online searches.]

Ironically, Trump's running mate, Governor Mike Pence of Indiana, and many Republican notables have indicated on several occasions during the past few days that they believe the elections would not be rigged and that they would accept the election results, regardless of whether Clinton or Trump is the winner. This alone speaks volumes about the discord in the Trump campaign and in the Republican Party and about how greatly removed the party's nominee from reality and from his own running mate. Further, it speaks to the insidious nature of Trump's Riggedism that even his running mate has recoiled away completely from Trump on his suspicious assertion.

A large majority of polls show that Hillary Clinton will win the election and will be the next, and first woman, president of the United States. Then, the single most important question will be the following: once defeated, what will Donald Trump do? Will he accept the results gracefully, or will he resign to his tower of hollow enigma and call on his followers to riot? Will his followers, many have legitimate concerns, heed his call and riot, or will they trust the vast majority of election experts who have unwavering trust in the fairness of the American election process? Will they break the law and put many lives, including their own, at risk, or will they move their concerns forward in a democratic fashion? Will they in the future chose a candidate who genuinely cares about their concerns and about this country, or will they cling to one who would use them, as Trump has, to insult his or her to the party's nomination and possibly the presidency? Only time will tell.

Azzam Elayan
October 28, 2016

M is Finally Free

On the day I took this picture, two days ago, this 31-year old woman (M) finally found a way to flee her abusive husband in Jordan. She and I rode in the back seat of a minibus on the way from Jericho to Bethlehem, Palestine, where her younger brother met her with open arms. She left behind her clothes, jewelry, friends, home, and four children, including a five-year old boy (the youngest) with terminal brain cancer. She didn't have a phone, luggage, or even her handbag; she only had her passport, barely enough money to make the trip, and an old, raggedy handbag a woman gave her, out of pity, at the Jordan side of the border crossing.

After 14 years of physical and mental abuse, she finally found the courage and a way to leave. She was utterly devastated; she cried dearly over her kids, especially the youngest. But she was also certain that she had no choice but to leave and she said that she will find a way to get her children from their abusive and neglectful father. Against all odds in such a case, based on the prevailing local norms, I believe her. For me that was a very sad day. 

I wish my older sister, a mother of four boys and four girls, could have done the same so many years ago. Her circumstances were different though, as she suffered on the hands of a more brutal and more cunning husband. She could have not tried to escape even if she wanted to, not only because of her eight children, but also because he cut up all her travel documents and forms of ID, sold most of her wedding clothes and all her jewelry (including rings). He did so a week after the wedding, the morning after they left the country, from Palestine to Jordan. He did so after he and his equally complicit father beat her till she was nearly lifeless. My sister, aged 15 then, could not escape but this woman, M, did. She is somewhat lucky, in a tragically perverted way. 

The greatest irony in all of this is that M, turns out, was a lifelong friend of a cousin of mine, where they both grow up in Nahalin, a little village a few kilometers southwest of Bethlehem. My cousin herself divorced her bastard husband a few years ago, after 7 years of abuse. My cousin and M remained friends until M moved to Jordan with the man she has just escaped. M said that she can't wait to see my cousin and that she hopes to see me again, perhaps when I visit my cousin(s) and two aunts in Nahalin next week. Perhaps.  

For me, the day I met M-the day she left her cage and almost everyone and everything she holds dear-was also a very good day. 

Way to go, sister! 

Dr. Azzam Elayan 

July 21, 2014

Open Letter to Trump Supporters

Dear Donald J. Trump Supporters:

By asking you to assault protesters, Mr. Trump is asking you to commit a serious crime for which you will very likely be held criminally liable. A ruthless billionaire with ever changing loyalties, except to money, Trump absolutely and positively does not care about you, your loved ones, your friends, or your livelihood. When you get in legal trouble on his behalf, he will use his powerful lawyers as a wall between you and himself so as to insulate him from any criminal responsibility. He will do whatever he needs to make sure that you, and only you, face the consequences of any crime you engage in on his behalf.

Look at the many people, including honorable veterans, whom he cheated out tens of thousands of dollars through his Trump University scam, which netted him around forty million dollars in total. Trump is only out for Trump and can not care less about you or your concerns. That is a fact; anyone who asks Americans to beat up other Americans in order to deny the victims the right to speak freely (as granted by the First Amendment) doesn't care about Americans or America. That is except when it benefits his own interests. Furtherm, anyone who aims to circumvent the constitution (by exploiting people's economic concerns, denying their constitutional rights, and awakening dormant prejudices) for the sole purpose of winning party nomination and the presidency is worthy of neither. That person does not deserve your support or your vote. Put another way, you should not risk your life or the lives of others on behalf of someone whose objective is to divide Americans based on race, religion, and ethnic heritage, in order to reach a political goal. 

Do remember that America is already great, precisely because it doesn't condone divisiveness, violence, race-baiting, and other nefarious traits, which are central to Trump's character and brand. He may very well find himself someday in a world of legal trouble (especially if protesters are killed) for inciting violence, hatred, undermining public safety, and breaking the law. He would be accountable for such murders in the same manner with which California prosecutors held Charles Manson responsible for the Tate-LaBianca-Folger mass murders in 1969, even though the murders were committed by his followers (the Manson "Family"), not by Manson himself. Like the killers, Manson was convicted of the murders and is still serving nine consecutive life sentences in California and is likely to die in prison. A role styled on the Manson-family is not the role which you, Trump supporters, should accept for you, your families, and friends. America has come too far during its relatively brief but storied history. Do not turn the clock back to the days of violent conflict and public strife which permeated the era of Jim Crow Laws and struggle for equal civil rights for all Americans. 

Trump is not only targeting Mexicans, Muslims, and more broadly non-caucasian immigrants; he is targeting viciously (and physically) anyone who disagrees with him.  For instance, he mocked the physical disability of New York Times journalist Serge Kovaleski during a speech at a rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on November 24, 2015. Kovaleski has a congenital muscle control condition, arthrogryposis, which manifests most clearly in diminished control of his left arm movement. Trump did so because Kovaleski contradicted Trump's repeated claims that thousands of Muslims in Northern New Jersey were celebrating in the streets and on rooftops during the horrific 9/11 attacks. Another incident occurred only a few days ago, on March 8, when Corey Lewandowski, campaign manager for Trump, assaulted Brietbart blog journalist Michelle Fields. Fields was walking alongside Trump, getting ready to ask him a question about affirmative action and late Supreme Court Justice Anthonin Scalia, when Lewandowski grabbed her left arm firmly from behind and pulled her back and down, causing her to almost fall to the ground. The assault resulted in red marks on the inside of her left forearm. She has filed battery charges against Lewandowski, whose conduct is in congruence with the spirit and culture of the Trump campaign. Perhaps the charges should have been filed against Trump himself as well.

Both Lewandowski and Trump denied the incident ever happened and accused Fields of being "delusional" and "attention-seeker." However, the assault was witnessed by Washington Post reporter Ben Terris, who emphasized on several occasions that the assault did in fact happen and that it was Lewandowski who assaulted Fields, and not the secret service officer who happened to be walking just to the right and back of Fields. A second video of the incident surfaced recently and it corroborates Terris's account. Neither Kovaleski nor fields is Mexican and neither is Muslim or immigrant. Ironically, Fields' employer, Breitbart, which bills itself as a conservative blog, has largely been supportive of Trump and Fields herself said recently that Trump was her second choice after Sen. Ted Cruz. Trump and his manager just "happened" to be displeased with these two journalists.

If Trump is to become president, the level of destruction and mayhem which will spread throughout the country, which you love and hold so dear, will likely be far more consequential; the move towards a protracted, violent civil strife could be a real possibility. You do not want to be responsible for taking America, our beloved country, down that path. Step back and away from the abyss that is Donald J. Trump. Step back and away from this reckless, volatile, power-obsessed, mercurial, and unethical man. Do it for you, for your loved ones, for your friends, for your neighbors, and for your community. Do it for your country. 

----

Dr. Azzam Elayan / March 13, 2016

Feel free to share.

Donald J. Trump is a Divider, Not a Unifier

Mr. Trump can not unify his views on any one single issue, much less unify the Republican Party or the country! His heart is filled with ugliness, contempt, and hate, even towards his own followers. Asking followers to beat up protesters at his rallies is asking them to commit a crime, not only against individuals but also against freedom of speech, a solemn right enshrined in the First Amendment. Mr. Trump is a dangerous agitator of a very dangerous variety and if he had not been for his wealth, he would have been arrested by now, for inciting violence. 

The assault on Brietbart journalist, Ms. Michelle Fields, a couple of days ago by Mr. Trump's own campaign manger, Mr. Corey Lewandowski, within a few inches of Mr. Trump himself, constitutes a qualitative escalation of which authorities should take notice. It is against the law. If Trump becomes president, this could change; he recently said he would aim to change the law in order to curtail media's ability criticize public officials. In other words, he intends to set into motion actions that would ultimately curtail freedom of speech, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Ms. Fields has rightfully filed charges against Mr. Lewandowski, who should have been fired promptly by the man who loves to fire people. Ms. Fields should also file charges against Mr. Trump, who gave Mr. Lewandowski and his followers a mandate to "rough up people," "punch them in the face," and "throw them out in the cold without their coats," etc. This mandate constitutes a brazen disregard for the law. He even promised his followers from the podium, repeatedly and publicly, to pay their legal fees in the event they are prosecuted for assaulting a protester. It is all on tape and will in a court of law be indispensable in establishing his complicity and instigating role in inciting violence and criminal activity. 

Being roughed up, punched in the face, thrown out in the cold without a coat, and degraded in many other already documented ways, comprise what every American should expect from Mr. Trump one day or another. Remember, you will not always agree with him on everything, even if you are a supporter, and when and if that moment of disagreement comes, and it will, be prepared for his hellish wrath. America needs to step back from the abyss that is Donald J. Trump. America is better, much better than that, and America is already great. America is great precisely because she stands for most of what Mr. Trump is against, and America is great precisely because she stands against most of what Mr. Trump is for.

Dr. Azzam Elayan (@A1ELA)

March 12, 2016.

A Voter's Perspective

Republican leaders should have held a prime time press conference yesterday in which they should have strongly denounced Mr. Donald Trump for waffling on David Duke's endorsement & the KKK. Or are they only pretending to oppose him and his brand of scorched earth politics. Mr. Trump's extremism, Sen. Ted Cruz's irrational intransigence, Sen. Marco Rubio's regurgitated talking points, and Dr. Carson's "fruit salad" doctrine do not make for solid credentials for a Republican candidate or a United States president. The GOP has waited too long to do the right thing and should wait no longer. The time to do the right thing is now.

Perhaps the GOP leaders, and Republicans at large, should give an experienced statesman, Ohio governor John Kasich, a second look. Gov. Kasich has a lengthy legislative experience and a history of working with opponents in a bipartisan manner, without bullying, threats, or insults. He appears to be a fine gentleman, too, who has consistently refused to jump into the mud pit. If the Republican leadership offers a strong, reasoned endorsement of Gov. Kasich, the vast majority of Republicans and some moderates would most likely follow. 

Letting Trump win the nomination will get Republicans closer to the presidency only in theory since the American people, in the aggregate, are alert, wise, and measured and will do the right thing by our country. The American people will not vote Trump into the highest public office in the land, the White House; they are the final demarcation line between sanity and chaos, between the presidency and Trump. The Republican leadership should do the sane thing and should do so now.

Dr. Azzam Elayan

February 29, 2016

Media Chose Trump

The Media is dishonest in reporting about the current presidential race. Here's why...

1. Greed: the media covers Trump nonstop, almost only Trump, for ratings & ad money. Even when they cover other candidates, they mostly question them about Trump, things he said, and the selection of insults he may have unloaded on one candidate or another. The plan is to keep him at the center of every election news item, interview, and discussion to maintain high ratings and keep ad money pouring in.

2. Hypocrisy: they act shocked that he's the front runner! The media wants him to be the front runner. They want him to be the GOP nominee. Why stop the gravy train? Why not ride it all the way through November? After all, Trump is making the main media outfits, and their parent conglomerates, loads of cash. 

But beware, media, if Trump does become president, you may have to kiss his ring to stay in business. He is not a believer in the First Amendment, Bill of Rights, or Constitution for that matter, except as it benefits him and his elk. Judging by the dynamics of the race now, dynamics which you (the media) have created, you may want to get a head start and pucker. You can be sure he's already shining his ring.

Azzam Elayan

February 21, 2016

Your Day

Awaken, the dawn has sprung

From a terse slumber 

At the edge of anticipation 

Your day is on the canvas

Being born in various shades

Through your brush strokes

It is rising into being

A day to remember 

Or one to forget

Chose wisely which brush, 

What paint to apply

It is your day

Make It memorable 

If only for a finite while. 

Azzam Elayan 

Bridgewater, New Jersey 

Jan. 26, 2016

Endless Love

Open the gate, usher in the sun

Sweep in the ocean breeze

From far and from near 

Gather a thousand roses of every color

Arrange them in the shape of a rainbow

In a white Scatchard vase 

Embossed with Matisse reds & cobalt blues

Ring every mountain top with a song

Swim every sea

Put on your au couture smile 

And tease it with a splash of the moon

Move in phase with the ocean

Like a surfer & wave always longing to meet 

Let me be your prefect wave 

Your every dawn, and your sun

Filtering through the haze of reason 

Between neatly chronicled counter points 

Warm rays glistening on your cheeks

Bringing you joy and comfort    

And my endless love, wherever you may be. 

For Annie

Azzam Elayan

January 25, 2015