‘The Last Days Of Democracy’

Pub. Note: Following is an editorial by Ken Robinson that appeared in a recent issue of Westside Seattle and is well worth sharing with our marcomm community. Ken and his brother, Tim, are co-publishers of the weekly that covers the area from Ballard to White Center. It’s an umbrella publication for the half-dozen weeklies that once were part of the community-newspaper empire assembled by their late father, Jerry Robinson—a member of the pantheon of MARKETING IMMORTALS.

By Ken Robinson

“I have just watched a powerful documentary about the campaign for presidency of the Philippines. The story, which takes place over a four-year period, is about the solo candidate, Rodrigo Duterte, and the efforts of a brave woman journalist to reveal this man’s dangerous nature.

“There are strong parallels to the Trump administration, in terms of style. Duterte is a ‘strongman’ candidate whose platform is to rid the Philippines of drugs. He employs a thuggish security man named ‘Bato,’ who directs crews of enforcers to root out drug dealers and users.

“In the so-called war on drugs, Bato/Duterte’s men have killed 27,000 people, leaving a bloody trail throughout the City of Manila.

“From an article on the site Human Rights Watch: ‘He presided over forces that routinely shot and killed alleged drug dealers and users, claiming without proof they resisted arrest. Investigations by human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, as well as by the media, have found numerous instances in which the police planted weapons and drugs on victims to cover up summary executions. Dela Rosa (Bato) has been vociferous in defending the anti-drug campaign, calling it a success.’

“Duterte’s platform is ‘If you are a user of illegal drugs, I am going to kill you.’ Those are his words. And then his henchmen prowl the city alleyways and kill anyone who looks even vaguely suspicious. He takes the stage in rallies of supporters to declare that the woman journalist who is attempting to foil his campaign should be raped. People in the crowd hold signs calling for her death.

“Like Trump, he hates the free press, freedom of speech and any level of opposition.

“My greatest worry is not the coronavirus. I think we will find a medication to control it. Instead, it is the constant drum of lies from Donald Trump and his Republican sycophants and paid toadies. And the cowardice of the Republican-controlled Senate. To me, Trump is an arch-criminal who hoodwinked his way into the White House and co-opted otherwise intelligent people with his carnival-barker style to do his evil bidding in order to hang onto their own power and to avoid his condemnation.

“Trump is using our money to oppress and undermine our democracy. His role models are Hitler, Duterte, Bolsonaro, president of Brazil, Mussolini, and Putin—strongman dictators who brook no dissent and who disparage our national institutions.

“I believe Trump is not done undoing so many years of good works by previous governments, handing our money and favors to supporters like he just did with Kodak. Trump is a very bad guy. His poison is trickling into the far corners of the globe. And we are letting him do it.”