Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Presidential decorum

The Wall Street Journal editorial board on May 31, 2024, the morning after Donald Trump was convicted of 34 criminal counts, published a rather scathing chide to Joe Biden, the sitting President, regarding Biden’s forward behaviors toward the convicted Trump, regarding the trial, its outcome.

“The issue here is presidential decorum and political judgment. The President has already come close to taunting Mr. Trump for his legal predicament.”

At first read one might surmise this extract as originating in a cynical jest put forth late night by Colbert or Maher. However, the quote is indeed issued by journalists such as Paul Gigot, Peggy Noonan –WSJ editorial luminaries. Seriously, moralistically “Sleepy”/soft Joe was warned by the WSJ editorial board to adhere to presidential decorum, display political judgment, do no taunting of Trump’s legal predicament.

It is infrequent that one encounters presidential decorum used in the vicinity of Donald Trump. Recently decorum was on view at Arlington Cemetery when a verbal and physical altercation resulted as Trump and his staff defied a military ban on filming, using the Cemetery for political campaigning. Acrimonious denials, finger pointing, blame smearing, “Made Up Story” on social media ensued –a common Trump response. Indifference to rules, requests, regulations or restrictions is the norm in Trump world, as is thuggish treatment of women by Trump staffers: Jupiter, Florida, 2016, a battery charge; at Arlington no charges pressed (concern for retaliation), yet a stern military rebuke. Both physical incidents were thunderously dismissed by Trumpers, the women brandished as mental.

Perhaps a TV opportunity emerges for Trump: Decorum as a tantalizing TV series, starring Dennis Quaid, heavily enhanced, or even Donald Trump himself. A myriad of episodes could follow historic storylines, be easily adapted from real events, moments of Trump exhibiting presidential decorum and political judgment - a bit of work will be needed to minimize rally taunting. Such a smash TV hit wouldn’t resurrect award winning screenwriters from The West Wing, Sorkin, O’Donnell, but utilize conservative talents, such as the two creative Stevens - Miller and Bannor. A stream of episodes could easily emerge:

The Country is Going to Hell — Announcement of Presidential Campaign at Trump Tower


He’s No Hero — Comments on John McCain and Gold Star recipients


The Perfect Call — “I’d like you to do us a little favor” call with Zelenskyy


Find 11,780 — Call with Georgia’s AG Raffensperger for 2020 votes


Advancement Tools for Women — How Hillary, Kamala progressed their political careers


Save America Capitol Tour — January 6, 2021


Made Up Story —Trump, Lewandowski, campaign footage at Arlington


Every Right to Interfere — Trump on his 2020 election activities

Coming Trump events will undoubtedly be rich fodder for provocative newly minted episodes should a Decorum series emerge — there are 53 days remaining to election day, 136 days to inauguration, less than a fortnight until NYC sentencing. Trump’s VP running mate, JD Vance is contributing substantially to potential scripting options. Recently at a rally Vance exclaimed to his live audience and Harris, absent, “She can go to hell” – sterling role model decorum, political judgment on display.

With 53 more days, expansive space for the WSJ editorial board to educate us while directing Biden, Harris, and Walz on pristine Presidential – Vice Presidential behavior. Can’t wait.


Kathy Herald-Marlowe lives in Sharon.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Legal Notices - July 9, 2026

Legal Notices - July 9, 2026

Legal Notice

BOND RESOLUTION DATED JUNE 15, 2026 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WEBUTUCK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING NOT TO EXCEED $429,327 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND/OR INSTALLMENT PURCHASE CONTRACTS TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION OF A SCHOOL BUSES AND VEHICLES AT AN AGGREGATE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF$429,327, LEVY OF TAX IN ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS IN PAYMENT THEREOF TAKING INTO ACCOUNT STATE-AID, THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE, AND DETERMINING OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE-WITH.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tenmile Distillery is making history the old-fashioned way

Cheers! The Revolutionary Whisky Series at Ten Mile Distillery, each named for a significant battle of the American Revolution, celebrates America at 250.

D.H. Callahan

In December 2024, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau officially established the Standard of Identity for American Single Malt Whisky. It was the first new classification in more than half a century, creating new possibilities for American distillers. One of the distilleries taking advantage of this new landscape is Wassaic’s Tenmile Distillery. It is well positioned to make history because Tenmile has always honored traditional whiskey-making practices.

Single malts are often associated with Scotch whisky. Perhaps that’s why, years before the new standard was adopted, Tenmile hired Shane Fraser, a Scottish master distiller with 30 years of experience at some of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. Fraser began designing the distillery from the ground up. Alongside owner and general manager Joel LeVangia, he emphasized time-honored traditions, favoring hands-on craftsmanship over the increasingly automated methods used by larger producers. When it comes to making the best whisky possible, Tenmile believes in learning from the past. That philosophy extends beyond the distilling process.

Keep ReadingShow less

The magic of Belinda Sinclair

The magic of Belinda Sinclair

Belinda Sinclair

Dean Chamberlain
Sinclair’s show explores the ways women have been practicing forms of magic for centuries, and there is plenty of history to tell.

Belinda Sinclair is the kind of magician who impresses people who don’t like magic. Her tricks are mind-boggling. Her stories are captivating. And if she picks you to write your name on a card, get ready to be wowed. Repeat attendees of her shows, of which there are many, take almost as much delight in watching new jaws drop as they do in seeing an illusion reach its astonishing conclusion.

Since the summer of 2025, Sinclair has been baffling local audiences at the Hughes Memorial Library in West Cornwall, but her magical run comes to a close at the end of August.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

“Nixon in China” comes to Tanglewood

“Nixon in China” comes to Tanglewood

Renée Fleming, Andris Nelsons and Thomas Hampson.

Hilary Scott

On Friday, July 17 at 8 p.m. in the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood, two of the greatest American voices of their generation, soprano Renée Fleming and baritone Thomas Hampson, join Music Director Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a performance of excerpts from John Adams’ groundbreaking opera “Nixon in China.” The piece, performed earlier this year in Boston and at Carnegie Hall in New York City, is a highlight of a program that also includes “Meditations on Grace” (2024) by BSO Composer Chair Carlos Simon, and the melodic and technically demanding Violin Concerto by Samuel Barber.

Fleming is internationally celebrated for her vocal and dramatic artistry, as well as for her advocacy for the powerful impact of the creative arts in health. Hampson has long been recognized as one of the most innovative musicians of our time and has received countless international honors for his singular artistry and cultural leadership. Both performed in “Nixon in China” earlier this year at the Paris Opera under the baton of Kent Nagano.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local playwright revisits Revolutionary moment in “Rebel Town”

The cast and crew of “Rebeltown: The Musical.”

Jack Sheedy

John Alan Segalla was working in Boston a few years ago, giving historic tours at the site of the Boston Tea Party. Now, as America celebrates 250 years as a nation, the Canaan native is about to debut a new version of his original musical, “Rebel Town,” inspired largely by the Boston Tea Party, the protest that helped launch the American Revolution.

“It wasn’t until I got to Boston and learned the Tea Party story that I fell in love with this moment in history, and I saw the story as wildly compelling and very important, and really a story that was very misunderstood, mistaught in schools,” Segalla said at a recent rehearsal in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, ahead of the show’s July 10 opening.

Keep ReadingShow less
An invitation to paint a community mural in Torrington

Community mural design by Macayla Muzzulin will be painted by volunteers on July 11 in Franklin Plaza in Torrington.

Provided

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, Five Points Arts in Torrington will host a community mural project celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Volunteers of every age and artistic ability are invited to help paint a 20-by-6-foot mural designed by artist Macayla Muzzulin. The mural will be completed in one day, transformed from a numbered outline into a permanent public artwork along the river in downtown Torrington.

“We firmly believe art is for everyone,” said Five Points founder and executive director, Judith McElhone. “It’s so great to be able to do this with such talent, and with Launchpad artists, volunteers and staff there to help.”

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.