Freedom In The Press

Sunday, October 26, 2025

As I read through the headlines this morning, most of them once again proclaiming the latest Trumpian outrage that wasn’t actually that outrageous, I thought of what I wrote yesterday, “But Trump is doing it so it must be wrong!”  I grew astonished at how much energy some people were putting into watching every move this man and his administration make just so they can say “It’s wrong!”  Then I thought about some ugly relationships I have seen in my life – relationships that professionals have labelled as “co-dependent.”

For the uninitiated co-dependency is defined:

a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person manifesting low self-esteem and a strong desire for approval has an unhealthy attachment to another

And I looked at websites that give scriptural verses about things to see what it thought the Bible had to say about this condition and the results were fascinating.  Some were of the “rely on God, not man” sort.  e.g. Prov. 29:25 – “The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected.”  The use of the word “snare” is fascinating.  Many of the verses centered on slavery and freedom.  e.g. Gal 5:1 –  “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

And that is when it dawned on me – these people have enslaved themselves to Donald Trump!  Trump did not ask for it, Trump did not demand it, Trump is not enforcing it, but they have done it to themselves.  Now I get where the Nazi comparisons come from.  It is tempting to launch into a whole analysis of this phenomena, showing the parallels between known symptomology and current action among the press and many leading Dems.  But in the end that does little to help the situation.

Rather, this morning I find myself overwhelmed with pity for such people – people who have trapped themselves in this snare.  People who have robbed themselves of any happiness, any joy in life, because of their obsession.  There is little I can do for these people, but pray.  But I resolve to do so as I head to church  this Sunday morning.