Those Democrats from Missouri or elsewhere who wish to support Maria Chappelle-Nadal, the St. Louis-area senator who famously wrote, “I hope Trump is assassinated,” now have a website to express that support. It is called simply, “I Stand with Maria.” There they will find a pretty picture of Maria from a happier times with a beaming smile and the following message:
“We, as constituents and community members and people who feel the same frustration with our current political landscape stand with Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal. We know that there is a huge difference between saying that someone hopes Donald Trump is assassinated and someone calling for his assassination.”
The lack of commas is not the worst part of the statement above. Indeed, it is hard to recall a lamer defense of a political screw-up in recent history. There may be a difference between “hoping for” a president to be assassinated and “calling for” one, but it is far from “huge.”
This defense of Maria Chappelle-Nadal’s language calls to mind the case of Henry II, who reportedly expressed the aspiration, “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” Upon hearing this, four of Henry’s knights promptly and terminally rid the king of the meddlesome priest in question, Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury. “This phrase,” says Wikipedia, “is now used to express the idea that a ruler’s wish can be interpreted as a command by their subordinates.” It happens.
On the website, Maria also makes her own case as to why she should stay on. “Out of anger and frustration, I said something that could have been reframed,” she writes. “And I refuse to shy away from the hypocrisy and chaos our country is enduring under Trump.”
If this were not so serious, it would be hilarious. “Could have been reframed?” Yea, Maria, we think you might have expressed your desire to see Trump dead more delicately. In the future, wish that he be whisked heavenward by a chariot of angels. That might help you keep your next job. As to this job, impeachment may be the only way out.
