by Tom Arnold, ©2026
(Feb. 27, 2026) — Isn’t this really just a rhetorical question? The answer is, OF COURSE; YES, IT IS. Anyone in these critically important capacities definitely should be of good character and morals. Not even the President of the United States should be exempt from having such qualities. It has been said, hasn’t it, that no one is above the law? In my opinion, too, no one who is a government official should be excused from honoring and protecting our constitution above all.
So, America, can we call ourselves a civilized society? I refer you to a pair of opinion pieces I authored two or three months ago, not that I was, or am now, seeking attention for myself. I like to think I am entitled to say what I think and to attempt to contribute to making a positive difference in our country and humanity at large while I am still able to do so.
Some final thoughts. Are we in our country at a point where we need to require polygraph exams for political hopefuls and for those who already have been elected or appointed to office? Obviously, such a scenario is a bit “tongue-in-cheek,” but I sometimes wonder if it would be useful as an adjunct to never-ending congressional inquiries and hearings and as a way, albeit neither conventional nor foolproof, to curb the lying and cover-ups to which our political figures seem to be prone! And that is not to mention their grift, divisiveness, and hate.
Also, excuse me for saying so, but I feel I have to point out one government-connected agency (actually a civilian entity, with little or no government oversight or accountability) which makes lying an art form, not to mention assassinations and other extra-legal activities. That entity is the Central Intelligence Agency. In my view, the CIA probably is the most powerful and dishonest politically-connected body in our country, if not the entire world. Yet, as many of us know, one of the CIA’s most popular (and hypocritical) mottos is “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
My final point is that I believe five of the last six different U.S. presidents (those beginning with Bush #41 and ending with Trump #47) fail the “good character and morals” benchmark. Wouldn’t it be appropriate if mea culpas were offered and the bad behaviors were stopped? Good luck with that!
Things to ponder which, in my opinion, are relevant to the article above.
Thou shalt not murder or kill.
What about an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth?
Grace is not taking revenge or retaliating. Instead, it is turning the other cheek and loving or negotiating.
What do America and Iran have in common- Barack Hussein Obama.
What else do America and Iran have in common- the CIA who handpicked and groomed Manchurian Candidate Obama for the presidency.
Only Congress can declare an all-out war to take over another sovereign country.
When top advisors and military officers advise against attacking an enemy and there already are ongoing negotiations with that enemy regarding peace and nuclear capability, then why would a commander-in-chief disregard the experts and on his own order such attacks?
How does all of this fit into the newly formed “Board of Peace,” called by the president’s press secretary “the most consequential international body in history?”