Civility ‘By George’

Review by Bill Doughty

In his first Easter address today Pope Leo XIV said this, in part: “Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!”

In one of President Trump's messages issued on Easter Sunday, after threatening to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Age,” Trump said: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”*

George Washington would not have approved of Trump’s message.

First Commander in Chief George Washington lived by a code of manners, habits, and values. His 110 rules may seem quaint by today’s standards, but many of his words of wisdom –– which originally came from a French Jesuit book of etiquette –– resonate powerfully hundreds of years later, especially when we compare his code of conduct with that of the current CINC.

Washington’s rules are examined in “By George!: Mr. Washington’s Guide to Civility Today” by Steven Michael Selzer (Andrews McMeer Publishing 2000).

Selzer wrote this small book more than 20 years before Trump dared to compare himself as a better president than Abraham Lincoln or George Washington.

Selzer observed cracks in society at the turn of the millennium with plenty of symptoms of incivility, hate speech, and meanness. He writes:

“Rudeness. Crudeness. Thoughtlessness. Uncivilized behavior is everywhere. From the boss who publicly chews out her assistant, to the driver who barrels dangerously down the highway, to the sports fan who yells obscenities at the ball game, there is little doubt that we live in an increasingly barbaric world. And it's just as clear that many of us would like to see things change.

Polls indicate that a great many Americans long for greater civility because the way we treat one another has a powerful impact on our daily life. Civility in this context goes beyond good manners. It means behaving honorably and ethically in all aspects of our lives.

The problem is we just don't know how to behave anymore. On the one hand we're taught to be forthright and assertive in our interactions, while on the other hand there is an expectation that we will be extremely polite — even passive –– when faced with a problem or conflict. The mixed messages are confusing and misleading. What Americans need is a model of civility, one we can look to for insight and inspiration.”

Washington copied the 110 rules down at age fourteen and kept them as his model for good and honorable behavior.

Many of the rules apply to a different time in history –– an 18th century era of castes, chauvinism, and codes for dress, table manners, and body language. For example, Rule 2 says, basically, “watch where you scratch;” Rule 9 admonishes, loosely, “don’t spit in the fire;” Rule 13 advises, literally, “Kill no vermin, as fleas, lice, ticks, etc., in the sight of others;” and Rule 100 tells diners, “Cleanse not your teeth with the tablecloth, napkin, fork, or knife.”

Washington's wording sometimes comes across as old-fashioned and stilted, but Selzer helps translate and contextualize the insights along the way.

Many of the 110 rules stand out as golden rule common sense advice, which is especially relevant 250 years after the birth of the United States. There is some redundancy and a scolding tone, but there are also some gems that reach across the years:

Rule 1: “Every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those that are present.” Show some respect, including to the legislature, judiciary, and media!

Rule 6: “Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace.” Wake up even if you’re not “woke.”

Rule 21: “Reproach none for the infirmities of nature, not delight them that have have them in mind.” Don’t make fun of disabilities.

Rule 22: “Shew not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.” Speak only good things about those who pass away –– or say nothing at all.

Rule 25: “Superfluous compliments and all affectation of ceremony are to be avoided.” Be careful about commenting on the appearance of others or in wrapping yourself in the flag.

Rule 26: “Remove your hat to persons of distinction … make a reverence…” Especially during dignified transfers of the remains of service members who die in wars you start. It’s common sense.

In a speech to the citizens of Baltimore on April 17, 1789, Washington said, “It appears to me that little more than common sense and common honesty, in the transaction of the community at large, would be necessary to make us a great and happy nation.”

Rule 35: “Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.” Selzer expounds: “Be short and comprehensive in speech. It is inconsiderate to waste the time of others.” Ramble not.

Rule 36: (Translates to) Remain humble and treat everyone equally. “…Treat them with affability and courtesy, without arrogancy.”

Rule 47: “Mock not nor jest at anything of importance, break no jests that are sharp and biting..” Imagine George’s and the other founders’ horror at some of the AI generated memes and vitriolic social media texts by the current White House.

Rule 49: “Use no reproachful language against anyone, neither curse nor revile.” [*For example, Trump’s Easter post to Iran.]

Selzer notes, “Profanity demeans us, not those against whom we use it. And it usually backfires.”

Rule 50: “Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.” Ignore gossip and rumors –– and conspiracies such as Big Lies and distorted statistics.

Rule 56: “Associate yourself with men of good quality …” Consider Trump’s second administration, which included Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi and still includes (for now) Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, and Pete Hegseth. His first choice for Attorney General was Matt Gaetz.

Rule 58: “Let your conversation be without malice or envy as a sign of a commendable nature.”

Rule 59: “Never express anything unbecoming nor act against the moral rules…”

Rule 61: “Utter not base and frivolous things among grave and learned men…”

Rule 63: “A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities of wit, much less of his riches, virtue, or kindred.” How many presidents railed publicly about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize or bragged about their wealth and self-proclaimed virtues?

Rule 76: “While you are talking, point not with your finger at him of whom you discourse, nor approach too near to him to whom you talk, especially to his face.” Including members of the press.

Rule 82: “Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.” If you promise to lower prices, release all the Epstein files, and not start a war it’s important to keep your promises.

Selzer adds, “A promise is to keep. Trust is based on performing on your promises. You should always be there when it counts. People rely on you, and you should be willing to make a personal sacrifice to meet your commitments.”

Public office should not be a means for self-enrichment and profiteering. Selzer notes that during the eight years General Washington fought the Revolutionary War, he spent only three days of respite at his Mount Vernon home. “To keep a promise, George Washington believed in sacrifice –– he lost half his net worth during the Revolutionary War.”

Rule 88: “Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse.” Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Rule 89: “Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust.” Selzer adds, “Fairness is basic to our entire social system.” And, “If ever there was a golden opportunity to exercise the golden rule, this is it.”

Rule 110: “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” If you have a conscience.

Washington’s final rule focuses on conscience as the ultimate guide toward civility. He frowned on hubris, self-importance, and dishonest behavior. Instead, he sought to follow his conscience toward humility, kindness, respect, tolerance, restraint and empathy. Civility

George Washington lived core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

One of his namesakes, USS George Washington (CVN 73), is part of the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces and calls Yokosuka, Japan, its current home.

Hegseth’s Holy War

By Bill Doughty

On March 25 at the Pentagon “Secretary of War” Pete Hegseth prayed “in the name of Jesus” for God to help break the teeth of his enemies in Iran.

His prayer, written in part by a military chaplain, calls up ghosts of the Crusades, Manifest Destiny, and Old Testament brutality as well as an interpretation of the New Testament that is violent and unforgiving.

Hegseth called on the Christian God to give “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

“Almighty God, who trains our hands for war and our fingers for battle. You, who stirred the nations of the north against Babylon of old, making her land a desolation where none dwell. [“Nations of the North against Babylon of old” = Crusades]

“Behold now, the wicked who rise against Your justice and the peace of the righteous. Snap the rod of the oppressor, frustrate the wicked plans, and break the teeth of the ungodly.

By the blast of Your anger, let the evil perish. Let their bulls go down to slaughter, for their day has come… 

"Pour out your wrath upon those who plot vain things, and blow them away like chaff before the wind. Grant this task force clear and righteous targets for violence. Surround them as a shield. Protect the innocent and blameless in their midst. Make their arrows like those of a skilled warrior who returned empty-handed. Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation.”

[“Riighteousness…great nation = Manifest destiny]

“Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy. Preserve their lives, sharpen their resolve, and let justice be executed swiftly and without remorse, that evil may be driven back and wicked souls be delivered to the eternal damnation prepared for them. For the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

[Overwhelming violence…without remorse…eternal damnation = Old Testament.

“We ask these things with bold confidence in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ, king over all kings.”

Hegseth’s apocalyptic vision frames the war with Iran as a struggle against "religious fanatics" seeking a "religious Armageddon.”

As George W. Bush did in his war with Iraq, Hegseth also characterizes Operation Epic Fury as a "crusade" and a "holy war.” Theocracy is embraced on a path toward "end times."

Framing Jesus Christ as “king over all kings” seems to place Christianity above the Constitution, with “under God” supplanting “e pluribus unum.” It is a turn away from secular democracy and toward dominion domination.

Considering the pattern of discrimination against secular humanism and diversity, equity and Inclusion –– such as raising the profile of Christian military chaplains and preventing the promotion of blacks and women in senior officer ranks –– Hegseth’s prayer and war strategy seem to align with white Christian supremacy.

During his Pentagon prayer service, he welcomed another member of the Trump cabinet, Veterans Administration head Doug Collins, an Air Force reserve chaplain. “It’s such a blessing to be a part of a cabinet filled with faith-filled members who pray together, who share scripture together on a regular basis, who meet together and pray together,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth’s pastor, Doug Wilson, spoke and prayed at a previous Pentagon service. Wilson opposes gay marriage, supports women not voting, and promotes past slavery as good for black people.

Regarding slavery, Wilson says that the Bible does not explicitly forbid slavery and permits owning other people if slaves are treated well. He co-authored “Southern Slavery as it Was,” which claimed that American slavery preserved families and introduced black families to Christianity.

Hundreds of Christian leaders, joined by other religious and nonreligious groups, have condemned white Christian nationalism and supremacy and Hegseth’s view of patriarchy and dominionism. Many express their opposition in ongoing “No Kings” rallies and protests.

After Hegseth’s prayer for violence, Pope Leo addressed Catholic worshippers during a Palm Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square. Leo said the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US was “atrocious” and that Jesus could not be used to justify war.

“This is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” he said to tens of thousands of followers. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”

Quoting a Bible passage, Leo added: “‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.’”

War on Credibility –– an ‘Orwellian’ 2026

by Bill Doughty––

Are we being bombarded with mis- or disinformation: “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength”?

As examples: Is the administration tearing down the Department of Education in order to keep citizens strong or ignorant? Was war with Iran really necessary during peaceful negotiations? Will freedom from information about actual slavery enslave us toward further ignorance and endless war? 

Speaking of slavery … 

After the Trump administration tore down factual information at the Philadelphia President’s House about America’s history of slavery, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe used an Orwell reference from “1984” in her order this month to reinstate the information:

“As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed, with its motto ‘Ignorance is Strength,’ this Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims — to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts," Rufe ruled. "It does not.”

Later in her ruling, Judge Rufe writes, “And yet, in its argument, the government claims it alone has the power to erase, alter, remove and hide historical accounts on taxpayer and local government-funded monuments within its control. Its claims in this regard echo Big Brother’s domain in Orwell’s 1984…”

Her 40-page ruling begins with an Orwell quote about rewriting history and also contains a 1984 excerpt about book banning:

“The largest section of the [government’s] Records Department . . . consisted simply of persons whose duty it was to track down and collect all copies of books, newspapers, and other documents which had been superseded and were due for destruction. A number of the Times [a newspaper] which might, because of changes in political alignment, or mistaken prophesies uttered by Big Brother, have been rewritten a dozen times still stood on the files bearing its original date, and no other copy existed to contradict it. Books, also, were recalled and rewritten again and again, and were invariably reissued without any admission that any alteration had been made. Even the written instructions [for workers in the Records Department] ... never stated or implied that an act of forgery was to be committed; always the reference was to slips, errors, misprints, or misquotations which it was necessary to put right in the interests of accuracy.”

In the midst of current heavy-handed totalitarian tendencies Orwell’s ghost hovers over other aspects of the Trump administration and its war on truth, a war that further erodes the stature and credibility of the United States.

Moments after President Trump removed Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem spoke at a conference and misquoted Orwell.

"It reminded me of the quote that is often attribute to George Orwell that states, 'People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf,’” Noem said. Orwell did not say or write that phrase.

While Orwell would certainly have agreed with the sentiment, he would have been appalled at the attack on a girls elementary school in Iran (that killed scores of children and more than a dozen teachers).

Trump and “Secretary of War” Hegseth dragged their heels and obfuscated information about the bombing of the Shajarah Tayyebeh girls school in Minab, Iran. Now a Pentagon investigation into the Feb. 28 strike concluded that the United States military was responsible for the attack due to faulty intelligence.

Further investigations should look into the connection between the bombing of the school and Hegseth’s earlier gutting of the Pentagon’s Civilian Protection Center of Excellence by approximately 90 percent. The office, also known as the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) initiative, was established to limit risks to civilians during military operations by providing "no-strike" lists and verifying target coordinates.

Hegseth told senior military leaders several months ago he wanted “Maximum Lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct.” Before his recent banning of press photographers who took unflattering photos of him, he restructured the Pentagon press pool to only include pro-Trump and pro-republican reporters willing to promote propaganda.

After the first U.S. casualties were announced and the media focused on honoring the service members killed, Hegseth chastised reporters: “I get it; the press only wants to make the president look bad. But try for once to report the reality.”

At a later press conference White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “It’s the position of this administration that the press in this room and the press across the country should accurately report on the success of Operation Epic Fury and the damage it is doing to the rogue Iranian regime.”

Orwellian Hypocrisy

Orwell would be sickened by the propaganda, warmongering, hubris, and hypocrisy of Trump and his appointed followers.

When Vice President J.D. Vance first endorsed Trump, he wrote a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, “Trump’s Best Foreign Policy? Not Starting Any Wars.” Vance said, “He has my support in 2024 because I know he won’t recklessly send Americans to fight overseas.”

Trump himself promised he would not start wars. As part of his vow of "America First" he said he would prioritize rebuilding the U.S. at home instead of spending resources on nation-building in foreign nations. And he argued that U.S. interventions in the Middle East and elsewhere had failed, creating instability and leaving behind chaos.

But after threatening Canada and Greenland, Trump attacked Venezuela, then started a war with Iran, and now promises Cuba will be next on the hit list. All without congressional approval or making a clear case to the American public.

Trump, Vance and current Director of National intelligence Tulsi Gabbard each repeatedly criticized Biden for the tragic deaths of 13 service members during the Trump-arranged withdrawal from Afghanistan. Sadly, as of March 13, there have been 13 service members killed in the war started by the Trump administration (along with Netanyahu's Israel).

Meanwhile, Gabbard, who frequently criticized America’s "military-industrial complex,” once warned that policies under Trump (such as those regarding Iran) were costly, dangerous, and risked starting new wars. At one time she reportedly sold T-shirts emblazoned with “No War with Iran.”

As of now, Gabbard is still supporting Trump’s policies. In fact, she is also knee-deep in “big-lie” election conspiracy theories and wading into voting interference. 

Over the years, Gabbard has defended Russian interests by blaming the U.S. and NATO for provoking the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, arguing the West ignored Russia's "legitimate security concerns.” She, along with other members of Trump’s administration, has echoed Kremlin talking points and propaganda.

Until Trump’s war on Iran, the world has witnessed the biggest war since Orwell’s time. For the past four years Putin’s totalitarian regime has continued to attack the democratic republic of Ukraine, targeting Ukrainian civilians and the nation’s energy infrastructure in its aggression.

Putin offered “unwavering support” to Iran’s new Ayatollah and said, “I am confident that you will continue your father's work with honour and consolidate the Iranian people in the face of harsh ordeals.”

Shockingly, Russia has reportedly assisted Iran in targeting U.S. Navy facilities and personnel along with other American military and intelligence assets.

President Zelensky, on the other hand, is offering the United States assistance in defending against Iranian drones –– the same type of drones Iran provides to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Instead of punishing Russia for assisting Iran in targeting Americans, Trump is waiving sanctions against Russia to allow them to profit from oil sales.

Orwellian ‘Excursion’

President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other administration officials have given nearly a dozen conflicting reasons for starting the conflict with Iran even though the United States was in the middle of peaceful negotiations and no evidence of an imminent threat.

White House officials also contradict themselves on what to call the “Operation Epic Fury” war. After a 7th U.S. service member died, Trump proclaimed during a House Republican retreat at his golf resort in Doral, Florida on March 9 that the war was “a little excursion.”

“We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil...,” Trump said. “And I think you’ll see it’s [going to] be a short-term excursion.” (We are reminded of Trump’s efforts to downplay threats and severity in the beginning weeks of the Covid pandemic.)

Calling the war “a little excursion” brings to mind a similar gaffe by former President Joe Biden on the eve of Russia’s war with Ukraine, on Jan. 19, 2022, warning of a possible “minor incursion.”

Orwell, who preached accuracy and clarity of language, would remind us that “incursion” means a hostile invasion or attack, while “excursion” is defined as a brief trip or outing taken for pleasure.

Is it propaganda when Trump claims of conducting an “excursion” (while causing massive destruction); ending wars (while starting one); curbing high prices (while causing prices to rise); or promising voting security (while creating instability and curbing voting rights)?

Like Biden before him, Trump proclaims the economy is great even as inflation increases and working class families pay the costs. At his March 11 rally in Kentucky Trump said “Prices are coming down very substantially” as prices rise.

During WWII, Orwell wrote about propaganda in his essay “Propaganda and Demotic Speech” published in Persuasion Summer Quarter 1944:

“At present propaganda only seems to succeed when it coincides with what people are inclined to do in any case. During the present war, for instance, the Government has done extraordinarily little to preserve morale: it has merely drawn on the existing reserves of good-will. And all political parties alike have failed to interest the public in vitally important questions … But some day we may have a genuinely democratic government, a government which will want to tell people what is happening, and what must be done next, and what sacrifices are necessary, and why.”

Yesterday, Trump again called the war an “excursion” and proclaimed the operation was “over.” During his rally in Kentucky on March 11, Trump told supporters, "We won.” He asserted that the war was "over in the first hour.” But at the same rally that the U.S. is "not finished yet” and must "finish the job.”

Orwell would recognize the doublethink and doublespeak –– what we now call gaslighting.

Orwellian Memes/Videos

Orwell’s ghost seems to whisper that in a true democracy the people must be kept informed with facts and truth.

But instead of clear and thoughtful communication about the reasons, ramifications, and duration of the war with Iran (and plans for other “incursions” or “excursions”) Trump and Hegseth are putting out boastful memes and videos of war and destruction using images from movies, games, and cartoons such as SpongeBob Squarepants. [Sadly they use ACDC’s “Thunderstruck” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and other unlicensed music and images.]

The videos are not endorsed by original content creators. In fact, actor and director Ben Stiller demanded the White House stop using images from his movie “Tropic Thunder” to promote Epic Fury.

Steve Downes, the actor who voices Master Chief in the game Halo, spoke out about using his work. “I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Downes posted on social media.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company rebuked the White House for using imagery from a "Pokémon" game in a video montage.

After seeing his image in one of the propaganda war videos NFL Hall of Fame legend Ed Reed, one of football’s greatest safeties, said “I do not approve this message.”

Another former star, safety and ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark, spoke out against the White House war videos on The Pivot podcast: “We’ve lost all decorum, we’ve lost all integrity, we’ve lost all character. And I believe that the latest White House post or the White House post involving myself and other NFL players is absolutely disgusting and despicable,” Clark said.

The Catholic Church and other religious and nonreligious leaders and critics condemn the mixing of real combat deaths with entertainment media, which trivializes war and turns it into a "digital spectacle."

One of the White House’s videos is titled “Justice the American Way.”

In 2026 is this now the American way: “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength”?

Rather than present information for frontal cortex critical thinking to promote trust, Trump and Hegseth instead spew images for the amygdala and id that reinforce ignorance and erase credibility. “Ignorance is Strength.”

I hear Orwell’s voice channeled today in the words and deeds of Daryl Davis. Davis is an American blues and R&B singer and activist who succeeds in promoting unity and healing divisions. He writes: “The cure for ignorance is education. You fix the ignorance, there’s nothing to fear. If there’s nothing to hate. If there’s nothing or no one to hate, there’s nothing to destroy.” As for ignorance, it starts with not ignoring –– but finding –– truth.”

On the Joe Rogan Experience podcast of Jan. 30, 2020, Davis told Rogan, “The most important thing that you have in any endeavor is your credibility.”