Politics in America

A Peter Lorre-like character I sometimes talk to at the library I work at said something about how he was pleased with something his favorite President did.

Favorite President? "Abraham Lincoln?" I asked.

"Not anymore." He replied.

Uh oh.

The name Donald Trump came up. "You mean that ironically don't you?" I asked.

He didn't.

"Look into your heart." I suggested.

He didn't. 

He wanted to tell me about how he studied political science and knew a lot about presidents.

So we moved on. I sort of insisted.

Then he told me about how a map we have up in our lobby was wrong. It said a main street West of here is West of here.

"It is West of here." I said.

"No it isn't." He said. "I live just in front of that street. I should know."

So I went to look at the map with him. The map was correct. I tried to show him how if you go right out here you cross this street and then come to that street. He was having none of it. I was tempted to walk him out onto the streets and show him, but I held back. It seemed like it wouldn't work.

"I have a degree in geography." He said, frustrated. I gently extricated myself from the interaction. He stayed behind. 

For the next 45 minutes I saw him out there occasionally getting strangers to look at the map with him.

"That is to the West." I could often overhear these people gently say to him, then shaking their heads sadly, and walking away.