Election protests: More than just a tantrum

Much of the protest against Donald Trump is attributable to the man himself: an accused sexual molester, with a background of racial discrimination, the scruples of a conman, a misogynistic streak, a propensity for cheating, and a habit of barefaced lying. But I suspect his denial of global warming also plays a a big part.

Consider the number of young people demonstrating. They know that with Trump in office, they can expect an accelerated round of oil and gas exploration, a resurgence of coal mining, plus a reduction of spending for alternative energy programs. And all at the expense of the environment.

They understand all too well that they’ll have live with the consequences of environmental neglect and destruction. As inheritors of the earth, they’ll be left with the mess created by irresponsible policies. One can only guess how they’ll feel, as they look back.

This makes their current rage understandable. It may have the appearance of a tantrum, but it portends a deeper anxiety. Their birthright’s been left out of the calculation. The future belongs to them, but what kind of future will they have to cope with? As much as anything, for this reason, they’re demanding to be heard.

This story was originally published December 7, 2016 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Election protests: More than just a tantrum."