Anonymous’ New Book – A Warning – Reveals Nothing More than His or Her Own Mercenary Cynicism

On September 5, 2018, America was introduced to “Anonymous” via the Editorial page of The New York Times. Over a year ago, the paper of record took the “rare” step of running a firsthand account from a Trump administration insider – without a byline. Times’ leadership claimed the blank was a necessary evil, as revealing Anonymous’ name would imperil his or her subverting position:

“[The writer’s] identity is known to us and whose job would be jeopardized by its disclosure. We believe publishing this essay anonymously is the only way to deliver an important perspective to our readers.”

Possibly the only experience more frustrating and pointless (in terms of helping our hobbled democracy) than The Times’ publication of its cloak and dagger scoop, was actually reading the self-congratulating words of Anonymous. If there’s one thing three years of Donald Trump’s presidency has made clear, there are no good Angels working secretly on behalf of the Republic. Every month, every week, hell every news cycle, offers multiplying evidence that the nation is infected with graft, corruption and human cruelty at almost every level. And yet in 2018, Anonymous had the unmitigated gall to assert:

“[Trump’s] erratic behavior would be more concerning if it weren’t for unsung heroes in and around the White House. Some of his aides have been cast as villains by the media. But in private, they have gone to great lengths to keep bad decisions contained to the West Wing, though they are clearly not always successful.

It may be cold comfort in this chaotic era, but Americans should know that there are adults in the room. We fully recognize what is happening. And we are trying to do what’s right even when Donald Trump won’t.”

Alright Anonymous, supposing there is any truth at all to the assertion that democracy’s white knights were embedded in 2018, undetected, in a White House rife with paranoia and reactionary ignorance, what measurable good has your incognito resistance produced? May I remind you that nationally televised House of Representatives impeachment hearings begin this coming Wednesday evening? If a patriotic duty to remain in your post was required to prevent international violations of the Constitution like Trump’s Ukrainian quid pro quo, nice work Monkey Boy (or Girl).

Now comes late 2019 word that, just in time for the holiday season, Anonymous has published him or herself an entire book. Since this person’s only real concern is for the American people, I’m sure all proceeds are being donated to the Immigrant Defense Project, or another worthy non-profit that has extra full hands fighting injustice in the Trump era. We may never know this person’s name, but we shan’t doubt they toil on the right side of history. Why? Because they say so! Excerpted from A Warning, via The Washington Post:

“I have decided to publish this anonymously because this debate is not about me…It is about us. It is about how we want the presidency to reflect our country, and that is where the discussion should center. Some will call this ‘cowardice.’ My feelings are not hurt by the accusation. Nor am I unprepared to attach my name to criticism of President Trump.”

Let us know your timetable, asshat, after you’re through counting money. I’m sure Anonymous is shocked (shocked I say!) that A Warning currently sits atop Amazon’s bestseller list – before a single copy is shipped.

News of the book, which hits shelves November 19, produced immediate, visceral reactions from the author’s many critics. In an eloquent blog post, published yesterday on Esquire’s political pages, writer Charles P. Pierce produced the headline I wish I’d written first: “The Anonymous White House Book-Writer Can Anonymously Bite Me.” Having dispensed with immature, but satisfying petulance, Pierce gets to the heart of Anonymous’ apparently limitless hypocrisy:

“…Anonymous took a job in Bedlam anyway, and, as nearly as we can tell, still works there. I’m not buying for a minute that A and the ‘Steady State’ did so to keep the President* from acting upon his own paranoia and bigotry. He never was going to change, and we knew that all along, too. They took the jobs because they were White House jobs…

So, no, thanks. I’ll stick with the witnesses who appear in public and who explain under oath the breadth and depth of the corruption afflicting our politics, and I’ll leave the guessing game to the easily distracted, upon whom this President* depends.”

Real heroes have names, Anonymous. If you want anyone above a third-grade reading level to take your pretensions to patriotism seriously, quit lining your pockets with government and private sector money, earned while you sell out the nation in real-time.