Relief from the political divide, even on July Fourth

The political chasm dividing America continues to grow each day as we’re seeing partisan politics at every turn.

A generation ago we could escape the constant political bickering through entertainment and sports. National holidays like July Fourth would also bring people together, at least temporarily.

Today, each of these outlets have become polluted by politics and many times it’s women activists at the forefront, especially on social issues.

Actress Alyssa Milano and Megan Rapinoe, co-captain of the U.S. women’s soccer team, have sounded off in recent days. Both despise President Donald Trump and his policies.

Rapinoe’s outright hatred of the president surfaced in a vulgar response when asked by a reporter if she was excited about going to the White House if her team wins the Women’s World Cup.

“I’m not going to the (expletive) White House,” she swore.

Rapinoe made her hateful remark on a world stage, since it came before the World Cup game in France.

Switching from international sports to Hollywood, we recently saw Milano’s tweet attack on fellow actor Jon Voight, who is a vocal supporter of President Trump.

“Stay in your lane, Jon! Nobody cares what an out of touch actor thinks!” Milano tweeted, calling him a “has been” and a “F-lister trying to stay relevant.”

Voight, an Academy Award winner who was part of the anti-war left during the 1960s, said he discovered the “truth” and changed his political ways. He portrays U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger in an upcoming film about Roe v. Wade.

One of the few Trump-supporting actors in Hollywood, Voight has said the country is “stronger, safer and with more jobs under the president’s direction, and has called Trump the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln.

In response to Milano’s charges, he stated that he has sympathy for ignorant people and that he was once like that himself.

“I just root for everybody to come to the truth,” Voight said.

Voight’s response to Milano brought a barrage of tweets.

“How did Jon Voight keep his sanity, common sense and intelligence while working in show business all these year(s)?” one asked. “You rock.”

“The ‘Midnight Cowboy’ star proves all Hollywood elitists are not liberal lunatics, ie. Robert Dinero, Sean Penn, Alyssa Milano etc.,” another tweeted.

It’s sad when we see the nation’s great political divide extending to our national holidays.

This July Fourth, the president’s “Salute to America” event is being called “the largest celebration of Independence Day in our nation’s history.” Event organizers have said it is meant to stand for freedom and in opposition to the radical socialist policies being pushed by some members of Congress.

In the morning, A Rally for Freedom will be held on the U.S. Capitol lawn. At night, Jon Voight will join Moms for America in a stand against socialism in America at the Lincoln Memorial.

Some Democrats, including Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota, chair of the appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Interior Department, sent a letter to the president complaining about the logistics, cost and message sent by scheduling the event.

In a personal note she said the Fourth of July celebration is not about any one person and should not be used for campaigning.

The White House pushed back, saying the event is a time for the entire country to come together. Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, said the president just loves America and wants to help all Americans celebrate our nation’s independence.

By Jim Zbick | tneditor@tnonline.com