How are we going to manage President Trump?

As a non-USA citizen, I think I can safely claim to speak on the rest of the world's behalf and declare this the preeminent question on our collective mind.

For some it's a practical concern. He wants to build a wall, put a halt to Muslim immigration, repeal large portions of NAFTA . . . so on and so forth. I am neither a Mexican with dreams of El Norte, nor a Muslim fleeing homeland turmoil/seeking reunion with my recently-settled American family members. Reintroducing tariffs to NAFTA, on the other hand, might have an effect on my comfort. At this point it's too early to say. Besides, I publicly opposed NAFTA in the original go-round -- I'd be a hypocrite if I expressed consternation at this particular Trump policy-bashing.

For most of us it's a psychological concern. This is a guy we'll be facing every single day -- whether we turn on the television, log on to the internet, glance at the magazine rack, or play the radio while driving the kids to soccer or grandma to the doctor's office. For those of us who thought we had too much exposure to the man decades before he jumped into politics, this will require a substantial shift in the parlour of our consciousness. He's been banging at the windows for the last 30 years -- now he's in Father's chair, fer cryin' out loud!

It's not an appealing prospect, to put it mildly. But we'll manage -- if manage we must.

Starting with kitties. Tickle their bellies twice.

Banging at the windows -- wow, have I worked hard to avoid media coverage/analysis of what's going on. Part of that is this whole business of ignoring the rough beast slouching toward Father's chair. But the other part of my reflexive avoidance is the forehead-slapping that occurs when I actually attend. These guys don't get it! He's soaring for a reason, and it's not that his base would otherwise flock to the nearest Klan rally.

There are exceptions. Matt Taibi, f'rinstance:

"No one should be surprised that [Trump is] tearing through the Republican primaries, because everything he's saying about his GOP opponents is true. They really are all stooges on the take, unable to stand up to Trump because they're not even people, but are, like Jeb and Rubio, just robo-babbling representatives of unseen donors."

And, for those of a more conservative bent, Robert W. Merry.

Finally, a word to my fellow Canuckle-heads: those of you expressing smug, superior, "witty" opinions on what's happening to the south of us -- yeah, I'm looking at you, The Canada Party and Cape Breton If Trump Wins -- knock it the fuck off. We're the country that only yesterday indulged in supportive nepotism and gave our highest office to a Drama Teacher, the son of a former Prime Minister.

Also: Rob Ford.

This shit happens everywhere.