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Regardless of your position on abortion, a woman’s right to choose is still the law of the land in America…or so we thought. The abortion wars between pro-life and pro-choice forces continue unabated. Now the COVID-19 crisis is providing new ammunition for pro-life proponents.

We should ask today’s protestors, demonstrating against Coronavirus restrictions, the same question. They want restrictions loosened or eliminated, but many health experts warn COVID-19 could rebound, spreading rapidly. Our seniors would be among the most vulnerable. So Grandma (and Grandpa) would have the plug pulled on them – sacrificed to perpetuate the conspiracy theory that Coronavirus is a media or Democratic hoax. Even after 58,000 U.S. deaths (more than in the Vietnam War), some true believers still buy that myth.

April 22 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day.  This year, tree huggers and concerned citizens around the world will come together, virtually, to commemorate this milestone, celebrate our precious planet and bring awareness to challenges it faces. As has been typical for 50 years, the Earth has seen some victories and setbacks this past year.

Finally, something we can (almost) all agree on: We have heroes and angels among us, thank God. Front-line warriors in the Coronavirus siege – risking their own lives, showing amazing courage and compassion – qualify for that title. Medical personnel, first responders, drivers and supermarket workers delivering and stocking essential goods, among others, deserve our appreciation.

Giving credit where due, President Trump (FINALLY) admitted COVID-19 is serious, and more deadly, than he thought – with 100,000 U.S. deaths predicted and 240,000 possible. Trump claims he knew how bad it was: “I knew it could be horrible, and I knew it could be, maybe, good. I want to give people a feeling of hope.” (March 31) Moderates prefer presidents tell us the truth, then how TOGETHER we’ll deal with it.

Crises reveal leaders’ true character. Think former President Harry Truman (D-MO), with a sign on his desk: “The Buck Stops Here”. He accepted his responsibility to make tough decisions – and stand by them. Now think President Trump, asked about the slow distribution of test kits during the COVID-19 crisis: “No, I don’t take responsibility at all.” Instead, he blamed former President Obama (his favorite scapegoat when things go badly).

Crises reveal leaders’ true character. Think British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” Now think President Donald Trump during the COVID-19 crisis, asked how long it will last: “Some of the doctors say it will wash through, it will flow through.” Virtually no medical experts agreed with that view.

To be fair, we want leaders to reassure us, preventing panic. But Moderates also demand they tell us the TRUTH. If our president is NOT telling us the truth, he is either: Uninformed or misinformed. OR Informed – and lying to us. Either is dangerous. The first, because it leads to bad decisions. The second, because it begs the question: what else is he willing to lie about? We all need to decide – in times of crisis, do we want a SALESMAN or a STATESMAN to lead us?

Modern Moderates have an urgent request for politicians, hacks, and talking heads on all sides: for the good of our country, put up or shut up. If you can’t back up what you’re saying with facts and fairness – PLEASE SHUT UP.

Democrats are desperate to defeat Donald Trump (the Autocrat); but their current leading candidate, Bernie Sanders, is a Socialist. Many believe defeating Trump, panderer to his far-right base, requires a nominee appealing to Independents, suburban women, and Moderates, weary of Trump’s erratic behavior, vindictive ego, and endless power grabs (the other “P-Grabs” he enjoys).