PAGE 10 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 OPINION DAILYEVERGREEN.COM Fear and loathing in Woodward’s White House New book reveals tension, conflict among and ample documentation. Mattis comes across well in careful note of the person they’re And the broader picture of life reported excerpts of Woodward’s dealing with and the person Trump White House staff, cabinet members inside the Trump White House book, including standing tall whom Woodward has fleshed corresponds very closely to life as a bulwark against the Dr. out. By Timothy L. O’Brien own assessment of how animals Bloomberg News inside the Trump Organization Strangelove components of The Post pub- behave on the White House over the last few decades and life Trump and his presidency. lished a recording of Woodward’s hunting grounds. “When you put , as you might inside the Trump presidential “We’re doing this in order to only conversation with Trump, a snake and a rat and a falcon campaign just two and three prevent World War III,” Mattis which took place in August over have heard, has a book about and a rabbit and a shark and President on the years ago. Trump has always advises the benighted president the telephone. Trump’s immedi- a seal in a zoo without walls, been thus, and Woodward’s book when explaining why the U.S. ate goal in the chat is to try to get way. things start getting nasty and “Fear: Trump in the White is the latest confirmation of that maintains a military presence away with saying that Woodward bloody,” he allows, according to reality. No one coming to terms in . When Trump never attempted to interview House” is reportedly chock full Woodward’s account. of ripe White House anecdotes, with the Trump presidency has tells Mattis he wants Assad him for his book, which had Trump, unable to avoid giving any reason to be surprised by killed, Woodward reports, Mattis been completed by the time they with various prominent offi- Woodward bankable free public- cials and staffers describing the what they’re seeing, including promises that he’ll get right on talked. Woodward easily catches ity, took to on Tuesday the people who’ve decided to it before telling his staff that Trump out in that lie, leading president as acting and thinking evening to rip into a book that work for him – which, of course, they’ll pursue no such thing. Trump to breezily move on like a “fifth- or sixth-grader,” as won’t be publicly available until begs the question: Why did all Mattis is somebody who contin- while reminding Woodward that “unhinged” and as “an idiot.” next week: these folks who’ve spoken to ues to work in the White House “nobody’s ever done a better job Team Trump thus engages in “The Woodward book has Woodward decide to work in the because he’s a public servant and than I’m doing as president.” what Woodward describes as an already been refuted and dis- “an administrative coup d’etat” Trump White House to begin career military leader who knows Trump – about to be on the credited by (Secretary with? he offers real insulation against to circumvent Trump’s worst of Defense) James Mattis and receiving end of a potentially impulses like pondering assas- Gener...” Why did all these folks who’ve spoken damaging book written by a sinating Syrian President Bashar “The already discredited Washington insider with biparti- Assad, launching a military strike Woodward book, so many lies to Woodward decide to work in the san, established credentials – is against , and pulling and phony sources, has me utterly calm on the recording. out of key global trade agree- Trump White House to begin with? calling “mentally And he’s calm, despite daily tem- ments. retar...” per tantrums over media cover- Woodward, the legendary age, because he generally doesn’t “ Calls Woodward Trump’s war-mongering. Washington Post scribe, also “I don’t even know why any of care about the long-term damage Book ‘Fiction’: ‘Product of us are here,” Woodward quotes If folks like Kelly stay in the characterizes Trump as the dys- he might inflict on himself or Someone’s Rich Imagination’” Kelly as saying. “This is the worst White House for the policy and functional predator those close those around him as long as he’s Defense Secretary James job I’ve ever had.” those like Mattis are hanging to him, many of his business the center of attention. associates and the media have Mattis to whom Woodward attri- Awwww. Boo hoo. Kelly’s a in there out of a demonstrable butes the “sixth-grader” quote tough and crusty old military sense of duty, what about the rest This plays out in larger and always known him to be. “The more troubling ways as well, soldiers on the ground could run and White House Chief of Staff guy, so he should buck up. He’s of the people who have wandered John Kelly to whom Woodward also clearly been quite willing at in and out of Trumplandia with according to Woodward’s book, things much better than you,” and history may judge most Trump, who secured several attributes the “unhinged” and times to revel in highly personal, motivations that don’t fit neatly of Trump’s White House team draft deferments to avoid serv- “idiot” quotes both indeed dis- fact-free, Trumpian attacks on into either of those categories? I ing in the Vietnam War, tells his puted that they said anything of the administration’s critics – suspect it’s because they’re cra- and political party harshly for senior military advisers. Trump the sort about Trump. Subjects suggesting that a core part of ven, and they’re comfortable dis- enabling the president’s radical describes Attorney General Jeff and critics of Woodward’s books him is at peace with aggressively missing the abuses or car crashes solipsism. After Trump criticizes Sessions as “mentally retarded,” over the years have complained promoting the White House’s they’re witnessing because they the U.S.’s military commitment former National Security Adviser about his zealous approach to policies and agenda like separat- see the White House as a resume to South Korea, one White H.R. McMaster as dressing “like narrative reconstructions and ing migrant children from their builder or an opportunity to line House adviser asks Trump what a beer salesman,” and former some of the details in his report- families. Like Jeff Sessions and their wallets. he would “need in the region to White House Chief of Staff ing, while largely failing to Stephen Miller, Kelly may be Even so – whether at Trump’s sleep well at night.” as “a little rat” undermine the broader thrusts of hanging on at the White House side because they believe, they “I wouldn’t need a (expletive) who “just scurries around.” a body of work built upon heaps because he shares many of his serve or they finagle – everyone thing,” Trump replies. “And I’d Priebus chimes in with his of in-depth, recorded interviews boss’s goals. in the White House should take sleep like a baby.”

don’t complain about it,” Women | Cont. Hendrickson said. We need more women voting from Page 8 and more women in office. “When we have more women “Exercise your voice and in politics, we definitely foster a make a difference,” said lot more cooperation and pro- Hendrickson. “If you are upset ductivity,” Hendrickson said. “I with the way things are or you think it would inspire young girls want something to be one way, and other women to voice their then do something about it.” opinion.” Vote not only in national I think so, too. I grew up elections — vote in your local watching Dana Scully on “The elections. Local politics often get X-Files” as many young girls and ignored because of the promi- women did in the 90s. And we nence of national politics, but grew up to enter STEM fields they are actually more important because Scully was such a big here since we live in a district role model. that can swing red or blue based Women in office inspire girls on who votes. in the same way. And don’t just vote, get active. This midterm election cycle Write to your congressperson or Nov. 6, get out and vote. Make governor, or even run for office. your voice heard. If you want to change a certain issue, speak up. Tell your officials Kristin Bulzomi is a post-bacc what you want them to do, how digital technology and culture you want them to vote or run for from Seattle, WA. DAVID PEDRAZA | THE DAILY EVERGREEN office yourself. She can be contacted at 335-2290 Grace Hendrickson, treasurer of the Political Science Club, speaks about the “[If] you don’t like it, then or by [email protected]. importance of women involving themselves in politics Saturday in the CUB.

Energy | Cont. from Page 8 READER REACTIONS | leaving two-thirds of fossil fuels rely on them alone in the future. in the ground, reducing the years The solution: diverse energy left of fossil fuel availability by projects. Dorm life before Greek life the same margin. Solar energy is the least- We may be able to depend utilized green resource in on fossil fuel for some decades Washington, less than 1 percent Readers react to a column arguing that the freshman live-in to come, but when it’s gone, we of total energy production. Many policy should remain in place, requiring all freshman to live in must have an alternative to avoid solar projects are already under- dorms before moving off campus or into a Greek house. making the same mistake twice. way statewide and any project of The issue with fossil fuel is ours would be a welcome addi- Bonnie James: “For students without college experience, I think living in a dorm is a that it is finite. By diversifying tion to a growing trend. Wave- good way to transition into independent living. I came into WSU with an AAS degree and into many forms of energy collec- charged additions are also being was forced to live in the dorms. I think there should be an exception for Running Start tion, Washington is safer should tested, though little can be said of a particular source become insuf- what comes from them. students who are entering university with degrees. They’ve proven they can get it done ficient. Of concern is our reliance Individual projects help, but and don’t need a babysitter.” on hydroelectricity. the most change is achieved by One of the effects of climate electing clean energy-friendly change has been the loss of gla- candidates — ones who recognize Michelle Filler: “I absolutely loved my dorm life and the food was great when I was there. Lots ciers. As the Columbia is a gla- a changing world and continue of healthy and unhealthy choices. I lived in the dorms for four years, wouldn’t change a thing.” cial-fed river, the hydro dams it to prepare our state for prosper- supports are likely to have more ity within it. One whose actions unstable seasons. have already begun this process. Jess Canterberry: “Not to mention that the food sucks on campus, and is way “Effects of climate change on In 2020, the re-election of Jay water supplies, public health, Inslee as governor ensures that a overpriced. The meals do not meet even the most basic healthy dietary standards. coastal and storm damage, wild- cleaner, freer fueled state comes Dorms are overpriced, and no one should have to live there. If we can go die for our fires and other impacts will cost one step closer to reality. country at 18, why can’t we pick where we live?.” Washington almost $10 billion per year after 2020,” according Kade Russom is a freshman to Executive Order 14-04. biochemistry major from Bow, WA. Ashley Lynn DeSalvo: “Worst experience ever, I was so happy to move out. No one While we can rely on dams He can be contacted at 335-2290 should be forced into dorms, that whole, ‘It helps you adjust and meet friends, like your for power now, it is best we don’t or by [email protected]. roommates!’ is total BS.”