Letter to the editor: Empathy for the devil

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 04.02.26

When Robert Mueller died, Trump wrote, “Good, I’m glad he’s dead.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the remark, saying, “we should all have a little empathy” for what Trump has been through. I’ve got your empathy right here, Scott, courtesy of the Rolling Stones:

Please allow me to introduce myself

I’ve got wealth and awful taste

I've been around for a long, long year

I look just like a basket case

If I was ‘round when Jesus Christ

Was tempted with the Devil’s deal

I’d have said, “Grab it, Son!

Don’t pass up a license to steal.”

Pleased to meet you

Don’t you hate my name?

You know that wrecking things

Is my only claim to fame

Made some pals in St. Petersburg

Vladivostok, and Red Square

Putin said if I toe the line,

I can build a ‘yuge’ tower there

I’ve got a quack to thank

Because I held no rank

While Vietnam raged

And the bodies stank

Pleased to meet you

Don’t you hate my name?

Whatever’s troubling you 

I’m the one to blame

I watched with glee 

All those kings and queens 

And I asked myself

“Why can’t that be me?” 

I shouted out

“I’ve got a Kennedy!”

The only one 

That don’t hate me 

Let me please introduce myself 

I’m a man with nasty taste

You know I’ve demolished everything

Like the East Wing — what a waste! 

Pleased to meet you

Don’t you hate my name? 

Things are so much worse 

Ever since the day I came 

I’ve surrounded myself with criminals 

And sinners instead of saints

The truth is whatever I say it is

And I have no self-restraint 

So, if you meet me, have some courtesy

Have some empathy, and some taste

Call me “Sir” or “Your Majesty” 

Or I'll lay your soul to waste 

Pleased to meet you

Don’t you hate my name? ‘

Cos America

Ain’t ever gonna be the same

Kristine Garrity

Calabash