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Two months into Donald Trump's presidency and opposition remains at a fever pitch. This permanent state of apoplexy is somewhat strange, however, given that Trump's actions the generous use of executive orders or cherry-picking media for off-the-record gaggles, for example all echo those of his predecessors. Albeit, with far more bombast.

But neither his bluster, nor even necessarily the content of his policies, explain such strident opposition to America's 45th president. Instead, it may be that, in Trump, critics and the media see their own failings and hypocrisies laid bare a twist of the knife that generates opposition more fervent than a President Cruz or Rubio might've encountered.

Theearly policy setbacksTrump has experienced anembarrassing defeaton Friday with his health care plan, following on the heels of having his second consecutive immigration executive orderblockedby the courts belie the sea of change that occurred inAmerican politics with his election. In just a few short months,Trump's rough and tumble way of doing businesshas done more to upend the established political order than progressives have in the past 30 years.

Take, for example, the Trump administration's very public feud with the U.S. intelligence agency. A frequent lightning rod for criticism especially given the "oopsies" over Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and torture scandals the intelligence community has largely skated in the past with the help of pliant or otherwise ineffectual Republican and Democratic White House leadership.

With Trump, however, the intelligence community is experiencing significant pushback and criticism, and the president haseven gone so far as to compare them toNazi Germany. Indeed, Trump's attempt to bring the CIA to heel is the stuff progressives only wish their politicians were capable of.

Trump's generous use of executive orders echoes that of his predecessors. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)

Then, there's another target of persistent progressive criticism: the insidious influence of big money in U.S. politics, particularly in presidential races.

The reflexively invoked "Citizens United" case is frequently cited as allowing corporate and union money to pervert the course of American political life. Yet it was liberal Hillary Clinton who was chasing down every Wall Street dollar she could for an ultimate campaign expenditure of $1.2 billion.

Clinton's ultimate campaign expenditure was a whopping $1.2 billion. (Elizabeth Shafiroff/Reuters)

Republican Trump's comparatively paltry Wall Street fundraising and total spending was just $616 million a pittance in modern presidential races and a bitter pill for progressives to swallow. It was "poor Donald," of all people, who publicly took on the likes of the Koch Brothers and knocked back deep-pocketed political interests. How uncomfortable.

The media is also experiencing this sort of embarrassing existential discomfort.

After eight years of trashing a rather docile President George W. Bush who stated in his book Decision Points that he felt mixing it up with the media was beneath the office of the president the media slipped a little too comfortably into the role of cheerleader for the Obama administration. Indeed, when the Obama administration like administrations before it conducted off-the-record gaggles and backgrounds with hand-picked media, there was hardly a peep from journalists.

And when the Obama administration named journalist James Rosen as a criminal co-conspirator in an investigation into State Department leaks about North Korea,and used the Espionage Act to obtain warrants for Rosen's phone records and those of his parents, the broader press reaction was muted, at best.

But when Trump sends out a mean tweet about CNN? Suddenly the very foundation of the First Amendment is under siege. With the furor surrounding Trump's decision to break tradition and not call on the AP first at press conferences, one would think he had just subpoenaed two months' worth of the AP's phone records.

There is hypocrisy flying around in other areas, too. Liberal publications long critical of the CIA, particularly for its actions in Latin America, are now suddenly seized by the idea that America needs a strong and independent intelligence community.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was mocked over his warnings about Russia. (Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press)

Critics and pundits who openly mocked Mitt Romney over his characterization of Russia as America's number one geopolitical foe have all now seemingly rediscovered their membership cards to the John Birch Society. Of course, by that same token, conservative news outlets that traditionally pray at the altar of Reagan now find themselves taking a more conciliatory approach to Russia.

For a political neophyte, Trump causes considerable consternation. For his politics, yes, but also for what he and his actions represent.

Trump has single-handedly accomplished what decades' worth of politicians progressive and conservative alike could not, and has knocked a self-absorbed media down a peg. There is the uncomfortable realization that taking on the intelligence community or eschewing big money donors was possible all along, but establishment politicians had no such interest in doing so. It took a blustering Manhattan amateur to upend America's political order, the result of which is exposing the crushed hopes and hypocrisy of his rivals.

This column is part of CBC'sOpinion section.For more information about this section, please read thiseditor'sblogandourFAQ.

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In Donald Trump, progressives see their hypocrisies laid bare - CBC.ca

If youre a conservative evangelical Christian who feels called to ministry, youre welcome to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. But youre not worthy of honor there. Thats the message sent by PTSs president Craig Barnes today.

In an email to faculty and students, Barnes announced he reversed his decision to honor Pastor Tim Keller with the annual Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness. Doing so, Barnes said, might imply an endorsement for Kellers conservative views on womens ordination and same-sex relationships.

Im more progressive than Keller on these issues, but I disagree with PTSs decision.The American church is grappling with issues of gender and sexuality right now, and some on both sides have decided to declare their foes anathema. We must learn to make space with Christians of mutual goodwill who disagree with us on secondary theological issues.

To be clear, PTS has the right to honor whomever they wish. They are not obligated to let Keller speak, much less grant him this award. Setting this aside, we must ask, How does marginalizing Tim Keller make the world a better place? And since were talking about a seminary, we might add, How does it promote unity among disparate churches? The answer to these questions is the same: it doesnt.

Ive had the pleasure of being with Tim Keller on two occasions. Each time, I recognized areas where his theology and mine did not align. But I also walked away feeling I had been in the presence of someone who was eminently reasonable, thoughtful, kind. Tim Keller is no extremist. He is no misogynist. He is no bigot. He is not hateful. Anyone who has paid attention to his Manhattan ministry can attest to this.

If Christians like Tim Keller are unworthy of honor and deserve to be marginalized, American Christianity is in serious trouble.

Keller is like the tens of millions of American Christians who hold to traditional interpretations of the Bible on these issues. Most of them do not hate gay people (though some do). Most do not believe women are inferior (though some do). They are doing their best to love their God and love their neighbors and live their lives according to what they believe the Bible teaches.

Its important to recognize that Barnes decision not to grant Keller the award came in response to outcry from students and alumni. As PTS alum Rev. Traci Smith wrote on her blog,

Ill let others argue finer points of Rev. Kellers theology. My personal soapbox is much less refined. It boils down to this: an institution designed to train men and women for ministry shouldnt be awarding fancy prizes to someone who believes half the student body (or is it more than half?) has no business leading churches.

I dont know the make-up ofthe PTS student body or its views. Lets assume that half of them disagrees with Keller. What about the other half that holds to a traditional view of sexuality and gender? Should an institution designed to train men and women for ministry tell the conservative half (more than half?) of its student body that their theology makes them unworthy of honor?

I appreciate the work of PTS, andwill even be speaking there thisSummeras part of the Frederick Buchner Writing Workshop. But I am dismayedby the message this sends to conservativeChristians. Havinggrown up in a conservative Christian community, Ive familiar with this message. For years, Ive watchedevangelicals marginalize their progressive brothers and sisters over issues of gender and sexuality. They have made these mattersa litmus test, withholding honor from any Jesus follower who dared to asserta more progressive stance. These conservatives have marginalized and maligned progressives, treating them with contempt.

At the same time, progressive Christians have pleaded with their evangelical brothers and sisters to make space at the table for them. Theyve argued for diversity of thought and theology on secondary issues like these. Conservatives often dismissed their pleas, drawing lines in the sand over issues of sexuality and gender.

As the cultural tides shift, the church is also transforming on these matters. Will progressive Christians gain more cultural and religious influence, will theyembody the Golden Rule and make space at the table for conservatives (as they once asked conservatives to do for them)? Or will they treat conservatives the way conservatives have treated them for years?

Though I wish it were not so, many will likely choose the latter. After all, conservatives havent cornered the market on fundamentalism.

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Why Princeton's snub of Tim Keller should outrage progressives - Religion News Service

Progressive health care reform advocates plan to demonstrate in defense of the Affordable Care Act on Thursday, holding protest events in Chicago and congressional districts across the country, as well as in Washington, D.C.

The day of rallies is the latest attempt by supporters of the ACA, also known as Obamacare, to put a political price on Republicans plans to repeal the signature reform. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the GOPs replacement bill Thursday, the seventh anniversary of the original laws passage in 2010.

Health Care for America Now, a labor union-backed umbrella group that played a key role in Obamacares enactment, is coordinating the days actions. It estimates that thousands of activists will turn out to protest the Republican legislation.

The new bill offers tax breaks to wealthy Americans and insurance and drug companies on the backs of our seniors and families, HCAN co-director Margarida Jorge said in a statement.Americans from coast to coast know theres too much at stake for themselves, their families and millions across the country to allow this bill to pass.

Carlos Barria / Reuters

The rally at 1 p.m. in D.C., which is being organized by the foundation-funded HCAN ally the Center for Popular Democracy and other groups, will feature speeches by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, as well as Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union. Attendees will gather at Freedom Plaza to hear the speakers and then march to the Trump International Hotel and the White House, where activists plan to perform acts of civil disobedience.Later in the day, Ellison, who is also co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, plans to hold a press conference on the Republican bill with several CPC members outside the Capitol building.

A mass protest in Chicagos Federal Plaza will focus on House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who was originally slated to visit the city to attend a fundraiser for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R).

And at the district offices of several House Republicans, activists plan to protest the ACAs repeal by setting up mock emergency rooms. The theatrical gesture aims to show how the drop in insurance coverage from the laws repeal an estimated 24 million people would become uninsured by 2026 under the GOP plan would overwhelm emergency rooms as uninsured Americans seek care there.

AARP intends to stage its own colorful protest of the repeal bill Thursday morning at the Capitol South Metro stop outside the House office buildings. The nations largest seniors group plans to have people dressed as Charlie the Squirrel, a character in its video ads opposing repeal, distribute flyers with AARPs talking points against the bill.In the ads, Charlie is the comedic companion of a middle-aged American upset about a feature of the Republican legislation that would allow insurers to charge older people five times more than younger people for premiums. Since the bills age-based tax credits are not enough to make up the difference, AARP has dubbed the provision the age tax.

The planned demonstrations follow a Wednesday protest by House Democrats against Obamacare repeal on Capitol Hill. Former Vice President Joe Biden attended the rally, predicting that the Republican bill is not gonna pass.

House Democrats have decided not to throw up last-minute procedural obstacles to delay the bill, according to Politico. The caucus has instead calculated that it is best to let Republicans vote on the legislation and suffer whatever political consequences ensue.

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Progressives Plan Day Of Obamacare Activism As House Prepares To Vote On Repeal - Huffington Post

Editor: Trump supporters wonder why progressives are holding anti-Trump rallies and demonstrations. You lost the election, get over it, they say; or give Trump a chance before you start criticizing him. Progressives have gotten past the election; its the Trump supporters who cant seem to get over it, continually crowing about their landslide in the Electoral College.

Were rallying about what has happened since the election, and continues to happen every day. The Trump administration and its fellow travelers in Congress have mounted a full-scale assault on just about every American value.

From environmental concerns, to medical care, to equal protection, to Americas leadership in the Free World, Trump seems to be determined to undo them all.

Probably most important are First Amendment freedoms: speech, press and religion. Trump and his apologists disdain the truth, attack anyone who disagrees with them, punish members of the press who dont toe the party line, discriminate on the basis of religion on and on.

We cant take a wait and see attitude in the face of this attack. To wait is to allow our constitutional freedoms to be eroded. We must push back to protect our Constitution and our values.

See you in the streets.

Greg McClelland

Ponte Vedra

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Progressives push back for freedom - St. Augustine Record

Threats of violence against President Donald Trump and conservatives in general are on the rise and not a word is being heard from "progressive" leaders to try to calm the waters.

Death threats against conservatives from the president on down are becoming a cottage industry:

Gary Bauer of American Values says make no mistake the Secret Service is paying close attention. But he points out there's not one word from leaders of the anti-Trump left.

"I am not aware of one liberal politician in the federal government including the former president who has said anything condemning this kind of rhetoric and, in some cases, actual violence," he shares with OneNewsNow.

And the anger shows no sign of letting up. Bauer is fearful of what the elections of 2018 and 2020 are going to look like.

"This kind of activity, if it continues, could lead to things down the road that I don't think anybody wants a sort of unraveling of the bonds that bind us together as a nation," he warns.

According to Bauer, one of the first responsibilities of a movement is to root out and expel those who would hijack the cause for violent or dangerous ends. He argues that the silence from Democratic lawmakers is sure to be seen by the thugs as tacit endorsement of the violence.

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Bauer: 'Progressives' evidently OK with death threats - OneNewsNow