Stop talking, start building 

White House staffer Marc Short, formerly a Koch underling, recently told CNN that Americans should discuss "what the definition of a wall is."

Perhaps after doing so, we could wrangle over what the meaning of "is" is.

During the 2016 campaign, and to the roared approval of arena throngs, nationwide, Donald Trump essayed no such lawyerly imposture. The promises he made during his campaign announcement were pledged anew throughout his successful effort.

"I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I'll have Mexico pay for that wall."

Establishment voices already hostile to the populist Trump Revolution that threatened their political and economic hegemony later sought to mischaracterize the candidate's ambition as being one potentially satisfied by mere fencing. (A canard recalled by Short's quote.)

Trump then reiterated his intention to build a true, physical wall, and not simply a fence (or 'virtual barrier'). Citizen Free Press reports that on 9/14, he again stressed that vow in a message to CNN's Jeremy Diamond: 

"There's been a lot of noise today, and a lot of rumors. Let me set the record straight in the simplest language possible...WE WILL BUILD A WALL (NOT A FENCE), ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES TO HELP STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND KEEP AMERICA SAFE. Apparently, liberals in congress and the mainstream media need one more reminder that building that wall is non-negotiable."

Like many Trump supporters, I was attracted by his wall vow. I still believe it to be a fine idea with several benefits: Illegal immigration would be curtailed, the welfare of genuine American citizens would be protected, and our country's sovereign authority and independence from globalists' dark designs would again be unmistakably asserted. 

But I do understand that the significance of erecting such a wall may now be less imperative than in 2016, given the reduction in illegal immigration.

Regardless, in Marc Short's attempted obfuscation, perceptive listeners can detect an arrogant Swamp gurgle. Though it may not seem entirely presidential, I'd advise that the Commander In Chief take Short for a trip to the good, old woodshed.