I was reading a chat this morning on the NYT where people involved in ethics-related agencies and civil society groups were discussing the ethics requirements that apply to the government. I felt good because there are a lot of smart and competent people who - as I type - are actively monitoring what is going on at the White House, spreading information and suing the administration based on various laws and on the constitution. I felt a prudent optimism that trump can't destroy our values, our institutions, our reputation: The "check and balance" mechanisms are at work.