By "To take a step back when the news makes us angry or sad, when we hear about someone far away violating principles we hold dear", justaguyonline is referring

By "To take a step back when the news makes us angry or sad, when we hear about someone far away violating principles we hold dear", justaguyonline is referring to Trump. Presumably, were Trump a resident of Oberlin, justaguyonline would say that any number of acts against the bad person are justified because he's living locally, not far away.