The job of President of the United States is a serious one. There is little room for those who go through life with a simplistic worldview. In watching Donald Trump during his first term and his behavior during his election bids I can’t help but feel that Kamala Harris called it right when she called him an “unserious” man. He has used divisive rhetoric in order to fire up his right wing base, but has not thought through the possible negative ramifications of his words. Pushing the idea that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH are eating the pets of residents, leading to multiple bomb threats does not help the residents of that town, and makes him a laughingstock.
But there is a serious and dangerous underlying hate fueling this story that Trump is using as a prod for his base.
Immigration reform is a serious issue, a bi-partisan bill had been agreed upon, before Donald Trump tanked it so that he could use that issue as a political tool in his campaign.
The war in Ukraine is a serious issue, to those who are living it, to those whose future may be affected by it. Trump has made it clear that he does not support Ukraine. Was Routh influenced by this?
We have serious issues in this country, in this world, that need a serious response, by a serious person. Gun violence, immigration, a war in Ukraine, a war in Gaza are not reality TV. Hateful, ill informed, simplistic rhetoric will not help. It can also be dangerous.
84 comments:
While we're on the subject of unserious people in this particular story. Ryan Routh seems to be a particularly inept assassin, unprepared for contingencies, but quick with the GoPro camera.
I was thinking the same thing. Some in the media suggested he knew what he was doing, but it looked amateurish to me.
If Trump is worried about assassination attempts it is really the state actors, like Iran, whom he should be concerned about, not the lone wolf type.
It sounds like someone exploded thousands of pagers in Lebanon, causing deaths and injuries. Apparently it was meant for Hezbollah operatives.
I didn't know anyone used pagers anymore or that an external party could use them as a weapon. Makes you wonder what else could be used?
I was vaguely aware of the move by Hezzbolla (and Hamas) towards lower tech communications. I was not aware the Israel could cause the batteries on pagers to overload.
They are saying that the Israelis intercepted the pagers in the supply chain and planted explosive devices in the pagers, creating mini-IEDs.
Walkie-talkies. My earlier question was just answered.
I think I would be concerned about any device I carried.
Reporters were telling that Hezzbola was furious over the pager attacks. They could not come to grips with having been so clearly outsmarted and embarrassed.
They will not rest any easier on the idea that, having been once outsmarted they then walked into the same trick a second time.
It sounds like Trump and or Vance are going to be visiting Springfield, OH. Something officials there want as much as a sore thumb.
I guess stupid really is as stupid does.
I wonder if Hezzbolah will ever wise up and start checking any communication devices?
"It sounds like Trump and or Vance are going to be visiting
Springfield, OH."
If I were guessing, I'd guess it'll be Vance. He's all but admitted (in bits and pieces in different interviews) that he's trying to 'create' a story 'bout the horrors of the Haitian invasion of Springfield, successfully make up the story out of whole cloth and successfully launch it out into the real world. (That's audacious even for Trump.)
The person who originally posted the pet eating story on Facebook has backed off of it. Trump & Vance seem to be playing a misbegotten game of telephone that won't die.
So Isreal is now launching strikes in Southern Lebanon to "degrade Hezbollah's terrorist capabilities and infrastructure."
Israel apparently hasn't learned much either.
Mistake #2.
"Trump & Vance seem to be playing a misbegotten game of
telephone that won't die."
Obviously you misunderstood me. It's important to them that the story not be true. Vance wants to "create" a story, then sell it mainstream. He's apparently convinced Trump that now's the time to test run this dark power. (It's not important that one of them came up with the story in the first place, but it is important that it not be true. Otherwise the 'test' is worthless.)
According to NBC Nightly News it's Trump who's going to Springfield, OH. Vance must have made a strong sale there.
Now wouldn't it be something if it is the pet eating story that is the final straw that breaks the camel's back? So to speak that is. Maybe this will wake up enough normal people, that is non cultists, to tip the election against the wingnuts and crazies that are the current "Republican" Party?
"Israel apparently hasn't learned much either."
Israel's problem is that their Prime Minister, Netanyahu has a dual agenda here. He's happy to degrade his Arab enemies. But he's also trying very hard to stay out of jail.
As long as he's head of the government, he can't be prosecuted for several pending cases of fraud and abuse of power which look like like slam-dunk cases to get him long prison stretches. But, his Likud Party doesn't have an independent majority, so to stay as head of the government he has to placate some very hard right-wing political parties who make up the remainder of his governing majority, including some religious fanatics.
They want him to lead the last great war that will destroy Hezzbolla, Hama, and even Iran itself. (By the grace of the Jewish God who will not let Israel be dispersed yet once again.) Netantyahu quits prosecuting the war, they withdraw their political support and let him to go to court and then to prison.
Interesting poll on Smerconish's show on CNN this morning. He asked people to vote on whether the biggest danger to our country comes from within or without?
78% to 22% said within.
As long as he's head of the government, he can't be prosecuted for several pending cases of fraud and abuse of power which look like like slam-dunk cases to get him long prison stretches.
Why does this sound familiar?
Kristallnacht can come again.
Trump's plan for immigrants sounds familiar too.
"…78%…said within."
Problem is near'bouts half that 78% are Trumpkins who think Trump's gonna save 'em.
Harris is giving a speech at a PA campaign event regarding economic issues. She is saying that she will look at what does work and what doesn't regardless of ideology. That would be refreshing for our government.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East things seem to be going from bad to worse. Not only is Israel intent on eliminating Hamas, but it has decided that Hezbollah should also be removed. I think this is how war spreads. I can't imagine the Lebanese are thrilled to be caught in the middle.
Israel may have killed Hezzbolah's founding leader the Ayatollah Hassan Nasrallah.
Meanwhile George Wills recalls Kristallnacht in a WaPo
Israel has confirmed its suspicions, enough to announce it as a done deed. They got the Ayatollah Hassan Nasrallah. That may turn out to be a big deal. Nasrallah was a virtual hermit and isn't know to have cultivated a succession plan. If it's every claimant for himself to succeed Nasrallah, then Hezbollah could be consumed with that civil war for quite some time.
There's already widespread talk that Hezbollah is 'under armed', what with their patron state of Iran giving much of its foreign policy attention to actual nation/states like Russia and Syria. Bit players like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi are getting shorter shrift.
Passing thought: A large population was seen throughout history as a large pool of potential soldiers to defend the homeland and punish ones enemies.
As drones become ubiquitous and efficient the need for biological soldiers will continue to fall off. Populations are becoming obsolete. But they're still populating, dirty, smelly, and demanding of rich folks' accumulated assets.
They are already talking about the control Nasrallah could exert over the more extreme elements of Hezbollah. The person they are talking about as his successor is not so pragmatic.
Perhaps the future hinges less on Israel, but on Iran. What is Iran willing to do in response? And what of Russia? How does the partnership between Russia and Iran with regard to weapons affect Iran's actions? Does this partnership run both ways? Will Russia share things better left unshared?
I'll have to check out the Wapo article when I have more time.
I've been referring to Hassan Nasrallah as an Ayatollah. Turns out he was not. He was a teacher a various Shia theological institutions in Iran and Iraq, as well as an ongoing student of Islam, but he turned to politics before he ever attained the rank of ayatollah.
From your Wapo article:
The number of Republican senators and representatives who, deviating from Trump, robustly support U.S. aid to Ukraine, and who this year lost in primaries, is zero.
There are still American voters who realize what is at stake in Ukraine and are willing to stand up and be counted. I hope they show up this November.
Zelenskyy's efforts to avoid American politics have clearly been worn out. I'd say this is mostly because a sufficient percentage of the Trumpkan/Republican Party (including, most significantly, Trump himself) have openly chosen to reject Zelenskyy's efforts to walk the fence.
So, Zelenskyy finally decided he had to allow his preferences to peep through the cloak of diplomacy (no surprise what his preferences were either). Now it's 'game on' the freedom of Ukraine is up for a vote among the American people. Won't be the last word--the Ukrainians will fight on even if Trump throws them to the bears for dinner, but it'll go hard on 'em now.
Meanwhile Trump is busy telling people that the only way he can lose is if the Dems cheat. Sounds familiar. But in point of fact the one who has been trying to cheat is Trump.
Apparently there's a Vice-Presidential Debate scheduled for tonight.
I think I may watch.
Morning headlines indicate that the Democrats and Trumpkan/Republicans both expect that JD Vance will win, mostly by just bowling over the more easy-going Tim Walz. The fire hose of BS coming out of Vance is feared to be unstoppable.
Yes, I've heard the same. Walz himself has said he is not a good debater. You are probably right, he is too nice to go for the kill whereas Vance not so much.
I am hoping that is Walz's secret weapon.
Looks like we now have open war between Iran and Israel. Iran launched first. (All those folks said Iran was too engaged in the higher level, East vs West realignments are now shown to be wrong.)
Yes, Iran has chosen to expand this conflict. It has now opened itself up to a direct retaliatory strike from Israel. Iran is choosing not to hide behind its proxies. They have chosen war.
Now the question is, if we are really on the verge of war spreading, who will the American people want to lead the US?
Vance was doing quite well at keeping his excesses in check until just a few minutes ago when he went off on the 'Border Czar'/open borders--Kamala Harris is in charge rant again.
CBS finally had to very publicly cut his mic. Probably his worst moment so far.
I am listening to Vance and I have this picture of a snake coming to mind. Strange.
A draw, for the most part.
Vance didn't blow up. Vance didn't blow through Walz.
It turned out to be surprisingly wonky for the most part (if every bit as dishonest as most political exchanges).
But I think Walz did score on that closing exchange wherein he faced right at Trump's refusal (and Vance's refusal) to accept the election results for 2020. I think that may have scored with some 'gettable' voters.
Trump will not be pleased.
Advantage Walz, but barely.
I really wish that when both Trump and Vance have made the argument that Kamala Harris could have enacted her policy ideas over that past 3 years someone would have pointed out that it is hard to do when the Congess won't work together.
I too think it may have been a draw. The talking heads on CNN are talking about Walz not going after Vance on some of the things he claimed, but it was kind of nice to hear them actually talk about policy ideas.
I did like Walz's closing statement better than Vance's.
In the end the debate was between Mr. Slick and Mr. Smith. That is the choice America has.
Morning headlines suggest that the partisans largely view the "who won" question through their own partisan lenses. However the few 'gettable' voters seemed to favor Walz' performance and positions three to two over Vance.
Melania Trump has a book coming out this month, a memoir. Apparently in it she makes clear that she supports a woman's right to choose with regard to their health care (abortion). Some analysts have wondered if it was a strategic release making it appear that Trump may actually be supportive of this as well, without actually coming out and saying it. Others say they don't think that much thought went into it.
Given the absence of Melania in the campaign I have to wonder if it wasn't a more personal message from Melania to her husband. I also have to wonder if she is actually going to vote for him.
You're talking about Melania Trump.
She can be either the wife of a President, or the wife of a convict.
Which do you think she'll chose?
Again…Melania Trump
I suspect the biggest thing Melania Trump has in common with Donald Trump is love of money. No doubt she will do what she can to make as much money off of this book as she can. If that means stirring up controversy then the more the better. Kind of like Trump.
I will not be buying her book.
Re: Israel vs Hezbolla (as proxy for Iran)
"All those folks said Iran was too engaged in the higher level,
East vs West realignments are now shown to be wrong."
And yet, Iran is, even today, making noises about getting a cease-fire in Gaza out of this. (And maybe not expanding the Israel vs Hezbolla/Iran conflict.) Seems the Ayatollahs are thinking they have show 'tough' (a problem all theocracies, including our own Trumpkan/Republicans share). At the same time they may be militarily overstretched already with their support of Russia and maybe lookin' to tamp this one back down whilst still lookin' ‛tough’.
_________________________
(Wasn't ever a tinker's chance in Hell I was gonna buy her book.)
Post Script: I might point out that in neither of Iraq's two most recent missile attacks on Israel has any Israeli been killed or significantly injured. The Iranians know how to kill Israelis in those attacks, simply a matter of target selection.
At the same time they may be militarily overstretched already with their support of Russia and maybe lookin' to tamp this one back down whilst still lookin' ‛tough’.
I was wondering about that myself.
If Israel wants to retaliate those Shaheed drone or ballistic missile factories look like a proportional response.
(Wasn't ever a tinker's chance in Hell I was gonna buy her book.)
Ahh well, I don't think she really cares about the likes of us. There are enough suckers willing to dish out the dough.
There is a Frontline special on channel 2 at 9pm central time tonight about the VP choice between Walz and Vance.
I'm gonna vote for Walz. #NeverTump!
Well, I kind of fell asleep, so I missed it.
But it doesn't really matter, because I know who I'm voting for.
#NeverTrump
Lookin' like Harris' campaign has gone flat. Her post-debate 'bounce' has faded back.
This is not a good time for her to be losing momentum, but it's happinin' anyway.
I was watching a show on CNN tonight about Springfield, OH. They were looking at the changes made since the Haitian immigrants there arrived, many of which are positive, despite what Trump and Vance have to say.
What struck me was the position of the Governor of Ohio. He is defending the Haitians, saying it would not be good for Springfield if they were to leave, yet he will still vote for Trump because he is his Party's nominee.
Rather a spineless position to take, putting Party over country.
I have been thinking that I will not watch the election results as they come in as i usually do. It is just too important. God forbid we get that orange asshole back in the Oval office.
I, on the other hand, will have a television playing in five different rooms (counting the back porch). This way I'll not need to stay put to stay on top of the count as it progresses. (I'm probably gonna wanna get drunk when it's decided, and I'll wanna know when to start drinking.)
Well, we'll see. I may rethink my plan. I still have a couple weeks to decide. Do I have the courage to watch what may be a train wreck?
So now do we not only have bomb threats in Springfield OH because of Trump's & Vance's rhetoric we have the crazies threatening FEMA workers in North Carolina. Lovely. Welcome to Trump's America.
I've heard word of anonymous internet threats already against the infrastructure of Aurora, Colorado. Nothing that looks like more than keyboard warriors venting, but that's often how it starts.
On another subject, Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation to be interviewed by FoxNews' Brett Baier, to be aired on FoxNews tomorrow night. Risky move that. Harris has been known to blow 'unscripted' media appearances even with friendly outlets.
Might be an indication that her own polling ain't lookin' good for her and Walz, so she figures she's gotta take some serious risks.
Off topic: Can't help but notice that Trump's campaign rhetoric is growing increasingly aggressive, almost hysterical. Suppose Trump is finally breaking down, mentally.
Anybody ready for President JD Vance?
I notice that Trump has begun to waffle and hedge on his prior denials of secret communications with Putin. (Speech in Chicago, today.)
He must be afraid that they've got the evidence and will 'leak' it. So he's prepping his Trumpkins for the revelations. (They will, of course, accept whatever excuse he gives for what is patently illegal and treasonous under the accepted and ordinary definition of the term--not sure how the Federalist society Justices will get around that, but I am sure they'll pretend to find a way.)
Suppose Trump is finally breaking down, mentally.
Harris has taken to calling him "unhinged". Personally I think he always has been to a certain extent. The stress level of this election has just amplified it.
I notice that Trump has begun to waffle and hedge on his prior denials of secret communications with Putin. (Speech in Chicago, today.)
He must be afraid that they've got the evidence and will 'leak' it.
I think the Kremlin has already said Trump did send the Covid test kits to Putin. As for their little extracurricular chats, that doesn't surprise me. Putin has been "grooming" Trump for years.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine it seems the Ukrainians have put those F-16's to good use. They have already bagged at least one Russian fighter jet.
Record numbers of people turning up for Georgia's early voting. If nothing else this election has gotten people's attention.
"Record numbers of people turning up for Georgia's early voting."
I read that exit polling was indicating Trump with a lead in today's pre-election, in person early voting. Newsweek The difference was minimal; one percentage point--not even close the margin of error in any reputable recent poll, and they didn't bother to give details, like what's THEIR margin of error--how large was their sample--what were their criteria for selecting voters, etc. So I didn't give it much credence, but still, that's an early claim by Newsweek of the election that's favoring Trump. (I think I've already noticed a pro-Trump bias in the Newsweek's election reporting, so I'm not panicking yet. We'll see if that patience pans out.)
While I am not panicking...yet, I do admit to feeling a little queasy at the thought of this election.
Did you notice Trump's idiotic dance moves at his recent rally? Almost as bad as his verbal vomit.
He got tired of answering friendly questions. (It was billed as a 'town hall' type rally.
On another front:
Headline: ‘Pennsylvania is such a mess’: Inside Team Harris’ unusual levels of finger-pointing
Politico.Com ↑↑
Not lookin' good when the campaign workers are blaming each other before the vote's even taken. Makes me suspect they're lookin' at some ugly 'internal' polling numbers.
Morning headlines suggest that Harris got through her FoxNews interview with Brett Bauer, without committing a major gaff. So, there's one bullet dodged. (Headlines also indicate that Bauer was a properly hostile host as befits a FoxNews talking head.)
I watched a clip of that interview. Yes, hostile would be a good word for it. Give Harris credit for taking that on.
I ran across this in a comments section and found it rather amusing, so I thought I would share.
For Sale: 1946 Rambler, Very old and beat up looking... rusted out and quite antiqued... has never been driven to church on Sundays, just to golf approximately every 2-3 days... only moves in reverse... steering stuck hard right... interior completely gutted out... loose, ill-fitting vinyl top has been replaced several times, now requires daily regluing to hold in place... After-market grill has been known to slip or fall out on occasion... mis-matched/mottled paint job... has recently begun to lose spark, resulting in overall poor performance... has been lacking any real power since about mid-January of 2021. Known to misfire or stall multiple times a day... blown out head gasket... leaks fluids, and rear main seal totally shot... horn will not shut off... very loud and foul 'rotten-egg smelling' backfire emitted from the exhaust... will accept any price if paid in cash...
I kinda hate to mention this, but my e-mail program flagged that as probable junk mail.
(I thought it was funny.)
Geez a bias in a software program. Maybe owned by Elon Musk.
BTW, I bought Bob Woodward's new book "War". Sounds interesting.
It sounds like there was a chance that Russia was going to use a dirty bomb in 2022. The Cuban missile crisis 2.0, only in Ukraine.
"Maybe owned by Elon Musk."
Don't think so. I concluded it was trying to warn me off buying the old Rambler. Probably had seen the language in too many places across the web.
The pre-publication leaks did make it sound interesting. (And I thought the part detailing Biden's moves to intercept a nuclear mistake showed that he was good at many requirement of his job, excepting, of course, the running for office part.)
I have no complaints about how Biden and the team he put together have handled the job since he took office. Yes, we have had inflation, but that was more a residual effect of the pandemic and the policies enacted to combat that. Our economy is doing fine against others in the world who have endured the same thing. I think history will judge Biden kindly, except of course if Trump gets into office and they rewrite the history books in his favor.
It seems DeSantis was rather upset about tv stations showing ads supporting an abortion rights measure on the ballot in that state. He threatened criminal charges if they didn't pull them. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order until a hearing later this month. The judge was blunt, "To keep it simple for the state of Florida: it's the First Amendment, stupid."
Strange, that kind of behavior by a government official sounds oddly familiar. I know I've seen it somewhere before. Oh, yes, that's right, Russia. It is a favorite tactic of Putin, criminalize anything that might conflict with his policies.
"Our economy is doing fine against others in the world…"
The Democrats' problem with making an argument in favor of a rational economic policy is fairly simple.
The American economy is a huge and ponderous system. It takes years, literally years, (really, using the word "literally" in its actual English meaning--not the 180° reversed usage favored by Sean Hannity)… It takes years for policies and moves by the government, and by the Federal Reserve Bank to turn thing around.
As a result, Democrats tend to take office burdened with the results of years of right-winger economic policies. It takes them years to repair the damage and turn the economy around to prosperity and growth again. And the economy starts to pick up in favor of the average American.
Then, the Democrats are voted out of administration office--after four years, eight if the Democrat gained a second term. By this time the economic fundamentals are straightened out.
And the Repulican President who follows the Democrats' years long project to rehabilitate the economy enjoys at least a few years of favorable economic conditions before the Republicans' weird "Voodoo" economics policies crash the economy again.
So, the Republicans take control the administration at the beginning a strong economy, just as the economy takes off. And the Republican President gets credit for the economic miracle engineered under a Democratic administration. And they claim that benefit for themselves. (After all, it was a Repblican in the Presidency when the benefits began to be realized.)
Then the Republican adminstration tries to reimpose their party's bogus economic theory. They predictably crash the economy. (But not immediately; it takes awhile for the American economy to react to the new policies of the new Fed and the new Republican administration. Turning this big ship takes time.)
And after sufficient years of Republican economics the economy is life support again and a Democratic administration gets voted into office.
And the result is that the numbnut voters (whose comprehension of macro-economics is minimal at best) comes to believe that voting in a Republican administration somehow immediately made the economy better.
In short, Republican administrations generally get the credit for the economy built up by the Democratic administration which preceded them. The Democratic administration that follows the Republican crash of the economy get the blame for the bad economy they walked into and then have to try to fix.
And there's no way to fix that voter perception. Macro-economics is complicated. Partisan demagoguery is easy. Voters go with 'easy'.
In short, Republican administrations generally get the credit for the economy built up by the Democratic administration which preceded them.
Obama bluntly referred to that in a recent speech, telling his audience that Trump was bragging about how good the economy was while he was in office, but it was actually Obama's economy he was taking credit for.
Yes, you're right very few Americans understand economics. Most probably flunked Econ 101.
Lately I've been thinking about government bonds. They did okay during the Great Depression. If Trump gets into office and succeeds in starting a trade war with his tariffs, it might be best to have kept some powder dry.
"Lately I've been thinking about government bonds."
My first thought was, "No, no! You don't wanna do that." But while I was starting to formulate an explanation for why, it instead occurred to me that you may be on to something there. I've been musing on turning some (lots) of my real-estate into cash before the bottom falls out on land values--urban/rural--all across the board. So, where would I put the cash? Trump crashes the economy big time, you may be on to something there.
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