I received an email from an acquaintance whom shall remain nameless for two reasons.
- He didn’t compose the idiotic tripe so there is no reason to single him out;
- I don’t want to embarrass him needlessly just because he has drunk the Trump Kool-Aid.
But I cannot let this pass without addressing the content of the message, as intellectually weak and morally empty as it is.
Be proceeding any further, I also want to point out that a spokesman for the Louisiana Republican Party recently described me as a liberal blogger. He is incorrect. I am neither a conservative nor liberal. I am a recovering Republican who voted the Republican ticket faithfully until the Bobby Jindal accident. It was because of Jindal and the Republican programs that I, like a two-week-old puppy, finally opened my eyes.
Coincidentally, on the heels of the diatribe below, The Atlantic on Sunday published an article ARTICLE by Eliot Cohen entitled “A Clarifying Moment in American History,” which reads as if it was written in response to that email.
Rather than respond to the email at the end of the distorted message (in boldface), I am inserting my comments in italics throughout the document.
So without further ado, here goes:
GOOD MORNING. WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, a Christian nation, land of the free and home of the brave.
Press ‘1’ for English.
Press ‘2’ to disconnect until you learn to speak English. There has been an ongoing effort for years to preserve the Cajun heritage in South Louisiana, including the Cajun French language. No one seems to complain about that. Elsewhere in this country, no one seems to object when Swedes, Danes, Italians or Asians speak in their native tongues. Somehow, it’s only when Latinos or Middle Easterners do. But here’s a thought: If you’re so determined that everyone learn the language of their new home, perhaps we should all be speaking Apache, Comanche, Navajo or some other Native American dialect. Can you say “two-faced moron”?
And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Not really sure what point is being made here but in my lifetime, the highest body count came from Vietnam, a country we had no business in, fighting a war without clear objectives other than a flawed philosophy called the “domino theory,” and where probably 90 percent of those killed were those who unfortunates who lacked the political connections to avoid the military draft in effect at the time. Don’t think any of those “offered” to die for me. In fact, one of the bravest men of that era, a Muslim, by the way, was stripped of his Heavyweight boxing title because he refused to sacrifice his religious principles.
2017, A NEW YEAR AND A NEW BEGINNING WILL SOON BE HERE.
A Nation of Sheep – Breeds a Government of Wolves! And the rhetoric of wolves seems to breed a nation of sheep.
Borders: Closed. And the Native Americans wish they had thought of a wall way back when.
Language: English only. (See response to “Press 2 for English above.)
Culture: Constitution and the Bill of Rights!!! Soooo glad you brought up the Constitution and Bill or Rights. In fact, let’s go straight to the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Let’s take the “establishment of religion” first. The prohibition of certain religions like Islam is a prohibition of the free exercise of religion in no uncertain terms. I recently read an online post which noted the irony of a country founded on the principle of allowing freedom from religious persecution now using religion to persecute freedom.
Now let’s talk about my favorite subject: freedom of the press. Thomas Jefferson is a man the so-called “patriots” love to quote and the uber-patriotic American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) even gives an annual Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award (Bobby Jindal is one of the recipients). That said, it was Jefferson who said given the choice between a government with no free press and a free press with no government, he would not hesitate to choose the latter. But der Führer Trump rolls out Sean Spicer to whine over the media’s attendance figures for the inauguration (as if that was an issue of real import) and Kellyanne Conway first invokes something called “alternative facts” and followed that with a complete meltdown on Fox News Sunday when she called for the firing of any journalist who wrote or said anything critical of her boss. Apparently the Trumpets’ first priority is, to paraphrase William Shakespeare in Henry VI, Part II, to kill all the journalists.
Drug Free: Make a drug screen mandatory for anyone on welfare and/or food stamps!
No problem. Provided that members of Congress, the President, Vice President and members of the President’s Cabinet be held to the same standard—because sometimes it seems they’re all on crack.
No freebies to Non-Citizens or illegal immigrants!
Again, let’s prohibit special perks like a gym, dining hall, barber shops, franking, and limos for members of Congress and throw up our own wall—blocking lobbyists’ access to lawmakers.
WITH THE ELECTION OF DONALD TRUMP, WE THE PEOPLE, WILL BE HEARD AT LAST.
Seriously? You really believe in your heart of hearts that your opinion matters to this egomaniac? You poor, pathetic, misguided person, you are in for the biggest disappointment of your Kool-Aid-drinking life.
(AND TO ALL MY LIBERAL FRIENDS OUT THERE – REMEMBER THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OBAMA IN 2008:
“ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES…..I WON ……YOU LOST…..GET OVER IT!”). WE REMEMBER!
Well, first of all, you moron, it was in 2013, not 2008, that he made that statement.
That being said, the person who sent this email to me also asked that I give Trump a chance.
Sure, no problem. I’ll give Trump the same chance all those who hate Obama for no other reason than the color of his skin (and don’t even try to deny that) gave him. When Republican Congressional leaders said they would not support an Obama Supreme Court nominee “no matter who it is,” what does that tell you about bipartisanship? When Rush “Pass the OxyContin” Limbaugh said in 2008 that he hoped Obama would fail, what does that tell you about pseudo-patriotism?
But did Obama fail as a president? Well, first of all, he inherited a catastrophic economic crisis when greedy Wall Street investment firms run amok, intoxicated on deregulation, went into a financial free fall, threatening the economic well-being of not just the U.S., but the entire world. Wall Street not only recovered, but has been consistently breaking new records. Only last week the Dow hit 20,000 for the first time in history. Along with that, unemployment has been cut in half during Obama’s eight years—and this from an administration that Republicans in Congress tried to block at every turn.
But do you can find a single Trumpet who would give a nod of approval to Obama. You can check that box “NO” with a red, heavy-duty Sharpie. How else could you explain support for a man who cheated people out of millions of dollars with his Trump University? How else could you explain that support when the Florida Attorney General abruptly dropped her investigation of Trump University after Trump gave her a $25,000 campaign contribution? And don’t try to say there was nothing to investigate when we all know there was massive fraud.
One final note: Trump is so frightening, so deranged, so mentally unstable and so narcissistic, that I find myself longing for the comparative sanity and ethical integrity of Bobby Jindal.
Louisiana Voice 
I agree completely, with the exception of your last sentence, second clause.
Well, I did say comparative…
Hee hee! “comparative” – a critical distinction.
Good counterpoints, but your acquaintance and others in his corner have a devout faith and hope that rises to the level of religion on the subject of their secular messiah.
There are many logical, but conflicting, arguments about the nature and even the existence of God. Millions and millions of people dismiss arguments inconsistent with their faith and remain fervent in their beliefs by accepting only those arguments that support what they already believe.
I have to believe that same phenomenon is at work here. The only alternative I can imagine is that many, many people simply ignore the news, no matter what – they are uninformed and being so enables them to avoid the unpleasant state of cognitive dissonance that might result if they allowed themselves to become informed.
They would call that alternate facts.
“There are none so blind as those who will not see.”
I’d definitely agree with the liberal blogger label. I’m not mad about it, but it’s true. You do a lot of good to rid the state of corruption. But you also insinuated anyone that disagreed with Obama was clueless and racist. You said they couldn’t explain why. Uh..how many pages you want? I think he sold this country out, sided with terrorists, and weakened us across the board. I don’t care if he was black, white, or purple. He sucked, and I’m thankful he is no longer in power.
Sorry, fairness2014, I must respectfully disagree with your assessment of President Obama. Tom presented a brief but accurate rundown of some of his accomplishments. He is already missed by many.
A week and a half in, we witness a Monday night massacre in the Nixon tradition, with the acting AG and the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement being fired. “You’re fired” may be entertaining in a shallow TV program. It’s not at all appropriate in the real world where continuity of government service is vital to our security. How long before the resident of the White House is named Pence?
Tom, Please know that I did not say you had no ethics in your writing. I simply meant that if you learned journalistic ethics how on earth did you completely not see the lack of ethics in the Main Stream Media in the run up to the election of Trump? Mr. Trump has been the most honest of any candidate for decades. Plus, he is actually doing what he said he would do. That is the most refreshing result of any won Presidency. Instead of a pack of lies given to the public as promises that never materialize, truth and facts were the name of the game!
This nation had an enormous turnout to support Mr. Trump and it is only thru the corrupt handful of media Communists that can overwhelm our airwaves that the dupes are being led to believe that most of the nation are against him. That is a LIE.
And that rag article by Mr. Cohen in the Atlantic is but another hidden hand of power spewing pure propaganda to the people of his kind who eat up everything and anything without a shred of common sense used in deciphering facts from imaginations of facts.
At least we know what and who’s side you stand on and it isn’t the President’s side or the majority of the citizenry. The AG needed to be fired when she blatantly put it out there that she would go against his policy. As it appears you are part of the secret agenda crowd trying to divide and conquer a nation, I now wonder how much you will do of the same in Louisiana.
Simply Simone – did you miss that Trump lost the popular vote by almost 3 million people? Also, today, after meeting with the pharma bros, he said he would not be negotiating prices of pharmaceuticals which he def. promised to do. Those are just a couple of inaccuracies to your “refreshing” truthful candidate.
Let’s continue about truth and facts – we have no idea what his true conflicts of interest are nor his entanglements with foreign nations because he refused (and still does) to release his tax returns. He refuses to truly divest from his businesses leaving him open to profit from during his time as president. He lied about how many people were impacted by the #MuslimBan – as reported by his own appointed head of the DHS today. He lied about the crowd size at his inauguration, like that was the most important thing he should be worried about in his 1st few days of his presidency. Sigh. Those are just a very few.
So again, “truthful” is about the opposite of any adjective you can apply at this point. Not saying he is better or worse with the lying than other politicians, but touting him as truthful is an alternative fact.
People keep blaming the media for the divisions, but that is seriously not the case. People are divided because they either agree with his views and policies or they don’t. I can read his executive orders, and I can hear what he said during his campaign. I can see what he tweets. I can make my own assessment of his completely inappropriate, inexperienced cabinet picks. I don’t need the media’s help to be opposed to him as a person because he has shown that he is diametrically opposite to my values as an American and as a compassionate human being.
Failure of the Trumpinistas to acknowledge that he has made some truly horrendous errors and missteps in his 1st 10 days is really frightening because it shows a lack of self-reflection and knowledge. It’s like his administration can say anything and you’ll believe it – which is pretty parallel to what happened in Germany before WWII.
I saw a funny meme the other day that said, “Trump could just tell his followers he built the wall in Mexico, they would believe it. And it would be a lot cheaper.” Scary demagogue territory.
But, yes, you are correct. He had the right to fire the acting AG, which I’m sure she knew would happen as soon as he got her letter stating that her 27 years as federal attorney and her understanding of “intent” made the EO unlawful and legally indefensible.
And lastly – those Executive Orders he’s busy signing – for most of them he will need the cooperation of Congress and to overcome many legal hurdles and a lot of time to actually accomplish these goals.
Oh, enough already with the Hitler/Germany rhetoric. We who know the true cause of the entire WWII horror are not threatened by the lies being told about history. Certain people like yourself have thrown around the Hitler mantra to make the lies about him stick. The actual facts are in Mein Kampf.
All that said, does your negative opinion of the Obama presidency result in and justify a positive opinion of the Trump presidency? Do you sincerely believe Trump is turning out to be a better president than Obama? I realize it is early on in his term, but he has not changed from the person he has been his whole life and he is doing the things he promised to do.
Are you saying you endorse those things, up to and including a bald effort (nay a war, in his own words,against the media) to suppress freedom of speech? Will his war against the media only cease if, as Bannon admonishes, everybody shuts up and listens (and reports as the Gospel everything Trump preaches)?
Bottom-line: Surely you are not reasoning that we are better off with ANYBODY but Obama? Would you have considered HRC a better president that BHO?
“Liberal blogger?” Perhaps, but you don’t know me nearly as well as you think. I was one of the first in the state to change to Republican after Edwin Edwards signed the open primary law. I lived, ate and breathed the Republican agenda for 40 years until the Republicans became so detached from reality that I could no longer look myself in the mirror. I saw a party that had become far too unresponsive to the people because the it had become the lapdog of Big Pharma, Big Oil, Big Banks and Big Money. That’s not me.
Nor do I swallow the Democrats’ line. Huey Long once said Democrats and Republicans are just waiters in different uniforms serving the same food from the same kitchen. I tend to agree with that assessment and if you were completely honest with yourself, you would, too.
As for your comment about Obama, I “insinuated” no such thing. I’ve disagreed with Obama on many occasions and didn’t vote for him in 2008 because I felt he was too inexperienced. I still feel he lacked the experience to deal with a hostile Republican Congress. That doesn’t change the fact that an overwhelming percentage of his opponents hated him only because he is black. Some, including Trump, even questioned his place of birth though Trump, in his never-ending adjustments to his perception of truth, how denies that. Obama sided with terrorists? Seriously? Have I missed something or was he not the one who got Osama Bin Laden? Does that sound like he sided with terrorists? Go back through our Mideast policy (propping up the Shah of Iran is a good place to start) and see how this country created ISIS. If he was so bad, explain how unemployment was cut during his administration and how Wall Street keeps climbing after the mess he inherited.
So far, I’ve given specifics. You’ve given generalities.
Not sure why we have to label Tom as a “liberal” blogger or otherwise. It’s a blog, therefore, an opinion, which he is entitled to have and share on his personal website. At least he generally sites facts and credible resources in his writing.
And, by the way, is calling someone a liberal supposed to be an insult? Too often, I find people throwing that word around like it is the worst thing a person could be instead of understanding that people do have different opinions and understanding on certain issues – AND THAT IS OK. Lots of people have become so partisan and unwilling to listen to a different point of view or educate themselves on an issue that it is truly undermining our democracy.
Take a minute to really consider a different perspective. And better yet, do some research, read up on issues and facts before you condemn another’s opinion. You might learn something you didn’t know. Find a credible news source – that includes one that has to retract something if they know they are wrong, one that clearly labels an Opinion piece, and one that presents quotes and facts from both sides of the issue. (If Congress or the La. Legislature would do that, we might get some compromise policies that we can all live with.)
I didn’t vote for Obama, but I can certainly tell you his policies and actions I both agree and disagree with in an informed and educated manner. I give credit for the positive things he did to get our country back in order from the extreme mess he inherited – including, as Tom says, lowering the unemployment rate and growing the economy. I also agree with his actions on climate change, his progressiveness on LGBTQ issues, and his providing healthcare to so many people who never had it before although the ACA def. needed some tweaking. His foreign policy, on the other hand, was a bit weak although I liked having someone who would engage in diplomacy and critical-thinking before he got us into an unnecessary war we couldn’t win or get out of.
On the other side, I know nothing about trade, TPP, or NAFTA, so I don’t try to discuss those with any degree of certainty. I wish more people would just be honest when they don’t really understand a topic instead of repeating what a candidate or politician (who also probably doesn’t understand it) says.
I have talked to so many people who just want to assign a label, but can’t talk rationally about the issues in an educated manner, that I truly despair for the future of this country.
Good retort. I placed it on my Facebook page for all of my dumb ass friends and relatives who drank the kool-aid and voted for heir Trumpf!
I don’t agree with any of your comments. I am a relatively new reader of Louisiana Voice and since this article doesn’t include the original email to which you are responding, the highlights are statements I would support.
As a journalist, were you taught ethics of the profession? If so, they have gone completely out the window in the last decade and this last election revealed the lies by media at an all time high.
Obama only did one thing good for this nation which was to tell the lunatic Netanyahu to hit the road, we weren’t going to bomb Iran based on his ridiculous viewpoint that Iran’s getting the bomb was imminent. He has said the same damn thing for 20 years to get the U.S. to bomb another innocent Arab nation killing millions for the Eretz Israel agenda.
I would ask that you list those media “lies” to which you only allude. Be brief but specific. Also good to know you can see no “ethics” in what I write but have no problem supporting Trump. If you don’t agree that Obama inherited the Wall Street mess, that unemployment was cut by half and the Dow broke record after record on the way to 20,000, then you’ve been living in a cave….which would explain your love of Trump.
As a journalist, I am well versed in the ethics of the profession. I also recognize the difference between objective, straight news reporting, and an opinion piece. It’s very important to recognize the difference.
Regarding your last paragraph, do you support Trump’s proposal to put the American embassy in Jerusalem? That certainly wouldn’t appear to be a good thing about Trump from your POV. I only ask because of the first sentence of your comment.
Congrats on your liberal blog Tom.
Most of your stuff in the past has been fairly factually accurate. This time you have gone all out with your “opinions”. This is OK. Everyone has an opinion.
Yup. Since I pay the bills, that’s a little perk I allow myself.
Tom, Lately, I’m having trouble opening your site…a box questioning your “certification” keeps popping up even when I say I want to proceed…I don’t know how to “cut and paste into my browser” and this quirk has become really aggravating…is there anything you can do to “fix” it…keep up the good work! Libby English in Ruston
There’s nothing I can do on this end.
I’m also having the problem that Elizabeth English cited above.
I had this problem in the past with other websites and it was because my software (Microsoft) had not been updated to reflect the renewal of the site’s certification (apparently such electronic certificates expire periodically and, sometimes, even if they are renewed almost immediately, there is a lag before the software running some operating systems updates to reflect the active certification and the security features block it. When it happened to me, I usually waited a day or two and it cleared up on its own. You can probably unblock LouisianaVoice’s URL (i.e., make it a trusted site) but it might be easier to just give it a little time.
Pure genius, Tom. Thank you.
Absolutely great response to the Christian??hate monger. and to Fairness, 2014,facts, either solid or alternative, cannot enter a closed mind, trust me I have been there and it is a lot more fun being “we” than “I”, Please keep learning. love always ron thompson
Wingnuts indeed! I do find it interesting that some people want to compare Trumps Presidency to Mr. Obama’s after one whole week. In regards to the wingnut remarks, I believe that English should in fact be the common language in our country. We are a “melting pot” and always have been. Immigrants, etc. should in fact learn the language. on that point, I wish we would stress learning a second language in high school and college.
The national press has become extremely biased, either liberal or conservative, but divinely biased. They should be held to a higher standard than what they have been held to over the past 20 years. The press(most but not all) have become news makers and shapers rather than news reporters. Every story is molded to fit an agenda. Fact checking seems to be a thing of the past. Calling the press out for misinformation is not a bad thing.
Drug testing. Yes indeed if it involves the President on down to the state level with Governors and legislators being tested as well.
Honestly, I think the election of Mr. Trump was a combination of people being fed up with Washington and the lessor of two evils. Until McConnell, Graham, Schumer, Pelosi, et al are voted out or possibly term limited out(if only that could pass) will we have true change. Wouldn’t it be nice to be represented by public servants rather than special interest servants?
I disagree with the sunshine and rainbows that Mr. Obama’s term produced. He inherited a recession that was in fact running through it’s cycle and was starting to turn. He, in my opinion, slowed the recovery. His administration fudged unemployment numbers to look good when in fact the increased number of citizens on food stamps, the extremely high number of citizens not working and off the unemployment records, and the record slow down and reduction in home ownership seems to point to an alternate world that doesn’t agree with the Obama apologists.
So I guess I’m a semi – wingnut. But actually I’m a recovering republican who might be leaning toward independent. But really folks, let’s rid our selves of the self serving politicians in Baton Rouge and Washington. And don’t compare Trump to others until a significant amount of time passes.
Here’s the thing: If the national press is, indeed, so biased one way or the other that every source lacks credibility, what is our alternative for gathering the facts necessary for making rational decisions?
When I hear or see something reported that is suspect I try to fact-check on my own – if and when I have time and the resources to do so. It is unreasonable to expect everybody to fact-check every single thing they hear or see reported.
I believe a clear goal of the current administration is to turn us entirely against all media by completely undermining its credibility. Trump’s most powerful adviser, Steve Bannon, has made clear, unequivocal, documented statements supporting this belief. Trump, as also easily documented, has declared he is at war with the media and has hurled insults at its members on an almost daily basis. The only logical conclusion I can draw is that we should only believe what the administration produces and disseminates and dismiss all other information as bogus..
Now I ask you: Is it better for us to consume differing slants on the news and come to what is true for us – or is it better to simply accept whatever we are told by the administration? Under what systems of government would the latter be acceptable? You know the answers.
We must find the truth on our own and we can’t believe everything on the news nor can we believe everything that comes from the administration. I don’t think the administration is against all media as they have changed up the pecking order just like the Obama administration did during their tenure. Each administration has their favorites, that’s human nature. For 8 years I felt as though the media had a propaganda pipeline direct from the White House. I kind of like the turmoil going on now, maybe the press will straighten up a little…nah, that’s not going to happen, it’s all about the money.
Sidwit, you wrote:
“He inherited a recession that was in fact running through it’s cycle and was starting to turn. He, in my opinion, slowed the recovery.”
Oh, really? When Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009, the Dow was at 7,949.09, the lowest inaugural performance for the Dow since its creation. (See link).http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/101314/where-was-dow-jones-when-obama-took-office.asp
The Dow, as I pointed out earlier, is now at 20,000.
Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy on September 15, 2008. http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/lehman-brothers-collapse.asp
AIG was bailed out the following day. http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/american-investment-group-aig-bailout.asp
That was less than two months before the presidential election and only four months before Obama took office. Doesn’t sound like the recession was “running through its cycle” to me. Sounds more like the setting was on “soak,” as in soak the American people.
And you do know why they failed, don’t you? They had been deregulated, which is what Trump wants to do throughout the federal government, top to bottom. That way, we can go back to eating tainted meat, polluting the air and waterways, abolishing child labor laws, doing away with the 40-hour week (and probably retirement medical benefits and vacation pay in the process), purchasing defective products because there will be no oversight, abolishing worker safety regulations, etc., etc. etc.
I had planned to not respond to any further comments but your claim that the recession was “running through its cycle” by the time Obama took office has forced me to point the gaping holes in your argument.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but no one is entitled to his own “alternative facts.”
If the small minority of true Trump backers would take the time to study history, know history and perhaps just simply read about history then perhaps they would put down the Kool-Aid glass. If the small minority of true Trump backers would take the time to actually read the constitution, and hopefully understand it, they would most definitely realize that this so called “man” is the undoing of what our country was founded on. He is the undoing of what our young soldiers have fought and died for. Thank goodness the majority of people in our blessed country do not back this man as proven in the popular vote numbers. It has also been noted lately that some of the Trump voters are having second thoughts now and wanting a “do over”. Too bad we don’t get “do overs”. But, alas, the small minority of true Trump backers will never take the time to actually learn what the constitution is about, what our founding fathers created and what, as he says, “we remember”. Yes, dear Trump sheeple, WE will remember as well. And if I were you I would not drink the Kool-Aid…it’s beginning to smell like pond scum. And one more thing, to the Trump sheeple: Hitler’s reign more or less started by doing away with the free press. Think about that while you drink that glass of nasty pond scum.
KP, you are pushing propaganda and your opinion. The MAJORITY love what Trump is doing. The MAJORITY put him in office. The MAJORITY went out in record numbers to support him in his run up to the election. People that were for Trump are loving what he is doing and for once a candidate did was he actually said he would. That would be a first for any politician in the past, especially those Democraps.
Finding and sticking with the truth would be a great start for anything you post in lieu of propaganda.
What majority would that be? He lost the popular vote decisively and his approval rate of of today is about 30 Percent. Again, what majority?
Record numbers, you say? What is your source for that information?
You ask us to stick to the truth, so here it is:
The largest turnout in a presidential election was in 2008 (Obama’s first election) when 131.3 million people voted. Second highest was in 2012 (Obama’s second term) when 129 million voted.
In 2016, when Trump lost the popular vote, the number of those who voted was 127.8 million.
As for the individual vote total, the 69,456,897 votes for Obama in 2008 is the record, followed by his 65,899,660 in 2012 and Trump’s 65,844,954—again, third. A close third, but still third.
The turnout for Trump-Clinton was not a record, as you claim, but was actually third highest.
Of course, logic, research and cold, hard statistics kind of take the emotion out of an argument and with some people, emotion is all they have.
Uh, next time try sticking to the truth.
Dmdeedee, great name. I am not pushing propaganda. Check the numbers. He ONLY won the electoral college votes which these days does NOT reflect the POPULAR vote. Your like minded, uneducated people would use the word “demoCRAPS”? Well, I shall try to be ” above” your illiterate brain and will not stoop to calling you, in particular, a name. You already did (dmdeedee). Just look at the numbers and then come back with your “majority” disillusionment.
Sorry, but the majority did not like him.
Perhaps I turned a blind eye to your liberal political views because I was intoxicated by your diligence in exposing Jindal and all of his cronies. But after reading this article, it pains me to say I will no longer be reading Louisianavoice. Dammit Tom, I just can’t support you now. I’ll miss this.
Trump created an empire of sorts. He is used to getting his way, regardless of obstacles. He has the wherewithal to bully people and organizations who are obstacles and just roll the heavy equipment over the survivors. Sequential success is his greatest need. Now, as pres he will ultimately face those who won’t cave and can’t be bought. No instant gratification is possible to feed his ego. The wall will never be built, not even a cattle fence…
Think about this for a moment. The pres has just ordered the DoD / JCS to submit a plan within 30 days defining how to most quickly defeat IS.
Afghanistan, a country we’ve poured billions into has few willing to fight. The U.S. has trained and continues to train enough of their people to win against IS. Things get rough and no one shows up for the battle.
My perception is that Afghanistan is responsible for more deaths than the total number of servicemen who have died or been seriously injured serving in both wars, and those who died in terrorist acts. How, you say. The Afghans get a free pass growing and selling one of the biggest Opioid crops on the planet. I’d bet that many of the Afghan military willingly take bribes to escort shipments to distribution points using weapons we provided. Why doesn’t the pres talk about this?
You my friend sound like you are still expecting the DNC reactions to everything that is wrong as the Obama administration proved. President Trump is not like the past President. The wall will be built. You will be proved seriously lacking in any credibility. The President does not control every aspect of that huge machine that keeps the nation functioning. But. what he does run and will control you had better believe that it will be done right.
American military definitely are protecting those poppies. Both side gain in that crop.
I follow numerous news outlets and blogs of all stripes. I find the difference in the input of liberals and conservatives who follow and comment on these, in general, to be this: Liberals typically attempt to present rational arguments most often backed by objective information (published quotes, hard statistics, concrete examples, etc.). Conservatives tend to operate on a more emotional level and are much more prone to name-calling and insults when attacking opposing views rather than making rational and concrete counter-arguments.
This thread has followed that pattern and we are now at stalemate, after 36 comments (37 counting this one, more if somebody else has commented as I am writing this). We have all expressed our opinions and none of us are going to change our own, much less those of others.
This is what divides our country and it has certainly not gotten better over the last several months and seems to have escalated over the past 12 days. There is more evidence of internal strife than we’ve had since the 1960s.
We are in deep trouble and, sadly, a large segment of our population doesn’t even seem to realize it.
Oh, so well said!
Those who cite Trump’s “majority” mandate are as delusional as he is. He received 23% of the popular vote, Clinton 24%, and the rest didn’t vote or voted for 3rd parties. “Get over it?” After a couple weeks in office, I am sick to death of his saber-rattling and destruction of the basic values we’ve made progress on in this country in the past few decades, not to mention his 4th grade vocabulary!
I believe the people who voted for Trump were looking for another Moses to lead them out of the land of Egypt into the promise land. I’m afraid that what their going to get is being left in the wilderness.
Tom, I’ve found myself really disturbed over current events and although I’d like to turn away, it’s hard to turn away from a train wreck. I’d like to thank you and many of your commenters on the thoughtful and fact based insights I have read on this blog. And really good work handling the trolls.
Tom,
I find it hard to identify myself as a liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat. I like to think that when I vote, I am voting for the most qualified candidate who will work for the greater good of all. But lately, I have developed an aversion to almost anything issuing from a Republican politician just because they refuse to set boundaries on anything Trump says or does. Conversely, I see the Democratic party almost ensuring the reelection of Trump because they are allowing the extreme left to define the agenda. Sadly, I believe it was George Washington that warned of the rise of political parties and the blatant partisanship from the two main parties does nothing to give me comfort for the near future!