A dear friend says that Donald Trump is “100% responsible” for the latest shootings in El Paso and Dayton.
It’s difficult to disagree with him.
Yes, we had mass shootings before Trump: Columbine, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Colorado come to mind.
But they were random acts aimed at everyone in general and no one in particular.
But now we have the Pulse shooting in Orlando, the African-American church shooting in Charleston, S.C., Charlottesville, Virginia, among others, that were directed at specific groups: gays, blacks, and Hispanics. There were even pipe bombs sent to Trump critics.
Yes, there are still random mass shootings, like the one in Las Vegas, but a disturbing trend seems to be toward white nationalists trying to take out as many minorities as possible in the shortest time possible.
As another friend observed, assault weapons are more efficient than nooses with these monsters.
I’ve said my piece about taking these assault weapons out of circulation, so I won’t belabor the point. But these mentally deranged people are taking their cue from the top—and that’s Trump. His rhetoric, from ridiculing a physically handicapped reporter in 2016, to belittling women, to encouraging crowds to rough up protesters and leading them in chants encouraging violence.
That has to stop. Trump doesn’t seem to understand that words and actions, especially those of POTUS, have consequences—or he just doesn’t care.
First of all, that kind of nonsense should be beneath the dignity of the president. His stooping to such levels gives him the appearance of a fourth-grade bully taunting other kids on the playground. That is not what this country needs, though you wouldn’t know it from his base.
I’ve been accused of having some affliction called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” but those women, I will suggest emphatically, do not represent the country I grew up in and sadly, neither does our president.
How is it that we could come to this land, inflict genocide an entire civilization already living here and assume that it’s somehow our land by wearing something so flagrantly racist?
Another friend forward the following to me:
When you speak of Trump Derangement Syndrome, are you referring to his supporters or to his critics?
OK, so who’s deranged…..the people speaking out against hate speech and racism—or those who are defending it?
Who’s deranged……the people stuffing children into overcrowded cages—or those who are exposing it?
Who’s deranged……the people who expose the president’s lies everyday—or those who make excuses for it?
Who’s deranged……the people who are investigating Russian interference in our election—or those who call it a witch hunt?
Who’s deranged…..the people who recognize the importance of dealing with climate change—or those who call it a hoax?
Who’s deranged……those who honor our war heroes and POWs—or those who prefer soldiers who weren’t captured?
Who’s deranged…..those who believe that a businessman who built his fortune by cheating working people, lost a billion dollars in ten years and never performed even one day of public service has their best interests in mind—or those who see a con-man?
OK, it’s up to you. Who’s deranged?
(I’m informed the image of the women wearing “Make America White Again” T-shirts was photo-shopped and not authentic. Accordingly, I have removed it—with apologies.)
Louisiana Voice 
This is a bogus commercial for downing Trump. Without rigorous background checks the shootings will continue and all the rhetoric about cause and affect is futile. People on a mission will pick any reason to push their agenda and killing people raises the stake for all and inflammatory response ensues to think it will stop but it won’t.
Respect for life is out the window since the public acceptance by the public of 1 million new norms are aborted for multiple reasons and rationalization. That is root cause for the debased reasoning for killing.
O
I don’t need a “bogus” reason for criticizing Trump; he provides all the legitimate reasons for me. That aside, there can be no denying that the shootings and other public attacks have trended to a political in particular instead of societal in general nature. That’s my point: that the rhetoric of violence must be stopped—and that comes from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
WTF?
Sorry, MTB, reproductive freedom is not the “root cause for the debased reasoning for killing.” You sound like the Ohio rep. Candice Keller who blamed mass shootings on gay marriage, drag queen advocates, hatred of veterans, etc., etc. Not one of the killers has ever posted a word about abortion, same sex marriage, or anything of the sort, being their reason for mass murder. Don’t make ridiculous excuses for hateful and insane behavior, combined with outrageous firepower. (And BTW, I am a gun owner myself. I consider myself sane and responsible.)
Anyone who has no problem with allowing civilians unfettered access to weapons of war (in the face of abundant evidence that assault weapons are not merely being used to protect against home invasion) cannot claim to be “pro life.”
I honestly and sincerely believe that President Trump is a role model for the haters in this country and that his hate-filled rhetoric has inspired a boldness previously held at bay by some 45% of our population. In other words, Trump is not the cause of the hatred and/or selfishness inherent in his support base – he just gives it free rein by example and imprimatur. It is, to use his own favorite word, sad that so many people are willing to sacrifice our country in hope of changing it to a mythical place where their every want and desire will be fulfilled. However, it is good that he rest of us know what we are up against.
According to reliable sources, the MAWA photo is a photoshop job. Nevertheless, its sentiment is certainly evident in many people in our country. I guess the predecessors of modern day American Aryans believed once the original Americans were slaughtered and/or totally subjugated, only northern Europeans would populate our new country. Oh, and some slaves, of course.
We would all, including MTB, do well to reflect on the message in this simple poem based on the confession of Martin Niemoller, a German Lutheran pastor, in 1946. There are many versions. This is the one on display at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
When I sent Tom the dichotomy of Trump Derangement Syndrome in his post, I noted that it reflects my thoughts almost perfectly. As a matter of fact, when I first heard the term, I thought it referred to Trump supporters – honestly. It, as well as anything else, shows why I will never find common ground with MTB and his fellows.
The best and only thing I can do is to try to get everybody in the 55% of the country not swearing allegiance to President Trump to the polls next year. Our future existence is at stake.
None of this is gonna age well. And did you really bring up the Russian Hoax? You’re probably the only person on the planet that still believes that BS.
The only people buying a hoax are those who believe in a “Russian hoax.” Anyone who refuses to believe the entirety of the US intelligence services, including trump’s handpicked FBI director, Christopher Wray, who have categorically stated, unequivocally, that there was Russian interference in our election process in 2016 (and before) and that Russian attacks are going on “even as we speak,” is one of the few people on the planet buying THAT BS.
I am 107% sure there is a Russian element running for Governor. I am 196% that Trump knows exactly what his egomania is doing. I am 45% sure that Trump supporters are alive and thriving. I KNOW the NRA, Bobby Jindal, The GOP,and Eric Prince have logistical and security connections. and they are 98% sure they can beat any wrap by killing off the 2% with good messaging. ron thompson
Recognize that the most powerful man in the world-is crazy.
Clean up Donald j Swamp
Democratic presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson today commented that “we have a little bit of mad King George in charge of this country right now.” I would edit out “little bit.” Students of history will remember where that led.