I saw a brief segment of an interview with President Trump by ABC News' Jon Karl that was literally jaw-dropping.
ABC played some footage from a campaign speech where Trump says "In this journey, I will never lie to you. I will never tell you something I do not believe."
Karl then asks Trump if he feels he has kept that promise.
Trump's response: "Well I try. I do try. . . . When I can, I tell the truth. And sometimes it turns out to be where something happens that's different or there's a change, but I always like to be truthful."
That was his canned answer. Karl didn't let him off the hook, so he began to improvise, beginning by stating to Jon Karl that "you sometimes say things that are not true . . . about me." And then, Karl pushed him, really quite hard -- especially on his calling journalists "the enemy of the people."
Karl asked him (paraphrased, because I don't have a transcript of this part): 'Don't you ever worry, when you say that we're the enemy . . . don't you ever worry that someone is going to hear you say that and shoot a reporter? You're the most powerful person in the world -- and when you call someone "the enemy," people listen. Why do you do that?'
Trump began to shrink and stumble over his words. I've never seem any interviewer push him quite so relentlessly. Finally Trump said: 'Well, it's all I have to fight back with. Karl counters with: "But you won." Trump: 'I wouldn't be sitting here now if I didn't [lie when I had to].'
In other words, Trump is acknowledging that he lies 'because it works' and sometimes it's all that will work.
The take-away from this: Trump lies when he "has to" to get what he wants. And sometimes he feels that it's his only defense. It doesn't seem to bother him, in the least, that he lies -- and lies about very important matters with national and global effects. It's very simple to him: if it works, then that's what you do. There is no qualm, no guilt, no attempt to explain. It's an expected part of the transactional nature of his amoral approach to negotiating to get what he wants.
Just look at the lies he's told in the last week or so as ways of stoking the fear in his base so they will go out and vote. I suppose this means he doesn't trust that people will vote for him if they aren't scared enough of the consequences.
1. The caravan bringing Central American people -- most of whom seem to be women and children, some of the children in strollers -- is an "invading horde" that will bring diseases and violence into our country. Trump talks about M13 gang members and terrorists in the caravan -- without a shred of evidence.
2. He has ordered 5,200 active duty troops to the southern border to bolster the national guard units already deployed there. And now he says he might send as many as 15,000. And, because we have a law that forbids our U.S. military troops from fighting within the United States unless they are attacked with guns, he plans to issue an executive order to redefine a rifle so that it will include the rocks that are the only weapons the caravan people have -- even if they did want to fight us. In fact, they are coming, hoping to be taken in a refugees.
3. To take care of that, he is also saying that he will not grant asylum to any refugees who enter illegally. Being turned away at one entry point, and then coming in at another entry point, will constitute entering illegally.
4. On the other hand, he has promised a 10% tax cut for the middle class "before the mid-term election," after the $10 trillion tax cut for the wealthy did not prove to help him in the election. When it was pointed out that Congress won't be back in session until after the election, he brushed it off -- well, we'll have the vote after the election. But we will pass it -- this despite a complete lack of enthusiasm among Republican legislators, who want an excuse to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
5. He has floated all kinds of terrible things that will happen if the Democrats take control of the House -- including impeaching him. And he told his crowd that, if they let that happen by not voting, it will be their fault.
6. And ego-maniac that he is, he also told them that he is the most important one in this election. Even though he is not on the ballot, it will totally be a referendum on him. There is some truth in that boast.
7. He has boasted that he will sign an order forbidding transgender people to serve in any capacity in our military. That's not going to happen. The military does not want it. They had already accepted Obama's order to treat them as equals in the military. Mattis will slow-walk it, and Trump will forget the promise.
8. Trump has declared that the concept of birthright citizenship (being born in the U.S. of non-citizen parents) is unconstitutional; and he intends to change the interpretation of the law. This is despite near-unanimous consensus among legal scholars that the 14th amendment applies and has been reaffirmed in that interpretation.
There are probably some more, but that's enough space taken up with more of Donald Trump's lies, distortions, and misinformation. In fact, some newspaper that keeps count says his total number of lies since his inauguration is now over 4,000.
But remember -- the main point of this post is Trump's revelation of why he lies: he does because it works or because he can't think of any other answer. And he feels no hint of guilt or shame about it.
Ralph
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Hate in America -- people killing people
This was posted on HuffPost by two of its writers: Andy Campbell and Sebastian Murdock.
"A man executed two black people at a grocery store, but didn't engage a white man outside because [he said] 'whites don't shoot whites.' A Donald Trump supporter and apparent anti-Semite who looked up to white supremacists sent bombs in the mail to the president's opposition [all liberal Democrats]. An avowed anti-Semite walked into a synagogue and killed 11 people after screaming, 'All Jews must die!'
"This was one week in American hate. . . . The only difference between this week and the last is that a few of the angry, hateful people under that banner decided to go out and act on their hate. . . .
"Initially lost in that news cycle was a shooting at a Kroger in Kentucky on Wednesday. That two people died in a shooting at a grocery store wasn't a huge surprise -- 96 people are killed by guns every day in America and hundreds more are shot -- but later it became clear that this particular shooting was a little different.
"Gregory Alan Bush allegedly shot a black man in the back of the head at the grocery store, shot him several more times as he lay on the ground, and then walked outside, where he shot and killed a black woman. There wasn't an official motive on the books as of Saturday, but a witness who was armed at the time told the Louisville Courier-Journal that Bush uttered 'whites don't kill whites' as he passed by 'nonchalantly.' Later it was revealed that he'd tried and failed to enter a predominantly black church minutes earlier.
"Suddenly, this regular American shooting story because a regular American hate story too. And then on Saturday, American hate came full circle.
"An anti-Semite named Robert Bowers allegedly walked into a synagogue in Pittsburgh, screamed 'All Jews must die!' and then shot and killed at least 11 people and wounded more.
"Scans of Bowers' social media activity -- mostly on Gab, a hub for the likes of violent neo-Nazis -- reveal that he despised Jews and subscribed to various conspiracy theories about a migrant caravan in Mexico. His anger and anxiety, fueled by the idea that Jews were bringing immigrants into the country to displace white people, ended in what's being called the 'deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.'
In his last social media posting, just before entering the synagogue to kill Jews, he himself drew the parallel of the Jews-as-outsiders and the "invading hordes" from the South in the rhetoric from President Trump and others. It was clear from his last statement -- "I'm going in" -- that he felt called to this mission as a duty.
"Bowers' hate was the same as the others.' It was blind; it was given tacit endorsement through violent rhetoric coming from our pundits and our president; and it had a strong community in which to fester and grow. His act capped off a week in which hate showed what it is truly capable of in America."
* * * * *
"This was one week in American hate. . . . The only difference between this week and the last is that a few of the angry, hateful people under that banner decided to go out and act on their hate. . . .
"Initially lost in that news cycle was a shooting at a Kroger in Kentucky on Wednesday. That two people died in a shooting at a grocery store wasn't a huge surprise -- 96 people are killed by guns every day in America and hundreds more are shot -- but later it became clear that this particular shooting was a little different.
"Gregory Alan Bush allegedly shot a black man in the back of the head at the grocery store, shot him several more times as he lay on the ground, and then walked outside, where he shot and killed a black woman. There wasn't an official motive on the books as of Saturday, but a witness who was armed at the time told the Louisville Courier-Journal that Bush uttered 'whites don't kill whites' as he passed by 'nonchalantly.' Later it was revealed that he'd tried and failed to enter a predominantly black church minutes earlier.
"Suddenly, this regular American shooting story because a regular American hate story too. And then on Saturday, American hate came full circle.
"An anti-Semite named Robert Bowers allegedly walked into a synagogue in Pittsburgh, screamed 'All Jews must die!' and then shot and killed at least 11 people and wounded more.
"Scans of Bowers' social media activity -- mostly on Gab, a hub for the likes of violent neo-Nazis -- reveal that he despised Jews and subscribed to various conspiracy theories about a migrant caravan in Mexico. His anger and anxiety, fueled by the idea that Jews were bringing immigrants into the country to displace white people, ended in what's being called the 'deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.'
In his last social media posting, just before entering the synagogue to kill Jews, he himself drew the parallel of the Jews-as-outsiders and the "invading hordes" from the South in the rhetoric from President Trump and others. It was clear from his last statement -- "I'm going in" -- that he felt called to this mission as a duty.
"Bowers' hate was the same as the others.' It was blind; it was given tacit endorsement through violent rhetoric coming from our pundits and our president; and it had a strong community in which to fester and grow. His act capped off a week in which hate showed what it is truly capable of in America."
* * * * *
There's a little more to the stories that tie all three together. According to the right-wing conspiracy theory. the supposed wealthy Jew who is funding the "caravan" of Central American people who are about to "storm our borders" is none other than the wealthy donor George Soros.
George Soros was the intended recipient of the first bomb mailed by the Trump supporter who sent all the bombs to Trump's opponents. And now -- as Trump's pre-election 'October surprise' to scare his base into turning out to vote -- President Trump is sending 5,200 U.S. troops (in addition to legions of national guards) to secure the southern border against these "hordes" of "terrorist" and unknown "Middle Easterners" to terrorize our land and spread disease (Laura Ingraham suggested smallpox and leprosy) amongst us.
What rubbish. The people in the caravan are mostly women and children, running away from violence in their own Central American countries. There is not one scintilla of evidence that they are being paid to do this. Maybe some liberal groups have provided some humanitarian aid, like food and water. But the George Soros-paid horde is a complete fiction.
Well, at least Trump's October surprise wasn't a nuclear attack on North Korea. Now, if we can just survive these next seven days . . . what? The hate will go away? Not likely. Not with Donald Trump sitting on the golden throne.
What rubbish. The people in the caravan are mostly women and children, running away from violence in their own Central American countries. There is not one scintilla of evidence that they are being paid to do this. Maybe some liberal groups have provided some humanitarian aid, like food and water. But the George Soros-paid horde is a complete fiction.
Well, at least Trump's October surprise wasn't a nuclear attack on North Korea. Now, if we can just survive these next seven days . . . what? The hate will go away? Not likely. Not with Donald Trump sitting on the golden throne.
Ralph
PS: As I read back over this, the level of conspiracy theory is rather arcane -- which makes me think that it's not far-fetched that this same mentality might come up with a conspiracy with Russians to help him win the election.
PS: As I read back over this, the level of conspiracy theory is rather arcane -- which makes me think that it's not far-fetched that this same mentality might come up with a conspiracy with Russians to help him win the election.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Trump incapable of being the "comforter in chief" in a time of tragedy.
Top analytic reporters at the New York Times, Peter Baker and Maggie Haberman, have contributed an important piece of analysis concerning the most recent shooting tragedy and President Trump's response. Here are some excerpts from their article, published in the Times on Sunday. It's titled: "Analysis: For Trump, Dutiful Words of Grief, Then Off to the Next Flight."
"Even some supporters call him tone-deaf, and critics say his fire-and-fury style has fueled a toxic moment in American history, while defenders bristle at what they consider opportunistic attacks by opponents interested only in tearing him down.
"The deaths of 11 worshipers [at a synagogue] in Pittsburgh revived questions about what signals Mr. Trump has sent, intentionally or not, to the most radical fringe elements of society. As the president notes, members of his family are Jewish and he has been perhaps the staunchest supporter of Israel to sit in the Oval Office. Yet his castigation of 'globalists,' seen by some as code for Jews, and his attacks on George Soros, the billionaire financier of liberal causes, have unsettled Jewish leaders.
“'These words are like sparks to the gasoline of disturbed minds,' said Tom Malinowski, a former State Department official running as a Democrat for Congress in New Jersey. 'These words can kill.'
"Mr. Trump’s team rejected any linkage between his language and the acts of isolated extremists. . . . Vice President Mike Pence told NBC News. . . 'I just don’t think you can connect it to acts or threats of violence.' . . .
"The president has made clear he does not see national harmony as his mission. He mocks the notion of being 'presidential,' and the crowds at his rallies egg him on, eager for him to 'tone it up' rather than 'tone it down,' as he puts it. He reads the dutiful words of unity and grief . . . that aides put in front of him, but he refuses to stick to the script. His people want a fighter, in his view, and he plans to give it to them. . . .
"Inside the White House, advisers veer between resolve, resignation and resentment — struggling to get Mr. Trump to do and say what a typical president might, frustrated that he does not always heed their guidance and bitter that his critics are piling on. Sometimes they take it upon themselves to do what he will not. . . .
"Urged on by his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, the president made plans to travel to Pittsburgh this week. But he saw no reason to dispense with his campaign schedule or adjust his message. Within minutes of expressing outrage at anti-Semitism at a rally in Illinois on Saturday night, he attacked Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California who had been targeted in last week’s spate of bomb scares. . . .
"By Sunday morning, Mr. Trump was attacking another opponent who had been sent a bomb, 'Wacky Tom Steyer,' the liberal California billionaire leading a campaign to impeach the president. . . .
"By the end of the day, he was lashing out at the media again. 'The Fake News is doing everything in their power to blame Republicans, Conservatives and me for the division and hatred that has been going on for so long in our Country,' he wrote. 'Actually, it is their Fake & Dishonest reporting which is causing problems far greater than they understand!' . . .
"Mr. Kushner insisted that his father-in-law 'is not anti-Semitic' but merely 'careless in retweeting imagery that can be interpreted as offensive.' . . .
"Mr. Trump had already voiced frustration that the attempted bombings diverted attention from his closing message during the campaign. With Mr. Trump indicating he will not cancel his rallies, some in his party braced for a split-screen week that they feared could drive even more moderates away . . . [with images of] the president hurling bolts at Democrats while funeral services are held in Pittsburgh.
“'The events of the last week have rendered these rallies an even bigger double-edged sword,' said David Axelrod, the former senior adviser to Mr. Obama. 'How do you call for unity in one breath and whip up the crowd into a state of rage about perceived enemies the next?' . . . ."
* * *
"For months, Republican officials have complained privately that President Trump lacks the ability to confront moments of crisis with moral clarity, choosing to inflame the divisions that have torn the country apart rather than try to bring it together.
"It took the importuning of his Jewish daughter and son-in-law to craft a powerful statement of outrage at anti-Semitism after Saturday’s slaughter at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Then Mr. Trump went back into partisan mode, assailing his enemies. By the evening’s end he was tweeting about baseball, and on Sunday he went after another foe. . . .
"Even some supporters call him tone-deaf, and critics say his fire-and-fury style has fueled a toxic moment in American history, while defenders bristle at what they consider opportunistic attacks by opponents interested only in tearing him down.
"The deaths of 11 worshipers [at a synagogue] in Pittsburgh revived questions about what signals Mr. Trump has sent, intentionally or not, to the most radical fringe elements of society. As the president notes, members of his family are Jewish and he has been perhaps the staunchest supporter of Israel to sit in the Oval Office. Yet his castigation of 'globalists,' seen by some as code for Jews, and his attacks on George Soros, the billionaire financier of liberal causes, have unsettled Jewish leaders.
“'These words are like sparks to the gasoline of disturbed minds,' said Tom Malinowski, a former State Department official running as a Democrat for Congress in New Jersey. 'These words can kill.'
"Mr. Trump’s team rejected any linkage between his language and the acts of isolated extremists. . . . Vice President Mike Pence told NBC News. . . 'I just don’t think you can connect it to acts or threats of violence.' . . .
"The president has made clear he does not see national harmony as his mission. He mocks the notion of being 'presidential,' and the crowds at his rallies egg him on, eager for him to 'tone it up' rather than 'tone it down,' as he puts it. He reads the dutiful words of unity and grief . . . that aides put in front of him, but he refuses to stick to the script. His people want a fighter, in his view, and he plans to give it to them. . . .
"Inside the White House, advisers veer between resolve, resignation and resentment — struggling to get Mr. Trump to do and say what a typical president might, frustrated that he does not always heed their guidance and bitter that his critics are piling on. Sometimes they take it upon themselves to do what he will not. . . .
"Urged on by his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, the president made plans to travel to Pittsburgh this week. But he saw no reason to dispense with his campaign schedule or adjust his message. Within minutes of expressing outrage at anti-Semitism at a rally in Illinois on Saturday night, he attacked Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California who had been targeted in last week’s spate of bomb scares. . . .
"By Sunday morning, Mr. Trump was attacking another opponent who had been sent a bomb, 'Wacky Tom Steyer,' the liberal California billionaire leading a campaign to impeach the president. . . .
"By the end of the day, he was lashing out at the media again. 'The Fake News is doing everything in their power to blame Republicans, Conservatives and me for the division and hatred that has been going on for so long in our Country,' he wrote. 'Actually, it is their Fake & Dishonest reporting which is causing problems far greater than they understand!' . . .
"Mr. Kushner insisted that his father-in-law 'is not anti-Semitic' but merely 'careless in retweeting imagery that can be interpreted as offensive.' . . .
"Mr. Trump had already voiced frustration that the attempted bombings diverted attention from his closing message during the campaign. With Mr. Trump indicating he will not cancel his rallies, some in his party braced for a split-screen week that they feared could drive even more moderates away . . . [with images of] the president hurling bolts at Democrats while funeral services are held in Pittsburgh.
“'The events of the last week have rendered these rallies an even bigger double-edged sword,' said David Axelrod, the former senior adviser to Mr. Obama. 'How do you call for unity in one breath and whip up the crowd into a state of rage about perceived enemies the next?' . . . ."
* * *
As I see it, there's an even larger problem than Trump's communication style and his prioritizing planned campaign events over national tragedies.
Trump does not see himself as the president of all the people. He is the president of his base and others who will vote for him and be loyal to him.
That is the core problem in this presidency. I don't think he is going to change. We will have to change congress on November 6th, taking away some of the power he now has. And then change presidents in 2020. That means: Go Vote!!!
Ralph
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