THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. Sadly, our Lamestream Media is TOTALLY CORRUPT! - Trump tweet
I'm sure everyone has seen reports on this story - the lockdown protests. Some of the behavior exhibited by protesters, has been threatening and intimidating. In Michigan some have shown up with guns and militia gear. In Minnesota the Governor's residence was littered today. President Trump calls them 'good people' and no doubt some of them are. Yet he praises the worst behavior and stirs up more anger, dismissing journalists he sees as reporting 'fake news' as 'not essential.' Trump admits on Twitter that his supporters, especially the 'orange shirts' online, are his best campaign people. (Wish I had the actual tweet.) They are free and they are being used by Trump.
He thrives on social media propaganda - that's clearly his strategy - he stirs up his supporters. He publishes numerous tweets per day, using inflammatory language similar to right-wing, radio talk-how hosts. He tries to silence MSM and replace it with unverifiable claims on social media, supported by his base, who organize on social media. Fox and friends is his network. Nothing new, I know. I also know it's free speech. But social media is his machine, and he is using people he would otherwise despise. As Howard Stern affirmed, “The people Trump despises most, love him the most.”
Stern went on to say that Trump would be “disgusted” by the MAGA crew. “Go to Mar-a-Lago, see if there is any people who look like you,” he said. “I’m talking to you in the audience.” - Source(My apologies to friends and others of good will, who support Trump.)
Take politics out of this equation. What is left? It is not pretty. A very disturbed man with a history which reveals the same thing. When my son was 10 while visiting family in NYC he asked to visit Trump Tower. He had received at Christmas a board game called Hotels. There was a Taj Mahal which Trump owned at the time. So we went. Trump Tower was right across from St Patrick's. This was my introduction to the man who remained in the news in New York for the next 40 years. Always bombastic always a scandal. He keep trying to buy his way into the Governorship but it never went anywhere. He could easily change his political positions to fit whitchever party would have him. He was always a media presence. In 2016 aboard the Queen Mary mid voyage in the bar I met a friend of his. I played along thinking it a funny story probably not true. Lo & behold the man was who he said he was. I verified it later. He told me Trump should never "get anywhere near" the Presidency. He told me why. That was in October. In Italy in November we got the news of his election. So, I have been aware of this man for nearly 45 years. He has never done a thing that is not self serving. Politics aside he is a very sad man.
ReplyDeleteI agree. His reputation is that of a con-artist.
DeleteI see your point. I certainly do not agree with everything that comes out of DJT's mouth, but when he was elected, he was the only viable alternative to a far worse candidate, who openly insulted those of us in the Rust Belt who asked for help by ignoring us and calling anyone who was a DJT supporter a "deplorable", and implying that we Midwesterners are ignorant rubes in flyover country who do not matter. I find DJT's stance during the quarantine to fall very short of my expectations - this could have been his shining hour. But perhaps, in the big picture, you understand why some of us feel as we do.
ReplyDeleteAs far as those protesting the quarantine, some of these people are not helping their cause by their words and actions. And it isn't just DJT who is being attacked. Here in Ohio, our Governor, Mike DeWine, acknowledged the protesters during his daily televised briefings (which have quite a following here - people make a point of watching). He has wide, bi-partisan support across the state for his clear, calm, non-theatrical, serious, and inspiring leadership. It's like listening to your neighbor on your front porch. Which is why so many of us watch every day. An animator even created a cartoon with a theme song for his daily pressers, a take-off from "Laverne and Shirley". Really. "One, two, three, four, five six feet apart - stay home - stay home - why don't we coordinate this?"
Governor DeWine said people have a right to protest, and he respects that. But he drew the line when a group of protesters chose to create an obnoxious disturbance outside of the home of our Director of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, who signed off on quarantine and emergency health regulations. Not only did they personally harass her and her family - none of whom are elected officials - they descended to racial, anti-Semite slurs (Dr. Acton is Jewish). I am ashamed to know they are fellow Ohioans. The Governor said if anyone had a problem or wanted to scream at someone, that he was their man, and no one else.
Like any crisis - whether it is a death in the family or a pandemic - troubles always bring out the best and the worst in people - and sometimes the actions of people you think you know can be very surprising. Personally, I find it more productive to remain optimistic and move forward, hoping for the best in others.
Anyway, thanks for the perspective, Terry and Mr. H. I appreciate your comments, which are always presented in a polite, intelligent, and thoughtful way. It reminds me of the days when people could be of different opinions and still be friends and have a pleasant conversation. And talk together on the front porch. God bless and protect all here!
"...calling anyone who was a DJT supporter a "deplorable"..."
DeleteShe did not say that. You can cite a million reasons not to have voted for her, but that particular assertion is not only untruthful, but ignores what perhaps may have been one of the most decent remarks coming from a political candidates since John McCain corrected a supporter of his who called Obama a Muslim.
I can provide you the whole text of her remarks if you are interested.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hillary-clinton-half-donald-trumps-supporters-basket-deplorables/story?id=41993204
DeleteAdditionally, may I point out, Kurt, that ABC News is hardly a Trump or Republican supporter. Peace.
DeleteSusan, you need to read articles before you post them. The article does not support your false assertion that Mrs. Clinton called "anyone who was a DJT supporter a 'deplorable.' It simply reports the response from the Trump campaign. In fact, she made a very kind and charitable set of comments. I offered you the full text. Are you interested?
DeleteTerry, you don't need to apologize to anyone. You have a right to your opinion. I do disagree with just about everything you've said. My experience as a long time Trump supporter is not that Trump despises his own followers (it's quite the contrary) but the media and the elites hold most ordinary, working class Americans in the most abject contempt. And they used to love Trump. What changed? He became pro-life, doing more for the pro-life cause than any other president, and more than most Catholic bishops. So instead of Trump the "conartist" we are supposed to vote for people who believe in late-term abortion and gay "marriage," like Obama and Clinton? I do not understand how so many Catholics can be complacent about late-term abortion......
ReplyDeleteTrump is the main reason we are in a crisis in the US. He refused to recognize this disease because he thought it would interfere with his re election. He has a lot of blood on his hands. There is more to being pro life than just being against abortion. And personally, I believe Trump’s anti abortion stand is purely political in order to appeal to his base, He certainly did nothing for the pro life movement before he ran for president. In fact, he supported abortion. Trump’s actions say his only concern is himself.
DeleteWell stated, Ms. Vidal. Mr. Trump is indeed the most pro-life president we have had in my memory, and I don't care what his reasons are for it. Nor have the Democrats presented us with a viable candidate who defends the teaching of our Church in the areas of the dignity of life, and the dignity of marriage and family life. He is far from perfect, but the Democratic candidates are so far off the radar of basic Catholic teaching that many of us feel we have no alternative. And yes - to a great many of us, the defense of life - particularly for those who literally have no voice - is very much a primary issue, and is in no way a "gray area". Peace to all here.
DeleteExactly, Susan. Trump has done so much for the pro-life movement that one can only assume that those who hate Trump must love abortion. May God have mercy on them as only God can.
DeleteHe has done nothing for the pro-life movement other than to promote a culture of death.
DeleteTrump has done a lot for the pro-life *movement*. I’ll leave it at that.
DeleteThe worst possible president at the worst possible time. Trump told us we have to be warriors against this disease. That mean being willing to literally sacrifice our lives for the sake of the economy and even more important for his re-election. Trump is a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteI pity you and your soul for the lies your are spreading. May He have mercy on you. Your AOC is a Communist. As you appear to be as well.
DeleteAOC represents the Burroughs of Queens not Brooklyn. Just a clarification. I think you mean Socialist. That is the latest fear label to pin on someone. Communists are extinct now. They went the way of the USSR. If you see dementia in Biden how on earth do you not see it in Trump? Serious question.
DeleteThis behavior contrasts with Joe Biden's decency. Look at his remarks about the sad situation in Georgia:
ReplyDeletehttps://catholicsforbiden.blogspot.com/2020/05/joe-biden-on-killing-of-ahmaud-arbery.html
Mr. B is pro-abortion and also officiated at the "marriage" of homosexuals while VP in the White House. This, and other examples, hardly speaks for his "decency" nor for his faithfulness to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
DeleteSo true, Susan. Also Biden is suffering from extreme dementia, as anyone cam see. It is cruel how they force him into the limelight.
DeletePro life in Catholic moral teaching is not just one issue. It encompasses the death penalty, war, euthanasia, sex trafficking, human rights and treating others with human dignity. Why do Trump supporters always delete everything but abortion? Trump talks a good game but I see no real change in policies or funding.
ReplyDeleteI very much agree with you, Mr. H, that the unchanging Catholic teaching on the dignity of life goes far beyond the evil of abortion, and the issues you mention certainly fall under that umbrella. I must take issue with your statement that "Trump supporters always delete everything but abortion". I certainly do not, nor do I think any of my fellow pro-life brothers and sisters feel that way. It is because the victims of abortion, literally, have no voice that we feel we must speak up all the louder on their behalf. I believe it is a mistake to make a generalization about all of us who are pro-life that we ignore all aspects of that issue in order to protest abortion. *All* the issues you mention are intrinsically evil, as is unambiguously, clearly stated in Catholic doctrine, and pro-life Catholics, and those of other faiths, are also against these offenses against God.
DeleteDJT, as I wrote above, is far from perfect, and I do not always agree with everything that comes out of his mouth. But as I also pointed out, the Dems have offered us no national candidates that I can support, who defend the teaching of the Church in the five non-negotiables of our Faith - abortion/contraception, euthanasia, homosexual "marriage", embryonic stem cell research, and human cloning. It is a tragic commentary on our country that it is nearly impossible to find even one candidate who supports Church teaching on *all* these non-negotiables, let alone even one. And that is why many of us still support DJT - at least he is with us on the life issues. God bless and protect you, Mr. H, and give you good health!
Donald Trump supports contraception and rejects (in his own life) the Catholic teaching on marriage.
DeleteSusan I understand and respect your sincere position. I believe you are however deceived by DJT as the man who embraces your beliefs. He does not, and there is ample evidence that he is using this issue and his supporters for political gain. In high school my Franciscan friars taught us a great deal in religion classes. Ethics was important. I remember clearly discussions on the question, "does the ends justify the means." In my mind DJT, as a leader, can never be justified. The Republicans were in power for two solid years and changed nothing on the national level except mouth the usual words. They could have but did not. Any change has been on state levels. I believe you embrace all the issues that fall under consistent life ethics, but he does not. Yes, the dilemma of voting is difficult and imperfect. For a Buddhist there is no one who would be 100% acceptable. As for me, I believe, as St Augustine, taught, evil is a unsolvable problem of human condition. The best a Christian can do is recognize and avoid it in personal choices. We will never be able to impose it on everyone. That is God's judgement and we all will face that soon enough. I wish you well to Susan & promise to remember your intentions in my daily Rosary. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Mr. H - you are most kind. I need all the prayers I can get, and I sincerely appreciate this.
DeleteI never said DJT embraces my beliefs. But he has acted and spoken positively against abortion and other issues in accordance with my Catholic beliefs. Which is not the entire sum of what are the non-negotiables of Catholic teaching, but it is one step in the right direction.
I was raised in a Democratic household, and my father helped organize his fellow employees into a national Union. But the Democratic party platform of the last 40+ years, and its candidates and representatives, has betrayed me and others like me. They have no one who publicly supports Catholic teaching on, 1) abortion/contraception; 2) euthanasia; 3) human cloning; 4) embryonic stem cell research; and 5) homosexual "marriage". As for "using supporters for political gain", Democratic politicians, such as Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Andrew Cuomo, and so many more, roll out their "Catholic" credentials and profess to be fervent Catholics at election time, and after the elections, act in direct opposition and defiance of Catholic teaching, making a mockery of Church teachings and shaming those of us who take our Faith seriously. I simply cannot support such individuals, nor can I embrace the Democratic platform. It betrays all I believe, and worse - it hurts my Church, and it hurts other people.
Sadly, it comes down to voting for the least objectionable. But for me, that is far better than knowingly voting for a candidate who disrespects and in fact works against Church teaching, and thus spiritually and physically endangers me and others. I simply cannot do it.
I am not deceived by DJT. I am well aware that he often glaringly shows himself as imperfect. He is not a statesman, and never claimed to be. He is a businessman who ran for office, and won the election. His views do not always align with mine, nor does the way he presents himself. I know he does not embrace all the Catholic views on the non-negotiables. But at least he is with us on one issue. Which is far more than the Democratic Party manages.
It is not a perfect world, nor is it a perfect country. But sometimes we have to take small steps in the right direction, and protect the good with which we have already been blessed. I do not think handing the country over to those who rejoice in the murder of babies who are moments from birth (remembering Mr. Cuomo's gleeful signing this abomination into law a little over a year ago, and then lighting up the Empire State Building in pink to celebrate it), or who work against the sanctity of traditional marriage (remembering Joe Biden's officiating at the "marriage" of homosexuals while VP in the White House), or who promote human cloning, or who legislate legal euthanasia, or who further offend God by using the remains of aborted infants for "research", makes this country a better place. I am afraid it is as simple as that for me, and given the choices we have as far as political candidates, the choice is clear.
I wish you well also, dear Mr. H. And I promise to remember your intentions when I pray my Liturgy of the Hours. We may not agree on this, but, as you so kindly wrote, like you, "I understand and respect your sincere position." I am a firm believer that we do not become enemies because we disagree on politics. I am so glad I can discuss this with you in a polite and friendly manner!
Likewise dear Susan. It is difficult for people who have sincere concern. The choices we are given are inadequate. I am troubled by many of the same things you are. I too was raised in a Catholic Democratic home where these issues were clear. No gray areas at all. I consider myself independent now and have often split my vote. I never voted for Cuomo and am proud of that. My thinking goes a bit further. I too oppose abortion. I do not want my tax dollars paying for it. I do not want anyone forced to assist in a procedure that they object to on religious grounds. My pro life position however includes life after conception. I cannot vote for a man who pardons men who have clearly participated in murder under government sanction. Who surrounds himself with men and policies that do not value life be I human or environmental. I get where you are coming from. Yes, it is difficult. I know many, family and friends who think and vote likewise. That is our democracy. Maybe some day we will get better choices. The "lesser of two evils" brings us to different places in this world. In the next however let's pray we are together.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind and thoughtful comment.
DeleteMy hope is that someday, a courageous man or woman of firm, decent, and moral character, who embraces what we as Catholics believe, will step forward and work toward leading our country. We can do so much good, and have done so in the past. How different things might have been if we had not participated in the Marshall Plan, for instance, or if we had not started to repair our country's wrongs, such as slavery. We have a long way to go, and endless ways we can improve our society. But in the end, it starts with us. I am glad we had this conversation, my friend. I think, when it comes down to it, we have a very similar outlook and hopes for our country and society. And yes - let's pray we are all together in the next world!!!
Shame on you Terry,You support death of a child because your feelings were hurt.Hold your nose and vote for the life of a human being."
ReplyDelete“But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because Jesus said, ‘If you receive a little child, you receive me,’” said Mother Teresa. “So every abortion is the denial of receiving Jesus, is the neglect of receiving Jesus. It is really a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself.”
As Mother Teresa spoke, on stage with her were some of the most anti-life politicians in history, President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton and Vice President Al Gore and his then-wife Tipper Gore. Mother Teresa, 5-feet tall and probably weighing no more than 100 pounds, was not afraid.
https://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=Mother+Thresa+abortion&d=4995038563144488&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=1QuHLq4WaNjfeyDKotEsV2LB38sSLJcm
Betty: "Shame on you Terry,You support death of a child because your feelings were hurt." You obviously do not know me and have judged me rashly. You have no idea of my voting record. Not the slightest. I'll take the shame however.
DeleteVote for life.
ReplyDeleteYep. And that is not Stormy's boyfriend.
DeleteTerry, no one affirms the dignity of human life by treating you the way Betty did. It was wrong and she should apologize.
ReplyDelete