Robert Parry wrote:The widespread disdain for Donald Trump and the fear of what his presidency might mean have led to an abandonment of any sense of objectivity by many Trump opponents and, most notably, the mainstream U.S. news media. If Trump is for something, it must be bad and must be transformed into one more club to use for hobbling his candidacy.
While that attitude may be understandable given Trump’s frequently feckless and often offensive behavior – he seems not to know basic facts and insults large swaths of the world’s population – this Trump bashing also has dangerous implications because some of his ideas deserve serious debate rather than blanket dismissal.
I thought the quoted portion makes an important point, and not solely in regards to the rest of the article. This is a long used tactic in the realm of public relations and perception management because it works off our bias toward association. Basically, we are going to do it to ourselves anyways, but it can be harnessed or nudged. It's the enemy of critical thinking.
So, with this in mind, what does Trump have right? What baby will likely be thrown out with the bath water because Trump either doesn't know what he's talking about or is cynically exploiting perceptions, misconceptions and fears?
well, today, he said he would double the proposed infrastructure spending Clinton proposes. Which means he is claiming to wish to spend 800 billion on infrastructure. He says the entire amount would be paid by bonds, which should give deficit/debt hawks some pause, especially when coupled with a promise of significant tax reduction and a sharp increase in defense spending. Oh, yes, and the costs of the Wall.
Frankly, while I think he infrequently manages to grasp the germ of what needs to be done, he shows no cohesive means to the ends, and I can't see what really
is getting thrown out of unique value.
"The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
George Orwell---"1984"
With Trump's abrasive potty mouth, arrogant attitude and seriously thin skin, I don't see how he could ever get anything accomplished that requires working with people other than himself. He wants to be sole captain of the ship with absolute unquestioned authority. He strikes me as a go-it-alone and do-it-by-himself type of businessman. And the stuff he does for himself is sometimes sketchy at best, utter failures at the worst. Even businesses he sells to someone else are STILL tainted losers. Yes, some of his ideas have actual merit, but I doubt he'd be the one that actually got things done for the country.
well, the question was not whether HE could get them done, but if there were good ideas in there. I am all for massive spending on infrastructure as I see it as essential to the well being of our grandkids. I am willing to pay more taxes if needed.
"The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
George Orwell---"1984"
callmeslick wrote:Frankly, while I think he infrequently manages to grasp the germ of what needs to be done, he shows no cohesive means to the ends, and I can't see what really is getting thrown out of unique value.
I'm looking to discuss not only the solutions he proposes, but also the problems he identifies or even tangentially illustrates by speaking out.
For example, when Trump says McCain is a loser for being a POW and everyone faints. It gets really hard to defend the idea that being a POW doesn't make McCain unassailable on Military or Veterans issues. There's a germ of truth in there that gets trampled because Trump is ridiculous.
McCain's plane being shot down in North Vietnam was actually the forth plane he lost during the Vietnam conflict. The forth time of course was where he was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese. How McCain, who's plane was shot out of the sky during combat under withering enemy fire, who was subsequently captured, imprisoned and tortured by the enemy and then given the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star by the Navy for conspicuous gallantry, can be called a "loser" is beyond me, especially when that claim comes from a coward of a man who dodged the Vietnam draft by getting 5 rich boy deferments. Give me a break.
factcheck wrote:
The fourth plane McCain lost was of course the Skyhawk shot down over North Vietnam on Oct. 26, 1967. The previously mentioned official citation describes 15 enemy surface-to-air missiles fired at the attacking U.S. planes and "extremely heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire." Far from blaming McCain for the loss of his plane, the Navy awarded him, in addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star for his "conspicuous gallantry" while imprisoned by the North Vietnamese for the nearly five-and-a-half years that followed. Shortly after his release he was promoted again, to full commander.
Cat (n.) A bipolar creature which would as soon gouge your eyes out as it would cuddle.
callmeslick wrote:Frankly, while I think he infrequently manages to grasp the germ of what needs to be done, he shows no cohesive means to the ends, and I can't see what really is getting thrown out of unique value.
I'm looking to discuss not only the solutions he proposes, but also the problems he identifies or even tangentially illustrates by speaking out.
For example, when Trump says McCain is a loser for being a POW and everyone faints. It gets really hard to defend the idea that being a POW doesn't make McCain unassailable on Military or Veterans issues. There's a germ of truth in there that gets trampled because Trump is ridiculous.
if he had suggested that McCain's was not the only valid military input out there, it would have been fine. So, as presented, no, I don't see any kernel of truth in there or any valid point that has been obscured. He really hasn't identified any real issues past the obvious one that the recovery isn't yet reaching everyone and we pissed away a lot of potential infrastructure money on two unneeded wars, yet offers nothing by way of solutions that I can tell.
"The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
George Orwell---"1984"
callmeslick wrote:He really hasn't identified any real issues...
Bingo. I am 100% open to discussing his ideas, but he's never said anything of substance. He had plenty of chances in the debates. Now it's too late. I can't even listen to his voice without cringing. The blame is squarely on him and his inability to communicate effectively and squandering golden opportunities handed to him. Let's face it, if he has any good ideas they aren't his ideas and someone else can say them better. So where are those people?
callmeslick wrote:if he had suggested that McCain's was not the only valid military input out there, it would have been fine. So, as presented, no, I don't see any kernel of truth in there or any valid point that has been obscured.
"Truth" was probably an overstatement. Perhaps "perspective deserving of debate" would be better. The ridiculous comments everyone remembers from the incident were wrapped around a debatable critique of McCain being a do nothing politician who failed to help veterans. That debate didn't take place because Trump is ridiculous.
Well lotsa of people agree about his idea of a fence and how we should temp. ban Syrian refugees from entering our country until we can get better info about them. Of course those of you who believe how the press has twisted this will disagree.
Liberal speak: "Convenience for you means control for him, free and the price is astronomical, you're the product for sale". Neil Oliver
Leftist are Evil, and Liberals keep voting for them. Dennis Prager
A mouse might be in a cookie jar.... but he is not a cookie" ... Casper Ten Boom
If your life revolves around the ability to have an abortion, what does that say about your life? Anonymous
