IMHO one of Cohen's better pieces.
8
There is only one problem with this analysis, 'conventional wisdom' hasn't been a roaring success. Conventional wisdom led Bush (the younger) and Obama (the hapless) into long, useless wars that kills thousands of our citizens and wasted $ Trillions.
The phrase about people living in glass houses should be wary of casting stones comes to mind.
The phrase about people living in glass houses should be wary of casting stones comes to mind.
6
I don't care much for Trump, but to suggest that the millions of people who are supporting him in state after state are simply voting for celebrity or escapism is as ignorant as it is condescending. Rightly or wrongly (in my view or yours), they are voting for Trump in hopes of making their situations and futures better. I understand you see that as misguided. But do not dismiss these folks as having no real issues or aspirations. Talk about know-nothing...
23
Regarding Trump's appeal... part of his appeal has been tapping into the perpetual nativism and racism that has always lingered below the service. Rarely discussed openly, but always present.
Another part of Trump's appeal is our adoration of celebrities and reality TV. Collectively, the majority of Americans would prefer to watch the Kardashians (or other pseudo-celeb reality TV) than a documentary on the impacts of globalism, realities of climate change, history of . In short, we would prefer to have mindless entertainment that enlightened discourse on meaningful topics.
Fasten your seat belt folks...
Another part of Trump's appeal is our adoration of celebrities and reality TV. Collectively, the majority of Americans would prefer to watch the Kardashians (or other pseudo-celeb reality TV) than a documentary on the impacts of globalism, realities of climate change, history of . In short, we would prefer to have mindless entertainment that enlightened discourse on meaningful topics.
Fasten your seat belt folks...
17
The hard reality is that it has always been hopeless to plead for reason with the dreamers of America First, so DT’s nationalist army is no different than those of the past. Nothing will penetrate minds that are locked tight in anger or ears of willful deafness. These are hearts that thrill to promises of instant grandeur and a We-are-the-True-America in which all of society’s ‘them’ are to be kicked to the back of the bus where they belong.
America First is political eroticism, and the depth of its passion can be found in its conspiracy fears. At an upstate market on Sunday, I overheard a group of men casually reaffirming to each other in stunning detail the ‘accepted fact’ that Obama is preparing for a Trump victory in Nov by replacing the Joint Chiefs with generals that will not question his orders to bring most of our troops in Iraq home for use in citizen crowd control, so that on the night of the election, the President can declare national Martial Law to deny Trump being sworn in. This will allow Obama to continue in office unopposed. In making a case to these guys that this is an unworkable, unreal fantasy, my words fell against a stone wall.
I can hear the derision of NYT readers who scoff at such bumpkins and believe they are safe because, “Well, you don’t find THOSE people in Manhattan”. But these conspiracy men are deadly serious. They long for and are prepared for the coming battle. There are millions of them, and we ignore their fears at our peril.
America First is political eroticism, and the depth of its passion can be found in its conspiracy fears. At an upstate market on Sunday, I overheard a group of men casually reaffirming to each other in stunning detail the ‘accepted fact’ that Obama is preparing for a Trump victory in Nov by replacing the Joint Chiefs with generals that will not question his orders to bring most of our troops in Iraq home for use in citizen crowd control, so that on the night of the election, the President can declare national Martial Law to deny Trump being sworn in. This will allow Obama to continue in office unopposed. In making a case to these guys that this is an unworkable, unreal fantasy, my words fell against a stone wall.
I can hear the derision of NYT readers who scoff at such bumpkins and believe they are safe because, “Well, you don’t find THOSE people in Manhattan”. But these conspiracy men are deadly serious. They long for and are prepared for the coming battle. There are millions of them, and we ignore their fears at our peril.
12
All our solutions are too small, Bernie Sanders' included. It's not just here in the United States that workers are losing out to the 1% who hog everything to themselves. In fact the workers in China, Mexico, Brazil, etc. are having it worse, that's why they want to come here.
In a globalized world, we need a global boat that lift EVERYBODY, not just small boats of USA, EU, Britain, China, Russia....
I am not talking about distribution of wealth, taking money from the rich to give to the poor. I am talking about all people being given their fair share of reward for their work.
Capitalism is not free enterprise. Capitalism is believing that Capital (thereby the Capital owners) are entitled to a giant share of wealth generated by our joint production and thereby having the power to further accumulate wealth onto itself.
Until all workers in the world are paid their fair share and a living wage according to their respective society, American jobs will continue to be outsourced and American wage will be on a race to the bottom.
Who are most equipped to build such a boat than us the Americans, the Europeans -- the people of the first worlds -- who are supposedly most well trained and educated?
As His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, if we are going to be selfish, let's be selfish in a smart way. Ethnocentrism is self defeating in the long run and will only collapse onto itself
Like herd immunity, we are protected only when everyone else is protected.
.
In a globalized world, we need a global boat that lift EVERYBODY, not just small boats of USA, EU, Britain, China, Russia....
I am not talking about distribution of wealth, taking money from the rich to give to the poor. I am talking about all people being given their fair share of reward for their work.
Capitalism is not free enterprise. Capitalism is believing that Capital (thereby the Capital owners) are entitled to a giant share of wealth generated by our joint production and thereby having the power to further accumulate wealth onto itself.
Until all workers in the world are paid their fair share and a living wage according to their respective society, American jobs will continue to be outsourced and American wage will be on a race to the bottom.
Who are most equipped to build such a boat than us the Americans, the Europeans -- the people of the first worlds -- who are supposedly most well trained and educated?
As His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, if we are going to be selfish, let's be selfish in a smart way. Ethnocentrism is self defeating in the long run and will only collapse onto itself
Like herd immunity, we are protected only when everyone else is protected.
.
11
Today's know-nothingness has a simple antecedent: of late, the last 50 years, Congress and state legislatures have been cutting school budgets. Thirty years ago I hired a small army at above minimum wages to alphabetize a mountain of documents. They did a good job----with the aid of an alphabet taped to the wall, much like in grade school. Today, forget asking college graduates a question from history, now known as civics. Foreign affairs, forget it. Facebook, of course. Their parents are also clueless; newspapers and television no longer teach.
Thank you, Republican party. Tribalism, ethnocentrism and religiosity are the result as people retreat from the world.
While the West is retreating, the Middle East is exploding as a result of having just enough education and Facebook to know that they have been getting the shaft from their "betters". Central Africa, Europe and India/Pakistan, of course, are next in the drive away from civilization.
Thank you, Republican party. Tribalism, ethnocentrism and religiosity are the result as people retreat from the world.
While the West is retreating, the Middle East is exploding as a result of having just enough education and Facebook to know that they have been getting the shaft from their "betters". Central Africa, Europe and India/Pakistan, of course, are next in the drive away from civilization.
7
If Cohen's ideal view of America is represented by the policies of Bush and Obama, then by all means, color me know-nothing and give me some good old-fashioned isolationism.
1
Some consider Sanders the opposite of a know-nothing, but his policies are also unrealistic. He is certainly trying to address real issues, such as income inequality, but how will he do such a thing.
7
I guess the NYT is really desperate.
1
The people who voted for Trump do not understand what "après-moi-le-déluge escapism" means nor does "ethnocentrism" have any impact. These are people who think Walmart is a high-end store and McDonalds is a gourmet restaurant. Look at the exhaustive studies that have been conducted on Trump's phraseology in his speeches. They are assembled for the attention of a population of Grade 4 graduates with the attention span of a gnat. You're preaching to the choir.
4
Gotta love Trump's latest, in response to criticism by Elizabeth Warren: "She's a doofus! Didja ever see her? She's a doofus!"
Hail to the Chief!
Hail to the Chief!
10
"Speaking of Israel, Trump says, 'President Obama has not been a friend to Israel.' Right, he has not been a friend to the tune of over $20.5 billion in foreign military financing…"—Roger Cohen
Obviously, Obama couldn't veto long-standing US-Israel policy with national security implications.
So what he did instead was to render all our pro-Israel support irrelevant with one move that was at once unilateral, fraudulent—(see the NYT Ben Rhodes piece) and existential: his irrational, nuke-proliferating, legacy-driven deal with insane, apocalyptic signatories whose stated goal is Israel's eradication (and ours).
Obviously, Obama couldn't veto long-standing US-Israel policy with national security implications.
So what he did instead was to render all our pro-Israel support irrelevant with one move that was at once unilateral, fraudulent—(see the NYT Ben Rhodes piece) and existential: his irrational, nuke-proliferating, legacy-driven deal with insane, apocalyptic signatories whose stated goal is Israel's eradication (and ours).
7
Testifying again in front of Congress in 2002, Netanyahu claimed that Iraq’s nonexistent nuclear program was in fact so advanced that the country was now operating “centrifuges the size of washing machines.”
Netanyahu said in 2002, "If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region."
Netanyahu said in 2002, "If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region."
20
What an intellectually-pure piece of junk. No Trump fan here, but to state that Trump supporters all buy into the author's list of hype, including some of the hype which really isn't true, is bunk. Specifically, the reference to "Mexican infiltration." Trumps bombast about illegal immigration has been misinterpreted as racisim, when in fact, it's about stopping ILLEGAL immigration. Sure, there are plenty of anti-immigration racists supporting Trump, just as there are BLM racists supporting Hillary and Bernie. But most Americans believe in LEGAL immigration from Mexico and elsewhere. Criticize Trump all you want, and I'm among the critics. But...don't look down your nose from your ivory tower at the millions who support him as THEIR alternative to the corrupt politicians on both sides of the aisle. That's Trump's main appeal. The PT Barnum sideshow of The Donald is all about getting media attention, and that he does very well.
8
You probably missed the fact that Trump is running for President of the United States of America and so-called "leader of the free world". The individual who assumes that position should actually demonstrate the ability to be rational and thoughtful, not acting like they are running for chief clown in the Circus. And people who support someone who shows no talent except to be a clown should be looked down on as caring nothing for this country and the future of Earth itself!!
17
"They whom have put out the people's eyes reproach them of their blindness."--John Milton.
4
In the Republican primaries it was a war between the "Know-Nothing" and the "No! Nothing!" candidates--Trump and Cruz. I wish they would put America first ahead of their nutty policies.
7
Time for new Constitution that doesn't have fundamental flaws for Plutocracy to drive a gilded horse and cart through?
And that doesn't let locasl aggressive popular preachers in small States upend the cornerstones of Democratically chosen National Foreign and Domestic Policy.
And that doesn't let locasl aggressive popular preachers in small States upend the cornerstones of Democratically chosen National Foreign and Domestic Policy.
1
Mr. Cohen's analysis is dead on. However, the modern day "know nothings" care nothing about the facts or even about doing the right thing.
4
Saving the Country is the right thing.
2
As our extraordinary President said at Rutgers : "In politics and life, ignorance is not a virtue," Obama said. "It's not cool to not know what you're talking about."
And: "When our leaders express a disdain for facts, when they're not held accountable for repeating falsehoods and just making stuff up, while actual experts are dismissed as elitists, then we've got a problem."
Pay attention people: a vote for Trump is a vote for failure - yours and the country's.
And: "When our leaders express a disdain for facts, when they're not held accountable for repeating falsehoods and just making stuff up, while actual experts are dismissed as elitists, then we've got a problem."
Pay attention people: a vote for Trump is a vote for failure - yours and the country's.
19
"America First"? Try Donald First: From the NY Daily News:
Hillary Clinton said that “The Donald’s” speaking fees trump her own and said she’d only release the transcripts once the GOP front-runner did.
During a wide-ranging 80-minute interview with the Daily News editorial board, Clinton, who has been under attack for not releasing the transcripts of well-paid speeches to Goldman Sachs, accused Trump of performing similarly lucrative talks.
“I have reason to believe that others have made some speeches of some interest,” Clinton told The News during her weekend sit down. When pressed for names, the former New York senator offered up the bombastic billionaire.
“I have reason to believe Donald Trump has, for money, for rather considerable amounts,” she said. “A lot more than I was ever offered.”
Trump, who has not released the transcripts of any paid speeches from his business career preceding his presidential run, is reported to have performed many such compensated speaking events.
Clinton has come under fire from Democratic primary opponent Bernie Sanders, who says her speeches to big banks betray an uncomfortable coziness.
According to a 2015 Business Insider article, Trump commanded as much as $1.5 million per speech.
The Trump campaign did not immediately return a request for comment on the issue.
What, you may ask, did Trump promise Wall Street in his speeches? Trump knows nothing....
Hillary Clinton said that “The Donald’s” speaking fees trump her own and said she’d only release the transcripts once the GOP front-runner did.
During a wide-ranging 80-minute interview with the Daily News editorial board, Clinton, who has been under attack for not releasing the transcripts of well-paid speeches to Goldman Sachs, accused Trump of performing similarly lucrative talks.
“I have reason to believe that others have made some speeches of some interest,” Clinton told The News during her weekend sit down. When pressed for names, the former New York senator offered up the bombastic billionaire.
“I have reason to believe Donald Trump has, for money, for rather considerable amounts,” she said. “A lot more than I was ever offered.”
Trump, who has not released the transcripts of any paid speeches from his business career preceding his presidential run, is reported to have performed many such compensated speaking events.
Clinton has come under fire from Democratic primary opponent Bernie Sanders, who says her speeches to big banks betray an uncomfortable coziness.
According to a 2015 Business Insider article, Trump commanded as much as $1.5 million per speech.
The Trump campaign did not immediately return a request for comment on the issue.
What, you may ask, did Trump promise Wall Street in his speeches? Trump knows nothing....
9
@"me".....
The difference is that Trump was a celebrity, not a politician, and, not a likely presidential candidate as opposed to Hillary, a career political hack. I don't disagree that if there are transcripts of his speeches, they should be made available. Hillary has a lot more to lose if all of her paid speeches are released. Wall Street and other large corporations pay for access. Hillary is the one with DC establishment access, not Trump.
The difference is that Trump was a celebrity, not a politician, and, not a likely presidential candidate as opposed to Hillary, a career political hack. I don't disagree that if there are transcripts of his speeches, they should be made available. Hillary has a lot more to lose if all of her paid speeches are released. Wall Street and other large corporations pay for access. Hillary is the one with DC establishment access, not Trump.
1
Ever since the 'egghead' smears on Adlai Stevenson in the 1950's it has become more and more acceptable in politics for certain groups, parties, etc. to sneer at 'intellectualism'.
To this was added the so-called 'Southern Strategy', which borrowed heavily from the Scopes trial adherents, where the 'smarty pants' types of modern 'carpetbaggers' had dared to suggest that their 'Grandpa's' way of life of a highly segregated racist society was their Constitutional right, this then further fortified with the (in)famous quote that Government is the problem.
Trump, or a similar atrocity, is the logical summation at least a century of ever expanding anti-intellectualism.
To this was added the so-called 'Southern Strategy', which borrowed heavily from the Scopes trial adherents, where the 'smarty pants' types of modern 'carpetbaggers' had dared to suggest that their 'Grandpa's' way of life of a highly segregated racist society was their Constitutional right, this then further fortified with the (in)famous quote that Government is the problem.
Trump, or a similar atrocity, is the logical summation at least a century of ever expanding anti-intellectualism.
29
It's the year of the outsider in politics as many, not know-nothings but know-somethings, realize that they know neither party is looking our for them. Hence the rise of Trump, and of Bernie Sanders. Sadly, Bernie is the real deal, but one would never know it, due to the shameful way he has been treated by the media. Instead, "we" are left to choose between two very flawed candidates, who represent, in truth, only the establishment, once again. Sanders speaks to income inequality, which must be remedied if we are to remain a civil society and move toward one which considers the common good, as opposed to "me and mine" alone.
18
It's likely American isolationism in the 1930's was a reaction to American involvement in World War I. And if the U.S. had not intervened in World War I leading to the harsh treatment of Germany under the Treaty of Versailles, a decent argument can be made that Hitler would never have risen from those ashes. We will never know for sure. President Washington warned the country against foreign entanglements and post WWII we don't have a good record. Arguing for more U.S. foreign intervention is thin ice. The U.S. actually only entered WWII after we were attacked. I suspect even a President Trump would respond if attacked.
Of course, as some of your correspondents have indicated, there is good reason for some would be middle class citizens to be unhappy. And Trump may reflect their feelings. But the point is that neither by education, experience, temperament or behavior is Trump in the least bit qualified to be President of the United States. He is not running to be grudgemaster-in-chief or showoff-in-chief or insulter-in-chief; he's attempting to become commander-in-chief. And any journalist or politician, including Republicans, who recognizes this and fails to explain this to the American people is a disgrace to his profession, regardless what he or she may feel about Hillary Clinton.
8
Always a good read, Cohen's anecdote citing a remark by James L. Petigru, a prominent jurist and politician upon the secession of South Carolina from the Union in 1860 is priceless. It illustrates succinctly the state of most unions, especially in the south but decidedly all red states. And the Know-Nothings from our history are likely preludes to Drumpf's love affair with the uneducated. Cohen beautifully taps Pres. Obama's admonishment in his commencement address at Rutgers that "Ignorance is not a virtue." I must agree. And I must abhor that one of our major political parties has become enamored of ignorance in everything it touches.
2
Cohen is right about the primitive tribal fears at play. The "tribe" of white Americans is being engulfed by the swelling masses of other continents and by the evolution of mores that favors inclusiveness. That fear triggers a yearning for a strongman who can preserve the tribe from the forces of change. Trump is, purportedly, that strongman, whose strength is manifested by a gargantuan ego. That ego is actually quite brittle and prone to recklessly striking back when challenged, frustrated, or threatened with failing. We can only imagine, with dread, how the Trump ego would respond to the uncooperative reallities of world affairs and the messy business of legislating.
4
Well, let's look at the problem. We built the Country.
Trumps views are a continuation of total disregard for science and evidence. Yes he could make moves that cause the US dollar to lose its position as the world reserve currency, cause the proliferation of nuclear weapons, start a trade war, and/or facilitate the collapse of NATO and possibly the EU.... yes be afraid very afraid....
8
At some point, politicians will have to reckon with a population of voters too dumb to make the right choices. How about funding up public education and restoring civics to the curriculum? Just don't leave it to local school boards, which obviously, have failed.
7
Write on, Roger Cohen!
4
Roger Cohen writes: "Britain is seriously debating leaving the European Union, the greatest force for peace and stability in Europe since the carnage of the 1940s."
That statement is correct, but it is also true that the EU is the greatest force for peace and stability in Europe since the carnage of 1914. In fact, maybe it's because I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable about European history, but I had to go back to Charlemagne to find a greater force for peace and stability in Europe.
That statement is correct, but it is also true that the EU is the greatest force for peace and stability in Europe since the carnage of 1914. In fact, maybe it's because I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable about European history, but I had to go back to Charlemagne to find a greater force for peace and stability in Europe.
I'm a big fan of Roger Cohen's often beautifully written column but this piece is a classic example of how liberal Democrats have become so ideologically blinkered that it serves as a warning: when you fail to comprehend reality, you're in a terrible position fight back. Mr. Cohen labels Trump's focus on ILLEGAL immigration as ethnocentrism, yet Mrs. Clinton's (and her party's) obsessive focus on minorities - and its neglect of struggling whites - is not ethnocentrism? And what about other issues, like the nation's blind commitment to free trade despite its destruction of the American middle class? Sadly, this piece illustrates why the NYT (and many other liberal publications) failed to take the Trump candidacy seriously from the beginning - and shows why it will have major problems against Trump in the fall. The fact is that Trump has put his finger on serious pain points among folks who have been sidelined by the Democrats. Unless liberals like Mr. Cohen can step out of their comfort zone and see - without the old tired liberal dogma - how the world actually works, Mr. Trump may be our next president. The Democrats need to break their anachronistic paradigm - or else.
5
First the big lie, the Democrats "obsessive focus on minorities and its neglect of struggling whites ". My understanding is that the Democrats are focused on preservation of the "social safety net" of Social Security, Medicare, Welfare, Food Stamps, etc. Who is the biggest recipient of those benefits? White people. The second, "among folks who have been sidelined by the Democrats". Trump is a member of the oligarchy that runs this country (& world) today. The oligarchy have side lined the people. So let face it, this is "how the world actually works". Large numbers of people are less and less important in today's technological / robotic driven economy in order to make money. There is an over abundance of an under educated work force. They have become an cheap commodity that can be plugged and played into most positions in the service economy. The powers that be don't want to take money out of their own pockets [i.e. higher taxes] to change that, it is working just fine for them.
6
It may have something to do with the way that pesky thing called, "data," shows that net immigration is currently zero, and that the current President has overseen more deportations than ever.
Sorry about that.
Sorry about that.
4
This is not about ethnocentrism or 'know nothings' being on the march. This is about a complete redefining of what acceptable behavior is:
It is now acceptable to lie. About everything. About our nation's greatest threats.
About who is being threatened. About the level of risk.
So much so that it is no longer possible for a significant segment of the population, including just about every Republican candidate for president, to distinguish between the lies and the truth. People who have been sucked into the political right's reprogramming machine of ubiquitous media and money are not 'know nothings'. They are simply people who were most vulnerable to being reprogrammed into believing what the political pundits and politicians on the right told them to believe.
It is now necessary to lie. Because the truth is boring. It doesn't get anyone's attention, doesn't foment unnecessary anger, doesn't reinforce bigotry, racism, or hatred.
This is not about 'know nothings' being on the march. It's about critical thinking skills and obligations and responsibilities of citizens in a healthy democracy being in retreat. For nearly 40 years.
It is now acceptable to lie. About everything. About our nation's greatest threats.
About who is being threatened. About the level of risk.
So much so that it is no longer possible for a significant segment of the population, including just about every Republican candidate for president, to distinguish between the lies and the truth. People who have been sucked into the political right's reprogramming machine of ubiquitous media and money are not 'know nothings'. They are simply people who were most vulnerable to being reprogrammed into believing what the political pundits and politicians on the right told them to believe.
It is now necessary to lie. Because the truth is boring. It doesn't get anyone's attention, doesn't foment unnecessary anger, doesn't reinforce bigotry, racism, or hatred.
This is not about 'know nothings' being on the march. It's about critical thinking skills and obligations and responsibilities of citizens in a healthy democracy being in retreat. For nearly 40 years.
14
Why are trump's supporters angry? There are truly some things to be angry about, but we won't debate those here. Mostly, I think, they are angry but they want to feel SOMETHING and anger is easy. Cheap fiction, crummy plays and screenplays rely on anger because it is a easy, simple stimulus. Being funny is much harder than being angry; being loving is much harder than being angry. The same as it is much easier to blow up something (a building?, a person?, an idea?) than it is to create something (a platform?, an agenda?). Demonizers can do well if we are not careful to see demonizing for what it is: a broad, black brush that, like semi-automatic weapons, seeks only to maim and kill. If we, as the electorate, think that we should look to politicians and quasi-politicians to solve our problems, they we might get what we ask for: political solutions to real problems--that's like asking a lawyer to fix your sink.
6
I think you are on to something here. I've long felt - without really being able to analyze it - that the national crisis with opiates and the rise of anger are somehow related. People want to feel strong emotions, they want to escape from their everyday lives, they want something bigger than what they've got. Ordinary existence with its small pleasures no longer suffices. Like you say, there ARE things truly to be angry about. But Trump doesn't even effectively identify those things let alone offer a solution to them. Like heroin, he is fun for a short while before it all blows up.
13
Mr. Cohen provides an excellent analysis. But the issue/problem goes far beyond Donald Trump's rise, popular appeal and likely nomination by the GOP.
It originated within the GOP in the 1960's, and had at it's genesis race and civil rights. Since then, there has been a continuous, concerted effort by the GOP and its candidates to garner support from white voters, particularly in the south, despite the fact that the GOP's economic and other domestic policies were detrimental to those voters' best interests.
The failure of that strategy culminated in an economic calamity that fell heavily on those very voters to whom the GOP had pandered, and the election of the nation's first black president. The GOP had failed on all scores - hence, Trump. He is the "real deal" in those voters' eyes, and the GOP is stuck with him.
It originated within the GOP in the 1960's, and had at it's genesis race and civil rights. Since then, there has been a continuous, concerted effort by the GOP and its candidates to garner support from white voters, particularly in the south, despite the fact that the GOP's economic and other domestic policies were detrimental to those voters' best interests.
The failure of that strategy culminated in an economic calamity that fell heavily on those very voters to whom the GOP had pandered, and the election of the nation's first black president. The GOP had failed on all scores - hence, Trump. He is the "real deal" in those voters' eyes, and the GOP is stuck with him.
9
Fear more an ignorant man than a lion (Turkish saying) if, on top, he is a egomaniac, loud mouthed bulling clown...should he be elected, pray God for America and the rest of the world.
4
Very good and astute column. Virtually everyone on the planet craves community, a sense of belonging. In many ways, the know-nothingness--yep, it was a political party in the 1850s--reflect a desire to feel important and part of the conversation. Sure, jobs are paramount, but "know-nothings" then and now resent being left out of the conversation and they resent being defined by others--usually intellectuals who cast them as stupid. Their support of Trump--ye gads--reflects this resentment. "See, we're important too," it seems to say. They surely are, as we are discovering.
9
Many points well taken, but in the interest of accuracy (and sanity), Trump didn't make up that comment about politics stopping at the water's edge -- but he also didn't understand it. The words are a quote from Michigan's Senator Arthur Vandenberg in 1947, but they were not an argument for isolationism. Au contraire -- Vandenberg was admonishing his colleagues to set aside partisan politics and unite across party lines in support of the US foreign policy initiatives. That was back when America was great.
31
I second some of Susan's comments here, and I was confused by Steven;s Cohen's outrage about this particular quote. "Politics stops at the water's edge" is an exact repeat of Vandenberg's statement of 1947. I learned this in school as an aspirational example of a higher level of senatorial behavior-the difference between being a statesman and a politician. It is one of the few admirable things Trump has said, and suggests there must be at least one person, somewhere in the Trump campaign, who knows history and has good ideas. I am confused why Mr. Cohen seems to disregard the provenance of this phrase.
2
People like to be conned. Trump is a con man. He's good at taking people's money and often loses it, but with bankruptcy he doesn't suffer himself.
Why do people think his theft and foolish ideas will leave them better off? A take is a taker is a taker ...
Why do people think his theft and foolish ideas will leave them better off? A take is a taker is a taker ...
12
Sure Hillary Clinton can win over Republicans by asking them to answer the same rhetorical question that is repeatedly espoused by Donald Trump, “We either have a country or we don't?”
If Republicans can honestly say that they do not want a country – surrounded by walls, with tariffs on trade, excluding visitors based on their faith, abandoning time-tested mutual defense pacts such as NATO, torturing enemy combatants, allowing nuclear proliferation, punishing women who choose to have an abortion, refinancing our debt, etc. – then they must choose the only alternative to Trump?
By thus choosing Hillary, Republicans will ensure that they have a country, which continues to represent what we all believe in.
If Republicans can honestly say that they do not want a country – surrounded by walls, with tariffs on trade, excluding visitors based on their faith, abandoning time-tested mutual defense pacts such as NATO, torturing enemy combatants, allowing nuclear proliferation, punishing women who choose to have an abortion, refinancing our debt, etc. – then they must choose the only alternative to Trump?
By thus choosing Hillary, Republicans will ensure that they have a country, which continues to represent what we all believe in.
4
(1) My respect for The NYT and its editorial board soared today when I saw that the name of the presumptive (and presumptuous) GOP candidate for President of the United States was missing from the leading stories of every section. I applaud this phenomenon and hope that it is the first of many days in which we, the educated and exhausted public, can expect this kind of relief.
(2) My comment (1), which I hope you will share with your colleagues, is prelude to and in support of your column today, which I have read with relief. Millions of people who vote for DT can, of course, be wrong, and I rejoice that you have laid out with real clarity a multitude of reasons showing exactly how they err. Willful ignorance. Lamentable, and dangerous.
(2) My comment (1), which I hope you will share with your colleagues, is prelude to and in support of your column today, which I have read with relief. Millions of people who vote for DT can, of course, be wrong, and I rejoice that you have laid out with real clarity a multitude of reasons showing exactly how they err. Willful ignorance. Lamentable, and dangerous.
2
"American isolationism is an oxymoron because America is a universal idea."
Donald Trump is a dangerous demagogue. But he is popular, in part, as a reaction to this sort of vague, patriotic idealism, and the destructive, costly, and corrosive wars of the past 15 years that its neocon exponents led us into.
Donald Trump is a dangerous demagogue. But he is popular, in part, as a reaction to this sort of vague, patriotic idealism, and the destructive, costly, and corrosive wars of the past 15 years that its neocon exponents led us into.
4
Why does no one speak of overwhelmingly bad policies. ..creating a coup in Iran in 1952 was a bad covert policy that lead to many of the conditions we now have. ..perhaps this is what Trump alludes to...perhaps not...what did this policy achieve?
2
Wanting to put check on Global elites does not make someone a Know=nothing, but it does indicate that you, Mr Cohen, do not look at the facts.
All these trade agreements which you support have done nothing for the people who used to work in those plants and factories which have now, thanks to Global Trade, have moved to Mexico, China, India - etc. wherever labor is cheapest. If you think that has been good, it must have been good for you and people like you in the elite group. It has not worked out for those who lost jobs and can't find another.
That is what makes people look back with fondness on the 1950's and post war America. I remember those times and I was definitely better off back then and so were a lot of other people. You just don't get it.
All these trade agreements which you support have done nothing for the people who used to work in those plants and factories which have now, thanks to Global Trade, have moved to Mexico, China, India - etc. wherever labor is cheapest. If you think that has been good, it must have been good for you and people like you in the elite group. It has not worked out for those who lost jobs and can't find another.
That is what makes people look back with fondness on the 1950's and post war America. I remember those times and I was definitely better off back then and so were a lot of other people. You just don't get it.
3
What makes you look ignorant is waxing nostalgic for an America that kept millions of black people down and lynched them when they complained, that carried out military coups against such democratically-elected Presidents as Mossadegh in Iran (you may recall, but more likely may not, that this had a few consequences), that sent troops into South America to protect the likes of United Fruit.
Oh, and I was around then too. Which is why I wonder how you missed the sheer innocent joys of duck and cover drills, the Cuban Missile Crisis, vietnam, and the odd assassination.
Good times, though, eh? Nothin' but good times.
Oh, and I was around then too. Which is why I wonder how you missed the sheer innocent joys of duck and cover drills, the Cuban Missile Crisis, vietnam, and the odd assassination.
Good times, though, eh? Nothin' but good times.
2
“South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum.”
The asylum just got bigger and more universal. Trump represents the gaucherie of American politics that has always been there. While he is incorrect, and wrong, he is definitely not un-American. To ignore this would be also to ignore the same attributes that made many risking everything to establish a New World order some 300 years ago, and that they did. They also couldn't have done it without a civil war, two world wars that leveled the playing field that was the Industrial Revolution, and an open society that has allowed for the best and the brightest of (war-torn) immigrants.
Trump is psychological. At this point, I can't decide if this is a reaction to the GOP betrayal of their grassroots supporters, or an action among factions. I have seen both - the resentment in 2008, hearing often "we didn't show up at the polls" among the GOP supporters, and in 2003, when then governor Davis was recalled and replaced with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It goes to say, the more crazy politics become, the more action it would get, and these (Trump supporters) are the most fiery activists that are also hard wired in the American political coliseum.
Then again, either Trump, or Bernie, or Clinton for president - you already have a revolutionary moment in American politics. History is changes.
The asylum just got bigger and more universal. Trump represents the gaucherie of American politics that has always been there. While he is incorrect, and wrong, he is definitely not un-American. To ignore this would be also to ignore the same attributes that made many risking everything to establish a New World order some 300 years ago, and that they did. They also couldn't have done it without a civil war, two world wars that leveled the playing field that was the Industrial Revolution, and an open society that has allowed for the best and the brightest of (war-torn) immigrants.
Trump is psychological. At this point, I can't decide if this is a reaction to the GOP betrayal of their grassroots supporters, or an action among factions. I have seen both - the resentment in 2008, hearing often "we didn't show up at the polls" among the GOP supporters, and in 2003, when then governor Davis was recalled and replaced with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It goes to say, the more crazy politics become, the more action it would get, and these (Trump supporters) are the most fiery activists that are also hard wired in the American political coliseum.
Then again, either Trump, or Bernie, or Clinton for president - you already have a revolutionary moment in American politics. History is changes.
Fantastic analysis, Mr. Cohen! I especially loved “American isolationism is an oxymoron because America is a universal idea.” Since the founding of the republic, every new nationality/ethnicity has been despised by the ones that preceded it, before it was eventually accepted into the American fold. In that sense Trump’s “America First” is a misnomer because it is the new immigrants, who are actually putting America first and their native land second just by leaving it behind and wanting to become a part of the universal American idea.
Another universal truth, “Power centers are elsewhere — in financial systems, corporations, technology, networks — that long since dispensed with borders.” This clearly suggests that building physical walls might disrupt the flow of immigrant labor into the country – but at what cost? Americans will pay more for perishable goods and menial services – meanwhile the elephant in the room (i.e., the nation’s shopping malls) remains as “America buys everything China makes, and China buys the American debt incurred for all the spending sprees on stuff from Guangzhou.”
Finally, I disagree with Mr. Cohen on only one point, “Millions of people who vote for Trump cannot be wrong.” Yes, they can – we have proven this before by picking the wrong leaders at critical times in our history – if we cannot learn from our mistakes, we might just be condemned to repeat it.
Another universal truth, “Power centers are elsewhere — in financial systems, corporations, technology, networks — that long since dispensed with borders.” This clearly suggests that building physical walls might disrupt the flow of immigrant labor into the country – but at what cost? Americans will pay more for perishable goods and menial services – meanwhile the elephant in the room (i.e., the nation’s shopping malls) remains as “America buys everything China makes, and China buys the American debt incurred for all the spending sprees on stuff from Guangzhou.”
Finally, I disagree with Mr. Cohen on only one point, “Millions of people who vote for Trump cannot be wrong.” Yes, they can – we have proven this before by picking the wrong leaders at critical times in our history – if we cannot learn from our mistakes, we might just be condemned to repeat it.
2
First, I suggest that anybody still capable of reading for content, at least. read "consensus historian" and social scientist, Professor Richard Hofstadter's 1963 book, "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life," for which he won his second Pulitzer Prize in Non-Fiction.
Then, to understand the bizarre, conspiracy-ridden reactionary extremist movement that has always been a core of the American Right, follow up with his legendary 1964 set of essays, "The Paranoid Style in American Politics." Today's Tea Party and even further right groups are perfectly analyzed and dissected in a book written 52 years ago! He shows that the know-nothing, conspiracy-driven reactionary right has always existed, only changing the identity of the "evil conspirators" every generation or two. Freemasons, Illuminati, Crowned Heads of Europe, the Pope of Rome, International Bankers (the Jews), Jesuits, Mormons, Irish and German Catholics, the Red Menace, the "L" word (Liberals), the Bilderburgers, Trilateral Commission, and now the Immigrants and Muslims, (throwing in the UN again with its black helicoptors just waiting across the border in Canada), and, finally, just about every American who does not fit their all-white, all-Christian, male-dominated image of 1950's (or even 1880's) America.
After that, try his first book "Social Darwinism in American Thought 1860 - 1915 (1949) to get an accurate idea of the nightmare a total laissez-faire unregulated freemarket Capitalist system produces.
Then, to understand the bizarre, conspiracy-ridden reactionary extremist movement that has always been a core of the American Right, follow up with his legendary 1964 set of essays, "The Paranoid Style in American Politics." Today's Tea Party and even further right groups are perfectly analyzed and dissected in a book written 52 years ago! He shows that the know-nothing, conspiracy-driven reactionary right has always existed, only changing the identity of the "evil conspirators" every generation or two. Freemasons, Illuminati, Crowned Heads of Europe, the Pope of Rome, International Bankers (the Jews), Jesuits, Mormons, Irish and German Catholics, the Red Menace, the "L" word (Liberals), the Bilderburgers, Trilateral Commission, and now the Immigrants and Muslims, (throwing in the UN again with its black helicoptors just waiting across the border in Canada), and, finally, just about every American who does not fit their all-white, all-Christian, male-dominated image of 1950's (or even 1880's) America.
After that, try his first book "Social Darwinism in American Thought 1860 - 1915 (1949) to get an accurate idea of the nightmare a total laissez-faire unregulated freemarket Capitalist system produces.
1
Trump and some, not all, of his followers represent a crude nationalism. He also shows an impulsive tendency to issue boorish statements on women and political opponents or anyone perceived to be unfair to him. His ignorance on the complicated matter of international trade is also abundantly evident. All that we can easily agree on, Mr. Cohen. But I I part company from you when you use hyperbolic comparisons between him and the old Do-Nothings.
The hostility of the Do-Nothings to Irish and Central and Eastern European Catholic immigrants was based on a pervasive and deep seated religious and racial bigotry. Donald Trump is coarse in language and unrealistic in his suggested solutions when he fulminates against illegal immigration from Mexico or proposes a temporary ban on Muslim visitors to America, but he is not viscerally anti-immigrant or anti-Muslim.
Terrorism in the last 16 years or so-- whether in the U.S. or Indonesia, India, China , Pakistan,Turkey,France, Spain, the U.K., Belgium, Nigeria, Somalia, and Libya is entirely an Islamist scourge.To advocate stern measures against it while still protecting law-abiding American Muslims is not irrational xenophobia, only commonsense. Ditto for controlling the sea of illegal immigrants while processing legal applicants with speed and compassion.
Blanket, un-nuanced condemnations of Donald Trump only strengthen his candidacy as countless commenters have already noted.
The hostility of the Do-Nothings to Irish and Central and Eastern European Catholic immigrants was based on a pervasive and deep seated religious and racial bigotry. Donald Trump is coarse in language and unrealistic in his suggested solutions when he fulminates against illegal immigration from Mexico or proposes a temporary ban on Muslim visitors to America, but he is not viscerally anti-immigrant or anti-Muslim.
Terrorism in the last 16 years or so-- whether in the U.S. or Indonesia, India, China , Pakistan,Turkey,France, Spain, the U.K., Belgium, Nigeria, Somalia, and Libya is entirely an Islamist scourge.To advocate stern measures against it while still protecting law-abiding American Muslims is not irrational xenophobia, only commonsense. Ditto for controlling the sea of illegal immigrants while processing legal applicants with speed and compassion.
Blanket, un-nuanced condemnations of Donald Trump only strengthen his candidacy as countless commenters have already noted.
Upset Roger Cohen talks all the time about how anyone disagreeing with his politics is by definition ignorant, possibly crazy, and a threat to humanity’s continued existence.
But many readers remember well how totally unread and uncaring the reliable voters were who put Obama in the White House.
We see those utterly unprepared young fools on man-on-the-street interviews. Jesse Watters does one or two a week for Fox News (the network with all those viewers) and other conservatives are out there posting these things on the web.
Oddly, the Democrats do not seem to do man-on-the-street interviews much any more.
But many readers remember well how totally unread and uncaring the reliable voters were who put Obama in the White House.
We see those utterly unprepared young fools on man-on-the-street interviews. Jesse Watters does one or two a week for Fox News (the network with all those viewers) and other conservatives are out there posting these things on the web.
Oddly, the Democrats do not seem to do man-on-the-street interviews much any more.
2
A presidential election could be an opportunity to really discuss the future direction of the country, and the differing ideas that might bring us there. The people who embody those ideas should not be more important than the ideas themselves, but since the USA is the headquarters of the Cult of Personality, we inevitably undertake a popularity contest with slightly less gravitas than the one that decides the Student Body President at Beverly Hills High. If Trump was a nameless, faceless entity who issued a set of policy papers for the American electorate to consider, would his campaign last any longer than it took for the ink to dry on the press release? If the uninformed could not see and hear his bluster, his swagger, his Rockefeller-as-Rat-Pack-Member act, would anyone spend three seconds contemplating absurdities like a huge concrete wall along the Rio Grande that will be subsidized by another sovereign nation against its will? And, conversely, are Hillary Clinton's workable, if uninspiring, proposals any less attractive because she does not seem sufficiently "likable," according to the latest unreachable standard we demand for a woman in a high-profile position? For the most important political position on Planet Earth, I would hope the person elected would be far smarter and more capable than me. They need not seem a likely friend. I only hope they are not a maniac whose decisions and opinions are guided solely by the compass of narcissistic gratification.
1
Roger,
You have correctly identified the problem, Donald Trump. So, what's the solution? Hilary Clinton? Unfortunately, that is the conundrum facing all Americans this fall. For the perfect description of Trump, we only need to harken back to the words of Jackie Chiles when he said, "He is outrageous, egregious and preposterous." Too bad Hilary's sense of humor (Does she really have one?) couldn't be used as a weapon against a buffoon like Trump. He should be a sitting duck for a legitimate and worthy candidate. Hilary is neither.
You have correctly identified the problem, Donald Trump. So, what's the solution? Hilary Clinton? Unfortunately, that is the conundrum facing all Americans this fall. For the perfect description of Trump, we only need to harken back to the words of Jackie Chiles when he said, "He is outrageous, egregious and preposterous." Too bad Hilary's sense of humor (Does she really have one?) couldn't be used as a weapon against a buffoon like Trump. He should be a sitting duck for a legitimate and worthy candidate. Hilary is neither.
3
This isn't a new game. We've seen this throughout the history of our nation. When the middle class shrinks and opportunity for upward mobility dwindles the wealthy give us someone to blame i.e. whatever group of immigrants are currently seeking the American dream to distract us from the fact that current government policies favor the wealthy.
People are angry and frustrated because those who caused the economic hardships got away with it and some even profited. Trump recognizes that anger and capitalized on it.
People are angry and frustrated because those who caused the economic hardships got away with it and some even profited. Trump recognizes that anger and capitalized on it.
1
"Speaking of Israel, Trump says, “President Obama has not been a friend to Israel.” Right, he has not been a friend to the tune of over $20.5 billion in foreign military financing since 2009."
He has not been a friend in that he negotiated a terrible nuclear weapons deal with Iran, whose stated goal is to destroy Israel. The lack of real anywhere, anytime inspection demonstrates Mr. Obama's willingness to agree to whatever it took to get a deal, and thereby establish his foreign policy "legacy", Israel's security be damned. You can argue till the cows come home that Iran will never use the bomb it will have no later than expiration of this deal - and you may or may not be right. But it can and will use that bomb as an extortion device in the region to get its way on matters inimical to Israel's (and our) interests. Those who have followed Mr. Cohen's columns about Israel over the years know that real world threats to its security always take a back seat to Mr. Cohen's Neville Chamberlain-like fantasies.
He has not been a friend in that he negotiated a terrible nuclear weapons deal with Iran, whose stated goal is to destroy Israel. The lack of real anywhere, anytime inspection demonstrates Mr. Obama's willingness to agree to whatever it took to get a deal, and thereby establish his foreign policy "legacy", Israel's security be damned. You can argue till the cows come home that Iran will never use the bomb it will have no later than expiration of this deal - and you may or may not be right. But it can and will use that bomb as an extortion device in the region to get its way on matters inimical to Israel's (and our) interests. Those who have followed Mr. Cohen's columns about Israel over the years know that real world threats to its security always take a back seat to Mr. Cohen's Neville Chamberlain-like fantasies.
4
There are certain salves that the Right always rubs on reality to try and make it go away. Chamberlain is one of them.
1
Weak. The Germans and the Irish didn't enter the country illegally by the millions. Neither did they harbor a few fanatical terrorists entering the USA precisely for the purpose of organizing murderous attacks. Cohen usually does better. Trump blusters and demagogues, we all know that. Easy target for a lazy column.
3
What's weak is to know this little about our history. Geez, at least watch "Gangs of New York.
1
"American isolationism is an oxymoron because America is a universal idea."
Mr. Cohen, I agree with nearly everything you said in this column, except this. America is not a universal idea - it just BELIEVES itself to be a universal idea. Much of the difficulty we face on the world stage is because we've fooled ourselves into believing that our way of life is a 'one size fits all' solution to other nations' problems, no matter the actual complexity of culture, religious, and economic challenges that face each nation.
Right now, we can't say America as a 'universal idea' within our own borders. We can't even agree on facts. If we could just get somewhere close to "with liberty and justice for all," we might get onto the right path again.
Mr. Cohen, I agree with nearly everything you said in this column, except this. America is not a universal idea - it just BELIEVES itself to be a universal idea. Much of the difficulty we face on the world stage is because we've fooled ourselves into believing that our way of life is a 'one size fits all' solution to other nations' problems, no matter the actual complexity of culture, religious, and economic challenges that face each nation.
Right now, we can't say America as a 'universal idea' within our own borders. We can't even agree on facts. If we could just get somewhere close to "with liberty and justice for all," we might get onto the right path again.
23
The whole Trump phenomenon reminds me of a favourite Isaac Asimov quote:
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
8
Millions and millions of Americans are weary of spending trillions of our own dearly earned tax dollars, losing thousands our young men and women in wars, and building infrastructure we ourselves need - all in other countries. In return, it seems, we get criticism and resentment, as well as seeing huge waste through corruption and misuse - such as thousands of Iraqi army troops fleeing Mosul from a few hundred of ISIS, leaving behind everything.
We need realism in our politics and international relations. The politicians who continue to look backwards - to an obsolete and unworkable vision of America's international role - need to look ahead to the world as it is now evolving.
They need to stop heeding the analysts and advisors offering the same stale ideas of trading Amercan effort and sacrifice for nothing in return.
They need to listen to their own people.
We need realism in our politics and international relations. The politicians who continue to look backwards - to an obsolete and unworkable vision of America's international role - need to look ahead to the world as it is now evolving.
They need to stop heeding the analysts and advisors offering the same stale ideas of trading Amercan effort and sacrifice for nothing in return.
They need to listen to their own people.
or you could find out the exact proportions of this and how we benefit from it.
In response to Mark Pepp:
"Hyperbole (exaggeration to make a point) is what Trump used in his statement about illegal immigrants. He said: "they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems & they’re bringing those problems to us. They’re bringing drugs.They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people! “ He didn’t say that ALL Mexican immigrants were rapists, criminals;"
Really? Try substituting Black people or Jews or another word for Mexicans in that sentence. And he only "assumes" some Mexicans are good people?! That kind of after the statement equivocating is a code his followers understand, accompanied by a wink of disingenuousness.
To some of us Trump is unequivocally a racist and a xenophobe and no euphemism (hyperbole) will convince us otherwise.
"Hyperbole (exaggeration to make a point) is what Trump used in his statement about illegal immigrants. He said: "they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems & they’re bringing those problems to us. They’re bringing drugs.They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people! “ He didn’t say that ALL Mexican immigrants were rapists, criminals;"
Really? Try substituting Black people or Jews or another word for Mexicans in that sentence. And he only "assumes" some Mexicans are good people?! That kind of after the statement equivocating is a code his followers understand, accompanied by a wink of disingenuousness.
To some of us Trump is unequivocally a racist and a xenophobe and no euphemism (hyperbole) will convince us otherwise.
3
Most people of color in this country have no trouble seeing Donald Trump for what he really is. Namely, a racist and sexist bigot.
At this point whether or not he's a friend to Israel doesn't matter, because the U.S. has provided that country with more than enough arms and perks for them to able to take care of themselves -- Besides, Mr. Netanyahu and his right-wing cohorts aren't exactly friends of the United States.
As for Bernie Sanders, he's not the answer to everyone's prayers, even though his avid supporters would have you believe so. And the knives have never been withdrawn for Hillary Clinton.
Perhaps the problem isn't so much about "Tribalism" -- as it's about having too many tribes, and no common language between them.
At this point whether or not he's a friend to Israel doesn't matter, because the U.S. has provided that country with more than enough arms and perks for them to able to take care of themselves -- Besides, Mr. Netanyahu and his right-wing cohorts aren't exactly friends of the United States.
As for Bernie Sanders, he's not the answer to everyone's prayers, even though his avid supporters would have you believe so. And the knives have never been withdrawn for Hillary Clinton.
Perhaps the problem isn't so much about "Tribalism" -- as it's about having too many tribes, and no common language between them.
2
Yes , Yes and yes. Xenophobia is anchored in American history together with the bigotry that follows it. It has always been defeated. This is another test for Americans which I hope will defeat it resoundly. If not god help us.
3
Thanks Richard,
Your article is funny, but Trump is not. After November's election, elected Republican officials will need to justify their decisions regarding support for Mr. Trump. These officials have carefully considered how Trump has:
• never donated his time or substantial dollars towards charitable relief for the millions of U.S. citizens below the poverty line,
• repeatedly and forcefully disrespected, degraded and cheated on women (including his multiple wives and countless women who he has no relationship with) throughout his entire lifetime,
• glorified his racist, insular attitude towards all immigrants and anyone who is not Caucasian,
• shown poor judgment in his many costly business failures,
• never served in elected office,
• never worked out complex social issues through coordinated, careful and respectful efforts to work with folks of all walks of life,
• no qualms about making up facts, and
• been constantly inconsistent in his positions on key issues.
Leaders who’ve expressed that Trump and his above-noted core values should lead us over the next four years include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Whip Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jeff Sessions, Susan Collins, John McCain, Kelly Ayote, Marco Rubio, Richard Burr, Ron Johnson, Pat Toomey, Bob Corker, Nikki Haley, and others. After November, these elected Republican officials will surely be called on by their representatives to explain why they supported someone with these ‘attributes.’
Your article is funny, but Trump is not. After November's election, elected Republican officials will need to justify their decisions regarding support for Mr. Trump. These officials have carefully considered how Trump has:
• never donated his time or substantial dollars towards charitable relief for the millions of U.S. citizens below the poverty line,
• repeatedly and forcefully disrespected, degraded and cheated on women (including his multiple wives and countless women who he has no relationship with) throughout his entire lifetime,
• glorified his racist, insular attitude towards all immigrants and anyone who is not Caucasian,
• shown poor judgment in his many costly business failures,
• never served in elected office,
• never worked out complex social issues through coordinated, careful and respectful efforts to work with folks of all walks of life,
• no qualms about making up facts, and
• been constantly inconsistent in his positions on key issues.
Leaders who’ve expressed that Trump and his above-noted core values should lead us over the next four years include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Whip Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jeff Sessions, Susan Collins, John McCain, Kelly Ayote, Marco Rubio, Richard Burr, Ron Johnson, Pat Toomey, Bob Corker, Nikki Haley, and others. After November, these elected Republican officials will surely be called on by their representatives to explain why they supported someone with these ‘attributes.’
8
Isolationism before World War Two was not simply a manifestation of ignorance and bigotry but rather an awareness that the country had been duped into World War One by a government which feared that a German victory would lead to a default on loans by American corporations to France and Great Britain resulting in an economic crisis in the U.S. and a rejection of the political party which would be seen as having let it happen.
NB The U.S. joined the war to "defeat fascism" because the Germans/Japanese/Italians sought to create empires which would be closed to the global economic system (autarkies), depriving American businesses from access to the natural resources and consumer populations of continental Europe and East Asia.
NB The U.S. joined the war to "defeat fascism" because the Germans/Japanese/Italians sought to create empires which would be closed to the global economic system (autarkies), depriving American businesses from access to the natural resources and consumer populations of continental Europe and East Asia.
2
Your argument disintegrated as soon as you used the German-Irish analogy. What we are talking about here is securing our borders, not closing them. There is actually a difference. We welcome all legal immigrants to our country as is our tradition. At the same time it is our responsibility to secure our borders to keep us safe. It is common knowledge that there are groups that seek to harm us, and their secreting agents into the U.S. is a known tactic. We need to recognize those groups that mean us harm, and vet those that legally pass our borders.
Common Sense.
Common Sense.
21
for hundreds of years if you could get here you could stay here, with the first immigration laws (to exclude people according to race) coming in the 1800's. we already have the most stringent entrance requirements among western countries, which causes a good deal of our illegal immigration problem.
Ah, Roger....it's not "politics". It's not "celebrity", either. We have politicicans galore who do no politics, period. We have Kardashian-like celebrities who disappear like moths in a flame....still not quickly enough for me.
What we also have is the "Do-Nothing Tide." It's not just Mr. Trump who rises and falls with faraway gravitational forces. Mrs. Clinton seems to howl at the moon, too, and offers us no hope. We need some Do-Something candidates. Maybe we can't stem the innundating tides, but if they're rowing a boat, it couldn't hurt.
What we also have is the "Do-Nothing Tide." It's not just Mr. Trump who rises and falls with faraway gravitational forces. Mrs. Clinton seems to howl at the moon, too, and offers us no hope. We need some Do-Something candidates. Maybe we can't stem the innundating tides, but if they're rowing a boat, it couldn't hurt.
1
The 'know nothing' movement is a reaction to (the mostly left) 'know everything' class that believes everyone else is too stupid to live and think by themselves. The 'know everything' class has also consistently picked the 'facts' most supportive of their culture and status; most Americans can see through that charade and have simply rejected it. Perhaps you could reflect on this perspective and suggest a solution.
In my experience, the only people who think they know everything are the ones who know nothing.
1
They don't know nothing - if only it were so simple. The problem is that they ardently believe things that are demonstrably untrue. What they know is exactly what they have been taught by FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and Republican politicians who have either actively contributed to these paranoid delusions or, at best, been happy to look the other way.
They have also been deluded by a news media environment that places all of the financial incentives on salacious click baiting. Real investigative journalism is expensive and plain truth-telling doesn't get drive ad traffic. Reporting on who Tweeted what is inexpensive and generates loads of social media traffic for the news outlet.
They have also been deluded by a news media environment that places all of the financial incentives on salacious click baiting. Real investigative journalism is expensive and plain truth-telling doesn't get drive ad traffic. Reporting on who Tweeted what is inexpensive and generates loads of social media traffic for the news outlet.
3
I want to open the page of the NYTimes and have the pleasure to NOT see te name of TRUMP.I want to kill the TV Chanel's, FOX, CNN, MSNBS. Can the imbeciles of CEO's from all media stop being so Greed for profit, and give a break with this idiot , clown of the century? We know all about, inside /outside, Up/down. Please how much energy one want to waste, talking about this buffoon, egocentric, disrespectful pychopath of the "Disunited state of America? Where is my candidate Bernie Sanders? Nobody likes him in the NYtimes, media, only because his is the Most MORMAL HUMAM BEING In America ? Nothing is normal !! How sad is that . We have more the 50% of people totally ignorant, living inside of the America bubble. The worse is, the masters, media , elite, corporations, are very happy and obviously want to make sure they stay in this bubble that is very toxic, racist, ugly. God help us,the normal ones that want the best for everyone. Don't forget to Vote, BERNIE , HILLARY, to make sure this buffoon never goes close to the Oval Office.
2
It might be a little bit more simplistic than what polemics and bloggers let alone mainstream media are trying to decipher here. Everyone will have a throw at the bottles on the wall that Trump represents in a carnival. Those throws fall into categories. Media is probably the top category. Most will accuse them for too much coverage. Which really is just evoking how helpless the American electorate feels. My criticism goes deeper than that. The more advanced among us - wether that be educated or just socially evolved, have congregated in a mass opinion that says to be that more "evolved" one has to see both sides of the coin. To accept everything in the big tent of life. The definition for compassion is to "understand" that the other (idea, person, thing whatever) has a part in Universe. To this way of thinking it feels foreign to be against anything. Until you do feel it. Which Trump does in spades. This meme has facts become personal or private, too dicey for the public. And its the media that has magnified this faulty view of reality. Their constant false equivalency dictum. Their failing in quite frankly calling a spade a spade. Corporate news organizations concentrates this fault when a candidate or event takes place, the go missing with facts. A truer more complete view or a less emotional take. A squishy middle does not change this. Trump is like cream rising to the top. Its why the media seems elitist and liberal to nearly half the population.
My gosh, the elites are in panic mode.
Its funny, there is tut tuting about getting the vote out and dismay at voter ID laws because it might hamper the will of the people from being made manifest. Yet when you see the will of the people you panic. Or is it only some "will" that is genuine to you?
I also find it interesting that the honesty and integrity flaws of Hillary Clinton (and her philandering husband) are somehow less of a concern than the Trumpian "America First" call. So what you are implying is that a person who is bought and paid for by Wall Street, who plays a sordid game whenever the opportunity arises (the Dubai Ports deal, for example) who, when she is not triangulating appears to, in David Geffen's words, lie with unsettling ease, is preferable to a person whose stated goal is to put America First?
Got it.
Its funny, there is tut tuting about getting the vote out and dismay at voter ID laws because it might hamper the will of the people from being made manifest. Yet when you see the will of the people you panic. Or is it only some "will" that is genuine to you?
I also find it interesting that the honesty and integrity flaws of Hillary Clinton (and her philandering husband) are somehow less of a concern than the Trumpian "America First" call. So what you are implying is that a person who is bought and paid for by Wall Street, who plays a sordid game whenever the opportunity arises (the Dubai Ports deal, for example) who, when she is not triangulating appears to, in David Geffen's words, lie with unsettling ease, is preferable to a person whose stated goal is to put America First?
Got it.
4
Trump isn't a philandering husband? Might want to ask his first two wives.
1
Factually, there are two distinct levels of education among Democrats: those WITHOUT a high school diploma and those (a very small number) with post-graduate degrees. Dems make up the population below the median income, also the segment (45%) of American who live on govt assistance of one form or several. All of this, yet dems and the writer insist on insulting (low education, low information) anyone who differs with their views.
The dem party abandoned many hard working people, so STOP insulting them. Except for a few highly educated snobs, your party IS defined by low education, low information.
The dem party abandoned many hard working people, so STOP insulting them. Except for a few highly educated snobs, your party IS defined by low education, low information.
3
There are differences between current immigration issues and earlier ones. When northern and western Euros came here, they generally came to BECOME AMERICANS, i.e., to adopt this culture, and they were already infused with Western Civilization judeo-christian culture. Also, separated from their origins by an ocean, they could not easily go back and forth, and their numbers were pretty controlled.
Now, Mexicans by the millions have come in with out any legal right. Many seems to want to remain 'Mexican', being just here for the money and jobs, and the porous border lets them go back and forth somewhat.
The middle eastern Muslim displaced have no demonstrated desire to become Americans and assimilate into its culture - they are only here to escape possible death. And of course, they don't share any Western cultural norms, and in fact, many reject them as evil.
Those opposing Mexican and Islamic continued entrances have a rational basis for concern. If the new immigrants don't come to BECOME AMERICANS, and their numbers are huge, to use Trump's phrase, isn't that different than earlier influxes?
Now, Mexicans by the millions have come in with out any legal right. Many seems to want to remain 'Mexican', being just here for the money and jobs, and the porous border lets them go back and forth somewhat.
The middle eastern Muslim displaced have no demonstrated desire to become Americans and assimilate into its culture - they are only here to escape possible death. And of course, they don't share any Western cultural norms, and in fact, many reject them as evil.
Those opposing Mexican and Islamic continued entrances have a rational basis for concern. If the new immigrants don't come to BECOME AMERICANS, and their numbers are huge, to use Trump's phrase, isn't that different than earlier influxes?
2
Constant misunderstanding of the current legal and illegal immigration picture is frustrating and disturbing. NO, Mexicans do NOT go "back and forth somewhat", the border is no longer "porous." That's why there is such a large number of Mexicans here illegally - in the past, they'd have gone back and forth, but now they can't. Plenty of immigrants came to this country in previous centuries and KEPT their Christian sects, or remained Jewish, or Muslim, and STILL assimilated into American culture.
Quoth Cohen, "American isolationism is an oxymoron because America is a universal idea. "
At first glance one assumes that Cohen knows what "oxymoron" means, a blending of apparent opposites to create a new and non-contradictory expression. Were that the case he might be saying that because Americanism is universal there exists something new, an "American isolationism" shared by all nations. Such an idea might be what President Obama said that of course America thought itself exceptional, butthen so did everybody else. The idea here might be that all nations try, but fail, to stay out of harmful foreign entanglements.
This is unlikely to be the case, though. It is more likely that Cohen believes the error, one made popular by the oh-so-demotic Merriam-Webster which list 'em faults and all, that "oxymoron" means "contradiction." This is exactly what it doesn't mean. "Oxymoron" exists to identify things that look contradictory but aren't.
This leaves us with the possibility that Cohen is just gabbling.
At first glance one assumes that Cohen knows what "oxymoron" means, a blending of apparent opposites to create a new and non-contradictory expression. Were that the case he might be saying that because Americanism is universal there exists something new, an "American isolationism" shared by all nations. Such an idea might be what President Obama said that of course America thought itself exceptional, butthen so did everybody else. The idea here might be that all nations try, but fail, to stay out of harmful foreign entanglements.
This is unlikely to be the case, though. It is more likely that Cohen believes the error, one made popular by the oh-so-demotic Merriam-Webster which list 'em faults and all, that "oxymoron" means "contradiction." This is exactly what it doesn't mean. "Oxymoron" exists to identify things that look contradictory but aren't.
This leaves us with the possibility that Cohen is just gabbling.
The Irish Catholics the original Know Nothings tried to keep out included my ancestors on my father's side my family,who in leaving Ireland were attempting the dastardly deed of not starving to death.Their immigration was in no manner for the purpose of turning America into a Papist colony.Just as very few Mexicans slip into our country to rape our women,and most Muslims come seeking to ESCAPE Islamist extremist fascism.
Today the second half of Mr. Petigru's quote could refer to the once Republic of Texas.The only reason we shouldn't try to give that state back to Mexico is the risk of Mexico then accusing us of committing an act of war.
Today the second half of Mr. Petigru's quote could refer to the once Republic of Texas.The only reason we shouldn't try to give that state back to Mexico is the risk of Mexico then accusing us of committing an act of war.
I read an article about a young woman who grew up in California and now lives in Australia. Her father owned a business and her mother taught at a community college in Californis. She writes that every night around the dinner table her parents would disparage any and all, including the students her mother taught. Now her parents are Trump supporters, and according to the daughter, are trolling on line for him. She called her parents out for this and wrote an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. It's worth a read. In any event, it sounds like her parents are middle class and just don't like a lot of people, including those that supply their income.
Minor point - but I always understood the phrase "politics ends at the water's edge" to mean that when we are engaged overseas we try to set petty political differences aside and present a united front to the world.
The way Mr. Cohen criticized Mr. Trump's use of it here seems to assume it meant adopting an isolationist policy, which doesn't sound like a correct interpretation.
The way Mr. Cohen criticized Mr. Trump's use of it here seems to assume it meant adopting an isolationist policy, which doesn't sound like a correct interpretation.
1
In the beginning, Trump was funny. Comic relief from typically dull campaigning. Then he was scary-funny. Like Rocky Horror Show. Now he's terrifying. He will say anything to make you like him, vote for him. He will say the opposite tomorrow. He thrives on personal insults -- against him or by him against others. The fun is over. This guy is dangerous. And he could become our next president if a lot of voters decide to just sit out the election because Hillary has flaws as well.
3
Donald Trump is the latest master of "the politics of personal destruction" combined with a phony populism that has turned America's overly long political campaign into a reality TV show where the media are his ardent apprentices and those who resist his bullying bluster get the ultimate Trump Tweet, "You're fired!" So far that lengthening list includes all undocumented Hispanic immigrants, all Muslims seeking entry here as political refugees, China, Megyn Kelly, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Elizabeth Warren, Bill Clinton along with the 15 would-be competitors/apprentices for the Republican nominations (excepting Chris Christie who's repented and is now seeking a pardon). The real question or issue concerns whether the quote attributed to the founder of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time" will be true of "Know-Nothing" Truth-challenged Trump.
I am certainly no Trump fan, and I cannot say what Trump actually meant when he said that politics should end at the water's edge. However, this phrase from America's past was not meant to signal isolationism but to support the idea that, while politics could be robust internally, when America acts on the world's stage, Americans should be united politically in support of that purpose. The problem with Trump's statement is that it is a historic fallacy. Not even during WWII was this country that united.
Remember when Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor of California and his supporters thought he really was "the terminator" and could fix all their problems? He and DT are the perfect BIG democracy-destroying money masters' front men - like Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston. Real men. Remember when "the Arnold" called democrats girly-men because they wouldn't pass his democracy-destroying budget? Remember how he nearly destroyed California and his policies cost average citizens hundreds of millions of dollars in tolls and fees every year so his wealthy friends don't have to pay anything? Arnold, like DT, certainly knows how to take care of himself as the linked article shows but they have NO social conscience. Neither are fit to run anything but their mouth. Give me the socially conscious girly men.
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_hollywood_economist/2005/05/conce...
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_hollywood_economist/2005/05/conce...
4
We have the Republicans to thank by 1) their number one goal is to oppose President Obama's initiatives, no matter what; 2) creating an uneducated class, especially in the southern states; and 3) destroying mobility, sociologically, physically and financially.
People these days behave as if the 60s never happened. Misogynists, xenophobe and sexual-phobe run amuck. Ethnocentrism may be a human-all-too-human artifact but Americans seem not to learn from the scourge of tribalism displayed in the Middle East and the Balkan areas
People these days behave as if the 60s never happened. Misogynists, xenophobe and sexual-phobe run amuck. Ethnocentrism may be a human-all-too-human artifact but Americans seem not to learn from the scourge of tribalism displayed in the Middle East and the Balkan areas
1
How is it that an essay so critical of "know nothing" politics can itself be so shallow in its analysis of Donald Trump and his supporters? Trump is many things, but he is not the caricature this essay and this paper have made him out to be. The Times -- and the rest of the media -- made that mistake during the primaries. It's surprising to see them making it again.
There is much more to the Trump movement than racism and ethnocentrism. Read your own stories to understand how angry and alienated working class Americans have become. See, for example, Emma Roller's observations on Pennsylvania, where "everyone is furious:" http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/26/opinion/campaign-stops/pennsylvania-wh...
Yes, there is racism and ethnocentrism in the Trump movement, but it is mixed in with deep and genuine grievances about social and economic changes that tear at the heart of what America is (or was). When you focus only on the racism, tribalism, and boorishness you miss the complexity of the Trump tide. You serve your readers better when you present a balanced analysis of what is happening, rather than simplistic caricatures of Trump and his supporters.
There is much more to the Trump movement than racism and ethnocentrism. Read your own stories to understand how angry and alienated working class Americans have become. See, for example, Emma Roller's observations on Pennsylvania, where "everyone is furious:" http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/26/opinion/campaign-stops/pennsylvania-wh...
Yes, there is racism and ethnocentrism in the Trump movement, but it is mixed in with deep and genuine grievances about social and economic changes that tear at the heart of what America is (or was). When you focus only on the racism, tribalism, and boorishness you miss the complexity of the Trump tide. You serve your readers better when you present a balanced analysis of what is happening, rather than simplistic caricatures of Trump and his supporters.
4
Sorry Mr. Flyer but you're absolutely wrong. It is strictly the racism, tribalism, and boorishness that drive the Trump campaign. Repeating again what I've said before in this stream and sorry for the CAPS: TRUMP VOTERS ARE THE MOST WELL OFF ECONOMICALLY THAN ALL OTHER PRIMARY VOTERS. You want to think there are economic reasons that drive Trump voters but that's definitely not what has caused this sir.
Yes, I think his policies, if they can be called that, are as shallow as Mr. Cohen makes them out to be. I can think of no policy, either domestic or foreign, that Mr. Trump seems to espouse that is either well-thought out or workable. In fact, I believe that Mr. Trump's approach is to intentionally keep matters simple and vague so that he may contradict or walk them back when he needs or wants to, which is so often that only serves to further confuse.
Had dinner the other night with a typical white women in her late 50s who loves Trump because she hates Hillary. Why I asked? " I just don't trust her - you know her husband cheated on her, the emails and Benghazi".
I asked her if she was more concerned about the 30,000 deaths per year from guns. She just stared at me and didn't know what to say. Then I asked her her views on abortion and health care. She sides with Hillary's positions.
When I pointed that at to her, she replied: "Well you know, I'm a Republican so I'll just go with Trump".
What a well educated and thinking class of voters we have out there.
I asked her if she was more concerned about the 30,000 deaths per year from guns. She just stared at me and didn't know what to say. Then I asked her her views on abortion and health care. She sides with Hillary's positions.
When I pointed that at to her, she replied: "Well you know, I'm a Republican so I'll just go with Trump".
What a well educated and thinking class of voters we have out there.
3
To say that Trump is playing on "ethnocentrism" is absurd. Just what ethnicity is he giving pride of place to? German-Americans? Lebanese-Americans? Mongolian-Americans? Trump's strong stance against illegal immigration from Mexico is precisely because of the nature of that immigration: its illegality - not the ethnic background of the illegal immigrants. He has made it quite clear that he has nothing against Hispanics or Mexicans as an ethnic group. As for Trump's ban on Muslims coming to America, the author of this article should educate himself about Islam. If he were to do so, he would come to the realization that Muslims are not an ethnicity, rather religious adherents who come from a myriad of different linguistic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. The author decries Trump as pandering to “ethnocentrism” without a shred of evidence to support his claim.
3
Your handle would fit better if it was irrational.
The tragedy is that no Trump voters will read this column. If they encounter it at all it will be by hearing it denounced in Foxland.
2
US politics is becoming more and more faith-based. No fact is too small to be ignored.
Trump has plans to protect this country and its inhabitants by requiring some people to be properly vetted. That is not being done today. There is nothing wrong with proper betting and if the NY Times and the media wants to twist this into discrimination that is their problem.
Throw a little French in there to highlight the elitism, nice job.
1
For anyone who takes even a brief look, the "Democratic" Party corruption is overtly evident with its rigged process to exclude the people from choosing the Party candidates because the Party officials main concern is not Democracy but their personal monetary profits.
So, no matter how much you Mr.Cohen call me and others the "know nothing," I, like millions of cheated and abused voters in this country will no longer support the corrupt system you support.
So, no matter how much you Mr.Cohen call me and others the "know nothing," I, like millions of cheated and abused voters in this country will no longer support the corrupt system you support.
2
Before Roger Cohen gives a min history lesson to his readers he ought to take
the Feldstein Mini-mental test for a failing memory. The Obama administration
has failed to control Iran. To quote, "......now where was I?", from today's
column.
the Feldstein Mini-mental test for a failing memory. The Obama administration
has failed to control Iran. To quote, "......now where was I?", from today's
column.
Zionism, like all of the other sectarian faith bade extremists movements, is the among the most potentially diabolical, inhumane and evil of all extremist "know- nothing" movements. You can not use natural neutral objective data and reasoning to debate a supernatural philosophy, law and data.
When it comes to the Zionist Jewish Israeli occupation, blockade/siege, exile and second class citizenship over six million Christian Muslim Arab Palestinian Israelis under Israeli dominion that denies their divine natural equal certain unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Roger Cohen is a blind, deaf and mute Mount Know-Nothing. A taller monument to cynical inhumane inhuman hypocrisy and bias than either an Earthly Mount Everest or a Martian Olympus Mons. Israel is no more civil secular plural egalitarian democracy than were slave or Jim Crow era America or apartheid South Africa.
But any critics of Zionism as currently practiced in Israel are slandered by being called anti-Semitic. Being against Israel for it's actions and inactions is no more anti-Semitic than being opposed to slavery, Jim Crow and apartheid was anti-white. This fundamental biased incongruence renders this op-ed piece intellectually as worthless as soiled with human waste toilet paper. Yair Golan and Noam Chomsky know best.
When it comes to the Zionist Jewish Israeli occupation, blockade/siege, exile and second class citizenship over six million Christian Muslim Arab Palestinian Israelis under Israeli dominion that denies their divine natural equal certain unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Roger Cohen is a blind, deaf and mute Mount Know-Nothing. A taller monument to cynical inhumane inhuman hypocrisy and bias than either an Earthly Mount Everest or a Martian Olympus Mons. Israel is no more civil secular plural egalitarian democracy than were slave or Jim Crow era America or apartheid South Africa.
But any critics of Zionism as currently practiced in Israel are slandered by being called anti-Semitic. Being against Israel for it's actions and inactions is no more anti-Semitic than being opposed to slavery, Jim Crow and apartheid was anti-white. This fundamental biased incongruence renders this op-ed piece intellectually as worthless as soiled with human waste toilet paper. Yair Golan and Noam Chomsky know best.
2
In the Nineteenth Century they were called Know-Nothing because of their secrecy ( " I know nothing"), not their ignorance.
1
Scary. One one side, we have a smart, experienced, well-prepared candidate. On the other side, we have . . . someone else. And yet, the good candidate can't seem to get out of her own way, bedeviled by Benghazi, her emails, her Wall Street speeches, her advocacy for a slightly lower minimum wage than her opponent, her advocacy for slightly less-sweeping college tuition reform than her opponent, even and especially her husband. While the bad candidate says anything at all -- outrageous, ignorant, hateful, even something different today than he said yesterday -- and the media and political commentators and his fellow GOP pretzel themselves to excuse and explain his appeal.
People like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell say that, well, their first obligation is to their party. No it's not. Their first obligation is to their constituents, of both parties, and to the country they're sworn to serve.
And Trump won't go away, even if he loses. Neither will the ignorance that is fueling his popularity. He's ripped the bandage off the sore and the puss is oozing out.
Scary.
People like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell say that, well, their first obligation is to their party. No it's not. Their first obligation is to their constituents, of both parties, and to the country they're sworn to serve.
And Trump won't go away, even if he loses. Neither will the ignorance that is fueling his popularity. He's ripped the bandage off the sore and the puss is oozing out.
Scary.
30
Know-Nothings? Try 99% of Bernie Sanders' supporters. A year ago they didn't know Bernie Sanders from Colonel Sanders. It wasn't until Millennials started hearing about some senator who was proposing free college educations and taking care of the Student Loans Debt Millennials were drowning in. And what followed was their humble, oft-mentioned $30 campaign donations. He played them like a banjo. These know-nothings became Sanders' ticket to give him a chance to defeat Hillary Clinton. And because they didn't know much about anything other than what was going viral on YouTube, he had supporters he could promise the world to, and perform before them at rallies like the Wizard of Oz. At his rallies, he started asking who had student loan debt. When they raised their hands, he'd ask them to yell out how much. Then he'd decry the system and how it was wrong to do what they did to them. And the crowd would go nuts. He had them and never looked back. He openly exaggerated about Hillary Clinton. He mocked her. Cajoled her like some boorish carney at a State Fair.
So now we've got a Senator trying to get elected President for the first time in our country by preying on a generation loaded down with Student Loan Debt.
And let's not forget his support for Gun Manufacturers, the NRA, and the Gun Lobby. Without that support he'd never have gotten elected in the first place. Half his state are gun owners.
So now we've got a Senator trying to get elected President for the first time in our country by preying on a generation loaded down with Student Loan Debt.
And let's not forget his support for Gun Manufacturers, the NRA, and the Gun Lobby. Without that support he'd never have gotten elected in the first place. Half his state are gun owners.
15
Tch tch! Ya know that some of us in Know-Nothing land recall very well the National Defense Education Act of the 1960s. We used to see our university and trade school students as our future; now, just another commodity.
1
Bingo!
Apologies if I'm just failing to parse the sentence, but it seems you're either arguing that no sitting senator has ever become president (our current president would disagree, as would John F. Kennedy and Warren Harding), or that no one has ever run for president by "preying on" a generation loaded down with student loan debt. If it's the latter, I assure you it's only for lack of opportunity, because it's a relatively new phenomenon, emerging as tuition skyrockets, income stagnates, and the entire college-industrial complex sells students on the notion that an expensive degree is an investment that pays for itself. Why, you might even say it's schools and lenders who have been the predators, not the person who calls attention to their misdeeds.
Many people think that Trump is the answer to an obstructions congress that will not work with a democratic president. 8 years of obstruction have people angry at the refusal of congress to vote on bills that move us forward. Jobs, infrastructure, education, debt.
We need action...rather than blathering on about Trump, the Times should spend all of their energies on the people in congress that refuse to do their jobs as well as lyin Ryan who wants to focus on the debt...he doesn't want to spend or tax or restructure...
Please pivot to policy and the folks that obstruct....
We need action...rather than blathering on about Trump, the Times should spend all of their energies on the people in congress that refuse to do their jobs as well as lyin Ryan who wants to focus on the debt...he doesn't want to spend or tax or restructure...
Please pivot to policy and the folks that obstruct....
20
As i read this piece, i realized Trump is nothing more then a distillation of the Right Wing Media disinformation, I refuse to call it news, of the last eight years. It is strange the the leaders of the Right and the Republican refuse to accept paternity for the Trump. When asked about Trump they all act surprised and protest,they know nothing.
8
Exploiting insecurity. Huckster's 101 since time immemorial.
Our ruler class loves this. As long as the minions think they have a voice in a billionaire who talks tough, all the more they enjoy watching the show. I apologize for the term minion, but the old adage "stupid does not know what smart is" really is the telling instrument for all time.
Know-nothingism is forever perpetuated. "Ain't no way it's gonna change"
Our ruler class loves this. As long as the minions think they have a voice in a billionaire who talks tough, all the more they enjoy watching the show. I apologize for the term minion, but the old adage "stupid does not know what smart is" really is the telling instrument for all time.
Know-nothingism is forever perpetuated. "Ain't no way it's gonna change"
9
I agree with Roger on the question of Britain leaving the EU. I know it isn't perfect but its managed to keep the peace (mostly) on a continent whose main hobby for the past couple of thousand years has been to have a fight with the neighbours. Better to be in, having a say on things rather than looking in through the shop window.
On a personal note, I've lived a large part of my life in London and have made friends with so many who aren't British. All are good and productive people and I am greatly unhappy with the trouble that may be looming on the horizon regarding work visas.
Oh dear....
On a personal note, I've lived a large part of my life in London and have made friends with so many who aren't British. All are good and productive people and I am greatly unhappy with the trouble that may be looming on the horizon regarding work visas.
Oh dear....
3
Trumps detractors take his most hyperbolic statements out of context and use them to paint an extremist picture. Most of his detractors have never heard more than these cherry picked (for most negative effect) sound bites. Many of his statements are accurate and not unreasonable. The "mystery" as to why some support Trump is that they have listened to him not that they haven't.
3
I have read his plans on his website, I have listened to him in some of the debates, I have watched some of his stump speeches, the mystery still continues. Why do those who support him cherry pick only what they want to hear? And watch who he surrounds himself with. That also speaks volumes.
An interesting side note. I have friends that were solidly behind Ben Carson because of his Christianity. They despised Trump. Now that Carson has thrown in with him, suddenly it's just fine and dandy! In fact, they are positive that Trump will have some kind of "conversion" because of Carson's influence!
An interesting side note. I have friends that were solidly behind Ben Carson because of his Christianity. They despised Trump. Now that Carson has thrown in with him, suddenly it's just fine and dandy! In fact, they are positive that Trump will have some kind of "conversion" because of Carson's influence!
Donald Trump has received substantially more press than anybody else... ever. His words.. out of context? In or out of context... they are his words alone. Nobody else said them but him. Sorry, but he has mocked and trashed women, handicapped, latinos, veterans who were prisoners, the lgbt community, blacks, and native americans among others. His own words. In and out of context. His words, alone.
Doesn't Trump have a point that much of the national debt has gone to protecting everyone else and the UK, Japan, the EU etc are free of the debt load of self defense? Of course we willingly increase military budgets to exceed the next 7 or 8 next high spending countries combined. And the GOP routinely whips up fear of Russia, China, Iran, ISIS to justify spending more. Trump is no exception from the urge to go bananas on military spending. He wants to spend so much money on defense that no one will mess with the U.S.
1
"Much" of the national debt has not gone to defending other nations if you measure that assistance as a percentage of the budget and defending them serves our interests as well. There is no amount of military spending that will keep terrorists from messing with us. If Trump pretends otherwise then that is just one more lie he is selling.
1
No one is "messing" with the US! They are messing with the corporate interests in their countries there under the protection of the US Military, there to make sure we get access to their natural resources at the cheapest possible cost. The Military industrial establishment thrives for two main reasons: to keep control of the Middle East and other places so we can get their oil and other resources, and to provide jobs and wealth to places like the Southern states - the worst possible form of welfare state. All supported by Republicans / Conservatives, who care less about the people in the Middle East, and benefit from the absurd spending on weapons and military infrastructure. Will Trump perpetuate this? Of course. Bernie? No. Hilary? Probably, with possibly some reasonable downsizing (like eliminating the Minuteman missiles still pointed at Moscow and on alert).
We recently sold our home and moved out of North Carolina forever because of this nativist movement, headed by some of the least informed and intellectually challenged people I have ever encountered in my entire life. It will be a long time before this goes away. I am afraid things are going to get much worse before they even have a chance to get better.
12
Let us all calm down and allow others to disagree with us. Trump is a consequence of American greed and of the Great Recession. It will be elected or defeated (most likely). The country will not fall apart. After all in a democracy people should be allowed to make wrong choices and deal with the consequences.
1
I have no problem with those who disagree with me. I do have a problem with those who surrender their power to the most clever salesman in the race and whose support is motivated by hate and ignorance. That is not a description of all Trump supporters, but it does describe some.
1
In 2008 the majority in the US elected the person who wanted all to get along. In 2016 there is a tide in the direction of believing that the US has been "victimized" and that we need to take care of ourselves. In-between we have seen leaders such as Putin push their own nationalism, making Americans believe, as stated by Mr. Cohen, that "we-won't-be-suckers". This could make any international agreement, whether on trade or global warming, seem like a losing proposition. Hopefully our next leader will be one who resists this and does the right thing not only for the US, but for the world.
What I notice is that the know nothings include liberals as well as conservatives. This is a consequence of our partisanship as well, but I admit I expect better of liberals. When I was young, the liberals in my time were thoughtful and thought about issues from more than one angle. But far too many liberals these days are self-satisfied, convinced that they are 100% right.
This is helped by two facts. Conservatives often do not depend on rational arguments but appeal to religious or patriotic sentiments.
Also, the NY Times gives preference to some posters, mostly liberal, whose postings appear at once. Others experience long delays even when the posting is completely innocent. Add to that the habit of closing comments fairly early. Often within a few hours of an article appearing.
So liberals enjoy the luxury of not having any real intellectual opponents.
But having real discussions is crucial to a working democracy.
We really cannot reduce ALL issues to "Look how awful Republicans are."
Republicans do have their faults.
But it was not Trump but Hillary who voted for the Iraq war.
That Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz was bombed by the Obama administration - which has decided to levy no criminal charges on the people involved.
Hillary Clinton said about Gaddafi, "We came we say, he died." But these words have a lot to do with the chaos in the Middle East.
Do liberals prefer an honest discussion, or partisanship?
This is helped by two facts. Conservatives often do not depend on rational arguments but appeal to religious or patriotic sentiments.
Also, the NY Times gives preference to some posters, mostly liberal, whose postings appear at once. Others experience long delays even when the posting is completely innocent. Add to that the habit of closing comments fairly early. Often within a few hours of an article appearing.
So liberals enjoy the luxury of not having any real intellectual opponents.
But having real discussions is crucial to a working democracy.
We really cannot reduce ALL issues to "Look how awful Republicans are."
Republicans do have their faults.
But it was not Trump but Hillary who voted for the Iraq war.
That Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz was bombed by the Obama administration - which has decided to levy no criminal charges on the people involved.
Hillary Clinton said about Gaddafi, "We came we say, he died." But these words have a lot to do with the chaos in the Middle East.
Do liberals prefer an honest discussion, or partisanship?
3
We find ourselves in interesting times because solving problems is hard work. It involves compromise and trade-offs to get to the point where everyone is slightly unhappy but moving forward, i.e, you have achieved a fair deal. However, with ever-present media, fragmented and designed to permit people to inhabit the echo chamber of their preconceptions, understanding your opponent, much less working together toward a common end becomes impossible. Trump is the symptom not the disease. If history is any guide, things will have to get markedly worse before one side is exhausted and must step up and join the effort in order to simply play the game.
2
Good grief, a candidate for President of the United States of America is a self centered, egotistical, business man with flair is going to run America? If that's what America is then they deserve Mr. Trump. Our President has to represent our country abroad and at home with eyes on the future. No "freebies" like Sanders wants. no race restrictions, no religious restrictions, no foolish promises, no wars. Our President must be respected world wide. Not every American will be a millionaire, not every American will get free Health care, not every American will be brilliant, not every American will have a free house. Americans have to pay income taxes (it could be a a more equitable % on the wealthy) Mr. Trump is an American and should know better then to promise Americans a better country. Let's start now and fix our infrastructure, our race problem. Mr. Trump is not the man to do this.
31
I agree and Hillary Clinton is the woman to do it.
So, who's left? Hillary? Even here in America, the majority in polls give her negative ratings and an even larger majority don't trust what she says and see her lying whenever it is to her political advantage (there are many, many documented cases of this). If Hillary is so disliked that polls show over 50% of people who are going to vote for her are only doing it because they fear Trump, what kind of vision must the rest of the world have toward her and her unfailing militaristic policies and eager willingness to impose severe sanctions that only hurt and kill the ordinary citizens of other countries while offering great chances for the leaderships to enrich themselves?
Trump and Sanders are indeed touching the same hot buttons of the angry working class who have seen jobs shrink away for decades, while those left to man the decimated factories to "make things in America" are forced to survive at wage levels stuck at the level of the seventies in real terms. Meanwhile gutless, clueless politicians - mostly republicans but not all - argue against paying a minimum wage that alone cannot support a family of four anywhere in "industrialized" America. And not one - trust me, not one! - of our public servants in politics have proposed any real solution, other than repairing and building bridges and roads. How about directly supporting those companies that are fighting to survive and grow with American workers, using American made materials? Provide a tax incentive to those firms based on a simple formula keyed to payroll and domestic sourced materials, easy to administer, any CPA could do it. Otherwise, the crumbling of our working class will never stop because the Asians and others will never stop paying wages of $1 a day and our giant retailers will continue to build their empires on this slave labor.
2
Cohen final two paragraphs of article: "The know-nothings are on the march. But of course they must know something. Millions of people who vote for Trump cannot be wrong. Perhaps their core idea, along with the unchanging appeal of ethnocentrism, is that politics no longer really matter. Celebrity matters. Power centers are elsewhere — in financial systems, corporations, technology, networks — that long since dispensed with borders. That being the case, loudmouthed, isolationist trumpery may just be a sideshow, an American exercise in après-moi-le-déluge escapism."
It sounds to me like it makes no difference whether Trump supporters are right or wrong because, as Cohen clearly states, power centers are elsewhere and there is no turning back. Which is to say we are clearly on a course which cannot be reversed so we can probably expect any idea to turn back to be considered incorrect whether it is right or wrong and we have no idea really of the rightness or wrongness of the present course...Or is Cohen prepared to write in next weeks' essay that "power centers elsewhere" is obviously the correct course for nations and the human race or one or the other at least?
It sounds to me like it makes no difference whether Trump supporters are right or wrong because, as Cohen clearly states, power centers are elsewhere and there is no turning back. Which is to say we are clearly on a course which cannot be reversed so we can probably expect any idea to turn back to be considered incorrect whether it is right or wrong and we have no idea really of the rightness or wrongness of the present course...Or is Cohen prepared to write in next weeks' essay that "power centers elsewhere" is obviously the correct course for nations and the human race or one or the other at least?
The saddest thing about Donald Trump becoming the Republican nominee for President is that it shows the entire world that "American Exceptionalism" is a myth. We are like every other country in that we harbor a certain percentage of bigots, racists, homophobes, xenophobes and misogynists. It just took a know-nothing, reality TV celebrity to bring them out of their closets.
The Republican Party has been nurturing these people for years. It has nurtured their anger, resentment and fear. The party did it for votes, not that party leaders actually believed deeply in the positions that they expressed to motivate these people. Now the rabble has found a true Messiah in Trump. He may have no real beliefs himself, but he speaks clearly to the dark places in their hearts.
We can only hope that enough rational people who actually care about this country are sufficiently frightened by the prospect of a fascist US Presidency to vote against Trump.
The Republican Party has been nurturing these people for years. It has nurtured their anger, resentment and fear. The party did it for votes, not that party leaders actually believed deeply in the positions that they expressed to motivate these people. Now the rabble has found a true Messiah in Trump. He may have no real beliefs himself, but he speaks clearly to the dark places in their hearts.
We can only hope that enough rational people who actually care about this country are sufficiently frightened by the prospect of a fascist US Presidency to vote against Trump.
12
The Trump supporters know plenty of things, I disagree. They know racism , hatred and resentment as it has been sown since Nixon and his campaign aimed at the silent majority. The silent majority being defined as the angry white working man being displaced by people of color and women. They know and have been taught to hate government since the days of the patron Saint Ronald Reagan who campaigned against " big government. the welfare state and on " State's rights". Naturally Mr. Conservative anti big government expanded government while increasing the deficit substantially. Slashed taxes for the rich while attacking the rights and mechanisms aimed at helping the the poor. However, the seeds were sown to teach an angry lower middle and working class to blame people of color, immigrants and the government for their lot in life when in fact it was the government they relied upon, who supported them and provided the safety net they needed more than any other group. There is indeed bliss in ignorance and eventually people will believe what they have indoctrinated with.
4
Mr. Cohen seems caught up in the Know-Nothing Tide, too, and in the process has either glossed over or exaggerated competing phenomenon. Mr. Gorbachov may have had something to do with the "tearing down of the wall," for example, far more than any American, no matter what we wants to believe. And Mr. Obama seems limited in his support of Mr. Cohen's dear Israel, who seems more Trump like than Mr. Cohen seems willing to admit or understand. There there is the little matter of terrorism, which for some reason, perhaps because it would not have served Mr. Cohen, goes unmentioned. Every wave of immigrants hasbemoaned its successor, although today, it is not clear what case is actually being made for continued immigration, since our country does not address the subject in any formal way.
One does not need to accept the pap spewed in this article to be opposed to Mr. Trump. It would seem that his child like, Eddie Haskell like, attitude would be enough to turn anyone off, let alone vote for him. But there are still many people who adore him, and there is no doubt it is more tribal like adoration than a real love affair, but this is not for no reason at all. These people have been used and abused and are looking for a champion. Ms. Clinton, not being of the same tribe, does not fit the bill. Mr. Trump does. No one would be willing to admit, and it is probably a little too far to go to say that the fear of terrorism may be at the center of this adoration, but it seems that it is.
One does not need to accept the pap spewed in this article to be opposed to Mr. Trump. It would seem that his child like, Eddie Haskell like, attitude would be enough to turn anyone off, let alone vote for him. But there are still many people who adore him, and there is no doubt it is more tribal like adoration than a real love affair, but this is not for no reason at all. These people have been used and abused and are looking for a champion. Ms. Clinton, not being of the same tribe, does not fit the bill. Mr. Trump does. No one would be willing to admit, and it is probably a little too far to go to say that the fear of terrorism may be at the center of this adoration, but it seems that it is.
While I agree with nearly everything Mr. Cohen says (in this and many of his other articles), I doubt that brilliant analyses of Mr. Trumps incoherent positions are of much practical use. They will hardly be noticed by his supporters, and even of they are read, confirmation bias and high blood pressure will prevent any change of mind.
Are politicians and intellectuals satisfied to stand aside and mock Mr. Trump in style while he marches towards Washington? Or will they be ready to pick the fight and enter an arena that will certainly not be located anywhere near Manhattan or the other preserves of the elite?
Finding the right strategy to counter populism is complicated and unpleasing, but very urgent. I would feel safer if I read more about it in the opinion pages, and if what is written would be more future-oriented and concrete and not just a repetition of the old pet issues at a new occasion (the latter explicitely does not refer to Mr. Cohens articles).
Are politicians and intellectuals satisfied to stand aside and mock Mr. Trump in style while he marches towards Washington? Or will they be ready to pick the fight and enter an arena that will certainly not be located anywhere near Manhattan or the other preserves of the elite?
Finding the right strategy to counter populism is complicated and unpleasing, but very urgent. I would feel safer if I read more about it in the opinion pages, and if what is written would be more future-oriented and concrete and not just a repetition of the old pet issues at a new occasion (the latter explicitely does not refer to Mr. Cohens articles).
8
Americans are informed, uninformed, knowing, unknowing, caring, uncaring, in short, a house divided yet a house standing, however precariously, Very few know nothing, but very many understand little. People who have been coddled from the time of their birth, as many of our population have, cannot cope easily with the realities of global competition for opportunities for personal growth, self-determination, and peace, or as Americans themselves once phrased it, borrowing the ideas of an enlightened Englishman: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
8
well put!
The "know-nothings" no one thing for sure, the smart people in both parties have failed them. Their standard of living is declining, there is no financial security and their children will have it worse.
It amazes me how supposedly smart people on both sides of politics can't recognize that the problem isn't ignorant people, there have always been ignorant people. The problem is that the smart people have been incredibly greedy at their expense. This they do know and we all know this is true.
When the peasants revolt it is because of the failure of "leadership" to provide a livable society. Something the Mandarins of the New York Times seem unable to grasp.
It amazes me how supposedly smart people on both sides of politics can't recognize that the problem isn't ignorant people, there have always been ignorant people. The problem is that the smart people have been incredibly greedy at their expense. This they do know and we all know this is true.
When the peasants revolt it is because of the failure of "leadership" to provide a livable society. Something the Mandarins of the New York Times seem unable to grasp.
52
Yes, but it is more complicated than that. The elite are certainly greedy and have certainly failed in their leadership roles. There is no question about that.
But the reason why the elite have been freed to run rampant is because many of the folks who now see Trump as their last great hope also saw Reagan as their last great hope - and then supported W with his tax cuts and $4 trillion wars.
The Trump people, by and large, do not support unions. And while they say they want things made here in the USA, in their actions they are enthusiastic purchasers of cheap junk from China. They are also people who resort to anger no matter the occasion. When gas prices were high they were angry about it; now that gas prices are the lowest in years, they are angry about that too. They want Social Security and higher wages, but they vote for Republicans whose explicit platforms oppose these.
They are incoherent, and often childish. Yes, the elites have failed, but the rest of us aren't looking so great either.
But the reason why the elite have been freed to run rampant is because many of the folks who now see Trump as their last great hope also saw Reagan as their last great hope - and then supported W with his tax cuts and $4 trillion wars.
The Trump people, by and large, do not support unions. And while they say they want things made here in the USA, in their actions they are enthusiastic purchasers of cheap junk from China. They are also people who resort to anger no matter the occasion. When gas prices were high they were angry about it; now that gas prices are the lowest in years, they are angry about that too. They want Social Security and higher wages, but they vote for Republicans whose explicit platforms oppose these.
They are incoherent, and often childish. Yes, the elites have failed, but the rest of us aren't looking so great either.
7
“In politics and in life, ignorance is not a virtue. It’s not cool to not know what you’re talking about. That’s not keeping it real, or telling it like it is. That’s not challenging political correctness. That’s just not knowing what you’re talking about.”
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
34
Of course, none of the facts columnists write will matter to the know-nothings. Know-nothings cannot get past their current anger at something. They want to blame everyone else for their problems. They are immature. The only thing Trumpism represents is adult immaturity.
14
I like this article. Roger Cohen writes as a captain of the cavalry, using his
pencil as a sword. Watch out for your scalp, Donald!
pencil as a sword. Watch out for your scalp, Donald!
3
Politics ending at the waters edge is usually taken, not as an isolationist sentiment, but as an aspiration forward national unity in foreign policy. Of course, Trump has no unity between any two sentences he utters, so the citation may be ironically apt, but not for the reason implied.
3
"Ignorance, loudly declaimed, is an attribute, especially if allied to celebrity."
Which is why Donald Trump almost has to select Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Which is why Donald Trump almost has to select Sarah Palin as his running mate.
4
Yes, the Know-Nothing's rose to stop the Irish Catholics from ruining this country, forcing their Irish ways upon America in 1850. But they lost and then look what happened: We became incredibly popular and took over even the police departments. Once Bono arrived, who knows everything, well by then your wall had no effect on us. As me poor grandfather would say, "Let this be a lesson now too ya, alright, move along now lads. Move along...."
1
Trump reminds me of the Bill the Butcher character in the movie "Gangs of New York".
8
Only the electoral votes can save us now.
5
Here's what his campaign really should be:
Make America Hate Again!
Make America Hate Again!
15
I suspect that trump and his supporters know very little about the "know nothing " movement because they've shown they know very little about American history in general.
That said, I think the most dangerous aspect of the Trump campaign is its ability to make important points that are literally total falsehoods. As the president said at Rutgers University, we can't allow intellect and reasoning to suddenly go out of fashion because of one presidential candidate.
Mr. Trump is not stupid and has latched on to a sentiment so important to his followers – the feeling that he can fix things based on his own personality – that he has given hope to many out of work and disillusioned Republicans and independents. That he has achieved to this by virtue of personality alone does not make it any less frightening because so much of this campaign is based on lies that might sound good but are patently still lies.
I don't believe Mr. Trump ever thought he would reach this point and actually have the nomination in hand. Up to now it is been a joy ride, but now the rubber is going to hit the road. It is very unclear whether this will be the first celebrity election. We know celebrities are not exactly steeped in science or accepted scientific truth. We see it in the anti-vaccine movement, anti- global warming crowd, and other controversial knowledge-based topics.
Celebrities are not expected o have have the knowledge to run for president. But presidential candidates are.
That said, I think the most dangerous aspect of the Trump campaign is its ability to make important points that are literally total falsehoods. As the president said at Rutgers University, we can't allow intellect and reasoning to suddenly go out of fashion because of one presidential candidate.
Mr. Trump is not stupid and has latched on to a sentiment so important to his followers – the feeling that he can fix things based on his own personality – that he has given hope to many out of work and disillusioned Republicans and independents. That he has achieved to this by virtue of personality alone does not make it any less frightening because so much of this campaign is based on lies that might sound good but are patently still lies.
I don't believe Mr. Trump ever thought he would reach this point and actually have the nomination in hand. Up to now it is been a joy ride, but now the rubber is going to hit the road. It is very unclear whether this will be the first celebrity election. We know celebrities are not exactly steeped in science or accepted scientific truth. We see it in the anti-vaccine movement, anti- global warming crowd, and other controversial knowledge-based topics.
Celebrities are not expected o have have the knowledge to run for president. But presidential candidates are.
27
How is the view from that ivory tower of yours?
If there's one thing that really gets people worked up, it's being condescendingly told how to think. This article does it twice.
Last week we had an article, which, shock horror, proposed that Trump supporters might actually be Human Beings (albeit misguided ones). Now it's back to maligning them for having the temerity to exercise their democratic rights. I would never vote for Trump, but how can people like Mr Cohen not see that his sneering dismissal of Trump supporters is much of the reason for Trump's popularity? Tell people their opinions aren't valid for long enough and eventually they'll find a Trump to shout everyone else down.
And I know this is the opinion pages, but this column majors on opinion presented as fact. The EU being 'the greatest force for peace and stability in Europe since the carnage of the 1940s' is quite a claim. Never mind the bizarre comparison of the world's 5th largest economy with a small US state. Again, telling people how to think, or worse still how to vote - much like the UK Guardian newspaper's attempt to influence voters in the 2004 US election: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3981823.stm . Even if well-meant, it just comes across as arrogance I'm afraid.
If there's one thing that really gets people worked up, it's being condescendingly told how to think. This article does it twice.
Last week we had an article, which, shock horror, proposed that Trump supporters might actually be Human Beings (albeit misguided ones). Now it's back to maligning them for having the temerity to exercise their democratic rights. I would never vote for Trump, but how can people like Mr Cohen not see that his sneering dismissal of Trump supporters is much of the reason for Trump's popularity? Tell people their opinions aren't valid for long enough and eventually they'll find a Trump to shout everyone else down.
And I know this is the opinion pages, but this column majors on opinion presented as fact. The EU being 'the greatest force for peace and stability in Europe since the carnage of the 1940s' is quite a claim. Never mind the bizarre comparison of the world's 5th largest economy with a small US state. Again, telling people how to think, or worse still how to vote - much like the UK Guardian newspaper's attempt to influence voters in the 2004 US election: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3981823.stm . Even if well-meant, it just comes across as arrogance I'm afraid.
14
Well it's the truth. Stupid is stupid. Far from making people angry, this should motivate them to improve themselves. Use the Asian immigrants as an example. Instead of whining, they actually DO something about their situation and educate their children. Zero pity.
We get "told how to think" all the time. Only those people with a really bad case of "you can't tell ME what to do!" object to "Don't hit that car!"
twopoint6khz:
With all of your bogus whining about "ivory towers," we know how the view from your dark basement is quite limited. The fact is, you and every Right-winger and Trumpeter resent bitterly confronting informed, educated, and fact-dealing people in general and experts in particular.
That reflects terribly on the moral and intellectual character of you and your fellow travelers.
There is nothing remotely honorable about a politics based on white racism, self-entitlement, narcissism, militant ignorance, sexism, and violent stupidity, all of which resides at the core of Donald Drumpf's political appeal in particular and the American Right-wing in general.
Indeed, by voting Republican/Right-wing for decades according to their white racist animus, sexism, militant ignorance, homophobia, and resentment of the fact-based polity, Donald Drumpf's followers brought their current economic desolation and cultural alienation upon themselves. The fact-based polity and their party (Democrats) warned against –– indeed, predicted the results of ––white Americans falling for the fraud, folly, and fear-based politics of the Right-wing appeal in general and the likes of Reagan and other Right-wing "leaders."
And the fact-based polity and its party were accurate. Donald Drumpf's followers brought on their current misfortunes precisely by voting on their hatred.
Your seething resentment of being told this reflects your failings and not the those of the NYTimes.
With all of your bogus whining about "ivory towers," we know how the view from your dark basement is quite limited. The fact is, you and every Right-winger and Trumpeter resent bitterly confronting informed, educated, and fact-dealing people in general and experts in particular.
That reflects terribly on the moral and intellectual character of you and your fellow travelers.
There is nothing remotely honorable about a politics based on white racism, self-entitlement, narcissism, militant ignorance, sexism, and violent stupidity, all of which resides at the core of Donald Drumpf's political appeal in particular and the American Right-wing in general.
Indeed, by voting Republican/Right-wing for decades according to their white racist animus, sexism, militant ignorance, homophobia, and resentment of the fact-based polity, Donald Drumpf's followers brought their current economic desolation and cultural alienation upon themselves. The fact-based polity and their party (Democrats) warned against –– indeed, predicted the results of ––white Americans falling for the fraud, folly, and fear-based politics of the Right-wing appeal in general and the likes of Reagan and other Right-wing "leaders."
And the fact-based polity and its party were accurate. Donald Drumpf's followers brought on their current misfortunes precisely by voting on their hatred.
Your seething resentment of being told this reflects your failings and not the those of the NYTimes.
Cohen is right about many things in this piece but his interpretation of Obama's dealings with Israel is laughable. With friends like Obama, Israel doesn't need enemies. Well, its got plenty of those too. Obama's actions have emboldened Hamas and Hezbollah, helped to terminally destabilize Syria, empowered Iran and its rabid mullahs and Revolutionary Guard, helped turn Libya into a hotbed of armed factions and fed the internal stalemate in Israeli politics and decisionmaking. But, he's an equal opportunity destabilizer in the Middle East, undermining the security of the Saudis and the other gulf states, being ineffective in dealing with an Ismalist regime in Turkey and at to the east, screwing up in dealing with Pakistan and Afghanistan. Otherwise he's been a great help.
4
Cohen's cynicism is really over the top...and is indicative of why he never saw the rise of Donald Trump coming. Like them or not his supporters have some legitimate concerns. Those concerns need to be addressed in an intelligent and thoughtful manner. This editorial does neither. To equate Trump voters with the Know-Nothings of the 1850's is ridiculous. They are scared about their future as well as the country's course. You want to know what is truly ignorant...Cohen's dismissive stance. How about some solutions. That would be a good first step.
7
If Trump or his people would express their concerns in an "intelligent and thoughtful manner" they'd be better respected. But when your leader is a clown running a wet cow-flop-throwing contest ... don't expect much but the same coming back.
The know-nothing tide is part of the general distrust of science and contempt for intellectuals in this country that paves the road to fascism. Witness dismissive and outraged comments that greet the attempts to synthesize a human genome or develop a cure for age-related illnesses. Not only is technology devalued but love of knowledge for its own sake is seen as suspicious, "elitist", or immoral. This attitude is worse in the GOP, with climate change and evolution denial. But it exists on the left as well: from the anti-vaccers crowd to the rejection of history and economics on political grounds. When emotions supplant reason, totalitariansim is not far behind. And it comes in many forms.
17
I love knowledge, but I suspect virtually all technologically advanced animals in the galaxy destroy themselves by playing silly games with their genomes in fairly short order.
6
Since we know nothing about other civilizations or whether they even exist, we might just as well claim that they all destroyed themselves when the alien equivalent of Trump came to power.
2
When the real value of goods is eroded, when healthcare shoots through the roof, when professionals hold menial jobs, when a family of three holds three or four jobs to make ends meet, when vacations time is cut in half sleeping in the car to save on hotel room, then there is nothing to look forward to, and nothing evolves from nothing. And nothing was the cause of something. Let’s find another cul-de-sac perhaps it will lead us to something.
6
Mr Cohen is bound to reject Mr Trump's assertion and he,Mr Cohen, wants an interventionist America to partake in all universal conflicts to ensure its continued support of Israel, undertake the conquest and destruction of Iraq and follow diligently the Israeli line in all Arab and Moslem affairs.
That that would embroil the USA in issues of no direct bearing on American security and interests, instituionalize its imperialist character does not seem to bother Mr Cohen
That that would embroil the USA in issues of no direct bearing on American security and interests, instituionalize its imperialist character does not seem to bother Mr Cohen
3
If we are all involved and engaged and not complacent during this campaign season, then Trump will lose.
5
" ... America is a universal idea. ..."
No it is not, at least not any more.
America might have been a dream of being able to make it by the work of your own hands instead of having to rely on networking, family and friends.
But that has been a long time ago.
For the past 50-60 years, America has become a symbol of wars, coups and economical pressure as well as political blackmail around the world.
The US may want see itself as the idea that makes the world a better place.
But as the rest of the world has learned, the US merely has its own interest in mind and does not care about differences in culture or non agreement in a wide range of matters.
US foreign politics has destabilized entire regions, killed millions of people and has plunged entire countries into default.
America and the US have become icons of hatred and symbols of an enemy.
Not just in places that had US led coups in but in large regions around the world that simply do not want be dominated by US culture and politics any more.
So maybe this one idea of Trump is right.
Give the world a break by having the US, America is a way too broad a term for the country that occupies only a 1/6 of the American continent, taking a term off and end its politics at the waterlines East and West of the country.
The US has done so much damage to the so many regions all over the world, I guess they would be rather glad to have a break.
Still, hold the US responsible for the damage done so far and make them pay.
No it is not, at least not any more.
America might have been a dream of being able to make it by the work of your own hands instead of having to rely on networking, family and friends.
But that has been a long time ago.
For the past 50-60 years, America has become a symbol of wars, coups and economical pressure as well as political blackmail around the world.
The US may want see itself as the idea that makes the world a better place.
But as the rest of the world has learned, the US merely has its own interest in mind and does not care about differences in culture or non agreement in a wide range of matters.
US foreign politics has destabilized entire regions, killed millions of people and has plunged entire countries into default.
America and the US have become icons of hatred and symbols of an enemy.
Not just in places that had US led coups in but in large regions around the world that simply do not want be dominated by US culture and politics any more.
So maybe this one idea of Trump is right.
Give the world a break by having the US, America is a way too broad a term for the country that occupies only a 1/6 of the American continent, taking a term off and end its politics at the waterlines East and West of the country.
The US has done so much damage to the so many regions all over the world, I guess they would be rather glad to have a break.
Still, hold the US responsible for the damage done so far and make them pay.
3
No other country on this planet has copied the US system of government at war with itself.
1
Steve,
try the Philippines or Venezuela.
Or the EU which is, in many ways a very bad example of such a behaviour, but may not even need to follow the example of the US to do that.
There are many ways a country or its government can be at odds with its people.
It usually happens when money creates a close political class that loses contact with reality and voters but still wins elections.
At least for a while.
But of course, the US is a perfect example for a place in which the government and the candidates and the voters have lost most contact which each other and seem to wage a fight between them.
This is what happens when big money runs democracy by ways of lobbyism.
try the Philippines or Venezuela.
Or the EU which is, in many ways a very bad example of such a behaviour, but may not even need to follow the example of the US to do that.
There are many ways a country or its government can be at odds with its people.
It usually happens when money creates a close political class that loses contact with reality and voters but still wins elections.
At least for a while.
But of course, the US is a perfect example for a place in which the government and the candidates and the voters have lost most contact which each other and seem to wage a fight between them.
This is what happens when big money runs democracy by ways of lobbyism.
10
Historically government evolved as a mediator between the wealthy who do have assets to employ people as they see fit and the masses of people with limited or no assets who need regular employment to survive, and who will burn down the mansions when they get too angry.
The US seems to think that dividing a government into elements that work at cross-purposes is beneficial, when it only makes government and politics bitter and ineffectual.
The US seems to think that dividing a government into elements that work at cross-purposes is beneficial, when it only makes government and politics bitter and ineffectual.
1
Why has nobody in American bothered to imagine what the billions upon billions wasted over the last twenty years on a very small parcel of land in the world, known as the Middle East... What that sum could have meant from everything from infrastructure to health care if the money had been state side.
It is along that thought process is what Trump ideation is. Look after America first until the waters edge, and only then ponder what America can offer the world.
Just perhaps if such logic resonated within Washington, embarrassments like lead water in Flint, MI would have been fixed by now, or not occurred in the first place.
Giving onto others, be it individually or as a nation, is noble and worthy. But before you can help others, ensure you have first looked after yourself.
It is along that thought process is what Trump ideation is. Look after America first until the waters edge, and only then ponder what America can offer the world.
Just perhaps if such logic resonated within Washington, embarrassments like lead water in Flint, MI would have been fixed by now, or not occurred in the first place.
Giving onto others, be it individually or as a nation, is noble and worthy. But before you can help others, ensure you have first looked after yourself.
5
Good article Mr Cohen..but millions of people can be wrong.
If a country is comprised of 80% illiterate and of low or no education and had millions of voters this is the weak spot of the Democratic system.
If all these 80% voted without really knowing the issues they can be wrong.
Are thousands of lemmings rushing together towards a cliff right..??
No they are all wrong just like the herd instinct of many Americans now rushing toward that cliff.
In a herd instinct the mass follows the leader hoping he/she is going to lead them to safety or salvation but usually they end up over the cliff.
At the moment you have a Pied Piper in America doing this.
STAN CHUN
Wellington
New Zealand
17 May, 2016.
If a country is comprised of 80% illiterate and of low or no education and had millions of voters this is the weak spot of the Democratic system.
If all these 80% voted without really knowing the issues they can be wrong.
Are thousands of lemmings rushing together towards a cliff right..??
No they are all wrong just like the herd instinct of many Americans now rushing toward that cliff.
In a herd instinct the mass follows the leader hoping he/she is going to lead them to safety or salvation but usually they end up over the cliff.
At the moment you have a Pied Piper in America doing this.
STAN CHUN
Wellington
New Zealand
17 May, 2016.
8
Ignoramuses believe fire is magic, and nihilism always clears the way for something better.
2
Trump can not run on facts, with his policy proposals (as of the current moment, at least) the facts will not support his statements. That his supporters believe what he says suggests that they are deluded, or that they are willfully ignoring their intelligence in favor of their anger. This cannot end well. Were Trump to say what he actually means, and can accomplish, his support would evaporate, because the people who support him don't want to face facts, they eagerly embrace fantasy to hide from the future... which will come anyway.
4
Cohen should know that Chinese organizations own only 8% of US debt
1
Incredibly, it seems that only in this country - which is supposed to have the creme de la creme in the world, and certainly has that capacity - are education and knowledge seen as a vice, particularly among those who would lead us.
Because it somehow diminishes that bond with the 'common man', who is also expected to be ignorant and proud to remain that way, since intelligence doesn't often lead to riches, the ultimate measure of success here
Because it somehow diminishes that bond with the 'common man', who is also expected to be ignorant and proud to remain that way, since intelligence doesn't often lead to riches, the ultimate measure of success here
3
Counting money is a rather dull pursuit.
2
As much as I loathe Trump, I'm not sure I understand Roger Cohen's objection to Trump saying our moments of greatest strength came when "politics ended at the water's edge."
That phrase as originally stated by Senator Vandenberg was not isolationist, it was internationalist.
Vandenberg meant that American foreign policy should have bipartisan support, i.e., that Republicans and Democrats should set aside partisan bickering when it came to defending U.S. national interests overseas.
Perhaps the broader context of Trump's remarks made clear that Trump twisted the Vandenberg admonition into something isolationist. But that is not apparent from the excerpt provided.
That phrase as originally stated by Senator Vandenberg was not isolationist, it was internationalist.
Vandenberg meant that American foreign policy should have bipartisan support, i.e., that Republicans and Democrats should set aside partisan bickering when it came to defending U.S. national interests overseas.
Perhaps the broader context of Trump's remarks made clear that Trump twisted the Vandenberg admonition into something isolationist. But that is not apparent from the excerpt provided.
4
Trump and his followers are slouching off toward fascism. It's hard to see Trump getting "there" -- the US is not German or Italy in the 1930s, but I've no wish to find out how far he can go.
Mobs and revolutions often turn on their leaders and consume them. And one worries about who will rise up out of the mob to be Robespierre ... or Stalin.
Trump is not the natural leader of his people ... and it's likely they will see that. The next one may be worse ... by being smarter and far less feckless.
Mobs and revolutions often turn on their leaders and consume them. And one worries about who will rise up out of the mob to be Robespierre ... or Stalin.
Trump is not the natural leader of his people ... and it's likely they will see that. The next one may be worse ... by being smarter and far less feckless.
6
Nihilism has a momentum of its own.
2
Roger: You seem to have forgotten that "America First" in the 1930s was not just the preserve of the pro-Nazi or isolationist Right. It also included Republican moderates such as Wendel Wilkie and the socialist Left under Norman Thomas -- the Bernie Sanders of his time. Even the Communists were against American entry into WWII ... that is until Hitler double-crossed Stalin and tore up the Hitler/Stalin Pact by invading Russia in 1941. Then all of a sudden by amazing coincidence the Left was completely in favor of US intervention.
Oh, as for right-wing sentiment such as "Its most famous advocate was Charles Lindbergh, the aviator, who undermined the movement when he revealed that he blamed Jews for prodding America toward war", why was that any different than the gaggle of anti-Semites draping themselves in the flag of progressivism who claim -- examples often in the NY Times Readers Comments section -- it's somehow the Jewish State of Israel, a country the size of New Jersey with a population about that of NY City, or an Israeli conspiracy of Fifth Columnists called AIPAC controlling the US government that prods America toward war, using the supposed mystical power of the Jews ... uh... I mean Zionists that enable them to somehow bend and play with the minds of the WASP power structure as if it were jello?
Oh, as for right-wing sentiment such as "Its most famous advocate was Charles Lindbergh, the aviator, who undermined the movement when he revealed that he blamed Jews for prodding America toward war", why was that any different than the gaggle of anti-Semites draping themselves in the flag of progressivism who claim -- examples often in the NY Times Readers Comments section -- it's somehow the Jewish State of Israel, a country the size of New Jersey with a population about that of NY City, or an Israeli conspiracy of Fifth Columnists called AIPAC controlling the US government that prods America toward war, using the supposed mystical power of the Jews ... uh... I mean Zionists that enable them to somehow bend and play with the minds of the WASP power structure as if it were jello?
2
The US Rapture cult is obsessed with Israel because that is where the battle that ends the world has been prophesied in the Book of Revelations.
3
Cohen seems increasingly unable to parse the real sources of Trump's (and to some extent, Sanders') popularity, beyond simple insults or questioning the sanity of someone who doesn't support Hillary. This is a shame, and reveals Cohen's limitations.
Hillary's policies (and those of her husband) represent the interests of the global economy, which have resulted in the disappearance of America's middle class, along with the huge concentration of wealth in a few hands.
I see Cohen as an internationalist enamored of free trade and open borders.
He is sure he's right; but demonizing those who disagree isn't perceptive analysis. It's grandstanding. Why not try a bit harder?
Hillary's policies (and those of her husband) represent the interests of the global economy, which have resulted in the disappearance of America's middle class, along with the huge concentration of wealth in a few hands.
I see Cohen as an internationalist enamored of free trade and open borders.
He is sure he's right; but demonizing those who disagree isn't perceptive analysis. It's grandstanding. Why not try a bit harder?
4
Anger loves company, eh?
1
Here is a short piece on the subject at hand from Ben Franklin, the patron saint of the Tea Party:
"[W]hy should the Palatine Boors be suffered to swarm into our Settlements, and by herding together establish their Language and Manners to the Exclusion of ours? Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them, and will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion.
Which leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the Germans also, the Saxons only excepted, who with the English, make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth. I could wish their Numbers were increased. . . .why should we in the Sight of Superior Beings, darken its People? why increase the Sons of Africa, by Planting them in America, where we have so fair an Opportunity, by excluding all Blacks and Tawneys, of increasing the lovely White and Red? But perhaps I am partial to the Complexion of my Country, for such Kind of Partiality is natural to Mankind."
--from "Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc." published in 1755.
"[W]hy should the Palatine Boors be suffered to swarm into our Settlements, and by herding together establish their Language and Manners to the Exclusion of ours? Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them, and will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion.
Which leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the Germans also, the Saxons only excepted, who with the English, make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth. I could wish their Numbers were increased. . . .why should we in the Sight of Superior Beings, darken its People? why increase the Sons of Africa, by Planting them in America, where we have so fair an Opportunity, by excluding all Blacks and Tawneys, of increasing the lovely White and Red? But perhaps I am partial to the Complexion of my Country, for such Kind of Partiality is natural to Mankind."
--from "Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc." published in 1755.
Isn't fear of someone else's population growth universal among humans?
"Ethnocentrism" is judging other cultures by the values of your own. It's not an instinct, per se, and it's not the physical act of "banding together with your own", which might be defined as tribalism.
Ethnocentrism is a viewpoint, a way of seeing the world.
Ethnocentrism is a viewpoint, a way of seeing the world.
Not sports, entertainment, business, hard news, etc. but a silly candidate has me devouring op-eds like the old morning ritual with a cup of coffee back in the 90's. But then the op-ed pages weakened with the decline of the broadsheets, I stopped subscribing to news papers. "Know nothing" seems to have amplified with the isolating influence of media that can be tailored to individual bias, e.g. cable news and internet. Though the Times leans more left then right, I am truly enjoying a rebirth in the daily ritual, even if the possible election of Trump is a looming disaster. Would this had happened when newspapers were King?
1
The the basic problem is they won't read this, and if they did, it wouldn't mean any thing to them. Scary!
5
To know nothing is a whole lot easier than to learn something. It's natural, I think, for a resurgence of the Know-Nothings in an age when more information is available to us than ever before, even if most of that information is false.
Quite frankly, Obama should have shut down Fox News long ago because it has nothing to do with the news. He should have worked, when he had a Democratic majority in Congress, to restore the Fairness Doctrine. He, and the Democrats, should have worked much harder to make ignorance unattractive. Instead, he and the Democrats have used the people's collective ignorance to their benefit.
And now, here we are. That's bad enough, but where we might go in November is truly a frightening prospect, not just for our country, but for the world.
Quite frankly, Obama should have shut down Fox News long ago because it has nothing to do with the news. He should have worked, when he had a Democratic majority in Congress, to restore the Fairness Doctrine. He, and the Democrats, should have worked much harder to make ignorance unattractive. Instead, he and the Democrats have used the people's collective ignorance to their benefit.
And now, here we are. That's bad enough, but where we might go in November is truly a frightening prospect, not just for our country, but for the world.
1
Roger, it is worse than what you write. There are people who love Trump only because he is saying, according to them, "racist, sexist and xenophobic" things that they deem "as 'correct, common sense or appropriate' though politically incorrect". For this, some say Trump is a con man who has somehow figured out how "stupid and tribalistic" segment of America is (however you wish to define their ethnic or racial identities), and he has figured out how to rile them up to get him to the WH or...somewhere. How anti-immigrant can this guy be? He had two wives who were foreign born and were of foreign nationality until their marriage to him. He has done business around the world, and has good friends all over the world...including in Russia, China and among Muslims. You cannot be born, raised, grow up and succeed in NYC without integrating diversity in your personal life or work life or both. You should be talking to Trump supporters, not The Donald. That guy has something up his sleeve and I cannot figure out what it is. He is utterly brilliant or utterly stupid....and he is a possible demagogue or dangerously unpredictable...or a brilliant revolutionary pretending to be what he is not just to achieve something dramatic. The media has been wrong from the get go on his "victory potential" within the GOP. Now you guys are on his "personality analysis". He maybe wrong on his solutions for what is ailing America...you media guys are wrong on everything regarding most elections.
2
Mr. Cohen starts off with an accurate observation, namely that ethnocentrism (anthropologists call it "tribalism") is a basic human instinct. Exactly. And that basic human instinct is the source of the aversion that most Americans feel towards Muslim and Mexican immigration. Our political leaders have the duty to construct policies and laws that are consistent with human nature. Has Mr. Cohen noticed that the happiest nations in the world, such as Denmark, are the also most homogeneous? The accelerated Mexican and Muslim immigration for which Mr. Cohen advocates will quickly make America into another Rwanda or Syria or Eastern Ukraine or Palestine or Northern Ireland or Eastern Europe before WWI. Thank you very much Mr. Cohen! Why doesn't Mr. Cohen rail against other inconvenient laws of nature, such as pi, which really ought to be 3 instead of 3.14159 etc.
2
Competitive population growth to gain political control has been the underlying cause of genocidal warfare since human tribes first self-organized.
2
Cohen's seeming despair is understandable. Know Nothingism though is not the same as tribal politics. The Know nothings may actually know something. They know that trade agreements haven't worked in a way that benefited the average American. Of course they also know that big government is bad, that government wants our guns and that the Democrats are weak on defense.
If they wanted a conservative in office I really don't see why they wouldn't vote for Hilary Clinton.
If they wanted a conservative in office I really don't see why they wouldn't vote for Hilary Clinton.
1
They think they know what they don't like, but don't really know what they like.
3
The really chilling part is to see all who willingly go along, and take our nation along, into the Trump abyss, seeing only their own vain power and success. They will carry this scarlet letter for life. But the Trump ticket cannot turnout good for anyone, even Trump. Maybe we just need to let him see that too.
3
Trump supporters fail to take responsibility for their own lives, their own decisions, and their own choices and circumstances. Their plight is the fault of some other person, country, thing, or being. They need a scapegoat, and they need a savior. In Trump they've found their savior, and the savior has helped identify their false scapegoat(s).
They are following Trump right over the cliff. When they all hit bottom, who will they blame then??????
They are following Trump right over the cliff. When they all hit bottom, who will they blame then??????
9
Exactly. Just read the article today on the transportation and construction companies who struggle to find drug-free employees. Now whose fault is that?
3
Donald Trump is absolutely, without a doubt, the most dangerous person in America today.
10
and I thought that the era of the 'twinkie defense' was over
I get a kick out of intellectuals. You think you are smarter than everybody. You believe that since you can throw out ten dollar words, fancy metaphors, quote this person or that, you have an idea of what people should think, do, or say. You talk of 'know-nothings.' Here is the thing: you don't have a good pulse on the American public. It is YOU that doesn't know what is happening. You look at the surface of it all, and then make poor analyses. It isn't 'celebrity' as you so weakly conclude, it is that people are fed up with the status quo. Trump offers a diversion from the stagnant economy and lockjaw mentality that is happening in the US Congress.
Sure, you might not like the man. You might hate him. But the fact is that he is a successful businessman that can get thinks done. You are letting the smoke get in your eyes and your judgement is impaired.
Sure, you might not like the man. You might hate him. But the fact is that he is a successful businessman that can get thinks done. You are letting the smoke get in your eyes and your judgement is impaired.
1
How about aspiring to something in life for a change? Reading a good book, traveling, learning a new language? Would it hurt you to improve yourself?
Sucessful businessman is debatable. Let's see his tax returns. Curious to know about his tax rate and charitable contributions.
"My ardent desire is, and my aim has been . . . to comply strictly with all our engagements foreign and domestic; but to keep the United States free from political connections with every other country. To see that they may be independent of all, and under the influence of none. In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home."--George Washington
I had voted for Obama, but I was disappointed that he visited Britain and delivered a pro-EU speech; whether to remain in the EU is for the people of Britain to decide. It is not for the Americans, the French, the Germans, or for any other nation to decide for them. This is why Germany continues to fail. It wants to be the moral leader--it wants to make up for past mistakes, as its subconscious has a difficult time coping with its deeds of the past. Germany has changed its ethics from one set to another, but it still attempts to enforce its own chosen set of ethics upon other countries, and has yet to see that it is its attempts to control other countries that are unethical. For Germany to decide other countries' ethics is to detract from the humanity from those whose ethics it tries to dictate. Trump will succeed because many people believe we need to focus on issues in the U.S. rather than abroad. I am one of those people.
I had voted for Obama, but I was disappointed that he visited Britain and delivered a pro-EU speech; whether to remain in the EU is for the people of Britain to decide. It is not for the Americans, the French, the Germans, or for any other nation to decide for them. This is why Germany continues to fail. It wants to be the moral leader--it wants to make up for past mistakes, as its subconscious has a difficult time coping with its deeds of the past. Germany has changed its ethics from one set to another, but it still attempts to enforce its own chosen set of ethics upon other countries, and has yet to see that it is its attempts to control other countries that are unethical. For Germany to decide other countries' ethics is to detract from the humanity from those whose ethics it tries to dictate. Trump will succeed because many people believe we need to focus on issues in the U.S. rather than abroad. I am one of those people.
4
Who thinks fracturing this world into a myriad of jurisdictions with unequal laws solves anything?
1
"If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking,"--George Patton.
The nature of democracy is not that everyone agrees, but that people disagree and yet ultimately have the right to choose for themselves. I wholeheartedly support Czech and Slovak resistance to EU pressures--they've seen more than their share of German and Russian "influence". Czech and Slovakia belong to Czechs and Slovaks, not to Germany, and certainly not to the EU. And I think Denmark is right to back away slowly, too. The EU in its infancy was not a bad idea, but soon extra-territorial government agencies (like the IMF) popped up, and with people who were not elected to be there (Christine LaGarde, who is a lawyer, not an economist nor a financial officer). That an unelected French citizen would have as much influence as she does over my country (if I were a Czech or Slovak) would make me quite wary of existing government structures (particularly in the EU). I think it is a very dangerous time in Europe, and if I were European, I would want my country out until the present storms blow over.
I don't believe it is in the United States' best interest to keep playing on the world stage to the degree that it does when we have many problems at home that are now pressing (student loans, wildfires out est, rising wage disparity between CEOs and employees). I don't love Trump--at all--but I'm not convinced Hillary will add anything to democracy, either. I think we all lose no matter what.
The nature of democracy is not that everyone agrees, but that people disagree and yet ultimately have the right to choose for themselves. I wholeheartedly support Czech and Slovak resistance to EU pressures--they've seen more than their share of German and Russian "influence". Czech and Slovakia belong to Czechs and Slovaks, not to Germany, and certainly not to the EU. And I think Denmark is right to back away slowly, too. The EU in its infancy was not a bad idea, but soon extra-territorial government agencies (like the IMF) popped up, and with people who were not elected to be there (Christine LaGarde, who is a lawyer, not an economist nor a financial officer). That an unelected French citizen would have as much influence as she does over my country (if I were a Czech or Slovak) would make me quite wary of existing government structures (particularly in the EU). I think it is a very dangerous time in Europe, and if I were European, I would want my country out until the present storms blow over.
I don't believe it is in the United States' best interest to keep playing on the world stage to the degree that it does when we have many problems at home that are now pressing (student loans, wildfires out est, rising wage disparity between CEOs and employees). I don't love Trump--at all--but I'm not convinced Hillary will add anything to democracy, either. I think we all lose no matter what.
2
In simplest terms, Americans are ignoramuses. Why? Because they choose to be, to know nothing, learn nothing, fear everything, hate everyone else and wallow in self-pity while their nation runs and rules the world unbeknownst to them.
No one in this world is stupider than an American because an American has more means and more freedom to know more than anyone, anywhere ever has and instead the typical American is an intellectual idiot, a know nothing. And that is moronic and the Moron in Chief these days is named Trump.
No one in this world is stupider than an American because an American has more means and more freedom to know more than anyone, anywhere ever has and instead the typical American is an intellectual idiot, a know nothing. And that is moronic and the Moron in Chief these days is named Trump.
4
The only explanation I can think of for the popularity of Percocet in the US is that it relieves the taker of the pain of thinking.
5
Not a friend to Israel? Mr. Cohen is right on; the facts belie Mr. Trump's allegations.
Should Mr. Trump get the opportunity, it will be interesting to see if he puts
his money - and the Nation's - then where his mouth is now.
As Warren Buffet said "Writing a check separates a commitment from a
conversation."
Should Mr. Trump get the opportunity, it will be interesting to see if he puts
his money - and the Nation's - then where his mouth is now.
As Warren Buffet said "Writing a check separates a commitment from a
conversation."
Gail Collins said in her column a few days ago that most of Trump's spending so far has been in the form of loans to his campaign -- which he can legally repay with future donations. So maybe he isn't risking his own money.
"Facts don't do what I want them to do / Facts just twist the truth around"
The Talking Heads
(David Byrne)
"Crosseyed and Painless"
Released: 1980!
The Talking Heads
(David Byrne)
"Crosseyed and Painless"
Released: 1980!
1
Speaking of Know Nothings, don't forget to mention that on March 29, 1875, The New York Time declared that New York was not an American city: too many Irish. Truth is stranger than fiction.
3
Two somewhat contradictory points:
1. Trump has still had only about 10-12% of registered voters vote for him. It is hard to say this means all that much - we always knew that 10-20% could be pretty damn stupid in their choices.
2. If more than 20-25% of the electorate ultimately votes for him, it will be mostly a message to everyone in power: we hate you all so much - you have done so much damage, that we are willing to elect this baboon to take you all one.
1. Trump has still had only about 10-12% of registered voters vote for him. It is hard to say this means all that much - we always knew that 10-20% could be pretty damn stupid in their choices.
2. If more than 20-25% of the electorate ultimately votes for him, it will be mostly a message to everyone in power: we hate you all so much - you have done so much damage, that we are willing to elect this baboon to take you all one.
1
Israel features prominently in this Op-Ed. So, how can Trump be both an "isolationist" and in favor of broad intervention for Israel?
He can't be both.
Personally, I think Trump is humoring the Israel crowd. Kristol believes it too, as most neocons oppose Trump.
He can't be both.
Personally, I think Trump is humoring the Israel crowd. Kristol believes it too, as most neocons oppose Trump.
Among the cruelest disappointments of my long life has been that Americans haven't gotten smarter and more sensible. Au contraire. Ignorance, fanaticism, immaturity and egotism seem to have been transmuted into desirable virtues. Avec Trump le deluge.
5
Someone wears a hat with the legend "Make America Great Again". Does that mean someone reading it needs to do something? What if two people wearing hats with the same legend stand facing each other- where does responsibility reside? Has responsibility occurred?
The answer is that slogans, the vast majority of the speeches those hungry for power make and most of the stuff people who gain power- political or economic- say and do is irrelevant at least and damaging at worst to most of their constituents.
This and all future political campaigns will have these purposes only: to delay and mask the collapse of purpose and individual control among human beings, the rapid decay of their value, and to desperately try to convince a diminishing group of morons that there is some pot of gold or sequence of genes or wealth to be had for the "voting."
I would say "we're done," but the fact is I don't think we were even competent to get very started.
The answer is that slogans, the vast majority of the speeches those hungry for power make and most of the stuff people who gain power- political or economic- say and do is irrelevant at least and damaging at worst to most of their constituents.
This and all future political campaigns will have these purposes only: to delay and mask the collapse of purpose and individual control among human beings, the rapid decay of their value, and to desperately try to convince a diminishing group of morons that there is some pot of gold or sequence of genes or wealth to be had for the "voting."
I would say "we're done," but the fact is I don't think we were even competent to get very started.
1
Just got back from spending a few weeks in Tel Aviv. Everywhere I went I heard this local mantra: "Obama hates Israel'". When told that he has given the country more than any other president, folks insisted that I was either lying or totally misguided. The Know-Nothing Tide rules the Mediterranean beaches as well. For the past seven years, Mr. Netanyahu has done a bang up job of poisoning the Israeli minds - same ol' tactics - disinformation, fear mongering and appealing to the lowest common denominator. Sadly, it works.
6
Brilliant use of the Queen's English ...
Definition of trumpery
1
a : worthless nonsense
b : trivial or useless articles : junk
2
archaic : tawdry finery
trumpery adjective
Definition of trumpery
1
a : worthless nonsense
b : trivial or useless articles : junk
2
archaic : tawdry finery
trumpery adjective
These are the folks who stayed "Dumb" when they had an opportunity to
raise themselves.
raise themselves.
1
Bravo. Bang on. Isolationism is not only NOT an option, it's an impossibility. So let's work on mutual co-existence (hint: knocking the military-industrial complex down a notch or two worldwide might help - I think that's why we created the UN after WW2).
We study calculus in engineering to find the sweet spot under the curve. That is an ideal number or an ideal range of numbers.
Opening the flood gates of immigration can be a disaster. No immigration at all, keeping some very talented people, (such as the Korean girl my son met in medical school, and is engaged to) from entering the country can also be a disaster.
I witnessed Greedy CEO's misuse the H -1B program. Some gave them selves huge bonuses after they displaced some very talented engineers with low quality, but low paid ones, from elsewhere.
So why do all these folks want to come here? Is there something wrong with them? No! The economic infrastructures of their home countries are not robust enough to create an adequate number of jobs.
What can happen here if we were suddenly flooded with new arrivals. Do you think our economy could instantly adjust? No.
Politicians and non-thinkers like Trump like platitudes, for or against something. They sell. They do not solve.
This editorial made some points. I made mine about Trump. But it missed the big picture- the immigration problem is complex!
Opening the flood gates of immigration can be a disaster. No immigration at all, keeping some very talented people, (such as the Korean girl my son met in medical school, and is engaged to) from entering the country can also be a disaster.
I witnessed Greedy CEO's misuse the H -1B program. Some gave them selves huge bonuses after they displaced some very talented engineers with low quality, but low paid ones, from elsewhere.
So why do all these folks want to come here? Is there something wrong with them? No! The economic infrastructures of their home countries are not robust enough to create an adequate number of jobs.
What can happen here if we were suddenly flooded with new arrivals. Do you think our economy could instantly adjust? No.
Politicians and non-thinkers like Trump like platitudes, for or against something. They sell. They do not solve.
This editorial made some points. I made mine about Trump. But it missed the big picture- the immigration problem is complex!
3
You believe Trump supporters' core idea is that politics does not matter -- you may be correct. But you argue the negation of that is that they believe celebrity matters. That is quite a leap. Have you considered "anti-establishment" ?
2
It's hilarious that the same people who criticize Obama by saying he bows down to foreign countries have no problem with Netanyahu repeatedly insulting him and inserting himself in American politics to a degree that no other foreign leader would even consider in their wildest thoughts.
2
Wow, the Trump hysteria at the NYT is getting more and more hyperbolic. I suspect it is abject fear. The candidate they endorse is toxic, and her husband is becoming even more so with recent revelations. Perhaps they would have had a better shot with Sanders, however idiotic he is.
2
Calling Trump voters "low-information" voters misses the point. It is not they lack information, but they are getting only information that re-affirms their beliefs. If you follow Trump voters on social media (not hard in the age of Twitter and Facebook,) you will see there is no lack of Trump voters who are very actively engaged in the dissemination and absorption of political information.
The problem is such voters often have very different notions of what constitutes reliable information than their opponents. I might cite a study by large, public research universities. But Trump voters (and "grassroots conservatives") tend to view such institutions as bastions of the "liberal elite" to disseminate lies to further a radical agenda. Seriously, where do you go from there?
The problem is such voters often have very different notions of what constitutes reliable information than their opponents. I might cite a study by large, public research universities. But Trump voters (and "grassroots conservatives") tend to view such institutions as bastions of the "liberal elite" to disseminate lies to further a radical agenda. Seriously, where do you go from there?
The cluelessness and ignorance of the left is amazing. Cohen refers to the right-wing Know-Nothing Tide, while the Obama administration is calling criminals "“justice-involved individuals” in attempting to prevent colleges from asking about the criminal backgrounds of student applicants. See http://nypost.com/2016/05/14/owellian-administration-brands-criminals-ju... It is also again trying to move Section 8 tenants into higher end neighborhoods, notwithstanding the past failure of similar programs according to HUD's own studies. See http://nypost.com/2016/05/08/obamas-last-act-is-to-force-suburbs-to-be-l...
Of course, there is also the left's support of safe places on campus. It is hard to believe anyone could be so obtuse, but the left never disappoints in its ignorance and insularity.
JD
Of course, there is also the left's support of safe places on campus. It is hard to believe anyone could be so obtuse, but the left never disappoints in its ignorance and insularity.
JD
1
"But of course they must know something. Millions of people who vote for Trump cannot be wrong." - Je suis en désaccord mon frère. The Republican dissenters who purportedly want to "stop Trump," according to today's media reports, which may be partly accurate, mostly want to nominate Mark Cuban, another reality TV star whose only apparent qualifying life experience is as a business mogul, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a couple of theater chains. He, too, has spent not one moment of his life in public office or public service. If that's what the Repulican Party has come down to, then what choice do American voters have? The illusion of "reality TV" seems to have confused in many people's minds electing a person to the most powerful office in the world, who they'll eventually see and hear about in the media every day, which is REALITY, with what they're watching on TV and hearing about in the media every day as reality television, which is FICTION. It's really an awesome display of ignorance. Winston Smith and Big Brother live - beware!
1
Despite world leaders other than President Obama calling Donald Trump dumb Trump says it ain't so. Trump tells us that others who call him stupid are themselves stupid.
Trump is an adult may I remind anyone who thinks this nonsense might be the words of a ten year old. No, the bold-faced fact is : Trump is stupid and gross and the worse representation of a New Yorker. He is an embarrassment by any standards of human dignity. And those who support him are either acknowledging and and affirming his stupidity or are dupes themselves. With Trump you have a lose/lose proposition. And any member of the Republican Party who comes to Trump's defense will have hell to pay come November for foisting this ignoramus on a country which has never stopped being great. God help US.
DD
Manhattan
Trump is an adult may I remind anyone who thinks this nonsense might be the words of a ten year old. No, the bold-faced fact is : Trump is stupid and gross and the worse representation of a New Yorker. He is an embarrassment by any standards of human dignity. And those who support him are either acknowledging and and affirming his stupidity or are dupes themselves. With Trump you have a lose/lose proposition. And any member of the Republican Party who comes to Trump's defense will have hell to pay come November for foisting this ignoramus on a country which has never stopped being great. God help US.
DD
Manhattan
3
Donald Trump is merely the next position in the Republican party which has for quite some time now denied anything factual. You have only to extrapolate to foresee what comes next.
1
"Papist influence was then the perceived scourge through which the Know Nothing Movement, as the Native American Party (later the American Party) was commonly known, built its following. Today the supposed threat would be Muslim and Mexican infiltration. "
"Supposed", Mr. Cohen? Gee, last I checked the Papists didn't fly a couple of planes into building in New York, or bomb Paris and Brussels. Nor did they kill thousands of people in Africa and the Middle East.
When will you and yours wake up to the fact that Muslim extremism is a real, existential threat? Yes, Trump is a buffoon, and yes, he's wrong to conflate all Muslims with Muslim extremists.
But pretending that there is NOT a jihad underway--right now, right this very minute!--and that every American is by definition an "infidel" whose just fate (according to those waging the jihad) is to be raped, maimed or murdered is far beyond naive.
Make no mistake, Muslim extremists want to destroy the west, and personally destroy every Westerner. That is their dream. Pretending they are just a few crazy people is wildly underestimating the danger they pose.
Trump supporters aren't idiots. They're looking at the Emperor's New Clothes of our foreign policy and saying, "Dude, that guy is naked!"
"Supposed", Mr. Cohen? Gee, last I checked the Papists didn't fly a couple of planes into building in New York, or bomb Paris and Brussels. Nor did they kill thousands of people in Africa and the Middle East.
When will you and yours wake up to the fact that Muslim extremism is a real, existential threat? Yes, Trump is a buffoon, and yes, he's wrong to conflate all Muslims with Muslim extremists.
But pretending that there is NOT a jihad underway--right now, right this very minute!--and that every American is by definition an "infidel" whose just fate (according to those waging the jihad) is to be raped, maimed or murdered is far beyond naive.
Make no mistake, Muslim extremists want to destroy the west, and personally destroy every Westerner. That is their dream. Pretending they are just a few crazy people is wildly underestimating the danger they pose.
Trump supporters aren't idiots. They're looking at the Emperor's New Clothes of our foreign policy and saying, "Dude, that guy is naked!"
2
Recently O'Malley apologized for saying that all lives matter.
But Trump said, "I will say this only once. All lives matter!"
I have a doctorate, from Harvard. A black friend has a doctorate from another Ivy league school. Both she and I have the same order of preference.
We prefer Sanders to Trump and Trump to Clinton.
She cares that Clinton destroyed Libya and so do I.
People who think that everyone who thinks favorably of Trump is an uneducated white male need to come face to face with reality.
But Trump said, "I will say this only once. All lives matter!"
I have a doctorate, from Harvard. A black friend has a doctorate from another Ivy league school. Both she and I have the same order of preference.
We prefer Sanders to Trump and Trump to Clinton.
She cares that Clinton destroyed Libya and so do I.
People who think that everyone who thinks favorably of Trump is an uneducated white male need to come face to face with reality.
2
A little knowledge can be more dangerous than knowing nothing. The rise of zealots who blindly support demagogues like Trump and Sanders are proof of this phenomenon. Followers of these two speak by rote, like zombies, mouthing the words of their idol, refuting any criticisms, cajoling anyone who will listen to their cause, chanting mantras, proclaiming public policies which provide no credibility but are simply filled with idealistic sloganeering by entrenched dupes of deluded propaganda diatribes. Their repetition of bumper sticker slogans, like mindless robots, profess to be the enlightened ones, but they only serve the purpose of furthering the case that these folks are more delusional and ill-informed than those who have little to no knowledge of the issues of the day.
The know-nothing tide comes in every day and washes over many of the unwashed. The dregs of semi-truths they leave behind are more harmful than the ignorance ingrained in the illiterate.
DD
Manhattan
The know-nothing tide comes in every day and washes over many of the unwashed. The dregs of semi-truths they leave behind are more harmful than the ignorance ingrained in the illiterate.
DD
Manhattan
2
Good piece, Roger.
Contrary to commenters, who tied Trump and Sanders together... You're Wrong! Trump appeals to a population of unaware and ignorant, where celebrity trumps (sorry) content.
Sanders, on the other hand, recognizes what's broken, and offers substantive vision for goals. Can the be achieved in 4 or 8 years? Surely not. But we can move toward them, if we agree on the value(s) inherent. Bernie speaks to thinkers, and to the younger generation.
Trump, I am afraid, simply proves what BT Barnum said..."nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the american public."
um...except for Trump's investors, of which the roads are littered with those who lost hundreds of millions in his schemes.
Contrary to commenters, who tied Trump and Sanders together... You're Wrong! Trump appeals to a population of unaware and ignorant, where celebrity trumps (sorry) content.
Sanders, on the other hand, recognizes what's broken, and offers substantive vision for goals. Can the be achieved in 4 or 8 years? Surely not. But we can move toward them, if we agree on the value(s) inherent. Bernie speaks to thinkers, and to the younger generation.
Trump, I am afraid, simply proves what BT Barnum said..."nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the american public."
um...except for Trump's investors, of which the roads are littered with those who lost hundreds of millions in his schemes.
1
I lived through Reagan and thought it would be the intellectual low point for America. The Supreme Court installed W. and I was sure we could never fall any lower. W. was reelected. I fear for our Republic and what Trump represents in our nation. Who are we? What do we value?
3
Perfect conflation, in my humble opinion. Knowing nothing combined with today's Republicans. And, the kicker is, they're sooo proud of that.
2
The biggest oxymoron of the 21st Century: the term "broadcast journalist." The cable and network celebrity tele-prompter readers and timid dumb-question askers take-up air, literally and figuratively, that a few good old-fashioned gum-shoe reporters should be using to push Trump into specifics. But no, these corporate TV "news" spokespersons are too cowardly to do so. And honestly, none of them seems sharp enough to quickly come-up with an incisive follow-up question when Trump spouts his juvenile and superficial responses to their opening questions. They're happy to rake Hillary over the coals though.
3
Isn't it ironic that in the TPP there is a clause for countries to introduce labor unions, specifically Viet Nam?
1
Roger, you are all over the place in this editorial. But to your point about the US buying everything China makes and then China buying US debt: is this supposed to be a good thing? Hollowed out manufacturing towns, minimum wage food stamp eligible employees at WalMart selling this stuff? Plus sending all our technology to a totalitarian country that tracks our aircraft carriers with their submarines?
Sounds fantastic Roger. In this case, I will take ethnocentrism. Thank you.
Sounds fantastic Roger. In this case, I will take ethnocentrism. Thank you.
1
"Facts are dispensable baggage. To display knowledge, the acquisition of which takes time, is tantamount to showing too much respect for the opposition tribe, who know nothing anyway." Mr. Cohen, you have just described the vast majority of American voters. You can wonder, for example, why the NYT publishes a huge article on Donald Trump's treatment of women, or makes a big deal about his tax returns. That is because everyone understands what it means to cheat on your wife, or to ile a tax return; the vast majority cannot follow a discussion about economics or foreign policy,because that will not fit onto a bumper sticker or a 30-second sound bite. This election has proven that the old adage, "one should not underestimate the electorate" is quite false.
1
Facts or knowledge don't matter within the Trump Crowd. It is all about agreeing with the anger felt by those against their own situation. It is about identifying the causes of their problems....illegal immigrants, Muslims, the media, Washington Insiders, political correctness, etc. It never involves taking any personal responsibility for their own circumstances. That would be way too painful. As Trump is fond of saying...."I love the poorly educated"
Ultimately, I think the Trump candidacy isn't so much no-nothingism as it is a whole lot of foolish white people, largely men, who have found a way to give a collective finger to the political order. They simply don't care what trump says. But they do care what is said about him, and every criticism simply hardens their support. The solution? There wont be enough of these people to put Trump in the White House. If there are enough, we'll still be fine. Well, maybe not the Trump supporters. They'll be even more confused and alienated.
So, a huge logical conclusion would be that, if we go back to isolationism, we won't need a huge military, so we would cut the military, reallocate the money several ways, from tax cuts for everyone to providing free education and healthcare. But so far all we've heard are two logically contradictory points of view: increased isolationism AND increased military intervention abroad. Both, together, don't seem to make sense.
Too many in our society care to know more about the Kardashians and *celebrity*, over real issues and important events, believe sound bites and snipping attacks, over hard facts and open debate, and have limited attention spans and a what's-in-it-for-me attitude. They now blindly follow.
Trump knows this - is this - and will drive it down the throats of the rest of us, surely as he does *everytime* he hits a ball on, evidently, one of his many tax-cheat golf courses...
Trump knows this - is this - and will drive it down the throats of the rest of us, surely as he does *everytime* he hits a ball on, evidently, one of his many tax-cheat golf courses...
1
Thank you, Mr. Cohen. I only hope Mrs. Clinton, unlike Mr. Trump's primary opponents, refuses to follow him into the redirection gutter he's busily renovating for the general election and sticks to making points like you have here.
1
Trump has many bizarre opinions, in particular on foreign trade. But he is right that the US does not enforce it's border, and that the reason for this is political (more Democratic voters).
He's right that you either have a country with sovereign borders, or you don't. Everything he says, is pretty much nonsense.
He's right that you either have a country with sovereign borders, or you don't. Everything he says, is pretty much nonsense.
Mr. Cohen: read your own publication; layoffs are starting again. Decent, educated, middle class jobs, and they're not going overseas: they're just being eliminated. Add to this that those manufacturing jobs that are returning to the US are now being performed by robots, with a very few human supervisors staring at monitors. Mr. Trump's proposals that you call nativism are actually a common sense recognition that we need to be thinking about a stable population sharing jobs and protected by a strong social safety net. Unless, of course, you are among those who think that large, unemployed, youthful populations are a just solution to world problems, with the Western world and the third world all living at the same low level of diet, shelter, and any hope for their chidrens' future.
1
Would any of The Donald's supporters like to answer the simple question: what is it that you're voting for, or voting against? Mr. Trump has reversed himself on virtually every one of his stated positions, and not merely the ones he held ten or twenty years. With the single exception of that wall he wants to build (and have Mexico pay for!!) there is absolutely no way of knowing what he will do- or attempt to do- if he manages to get elected. Are you supporting him specifically because he's entertaining in a combative-adolescent kind of way? A good enough reason to watch a reality-TV show, I suppose, but this is the future of the nation we're talking about. If the President of the U.S. refers to Angela Merkel as a "fat pig," what are our chances of achieving anything through diplomacy and negotiation? If you don't know where the man wants to take the country (assuming it isn't into the ashcan of history) you obviously don't believe that this nation has any problems that need to addressed, or are likely to have any over the next four years. Why bother making a trip to the polling place on Election Day when you can stay at home and watch Celebrity Apprentice or some other mindless piece of "entertainment"?
3
Oops, make that "and not merely the ones he held ten or twenty years AGO."
1
As far as I'm concerned, only one question needs to be asked of those Republicans who have all of a sudden found themselves "warming up" to the idea of Trump as their party's nominee.
Would you still be warming up to Trump if he substituted one word in describing people he wants for keep out: Jewish for Muslim?
We've been there already, folks.
Would you still be warming up to Trump if he substituted one word in describing people he wants for keep out: Jewish for Muslim?
We've been there already, folks.
21
Sure; David Duke and many of The Donald's other supporters would be just fine with such a substitution.
You're kidding. Of course they would! It's not Jews they like -- it's Israel threatening to nuke Arabs.
How in the world can Evangelicals, small-govenment conservatives, etc, support Donald Trump? He might not be the anti-Christ, but he is certainly the spawn of Satan. The answer is -- they are hypocrites!! Their only real concern is that somebody, not them, be condemned, punished, possibly killed in the name of their beliefs, and the agent does not matter.
How in the world can Evangelicals, small-govenment conservatives, etc, support Donald Trump? He might not be the anti-Christ, but he is certainly the spawn of Satan. The answer is -- they are hypocrites!! Their only real concern is that somebody, not them, be condemned, punished, possibly killed in the name of their beliefs, and the agent does not matter.
so many incorrect assumptions. first of all, the United States was not attacked by Jewish groups. secondly Jewish groups were not terrorists or armed and majority of them were impoverished miniroties scattered across the world. totally different scenario compared to the Muslim terrorists- at least 100 million members of radical groups, supported by rich countries, waging a cultural and economic war against the west and their own people.
it's not much to ask for a temporary ban till the country that gave visas to the 911 terrorists figures the best security processes. Are you comfortable with any of the newer terrorists sneaking in?? they are even worse than al Qaeda!
it's not much to ask for a temporary ban till the country that gave visas to the 911 terrorists figures the best security processes. Are you comfortable with any of the newer terrorists sneaking in?? they are even worse than al Qaeda!
2
Interesting aside is that the first Jewish congressman, Charles Lewis L:evin was a leader of the Know Nothing Party - only in America.
Another example of ethnocentrism is the disdain liberals have for blue collar workers - no doubt much of the middle class is a generation away from working class themselves and fear loss of caste if they involved themselves in working class concerns. One could certainly have found out about stagnant wages, lost jobs and the whole Trumo thing by talking to any working man.
Another example of ethnocentrism is the disdain liberals have for blue collar workers - no doubt much of the middle class is a generation away from working class themselves and fear loss of caste if they involved themselves in working class concerns. One could certainly have found out about stagnant wages, lost jobs and the whole Trumo thing by talking to any working man.
9
Its really just plain hypocritical and dishonest that Cohen is not crusading 24/7 for mass immigration of 1-2 million Arabs per year into Israel. If it's not good enough for Israel why is it a great idea for America? Inquiring minds want to know why not? Or is it that only Jewish identity, only their superior to everyone else's tribe is worthy of preservation or self determination. Everyone else, all the rest of us evil barbarian not as hard-working 'others' are in need of "competition" improvement by being shoved into a minority status via quota driven mass immigration. Until we are reduced to fighting it out for survival with a dozen other tribes (that are told to form diaspora, not assimilate, do cultural pluralism, not obey inconvenient laws) that our 1%'s flooding our nation with 10's soon 100's of millions of immigrants from hyper violent and corrupt societies has achieved. But that will be just fine with Cohen. Because then there will be no discernable majority, or common values or traditions of any kind that could achieve a consensus about anything let alone gang up against his neurotic identity group. Nice going! But then none of us should have ever been deceived into believing that Cohen, the NY Times or any of our manically globalizing 1% gave a damn about the common good or any majority of common citizens of any kind any where! Divide and conquer always has, and always will be how our 'diverse' elites, using any fantastical stories they can dream up, oppress us.
14
Thank You - well stated!
1
Wow. "But that will be just fine with Cohen. Because then there will be no discernable majority, or common values or traditions of any kind that could achieve a consensus about anything let alone gang up against his neurotic identity group." Does that mean what it looks like? Why does this commentator have a coveted check mark?
On the subject of immigrants, please point out the ones who came here in large numbers from peaceful democratic countries. Don't say Britain! It wasn't a real democracy until well after the founding of this country. A huge proportion of the "old" white immigrants came from Germany when it was a collection of autocratic principalities. Ditto the Italians and the Irish. People came here to get away from the problems somewhere else. And it's still so. It's the people who've been here too long to remember the lessons their ancestors taught them who are threatening to abandon our shared values, not those who arrived recently enough to remember why this country exists.
On the subject of immigrants, please point out the ones who came here in large numbers from peaceful democratic countries. Don't say Britain! It wasn't a real democracy until well after the founding of this country. A huge proportion of the "old" white immigrants came from Germany when it was a collection of autocratic principalities. Ditto the Italians and the Irish. People came here to get away from the problems somewhere else. And it's still so. It's the people who've been here too long to remember the lessons their ancestors taught them who are threatening to abandon our shared values, not those who arrived recently enough to remember why this country exists.
People love Trump because he's very rich and therefore gets to say anything he wants to say, no matter who gets offended, no matter if it's true or factual or not. Those two things go together. If you are not very rich, you don't get to say what you want to say. You get fired or you get sued. No wonder he's their hero. Trump wouldn't even be a Republican candidate for dogcatcher, much less the presidential nominee, if he weren't a mega-milionaire who could finance his primary campaign. He would have had to come up through the ranks of the party saying the coded "nice" things and sounding like he knows what he's talking about, to get big donor financing and party leader backing. His money has made him a contender. His uncensored mouth has made him the nominee. One without the other, no deal.
21
That is why wont release hi tax returns. Not because he is evading taxes and fears being exposed.... but because people will realize that he is not as rich as he says he is.... that he is actually as incompetent at business as we would be as president considering that making a fortune out of a lot of inherited real state in New York isn't be very hard....
If, as you say, his money has made him a contender, could this be why he has refused to show the country his income tax returns? What if he doesn't have billions but only a few millions? Is it true that he had to sell almost all he had to keep from declaring personal bankruptcy?
He changes his opinions almost daily, so it seems quite possible that all that bragging is full of lies.
How will people feel if they elect him and he turns out to be a fraud? What if he quits soon after being elected? What if he turns Democratic after the election? We really have no idea what this guy will do, do we?
He changes his opinions almost daily, so it seems quite possible that all that bragging is full of lies.
How will people feel if they elect him and he turns out to be a fraud? What if he quits soon after being elected? What if he turns Democratic after the election? We really have no idea what this guy will do, do we?
Thank you, Mr. Cohen, for this column, I think you've hit on some truths, including "...politics no longer really matter. Celebrity matters." got me wondering how, in general, we've reached this point in the degradation of our politics and way of life. TV is pretty much a wasteland, terrible "reality" shows that are anything but, tabloid news, a paroxysm of lurid crime shows and on and on. Celebrity and notoriety have become synonymous in many minds, better to be humiliated on some TV show than not be on TV, can't be the school football star then be the school shooter, etc.
Most of all I hate what we're leaving for the grandkids: toxic dump sites all around the country; unaddressed climate chaos; perpetual toxic nuclear waste storage (which we still don't know how to do); threatened drinking water. All problems that seem to be invisible while we stew over such as proper restroom protocol. "Après nous le déluge" indeed. After us, let the deluge come...
Most of all I hate what we're leaving for the grandkids: toxic dump sites all around the country; unaddressed climate chaos; perpetual toxic nuclear waste storage (which we still don't know how to do); threatened drinking water. All problems that seem to be invisible while we stew over such as proper restroom protocol. "Après nous le déluge" indeed. After us, let the deluge come...
18
The pre-human ancestors of homo sapiens had already coalesced into distinct packs based on blood relationships. Safety was to be found within the group. Outsiders, other even genetically similar groups, were regarded with suspicion and fear. This instinctual survival response remains a potent factor in inter human relations ‘til this day. Strangers are always treated with circumspection, and likely to be the first to be blamed for any threatening situation.
We all prefer, feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings, with people we are acquainted with and trust. It is an easy, unaware step to translate this emotional state into a feeling of superiority that bolsters our sense of security. It then becomes an integral part of the attitudes we naively assume to be objective. It becomes the “Achilles Heel” for outright discrimination.
Aggressive, brutal behavior in the Great African Rift habitat was a valuable survival trait. Evolution burned bestiality into the human genome. Over time unused genes are corrupted and become inoperative. But killing and warfare are still legitimized in modern society. Thus we continue to be saddled with a counter productive nature. And until all killing is only a memory of a distant past, this will continue to be so.
We all prefer, feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings, with people we are acquainted with and trust. It is an easy, unaware step to translate this emotional state into a feeling of superiority that bolsters our sense of security. It then becomes an integral part of the attitudes we naively assume to be objective. It becomes the “Achilles Heel” for outright discrimination.
Aggressive, brutal behavior in the Great African Rift habitat was a valuable survival trait. Evolution burned bestiality into the human genome. Over time unused genes are corrupted and become inoperative. But killing and warfare are still legitimized in modern society. Thus we continue to be saddled with a counter productive nature. And until all killing is only a memory of a distant past, this will continue to be so.
4
I'd say that one hallmark of anti-intellectualism is the replacement of critical thinking by hero worship, the latter the antithesis of a healthy skepticism for what any politician says. No doubt many Trump supporters love the idea of the man on horseback who will make the world right again. But, for all their college and higher degrees, so do many Bernie supporters. What the partisans in both camps have in common is the belief that their candidate is beyond criticism, an attitude that should have no place in a functioning democracy.
14
Excellent observation.
In your smug criticism of a Democratic party contender Bernie Sanders, that even Hillary does not pontificate as "irrelevant", you have shown your own lack of intellectual rigor and critical thinking. One of the basic requirement in any intellectual analysis is the existence of "a healthy critique, with research and facts, supported or enhanced by an alternative points of view and an opposing perspective, when necessary or when relevant". By crushing "diversity in critique and in economic or political theories", the kind of critique Bernie is bringing into the election debates and speeches (which is bold, admirable and necessary), you are shooting yourself, or your own point, in the foot.
There has never been much diversity in many social science theories in the US, even in its academia. This is why we diversify our cultures, societies and political arguments...so our knowledge, awareness and insights are enhanced, and with that our problem solving abilities and actual solutions might get better.
Your comment contradicts your very complaint about "the anti intellectual America".
There has never been much diversity in many social science theories in the US, even in its academia. This is why we diversify our cultures, societies and political arguments...so our knowledge, awareness and insights are enhanced, and with that our problem solving abilities and actual solutions might get better.
Your comment contradicts your very complaint about "the anti intellectual America".
In a recent Guardian piece on HRC's poor polling numbers in OH, PA and WV, the paper quoted a rural carpenter who, I think, summed up much of what many Americans are "thinking" when it comes to Trump: "I think Trump is nuts, but I'd love to have him as president to see what happens". Needless to say, there is no "argument" to this position, nor any reasoning with it. Oh, I'm certain there are some who actually think the Donald "stands" for something, but I suspect most people know in there hearts of hearts that he is utterly and completely unqualified to be president. And therein lies the message they are sending, to K Street, to Congress, to Washington: "Ok bloodsuckers, here's our candidate for president, a giant, orange-haired baboon! Y'all have fun now!"
44
Funny...and I think it is brilliant. Send the orange haired baboon to the highest position and see what happens to all those posers, pretenders, postures and impostors holding important, influential or high positions in DC who were supposed to work for "we" the people . Send more monkeys to the model house and watch them get bitten one by one. Then the people take over. First we take Manhattan, then we send the hidden Manhattanite revolutionary to Washington. Brilliant. Ha, ha, ha...
Glenn... You're right. The " entertainment factor" is what might loft the Donald over top
Ask around snd you'll find plenty of young people who will confirm this passive aggressive jibe at government.
Ask around snd you'll find plenty of young people who will confirm this passive aggressive jibe at government.
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The democrats better take this pronouncement to heart against Trump. It's the only way they'll stop Trump.
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The democrats better take this pronouncement to heart against Trump. It's the only way they'll stop Trump.
14
Again the cats away the mice will play. It is again the American voter being played as sucker. Tell them what they want to hear and then we will do what we want while we stuff our pockets full of the taxpayer money. The jobs have gone to China. Apple sees the market in China and they want to appease China to sell in the Chinese market. If they have to employ millions of people they will. American manufacturing has left and American companies no longer have any loyalty to America. American consumer will have to buy Made in USA if they want to have a job to buy anything!
12
The quote about politics stopping at the water's edge showed a brave Senator's readiness to acknowledge that America's stance as it faced a parlous world should be unequivocal and politically bipartisan. I haven't the talent to interpret the artful dodging of a too-clever-by-half showman. Hearing his Incoherent, provocative ramblings - successful to now - I still try to keep my eye on the rabbit. But whatever Trump's purpose, his facile corruption of Vandenberg's meaning tells me as much about the audience as the illusionist.
12
Liberals share the same elitist views as Republicans they are just better hiding it. Ask any liberal if we should allow thousands of Syrian refugees political asylum in the United States and they will answer immediately with an emphatic "YES!" - Ask the same liberals if they would be willing to let them live next door to them in their neighborhoods and communities and you will hear a long list of politically correct reasons why it wouldn't be practical.
10
That is not true. Don't paint liberals with the same broad brush. Thing is at least we consider ideas. We don't say yes to everything. That is idiotic.
1
The attitudes about foreign policy and the overall world "out there" are more a symptom of the asymmetrical economic malaise in the domestic economy. Powerful elites control economic policy setting by both political parties in Washington DC with regards to taxes, trade, monopoly and oligopoly and the structure of industrial competition (or lack thereof), intellectual property rights (monetize everything for as long as one can), financial regulation, permissiveness on predatory practices, and so forth. This has resulted in the concentration of income and wealth at the very tip top and the broad middle languishes or worse.
To the extent a majority of the public votes for the simplistic sloganeering of Donald Trump rather than the more issues-oriented economic reform program of Hillary Clinton, to that extent the "people" are not able to discern their economic interests and act accordingly. It's less about "know nothing" than about identifying one's true economic interests out of the backdrop of exaggerated claim and counterclaim presented by the modern media.
So a rather great test is being presented to the American people in November.
To the extent a majority of the public votes for the simplistic sloganeering of Donald Trump rather than the more issues-oriented economic reform program of Hillary Clinton, to that extent the "people" are not able to discern their economic interests and act accordingly. It's less about "know nothing" than about identifying one's true economic interests out of the backdrop of exaggerated claim and counterclaim presented by the modern media.
So a rather great test is being presented to the American people in November.
1
"Facts, they are such stupid things" Apparently, the American citizen now agrees
4
The article presumes that knowing something is better than knowing nothing, but what if that something is wrong?
Cohen focuses on the Outsider, the One to be kept "down or out," but what of those inside who are kept down and out of the mainstream of life? If "America," whatever that is, is a "universal idea," then Cohen believes that the US is the one country that is indispensable, because without it a universal idea is missing. Yet, the US (of A) is the one developed country without a universal single-payer medical system and has the greatest income disparities of any economically developed country.
Any other ideas, Mr. Cohen,?
Cohen focuses on the Outsider, the One to be kept "down or out," but what of those inside who are kept down and out of the mainstream of life? If "America," whatever that is, is a "universal idea," then Cohen believes that the US is the one country that is indispensable, because without it a universal idea is missing. Yet, the US (of A) is the one developed country without a universal single-payer medical system and has the greatest income disparities of any economically developed country.
Any other ideas, Mr. Cohen,?
6
"Yet, the US (of A) is the one developed country without a universal single-payer medical system and has the greatest income disparities of any economically developed country."
The incredible thing about that statement, is, it's the truth, the absolute truth, and kept so by Big Business, including Big Banking, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, and their partner corporations, including international corporations, all of whom own and operate the government of the United States, including whomever is the President at any any point in time.
The only possible exception this Presidential election year, is Bernie Sanders, the gentleman from Vermont, who, if elected may undo the national, and international, embarrassing disaster we've become.
He is the establishments' worst developing nightmare, which they are working round the clock to prevent.
Trump, and the modern-day Boss Tweed, we know as Hillary, are one and the same, drunk on power and money, for which they will do anything, and everything.
The incredible thing about that statement, is, it's the truth, the absolute truth, and kept so by Big Business, including Big Banking, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, and their partner corporations, including international corporations, all of whom own and operate the government of the United States, including whomever is the President at any any point in time.
The only possible exception this Presidential election year, is Bernie Sanders, the gentleman from Vermont, who, if elected may undo the national, and international, embarrassing disaster we've become.
He is the establishments' worst developing nightmare, which they are working round the clock to prevent.
Trump, and the modern-day Boss Tweed, we know as Hillary, are one and the same, drunk on power and money, for which they will do anything, and everything.
No analysis of our "Know-Nothingness" is complete without examining the role the media has played.
Network news long ago became info-tainment, and I've never expected much from FOX. But even MSNBC has turned into a circus, the worst being Joe & Mika's "Trump Celebrity Cavalcade" every morning at 6:00 am.
Our country has gotten so shallow and stupid it's painful, and the media has been complicit every step of the way.
Network news long ago became info-tainment, and I've never expected much from FOX. But even MSNBC has turned into a circus, the worst being Joe & Mika's "Trump Celebrity Cavalcade" every morning at 6:00 am.
Our country has gotten so shallow and stupid it's painful, and the media has been complicit every step of the way.
85
You can thank "consultants" for steering the media away from coverage that really matters. Everything is based on grabbing the largest number of eyeballs and ears to maximize profits. "If it bleeds it leads" has never been more true than it is now. Media knows that Trump means more money in its pocket!
They only feed us what we're willing to swallow.
Let's not pass the blame and accept it head on.
Let's not pass the blame and accept it head on.
In 1967, universal health care began to cover all Canadians from coast to coast. Thousands and thousands of poor people had been waiting for it and, they had had to postpone urgent medical procedures because of the high cost or simply go bankrupt, just like so many Americans we know. Today, all Republican candidates are talking openly about defunding Obamacare and getting rid of it on day one without suggesting anything coherent to replace it. Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Clinton have both spoken about a universal, single payer health care system like the one that's been in place for 50 years in Canada without bringing the country into bankruptcy or hard core socialism. I hope Americans listen more to Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Clinton on their health care propositions and decide it is good for the entire country because it would help alleviate many other problems such as homelessness, poverty and crimes. It would also make people more happy, which is important when we know how very angry people are.
47
It's fitting that your column coincides with the 50th anniversary of the start of China's Cultural Revolution, where formal knowledge or education could get you banished or killed. If the know-nothing trend continues here, I might have to remove some things from my resumé and LinkedIn profiles.
6
Not an honest column in regard to America First. Somehow many on the Left forget that the Left was as much a part of America First as Lindbergh. From the day the Soviet Union allied with Hilter to carve up Poland until late June of 1941, the American Left violently opposed US preparation for war, conscription and all aid to England. Among the most vocal opponents to US intervention: Pete Seeger and the Almanac SIngers, The Daily Worker, the Morgen Freiheit of New York, and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade veterans organization and their publication The Volunteer for Liberty.
4
Sanders and Trump appeal to angry people but there's a yuuuuge difference. Sanders wants to fix economic problems with a New New Deal, Trump is beating up on the GOP establishment that betrayed it's working class voters. Do you want change that worked for FDR and still works in the parts of Europe where it is in place? Or do you want the short term satisfaction of seeing your tormentors humiliated? That's the Democrat/Republican difference.
Angry voters whether they are "know nothings" or well educated have a real grievance: fewer living wage jobs and less opportunity for the young. Now they are being offered a choice of evils. The Democratic nominee will be a neoliberal hawk loved by Big Money and Kissinger wearing bits of progressive camo. If elected expect woman/misogynist to substitute for black/racist. Our best hope is that the GOP blocks war. The GOP candidate is the loosest cannon in politics but Sheldon Adelson plans to finance him and Newt Gingrich is open to being his VP - an epic triumvirate.
Both parties to middle and lower class voters: Drop Dead! That's so wrong, we should be telling them both: You're Fired!
Angry voters whether they are "know nothings" or well educated have a real grievance: fewer living wage jobs and less opportunity for the young. Now they are being offered a choice of evils. The Democratic nominee will be a neoliberal hawk loved by Big Money and Kissinger wearing bits of progressive camo. If elected expect woman/misogynist to substitute for black/racist. Our best hope is that the GOP blocks war. The GOP candidate is the loosest cannon in politics but Sheldon Adelson plans to finance him and Newt Gingrich is open to being his VP - an epic triumvirate.
Both parties to middle and lower class voters: Drop Dead! That's so wrong, we should be telling them both: You're Fired!
4
The Trump and Sanders supporters have one thing in common; they are both completely disconnected from reality. For the past six years there has been nearly complete gridlock in Washington. Given the likely make up of the next Congress it won't much matter who gets elected. In fact, unless there is a change in Congress, a Washington insider is far more likely than either Trump or Sanders to to be able to initiate something that remotely resembles change.
8
Our son works as a designer for a very small company that makes and markets kitchenware. Every time they want a spatula fabricated, they send the specs to China. And wait for the model to arrive back across the ocean.
Industry has become globalized and increasingly mechanized, and that "advance" is not going away. It's with us. Done deal. The American steel mills are gone. Check out Gary, Indiana ... you can drive by it now and not smell a thing. It used to stink to high heaven with industrial fumes. Now? Empty air. Coal mines are shrinking. Auto industry manned by robotic, mechanical arms. Detroit? Struggling.
So. Those lucrative, secure jobs for workers who've only earned high-school degrees aren't coming back. We know it. Even while isolationist, nativist, opportunistic, deceptive politicians rant against trade bills, industries will continue to conduct trade internationally. To seek cheap labor and make a profit. Trump understands this. He's done it himself.
What will we do next to insure that working-class men and women (white, black, Hispanic, all colors) in this country live fairly, that their children are educated, their healthcare secure, their meals reasonably plentiful, their houses or apartments not too cold, and their families safe from bullets?
Suggestion 1: do not vote for Donald Trump. He's a cheat.
Industry has become globalized and increasingly mechanized, and that "advance" is not going away. It's with us. Done deal. The American steel mills are gone. Check out Gary, Indiana ... you can drive by it now and not smell a thing. It used to stink to high heaven with industrial fumes. Now? Empty air. Coal mines are shrinking. Auto industry manned by robotic, mechanical arms. Detroit? Struggling.
So. Those lucrative, secure jobs for workers who've only earned high-school degrees aren't coming back. We know it. Even while isolationist, nativist, opportunistic, deceptive politicians rant against trade bills, industries will continue to conduct trade internationally. To seek cheap labor and make a profit. Trump understands this. He's done it himself.
What will we do next to insure that working-class men and women (white, black, Hispanic, all colors) in this country live fairly, that their children are educated, their healthcare secure, their meals reasonably plentiful, their houses or apartments not too cold, and their families safe from bullets?
Suggestion 1: do not vote for Donald Trump. He's a cheat.
15
The rise of Trump is emblematic of the lack of rigor in American discourse. People simply don’t know how to argue properly. Yelling and insulting are seen as equal if not superior to reason and facts. Sadly, even intelligent people among the electorate and political class have succumbed to petty, purely ideological fights. Why can’t we just assess the country’s problems and devise pragmatic, evidence-based solutions without the unproductive concern for what is “Republican vs. Democrat” or “conservative vs. liberal”? When we do attempt to debate issues, we focus on things like “bathroom bills,” a response to a non-existent issue that won’t improve anyone’s life. I have 2 young daughters, and I couldn’t care less if they use a public restroom with transgender women.
15
Alas, people holding the mistaken belief that they are well informed is not something limited to Trump (or Sanders) supporters. Many people today are so hyper-partisan that they will deny any fact or circumstance that in any way challenges their dearly cherished positions or support for a particular candidate. Thus you see things instantly dismissed as racist, misogyny, hate, conspiratorial, anti-science, mean-spirited, etc. as almost a knee jerk reaction with no consideration whatsoever. Thus the polarization we get.
It is particularly the case when one examines where many people get their "information" from - one-sided echo chamber news sources (Fox or MSBNC depending on one's leanings), social media or skits and commentaries on SNL, the Daily Show and the like. If it supports their position, it must be true, if it doesn't then it must be a lie and worse.
It is particularly the case when one examines where many people get their "information" from - one-sided echo chamber news sources (Fox or MSBNC depending on one's leanings), social media or skits and commentaries on SNL, the Daily Show and the like. If it supports their position, it must be true, if it doesn't then it must be a lie and worse.
6
Maybe the middle class jobs and are not coming back. Let's face it we are in decline. Want a job? Try Uber or Macdonalds . none of the candidates are bringing anything back. Rather, expects more wars , as we wind down
6
You can't fix stupid and Republicans thrive in a steady diet of dolts which is why as soon as they gerrymander their way to Fovernorships the education budget is the first to go. Just check the most poorly educated and invariable they are Red southern states that will vote joyfully for the lucky sperm orange clown that has them scared out of what little minds they have.
6
Trump supporters are willingly being hoodwinked. They view hoodwinkery as trumping the system. Trump is a willing hoodwinked - but his true hoodwinkery is not the Con his supporters are agog over. Instead he is actually hoodwinking on BEHALF of the system - by pretending he's working against.
A Double Con by the Don! That is Don "Juan" - seducer of women, seducer of voters, seducer of politicians via the very voters he has conned!
Don J Trump. J stands for John = Juan. Ergo Don Juan. Serial aeducer.
A Double Con by the Don! That is Don "Juan" - seducer of women, seducer of voters, seducer of politicians via the very voters he has conned!
Don J Trump. J stands for John = Juan. Ergo Don Juan. Serial aeducer.
6
Perhaps it's a technical historical note, but the Know Nothings didn't get their name because they were uninformed. They chose the name for themselves because of a sort of "silent majority" approach whereby their strategy was to pretend they didn't have a strategy in order to avoid a backlash.
"You hear about that new political party over there?"
"Huh? No, I know nothing about that. (Psst, we meet at the corner on Thursdays.)"
Trump and the Republican party (and let's face it, they're the same, regardless of so-called policy differences) certainly know plenty. The problem is they refuse to acknowledge what they don't know and they have no interest whatsoever in doing so.
"You hear about that new political party over there?"
"Huh? No, I know nothing about that. (Psst, we meet at the corner on Thursdays.)"
Trump and the Republican party (and let's face it, they're the same, regardless of so-called policy differences) certainly know plenty. The problem is they refuse to acknowledge what they don't know and they have no interest whatsoever in doing so.
The original American Nativists were called "Know-Nothings" because they habitually answered, when asked about their party. "I know nothing about it." This was because, at least in its early phases, members took an oath of secrecy to reveal nothing about the inner side of the party.
What anyone "knows," politically, is always a construct framed by many influences and forces, reasonably objective facts being only one. No political position or party is ever based entirely, or even primarily, on such facts, but on the perceived needs of groups of people. It's fair to point out, as journalists now do incessantly, that Trump and his followers either do not know or flatly contradict objective facts. But, as the example of Geo. W. Bush has already shown, such charges in themselves, however true, are not enough (in our era of politics, at least) to turn the tide against a candidate who otherwise captivates a following by embodying peoples' id-rooted longings. Trump does not, by any objective standards, deserve to be president of the United States. But he more than likely will be, because the reality-based community has been shrinking in the United States for quite a long time.
What anyone "knows," politically, is always a construct framed by many influences and forces, reasonably objective facts being only one. No political position or party is ever based entirely, or even primarily, on such facts, but on the perceived needs of groups of people. It's fair to point out, as journalists now do incessantly, that Trump and his followers either do not know or flatly contradict objective facts. But, as the example of Geo. W. Bush has already shown, such charges in themselves, however true, are not enough (in our era of politics, at least) to turn the tide against a candidate who otherwise captivates a following by embodying peoples' id-rooted longings. Trump does not, by any objective standards, deserve to be president of the United States. But he more than likely will be, because the reality-based community has been shrinking in the United States for quite a long time.
1
We can all pontificate on why millions of Americans voted for Trump and may vote him into the office of the president of the United States. But I am convinced that the whole issue boils down to tribalism. Those millions want to have a member of their own tribe occupy the WHITE House. Hillary is so closely linked to Barak Hussein Obama that she is no longer considered a member of the tribe. And when Trump says he is going to make America great again he really mean who wants to make America WHITE again. It is that simple and no one who is honest should deny this.
2
Since the turn of the last century, bright middle-schoolers could have devised better foreign policy than the so-called experts have foisted upon us. In reality the know -nothing tide was cloaked in the grave pronouncements of chicken-hawk profiteers, who engaged in chameleon- like selection of the tyrant of the day & left chaos & destabilization wherever they pointed their weaponry.
Greater national scrutiny will undoubtedly attend someone like Trump, who is without the retinue of military-industrial picadors already in service to the establishment. He will learn quickly & would become as dangerous internationally as he portends to be domestically.
Greater national scrutiny will undoubtedly attend someone like Trump, who is without the retinue of military-industrial picadors already in service to the establishment. He will learn quickly & would become as dangerous internationally as he portends to be domestically.
2
To quote Washington, Madison, Hamilton.
Oh, who am I kidding.
We're living in a time where the opinions of great thinkers have no purchase. So let me take a quote from a sourse that mirrors the current American electoral landscape.
From "Married With Children." Episode "The Chicago Wine Party"
Al Bundy "Now, kids. The USA has been run too long by people who know the issues. People that watch the news on TV, read books, generally pay attention... well, no more. 'Cause now it's time that WE had a say in the future of America. Family... [he puts his arms around his family] the Bundys are gonna elect a President."
Oh, who am I kidding.
We're living in a time where the opinions of great thinkers have no purchase. So let me take a quote from a sourse that mirrors the current American electoral landscape.
From "Married With Children." Episode "The Chicago Wine Party"
Al Bundy "Now, kids. The USA has been run too long by people who know the issues. People that watch the news on TV, read books, generally pay attention... well, no more. 'Cause now it's time that WE had a say in the future of America. Family... [he puts his arms around his family] the Bundys are gonna elect a President."
6
The nativist strain in American politics, ironically, reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of our population. The successive waves of immigrants who landed on these shores have forced Americans repeatedly to modify their sense of identity. The ideals embedded in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which define who we are as a community, has facilitated this ongoing process. A commitment to political democracy and individual rights, not a common religion, ethnic unity or similar cultural habits, bind Americans into a nation.
Those political ideals, nevertheless, sometimes clash with cultural differences. In the 19th century, for example, hostility to Catholic immigrants arose in part from Protestant fears that the pope would control the votes of the faithful. In our own day, anxiety over American Muslims also stems partially from the belief of some people that the followers of Islam spurn democracy.
Prejudice against Catholics diminished as they demonstrated their adherence to American political ideals. Given time, and the eclipse of terrorism, Muslims will achieve a similar level of acceptance. The terrorist threat may seem intractable, but in the early 20th century the Western world experienced a similar epidemic of bombings by anarchists. That scourge finally passed, as will the current one, if we preserve our capacity to adapt, to embrace different religious symbols and cultural practices as part of our complex national identity.
Those political ideals, nevertheless, sometimes clash with cultural differences. In the 19th century, for example, hostility to Catholic immigrants arose in part from Protestant fears that the pope would control the votes of the faithful. In our own day, anxiety over American Muslims also stems partially from the belief of some people that the followers of Islam spurn democracy.
Prejudice against Catholics diminished as they demonstrated their adherence to American political ideals. Given time, and the eclipse of terrorism, Muslims will achieve a similar level of acceptance. The terrorist threat may seem intractable, but in the early 20th century the Western world experienced a similar epidemic of bombings by anarchists. That scourge finally passed, as will the current one, if we preserve our capacity to adapt, to embrace different religious symbols and cultural practices as part of our complex national identity.
4
Mr. Cohen used the word "trumpery" which is the first time I've seen it, so I looked up trumpery in the dictionary to see if it's an actual word:
Trumpery: Attractive articles of little value or use.
What's not to love about that definition? :)
Trumpery: Attractive articles of little value or use.
What's not to love about that definition? :)
4
Mr. Cohen cites many problems brought to the surface by the Trump phenomenon, & I see many of the roots of these problems as:
Misplaced honest anger by hard working, conservative, blue collar Americans, the main source of whose current woes is not so much excesses of liberalism, or conservatism, but NEOconservatism, the quintessential example of which was the incompetent, catastrophic Bush/Cheney administration.
Anti-intellectualism, an over response to occasional intellectual elitism, which includes admiration for destructive values like impulsiveness & thoughtlessness pretending to be decisiveness.
Unnecessary, immoral, military adventurism & war-profiteering pretending to be national defense & patriotism.
Plutocratic oligarchy pretending to be free-enterprise.
Theocracy, superstition & bigotry pretending to be sincere religion.
Misplaced honest anger by hard working, conservative, blue collar Americans, the main source of whose current woes is not so much excesses of liberalism, or conservatism, but NEOconservatism, the quintessential example of which was the incompetent, catastrophic Bush/Cheney administration.
Anti-intellectualism, an over response to occasional intellectual elitism, which includes admiration for destructive values like impulsiveness & thoughtlessness pretending to be decisiveness.
Unnecessary, immoral, military adventurism & war-profiteering pretending to be national defense & patriotism.
Plutocratic oligarchy pretending to be free-enterprise.
Theocracy, superstition & bigotry pretending to be sincere religion.
10
Not only was Mubarak not the singular owner of the peace treaty with Isreal; he came to power to replace the leader who was assassinated for signing that peace treaty.
8
BHO again won election three years and six months ago.
The GOP candidate lost, but they manifestly control the Congress.
Voters "ambiguously indicate political ambivalence."
I may slough it off as gerrymandering, but that doesn't explain the GOP Senate.
If DJT wins in November, then imho both domestic & world instability is almost given certainty.
Because we the people are not unaware that extreme political rhetoric aka extreme political wording has some extreme impact.
Nuance and mitigating explanation aka in modern parlance as "walking back" is a bit how DJT & defender seem to effectively engineer amazing contradiction.
Neither his 16 primary opponents nor has Hillary yet been able to derail
DJT's contradictory prescription.
As scary recent polls in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania indicate, Trump's train continues whistling by our graveyard.
The GOP candidate lost, but they manifestly control the Congress.
Voters "ambiguously indicate political ambivalence."
I may slough it off as gerrymandering, but that doesn't explain the GOP Senate.
If DJT wins in November, then imho both domestic & world instability is almost given certainty.
Because we the people are not unaware that extreme political rhetoric aka extreme political wording has some extreme impact.
Nuance and mitigating explanation aka in modern parlance as "walking back" is a bit how DJT & defender seem to effectively engineer amazing contradiction.
Neither his 16 primary opponents nor has Hillary yet been able to derail
DJT's contradictory prescription.
As scary recent polls in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania indicate, Trump's train continues whistling by our graveyard.
1
This from the deep thinker who yesterday told us how he believed that a new day was at hand when he witnessed the "Arab Spring" event in Cairo not so long back.....
2
Trump relies on television, which some 60% of Americans still see as their primary news source, to reach out to his "know-nothing" supporters.
These news outlets quickly realise that they can leverage Trump’s egregious rhetoric and outlandish behavior to attract larger audiences and strengthen their bottom lines.
Everybody - including Roger Coher - is treating his ignorance and demagoguery as if they were worthy of serious analysis. This is more effective than spending on political advertising, which is costly, even for a billionaire like Trump.
These news outlets quickly realise that they can leverage Trump’s egregious rhetoric and outlandish behavior to attract larger audiences and strengthen their bottom lines.
Everybody - including Roger Coher - is treating his ignorance and demagoguery as if they were worthy of serious analysis. This is more effective than spending on political advertising, which is costly, even for a billionaire like Trump.
4
Every politician since Eisenhower has relied on television. Don't look now, J.V., but it's the 21st century already.
Yes, Trump's name recognition is pure gold, and forced the newsers to give him 4 minutes of every 5 over the past year devoted to political candidates. But the nets made big money doing so. When Trump ditched one debate, it was a million-dollar hit to the outfit carrying it.
Since both the old media and the cable nets did this, we can say that at least it doesn't represent bias. Bias IS well-represented by the yellow journalism exhibited by the Times over the weekend in its fictional story of Trump and women.
Yes, Trump's name recognition is pure gold, and forced the newsers to give him 4 minutes of every 5 over the past year devoted to political candidates. But the nets made big money doing so. When Trump ditched one debate, it was a million-dollar hit to the outfit carrying it.
Since both the old media and the cable nets did this, we can say that at least it doesn't represent bias. Bias IS well-represented by the yellow journalism exhibited by the Times over the weekend in its fictional story of Trump and women.
4
That pretty much sizes it up, Mr. Cohen. Time to buy hip boots.
2
Often appreciating Roger Cohen's lively independence of mind, I was disappointed to read his view that "Britain’s pathologies resemble South Carolina’s." Petigru's famous quotation was made in support of his belief that Secession was doomed as the seven States, including South Carolina, would be unable to form the basis of a soundly governed nation state.
Although both a prescient and humorous quotation, as a jurist Petigru perhaps would have appreciated Britain's sturdy democratic and legal foundations flowing (conservatively) from Magna Carta in 1215. The canard that Britain could not function outside the anti-democratic embrace of EU directives sadly suggests to me that the tide of "know-nothings" has overcome your columnist's normally more sceptical intelligence.
The forces that appear to propel Trump seem to be based principally on fear, but have been given particular force by the sense of disenfranchisement and ineffective democratic representation of the legitimate disaffection and concerns of a significant segment of the American demos. Those forces are also growing powerfully in Europe and manifest themselves as protectionist, often economically illiterate anti-Stateism, sometimes more worryingly heading towards Fascism.
Those are not the forces that provide impetus for British exit from Europe: which is essentially a movement to restore British sovereignty from an over-mighty and undemocratic institution. Eccentric perhaps, but not too small for a republic.
Although both a prescient and humorous quotation, as a jurist Petigru perhaps would have appreciated Britain's sturdy democratic and legal foundations flowing (conservatively) from Magna Carta in 1215. The canard that Britain could not function outside the anti-democratic embrace of EU directives sadly suggests to me that the tide of "know-nothings" has overcome your columnist's normally more sceptical intelligence.
The forces that appear to propel Trump seem to be based principally on fear, but have been given particular force by the sense of disenfranchisement and ineffective democratic representation of the legitimate disaffection and concerns of a significant segment of the American demos. Those forces are also growing powerfully in Europe and manifest themselves as protectionist, often economically illiterate anti-Stateism, sometimes more worryingly heading towards Fascism.
Those are not the forces that provide impetus for British exit from Europe: which is essentially a movement to restore British sovereignty from an over-mighty and undemocratic institution. Eccentric perhaps, but not too small for a republic.
1
Good column, but Cohen misunderstands "politics stops at the water's edge." It was not historically an isolationist slogan but just the opposite - a justification for for bipartisan foreign policy starting in WWII. Republican Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was the bellwether, leading others in his party to break the old Midwestern isolationist tradition and embrace a broadly shared acceptance of American responsibility in a dangerous world.
3
You are spot on, Awwilde3. But be gentle. After all, Mr. Cohen has to redefine terms to fit the Times' manual of style and usage....
Trump's particular anti-intellectualism is not as simplistic as Cohen presents. Intellectuals, specifically those in "Liberal" Universities (whoops, even the adjective sort of taints me) do have a comprehensive set of values that are not based on research or even deep analysis, but prescribed by group cohesion that is unrelenting in demand for conformity.
This includes a truism that all religions are benign in their essence, and to evaluate them is depicted by a word that is so easily used, "bigoted." Yet, even mainstream Islam is so oppressive of females as to place them in a metaphorical prison for life. Sure, there are exceptions, but the vast majority languishing with no help coming from credentialed intellectual is vast.
Trump dared to offer the opinion that the world would have been better if our military regime change in Iraq had never occurred, if Saddam Hussein were still the dictator, and the Arab Spring had never occurred. It may have been a good idea, but a generation or two too soon.
Sadly, his disdain for actual thought and clear articulation provides no real analysis that could be the nucleus of a productive way forward. Yet is his opening conversations. To ignore the nature of the icons that he is destroying may be a loss of the opportunity for productive thinking about them.
AlRodbell.com
This includes a truism that all religions are benign in their essence, and to evaluate them is depicted by a word that is so easily used, "bigoted." Yet, even mainstream Islam is so oppressive of females as to place them in a metaphorical prison for life. Sure, there are exceptions, but the vast majority languishing with no help coming from credentialed intellectual is vast.
Trump dared to offer the opinion that the world would have been better if our military regime change in Iraq had never occurred, if Saddam Hussein were still the dictator, and the Arab Spring had never occurred. It may have been a good idea, but a generation or two too soon.
Sadly, his disdain for actual thought and clear articulation provides no real analysis that could be the nucleus of a productive way forward. Yet is his opening conversations. To ignore the nature of the icons that he is destroying may be a loss of the opportunity for productive thinking about them.
AlRodbell.com
2
If Saddam had been really smart he would not have invaded Kuwait but rather become the US surrogate in the Persian Gulf and fight a continuing war with the mad mullahs of Iran with the help of under the table US assistance. That way there would never be any possibility of the mad mullahs ever obtaining nuclear weapons.
There is a vast difference between the know somethings and the know nothings. Those in the know are usually driven by critical thinking; those otherwise, by instinct. And instinct sees complex issues like immigration, the undocumented, ISIS, trade, relationships with foreign countries, or even transgender bathrooms as having simple solutions--walls (literal and figurative walls). In other words get rid of, keep out. They fail to grasp that all simple solutions for complex problems are wrong.
Also, the strongest human instinct is survival. And in the present context of globalization and vast rapid societal/cultural change, those driven by the survival instincts want walls (literally and figuratively) to hide behind. They want walls they perceive will keep them safe from maundering others like Mexicans and Muslims whom they see as a threat to their way of life; their culture; their stability.
So, here comes Trump. He's a pugilist. He's not going to take anything off anyone. For instinctual's, he's just what the doctor ordered--a beating-chest alpha male who promises he will save them; he will turn back time; he will restore their jobs and their personal safety/stability. He will "Make America Great Again."
Thus, by comparison, (the establishment) with their knowledge, diplomacy, rational policies and problem solving skills are perceived by the "instinctual's" as weak and useless. Thus it would behoove the establishment to also focus on safety/stability.
Also, the strongest human instinct is survival. And in the present context of globalization and vast rapid societal/cultural change, those driven by the survival instincts want walls (literally and figuratively) to hide behind. They want walls they perceive will keep them safe from maundering others like Mexicans and Muslims whom they see as a threat to their way of life; their culture; their stability.
So, here comes Trump. He's a pugilist. He's not going to take anything off anyone. For instinctual's, he's just what the doctor ordered--a beating-chest alpha male who promises he will save them; he will turn back time; he will restore their jobs and their personal safety/stability. He will "Make America Great Again."
Thus, by comparison, (the establishment) with their knowledge, diplomacy, rational policies and problem solving skills are perceived by the "instinctual's" as weak and useless. Thus it would behoove the establishment to also focus on safety/stability.
3
While this is a spot on analysis of The Donald Trump phenomena, there is one thing left out! About the Know Nothings in America, you can't discuss them without mentioning our education systems. ALL our educational systems! " At times the schools of our country seem to be dominated by athletics, commercialism, and the standards of our mass media, and these extend upwards to a system of Higher Education whose worst failings were underlined by the bold President of Oklahoma University who hoped to develop a university of which the football team could be proud of." " At great effort and expense, we send an extraordinary proportion of our young to colleges and universities; but our young when they get there, do not seem to care even to read." Said or written recently?! No, 1962 in Hofstadter's epic analysis, "Anti - Intellectualism in American Life"! He should have only known what was coming...
5
Loved the way you ended this piece: "après-moi-le-déluge escapism."
I don't speak French so I had to look it up. After us, the deluge - meaning of course that the know nothings feel entitled enough because of their need for self importance to forget what comes next when making a choice to support Trump. Their power to escape reality is in their minds, and they are using the only power they feel they still have. Unfortunately it's a power born of lack of curiosity, lack of willingness to think through what others are telling them, supported by their tribe, as you report.
Thanks.
I don't speak French so I had to look it up. After us, the deluge - meaning of course that the know nothings feel entitled enough because of their need for self importance to forget what comes next when making a choice to support Trump. Their power to escape reality is in their minds, and they are using the only power they feel they still have. Unfortunately it's a power born of lack of curiosity, lack of willingness to think through what others are telling them, supported by their tribe, as you report.
Thanks.
5
Know Nothing, tribal, hateful, racist --- all these are guaranteed votes. Not only this year, but, as Cohen points out, through our history.
So, if we want to make it through the current attempt to overthrow the country, we have to also look back at history to see how we somehow kept our form of government, and what we believe is good about our system.
No guarantees, people, but nobody should imagine that we are safe from tyranny or failure. Even an open election is no safeguard, as GW Bush proved to our lasting pain and discredit. Instead of making America great, let's just not hand it over to those who would abolish it.
So, if we want to make it through the current attempt to overthrow the country, we have to also look back at history to see how we somehow kept our form of government, and what we believe is good about our system.
No guarantees, people, but nobody should imagine that we are safe from tyranny or failure. Even an open election is no safeguard, as GW Bush proved to our lasting pain and discredit. Instead of making America great, let's just not hand it over to those who would abolish it.
4
There are attendant costs of required writings every given dates, and all these columnists are proof of that unfortunate fact. Mr. Cohen should take a long, long sabbatical and spare us his ad hominem preaching from his pulpit. It will be therapeutic to him, and to all of us!
5
Upon graduation I eagerly took two Harvard degrees back home to the midwest. My first bit of advice, which I have passed on to any who would listen was, "for God's sake don't tell anyone where you went to college." West of the Alleghenies, what passes for advanced education in the East is just so much baggage, due in no small part to the vicious, dismissive arrogance of eastern academics. The brightest and best have caused a lot of damage. Trump has this one to lose. Hillary is competent, perhaps, but Trump owns the message. It's his to lose.
9
Perhaps we must just be grateful that there is no Kardiashian running for president.
5
Here's a thought. He may decide to make one of them his running mate. And we could have Ms. Palin as Secretary of State or, perhaps, Defense.
All the arguments that reveal Trump as an "Elmer Gantry" huckster appealing to baser human instincts will be immaterial if we have a terrorist attack between now and the election.
1
May 16, 2016
U can't always get what you want - like a Rolling Stone....So it is the electorate in not into getting complex policies to address -what's counts is - we did it my way -
After the last eight years of a one congressional campaign to block the Obama agenda - yet unsuccessful those in opposition from the evidence of the Republican primary thus far want an authoritarian neo fascist to satisfy the lusting for neo-primitive Donald Trump - that knows nothing nor does he care to - what's the deal for me to win - for one great American ego obsession - and that add up to a loser.
jja
Manhattan, N. Y.
U can't always get what you want - like a Rolling Stone....So it is the electorate in not into getting complex policies to address -what's counts is - we did it my way -
After the last eight years of a one congressional campaign to block the Obama agenda - yet unsuccessful those in opposition from the evidence of the Republican primary thus far want an authoritarian neo fascist to satisfy the lusting for neo-primitive Donald Trump - that knows nothing nor does he care to - what's the deal for me to win - for one great American ego obsession - and that add up to a loser.
jja
Manhattan, N. Y.
1
The NY Times needs to stop with these opinion pieces and spending resources on who Trump slept with 25 years ago. Start focusing on the issues - offer insight into his positions, counter and discredit them with facts from legitimate independently minded sources. Face it - most of his supporters aren't reading the NY Times - never have and never will. Continuing to poke the bear isn't accomplishing anything. It won't change their minds. Find another way.
11
Trump made it clear that he seeks to establish a far better level of security protecting us from those who have been radicalized by extremist jihadists. It may be that the percentage of Muslims who enter our country who represent such threats is small relative to the total of Muslims who enter, but it's immense relative to the totality of ALL people who enter our country bent on doing us harm. We don't seem to have a problem from homicidal Swedish Lutherans.
To suggest that this isn't so is to simply resolve not to see it in the interests of political correctness. It's a mutual suicide pact among liberals.
Arguments that we have a domestic terrorist threat brewing that we must manage as well and that has nothing to do with Islam is beside the point: we must manage ALL such threats, and not ignore one merely because there are others. There are a ton of people in politics and punditry who could take lessons from Trump on this issue.
Trump would give Caitlyn Jenner a hall pass to pee in peace in a woman's bathroom, his views are not a reflection of an empty head, and I, who am decidedly not a "Know-Nothing", support his efforts to make us safer and to close our southern spigot from a deluge of illegal aliens. So do MILLIONS of other Americans, and to call THEM "Know-Nothings" merely because they hold some political correctnesses in contempt is ... contemptuous.
Millions of people can be wrong; but they can be right, too. You don't get at truth through demonization.
To suggest that this isn't so is to simply resolve not to see it in the interests of political correctness. It's a mutual suicide pact among liberals.
Arguments that we have a domestic terrorist threat brewing that we must manage as well and that has nothing to do with Islam is beside the point: we must manage ALL such threats, and not ignore one merely because there are others. There are a ton of people in politics and punditry who could take lessons from Trump on this issue.
Trump would give Caitlyn Jenner a hall pass to pee in peace in a woman's bathroom, his views are not a reflection of an empty head, and I, who am decidedly not a "Know-Nothing", support his efforts to make us safer and to close our southern spigot from a deluge of illegal aliens. So do MILLIONS of other Americans, and to call THEM "Know-Nothings" merely because they hold some political correctnesses in contempt is ... contemptuous.
Millions of people can be wrong; but they can be right, too. You don't get at truth through demonization.
11
Well they are wrong in this case. No one is being demonized, just asking others to be reasonable.
1
Let’s cut to the chase, Richard Luettgen, about the problem(s) with Donald Trump and his unfitness to occupy the Oval Office. Forget the “Know-Nothing” business. Although I used the term in an earlier comment today to complete Roger Cohen’s theme, historically it really just described a bunch of nativists who were smart enough to be secretive about their anti-Catholic plans. The fact is, Donald Trump is very open about his anti-Muslim views, although less about his anti-Mexican thoughts.
You attribute opposition to Trump’s position as “political correctness” run amok. The fact is he made his hate-mongering remarks about Muslims – including the fictionalized celebrations after 9/11 in New Jersey – to play on the fears of the ill-informed living along our southern border. Millions of Americans object to those statements as being contrary to American traditions, values and Constitutional protections. Forget political correctness, Trump’s attitudes are un-American and stupid.
We should be smart enough to vet immigrants and migrants to ferret out terrorists. Using a blanket exclusion and segregation costs us the cooperation of Muslims around the world. We face bigger problems at home from domestic terrorists, the leaders of whom seem to have a special affinity for Trump. No surprise there.
You attribute opposition to Trump’s position as “political correctness” run amok. The fact is he made his hate-mongering remarks about Muslims – including the fictionalized celebrations after 9/11 in New Jersey – to play on the fears of the ill-informed living along our southern border. Millions of Americans object to those statements as being contrary to American traditions, values and Constitutional protections. Forget political correctness, Trump’s attitudes are un-American and stupid.
We should be smart enough to vet immigrants and migrants to ferret out terrorists. Using a blanket exclusion and segregation costs us the cooperation of Muslims around the world. We face bigger problems at home from domestic terrorists, the leaders of whom seem to have a special affinity for Trump. No surprise there.
4
I agree with much in this column but Mr. Cohen misrepresents the reason the Know Nothing's we so called.
From the online Oxford Learner's Dictionary:
"the popular name for the American Republican Party, later called the American Party, which was established in 1843 with the aim of restricting immigration and preventing Roman Catholics from holding public office. They were called Know-Nothings because members of the party were told to say 'I know nothing' when asked about it. They were also called 'nativists' because they believed that foreign-born Americans should not be allowed to hold government posts. They had some success in the 1850s, but were divided over the issue of slaves, and the party soon came to an end. The word know-nothing is still sometimes applied in the US to a person with political views which are too fixed and not reasonable."
Most people think they were being proud of being uninformed but they were really being secretive about their aims. They may have been, much like some modern Americans, very ill-informed, but that's not the origin of the "Know Nothing" moniker.
From the online Oxford Learner's Dictionary:
"the popular name for the American Republican Party, later called the American Party, which was established in 1843 with the aim of restricting immigration and preventing Roman Catholics from holding public office. They were called Know-Nothings because members of the party were told to say 'I know nothing' when asked about it. They were also called 'nativists' because they believed that foreign-born Americans should not be allowed to hold government posts. They had some success in the 1850s, but were divided over the issue of slaves, and the party soon came to an end. The word know-nothing is still sometimes applied in the US to a person with political views which are too fixed and not reasonable."
Most people think they were being proud of being uninformed but they were really being secretive about their aims. They may have been, much like some modern Americans, very ill-informed, but that's not the origin of the "Know Nothing" moniker.
11
DT simply spouts everything he hears on fox so-called news and radical right radio shows. Know nothings is right.
10
Trump supporters are following the logic of a hurricane. When something does not work but lingers, it must be destroyed before a workable substitute is built. You need the destructive power of a hurricane to level the grounds first, only then you get the chance to rebuild it anew. This is their logic. So, do not tire yourself telling them how hurricanes move irrationally. They are aware of it. People who waited too long for rational winds of change, have moved to the logic of a hurricane as their last resort.
But the American system of governance is too complex to withstand such revolutionary winds. Trusting it to Trump is out of question. Trump must fail. That means Clinton must win. Ignore Trump, promote Clinton extensively.
But the American system of governance is too complex to withstand such revolutionary winds. Trusting it to Trump is out of question. Trump must fail. That means Clinton must win. Ignore Trump, promote Clinton extensively.
13
The logic of a hurricane, well said. It will take a hurricane to clear Big Money out of government. The Great Depression took most of the money out of Washington and paved the way for FDR's New Deal. America withstood the revolutionary winds and flourished.
After the Great Recession (enabled by deragulation under Bill Clinton) the Banks and Wall St were made whole and their lobbyists stayed in place and helped write Dodd Frank reform legislation.
Sanders wants a New New Deal - real change. Nobody else in finance or Washington wants that! It was funny to see Krugman using right wing talking points against Sanders (CountryWide was to blame for making liars loans!). It was funny when Clinton described how she told the big banks off ("Cut it out!") It looks like Loose Canon Trump vs Clinton, the neo-liberal hawk who admires Kissinger. Unpredictable evil vs familiar deadly destructive policy.
After the Great Recession (enabled by deragulation under Bill Clinton) the Banks and Wall St were made whole and their lobbyists stayed in place and helped write Dodd Frank reform legislation.
Sanders wants a New New Deal - real change. Nobody else in finance or Washington wants that! It was funny to see Krugman using right wing talking points against Sanders (CountryWide was to blame for making liars loans!). It was funny when Clinton described how she told the big banks off ("Cut it out!") It looks like Loose Canon Trump vs Clinton, the neo-liberal hawk who admires Kissinger. Unpredictable evil vs familiar deadly destructive policy.
1
I m so sick of hearing about Trump. There are some real candidates who talk about real issues.
21
But he'll be on the ballot in November, and the only other "real candidate" will be Hillary. His defeat needs to begin NOW. That's why such articles are written and published.
4
Bernie is the only one that comes to mind.
I can't stand the man, but he is the de facto Republican nominee for the presidency. That makes him pretty "real". Ignoring him is not going to make him go away.
3
Trump is looking for more balance in our relationships. Fix the imbalance of economic benefits that currently favors China. Fix the imbalance of security and economic benefits that currently favors Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
9
Really? I doubt he can be that nuanced in his thinking.
1
"Perhaps their core idea, along with the unchanging appeal of ethnocentrism, is that politics no longer really matter. Celebrity matters."
Celebrity matters because it distracts and misdirects while income and wealth flow to the richest; and decent living conditions and the opportunity to attain better ones slip out of the grasps of the majority of the people.
Celebrity matters because it distracts and misdirects while income and wealth flow to the richest; and decent living conditions and the opportunity to attain better ones slip out of the grasps of the majority of the people.
1
This wouldn't change the overall point of the article, of course. But I think that the 1850s "Know Nothings" were given that name due not to their willful ignorance of facts, but because they answered "I know nothing" when asked about the affairs of their group.
2
Nationalist isolationism is a necessary political component of economic-financial internationalism.
The more global our real material-economic base, the more the populace must be isolated in a bubble of little, localized frivolities, scandals, and terrors.
The more global our real material-economic base, the more the populace must be isolated in a bubble of little, localized frivolities, scandals, and terrors.
The phrase, "Politics comes to an end at the water's edge," has been around for a long time, and it has nothing to do with isolationism. It has always meant that all parties should unite behind the current government's foreign policy, particularly in their relations with other governments, and in particular that no one should attempt to conduct his own.
7
It doesn't matter what Trump says today because he will reverse himself tomorrow. And his supporters don't care what he says, but how he says it.
It's a long time to November and he can still win this thing. Then the fun begins.
It's a long time to November and he can still win this thing. Then the fun begins.
1
In comparing Trump supporters to the No Nothing Party and in asking if we have too much democracy, the media pundits are showing how scared they are that a large swath of the public is not accepting the media’s spin on public affairs. I suspect the media lost these voters when they continually heard the media describing the plight of illegal immigrants without bothering to cover any of the negative impact these illegals were having on our country. In the not too distant past, the media reported on all of the facts of an issue,and covered differing assessment of them. Now the media has become an advocate for illegal immigrants. It ignores the facts, sensing that these could turn Americans against illegal immigrants. Consequently, many readers of the NYT do not know, from their own daily lives, how illegal immigration is impacting our hospitals, our schools, our supply of affordable housing, the job prospects for Americans with less than a college degree, and so on. Many NYT readers probably accept what it's columnists say as the final word.
Americans who see their community’s health care, education, supply of jobs and affordable housing, and every other needed resource being claimed by illegal immigrants no longer accept the media pundits’ viewpoint. While the pundits describe Americans as ignorant and wonder if we have too much democracy, the real question might be why did the media lose touch with ordinary Americans.
Americans who see their community’s health care, education, supply of jobs and affordable housing, and every other needed resource being claimed by illegal immigrants no longer accept the media pundits’ viewpoint. While the pundits describe Americans as ignorant and wonder if we have too much democracy, the real question might be why did the media lose touch with ordinary Americans.
15
And who, after all, ARE "ordinary Anericans"? Are they legal immigrants? People of color? LGBT people? The poor? I wonder who you mean...
1
The successes of Trump and even Sanders are symptoms of how poorly served our country is by the political elite that have run our country (and poorly at that) over the last several generations.
Politicians, both Democrat or Republican, whether at the federal, state and local levels, main goal is not to serve their constituents or work for the betterment of the United States but rather it is to enrich themselves and those who contribute to their campaigns. The unprecedented level of corruption at the state level, the cloud that Mayor Diblasio and Governor Cuomo are working under and continuing revelations that President Obama's signature accomplishments - Obamacare and the Iran deal - are the results of outright lying to the public, support this sentiment.
Unfortunately the Times and its writers, including Mr. Cohen, are part and parcel of this political elite to such an extent, they seem incapable of seeing what is really going on today in politics.
Politicians, both Democrat or Republican, whether at the federal, state and local levels, main goal is not to serve their constituents or work for the betterment of the United States but rather it is to enrich themselves and those who contribute to their campaigns. The unprecedented level of corruption at the state level, the cloud that Mayor Diblasio and Governor Cuomo are working under and continuing revelations that President Obama's signature accomplishments - Obamacare and the Iran deal - are the results of outright lying to the public, support this sentiment.
Unfortunately the Times and its writers, including Mr. Cohen, are part and parcel of this political elite to such an extent, they seem incapable of seeing what is really going on today in politics.
11
"American buys everything China makes, and China buys the American debt incurred for all the spending sprees on stuff from Guangzhou." Some Chinese made wealthy by the spending sprees then turn around and buy apartments in New York City, to the benefit of Trump and his real estate buddies.
3
Yes, mark, and in return they get lifetime permanent U.S. Visas - citizenship. It's criminal.
5
Trump is already aligning to the tune of the republicans. The closer he gets in line with them the so called trump supporters are in trouble. They are duped. He's already backtracking on everything he said that they seemed to believe in. Trump supporters are already done for. Back to the same old ways. More for the top and you will no longer exist middle, lower etc. class.
4
They say there is no hope of changing an alcoholic until he or she totally hits bottom. Maybe it is the same way with a country that can't see the proverbial forest for the trees. I hate to say it, but it may take the disaster that a Trump Presidency would be to make citizens of this country finally make sensible decisions instead of accepting the brainwashing of the right wing. And, anyone who thinks that the Donald will not totally toe the Republican line if he is elected has been smoking something.
3
Trump's success reflects a perfect storm -- a confluence of low information voters, "reality" television celebrity, growing income inequality, years of anti-government diatribes by right-wing radio, and a general coarsening of culture. The fact that he vacillates on every issue indicates that his supporters are not driven by a coherent political agenda. They want to destroy our political institutions without any consideration of the consequences.
370
Anybody who has access to the racist, sexist and xenophobic emails that Republicans have circulated among themselves since Obama was elected can tell you exactly where Trump's appeal lies. And it is among those who believe the lies, from the birthers to the ones who think Hillary Clinton murdered a hundred political opponents in one way or another.
Trump is playing a very, very dangerous game. Mr. Cohen is right--but he doesn't take his article to its fullest possible conclusion. What happens to America--and America's interests around the world--if the US government loses its political and intellectual credibility? The greatest danger to the election of a celebrity huckster like Trump is that the United States laws and government will come to be seen--with tremendous risk to its citizenry, its economy, and to people around the world--as a joke.
306
I agree with your point, but I doubt if many - or even any - Trump supporters care about how others see us.
1
While I certainly dig the term "celebrity huckster," I think you probably meant "of the election..." not "to the election..."
But to the punchline of your comment, also somewhat difficult to harvest from the extant grammar, that America, upon having this person as president, would come to be seen as a "joke," I have to ask:
Compared to what?
But to the punchline of your comment, also somewhat difficult to harvest from the extant grammar, that America, upon having this person as president, would come to be seen as a "joke," I have to ask:
Compared to what?
All because Trump's supporters now feel wrongly that we are seen as a joke, but we are a powerful nation that includes them as the not-powerful, so now they gonna sock it to us.
To be proud to be anti-intellectual, to be dumb, to reject those pointy heads in Washington is a sad statement being made by Trump supporters who have been convinced by this small-fingered vulgarian to reject all common sense, to abhor intellect, to proffer the prospect that we should gather like a herd of missing links and charge the ramparts of government, armed with pitchforks, torches and automatic assault weapons to take back our government.
This is the nonsense talk of a madman in a Munich beer hall in 1930's Germany. This is destructive rhetoric directed toward stirring up the worse of our baser instincts. It needs to be rejected wholeheartedly before we become the ones we furiously fought decades ago to overcome being run over by their Fascistic ways. We shall, we must overcome.
DD
Manhattan
This is the nonsense talk of a madman in a Munich beer hall in 1930's Germany. This is destructive rhetoric directed toward stirring up the worse of our baser instincts. It needs to be rejected wholeheartedly before we become the ones we furiously fought decades ago to overcome being run over by their Fascistic ways. We shall, we must overcome.
DD
Manhattan
4
Regime change is a major problem. It has been happening at least since the Roman empire, and, perhaps, for ever. The British, the French, the Belgium, the Ottoman, yada yada. They all did good things for their subject countries, as does America, BUT the empires were mostly built upon greed or religious fervor, or both. They always left any previous social norms in disarray, The effort to homogenize the earth has never worked well. Like all forays into change, the change brings responsibility. When we kill the predators, whether animal of human, we then have responsibility for whatever we leave behind. In Iraq, Libya, and Ukraine, we left chaos, death, anger and ISIS. America was great, when she helped to defeat Hitler; then gave the liberated countries the means to rebuild, and left them to do it. America was great when she observed the separation of church and state. American was great when she finally got around to one vote for every adult citizen. American would be great again if she would adopt Democratic Socialism, where people's welfare is more important than corporate profits and billionaire excesses. All lives matter. ALL LIVES MATTER !!!!
2
Any conversation regarding Know-Nothings has to include Sarah Palin. She wore profound ignorance with great pride.
4
Britain has the fifth largest economy in the world and has a a population of 60 million people. It should be big enough to survive on its own, lots of smaller countries already do.
England has had its own parliament for centuries. The EU plans to become a political union of 508 million people. It will be close to 600 million if Turkey joins. All will have the right to live in Britain. Essentially, if Britain remains in the EU it will be trading its sovereignty and agreeing to increased levels of immigration in return for lower tariffs. Would the US have signed NAFTA if that was the result?
England has had its own parliament for centuries. The EU plans to become a political union of 508 million people. It will be close to 600 million if Turkey joins. All will have the right to live in Britain. Essentially, if Britain remains in the EU it will be trading its sovereignty and agreeing to increased levels of immigration in return for lower tariffs. Would the US have signed NAFTA if that was the result?
8
That Trump has risen to his current position in any political party despite he says, and how he acts is a testament to how far much of our population have fallen into the abyss of ignorance and intolerance. It is a big, big sign of the real economic stress facing most of us despite the false assurances from above that things are better. America is but a mirror of history thousands of years old. To wit, when cultures are in a declining mode as we are, there will be political upheaval.
2
It goes something like this. The know nothings like knowing nothing and they like being told by fox and trump who to hate, what to be angry about, and the little bits of words that sustain their hate.
The know nothings know nothing about democracy, they know nothing about how, since Reagan, the GOP, has chipped away at democracy, civil rights, and the federal government. The know nothings know nothing about why these issues and the federal government is important to all of us. They know nothing about American history, slavery, jim crow, racism.
But here's something the know nothings should know and that is, if you want to save Democracy, you need to vote Democratic in November, no matter who is the nominee. If you vote GOP, you are voting against Democracy and the middle class.
There is not enough space here to address the GOP lies for the last 8 years, but they are substantial. Only voting Democratic in November will help restore democracy to Americans.
The know nothings know nothing about democracy, they know nothing about how, since Reagan, the GOP, has chipped away at democracy, civil rights, and the federal government. The know nothings know nothing about why these issues and the federal government is important to all of us. They know nothing about American history, slavery, jim crow, racism.
But here's something the know nothings should know and that is, if you want to save Democracy, you need to vote Democratic in November, no matter who is the nominee. If you vote GOP, you are voting against Democracy and the middle class.
There is not enough space here to address the GOP lies for the last 8 years, but they are substantial. Only voting Democratic in November will help restore democracy to Americans.
8
"on a nativist platform to “purify” national politics by stopping the influx of Irish and German Catholics."
I'm curious, did the Irish and German Catholics enter the United States illegally? Answer: No.
Did the Irish and German Catholics ever engage in terrorist activities motivated primarily by their religious ideology? Answer: No.
Not quite the same, is it?
I'm curious, did the Irish and German Catholics enter the United States illegally? Answer: No.
Did the Irish and German Catholics ever engage in terrorist activities motivated primarily by their religious ideology? Answer: No.
Not quite the same, is it?
10
A lot of former immigrants entered the country illegally!
1
Wrong on both counts. There were no immigration laws then, so anyone who felt like it could come. I don't know about the Germans, but the Irish Catholics who were part of the Fenian movement were certainly terrorist and used other Irish in this country to raise money for terrorism in Ireland based on their religion.
1
It's no surprise that "America First" is back after the unexampled debacle of the idiotic neocon Iraq War was foisted on America by Bush and Hillary Clinton. The American public is quite rightly in a "never again" mood. The only politician they trust to NOT take us into another neocon war in Iran for Israel is Trump. Hillary's been the Israel Lobby's favorite in both parties since 2008. They see her as their best hope for conning American once again into fighting a proxy war to "protect" Israel in the Middle East. Bernie would be an even safer bet never to do this than Trump, but unfortunately the Clinton machine easily conned black voters into rejecting their real champion, Bernie, and voting for Goldman's champion, Hillary. So anyone determined to keep us out of another fool war for Israel in the Middle East has only The Donald to rely on. Yeah, America First when our interests clash with those of Likud Israel. There should be no question about this.
1
It's no surprise that the "Israel Lobby" -- somehow nefariously controlling the most powerful nation in the world's foreign policy through the wiles of all those clever sinister conspiratorial Jews, uh I mean Zionists -- is continually being foisted by yet another supposed progressive type such as yourself conning us into believing all this obsession over the Jewish State is innocently rooted in nothing more than pure concern for human rights for the downtrodden (who tried to destroy it several times and still dream of doing so, but are of course AWOL when it comes to the Kurds, the Tibetans, Turkish illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus and so on) and the belief that somehow the US government is like a tiny child that that can't make up its own mind without the depredations of those cunning Zionists.
1
The most intimidated seem to be the media....TV questions at the "debates"
allowed Trump to use everything, anything unacceptable without
being held to conventional standards. The explanation is that this is not
a conventional candidate. By accepting this as the new normal, the bar was lowered to meet Trump's anti-all...always a rallying cry, as we have seen
in the 30s in Germany.
allowed Trump to use everything, anything unacceptable without
being held to conventional standards. The explanation is that this is not
a conventional candidate. By accepting this as the new normal, the bar was lowered to meet Trump's anti-all...always a rallying cry, as we have seen
in the 30s in Germany.
8
Cohen writes "America is a universal idea." He must be so frustrated and confused that the overwhelming majority of the rest of the world does not agree.
Trump is a monster, but he is ascendant because he understands what others do not. Despite what Cohen and G.W. Bush may have thought, the rest of the world is not interested in sharing a Coke with us. They are our competitors at best, and enemies at worst.
Trump is a monster, but he is ascendant because he understands what others do not. Despite what Cohen and G.W. Bush may have thought, the rest of the world is not interested in sharing a Coke with us. They are our competitors at best, and enemies at worst.
15
"A rising tide lifts all vessels" President Obama, 2009
2014, 46.7 million Americans living in poverty...(37.3 in 2007)
Nearly half of all Americans can come up with $400 for an emergency.
Thank goodness that we have the Trump Circus to distract ourselves.
"Ourselves" is the new silent majority that was once Nixon's and is now Obama's. We prefer not to dwell on our growing inequality.
We appoint ThirdWay Dems like Rahm to insure the trains run on time, while ignoring the conditions of the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.
We love "Incremental Progressivism" even though the statistics show that we continue to backslide on inequality.
We buy gas-guzzling SUV's to taxi our children to their many activities as we show no responsibility for the 6th mass extinction currently in action.
The continued belittling of the Trump supporter has the potential of a very nasty blowback.
Our endorsement of a woman who a figurehead of the 1% and the laissez faire policies (let the free market work out the problem) practiced by both parties since Reagan's arrival shall fail. Her scatter-shot "target group" campaigning is already feeding the growing class/gender/race divide.
Also, our all-volunteer military and grossly unequal public-school system must
be dismantled and replaced with a level playing field.
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/
2014, 46.7 million Americans living in poverty...(37.3 in 2007)
Nearly half of all Americans can come up with $400 for an emergency.
Thank goodness that we have the Trump Circus to distract ourselves.
"Ourselves" is the new silent majority that was once Nixon's and is now Obama's. We prefer not to dwell on our growing inequality.
We appoint ThirdWay Dems like Rahm to insure the trains run on time, while ignoring the conditions of the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.
We love "Incremental Progressivism" even though the statistics show that we continue to backslide on inequality.
We buy gas-guzzling SUV's to taxi our children to their many activities as we show no responsibility for the 6th mass extinction currently in action.
The continued belittling of the Trump supporter has the potential of a very nasty blowback.
Our endorsement of a woman who a figurehead of the 1% and the laissez faire policies (let the free market work out the problem) practiced by both parties since Reagan's arrival shall fail. Her scatter-shot "target group" campaigning is already feeding the growing class/gender/race divide.
Also, our all-volunteer military and grossly unequal public-school system must
be dismantled and replaced with a level playing field.
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/
9
Billionaires and despots alike are facing a crisis. We've reached a point in human progress where there is no mountain top, no undersea lair, and no hidden valley to protect them against the need to share with other humans, and the smart ones are scared to death..........to the point where they're feverishly trying to stash away another billion or two to buy whole governments to protect them against the needs and thoughts of others.
It's not just here in the US. The unavoidable footsteps of progress and globalization are scaring the bjesus out every entrenched tribal society or despot led clan in the world.
We can lead, or we can succumb to the "conservative values" of hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry that mark our connection to the animal world and its jungle politics.
If we don't lead, we apt to swallowed by the foliage or eaten by the predators.
It's not just here in the US. The unavoidable footsteps of progress and globalization are scaring the bjesus out every entrenched tribal society or despot led clan in the world.
We can lead, or we can succumb to the "conservative values" of hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry that mark our connection to the animal world and its jungle politics.
If we don't lead, we apt to swallowed by the foliage or eaten by the predators.
2
Since the 1990s science fiction writers have been stories of the end of nation-states and the rise of corporate-states. Perhaps, Donald Trump as President of the United States is proof of their predictions.
4
"Millions of people who vote for Trump cannot be wrong." Yes, they can. People who vote for the GOP are wrong when doing so is against their own self interest. People who voted for W, especially the second time when the election wasn't quite as rigged, were wrong and we all paid for it and are still paying for it. People who voted for old Bush and the Saint before him were wrong, and the country has been in decline since the days of the Saint.
Just because someone has the wherewithal to register and get themselves to rallies and voting precincts doesn't make them smart. They buy Trump's idiocy, they buy his grotesque personality, they like his ticky-tacky seedy style.
They certainly can be wrong. And are.
Just because someone has the wherewithal to register and get themselves to rallies and voting precincts doesn't make them smart. They buy Trump's idiocy, they buy his grotesque personality, they like his ticky-tacky seedy style.
They certainly can be wrong. And are.
21
I can vote against self-interest when the country's welfare demands it, but, in this case, voting for Republicans--and especially voting for Trump--is voting against both.
4
Damaged spirits often seek an enemy they can face to make up for the one they couldn't. For Trump people relative tranquility and peace isn't comfortable, familiar territory because unresolved childhood issues, incubating for decades, has been building pressure, waiting for a vent. Trump is the vent for that anger misplaced in time and target. For Trump's mob, relative tranquility and peace will never offer comfort. It's too light. They are blanketed with age-old, undefined rage and can't feel softness.
Something, someone scared trumpettes at an early age and they couldn't do anything about it then; the resulting fear gravitated to anger without any clearly defined outlet, until now.
The progressive/liberal block are surrogate parents, the outlet, whom they can finally get stand up to. Trump's got their back, the comic-book superhero they always wished for as a child. Bad bad insider government.
New, improved Daddy likes you. It's okay now.
Something, someone scared trumpettes at an early age and they couldn't do anything about it then; the resulting fear gravitated to anger without any clearly defined outlet, until now.
The progressive/liberal block are surrogate parents, the outlet, whom they can finally get stand up to. Trump's got their back, the comic-book superhero they always wished for as a child. Bad bad insider government.
New, improved Daddy likes you. It's okay now.
2
Either Mr. Cohen, or Trump, or both misunderstand the meaning of "politics ends at the water's edge". It means - or used to mean - that partisanship should end there, that Americans should unite in the face of foreign threats. not give foreign enemies an advantage over the US by showing disunity. It never meant that the US should isolate itself.
9
What a turnaround for Mr. Cohen. Even he has commented on Mr. Obama's distancing himself from Israel. I also find it amusing that he excoriates Mr. Netanyahu for accepting an invitation to present his opinion on a subject that he considered an existential threat to his country (the Iran nuclear agreement). I heard no such comments from Mr. Cohen about Mr. Obama's uninvited opinions on the UK leaving the EU, when Mr. Obama was in the UK some weeks ago. And that subject was not anywhere close to an existential threat to the US. At most, it might impact a number of jobs here.
Does Mr. Cohen not think the President was meddling in the UK's affairs? I think we need some intellectual honesty here!
Does Mr. Cohen not think the President was meddling in the UK's affairs? I think we need some intellectual honesty here!
12
The scariest thing about the know-nothings is that they stay stubborn know-nothings. Bring in a foul-mouthed, crazy, dangerous demagogue into the mix and the tide will bring down a flood drowning everyone including all the know-nothings. The know-nothings will not even realize that they have shot themselves in the mouth. In that sense they are no better than the jihadist suicide bombers. Unfortunately, there are no 100 virgins awaiting them.
5
“I’m not an expert, but… [Insert dumb, inaccurate “facts’ here]…”
How did this ever become acceptable? If you’re not an expert, what gives you the justification for challenging experts? If you really care about an issue, who's stopping you from learning about it and becoming an expert?
Oh wait. I think I know… “I’m not an expert, but” has become cover for lying. It’s become the safe word, because when you preface your lie with “I’m not an expert, but,” you can say anything and it doesn’t count as a lie.
How did this ever become acceptable? If you’re not an expert, what gives you the justification for challenging experts? If you really care about an issue, who's stopping you from learning about it and becoming an expert?
Oh wait. I think I know… “I’m not an expert, but” has become cover for lying. It’s become the safe word, because when you preface your lie with “I’m not an expert, but,” you can say anything and it doesn’t count as a lie.
342
“I’m not an expert, but” has become the Republican mantra, invoked regularly to deny politically inconvenient truths, e.g. on climate change.
2
It's the same as saying, "that's how I feel", nothing else needs to be added. Nothing to contest. Nothing to justify.
It's just feelings.
You know, like that feeling that bush ii might be someone you could have a beer with.
It's just feelings.
You know, like that feeling that bush ii might be someone you could have a beer with.
1
The "experts" got us into Vietnam and Iraq; the "experts" pushed for ending Glass-Steagall; the "experts" received a complete bailout for their larceny. You can watch or read any news outlet today, and see the same "experts" pontificating jovially, none having ever paid a penalty for their astonishing hubris. I'm no fan of Trump but we've all been let down by our "experts" so I can almost understand why some may want to place their bets elsewhere, even with a buffoon.
"Power centers are elsewhere — in financial systems, corporations, technology, networks — that long since dispensed with borders. That being the case, loud-mouthed, isolationist trumpery may just be a sideshow, an American exercise in après-moi-le-déluge escapism."
That may be true, Mr. Cohen. But they don't vote, and shouldn't be allowed to. Politicians still have to be accountable to actual people. That much I KNOW.
That may be true, Mr. Cohen. But they don't vote, and shouldn't be allowed to. Politicians still have to be accountable to actual people. That much I KNOW.
8
If only the Supreme Court agreed with you.
2
"America is a universal idea?"
It doesn't come any more naive than that. Especially since everyone seems to be struggling to agree on what idea America is supposed to represent. That's the problem with America. Abstract ideas don't sit well with know-nothings.
As for non-Americans? They're scratching their heads in disbelief. The world's greatest democracy? Sure thing.
It doesn't come any more naive than that. Especially since everyone seems to be struggling to agree on what idea America is supposed to represent. That's the problem with America. Abstract ideas don't sit well with know-nothings.
As for non-Americans? They're scratching their heads in disbelief. The world's greatest democracy? Sure thing.
7
To paraphrase what Mr Cohen has said - that for the millions of people who vote for Trump a main core idea is "..politics no longer really matter. Celebrity matters."
I think that is a misguided conclusion. What matters is that the Republican party has lost it's ability to perform the shell trick of hiding the fact that their core idea is to improve the financial gain of the so-called 1%. This failure along with the globalization of production resulting in a race to the bottom for wages has resulted in the Trump vote- not celibrity.
I think that is a misguided conclusion. What matters is that the Republican party has lost it's ability to perform the shell trick of hiding the fact that their core idea is to improve the financial gain of the so-called 1%. This failure along with the globalization of production resulting in a race to the bottom for wages has resulted in the Trump vote- not celibrity.
10
A note to Sanders supporters:
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
If you don't want Trump as president, vote for -- and if you have the time, get out the vote for -- Hillary Clinton.
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
If you don't want Trump as president, vote for -- and if you have the time, get out the vote for -- Hillary Clinton.
100
Don't mistake the lesser evil for the good. A neo-liberal hawk can't even see what's wrong, let alone fix it. "Clintonism" has been a disaster.
1
The French have a beautiful way of saying this:
"Le mieux est l'enemie de le bien." I'm with scrim1 on this one. As a Sanders supporter I will vote for Hillary Clinton if she is the nominee, because it is a matter of "the good enough" vs. the truly terrible.
"Le mieux est l'enemie de le bien." I'm with scrim1 on this one. As a Sanders supporter I will vote for Hillary Clinton if she is the nominee, because it is a matter of "the good enough" vs. the truly terrible.
I am baffled by separating Trump from his supporters as a catastrophe that has befallen this nation. I believe, the bigger problem is the ignorance of the 10 million or so men and women who actually believe that Trump is qualified to run this country if not the World with an undeniable ignorance that he has demonstrated in the past 12 months. That is scary, very scary since ignorance is on the rise in this country and chances are that in the next election cycle, there will be 20 million who would vote for a Trump-like candidate. And so, the path to destruction is in from us. "Democracy in an ignorant nation, will lead to self destruction"
34
I would also include in this ignorant category all those Bernie supporters who say they would vote for Trump or just stay home if Clinton is nominated. Their goals have been great up to this point, but as they turn their backs on these goals and help elect Trump they betray these goals in the name of not voting for the lesser of two evils. There so called high mindedness and false equivalency is the Naderism of our times and might have consequences far beyond what they believe is possible even worse than GW if possible.
4
there is a large paradox here or perhaps its just Trump's stupidity. He says that we must defend our borders and become isolationist. and yet he wants to project American power and exceptionalism around the world as the Great American Bully. Who in the world will ever listen to anything we say as we try to pursue these contradictory aims? That Donald Trump is admired by so many is a tribute to American stupidity and belies American exceptionalism or American greatness.
19
" Trump, who ... declared — or perhaps it was only a suggestion — that, “Our moments of greatest strength came when politics ended at water’s edge.”" What??
One thing I've noticed that makes Trump gaffe-proof and goof-proof is the idea currently in vogue that Presidents really just have to hire the best people to offer possible decisions he or she can then pick from, and their demonstrated ignorance, narcissism, record of compulsive lying, etc won't really matter. The candidate who is so proud of winning will fix the country as if it were a NYC Public Skating Rink, just needing to get the construction done. The whole idea of the campaign being the place where voters look at how the candidates demonstrate their character, style, insight and breadth of knowledge, in addition to as their record of actual achievement (of things other than starting with money and making more, and being a dependable publicity and TV ratings magnet) is out the window right now. And if Trump wins, that's another thing we'll have to get used to. Judgement, like humility, will be optional in a Presidential candidate. Salesmanship and self-promotion will be what the parties will look for.
One thing I've noticed that makes Trump gaffe-proof and goof-proof is the idea currently in vogue that Presidents really just have to hire the best people to offer possible decisions he or she can then pick from, and their demonstrated ignorance, narcissism, record of compulsive lying, etc won't really matter. The candidate who is so proud of winning will fix the country as if it were a NYC Public Skating Rink, just needing to get the construction done. The whole idea of the campaign being the place where voters look at how the candidates demonstrate their character, style, insight and breadth of knowledge, in addition to as their record of actual achievement (of things other than starting with money and making more, and being a dependable publicity and TV ratings magnet) is out the window right now. And if Trump wins, that's another thing we'll have to get used to. Judgement, like humility, will be optional in a Presidential candidate. Salesmanship and self-promotion will be what the parties will look for.
3
Trump isn’t heralding in some new era of smug and delusional ignorance; his popularity is merely the latest manifestation of the marriage of confidence and ignorance that has existed for a long time already. Just think of the rise in popularity of the reality-show queen and truly vacuous know-nothing Sarah Palin (and all that she represents).
Don't mistake Trump's popularity for a know-nothing tide; it's more like the aftershock of a know-nothing tsunami.
Don't mistake Trump's popularity for a know-nothing tide; it's more like the aftershock of a know-nothing tsunami.
16
Republican doctrine is fully committed to the construction and worship of 'golden calves' on the premise that calves trickle.
The cold hard fact is that we need business and commerce, but we don't need to get it through trickle or any of the other possible calf excretions.
The answer is, and always has been, that we need a fair and honest distribution of the wealth that society produces, The answer is not about trickle, it's about fairness, honesty, and human dignity.
The measure of human dignity and achievement cannot be set beyond a reasonable limit because that will progressively tend to 'filter out' more and more of the contributors to any given society........the wealth will be concentrated and the cycle of melting the calf will commence once again.
The cold hard fact is that we need business and commerce, but we don't need to get it through trickle or any of the other possible calf excretions.
The answer is, and always has been, that we need a fair and honest distribution of the wealth that society produces, The answer is not about trickle, it's about fairness, honesty, and human dignity.
The measure of human dignity and achievement cannot be set beyond a reasonable limit because that will progressively tend to 'filter out' more and more of the contributors to any given society........the wealth will be concentrated and the cycle of melting the calf will commence once again.
'Speaking of Israel, Trump says, “President Obama has not been a friend to Israel.”
Actually, you could make the case that President Obama has saved the lives of 1000's...maybe tens of thousands of Isrealis. Without the Iran Nuclear Deal, the only option on the table was eventual military force. And, if anybody thinks that Iran would not retaliate against Isreal, then that person knows nothing about the people running Iran. Whatever missles that Iran currently has would be directed at Isreal, and the eventual loss of life would be catastrophic.
Actually, you could make the case that President Obama has saved the lives of 1000's...maybe tens of thousands of Isrealis. Without the Iran Nuclear Deal, the only option on the table was eventual military force. And, if anybody thinks that Iran would not retaliate against Isreal, then that person knows nothing about the people running Iran. Whatever missles that Iran currently has would be directed at Isreal, and the eventual loss of life would be catastrophic.
19
"My way or the highway" prevails in the Middle East. The underling problem is that the answer is in the highway that joins two cultures, not the 'my way' that lives in the trenches of the past and protects the 'old way' against the natural course of transformation and change that drives our universe.
Iran probably has more to worry about from Israel that Israel has to worry about from Iran. Israel already has nuclear weapons probably H-bombs. Due to a high population density, it has been estimated that a total of twelve to fourteen 750 kiloton nuclear weapons would be sufficient to completely destroy Iran.
2
Charles W.; I see your point. But, somehow I think that if the choice is millions dead Iranians and 10s of thousand dead Israelis...President Obama's Nuclear Deal with Iran (with neither country having mass casualties) is the better option.
In contrast to Roger's frequent advocacy of American intervention, President John Quincy Adams had some much more prescient advice for future American presidents. "Of all the guideposts a nation can follow passion is the most treacherous, prudence is the most faithful". Obama's reasoned systematic pressure on ISIS using drones, air strikes, including the ISIS oil and financial infrastructure, and special forces raids, is gradually weakening them and greatly limits American opportunity costs. ."She goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy." Think how much better off the world would be if we hadn't gone after Saddam Hussein and destabilized the entire Middle East."Even under the banners of foreign independence she would involve herself beyond the powers of extrication". All you have to do is look at our seemingly forever wars of Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, to validate the wisdom of that advice.
10
Or if we hadn't gone after Qaddafi either, and destabilized Libya and much of north Africa, or hand't drawn a line in the sand, in Syria, and then ignored it, etc. etc.
Both Bush and Obama have major policy blunders, and not just in foreign policy.
Both Bush and Obama have major policy blunders, and not just in foreign policy.
6
The problem with 'sound bites' is that ultimately they get hijacked by one self server or another to promote a more appealing simplistic interpretation.
We do need to accommodate the weaknesses and biases of the human mind when communicating.. We do this by using metaphors and analogies, but we have to be careful not to anchor our thinking and particularly our decision to whiles of amusing anecdotes.
I like Churchill's purported "speak softly and carry a big stick" sound bite, but it becomes absurd when the interpretation of 'stick' gets implicitly translated to 'thermonuclear weapon'.
We do need to accommodate the weaknesses and biases of the human mind when communicating.. We do this by using metaphors and analogies, but we have to be careful not to anchor our thinking and particularly our decision to whiles of amusing anecdotes.
I like Churchill's purported "speak softly and carry a big stick" sound bite, but it becomes absurd when the interpretation of 'stick' gets implicitly translated to 'thermonuclear weapon'.
1
"I like Churchill's purported 'speak softly and carry a big stick"...."
Excuse me, but it was Teddy Roosevelt who said that...
Excuse me, but it was Teddy Roosevelt who said that...
1
I am convinced this election will turn on getting young people to vote.... especially college students. From what I've observed over the years this demographic is still relatively Pure when it comes to a lack prejudice, an unfamiliarity with corporate greed and missing the bigotry gene as reflected in our older population. Kids are still optimistic, and unhampered by frustrations of perceived (or otherwise) "failures". Thus the popularity of the Sanders campaign. Most "adults" believe Hell would freeze over before college tuition is "free", and they're probably correct. But kids don't see it that way, nor the world in general from a "kicked in the teeth a few times" perspective. Ms. Clinton needs to kiss the ground Bernie walks on and promise him almost anything to assure he carries his base with him to the polls in November. It will be a definite key to winning.
11
Time and space are relative, as was the "womens vote", and "equal rights", and so will be "free tuition", "free healthcare", and other freedoms that advance human progress. It will be done when the time and space are ready to accommodate.
Odds are, it will take more than 8 years, and an incremental rather than an instantaneous progression of change.
Bernie re-asserted the long held dream. Time and space will deliver it as long as he and others don't die, relent, or otherwise drop the subject.
Odds are, it will take more than 8 years, and an incremental rather than an instantaneous progression of change.
Bernie re-asserted the long held dream. Time and space will deliver it as long as he and others don't die, relent, or otherwise drop the subject.
Problems ??? Punch them all in the face !!! Problems solved....
Problems ???? Carpet bomb 'em !!!
Problems ???? Build a wall !!!
Problems ???? Get a divorce....
Problems ??? Sue 'em....
Problems ??? .... ah...bankruptcy !!!
Problems ??? Blame them.... (cover the mirror)
Problems ???? Turn on the TV... (Fox ??... porn ???)
..... what's the problem ????
Angry ??? Hate !... blow it up !.... make everyone suffer !....
Problems ???? Carpet bomb 'em !!!
Problems ???? Build a wall !!!
Problems ???? Get a divorce....
Problems ??? Sue 'em....
Problems ??? .... ah...bankruptcy !!!
Problems ??? Blame them.... (cover the mirror)
Problems ???? Turn on the TV... (Fox ??... porn ???)
..... what's the problem ????
Angry ??? Hate !... blow it up !.... make everyone suffer !....
28
President Obama has not been a friend to Israel by:
-- vilifying Mr. Netanyahu and conducting a vicious and still ongoing media campaign against him aimed at countering Mr. Netanyahu’s entirely plausible arguments that the Iran deal constituted -- and still does constitute -- an existential threat to Israel.
-- providing Iran with the oil revenues needed to (a) secure advanced weapons from Russia capable of destroying Israel’s major population centers and (b) supply Hezbollah and Hamas with tens of thousands of additional rockets and missiles with which to target Israel.
-- refusing to supply Israel with the blockbuster weapons that might once and for all have foreclosed the possibility of a nuclear attack on Israel.
-- vilifying Mr. Netanyahu and conducting a vicious and still ongoing media campaign against him aimed at countering Mr. Netanyahu’s entirely plausible arguments that the Iran deal constituted -- and still does constitute -- an existential threat to Israel.
-- providing Iran with the oil revenues needed to (a) secure advanced weapons from Russia capable of destroying Israel’s major population centers and (b) supply Hezbollah and Hamas with tens of thousands of additional rockets and missiles with which to target Israel.
-- refusing to supply Israel with the blockbuster weapons that might once and for all have foreclosed the possibility of a nuclear attack on Israel.
10
We are Israel's best friend and benefactor.
Netanyahu is the problem. Wake up.
Netanyahu is the problem. Wake up.
8
Threats are not de facto realities just because Netanyahu, Trump, or the Pope says so!
Since the first sub-human jumped down from the trees in search of food or a new life style, RISK has been a core component of human progress.
The doctrine of 'peace and federation, not war' is a lesson well learned in the age of atomic weapons.
Israel carved out a condo in a hornets nest. We can defend its right to do so, but we cannot rationally justify the eradication of the designated hornets and their nest.
Unfortunately, the solution in Middle East is the same as the one in Europe, China, India, and the US. It is federation.
This is a huge issue in two societies that systemically define their neighbors as undesirable "others".........even if they each purport to leave "the other" in a peaceful bliss of diminishment.
Since the first sub-human jumped down from the trees in search of food or a new life style, RISK has been a core component of human progress.
The doctrine of 'peace and federation, not war' is a lesson well learned in the age of atomic weapons.
Israel carved out a condo in a hornets nest. We can defend its right to do so, but we cannot rationally justify the eradication of the designated hornets and their nest.
Unfortunately, the solution in Middle East is the same as the one in Europe, China, India, and the US. It is federation.
This is a huge issue in two societies that systemically define their neighbors as undesirable "others".........even if they each purport to leave "the other" in a peaceful bliss of diminishment.
1
Even when i am awake i find that Obama is Israel's nightmare.
3
Mr. Cohen cheerfully consigns the UK to a fate that no American would tolerate. Having your lives regulated by an unelected committee in Brussels is, by his lights, utopia. If the EU has succeeded it is by giving France and Germany a reason not to tear each other apart (though France is doing a good job of tearing itself to bits). However the UK has no need to be part of that cozy arrangement.
9
History says: it's a bumpy road, but federation is the path of human progress. History also says that either straying from it OR attempting to 'wall out progress' produces death, destruction, and human degradation.
By definition, human progress, involves the heavy work of dragging the "conservative values du jour" forward (also known as human evolution).
By definition, human progress, involves the heavy work of dragging the "conservative values du jour" forward (also known as human evolution).
My ancestors were foreign invaders who used violence to conquer the lands that they occupied. But today, the Vikings who settled in England are regarded as being as English as anybody else who lives there.
People are afraid ... but I wish they would use their brains instead of just their emotions.
People are afraid ... but I wish they would use their brains instead of just their emotions.
4
If people used their brains as you suggest, they might choose to realize that a minute portion of their genetic material parsed from 55 generations removed may well be completely irrelevant intermingled with material spanning centuries and continents. In fact, their belief might be completely contradicted by a DNA test. Which, brings us to the conclusion that whom people choose to believe they are descended from is frequently a function of subjective belief. So you are correct people should direct themselves to the content and subtext of the beliefs being espoused. These in the case of Trump speak to the basest and most repellent of available human motivations and morality.
1
You are proof the we all "......have a dream"! Dream on! Eventually valid dreams catch on and bring light and progress...........even into the dark caves of politics.
And the migration of people began long before history. If we all were required to return to the place of our origin, the rift valley would be very, very crowded. Or perhaps we'd find that we actually originated somewhere else.
1
As yogi taught us...deja view all over again...
7
The "Know Nothings" fell apart and found a home in the newly formed Republican Party. It has been a basic part of that Party ever since.
9
Actually, I think that the "know nothings" were actually recruited and carefully wired together to produce an electoral majority.
The problem now is that the various "know nothing" constituencies are each chanting their own 'my way or the highway' song, and it's turned into a misanthropic, cacophonic symphony of malcontent.
The problem now is that the various "know nothing" constituencies are each chanting their own 'my way or the highway' song, and it's turned into a misanthropic, cacophonic symphony of malcontent.
1
The problem campaigning against Trump is that he can say almost whatever he wants as a "know nothing." But the FACT is that Donald Trump has ZERO experience in government. He has never been elected to any office. He never even ran for any office and he never served as an adviser to any government office, period.
Donald Trumps total lack of experience is a fact he cannot dispute. So, I think that the Clinton campaign should be pushing the fact to the max. Experience counts. No experience is scary. It is frightening.
A crisis comes up. The economy falls into another recession. And we have a "know nothing" president Trump. Heaven help us!
Will the Clinton campaign wake up to this?
----------------------------------------------------
Donald Trumps total lack of experience is a fact he cannot dispute. So, I think that the Clinton campaign should be pushing the fact to the max. Experience counts. No experience is scary. It is frightening.
A crisis comes up. The economy falls into another recession. And we have a "know nothing" president Trump. Heaven help us!
Will the Clinton campaign wake up to this?
----------------------------------------------------
40
Harry Pearle
I don't think the lack of experience is that important. What I think is important is that he does not understand that the President is not the "boss". Unlike his position as the owner of the company where his word is final, being President means you must negotiate with the owners of the company, we the people.
I don't think the lack of experience is that important. What I think is important is that he does not understand that the President is not the "boss". Unlike his position as the owner of the company where his word is final, being President means you must negotiate with the owners of the company, we the people.
5
By definition, the only "business" conducted by government is achieved through the self serving profiteering associated with corruption of one form or another.
Government, in itself is not a profit making organization. It is a human service organization dedicated to the advancement of the needs and ideas of an ever changing social order. There will always be elements of corruption and waste due to the 'nature of the beast' (t is after all run by biased and self serving humans), but there is no justifiable reason to institute corruption at the systemic, simplistic, self serving quid-pro-quo level that Republican policy demands.
We should take care to keep democracy, not business in charge of our future.
Government, in itself is not a profit making organization. It is a human service organization dedicated to the advancement of the needs and ideas of an ever changing social order. There will always be elements of corruption and waste due to the 'nature of the beast' (t is after all run by biased and self serving humans), but there is no justifiable reason to institute corruption at the systemic, simplistic, self serving quid-pro-quo level that Republican policy demands.
We should take care to keep democracy, not business in charge of our future.
5
Harry Pearle
This point has been made and made again, but the evidence shows that those who will vote for Trump, or who at least are sympathetic to his blather, like his lack of experience, regard it as a qualification that (sorry) trumps mere familiarity with the issues or awareness of the implications of policy choices, locally and globally.
I think Hillary will have to counter Trump's vileness with strategies that both answer the specific attack-du-news-cycle AND reinforce her overall campaign themes WHILE working mightily on the ground to get out the vote of every individual, in every demographic cluster, that understands why Trump must not be allowed to become president simply because not enough people who see what's at stake showed up to vote.
This point has been made and made again, but the evidence shows that those who will vote for Trump, or who at least are sympathetic to his blather, like his lack of experience, regard it as a qualification that (sorry) trumps mere familiarity with the issues or awareness of the implications of policy choices, locally and globally.
I think Hillary will have to counter Trump's vileness with strategies that both answer the specific attack-du-news-cycle AND reinforce her overall campaign themes WHILE working mightily on the ground to get out the vote of every individual, in every demographic cluster, that understands why Trump must not be allowed to become president simply because not enough people who see what's at stake showed up to vote.
4
"The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human." A. Huxley.
Contemplate, for a moment, how much of Mr. Trump's propaganda is predicated upon this principle.
Mexicans. Muslims. China. Women. Immigration. Liberals.
Identify, objectify, marginalize, and demonize.
Those are Mr. Trump's rhetorical weapons of choice.
Contemplate, for a moment, how much of Mr. Trump's propaganda is predicated upon this principle.
Mexicans. Muslims. China. Women. Immigration. Liberals.
Identify, objectify, marginalize, and demonize.
Those are Mr. Trump's rhetorical weapons of choice.
201
It wouldn't be so bad if Trump wasn't the personification of the Republican party and its faux veil of "conservative values du jour".
All humans are both socially and economically conservative. The spectrum is more about those who are looking to conserve humanity vs those who are looking to rule all or a designated portion of some long lost jungle.
All humans are both socially and economically conservative. The spectrum is more about those who are looking to conserve humanity vs those who are looking to rule all or a designated portion of some long lost jungle.
1
The methods that you describe were the techniques used by the Nazis in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.
Google the three words "Thrump Hitler Speeches" and see what turns up. It is not pretty but it explains where he is coming from and why he acts the way he does. Trump is a megalomaniac.
Google the three words "Thrump Hitler Speeches" and see what turns up. It is not pretty but it explains where he is coming from and why he acts the way he does. Trump is a megalomaniac.
To "Didier" in Charleston, WV - I don't think Trump is smart enough to realize what he is doing in that regard. You are, but he isn't. Please don't give him credit for being smart enough to employ those tactics.
Trump should know that the America First idea could fructify only when the US remains in the thick of global mainstream competing with other nations, not when returns to its isolationist go-it-alone path, where neither the First nor the Last ranking would make any difference.
3
Trump supporters don't necessarily revel in their own ignorance, but they do revel in Trump's. I think they see him as an outsider, with money, and fame who made it to the top without bowing and scraping to the political establishment. He says what they want to say -- whether they really believe it or not. He gives voice to their fear in a way that sounds strong. They revel in his faux toughness.
The problem is, Trump is using those fears to hide his inconsistencies, inadequacies, lack of conviction, missing morality, and inexperience.
If the Presidential campaign is one long job interview, then the American voters need to ask themselves some questions.
Would they hire Trump?
Would they hire a businessman whose businesses went bankrupt four times, who had to be bailed out by his father and siblings several times, and who had to sell almost all of his assets to avoid declaring personal bankruptcy?
Would they hire a man who boasts about himself constantly and who hides his financial and personal history? Would they hire a man who makes his friends and followers call him Mr. Trump?
Would they hire a man who makes inaccurate statements about race, ethnicity and religion? Would they hire a man whose approach to women is sexist and borders on harassment?
Would they hire a man whose plans for running their business in the future were outlandish and unworkable?
Would they hire a man with a record of saying one thing and doing another?
WE are better than this?
The problem is, Trump is using those fears to hide his inconsistencies, inadequacies, lack of conviction, missing morality, and inexperience.
If the Presidential campaign is one long job interview, then the American voters need to ask themselves some questions.
Would they hire Trump?
Would they hire a businessman whose businesses went bankrupt four times, who had to be bailed out by his father and siblings several times, and who had to sell almost all of his assets to avoid declaring personal bankruptcy?
Would they hire a man who boasts about himself constantly and who hides his financial and personal history? Would they hire a man who makes his friends and followers call him Mr. Trump?
Would they hire a man who makes inaccurate statements about race, ethnicity and religion? Would they hire a man whose approach to women is sexist and borders on harassment?
Would they hire a man whose plans for running their business in the future were outlandish and unworkable?
Would they hire a man with a record of saying one thing and doing another?
WE are better than this?
462
Judging from all of the votes he got during the Primaries, they are voting for him.
3
Tacitus,yes, they will.
2
Well, Americans elected George W. Bush who also had more than one business failure, had to be bailed out by Daddy, and had a cushy National Guard position during Viet Nam. He was a lackluster student and he attended two Ivy League colleges on legacy admissions. He was a failed President, too, but re-elected anyway. We need to stop electing rich boys who have done nothing to earn their stripes except be born into wealthy families and then trade on their connections.
11
While I greatly respect Mr. Blow's contributions to this newspaper, and most of the other regular columnists as well, I am afraid that he misunderstood the phrase "politics stops at the water's edge". This phrase came into popular use well before my time as an adult and I confess that on first hearing or reading, I didn't get it either. What it means is that the politics of what divides us as a nation, internally, should be shutdown in matters of international relations. When dealing with or confronting other nations, knock off the politics and find a way to be united, in other words. It was given birth in a time of great peril, the period of WW II.
This was a more or less noble idea. While it was probably used at times to suppress necessary dissent, it was intended as a concept to remove pettiness, and the need for equally petty gains, from debates about international relations. It meant we should present a united, not divided, face to the world. Not a bad idea.
As for the whole boatload of Trump's simplistic clap trap, there is too much folly and too little thought to warrant comment.
Doug Terry
2
Roger Cohen wrote this article, not Mr. Blow.
1
Indeed, I was mistaken. I should have written that Mr. Cohen misunderstood the term "politics stops at the water's edge". Up too early and writing too soon, I guess.
Ignorance is bliss..never a more truism then in this election.
2
Nothing better defines Trump's presidential campaign than President Obama's description of such as he stated in his speech at Rutgers: "Ignorance is not a virtue." A candidate like Trump who embraces and extols Know-Nothingness, who is seriously considering Sarah Palin as his running mate, would bring about the modern day Cultural Revolution and set America back decades and beyond.
5
I agree that there is a battle between tribes in the US, and that the tribes are composed of different forms of knowledge. There’s a kind of interpretive aggression involved when you call the other tribe the “Know Nothings” (though I get the historical precedent), and it’s that kind of dynamic against which the nativist / anti-PC tribe members are pushing. Trump has become the totem of their tribe.
They have knowledge. But it has increasingly become defined as against and lesser-than the knowledge of the professional, managerial, professorial etc variety.
Is it possible to criticize the other’s knowledge without demeaning it or sliding into condescension? Is withholding these kinds of value judgments even desirable? Or would one risk sliding into relativism?
But the point remains that the other tribe has felt bullied and silenced. Whether one agrees with them or not.
They have knowledge. But it has increasingly become defined as against and lesser-than the knowledge of the professional, managerial, professorial etc variety.
Is it possible to criticize the other’s knowledge without demeaning it or sliding into condescension? Is withholding these kinds of value judgments even desirable? Or would one risk sliding into relativism?
But the point remains that the other tribe has felt bullied and silenced. Whether one agrees with them or not.
8
Mr. Blow you are demeaning the Uk when you equate it with South Carolina. Can you image Charleston voting in a practicing Muslim mayor as London did? SC excels at stupid...let's fire on Ft. Sumpter and see what happens? But I do hope Britain does not vote to exit the EU. How stupid that would be.
3
Whatever the problems America has - and there are many of which most are caused by, worsened, or perpetuated by the rightwing politics of lies, hate, hypocrisy, ignorance and greed - the solutions can't possibly be from a rightwing candidate like Trump who is the personification of lies, hate, hypocrisy, ignorance, and greed.
16
Trump is a jerk.
But that doesn't mean he is always wrong.
Should America - which by the way is a country, not an idea (democracy is an idea) - get involved in every international crises?
WW II was necessary as America was attacked; so was Afghanistan for the same reason. Korea, Vietnam and Iraq were disasters. They were not necessary and had no clear goals.
Should America get involved in every problem area of the world economically? I don't know. It's for people much smarter than me (and Roger Cohen) to say.
But that doesn't mean he is always wrong.
Should America - which by the way is a country, not an idea (democracy is an idea) - get involved in every international crises?
WW II was necessary as America was attacked; so was Afghanistan for the same reason. Korea, Vietnam and Iraq were disasters. They were not necessary and had no clear goals.
Should America get involved in every problem area of the world economically? I don't know. It's for people much smarter than me (and Roger Cohen) to say.
7
"Should America get involved in every problem area of the world economically? I don't know. It's for people much smarter than me (and Roger Cohen) to say."
No. It is for you to say and you say it with your vote or non-vote. That is the point of democracy. We get to say whose ideas we are going to try. And, make no mistake, when we elect someone President we empower their ideas. Sorting whose ideas we want to empower can be difficult, but it is not beyond the intellectual capability of the people. To say it is, is to cede power to others. We shouldn't willingly give that up.
No. It is for you to say and you say it with your vote or non-vote. That is the point of democracy. We get to say whose ideas we are going to try. And, make no mistake, when we elect someone President we empower their ideas. Sorting whose ideas we want to empower can be difficult, but it is not beyond the intellectual capability of the people. To say it is, is to cede power to others. We shouldn't willingly give that up.
4
"WW II was necessary as America was attacked; so was Afghanistan for the same reason. "
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's take these one at a time.
1. By the standard of "they attacked us," World War II was "necessary" only in the Pacific.
2. Remind me where and when Afghanistan attacked us.
Don't forget, even a blind hog gets an acorn now and again.
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's take these one at a time.
1. By the standard of "they attacked us," World War II was "necessary" only in the Pacific.
2. Remind me where and when Afghanistan attacked us.
Don't forget, even a blind hog gets an acorn now and again.
I understood that the "Know Nothing" nickname was only about keeping one's trap shut. Think Sgt. Schultz on "Hogan's Heroes." Or the first rule of Fight Club.
2
As usual a column based on intellect, history, and common sense -- nothing a "know nothing" would be aware of because their minds are like a long road in which tdriver looks straight ahead and never notices anything but his/her own small space. The American public knows these people. Some are called evangelicals, Republicans, right-wing extremists, ole white men, unenlightened women who fear other women. Thanks Mr. Cohen.
17
All correct, but at its heart the Trump movement is the same anti-globalization movement as is the FN in France , the AfD in Germany and the UKIP in Britain, to name a few.
Globalization has wrecked the lives of Western workers working in areas exposed to competition from very low wage countries and the loss of jobs has led to the formation of a new political movement.
Entirely legitimate, if you believe in Democracy.
Globalization has wrecked the lives of Western workers working in areas exposed to competition from very low wage countries and the loss of jobs has led to the formation of a new political movement.
Entirely legitimate, if you believe in Democracy.
9
Is it really "anti-globalization" that is at the "heart" of the Trump movement, FN, AfD, and UKIP, or is it anti-immigrant nativism?
Excellent point, Roger. The chance that an isolationist America will nurture democracy in just one other country is zero. But mathematical probability is not Trump's strong point. He bankrupted four casinos, a business that is 100% based on mathematical probability. Is it too far-fetched to conclude Trump knew nothing about the industry? Perhaps even less than nothing?
Trump's strongest point politically is his magnetism toward those his equal in his Know-Nothing ignorance, just not so flamboyant about it. Birds of a feather, it is said. Ironic that, here in North Texas, there is a large contingent of German Catholics descended from mid-19th century immigrants the Know-Nothings of the day tried to repel who now readily drink from the hydrant of Trump-ade.
The constants in Trump's life are few: his hair and his self promotion being the most obvious. Hardly hooks to hang your hopes for America on. But then, Know Nothings need very little to be impressed. The less, the better, actually.
Trump's strongest point politically is his magnetism toward those his equal in his Know-Nothing ignorance, just not so flamboyant about it. Birds of a feather, it is said. Ironic that, here in North Texas, there is a large contingent of German Catholics descended from mid-19th century immigrants the Know-Nothings of the day tried to repel who now readily drink from the hydrant of Trump-ade.
The constants in Trump's life are few: his hair and his self promotion being the most obvious. Hardly hooks to hang your hopes for America on. But then, Know Nothings need very little to be impressed. The less, the better, actually.
11
I think the Trump phenomena is relatively simple. Trump is a charlatan. And , as most charlatans, understands basic human nature. He realizes that his brand of populism won't appeal to educated people. Therefore he switched allegiances from the Democratic party to the Republicans, knowing that it's much easier to influence folks that spend their days glued to Fox news and Rush as opposed to folks that actually take the time and effort to learn for themselves. His followers are emotion driven. Therefore Trumps statements can be fact-checked all day long without effecting the angry hordes. One can only hope that his followers constitute a minority of the voters in November. If he's elected, the battle for honesty, civility and fairness in this country will suffer a severe, if not fatal blow.
32
Charles,
I share your views on Trump, with the big exception of his belief that the existence of NATO is no longer justified.
I do have a big concern for the self-righteousness of his critics, though.
Our president's servitude to Israel has bolstered apartheid in that country. His blanketing of Russia's border with heavy arms and the missile shield, along with Nuland's Ukraine Fiasco has advanced the power of Russia's nationalists and helped kick start a new arms race that has pleased our strangeloves and MIC.
Obama also seems oblivious to the blowback from our Drone program; creating new martyrs while showing our disdain for international law, while setting a bad example for others to emulate.
We should be concerned with Hillary's admiration of Kissinger and her utilizing his playbook in Honduras. Same old chumminess with criminal oligarchs, while human rights figures and union organizers are casually liquidated.
Charles, this quotation from this publication's "How Hillary Clinton Became a Hawk" should set off some red flags for you and anyone concerned with human rights:
"But Clinton’s foreign-policy instincts are bred in the bone — grounded in cold realism about human nature and what one aide calls “a textbook view of American exceptionalism.” "
I share your views on Trump, with the big exception of his belief that the existence of NATO is no longer justified.
I do have a big concern for the self-righteousness of his critics, though.
Our president's servitude to Israel has bolstered apartheid in that country. His blanketing of Russia's border with heavy arms and the missile shield, along with Nuland's Ukraine Fiasco has advanced the power of Russia's nationalists and helped kick start a new arms race that has pleased our strangeloves and MIC.
Obama also seems oblivious to the blowback from our Drone program; creating new martyrs while showing our disdain for international law, while setting a bad example for others to emulate.
We should be concerned with Hillary's admiration of Kissinger and her utilizing his playbook in Honduras. Same old chumminess with criminal oligarchs, while human rights figures and union organizers are casually liquidated.
Charles, this quotation from this publication's "How Hillary Clinton Became a Hawk" should set off some red flags for you and anyone concerned with human rights:
"But Clinton’s foreign-policy instincts are bred in the bone — grounded in cold realism about human nature and what one aide calls “a textbook view of American exceptionalism.” "
3
"A know-nothing tide is upon us. Tribal politics, anchored in tribal media, has made knowing nothing a badge of honor. Ignorance, loudly declaimed, is an attribute, especially if allied to celebrity. Facts are dispensable baggage."
I suppose the irony of this paragraph is missed by Mr. Cohen whose columns always present uncritical consumption of USA propaganda.
I suppose the irony of this paragraph is missed by Mr. Cohen whose columns always present uncritical consumption of USA propaganda.
3
I'm afraid the Buffoon's supporters are invulnerable to facts, Mr. Cohen.
They are the same sort of imbeciles who cheer on the Republican War on Science. Let's just hope and pray that there aren't enough of them to make this fool our President.
They are the same sort of imbeciles who cheer on the Republican War on Science. Let's just hope and pray that there aren't enough of them to make this fool our President.
9
The problem, the only problem, with your column Roger, is that Trump supporters won't get any of the historical references.
And to end with a quote from Louis XV, in French no less?
I just hope it will not take another huge war (Civil or Global) to end this latest know-nothing movement. Well they never seem to end, actually, just retreat into the shadows for a while after helping to produce mass carnage; only to reemerge in an ugly new form while denying their relationship to past movements.
And to end with a quote from Louis XV, in French no less?
I just hope it will not take another huge war (Civil or Global) to end this latest know-nothing movement. Well they never seem to end, actually, just retreat into the shadows for a while after helping to produce mass carnage; only to reemerge in an ugly new form while denying their relationship to past movements.
9
Absolutely right. But, as scary as Trump's buffoonery and malfeasance may be, as disgusting his vulgar demagoguing the issues, is the fact he seems to have a sizable following of folks that are as prejudiced, and ignorant, as he is. And further, willing to follow his nonsense willfully...and were the facts are mere inconveniences, conveniently brushed off. This 'following' is scary, given the spewing of rancor, racism, sexism and xenophobia unheard of as 'badges of honor'. The Press must be reluctant to accommodate this charlatan; instead, expose his folly at every opportunity, repeatedly, mercilessly, before immunity to his lies sets in, before more harm can be inflicted to rational thought, common sense, and decency.
9
It is also well worth noting that having had Trump's version of ignorant stupidity float to the top of the GOP's 'Collection Pond' of candidate opinions expressed in the primaries, that party is now embracing him as their brand and savior. So it's not just Trump, it the corrupt and predisposed vessel he has infected and converted to xenophobia, sexism, racism, and above all, entitled stupidity.
4
It seems tribalism is in our DNA...it is a wonder that we have kept it somewhat under control for that last two/three decades. Not that I am necessarily a big supporter of "establishments," but with Trump you do see how these institutional players do keep a lid on our worst tribal instincts. You look at the Middle East and see the damage tribalism does to a region.
1
No-nothings (often very religious) have been a hinderance to human progress since the beginning.
5
But...but...Donald is going to make America great again.
3
Speaking of Israel, Trump says, “President Obama has not been a friend to Israel.”
He is right, and that's why Sheldon Adelson will contribute megabucks to his campaign. Did President Obama even once ever offer the American Presidency to Netanyahu. And if that wasn't bad enough, did President Obama even try to make the Likud the official political party of the US? - "Hardly ever", as Gilbert and Sullivan would have it. QED.
He is right, and that's why Sheldon Adelson will contribute megabucks to his campaign. Did President Obama even once ever offer the American Presidency to Netanyahu. And if that wasn't bad enough, did President Obama even try to make the Likud the official political party of the US? - "Hardly ever", as Gilbert and Sullivan would have it. QED.
2
Roger's references to the Know-Nothings of the 1840's-50's are apt, as are his references to Joe McCarthy. Both were responses to threats or perceived threats: the Know-Nothings to immigrants taking American jobs and spawning a papist takeover, McCarthyism to Communism.
Trump's support is a plain statement that many feel that America has been crumbling. That the way to salvation lies in a revival of American exceptionalism; in preserving the perceived purity of America by expelling 11 million of "them" and walling out everybody else; in marginalizing the "weaklings" among us; in flexing our military (nuclear?) muscle to punch in the face anybody who opposes us; to imperiously send away anybody we owe money to with their pockets half empty; to impose such fantastical economic deals on all others as to establish beyond question that the rest of the world are "losers". And we'll be so happy and everybody will love us - or else.
Trump's vision is a rehash of dreams that not only failed but were disgraces in our history. Our relative insularity in those times meant that the consequences of such efforts could reasonably be contained. With the fabric of the present world we can't ignore the existence of the other 9 billion on the planet and the fact that so much of our existence is global. Money moves around the world at the speed of light and happenings anywhere affect us.
The simplistic didn't work before; it's much more dangerous now.
Trump's support is a plain statement that many feel that America has been crumbling. That the way to salvation lies in a revival of American exceptionalism; in preserving the perceived purity of America by expelling 11 million of "them" and walling out everybody else; in marginalizing the "weaklings" among us; in flexing our military (nuclear?) muscle to punch in the face anybody who opposes us; to imperiously send away anybody we owe money to with their pockets half empty; to impose such fantastical economic deals on all others as to establish beyond question that the rest of the world are "losers". And we'll be so happy and everybody will love us - or else.
Trump's vision is a rehash of dreams that not only failed but were disgraces in our history. Our relative insularity in those times meant that the consequences of such efforts could reasonably be contained. With the fabric of the present world we can't ignore the existence of the other 9 billion on the planet and the fact that so much of our existence is global. Money moves around the world at the speed of light and happenings anywhere affect us.
The simplistic didn't work before; it's much more dangerous now.
8
Donald Trump doesn't lie; he just says stuff. If you don't like it, just wait until he says something else.
"Loud-mouthed, isolationist trumpery" is indeed a sideshow. It's part of Trump's effort to make people who have suffered from the global economy feel better about themselves. The millions who have voted for Trump and who will vote for him in the future are right that conservative ideology has failed them. Ethnocentrism, celebrity and promises to make things great again are tools to exploit those who are have been victims of the conservative revolution.
"Loud-mouthed, isolationist trumpery" is indeed a sideshow. It's part of Trump's effort to make people who have suffered from the global economy feel better about themselves. The millions who have voted for Trump and who will vote for him in the future are right that conservative ideology has failed them. Ethnocentrism, celebrity and promises to make things great again are tools to exploit those who are have been victims of the conservative revolution.
4
It is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Macbeth
Macbeth
4
Roger, PLEASE don't say 'Let's unpack that.' Not YOU! I don't know where the 'unpack that' cliché started, but it has become ubiquitous. Let's pack the term up and ship it away!!
9
The denigration of Trump is de rigueur these days at the Times. That's fine. He's an easy target.
His supporters, however, are real people in real trouble. They've lived that way for the better part of two generations. It started around 1970, when the economic elites figured they could better line their pockets by sending America's manufacturing jobs to slave wage labor countries and pocket the labor cost savings without any political cost to them or their families. It was open season on labor.
That was when unions suddenly become awful organizations. You know, the very same groups that had given Americans a 40 hour work week, benefits, and protection from management.
So howling at the moon about Trump merely means grabbing the tail without finding and trying to pin it on the donkey.
The Americans who have been hurt by this now systemic upward redistribution of wealth aren't Know Nothings. They know they've been getting the short end of the stick and want it to stop.
By telling them how they've been hurt, by whom, and why would go a long way to giving us a common knowledge base with which to discuss our political problems and their solutions.
The Times might do that, rather than spend resources talking to women who Trump has bedded.
That's playing his game his way.
Don't we know more than that?
His supporters, however, are real people in real trouble. They've lived that way for the better part of two generations. It started around 1970, when the economic elites figured they could better line their pockets by sending America's manufacturing jobs to slave wage labor countries and pocket the labor cost savings without any political cost to them or their families. It was open season on labor.
That was when unions suddenly become awful organizations. You know, the very same groups that had given Americans a 40 hour work week, benefits, and protection from management.
So howling at the moon about Trump merely means grabbing the tail without finding and trying to pin it on the donkey.
The Americans who have been hurt by this now systemic upward redistribution of wealth aren't Know Nothings. They know they've been getting the short end of the stick and want it to stop.
By telling them how they've been hurt, by whom, and why would go a long way to giving us a common knowledge base with which to discuss our political problems and their solutions.
The Times might do that, rather than spend resources talking to women who Trump has bedded.
That's playing his game his way.
Don't we know more than that?
910
Yet they are the ones that voted for those who steadily destroyed the unions
5
Trump supporters are not "real people" in real trouble. They seem to be doing just fine, with their pickup trucks, guns, and homes.
They are, however, overwhelmingly white, principally undereducated males, resentful and bitter, principally--it seems--that a black couple has achieved the White House.
Few Trump supporters are hungry or homeless. They have no excuse for their racism, misogyny, homophobia or nativism.
They are, however, overwhelmingly white, principally undereducated males, resentful and bitter, principally--it seems--that a black couple has achieved the White House.
Few Trump supporters are hungry or homeless. They have no excuse for their racism, misogyny, homophobia or nativism.
19
"Don't we know more than that?" No. Not since Reagan. If facts mattered, Trump would already be an historical footnote.
8
The head of CBS (whose name escapes me) was even caught saying that Trump may not be good for the country but he's great for CBS' ratings - "keep the stories coming." And then the media wonders why they get bashed all of the time. People like Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow are probably spinning in their graves. The so-called news media should be ashamed of themselves...all of them.
43
That's right Susan...if the 4th estate doesn't wake up and smell the coffee soon we'll find ourselves adrift in a sea of hurt.
Will real journalists please rise and come to the aid of your country.
Will real journalists please rise and come to the aid of your country.
In reply to the aphorism "fifty million Frenchman can't be wrong," Oscar Wilde said "fifty million Frenchmen MUST be wrong." It wasn't intended as a slur on the French but as a reflection on the fact that popular opinion is always based on illusions, misinformation and prejudices. Another great sticker of pins in balloons of nonsense, H.L. Mencken, would have had a field day with present U.S. presidential politics. Unfortunately only the educated read Mencken or Wilde. The "boobsoise" does not. Trump knows his audience.
4
stop with the facts, mr cohen. the trump mob don't need no stinkin' facts.
6
To paraphrase Churchill, it is the economic anguish and anger of the American middle class, which blamed globalization, that brought xenophobia and nationalism to the surface, giving the birther Donald Trump the force to issue the Know Nothings' roar. It remains to be seen whether the Know Nothings numbers are enough to put their mascot in the White House, but that will happen someday if really large number of Americans come to believe that globalization or whatever other global forces are chipping away at their economic well-being. Self-preservation instincts will better any intellectual instincts in the end. One can blame the likes of Donald Trump only so much.
2
Obama owes his election to the know-nothing tide. His campaign turned out the largest number of 18-25 yr olds in history. A group notable for its remarkable ignorance and naivete on all issues both domestic and foreign.And we know how well Obama has turned out.
5
Just the best president since Abraham Lincoln.
9
Give a little credit to an African-American man who won the presidency TWICE. No one I know ever expected to see that happen even once in their lifetimes.
5
Jeffrey Immelt yesterday on business and politics: If a CEO is not concerened with innovation, productivity and globalization, he gets fired, if a politician is concerned with innovation, productivity and globalization, he does NOT get elected. The siren call of nostalgia, as you hear Trump calling us from the middle of the river. It's too late. Thanks for the column.
This op-ed is a perfect complement to Charles Blow's op-ed today. Mr. Blow writes of the fact that facts have no power when it comes to attempting to influence the uninformed or misinformed. Read these two pieces together and see what a terrible quandary this country is in when it comes to being accurate, logical and reasonable.
2
I hope it is not considered racist to observe that competitive population growth to gain political control of regions has been the root cause of genocidal warfare since tribes first self-organized. If this does not stop soon, this whole planet will burn.
5
Competative population growth practiced by warlords who realized early on that grain = people = soldiers.
2
It's going to burn anyway, and the equatorial band will go up in flames first. No water....
"In politics and in life, ignorance is not a virtue," Obama told some 12,000 graduates at the public university in New Jersey. "It's not cool to not know what you're talking about. That's not keeping it real or telling it like it is. That's not challenging political correctness. That's just not knowing what you're talking about."
President Obama defined the know nothing Trump and his Trump-ets yesterday when he spoke at the Rutgers University graduation.
President Obama defined the know nothing Trump and his Trump-ets yesterday when he spoke at the Rutgers University graduation.
40
The media plays a huge roll in this "know nothingness". The headlines have been monopolized by the sensationalizing of Trumpiness. Yet when Clinton talks policy, she is described as "unlikable". It is therefore not "news worthy". If you lined up each parties policies right next to each other, you would find that the "know nothings" only policy for achieving their greatness is going to be quite costly and will destroy us in the end. "Make America Great Again" is code for Make America White Again. These are very scary times and the media better start focusing on how the democrats have real programs intended to help all hurting people of this country, not just white men.
37
My husband and I took our grandchildren to the Maine Historical society yesterday. And there was a 19th Cebtury painting of a Catholic Church engulfed in flames. The fire was set by a group of Know Nothings who faded out, but were soon replaced by the Ku Klux Klan. A photograph showed a huge Klan rally in Portland in the 1920s. Sadly, this hatred of the "other" continues. When President Obama visited Portland soon after his inauguration, i saw racist signs among the Tea Party demonstrators.
Somehow, we as human beings have barely begun to get a grip on intolerance. Maybe we need guidance from Rogers and Hammersteiin's The King and I. "You've got to be taught to hate and fear...it's got to be drummed in your dear little ear...
Somehow, we as human beings have barely begun to get a grip on intolerance. Maybe we need guidance from Rogers and Hammersteiin's The King and I. "You've got to be taught to hate and fear...it's got to be drummed in your dear little ear...
5
HI Julie,
I enjoyed your comment, but the line is from "South Pacific".
I enjoyed your comment, but the line is from "South Pacific".
1
Obama hasn’t done any more for Israel than has his predecessors.Whatever, security he has rendered to Israel was to keep the Jewish vote in tact for the Democratic Party. The Jewish vote is essential for the Electoral College, not to mention the fact that over 70% of the Jewish vote went to Obama, in both elections.Lastly,his Deal with Iran not only jeopardized Israel but the entire Middle East. To make matters worst Iran is still hostile to American & Israeli interests, & poses a threat to Israel’s existence.
Trump may be wrong, but so is Obama.
Trump may be wrong, but so is Obama.
6
Israel's survival has never been hurt by Mr. Obama, the danger for them is first themselves and second the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is much more dangerous to the ME, Iran is now on a short leash (much better then before the agreement). Israel has both a very strong military and much funding, they are OK. Their problem is the Palestinian issue, that requires a real solution both for the Palestinians and the Israelis.
2
CA
When you have a Granddaughter in Israel like I have, then tell me Israel is OK.The rhetoric from the Mullahs have never changed, they still advocate the destruction of Israel. They sent their nuclear fuel to Russia who they are bed with.If you trust Russia or Iran, I have a bridge to sell you.
As far as the Palestinians are concerned who is there to negotiate with.If they had agreed to Partition when Israel was created as a State by the UN,they would have a State today.The only defense that Israel has Is the IDF, Obama's deal is not worth the paper it's written on. If Obama had agreed to give Israel the Bunker Buster Bomb,There would not have been an Iranian Nuclear threat today or ever.
When you have a Granddaughter in Israel like I have, then tell me Israel is OK.The rhetoric from the Mullahs have never changed, they still advocate the destruction of Israel. They sent their nuclear fuel to Russia who they are bed with.If you trust Russia or Iran, I have a bridge to sell you.
As far as the Palestinians are concerned who is there to negotiate with.If they had agreed to Partition when Israel was created as a State by the UN,they would have a State today.The only defense that Israel has Is the IDF, Obama's deal is not worth the paper it's written on. If Obama had agreed to give Israel the Bunker Buster Bomb,There would not have been an Iranian Nuclear threat today or ever.
4
The path to addiction seems innocent enough. Standing in line at the supermarket, the tabloids scream that Jenny has had enough of Matt and she's about to have septuplets that might have been fathered by Martians. It's a short path. The craving begins when as children we could be told about our world but instead are regaled with stories of omniscient father figures in the sky, places where the dead burn, and presences that dog our every move.
Moreover, we don't set out to addict ourselves to baloney; doing so just comes easily. These days, Americans fail to get it that the reason we can't abandon the rest of the world is that we have practiced corporate imperialism at least since World War II. Why else would we maintain a military that's the size of the next ten combined? Whatever economic advantages we have over the rest of the world are protected by kids who don't understand that they are glorified corporate security guards.
Why would ISIS concern us if we didn't have corporate interests in the oil fields of Iraq? In that part of the world, it's hard to keep up with the nihilistic cults that rise and fall.
So, we start by indulging our tabloid minds that crave more ink about Sally Field's love child, never imagining that by gratifying what feels like benign mental indolence we will end up hooked on nonsense, in the throes our addiction mistaking Game of Thrones for the real world and electing a carnival barker President.
We're surrounded by pushers. It's hard to resist.
Moreover, we don't set out to addict ourselves to baloney; doing so just comes easily. These days, Americans fail to get it that the reason we can't abandon the rest of the world is that we have practiced corporate imperialism at least since World War II. Why else would we maintain a military that's the size of the next ten combined? Whatever economic advantages we have over the rest of the world are protected by kids who don't understand that they are glorified corporate security guards.
Why would ISIS concern us if we didn't have corporate interests in the oil fields of Iraq? In that part of the world, it's hard to keep up with the nihilistic cults that rise and fall.
So, we start by indulging our tabloid minds that crave more ink about Sally Field's love child, never imagining that by gratifying what feels like benign mental indolence we will end up hooked on nonsense, in the throes our addiction mistaking Game of Thrones for the real world and electing a carnival barker President.
We're surrounded by pushers. It's hard to resist.
16
I guess the Trump candidacy codifies the saying that "ignorance is bliss". At least for many of the white men and women in the US.
2
vol·ca·no
Variation on the theme: TRUMP
välˈkānō/Submit
noun
a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have been erupted from the earth's crust.
an intense suppressed emotion or situation liable to burst out suddenly.
"what volcano of emotion must have been boiling inside that youngster"
Variation on the theme: TRUMP
välˈkānō/Submit
noun
a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have been erupted from the earth's crust.
an intense suppressed emotion or situation liable to burst out suddenly.
"what volcano of emotion must have been boiling inside that youngster"
2
What the "tribal media" are selling is not "Know Nothingism" but rather they have their own "facts" which are often wrong and almost always twisted. Climate change? A hoax! Gun safety laws? A plot to take away Second Amendment rights. The U.S. economy? Worse under Obama than GWBush. The Affordable Care Act? A job killer. And isn't that the point of Roger Cohen's column, not that Trump knows nothing but rather what he "knows" is just plain wrong.
30
Just yesterday, literally, another national newspaper published the results of surveys showing indisputably that the percentage of the population qualifying as middle class economically is in sharp decline throughout the country, while the numbers qualifying as poor are increasing. Since you are so well informed, Mr. Cohen, why do you suppose that is? And what do you think should be done about it? More "infrastructure" projects employing mostly engineers in Asia and young men from Central America?
19
What should be done about it? Raise the minimum wage, not a wall.
3
We can change the definitions of middle class and poor--they are all artificial, anyway.
The way I look at it is, if you have a job and a place to live, a widescreen TV, a decent car or truck, your kids all have smart phones and you have a power mower, you're in the middle class. Poor people tend to be on the verge of homelessness and hunger.
The way I look at it is, if you have a job and a place to live, a widescreen TV, a decent car or truck, your kids all have smart phones and you have a power mower, you're in the middle class. Poor people tend to be on the verge of homelessness and hunger.
2
That will hasten automation, and there is even less plan in place to deal with that than with cheap human labor (illegal immigrants and H1Bs, as well as off shoring).
1
Mr. Cohen is going to have to do a better job in explaining to me why a $360 billion trade deficit with China is advantageous. I am center-left and have 8 courses in economics. I should be an easy convert. But I need the facts.
11
I think the point was that we have a $360 billion trade deficit with China, because we buy all that stuff made with cheap labor, and they buy our debt, allowing us to remain a going concern. The trade deficit obviously isn't advantageous, but it's a fact of life and if we could magically remove it they couldn't afford to buy our debt, and we'd be in even worse shape.
The world is a complicated place nowadays and the danger of Know Nothings is that they don't understand the implications of simplistic solutions.
The world is a complicated place nowadays and the danger of Know Nothings is that they don't understand the implications of simplistic solutions.
2
But isn't the interest rate on 10 yr. government bonds at a multi-decade low, and wouldn't we have a couple of million more jobs.
The extreme of what you are saying is that we should all quit our jobs, let the people of China and India do all the work, and run even larger trade deficits (as long as they buy our bonds).
The extreme of what you are saying is that we should all quit our jobs, let the people of China and India do all the work, and run even larger trade deficits (as long as they buy our bonds).
Quitting our jobs (involuntarily) and letting the people of China and India do all the work is how we got the $360 billion deficit in the first place. It isn't just manufacturing; IT jobs and anything else that can be done remotely also, and they probably don't count as trade, so the deficit in dollars and jobs is actually even larger.
Also, the interest rate is low now but if China stops buying our bonds we'll have to raise the interest rate, and the effect of that isn't good either.
Also, the interest rate is low now but if China stops buying our bonds we'll have to raise the interest rate, and the effect of that isn't good either.
" après-moi-le-déluge"
So much beauty in one tiny phrase. It perfectly captures the "Trump Phenomenon" not only for it's meaning but for the fact that it represents some of the worst that the French Aristocracy could dish up which began the Revolution. Only this time it's the motto OF the Revolution.
I'm sure the point is too fine, but the Republican savior seems to be erring on the side of the ruling class in his arrogance and that of his followers.
So much beauty in one tiny phrase. It perfectly captures the "Trump Phenomenon" not only for it's meaning but for the fact that it represents some of the worst that the French Aristocracy could dish up which began the Revolution. Only this time it's the motto OF the Revolution.
I'm sure the point is too fine, but the Republican savior seems to be erring on the side of the ruling class in his arrogance and that of his followers.
5
"America is a universal idea". Let's take a moment to unpack that statement.
1) America is a geographically defined area of land mass on the planet earth. More precisely, a series of continents formed by tectonic evolution and climactic impact. Presumably, you meant the United States and this nation's unique brand of democratic republicanism to which you referred to as an "ideal".
Which the word unique brings me to my second point...
2) The US political ideal is no more universal than the Catholic church to which you refer. The word universal implies a global acquiescence. While US influence, economic or militarily, is arguably global. Our hegemony is not universally accepted much less the subject of universal mimicry even among our allies.
I find the argument presented here represents the naive hubris of American exceptionalism that often leads this country into trouble. Neo-isolationism on the scale Trump suggests is both ridiculous and impossible. By the same measure though, we as a nation need to have realistic expectations about the extent of our power whether ideological or otherwise.
I would have thought modern history already made this lesson abundantly clear.
1) America is a geographically defined area of land mass on the planet earth. More precisely, a series of continents formed by tectonic evolution and climactic impact. Presumably, you meant the United States and this nation's unique brand of democratic republicanism to which you referred to as an "ideal".
Which the word unique brings me to my second point...
2) The US political ideal is no more universal than the Catholic church to which you refer. The word universal implies a global acquiescence. While US influence, economic or militarily, is arguably global. Our hegemony is not universally accepted much less the subject of universal mimicry even among our allies.
I find the argument presented here represents the naive hubris of American exceptionalism that often leads this country into trouble. Neo-isolationism on the scale Trump suggests is both ridiculous and impossible. By the same measure though, we as a nation need to have realistic expectations about the extent of our power whether ideological or otherwise.
I would have thought modern history already made this lesson abundantly clear.
210
@Andy. Well said. Many Americans think America is a universal idea. That's parochialism at its best.
2
I'd like to see America for Americans. Is that becoming modesty? Isolationism? Nationalism? Leading by example? Who cares? We haven't tried it since the end of at least WWII if not WWI; let's give it a shot.
1
Remember 1776? A group of people who tossed out a king and a heredity ruling class? Who created a revolution that didn't devour itself? And then went on to establish a country that that has last more than 200 years and outlasted all the other other governments in power when it started. Yes, indeed, American exceptionalism in truth.
1
Obama hasn't been a lick-spittle to Israel. That upsets people like Sheldon Adelson.
I guess those who wondered whether Trump would now be beholden to special interests since he is not self-financing his 1 billion dollar general election have their answer. I wouldn't be surprised if he renamed his campaign the Donald Trump Mountain Dew Las Vegas Sands Presidential Campaign
I guess those who wondered whether Trump would now be beholden to special interests since he is not self-financing his 1 billion dollar general election have their answer. I wouldn't be surprised if he renamed his campaign the Donald Trump Mountain Dew Las Vegas Sands Presidential Campaign
3
It is difficult to confront the Donald Trump candidacy on the basis of fact and logic, since Trump – either by ignorance or by choice – is rarely factual or logical.
Let’s try competence. Is Donald Trump actually competent at anything other than hucksterism, bombast and bullying insults?
Trump’s personal history is one of enlarging an inherited company based on being a real estate developer and landlord. He turned that company into primarily a branding enterprise. Trump has had success, with a little help from his friends, at creating value in the business. The history of that success, however, is very checkered, and the value appears to be far less than he claims.
In none of this history has Donald Trump needed or acquired any expertise in how financial markets work. He has absolutely no experience in international trade, unless you count gaming the H1B Temporary Visa program to replace American employees with foreign workers.
Trump, as his own statements make clear, has no clue about how the business of governing America works and even less knowledge about international politics.
Whether out of narcissism or laziness or limited brain power, Donald Trump is not an intellectually curious person. He is the perfect leader for the reincarnation of the Know-Nothing Movement.
He would be a catastrophic leader of the United States of America.
Let’s try competence. Is Donald Trump actually competent at anything other than hucksterism, bombast and bullying insults?
Trump’s personal history is one of enlarging an inherited company based on being a real estate developer and landlord. He turned that company into primarily a branding enterprise. Trump has had success, with a little help from his friends, at creating value in the business. The history of that success, however, is very checkered, and the value appears to be far less than he claims.
In none of this history has Donald Trump needed or acquired any expertise in how financial markets work. He has absolutely no experience in international trade, unless you count gaming the H1B Temporary Visa program to replace American employees with foreign workers.
Trump, as his own statements make clear, has no clue about how the business of governing America works and even less knowledge about international politics.
Whether out of narcissism or laziness or limited brain power, Donald Trump is not an intellectually curious person. He is the perfect leader for the reincarnation of the Know-Nothing Movement.
He would be a catastrophic leader of the United States of America.
4
Yes. Certainty based on ignorance is dangerous and counter-productive to one's interest and beliefs. But there is a long way from ignorance -- know-nothingness -- to being well-informed. Snide comments about Obama's foreign policy, for example, made by Mr. Cohen in previous op-ed pieces, have fed the ignorance more than the wisdom. Perhaps word-limited op-ed pieces are a danger in themselves if too much short-hand and innuendo substitute for informed discussion. One suggestion -- make the opinion part of the op-ed clear and brief. In the printed editions have only this. Readers will know that this is the informed opinion of a knowledgeable analyst of the news. But they will not be manipulated by too brief "facts." In the on-line edition add a lot of hyperlinks to larger articles explaining the details. This may or may not inform readers properly -- it probably would, but it should at least keep the op-eds accurate and precise. For example, when criticizing Obama's Syrian policy explain who the moderate potential allies are and what weapons they should be supplied, and how negative results should be handled -- American weapons handed over by these erstwhile allies to the "terrorist" bad-guys or used against Americans when loyalties change.
1
"Perhaps their core idea, along with the unchanging appeal of ethnocentrism, is that politics no longer really matter. Celebrity matters."
That could explain the profusion of Sunday pundits who crowd the TV airwaves every weekend.
That could explain the profusion of Sunday pundits who crowd the TV airwaves every weekend.
3
Instead of carting out the standard NYT descriptive comparison of Trump supporters to past infidels of American history (I wonder if we've now tapped them all), why don't you provide a real analysis of the conditions that brought such horror upon enlightened Americans who've always known what's best for everyone.
Throwing about the obligatory "isms" is expected, but perhaps you could try something other than condescension and seek to understand why these degenerate Know-Nothings are looking beyond the usual political suspects. Who knows, maybe next time you could write a column that demonstrates you know-something useful other than parroting the kind of fear and impending doom you accuse of others.
All of us ignoramuses are waiting for your enlightened results.
Throwing about the obligatory "isms" is expected, but perhaps you could try something other than condescension and seek to understand why these degenerate Know-Nothings are looking beyond the usual political suspects. Who knows, maybe next time you could write a column that demonstrates you know-something useful other than parroting the kind of fear and impending doom you accuse of others.
All of us ignoramuses are waiting for your enlightened results.
4
Why don't you go first and explain the rise and benefits of know- nothingism?
2
No. That's what the NYT presumably pays Mr. Cohen to do. But of course that's not what he does. His columns are nothing more than what many NYT commenters do for free.
The only NYT columnist who has done the work of understanding the Trump supporter and the economic conditions that have led to Trump's rise is Thomas Edsall. For example: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/02/opinion/campaign-stops/donald-trumps-a...
The seemingly ceaseless tide of NYT columns stating "how terrible Trump and his supporters are" is getting very old. Tell us something new, something that doesn't simply excite the centrisms on the Left side of the tribal divide.
The only NYT columnist who has done the work of understanding the Trump supporter and the economic conditions that have led to Trump's rise is Thomas Edsall. For example: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/02/opinion/campaign-stops/donald-trumps-a...
The seemingly ceaseless tide of NYT columns stating "how terrible Trump and his supporters are" is getting very old. Tell us something new, something that doesn't simply excite the centrisms on the Left side of the tribal divide.
3
Thank you for trying, Keith. I'm afraid we're going to be played right into a bad outcome by the tribalism of the left, and the dying paradigm of the media business.
1
Power centers are elsewhere....EXACTLY! The years of effort to make government ineffective has reached new heights. It is ok to have the presumptive republican candidate be a huckster when your real goal is to drown government in a bathtub. The power brokers who want ineffective government are now calculating how the presumptive candidate can serve their interests. They don't really care about our general welfare and the common good.
12
Thinking.and assembling facts and reaching reasoned decisions is often hard work. At least half of the voting public does not want to, or is incapable of doing that hard word.
Jingoism prevails: If it can't fit on a bumper sticker it exceeds the attention span of at least half of the American public. Think 'BENGHAZI!!!'. Think 'MEXICANS!!'. Think 'MUSLIMS!!".
In business, there are hierarchies of decision makers for a reason. Companies don't poll the people in the mail room to make complex business decisions like new product lines, overseas expansion.
Regrettably our Constitutional democracy lets all comers in. As Churchill said , democracy is a terrific idea until you spend about five minutes talking to the average voter.
This dilemma is well illustrated on the front page of the Times today where we are told that the self proclaimed conservative religious right wing of the Party who previously described Trump as noting less than 'disgusting', is now warming to him as they are incapable of addressing the fundamental question of whether it might be time to stay home on election day or think about a change of Party affiliation.
Jingoism prevails: If it can't fit on a bumper sticker it exceeds the attention span of at least half of the American public. Think 'BENGHAZI!!!'. Think 'MEXICANS!!'. Think 'MUSLIMS!!".
In business, there are hierarchies of decision makers for a reason. Companies don't poll the people in the mail room to make complex business decisions like new product lines, overseas expansion.
Regrettably our Constitutional democracy lets all comers in. As Churchill said , democracy is a terrific idea until you spend about five minutes talking to the average voter.
This dilemma is well illustrated on the front page of the Times today where we are told that the self proclaimed conservative religious right wing of the Party who previously described Trump as noting less than 'disgusting', is now warming to him as they are incapable of addressing the fundamental question of whether it might be time to stay home on election day or think about a change of Party affiliation.
3
"Millions of people" who voted for Trump can indeed be wrong, and are. Millions more people who have voted for other candidates may be right. Our memories are very short. Until 2009 we had eight years of "know nothing-ism." That worked well on every conceivable front, did it not? Next to a Trump presidency, the GWB Administration will be fondly remembered as a cabal of knowledgeable geniuses.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
8
Thank you Mr. Blow for exposing the right wing lies about Obama and Israel. His support of Israel in the UN speaks volumes. Obama visited Sderot (next to Gaza) and Yad Vashem before becoming President. He funded the Iron dome system to save thousands of Israeli lives, and he rid Syria of chemical weapons. Romney went in 2012 and did a fund raiser with the wealthy at the King David Hotel and a photo-op at the wall with Adelson and Dan Sinor (Bremer's "Baghdad Bob")Yet most Israelis hate Obama and were thrilled with Trump's carefully rehearsed foreign policy speech. The negotiations with Iran are the reason for the mass hatred of Obama by Israelis and right wing Jews in the US.Yet terrorism by Saudi sponsored groups are not seen as a threat despite fact that the Saudis just recently announced they are cutting off billions in aid to Hezbollah because they just discovered Hezbollah is a terrorist group . (Of course fact that Hezbollah is fighting ISIS who has origins in Saudi sponsorship and funding might be a factor.)
Obama is the first US President to put Saudi support of radical Islam and terrorists in the spotlight and make that a higher priority than Saudi production of oil. So American Jews on the right have to ask themselves if they really want to support Trump because he is the Republican candidate and because he continues to spew the lie about Obama abandoning Israel.
Obama is the first US President to put Saudi support of radical Islam and terrorists in the spotlight and make that a higher priority than Saudi production of oil. So American Jews on the right have to ask themselves if they really want to support Trump because he is the Republican candidate and because he continues to spew the lie about Obama abandoning Israel.
3
Trump is the ultimate know nothing candidate. And Trump plans to use every possible tactic to defeat Hillary. Maybe because of our views of how women should behave, Hillary doesn't have those options. Use of dirt and dirty tricks are probably off base for a woman. Plus Hillary seems to be uncomfortable with tearing people down. That is why she is so much better on defense than offense. And it doesn't seem to matter to people how despicable Trump is. It doesn't seem to hurt that he knows so little or that he has had colossal business failures or that he openly despises women, Hispanics, blacks, Muslims, and anyone with the nerve to disagree with him. He's the Kevlar candidate and he would make a disastrous president.
2
Trump has plugged in to the fear, anger and resentment of the know nothings.
The challenge will be to plug in a much more positive message that cuts through the din of obstruction, gleeful ignorance and false promises of easy fixes
The challenge will be to plug in a much more positive message that cuts through the din of obstruction, gleeful ignorance and false promises of easy fixes
1
You can't argue with Thomas Sowell assertion that Obama's relationship with Israel had been consistent with the president's pattern of “selling out our allies to curry favor with our adversaries.” Charles Krauthammer, no fan of Trump's,has observed that Obama has “undermined” Israel as a result of either his “genuine antipathy” toward the Jewish state or “the arrogance of a blundering amateur.”
Citing the President's approval of aid for Israel is hardly a testament to his warm feelings for the Jewish nation. His own Democrat party has always been a staunch supporter of Israel and to allow to his true feelings of antipathy to impact our relationship with the only democracy in the Middle East would fracture his party. And if Obama is anything, he is a straight down the line Democrat party operative.
Citing the President's approval of aid for Israel is hardly a testament to his warm feelings for the Jewish nation. His own Democrat party has always been a staunch supporter of Israel and to allow to his true feelings of antipathy to impact our relationship with the only democracy in the Middle East would fracture his party. And if Obama is anything, he is a straight down the line Democrat party operative.
3
Facts? Trump don't need no 'stickin' facts'.
The only fact that is of any importance that Trump is a very sick and unstable man. It is evident to anyone who can think. His behavior, his demeanor and his dishonesty all point to some very very unsettling personality disorder.
Our nation is composed of a large number of people who have no ability to understand very much about anything----much like Trump.
We need the media to stand up and expose this fraud and stop giving his idiocy credence. He spews nonsense and it is the medias job to stop lapping it up like pablum but to call it what it really is----the deranged rantings of a very unstable, immature and ultimately dangerous man.
Trump is in a class of his own. And should be kept there.!
The only fact that is of any importance that Trump is a very sick and unstable man. It is evident to anyone who can think. His behavior, his demeanor and his dishonesty all point to some very very unsettling personality disorder.
Our nation is composed of a large number of people who have no ability to understand very much about anything----much like Trump.
We need the media to stand up and expose this fraud and stop giving his idiocy credence. He spews nonsense and it is the medias job to stop lapping it up like pablum but to call it what it really is----the deranged rantings of a very unstable, immature and ultimately dangerous man.
Trump is in a class of his own. And should be kept there.!
3
Yes and no. But this time, more no than yes, I'm afraid. And just typing Trump's name makes me feel like I need a good scrubdown with Lava pumice soap, if not Lysol.
Clearly even if isolationism were desirable, it's impossible. But recently my work required refreshing my memory of the 'Steel Seizure cases', in which Truman attempted to break a steelworkers' strike. The president argued that the steel was vital for national defence. Which got me thinking ... our steelmaking infrastructure is largely defunct. We import the bulk of our steel - and almost everything else - from other countries. So we had better be very, very nice to them.
We fought in 1776 for independence. You cannot be independent when someone else holds the lifelines to your existence.
I also recommend Mr Cohen read his colleague Ross Douthat's Sunday column, and also some of David Brooks' recent columns.
You cannot simply boil down the appeal of Trump to 'ignorant, anti-Semitic, racist bigots', though his campaign undeniably whips up these passions.
While you're at it, read more on Lindbergh, including A. Scott Berg's biography and Lindbergh's war diaries. You oversimplify a complex man. Hindsight is 20/20. But the isolationists were largely making the same argument about Hitler as the antiwar activists were making about Saddam Hussein - he may be an evil man, but it's not our job to rule the world. WW I was their Vietnam, the war from which they drew the conclusion 'not again'.
Clearly even if isolationism were desirable, it's impossible. But recently my work required refreshing my memory of the 'Steel Seizure cases', in which Truman attempted to break a steelworkers' strike. The president argued that the steel was vital for national defence. Which got me thinking ... our steelmaking infrastructure is largely defunct. We import the bulk of our steel - and almost everything else - from other countries. So we had better be very, very nice to them.
We fought in 1776 for independence. You cannot be independent when someone else holds the lifelines to your existence.
I also recommend Mr Cohen read his colleague Ross Douthat's Sunday column, and also some of David Brooks' recent columns.
You cannot simply boil down the appeal of Trump to 'ignorant, anti-Semitic, racist bigots', though his campaign undeniably whips up these passions.
While you're at it, read more on Lindbergh, including A. Scott Berg's biography and Lindbergh's war diaries. You oversimplify a complex man. Hindsight is 20/20. But the isolationists were largely making the same argument about Hitler as the antiwar activists were making about Saddam Hussein - he may be an evil man, but it's not our job to rule the world. WW I was their Vietnam, the war from which they drew the conclusion 'not again'.
3
It is worse than 'know-nothing'. Throw in a dose of unable to discern lies, and lacking moral judgement; superstar worship that one man, one 'super-hero' can make Germany, oops I mean America, great again, by scape-goating an ethic or religious group, or inciting violence and street riots toward the hated 'others'.
Interesting that throughout history these one-man shows (dictators) are very shallow on facts and policies, and very deep on PR, propaganda, crowd conflagration, inciting aggression, and finger pointing.
This sickness is spreading, and it will tear us apart.
Interesting that throughout history these one-man shows (dictators) are very shallow on facts and policies, and very deep on PR, propaganda, crowd conflagration, inciting aggression, and finger pointing.
This sickness is spreading, and it will tear us apart.
14
Despite his strong material support for Israel, which remains laudatory,
in less tangible but nonetheless very important terms, Obama's message
has not been as positive. In the wake of his Mideast visit after the Arab Spring
was declared why didn't he also stop in at Tel Aviv, even Jerusalem? And the
very fact that Susan Rice has replaced Dennis Ross as his chief Mideast
adviser only betokens a cooling of feelings that I don't think is entirely based
upon his feelings about Netanyahu. But mainly - and here despite Netanyahu's
clumsy handling of the issue - has we given the great Israeli middle something
to feel confident about vis a vis the Iran Treaty, today Israel might have had
a far more balanced government that was more inclined to deal wisely
with the Palestinians, both with their legitimate wishes as well as their
descent to politics by anti Israel propaganda that has not been seen since Oslo.
in less tangible but nonetheless very important terms, Obama's message
has not been as positive. In the wake of his Mideast visit after the Arab Spring
was declared why didn't he also stop in at Tel Aviv, even Jerusalem? And the
very fact that Susan Rice has replaced Dennis Ross as his chief Mideast
adviser only betokens a cooling of feelings that I don't think is entirely based
upon his feelings about Netanyahu. But mainly - and here despite Netanyahu's
clumsy handling of the issue - has we given the great Israeli middle something
to feel confident about vis a vis the Iran Treaty, today Israel might have had
a far more balanced government that was more inclined to deal wisely
with the Palestinians, both with their legitimate wishes as well as their
descent to politics by anti Israel propaganda that has not been seen since Oslo.
1
We're basically Stone Age hunters. We evolved for two million years in a Stone Age. Civilization is only 5,000 years old. That's insignificant on an evolutionary time scale. Our brains are still Stone Age brains, adapted for short term thinking (eg, the next meal) and living in tribes. Trumpism is tribalism.
6
I forgot that trumpery is a word, until I read this piece. The definitions I found, "showy, but worthless" says it all.
I see bumper stickers all around that say "No Trumpery", or "Trumpery is showy but worthless".
The neat part is it would apply to so many other political (and nonpolitical) things other than Mr. T.
I see bumper stickers all around that say "No Trumpery", or "Trumpery is showy but worthless".
The neat part is it would apply to so many other political (and nonpolitical) things other than Mr. T.
1
Sadly, we are a nation of "Know Nothings" thanks to decades of underfunding in public education, thanks to television programming that only entertains and rarely educates (the two are not mutually exclusive!), and mainly thanks to parents who fail their children by assuming they have no role in the education of their kids - that their education begins and ends at the classroom door.
11
Roger Cohen's columns are both thoughtful and respectful. And he is the most historically minded of the opinion writers.
His view of Trump as our Berlesconi is spot on. Of course I praise Cohen partly because I often agree, holding a similar perspective especially on international matters.
However, Cohen, along with many others, seem to overlook that ours is an age of Epigone. The range of available leadership talent, ethics, and vision is appallingly low. We may be witnessing an inevitable decline of the American Age. Incumbency and celebrity rule everywhere. One critical question to consider is, how much worse is Trump, really, than the other players in public life? My view is that the difference is pitifully small.
His view of Trump as our Berlesconi is spot on. Of course I praise Cohen partly because I often agree, holding a similar perspective especially on international matters.
However, Cohen, along with many others, seem to overlook that ours is an age of Epigone. The range of available leadership talent, ethics, and vision is appallingly low. We may be witnessing an inevitable decline of the American Age. Incumbency and celebrity rule everywhere. One critical question to consider is, how much worse is Trump, really, than the other players in public life? My view is that the difference is pitifully small.
Isolationism is an idea that was obsolete in the early 19th century. It was a tenet of the Presidency of James Madison until the British began stopping our merchant ships and abducting (or "impressing") sailors. Isolationism seemed like a good idea until the Germans started sinking millions of tons of our ships in the run-up to WWII. And, of course, one cannot forget what really got us into WWII -- Pearl Harbor, when Japan crossed the Pacific and laid waste to our naval forces. So unless we can build an Iron Dome over the entire United States (plus all our territories), the pretense that isolationism is an option is suicidal denial.
3
When you Know Nothing, you can say absolutely anything you want!! And that is exactly what Trump is doing.
10
Trump has positioned himself as the defender of the over-taxed and under-employed, by giving the down and out treatment to the insiders. Fictions, fact-free statements, insults to women and other hateful remarks are, without exception, framed as correctives to overweening political correctness. It is a conceit perfectly attuned to the times because it can be invoked against the left and the right.
When trump refers to Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas, for example, the insult works both as a classist dig and an anti-feminist one—all without having to say "Harvard professor." The man is well coached in the art of using simple language to illicit resentments against anyone who wants to tax you or tell you how you are supposed to think and conduct your daily routines. Decades of dog-whistle politics have laid the groundwork for Trump. But so has political correctness on the left. His genius has been to leverage a cultivated notoriety into the appearance of substance through repetition of What Daniel Boorstin called pseudo events. His skill at drawing audiences to television has made him a cash cow for network TV.
When we apply policy, history and substance to this phenomenon, the fundamental appeal of Trump is left out. His fame, his simplistic, run-on speeches, his correctives and refusals to back down to anyone who calls him out as a bigot; they all play as strengths, in contrast to programmatic, robotic, dishonest alternatives.
When trump refers to Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas, for example, the insult works both as a classist dig and an anti-feminist one—all without having to say "Harvard professor." The man is well coached in the art of using simple language to illicit resentments against anyone who wants to tax you or tell you how you are supposed to think and conduct your daily routines. Decades of dog-whistle politics have laid the groundwork for Trump. But so has political correctness on the left. His genius has been to leverage a cultivated notoriety into the appearance of substance through repetition of What Daniel Boorstin called pseudo events. His skill at drawing audiences to television has made him a cash cow for network TV.
When we apply policy, history and substance to this phenomenon, the fundamental appeal of Trump is left out. His fame, his simplistic, run-on speeches, his correctives and refusals to back down to anyone who calls him out as a bigot; they all play as strengths, in contrast to programmatic, robotic, dishonest alternatives.
173
It would be really nice not to have to rely on commenters to see how to understand Trump without condoning him. The media have abandoned this vital job.
Greg puts it the best I've seen so far in a brief form.
The term "political correctness" is both overworked and insufficiently expressive. People are deeply, deeply sick of it-- and this includes a lot of really smart people, Mr. Cohen.
Just as a little side example: Bill Clinton heatedly and effectively defended the 1994 crime bill before a group of black leaders a few weeks ago; remember? The next day--- he apologized! You could have predicted it.
No more pandering apologies. Trump gets that, I think.
The term "political correctness" is both overworked and insufficiently expressive. People are deeply, deeply sick of it-- and this includes a lot of really smart people, Mr. Cohen.
Just as a little side example: Bill Clinton heatedly and effectively defended the 1994 crime bill before a group of black leaders a few weeks ago; remember? The next day--- he apologized! You could have predicted it.
No more pandering apologies. Trump gets that, I think.
4
Another word for political correctness is civility.
4
On one side Mr. Cohen shows some knowledge of American history, but on the other, he appears not to understand it.
The "natives" will oppose the new-comers and the new, new-comers will become natives who will then oppose the new set of new-comers. This is the way it has been since the founding of the Republic, and still, the Republic endures and even gets stronger.
The "natives" will oppose the new-comers and the new, new-comers will become natives who will then oppose the new set of new-comers. This is the way it has been since the founding of the Republic, and still, the Republic endures and even gets stronger.
57
I think that Mr. Cohen understand tribalism and its recurrence in US and elsewhere very well. The question is whether we, as a people and as a country, need to fall into the same trap over and over again. I think that with better civic education, tribalism can be overcome and that is while Mr. Trump must be defeated.
2
Oh, yes "nativism" is American- the last folk off the Mayflower were oppressed by the first folks down the plank; "Newcomers, don't you know"
But it is not the only strand in the mix, nor the dominant, nor an admirable one. We are better than our worst impulses, and have risen despite them. And will again.
Whatever follows from this upheaval, if it is not to be a dark age will include respect for reason and for facts, and for each other.
Indeed, respect for the 'decent opinion of mankind, is a profoundly American trait; it's simply self-respect writ large.
But it is not the only strand in the mix, nor the dominant, nor an admirable one. We are better than our worst impulses, and have risen despite them. And will again.
Whatever follows from this upheaval, if it is not to be a dark age will include respect for reason and for facts, and for each other.
Indeed, respect for the 'decent opinion of mankind, is a profoundly American trait; it's simply self-respect writ large.
1
Some form of tribalism will always exist. I believe it is our nature to make distinctions among ourselves and to limit access to our own particular stratum. The concept of Veblen goods beautiful demonstrates this tendency.
Draft dodgers needs slogans, big flags and angry fighting words to dispel the fact that they are, well, draft dodgers, who actually despise the men and women who served in uniform while they were amassing wealth and partying.
65
Well, I'll pass your view on to my friend in Texas who is a big believer in a 'little dose of America first'. Maybe I'll pass it on to his 37 year old son, now on full disability from injuries received in 4, that's four, tours of duty with the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.
1
The "Know-Nothings??" And you, Mr. Cohen, have the nerve to chastise Trump for running as a rude blowhard?? The "Know-Nothings:" really, that's precious. You are the true isolationist, Mr. Cohen, in that effete, pseudo-intellectual world of smug disdain you obviously have for millions of your fellow countrymen and women. And so the New York Times continues to deteriorate.
15
My countrymen and women have lost their moral compass, if they ever had one. Their willingness to jump on the Trump bandwagon, this woebegone jumble of idiocy, speaks for them, but not for the rest of us. We are not buying his spiel, we are not willing to park our brains at the door, we will exercise our right to reject stupidity at the voting box when we say "no, Donald Trump, go home".
5
well, it was the name of a 19th century movement and history has been known to repeat itself.....me thinks thou art protesting too much.....
6
I think he was referring to the Know Nothing movement in the 1850's.
3
One of your best Mr. Cohen. It is amazing how easy it is to delude people. The most disturbing thing however, is that so many so called leaders of the Republican Party, Congress members and Senators are on board with Trump. Even those like Senator McCain who have been insulted by him.
Have they no pride?
Have they no pride?
125
"Have they no pride?"
More to the point, have they no honor?
Have they no decency, at long last?
More to the point, have they no honor?
Have they no decency, at long last?
3
It is not a question of pride as you suggest. It is 'do everything to be re-elected' pragmatism. John McCain had his chance; at his age one would have thought that with his history he wouldn't have caved so easily.
So much for that thought. He is, after all, a Republican.
So much for that thought. He is, after all, a Republican.
3
Mind-blowing. McCain is on board with Trump. Speechless. After what Trump said about him ? Boggles the mind. Amazing how McCain sells his soul for politics.
Trump would never think of "the Normandy landings; or perhaps the Marshall Plan; or Ronald Reagan’s “tear down this wall;” or the freeing of hundreds of millions of people from the totalitarian Soviet imperium; or the opening to China."
That's history, and policy. Trump cannot get farther than "YUUUGE."
That's history, and policy. Trump cannot get farther than "YUUUGE."
25
Trump thinks of himself as the next Reagan? He rose to fame by leading the birther charge against President Obama with his band of white supremacists and his reality TV show. His Huey Long/George Wallace approach to politics may snag him the presidency! Our nation prides itself on low information, in a recent Gallop poll, 42% of us believe that God created humans in their present form 10,000 years ago. Further showing our ignorance, a quarter of Americans surveyed could not correctly answer that the Earth revolves around the sun and not the other way around, according to a recent report from the National Science Foundation.
Trump is using this information gap in our country to his advantage! What do we do?
Trump is using this information gap in our country to his advantage! What do we do?
26
But Trump is also a victim of the same information gap! That's why the no-nothings relate to him.
You use the historical analogy of the Know-Nothings, yes very apt of course. I like the analogy to the "Reign of the Withes" during John Adams' presidency: can the center hold?
Not as the middle class declines, no.
1
For a guy who is suppose to be so savvy, Trump is surely a simplistic fool. His expertise is in marketing and selling a brand. His tax program would explode the deficit and put income inequality into warp speed, his trade policy would set off economic wars with China which would rock the stock markets around the world, and his foreign policy would break up NATO and be a huge victory for Russia. Oh did I mention him being a proponent of nuclear proliferation. You could go on. People thought the Archie Bunker mentality was a relic of the past. Perhaps the traits and characteristics of one of the most laughable and stupid personas created for TV is about to inhabit the White House.
61
The Trump and Sanders phenomena are really cries for help. Since the Trump side is generally less well-educated and thus more unaware of certain facts, its cries are more chaotic and inchoate. Still, there is something rotten here that these two have used to gain prominence. The just released Pew study clearly documents the steep decline of the middle class. Until that is addressed and reversed, and until the prospects for the younger adults is more promising, we will have tumult in the land. Is this the future the better-off will welcome?
603
I won't speak to one side's education level compared to another (okay, I will, and there's no evidence that Sanders supporters are better educated than any others), but my interpretation is that both Trump and Sanders supporters just can't hack the complexities of the world or the fact that you can't change the world with the wave of a wand. They think successful revolutions happen overnight when in fact they take decades to develop and decades more to unfold, by which time the complexities invariably move in to dilute. The only quick revolutions are the ones that involve mass bloodshed (think Khmer Rouge) but those invariably fail.
4
I'm tired of People trying to paint Bernie Sanders with the Trump brush. It's disingenuous and its offensive. Bernie isn't a new to the scene politician. He's been in there fighting the good fight for decades. His campaign is not a "cry for help" it is the help we deeply need. We won't get it from Trump or Hillary. Go Bernie!
1
The "steep decline of the middle-class" has been well explained time and again. Corporate profits have steadily increased for many years but wages and salaries have fallen. How can this be? Where can all this money thrown off by the US economy have gone? Hint: take a look at the record sales numbers posted by BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and other luxury brands and the vast offshore funds being held overseas by wealthy Americans & corporations. I can assure you that many people (ok, may 10% of the population) are doing very well in the USA, they just don't want to talk about it much (and they want the government to keep reducing their income taxes, which are already the lowest in the world). Yes the downtrodden will cry for help (as they've been doing for 20+ years) but don't expect the "elite" to surrender their benefits willingly. As for the middle-class, well, let them eat cake.
2
One thing's for sure: in a knowledge economy, know-nothings are bound to get the short end of the stick.
4
There can be no such thing as a knowledge economy. It relies on the group 2+ standard deviations above the norm on IQ, income, skills/talent, etc. Without demand from a wider segment of citizens, there is no economy. We must have jobs (or spending money + need fulfillment) for the vast majority of citizens. We all need to eat. We all need healthcare. And we need something to do, someone to love who loves us, and something to look forward to. Dis them all you like, but know nothings need and bleed and vote too.
2
It is no surprise that The Donald likes "low education people" and it is no surprise that schools on the whole have virtually eliminated critical thinking. Texas has done away with those courses altogether.
59
Enjoy your journalism. With that said, keep writing these type articles, you and the NYT do wonders for Trumps campaign. Dare not write one about the Clinton duo.
5
Yeah Dan, the 10,987 articles,consisting of news, opinion pieces and one full investigative report section obviously doesn't count in the conservative echo chamber
5
They have M. Dowd for that job. She can handle it.
2
If you are determined not to take good advice, you will end up with President Trump. He's already had $2B in free publicity - shall we go for $4B? $6B?
You pathologise and belittle European ethnocentrism while evincing passionate support for Israel, the closest thing the world has to an ethno-state. Why is their ethnocentrism OK but ours isn't? Why do Europeans have to turn their countries into abstractions or "universal ideas"? What if Europeans just want what every other people in the world wants, namely to live in a space of their own with others of their own kind, enjoying their own culture and savouring their own identity? Why does that make them "Know-nothings"?
67
Mr Bruce, if you'd read up on the history of Jewish people in Europle, say during the period 1933-1945, you might be able to answer your own question.
11
I actually feel that Mr Cohen hardly ever supports Israel. He seems to blame them first for any kerfuffle in the Middle East. You must be thinking of Iran.
3
Bruce,
I don't think that the United States could ever be considered a "homeland" for Europeans. We are all well aware of how the country came to be and who the original natives were. Comparing it to Israel is a really poor comparison for that reason alone. However, both countries do have a common history in that both foundation stories are rooted in those escaping religious persecution. Also, are you including african americans as part of the European heritage that should get enjoy our culture in America (after all, it was the Europeans who brought them here) or do they require their own "space" as well? Sounds like you are a describing a the U.S. as a country only for white Christians. What do you propose with the others - do we give them reservations like the native americans?
I don't think that the United States could ever be considered a "homeland" for Europeans. We are all well aware of how the country came to be and who the original natives were. Comparing it to Israel is a really poor comparison for that reason alone. However, both countries do have a common history in that both foundation stories are rooted in those escaping religious persecution. Also, are you including african americans as part of the European heritage that should get enjoy our culture in America (after all, it was the Europeans who brought them here) or do they require their own "space" as well? Sounds like you are a describing a the U.S. as a country only for white Christians. What do you propose with the others - do we give them reservations like the native americans?
3
"The insult to the intelligence of the United States".
Mr. Cohen quotes Nancy Pelosi re Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr. Cohen connects it to his perceived version of Mr. Obama's support for Israel, with which I do not necessarily take issue.
Perhaps. But reading the NYT day after day and the editorials and op-eds day after day, including today, and following the primaries, Republican and Democratic, and the campaign, albeit from a distance, unfortunately, and with no disrespect intended, the intelligence quotient of a good deal of the voting public in the United States seems to reflect more than a know-nothing "tide", but rather just know-nothing.
Whomever's intelligence Mr. Netanyahu was or was not insulting, I think that the candidates often are doing a better job of insulting what (often limited) intelligence the voting public in the US has.
The comment re Mr. Netanyau is irrelevant for Mr. Cohen's piece, but an article by Mr. Cohen would not be complete without the required dose of a jibe at Mr. Netanyahu.
Mr. Cohen quotes Nancy Pelosi re Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr. Cohen connects it to his perceived version of Mr. Obama's support for Israel, with which I do not necessarily take issue.
Perhaps. But reading the NYT day after day and the editorials and op-eds day after day, including today, and following the primaries, Republican and Democratic, and the campaign, albeit from a distance, unfortunately, and with no disrespect intended, the intelligence quotient of a good deal of the voting public in the United States seems to reflect more than a know-nothing "tide", but rather just know-nothing.
Whomever's intelligence Mr. Netanyahu was or was not insulting, I think that the candidates often are doing a better job of insulting what (often limited) intelligence the voting public in the US has.
The comment re Mr. Netanyau is irrelevant for Mr. Cohen's piece, but an article by Mr. Cohen would not be complete without the required dose of a jibe at Mr. Netanyahu.
6
Any jibes at the israeli prine minister are well deserved. He has earned contempt
9
We know Mr. Cohen likes to exhibit his worldliness, but please explain what "an American exercise in après-moi-le-déluge escapism" means. Sorry, but we're not all so erudite as he.
6
"After me, the deluge".
Can have rather ambiguous meanings of either "after I'm gone chaos will come" or "after I'm gone I don't care what happens."
Also sometimes seen as: après-nous-le-déluge ("after us ...")
Can have rather ambiguous meanings of either "after I'm gone chaos will come" or "after I'm gone I don't care what happens."
Also sometimes seen as: après-nous-le-déluge ("after us ...")
4
It is an argument in favor of a strong man, without whom there would be chaos, as the masses cannot be trusted to know what's good for them, organize to seek it, and fend off another, possibly worse dictator. In this case, America must interfere in world affairs because we're the nicest strong man there is available to stave off chaos in other countries. Neither true nor helpful to the promotion of stability or democracy.
3
Horrifying, but smacking of the truth, Roger Cohen, your idea that millions of people who follow and adore Trump "cannot be wrong". Clearly the only thing in US Society today that matters is celebrity. Scary and horrifying though that is, Trump - isolationism among his worst qualities - is the leader of escapism that the zealous low-info American hoi polloi seeks in our hinge of history, which is just as frightening as the run-up to World War II in the 1930s. Younger Americans (younger than the Greatest Generation) are unable to see that being ignorant of the past and world history is prologue to the future. The Know Nothings have no idea of the power of their movement towards catastrophe and calamity. And will not know till they follow their Carney-Barker "Make America Great Again" leader over the cliff.
13
Nail on the head...
The parallels with Nazi Germany and the 30s are disturbing...right down to many saying Trump will be defeated and not taking it all seriously...
The parallels with Nazi Germany and the 30s are disturbing...right down to many saying Trump will be defeated and not taking it all seriously...
7
The quote on the secession of South Carolina in 1860..."too small for a republic, too big for an insane asylum" is not only fall-down funny, it perfectly describes the Trumpettes, or whatever the brain-dead wing of the GOP will wind up being called. Too small, please god, to win an election, but too big not to embarrass us on the world stage...
102
If Trump can persuade Americans to stop buying garbage from China and to use their time and money for more worthwhile pursuits (exercise, family, church, study) that would be one huge step in the direction of greatness for the US. Kicking the drug dealer out of the neighborhood may not revive it single-handedly, but it's a good start.
5
"we-won’t-be-suckers-anymore "
Well, if workers vote for a Republicans, they are voting for those who opposed Social Security, opposed Medicare, oppose extension of health benefits to the working poor, opposed those who voted to get secret money out of politics by overturning Citizens United, opposed extending unemployment benefits in a recession, oppose putting people back to work by investing in crumbling infrastructure....sounds like they are being suckered by a Republican once again.
Well, if workers vote for a Republicans, they are voting for those who opposed Social Security, opposed Medicare, oppose extension of health benefits to the working poor, opposed those who voted to get secret money out of politics by overturning Citizens United, opposed extending unemployment benefits in a recession, oppose putting people back to work by investing in crumbling infrastructure....sounds like they are being suckered by a Republican once again.
538
"sounds like they are being suckered by a Republican once again."
Lynn, It is not like the Dems, since WJC took office, gave these people muc to rally around.
"A rising tide lifts all vessels".
Obama 2009
Lynn, It is not like the Dems, since WJC took office, gave these people muc to rally around.
"A rising tide lifts all vessels".
Obama 2009
4
@ Lynn. Republicans also resulted to blackmailing President Obama.
They only prolonging the unemployment benefits of the hardest hit population in the country if he would make the expiring tax cuts by Dubya for those making more than 250K permanent.
What a nice crowd.....
They only prolonging the unemployment benefits of the hardest hit population in the country if he would make the expiring tax cuts by Dubya for those making more than 250K permanent.
What a nice crowd.....
4
Yup. No one's had enough hope and change yet. Please, sir, may I have some more?
1
Roger, you concluded:
"Power centers are elsewhere — in financial systems, corporations, technology, networks — that long since dispensed with borders."
Yet borders still exist - or am I mistaken?
Trump is an obscenity, as is his brand of nationalism. But Roger, do you imagine these corporations and financial system care much about the citizens who live within these borders; or do they merely care about the stakeholders that they represent?
Roger, governments are increasingly more responsive to the needs of these globalists entities and their shareholders than the needs of its citizens. That's a profound problem - for if government is not responsive to the concerns of its citizenry, then who will be?
Multinational corporations go out of their way nowadays to either avoid paying taxes or adhere to sensible labor or environmental laws that were only established in response to a long chain of copiously documented abuses.
Again, Trump is an obscenity, but he is scratching an itch our establishment has too long allowed to spread.
Roger, if we are indeed going to function as one interconnected planet in the years to come, then we will need to develop ways of insuring that the powers that be remain responsive to the real world needs of ordinary people - and not just a bored elite seeking fulfillment through pursuit of one ideological agenda or another.
"Power centers are elsewhere — in financial systems, corporations, technology, networks — that long since dispensed with borders."
Yet borders still exist - or am I mistaken?
Trump is an obscenity, as is his brand of nationalism. But Roger, do you imagine these corporations and financial system care much about the citizens who live within these borders; or do they merely care about the stakeholders that they represent?
Roger, governments are increasingly more responsive to the needs of these globalists entities and their shareholders than the needs of its citizens. That's a profound problem - for if government is not responsive to the concerns of its citizenry, then who will be?
Multinational corporations go out of their way nowadays to either avoid paying taxes or adhere to sensible labor or environmental laws that were only established in response to a long chain of copiously documented abuses.
Again, Trump is an obscenity, but he is scratching an itch our establishment has too long allowed to spread.
Roger, if we are indeed going to function as one interconnected planet in the years to come, then we will need to develop ways of insuring that the powers that be remain responsive to the real world needs of ordinary people - and not just a bored elite seeking fulfillment through pursuit of one ideological agenda or another.
146
I think we think there must be a well thought out reason for the rise of Trump. But do you know any Trump supporters?
I do.
And they don't care what he says. They care that he's angry and so are they.
It's really that simple. Many of them actually have very little reason to be angry. They have jobs, they have homes and their lives are pretty much the same or better than BTBM (before the black man). But the never ending stream of 24 news tells them they should be angry so they are. They don't really know why. Terrorism doesn't touch them. They make a decent living. Their children are safe. Their guns are all in the gun safe and on Sunday they talk to their god before the afternoon family bbq. But they are ANGRY!
You can't rationalize with someone who has no rational basis for what they believe.
Trump is the result of relentless propaganda pure and simple.
I do.
And they don't care what he says. They care that he's angry and so are they.
It's really that simple. Many of them actually have very little reason to be angry. They have jobs, they have homes and their lives are pretty much the same or better than BTBM (before the black man). But the never ending stream of 24 news tells them they should be angry so they are. They don't really know why. Terrorism doesn't touch them. They make a decent living. Their children are safe. Their guns are all in the gun safe and on Sunday they talk to their god before the afternoon family bbq. But they are ANGRY!
You can't rationalize with someone who has no rational basis for what they believe.
Trump is the result of relentless propaganda pure and simple.
1340
And of course that anger begets fear in others and the arguments and anger escalate.
7
MJ, there's no question that many Trump supporters are driven by an ideology-fueled hate that has been incited by relentless right-wing propaganda.
They can't extricate themselves from their cultural and political programming - and hence refuse to leave the cult complex, as they should.
But IMHO, you cannot witness the Trump phenomenon in isolation. You have to view it side-by-side with the Sanders phenomenon. If the former is indefensible, the latter is wholly defensible, even sensible. And while the cultural conditioning is clearly different (not many FOX viewers or right-wing talk radio listeners attending Sanders rallies), the unhappiness with the status quo is essentially the same.
I will vote for Hillary in November if she is the candidate, but do not pretend that this intense dissatisfaction with the status quo is merely due to race and propaganda. Many American have a legitimate reason to be unhappy with current trajectory of their lives, and their children's lives.
They can't extricate themselves from their cultural and political programming - and hence refuse to leave the cult complex, as they should.
But IMHO, you cannot witness the Trump phenomenon in isolation. You have to view it side-by-side with the Sanders phenomenon. If the former is indefensible, the latter is wholly defensible, even sensible. And while the cultural conditioning is clearly different (not many FOX viewers or right-wing talk radio listeners attending Sanders rallies), the unhappiness with the status quo is essentially the same.
I will vote for Hillary in November if she is the candidate, but do not pretend that this intense dissatisfaction with the status quo is merely due to race and propaganda. Many American have a legitimate reason to be unhappy with current trajectory of their lives, and their children's lives.
31
Cohen misrepresents the two phrases that are key to his column.
The Know Nothings were not proud of knowing nothing, they were proud of giving that answer when asked by opponents. It meant "don't snitch" not "be stupid."
Politics "ending at the water's edge" did not mean isolationism. It meant we keep our disagreements at home, and face the world with unity and strength. Eisenhower appealed to that, and not for isolationism, but for going abroad to NATO and the Cold War with united strength.
Cohen today rants from false premises.
Trump's people don't revel in their own ignorance, even if Cohen thinks they are ignorant.
Trump is not suggesting we come home, turn our backs on the world. His suggestion is more W without saying the name, "with us or against us." That was a bad approach then, and is now, but the faults are not demonstrated by pretending it is isolationism.
The Know Nothings were not proud of knowing nothing, they were proud of giving that answer when asked by opponents. It meant "don't snitch" not "be stupid."
Politics "ending at the water's edge" did not mean isolationism. It meant we keep our disagreements at home, and face the world with unity and strength. Eisenhower appealed to that, and not for isolationism, but for going abroad to NATO and the Cold War with united strength.
Cohen today rants from false premises.
Trump's people don't revel in their own ignorance, even if Cohen thinks they are ignorant.
Trump is not suggesting we come home, turn our backs on the world. His suggestion is more W without saying the name, "with us or against us." That was a bad approach then, and is now, but the faults are not demonstrated by pretending it is isolationism.
76
No one is proud of knowing nothing, but that doesn't change the fact. When Sgt. Schultz of "Hogan's Heroes" intoned "I know nothing!", his intent was to insulate himself from the consequences of inconvenient knowledge, but he was simultaneously describing his actual idiocy.
Trump's people don't revel in their ignorance. Most of them probably think they've got "street smarts" gained while attending the "school of hard knocks". That doesn't change the fact that most of them couldn't find Iran on a map. They don't really care about foreign affairs, other than America should come first. Yeah, America First, gosh darn it!
Trump's people don't revel in their ignorance. Most of them probably think they've got "street smarts" gained while attending the "school of hard knocks". That doesn't change the fact that most of them couldn't find Iran on a map. They don't really care about foreign affairs, other than America should come first. Yeah, America First, gosh darn it!
38
The choice being provided is whimsical ignorance supplanted by assertive ego. Quibble however you want, it is belligerent stupidity, a product of its source on both sides of the equation. Trump, and those suckers enough and angry enough to choose him.
Trump's followers solution is to flip the bird to the rest of the nation as they feel, ''underserved.'' That is the 'entitlement' that this faux-billionaire verbally provides them with along with Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, and the other morons of the Apocalypse.
Trump's followers solution is to flip the bird to the rest of the nation as they feel, ''underserved.'' That is the 'entitlement' that this faux-billionaire verbally provides them with along with Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, and the other morons of the Apocalypse.
29
"Trump is not suggesting we come home, turn our backs on the world. His suggestion is"
"Vote for me, Donald J. Trump."
And it's his *only* suggestion. Everything else is just noise.
"Vote for me, Donald J. Trump."
And it's his *only* suggestion. Everything else is just noise.
25
"Tribal politics, anchored in tribal media, has made knowing nothing a badge of honor. Ignorance, loudly declaimed, is an attribute". Add to that is what passes for much of television these days that celebrate knowing nothing. Reagan's comment applies to a considerable number on both sides. “It isn't so much that liberals or conservatives are ignorant. It's just that they know so many things that aren't so.”
52
And like so much of Reagan's wit, the line was borrowed. Though it's sometimes been attributed to Mark Twain, it's actually from Will Rogers.
8
Tom, stop with the "both sides do it."
11
I'd say this quote applied to Reagan first and foremost.
4
Mr. Cohen's analysis reveals the dangers of irresponsible propaganda. Propaganda feeds upon our ancient survival instincts. It's very easy to make one angry but very difficult to make one laugh. We easily become angry and hate to defeat those that would hurt us, those that would attack our tribe.
The us against them mentality in inbred in our minds. Hunter gatherer societies traditionally require population densities of one person per square mile. As densities increased, we banded together into tribes to better compete for scarce natural resources.
That's where the no nothing nativism comes from. It comes from our biological programming. This makes it very powerful.
Public officials, pundits and those in the public spotlight should tread lightly here. They are playing with fire. When the tribal fire is ignited, an inferno can result. Wars are the inferno that results.
With widespread digital media, the power to speak out is greatly magnified. Trump and others like him, do not realize the damage they create from such irresponsible speech. An entire media company, FOX News, has made a fortune exploiting this power. Radio stations abuse it for profit.
Trump is the product of this abuse of the public trust. He is a manifestation of for profit media that will sell anything just so it can sell it. They have done such a great job marketing their nativist hate product, that Trump could conceivably be our next president.
The us against them mentality in inbred in our minds. Hunter gatherer societies traditionally require population densities of one person per square mile. As densities increased, we banded together into tribes to better compete for scarce natural resources.
That's where the no nothing nativism comes from. It comes from our biological programming. This makes it very powerful.
Public officials, pundits and those in the public spotlight should tread lightly here. They are playing with fire. When the tribal fire is ignited, an inferno can result. Wars are the inferno that results.
With widespread digital media, the power to speak out is greatly magnified. Trump and others like him, do not realize the damage they create from such irresponsible speech. An entire media company, FOX News, has made a fortune exploiting this power. Radio stations abuse it for profit.
Trump is the product of this abuse of the public trust. He is a manifestation of for profit media that will sell anything just so it can sell it. They have done such a great job marketing their nativist hate product, that Trump could conceivably be our next president.
247
"We have met the enemy, and he is us!" Pogo.
5
Well-said Sir!
4
""Right now American buys everything China makes, and China buys the American debt incurred for all the spending sprees on stuff from Guangzhou. "
That, as some of us see it, is precisely the problem. Some of us remember the early 1940s when a hostile navy cut off all trade with Asia. We survived that situation admirably because everything on our store shelves, and essential for normal life, was not imported from Asia. We very proudly made such things here.How could we possibly survive today?
That, as some of us see it, is precisely the problem. Some of us remember the early 1940s when a hostile navy cut off all trade with Asia. We survived that situation admirably because everything on our store shelves, and essential for normal life, was not imported from Asia. We very proudly made such things here.How could we possibly survive today?
1