Running for President is only one more in a long list of Trump Scams. I promise we will have long memories for those who have been taken in by it.
117
Take away Trump's money, which he uses as a megaphone, and which his papa gave him, and what do you have? A patriot? A visionary? A great leader? A moral authority? None of the above. You have a belligerent loudmouth on a barstool, about to be cut off by the bartender.
68
What worries me is how similarly the elite played their hand in Germany in 1933. We are so sophisticated and he is a bumpkin; we can control him.
The demonising of HRC is the only hope of winning nationally is a gerymandered America, hence the rabid behavior of the party elite at the convention. Do they REALLY support the Donald or do they think they can control him once in office. 'If anything goes wrong, it's Mike's fault,' probably reassured them.
The demonising of HRC is the only hope of winning nationally is a gerymandered America, hence the rabid behavior of the party elite at the convention. Do they REALLY support the Donald or do they think they can control him once in office. 'If anything goes wrong, it's Mike's fault,' probably reassured them.
23
Major faults in FB's attack on Trump:Nothing wrong with slogan,"Make America great again!"Is it not about time, after 8 years of O's prioritizing of foreign man and woman over citizens, for such an assertion of greatness, from which FB, journo in 6-7 figure pay bracket, profits big time.Imagine if he were Algerian born. 70 "journos" have been disappeared during second Algerian war, 1995 to present.NATO countries should pay their fair share.If attacked, each one would spring for its allotted contribution.We do not have the right to lecture other countries on human rights,, since we have failed with regard to those at the bottom of the hill.Witness ghettoization of American cities, conrolled by Dem. Party for decades.DT's draft deferments r not original. Neither Clinton,nor Bush, no Obama nor Hillary nor Reagan served in the military.What about ur record, Mr. BRUNI? Ever been in combat, or did being part of the inner sanctum of the elite exempt u from even volunteering when u were of age?DT's reluctance to release tax returns is understandable.When Reid was asked to reveal his ties to LV casino interests, which connections made him a wealthy man, left wing media, urself included, was silent Most offensive is ur use of the word "dark" to imply something or someone sinister. Use of word in this context hurts the feelings of millions of African Americans, including my own family.Be more sensitive to the impact of ur words on others, especially on people of color.
2
You have the chutzpah to talk about Trump's patriotism when your candidate of choice has been described by the Director of the FBI as having “gross negligence” in her handling of America's secrets! He further stated that it was “possible” that hostile foreign governments had gained access to Mrs. Clinton’s personal account, again meaning America's secrets.
8
America is a bully to the world. We threaten and bluster and stomp and scare the hell out of people while insulting them about our exceptionalism and their something else, while selling arms and overheating the planet.
Trump would be funny if only we didn't elect George W Bush. No one thought he had the slightest chance... he couldn't speak English, he was uninformed, he was an artificial cowboy born to New England Patricians. And we are sill recovering from his economic disaster and we are still dealing with his military and national security blunders.
So... Trump may seem funny to us. He managed to sell a lot of papers over the last year. America was having a lark.
But we scare the hell out of everybody else on the planet and we should stop it.
Trump would be funny if only we didn't elect George W Bush. No one thought he had the slightest chance... he couldn't speak English, he was uninformed, he was an artificial cowboy born to New England Patricians. And we are sill recovering from his economic disaster and we are still dealing with his military and national security blunders.
So... Trump may seem funny to us. He managed to sell a lot of papers over the last year. America was having a lark.
But we scare the hell out of everybody else on the planet and we should stop it.
46
Been watching the right saddle up to every flim-flam artist who could talk the talk without ever once hearing the request, let alone the demand, they also walk the walk...and deliver on promises made. Trump is merely the latest barker who went trolling for stupid among the ranks of the GOP and found success.
40
I don't really think Trump is the problem. I think the problem is what made Trump, what let him into this arena. In first front of culprits we see the Republican party and as so often been said, its attitude, its key actors, its political moves, the friends they invited (Limbaugh, Faux, ...). Then the media for so long. Also here at the NYT we have a couple of them that leveled the landscape for that mentality of denying government role, looking to turn back to the 19th century, pushing religion as the cure for all ailments, denying GW, denigrating science. Alas these folks act with quite a bit more subtlety but as effective.
Level 1 of that idiocy was the tea party, identifying real problems but pointing 180 deg in the off direction.
Trump is level2.
Will there be a level3?
Level 1 of that idiocy was the tea party, identifying real problems but pointing 180 deg in the off direction.
Trump is level2.
Will there be a level3?
25
I would never vote for Donald Trump. But I'm not for open borders, and I don't agree with the NYT equating illegal immigration with legal immigration. I think we need to crack down on illegal immigration.
However, there's a reason Trump is proposing a wall rather than a nationwide, well built, well maintained e-verify system with real teeth, including huge fines and jail time for employers who hire illegals: neither the GOP nor Donald Trump wants to penalize employers who hire illegals in any way. No fines, no jail time for them, oh no! Now, why is that? Could it be because the corporations and people with money who hire illegals are usually white and have money? Yeah, I think that's exactly why. Although employers are a key part of the problem, neither the GOP nor Donald Trump wants to lay a glove on them. So that tells me they're not serious about illegal immigration. It's all just talk to rile up the rubes.
The wall's a stupid idea. It won't get built. If it were, it would be gotten around (ladders, tunnels, etc.) as long as there are EMPLOYERS in the U.S. who will hire the illegals. Oh, and 11 million illegal immigrants won't be deported. It would be a logistical nightmare, and a very expensive one.
I've voted Democratic all my life (I'm 66), and while I don't agree with the Dems on every issue, I could never vote for Trump because he is anti-science, anti-environment, a liar, a bigot, math-challenged, and mentally unstable.
Hillary Clinton gets my vote.
However, there's a reason Trump is proposing a wall rather than a nationwide, well built, well maintained e-verify system with real teeth, including huge fines and jail time for employers who hire illegals: neither the GOP nor Donald Trump wants to penalize employers who hire illegals in any way. No fines, no jail time for them, oh no! Now, why is that? Could it be because the corporations and people with money who hire illegals are usually white and have money? Yeah, I think that's exactly why. Although employers are a key part of the problem, neither the GOP nor Donald Trump wants to lay a glove on them. So that tells me they're not serious about illegal immigration. It's all just talk to rile up the rubes.
The wall's a stupid idea. It won't get built. If it were, it would be gotten around (ladders, tunnels, etc.) as long as there are EMPLOYERS in the U.S. who will hire the illegals. Oh, and 11 million illegal immigrants won't be deported. It would be a logistical nightmare, and a very expensive one.
I've voted Democratic all my life (I'm 66), and while I don't agree with the Dems on every issue, I could never vote for Trump because he is anti-science, anti-environment, a liar, a bigot, math-challenged, and mentally unstable.
Hillary Clinton gets my vote.
99
Every bone in his body screams - SHAM! His self proclaimed billionaire status, his refusal to disclose his taxes, his love for Putin and praise for Saddam Hussain and Erdogan, alienating all our allies, who wants to disown all our trading partners, his hate for own citizens who are different, who is all about discord and fear, dividing not uniting,who loves his family ( with three wives? ), family values (!!) who views his own daughter as someone he could date, his misogyny who sees a woman through a scale from 1-10 He is all about me, myself and I. Did he bring up a single issue about our problems? No! " Make America Great Again. " Even his rhetoric is empty. What he really means is, "Make America a Banana Republic". Let's just build walls, make Mexico pay the bill and end up fighting and losing battles with the drug cartels. Hey! At least, he would stop the exodus from the rapists and criminals!
60
Like everything else with Trump - first - not a partnership, or a team - first!
(and only)
(and only)
20
Patriotism is a very difficult term to define. It is really defined by the eyes of a beholder to a large extent. My German ancestors came here in 1710 as refugees from French Army persecution in the Palitinate Germany near the Swiss border. They were given refuge by the last of the Stuart"s, Queen Anne of Great Britain. Later one of the sons of the original immigrant fought with the New Jersey loyalists in support of the British Army's attempt to capture General George Washington and his army as they retreated from New York in the early part of the war. This son survived the war but had to flee to Canada after the war because of his loyalty to George III. This son felt patriotism to the British Crown for the gift received in 1710 by his Father to emigrate from persecution to freedom in a new land. Peter Hendershot is still remembered by the many Hendershots now living in Canada as a Patriot.
10
The following lines "His patriotism brims with grievances.
It sulks." should read:
It sucks.
It sulks." should read:
It sucks.
39
Trumps patriotism begins and ends with him—it’s all about his “brand”: self-aggrandizement, self-interest, and bottom-line-- money. And, he has taught his kids well. They have parlayed their elevated exposure to do similarly. Ivanka wasted no time after her production to sell merchandise. Talk about empire builders. I don’t understand why his working-class followers can’t see through all of this. Trump's followers are like lowly subjects loyal to their king and his court. It’s really sad.
24
In the middle of the 18th century the literary critic, philosopher and esteemed intellectual giant Samuel Johnson gave us English as a language of written communication. He gave words meaning. It was Samuel Johnson who gave the founders the tools to write the constitution and the Bill of Rights. It was Johnson's Dictionary that gave words their meaning.
In the middle of the 19th century Lewis Carroll gave us Humpty Dumpty for whom words were just tools. Tools used to promote one's own reality and desires.
In the middle of the 20th century George Orwell in his novel 1984 gave us a new dictionary called Newspeak where words meant the opposite of what Johnson sought to convey by their utilization.
Donald Trump is the product of Newspeak. Johnson was a conservative he was the philosopher who defined conservatism he chief adversary was the liberal Edmund Burke. How successful America's right wing has been in perverting our language is that in 2016 Johnson is a liberal and Burke is a conservative and in politics Donald Trump is a conservative and Hillary Clinton is a liberal.
It is amazing to me the the values and understandings of America's founders are radical and the very things they fought against are called conservative.
In the middle of the 19th century Lewis Carroll gave us Humpty Dumpty for whom words were just tools. Tools used to promote one's own reality and desires.
In the middle of the 20th century George Orwell in his novel 1984 gave us a new dictionary called Newspeak where words meant the opposite of what Johnson sought to convey by their utilization.
Donald Trump is the product of Newspeak. Johnson was a conservative he was the philosopher who defined conservatism he chief adversary was the liberal Edmund Burke. How successful America's right wing has been in perverting our language is that in 2016 Johnson is a liberal and Burke is a conservative and in politics Donald Trump is a conservative and Hillary Clinton is a liberal.
It is amazing to me the the values and understandings of America's founders are radical and the very things they fought against are called conservative.
11
There is good software available to do word counts, syntactic analysis, and even more sophisticated content related analysis. How about running all the columns that have been written about Mr. Trump for the past year and a half in the New York Times through one of these to at least look for redundant statements and then avoid using those statements which have already appeared more than say a hundred times.
6
Patriotism is important. So-called liberals mock it at their peril. People need meaning in their lives, and there are two primary sources of meaning for an ordinary person: their country and their God. Though an atheist, I respect genuine religious faith; and though a cosmopolitan, I love my country. Mr. Bruni's column is important in pointing out Trump's inconsistencies, falsehoods, and outright lies. But criticism of fake patriotism should not devolve into anti-American slander. With all its imperfections, the US is better than almost any other nation on the face of the Earth. War is sometimes necessary; capitalism is preferable to any alternative economic system devised so far; and though marred with racism and xenophobia, America is at least striving to be better. On the other hand, if anything can justify a dim view of the American people, it is the Rise of Trump.
7
Wonder why Donald Trump has risen to power? Maybe it’s the feeling that the politicos care about the 1% and have forsaken us commoners. The 1% are accumulating wealth faster than the Treasury’s printing presses can print the Benjamins. And the other 99% or (Romney) the 47% dependent on government? Instead of investing tax revenues in ways to improve society it’s been washed down the drain. The war on drugs is a failure. It’s impossible for those with a felony conviction to obtain a decent job. Municipalities fund their operations by seizing citizens’ property BEFORE being found guilty of any crime. It happens every day, carried out by the police. Those who swear an oath to defend us are screwing us out of our property if they don’t shoot us first. And the absurd fines handed out by municipalities for minor offenses. Often, fines, late fees and court costs are many times the amount of the original fine. Can’t afford the fine? Off to debtor’s prison and your DL is suspended. Many Americans have chronic conditions like asthma. Treatment costs have skyrocketed due to “Repatenting” by the pharmaceutical companies. Pulmicort, an inhaler, US retail >$175, in Britain pharmacists purchase it for $20 and dispense it free of charge. Albuterol, US $50 to $100 but it was <$15 a decade ago, Rhinocort Aqua, a prescription drug selling for US $250 a month is sold over the counter in Europe under $7. Reasons for Trump’s popularity are right out there for those willing to open their eyes.
10
Ah yes, patriotism -- how sweet it is.
It must be very patriotic to accept money, laundered through the Clinton foundation, from foreign sources. We used to call this influence peddling.
And selling out lower- and middle-income workers, including those minorities the Democrats claim to care about, to allow millions of illegal aliens a path to citizenship. Who knew that was patriotic!
And putting American secrets, and lives at risk, through a private server -- obviously patriotic. No need to protect our Ambassadors through proper security when they too are wrapped in the Clinton blanket of patriotism.
And plotting with the DNC to favor your candidacy -- so patriotic. Bernie and his supporters understand.
It must be very patriotic to accept money, laundered through the Clinton foundation, from foreign sources. We used to call this influence peddling.
And selling out lower- and middle-income workers, including those minorities the Democrats claim to care about, to allow millions of illegal aliens a path to citizenship. Who knew that was patriotic!
And putting American secrets, and lives at risk, through a private server -- obviously patriotic. No need to protect our Ambassadors through proper security when they too are wrapped in the Clinton blanket of patriotism.
And plotting with the DNC to favor your candidacy -- so patriotic. Bernie and his supporters understand.
3
The approving faces and voices at the RNC convention had the sheen of nacent gauleiters for his regime. This is their moment.
9
I suspect that Trump's love of red white and blue is derived more from the Ralph Lauren logo than the American Flag.
20
Spot on Mr. Bruni. Mr. Trump needs to release those tax returns.
34
He's a draft dodger. None of his children has ever thought to serve a day in the military. His talk about giving millions to charity is a pack of lies. His claims to help and have helped veterans, another pack of lies. You or I could ask Trump 100 questions just off the top of the head about American history and would not know the answers to more than five of them because he is a man with absolutely no knowledge of the nation or its history.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" said Mr. Johnson and a greater scoundrel there has never been than this misbegotten vessel of vainglory, vituperation, and vicious hate and bigotry.
A patriot does not proclaim love of country. He just does it. A patriot contributes to society, does not instead rip it off and rip off people who he cheats and robs -- and when you contract for a man or woman or a company to do work from you and then don't pay them, you are a thief, a cheat and a liar.
Had I known and seen this Trump in the 1980s, he never would have been found qualified to own and operate casinos in Atlantic City.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" said Mr. Johnson and a greater scoundrel there has never been than this misbegotten vessel of vainglory, vituperation, and vicious hate and bigotry.
A patriot does not proclaim love of country. He just does it. A patriot contributes to society, does not instead rip it off and rip off people who he cheats and robs -- and when you contract for a man or woman or a company to do work from you and then don't pay them, you are a thief, a cheat and a liar.
Had I known and seen this Trump in the 1980s, he never would have been found qualified to own and operate casinos in Atlantic City.
13
Everything bad about the real estate guy has been said in the papers, on TV and on radio by people on both sides of the aisle yet the number of his supporters does not budge. Even he said he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and it wouldn't matter. I imagine many of those who supported him from the beginning are somewhat embarrassed to back off from supporting him because they can't accept that they were wrong about this guy. The real estate guy doesn't back down no matter how racist, hateful and anti-American his beliefs are and his supporters follow suit. He is a hate mongering racist and by supporting him his fans prove themselves to be hate mongering racists. If you support a racist candidate you are a racist. Racism is not a policy to disagree with. Racism is a cancer. The real estate guy has no redeeming qualities. I hope he has the money to buy the rights to the name "The Biggest Loser" because come November he will become The Biggest Loser so he may as well own the name.
7
I know several people with doctorates, including one black woman, who prefer Trump to Hillary.
NYT readers could ask them, "Why do you prefer Trump to Hillary?" and they might have something to say.
But as it is what I see is a lot of readers trying to be the ones who have the most negative things to say about Trump and there is no discussion at all of this important issue.
Note that the NYT closes comments very fast, and many comments are not posted for hours. Plus there are trusted commentators who can get in first as their comments appear immediately.
So it becomes like a tennis match where one side is allowed to come hours before the other side and can already score a few points without the other side having had a chance to respond.
And WHY is this policy of the New York Times either fair or reasonable? It is bound to feed paranoia as everyone whips themselves into a frenzy of Trump-bashing.
I fully admit that Trump has faults and that Hillary has merits. But a fair comparison requires putting all the facts on the table. And the NYT is preventing a presentation of the full picture.
NYT readers could ask them, "Why do you prefer Trump to Hillary?" and they might have something to say.
But as it is what I see is a lot of readers trying to be the ones who have the most negative things to say about Trump and there is no discussion at all of this important issue.
Note that the NYT closes comments very fast, and many comments are not posted for hours. Plus there are trusted commentators who can get in first as their comments appear immediately.
So it becomes like a tennis match where one side is allowed to come hours before the other side and can already score a few points without the other side having had a chance to respond.
And WHY is this policy of the New York Times either fair or reasonable? It is bound to feed paranoia as everyone whips themselves into a frenzy of Trump-bashing.
I fully admit that Trump has faults and that Hillary has merits. But a fair comparison requires putting all the facts on the table. And the NYT is preventing a presentation of the full picture.
6
I guess your column begs the question - is Trump truly a sham patriot or do his positions express the bankruptcy of patriotic sentiments when the world now confronts the end-run limitations of competing national agendas? We are all born somewhere. Does that make us a human being first or an advocate of national considerations based on the geography of birth? The pursuit of the later (national interests) in the era of WMD threatens the survival of the former (mankind). Are the two not mutually opposed? We live in a period where one man's patriot is another man's mortal enemy suitable for conquest and extermination. Should we actually debate good versus bad patriotism? The clock ran out on patriotism as a source of progressive inspiration in the trenches of World War I. Millions of innocents died for absolutely nothing. The terms of Versailles set the stage for a followup outbreak of insanity - World War II. Trump's a transparent opportunist who's hitched his wagon to the despair and disappointment of an atomized people craving the comforting illusion of "greatness" based on ethnicity and national identity. Is that "sham" patriotism or its contemporary redefinition? This is the same message that Hitler brought to the bankrupt and dispossessed of Weimar Germany 90 years ago. With shoddy smoke and mirrors Trump has offered a similar hollow promise, "Place your faith in me and I will make you great again." Is there a higher aspiration than patriotism in our very troubled world?
2
I have many problems with Donald J Trump, but I have many more problems with HRC.
I 'used to' Love HRC, when she was 1st-Lady and Senator, but instead of running for office as being the best candidate
. . . she is now running on some sick PC/Affirmative-Action agenda, that it is simply 'time' for us to elect a female {her, of course}
Nobody told Obama that he was supposed to "Lean-In", or that it was 'time' for him to claim a set-aside/quota installation as our next President
She is the best candidate that money can buy
I 'used to' Love HRC, when she was 1st-Lady and Senator, but instead of running for office as being the best candidate
. . . she is now running on some sick PC/Affirmative-Action agenda, that it is simply 'time' for us to elect a female {her, of course}
Nobody told Obama that he was supposed to "Lean-In", or that it was 'time' for him to claim a set-aside/quota installation as our next President
She is the best candidate that money can buy
3
Well I'm not going to abandon the country that I love if he wins. I won't run to Australia as one right wingnut of a rancher on the border said he'd do if Clinton gets elected. No, I think I'll stay and try to save my country from the harm that he'll surely cause.
But I'm not just afraid of him getting into the White House. I'm also afraid of him losing. There's been an up surge of open racism since we elected President Obama. He's capitalizing on this racism and making it bigger. The racists have been emboldened by his "tell it like they think it is" rhetoric. I fear there will be blatant attempts to prevent minorities from getting to the polls. I fear that if he wins these racists will become more aggressive in their actions towards minorities. And if he loses? I fear that his stoking of the flames of hatred will bring on race wars like we've never seen.
But I'm not just afraid of him getting into the White House. I'm also afraid of him losing. There's been an up surge of open racism since we elected President Obama. He's capitalizing on this racism and making it bigger. The racists have been emboldened by his "tell it like they think it is" rhetoric. I fear there will be blatant attempts to prevent minorities from getting to the polls. I fear that if he wins these racists will become more aggressive in their actions towards minorities. And if he loses? I fear that his stoking of the flames of hatred will bring on race wars like we've never seen.
19
It's not patriotism. It's extreme nationalism, or jingoism. And, it's dangerous and self defeating.
11
Five generations of Romney men in America without a single one ever having served in the U.S. military. Four generations of Trump men in America without a single one ever having served in the U.S. military. Pathetic and disgusting.
13
Finally a mention in the Times about Trumpo's failure to disclose his tax returns.
Congratulations Frank.
Please forward this to the timorous Times Editorial Board.
Congratulations Frank.
Please forward this to the timorous Times Editorial Board.
11
I can't wait for 50 years from now when someone brings a Trump related consumer item to the 100th season of Antiques Roadshow and gets told that the item is nothing but worthless junk. I guess it will only reflect the values and morals of the person who shilled it.
13
When has Trump ever spoke of 'Anerican exceptionalism'? He's not responsible for anything any GOPer has said. He calls it as it is. We need someone like this.
This column is the best I think I've ever read in the Times. Bravo, Mr. Bruni, for capturing the personification of a true anti-American. Maybe it's been said before but I truly believe his calculated decision to run came after his assessment of the lackluster playing field and how even just running would impact his career. That's not simple patriotism, it's simply trumpism.
6
The question is not whether Donald Trump is a true "Patriot". He's not. The question is why so many Americans think he is anything but a huckster, a fraud, a liar, an outsourcer and everything else they are against. When will the fog clear for these Trump supporters? How can anyone see anything but disaster for America in a Trump presidency? What is the magic vapor they released into the air at the Republican Convention? I want some for myself if he is elected.
12
Mr. Trump may change his positions or modify his post-prompter behavior, but I believe in management author Marcus Buckingham's comment: "People don't change, they just become more of who they are." Time and time again, Trump reverts to the same behavior constantly contradicting his own words with opposite actions.
"When people show you who they are believe them, the first time." --Maya Angelou
Scary what Trump is showing us but many are too blind to see.
"When people show you who they are believe them, the first time." --Maya Angelou
Scary what Trump is showing us but many are too blind to see.
13
On respecting Article 5 of the NATO Treaty with respect to Poland and the Baltics, Estonia is one of the five countries (out of 28) that meets NATO's 2 percent of GDP defense spending target; it is on par with the UK in that regard. Poland is close, and Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland are three of the four countries in NATO with the most rapidly rising defense spending. The only other NATO member bordering on Russia (Norway) isn't doing such a bad job either.
If he would spend some time in these countries and talk to people there rather than his buddy Putin, he might learn something about patriotism. He could start with the President of Estonia who grew up just across the Hudson River from Manhattan and with whom Trump shares something of an accent.
I realize that trying to point out the Donald's ignorance or lies is like trying to drain the ocean with a teaspoon, but this one seemed particularly bad.
If he would spend some time in these countries and talk to people there rather than his buddy Putin, he might learn something about patriotism. He could start with the President of Estonia who grew up just across the Hudson River from Manhattan and with whom Trump shares something of an accent.
I realize that trying to point out the Donald's ignorance or lies is like trying to drain the ocean with a teaspoon, but this one seemed particularly bad.
9
But the cascade of Republican politicians beating their breasts and crowing about their "patriotism" while being just the opposite is long, long.
Dubya, Cheney, Mittens, Vietnam dodgers all. And George Will, and Krauthammer, and an entire bevy of right-wing pundits lecturing us on "Patriotism" all found compelling reasons not to go to Vietnam---an effort that was drafting married men in their late-30's by 1969.
The size of an American flag lapel pin is inversely proportional to actual patriotism--the size of the one on Trump is as big as a dessert plate.
Dubya, Cheney, Mittens, Vietnam dodgers all. And George Will, and Krauthammer, and an entire bevy of right-wing pundits lecturing us on "Patriotism" all found compelling reasons not to go to Vietnam---an effort that was drafting married men in their late-30's by 1969.
The size of an American flag lapel pin is inversely proportional to actual patriotism--the size of the one on Trump is as big as a dessert plate.
13
An historic self aggrandizing solipsist. Trump is to patriotism as Jim Jones was to religion- he tells them what's in the Kool-aid and yet, they continue to drink it.
13
When I hear Trump speak of patriotism, I hear the same thing I hear from the conservative radio talk show hosts. They use their patriotism to justify everything they say and want you to believe. Meanwhile they are reaping major financial rewards. I believe you prove your patriotism through your actions - as in service to country. Trump and his conservative supporters use their country to serve themselves. This is the opposite of patriotism.
14
Very good column, Frank, and unfortunately true. I'd take it your point even further, though. Trump isn't just unpatriotic: He's un-American. And the voters whose hatred of Hillary makes them so blind to Trump's lack of basic American values that they'd help elect him -- we need to discuss how "patriotic" they are, too. You can't create a banana republic without banana Republicans.
22
Patriot? Am I the only one who remembers when The Donald threatened to leave the US if taxes were raised?
13
Well put article. How anyone can still support this person,who doesn't read, spreads fear and hatred is beyond my comprehension. Seeing all these white mostly men on the convention floor lets me assume there is also a backlash against women who have become more independent and seem threatening to white male, as they are directly competing with them with jobs. Does the white working class/middle and billionaire who is behind Trump really think he will be able to lead this country to unify the parties? I am 100% sure it will be just the opposite. He will not bring back jobs. Mr Trump will continue to evade paying taxes thus those same working class person will see worse public institutions like school and police, firemen and support for their elderly. I am a white senior and am glad I have my SS, and medicare. He, being a very selfish egoist, won't give a damn. Reading this article may help persuade some to take a second look at this man, I hope.
10
"Do as I say, not as I do."
In the GOP, you can't go wrong with the classics.
In the GOP, you can't go wrong with the classics.
3
Mr Trump is nothing but a well healed snake oil salesman who has had the ability to bully his way through life, skirting the law with his wealth and family connections .
His personality disorder has allowed him to create his " brand " of success and power... while in fact it is a house of cards built upon debt financing and " Mr Trumps feelings" regarding the value of his brand on any given day. And his disregard for the truth is either an inability to tell the truth or wanton deceit .
The fact he has studied the speeches of Hitler and kept them by his bedside is a really odd choice of reading material other than to study the " propaganda technique of inflaming the masses " that Hitler swayed Germany with should be called into question and examined.
His willingness to embrace the strong man role of " I am your Voice" is nothing short of a modern marketed fascist who is resembling Mussolini more and more everyday .
I am 60 years old and grew up next to Concentration Camp survivors from Hitlers reign... and they always said... " we didn't take Hitler seriously... he was just a ramble- rouser... and then it was too late".
Trump is the result of years of hate speech from the Fox News and GOP Oligarchy who have created the Tea Party Frankenstein which now is in control of the party and Congress....
Shame upon us all for not calling out this political sham that Mr Trump is...
His personality disorder has allowed him to create his " brand " of success and power... while in fact it is a house of cards built upon debt financing and " Mr Trumps feelings" regarding the value of his brand on any given day. And his disregard for the truth is either an inability to tell the truth or wanton deceit .
The fact he has studied the speeches of Hitler and kept them by his bedside is a really odd choice of reading material other than to study the " propaganda technique of inflaming the masses " that Hitler swayed Germany with should be called into question and examined.
His willingness to embrace the strong man role of " I am your Voice" is nothing short of a modern marketed fascist who is resembling Mussolini more and more everyday .
I am 60 years old and grew up next to Concentration Camp survivors from Hitlers reign... and they always said... " we didn't take Hitler seriously... he was just a ramble- rouser... and then it was too late".
Trump is the result of years of hate speech from the Fox News and GOP Oligarchy who have created the Tea Party Frankenstein which now is in control of the party and Congress....
Shame upon us all for not calling out this political sham that Mr Trump is...
15
There were several GOP speakers who said "real Americans " support Trump ,implying that those of us who don't aren't real Americans . This didn't work when 8 years ago Palin implyed the same about Obama supporters because few things get a candidate's base to the polls like the opposition questioning our patriotism based only on how we vote.
7
"It is the self he salutes." Yes. The inflated self. The Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall Self. The Self-Uber-Ales Self. His is a perverse salute indeed, redolent with the stench of hypocrisy. He tried to lure in Kasich with delusions of grandeur, but Kasich saw through the sham, called him out, and warned us. Here's hoping that that the American electorate becomes The Gang That Came To See Straight.
4
I'm not sure how many times Trump declared, " I am a patriot." I not sure that all those who deferred being drafted by going to schools and even protested the lunacy of the Vietnam war were not patriots. How many patriots wake up in April saying. Oh boy, this is the month I get to pay taxes. I know I could claim that deduction but I won't so I can send the government even more of my hard earned income." Debate whether his proposals are reasonable or even fair, but wrapping yourself in the American Flag and judging others sincerity is basically name calling. I don't like it when it comes from Trump or when it declared in the NYT. Trump's own words and deeds will determine if someone votes for him. The NYT should inform us of those as we move towards November. Are they reasonable and do they provide us with confidence he will be successful as a president? Help us understand. Similarly they should also fully inform us about Clinton's words and deeds . Do they define her as someone we can trust if she leads our country. Mind reading and name calling don't help.
2
How much exposure of Donald's utter depravity will it take for Americans to reject him?
8
Let us hope that the presidential campaign will expose Trump as the emporer wannabe that he is. And further that enough people are still listening to soundly defeat him.
7
Mr. Trump, release your tax returns!!
5
I would also note his sham love of police and fire people. Jon Stewart was very moving when he said that many people he saw at the RNC convention had voted against the 911 Responders Act.
12
Although I agree with your opinion about Trump's sheer lack of EVERYTHING, I wish there were fewer articles about Trump. We, who have brains, are all appalled at his idiocy but all that talking just gives him more fame, negative as it might be, and more space on paper than Hillary.
I can just hear him, and his supporters, "look they are talking about me again!" It's another form of advertising.
Please, talk more about Hillary, give her more space in your columns. She's the one we all want to win the election. We cannot take for granted, for one minute, or make the assumption that she will be the winner. Especially if we are quieter about her in the media.
I can just hear him, and his supporters, "look they are talking about me again!" It's another form of advertising.
Please, talk more about Hillary, give her more space in your columns. She's the one we all want to win the election. We cannot take for granted, for one minute, or make the assumption that she will be the winner. Especially if we are quieter about her in the media.
8
In their desperation to finally "win", the Republican Party has gone mad. Their political ideology has been reduced to code words and dog whistles. They claim their devotion to the Constitution is second only to the Christian Bible (and The Art of the Deal, of course). As if this obvious contradiction isn't enough, they made "law and order" the touch stone of their gathering. Oh the ironic hypocracy. For twenty five years the American right and the Republican Party have hounded Mr. Clinton with fake scandles ranging from bribery to corruption to murder. No charges have ever been brought, no Grand Jury's empaneled. Most recently the life long Republican head of the FBI condemned Ms. Clinton for recklessness but emphatically made the the case that no crime was committed, and no charges were appropriate. So, our mad Republican neighbors decided that they were to be judge and jury, our Constitution and its dictum "innocent until proven guilty" be damned. "Lock her up" is now their classy slogan. Meanwhile, tRump faces actual charges for fraud in more than one State (to add more irony, Pam Bondi, the current Florida Secretary of State who accepted tRump bribes to not press charges on his Trump U scam, was a featured speaker). The Amercan right and the Republican Party have made "the ends justify the means" their only true pholisophy. They have truly gone mad.
12
Trump probably loves America, but it's a kind of angry, stifling love that inevitably leads to tragedy. It is exclusive, hermetic, and cannot conceive that some of us might actually love her as well in our own way.
2
Question for DT
Perennially lying ten year old,
Potty mouthed narcissist,
Spoiled from birth, with so little empathy,
Quality, dignity, respect or honor,
How can you possibly feel equal
To the job in your sight?
How can Americans be seduced
By such trite, shallow glitz?
This I wonder and puzzle on,
Here where I sits.
Perennially lying ten year old,
Potty mouthed narcissist,
Spoiled from birth, with so little empathy,
Quality, dignity, respect or honor,
How can you possibly feel equal
To the job in your sight?
How can Americans be seduced
By such trite, shallow glitz?
This I wonder and puzzle on,
Here where I sits.
7
I cannot remember a convention acceptance speech where our concern for the evil actions and intentions of the Soviets or Russia was not front and center . The need for a robust defense has been central to every candidate for President. Even Jimmy Carter banned participation in the 1980 Olympics by the US and trade sanctions. Currently there are sanctions in effect against Russia. There is daily confrontations on the high seas and in the air. Obama is condemned in joining Russia with the Iran deal. And cooperation or detente with Russia in Syria is decried by the right wing as a sign of weakness.
Yet the Neo fascist nominee of the GOP is clearly in bed with Putin and nary a word about Russia in his tirade Thursday night. Why is this not setting off alarm bells? Is it his wife's role as daughter of an ex-communist official? Is it the Trump development deals in Moscow that went sour? Or is it conspiracy with Putin to hack into DNC computers as the law and order candidate slips quietly into tricky Dick's shoes?
Yet the Neo fascist nominee of the GOP is clearly in bed with Putin and nary a word about Russia in his tirade Thursday night. Why is this not setting off alarm bells? Is it his wife's role as daughter of an ex-communist official? Is it the Trump development deals in Moscow that went sour? Or is it conspiracy with Putin to hack into DNC computers as the law and order candidate slips quietly into tricky Dick's shoes?
8
It is so comforting to have NYTimes holding Trump's feet to the fire: remembering and quoting lines he threw away, combing over his biography, pointing out inconsistencies. Conservatives, Douthat and Brooks join their more liberal counterparts, sharpening their wits to lay out the folly of a prospective Trump presidency. Douthat is so angry he used words I had to look up: synechdoche, concatenation and one I could guess at, ethnonationalism. The argument is made by this paper, The Washington Post, The New Yorker and all prominent newspapers here and abroad: Trump would be bad for America and bad for the world.
8
Great article.
If Trump HAD served in the military (I'm a 10 yr vet, both enlisted and officer) rather than serving only his best interests, he wouldn't have to ask advisors for advice on wasteful practices I'm the military: I'm thinking of the "use it or lose it" practice of spending taxpayer funds at the end of the fiscal year as a good place to start.
Contrast to those like Kaine, spending their youth in service to others on humanitarian causes.
If Trump HAD served in the military (I'm a 10 yr vet, both enlisted and officer) rather than serving only his best interests, he wouldn't have to ask advisors for advice on wasteful practices I'm the military: I'm thinking of the "use it or lose it" practice of spending taxpayer funds at the end of the fiscal year as a good place to start.
Contrast to those like Kaine, spending their youth in service to others on humanitarian causes.
7
It is certainly a scary thought that Trump might be our next president. He certainly does not have the mental stability for the job. What is even scarier to me is the fact that most of the republican party seems to overlook his major flaws - he lies or exaggerates about everything, he is riling up violence in his followers (many have guns), and he does not seem to work together with anyone other than his family. Being president means you are powerful yes, but you still need to work as a team to accomplish what is important. You cannot just bully everyone into doing things your way, especially when you have absolutely no idea how government works. I just wonder how low and nasty this campaign will go, he seems to have no filters or boundaries.
9
To me, the fact that the RNC coverage on CNN ran ads by New Day USA, a mortgage lender that makes $0-down loans to military veterans and who has been slapped with $2 million in fines by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for deceptive advertising and kickbacks, speaks volumes about how this party truly views military veterans. They, like everyone and everything else in the Trump orbit, are simply another opportunity to make a buck.
8
Can you imagine the outrage if Mrs. Clinton refused to share her tax returns. But Trump's supporters indicate that they have no problem with him for refusing to release his tax returns. Trump using, at best, a questionable disability to escape military service during the Vietnam War. Now being a safe seventy, he constantly insists that he his brave and fearless, and very smart. He ran Trump U, which many now call a con game, to fleece those low information voters that he now loves so much.
Time to wake up America, and not allow Trump's army of low information voters take us to ruin.
Time to wake up America, and not allow Trump's army of low information voters take us to ruin.
8
As much as i dislike Ted Cruz, i don't blame him for not endorsing Trump, as a matter of fact, if i was Ted Cruz, i would give Trump a good thrashing. It is obvious, Trump has never had a good rear end kicking or his behavior wouldn't be so obnoxious. As for the two big donors of Cruz, who came out against him, all i can say, it wasn't their families that Trump insulted or their wives that Trump might as well came out and called ugly. Go Hillary!!
8
Trump claims he has the "world's greatest memory" but he can't recall which foot had the bone spur that kept him out of the military. Then again, the world's greatest memory tended to forget paying his subcontractors.
10
"All-American patriot"? My sweet foot. "It was the summer of Trump!" he crowed. And we are praying it won't be the autumn of Trump, unless it is the fall of Trump, a true bonfire of the vanities. His patriotism is suspect as is the patriotism of any flim-flam narcissist who has the chutzpah to run for the Presidency. Fine illustration of Donald Trump's patriotism by Ben Wiseman - Trump's thick little fingers holding the teeny weeny Stars and Stripes flag. Here's the deal - vote for Clinton and Kaine and - abracadabra dum dum dee - Trump will vanish like a bad Boojum from the hunting of the snark.
8
Trump's supporters always dismiss his outsourcing of jobs as just being a smart businessman who has no choice due to high corporate taxes at home. But that he will change all this magically once he gets into office. Congress already told Obama that American business need to remain competitive and if that means taking their jobs overseas to produce their products then so be it; and that they will not raise tariffs on these goods coming here. So why would they change for Trump? If they do then it would be fair to say that they just hated Obama for who he is and were never serious about protecting American business.
4
Trump has made hate the new black, and a bunch of racist white men want to wear it.
5
Thanks for the overview of the utterly outrageous comments from Trump. Now, the only next steps are to support and vote for Hillary Clinton.
10
The problem with all these facts is your trying to appeal to people who cannot or will not read! Candidate popularity is made at a deep emotional level that defies logic. People can't even tell you why they favor one candidate or another or if they do, they are fooling themselves. Trump understands how to appeal to these dark inner voices that cannot be reached with facts, logic and reason.
9
Trump is a mass of contradictions,which is what makes him so dangerous. When Putin complimented him, Putin made the list of unconditional love. There is nothing Putin can do to force Trump to criticize him. He would even favor Putin over members of Nato, which is why he has been so hard on Nato.I dread the thought that we could be led by his enormous ego, & thin skin.
8
You are all (today's columnists) preaching to the choir.
8
Frank -- if you were fair -- I think you'd also write a column re the Clintons. Did Bill avoid the draft? Even the Times said he did he everything he could to avoid the draft until he lucked out with a high draft number in the lottery.
And have the Clinton's enriched themselves at the public trough? Plenty of evidence for that.
Do the Clinton's put themselves or the country first? Can anyone recall the e-mail scandal?
There is so much bias in the article, so many selective "facts," so much animosity. You should recuse yourself from further coverage of the election -- as should most Times op-ed writers.
But, let's look at the other side of the story. By running for president, Trump is clearly willing to throw himself into a job he doesn't need. Maybe it is simply ego, wanting to go down in history as a president and not just a successful business man. Or -- maybe he really does want to make things better for all Americans and believes he is the right person for the job.
And his putting America first is exactly what a president should do. I don't want another globalist in the WH. Certainly, I want someone who understands that the political and economic environment is becoming more global. But -- the American people elect a president to serve their interests, not those of other countries -- certainly not when they are in conflict.
And have the Clinton's enriched themselves at the public trough? Plenty of evidence for that.
Do the Clinton's put themselves or the country first? Can anyone recall the e-mail scandal?
There is so much bias in the article, so many selective "facts," so much animosity. You should recuse yourself from further coverage of the election -- as should most Times op-ed writers.
But, let's look at the other side of the story. By running for president, Trump is clearly willing to throw himself into a job he doesn't need. Maybe it is simply ego, wanting to go down in history as a president and not just a successful business man. Or -- maybe he really does want to make things better for all Americans and believes he is the right person for the job.
And his putting America first is exactly what a president should do. I don't want another globalist in the WH. Certainly, I want someone who understands that the political and economic environment is becoming more global. But -- the American people elect a president to serve their interests, not those of other countries -- certainly not when they are in conflict.
2
"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag carrying a cross".
S. Lewis, c. 1936 from 'It can't happen here'.
To me this has always been the perfect example of the Republican party. phony Christian patriotism.
S. Lewis, c. 1936 from 'It can't happen here'.
To me this has always been the perfect example of the Republican party. phony Christian patriotism.
19
Trump is a dangerous mental defective, especially if he wins the White House.
6
If you haven't figured Trump out by now then one of two things is going on.
Thing one: You are blinded by the light of Trump's celebrity, his aura, his larger-than-life ego, and you are so desperate for something to cling to you are grasping for the lifeline that he has thrown you, unaware that it is nothing more than a soggy noodle. If this is you, then there is probably no hope for you.
Thing two: You have buried your head in the sand; you don't want to see Trump and you don't wan't to hear Trump. You don't really care who or what he is, you just hate Hillary so much that you sleep in your sensory deprivation chamber until November 8th and then emerge and reflexively pull the GOP lever.
The latter group -- this year's know-nothing party -- is the one that is really doing a disservice to America. They are intentionally remaining uninformed about their candidate for fear of what they will say. They believe that party is more important than country. Sadly, this group includes many of the GOP "establishment" in Washington.
We should resoundingly cheer every Republican we know who comes out of the closet and declares "I will not vote for Trump." We should cheer even louder every Republican who takes a bigger step and declares, "Hillary has my vote."
I pray only that enough of them wake up before November 8th.
Thing one: You are blinded by the light of Trump's celebrity, his aura, his larger-than-life ego, and you are so desperate for something to cling to you are grasping for the lifeline that he has thrown you, unaware that it is nothing more than a soggy noodle. If this is you, then there is probably no hope for you.
Thing two: You have buried your head in the sand; you don't want to see Trump and you don't wan't to hear Trump. You don't really care who or what he is, you just hate Hillary so much that you sleep in your sensory deprivation chamber until November 8th and then emerge and reflexively pull the GOP lever.
The latter group -- this year's know-nothing party -- is the one that is really doing a disservice to America. They are intentionally remaining uninformed about their candidate for fear of what they will say. They believe that party is more important than country. Sadly, this group includes many of the GOP "establishment" in Washington.
We should resoundingly cheer every Republican we know who comes out of the closet and declares "I will not vote for Trump." We should cheer even louder every Republican who takes a bigger step and declares, "Hillary has my vote."
I pray only that enough of them wake up before November 8th.
22
Trump is so vain, he knows the whole universe is about him.
Your patience for this slob should not be any longer than his attention-span.
Your patience for this slob should not be any longer than his attention-span.
10
Show us the tax returns! How is this not a question in EVERY interview? Will there be debates? In 2016 America, where facts are irrelevant and the middle class is shrinking, it's time for accountability for public officials and those who aspire to represent us.
12
I agree with Clinton needing to Talk Policy: So much opportunity there! And, since The Republican is an emperor without clothes, most people can already see through the disguise. Let's not contribute to his grandiosity by using his name so much. Tactics, strategies, let's think about this and play smart!!
3
My observations is that no one misuses the hypocrisy of patriotism more than politicians and especially those on the right lopsided of ignorant.
7
The parallels could not be more clear to anyone who has had a history class once in their life. Trump is as patriotic for America as a young Adolf hitler was to his beloved fatherland. Both were/are opportunistic and the phrase divide and conquer is their mantra. Trump is patriotic for sure and so is Putin and erdogan and all the other autocratic despots who steal their own peoples future in the name of patriotism. Anybody can wrap themselves in a flag and declare I'm for America. Real patriotism is including your fellow citizens. To exclude this group or that group for your version of patriotism is called fascism.
13
The Christmas of Trump?
I see now I've been worshipping incorrectly. So from now on...
Our Trump, who believes He is Heaven
Hallowed be His name.
His Kingdom come, His will be done
On earth, as it is in Pencedom.
I see now I've been worshipping incorrectly. So from now on...
Our Trump, who believes He is Heaven
Hallowed be His name.
His Kingdom come, His will be done
On earth, as it is in Pencedom.
5
I'm just waiting for dumb Donald to make that general election pivot to "Statesman" that the republicans keep saying he will do.
7
I think of Trump's golf course in one of the sheikdoms of the gulf. "It's gonna be the greatest, most beeautiful golf course you'll ever see. I'm so proud of it". Mr Trump, do you know or care that it's being built by exploited workers, living in squalid conditions, who are trapped financially by penurous contractors, whom you have hired?
6
"It's self that he salutes, not any flag", Mr. Bruni says.
Well what do we expect of someone who can be found listed as F60.81 in ICD-10 ?
Well what do we expect of someone who can be found listed as F60.81 in ICD-10 ?
2
Trump's patriotism is typical Republicanism: we love America but hate Americans!
13
"Janis", you need to get your facts straight before spouting your bigotry and breathtaking hypocrisy. Please tell us what special law exempts "illegals" from paying taxes! If they work (and they do), they pay the same taxes you do. And as for the Constitution, please read more than the Second Amendment and then reflect on Trumps's contempt for the rest of it, starting with free speech and freedom of religion (if you're not a Christian). And his wonderful kids? Apart from being born with a huuuuuge silver spoon in their mouths, what have they done to help humanity? Seems like they pretty much are in thrall to their father's deceitful and cheating business practices.
This country is in serious trouble if people like you are willing to overlook the serious character flaws and numerous red flags (from Trump's own mouth!!) that would make a Trump presidency dangerous for the world and guarantee American decline all because he reinforces your bigotry.
This country is in serious trouble if people like you are willing to overlook the serious character flaws and numerous red flags (from Trump's own mouth!!) that would make a Trump presidency dangerous for the world and guarantee American decline all because he reinforces your bigotry.
13
While his egomania certainly puts him in a class by himself, I do believe the real reason he's running is to market himself and his kids to the world, so that they can continue to sell real estate, fashion items and whatever else they dream up.
Americans are smart enough to avoid this brush with danger, the likes of which we have not seen in generations.
Americans are smart enough to avoid this brush with danger, the likes of which we have not seen in generations.
5
Why limit it to "sham patriotism"? Everything about Trump is a sham.
15
We don't need a fraud for president, especially one that seems perpetually angry.
18
Another draft dodging chicken hawk. Hasn't America learned anything from the Bush/Cheney years? On top of being a draft dodging chicken hawk, Trump maligns the military and calls POW's losers - and yet "Veterans for Trump" are out in force. Amazing.
17
Peggy Noonan a Trump girl, huh? Well, look for all the Conservatives to fall in line like little Ducklings in the coming weeks. They're so desperate to get someone in the White House they'd support a box of scorpions if that's the Party nominee.
The dim bulbs on Fox can do the verbal contortions pretty easily, they're used to it - 'entertainment, not news', remember? The more highbrow ones like George Will are having a terrible conflict: how can we spin this guy's persona so he's not totally repulsive, and not appear totally craven in the process. Will is out on a long limb right now, but he may yet come back home to Daddy before November. It's pretty cold outside that time of year.
It would be nice to see some guys like Colin Powell man up and speak the truth: the voters made a stupid choice and we can't let that guy anywhere near the actual levers of power in this country - it's like a toddler with a machine gun. We have to elect the Democrat this time, for the good of the country.
That would be a display of actual Patriotism.
The dim bulbs on Fox can do the verbal contortions pretty easily, they're used to it - 'entertainment, not news', remember? The more highbrow ones like George Will are having a terrible conflict: how can we spin this guy's persona so he's not totally repulsive, and not appear totally craven in the process. Will is out on a long limb right now, but he may yet come back home to Daddy before November. It's pretty cold outside that time of year.
It would be nice to see some guys like Colin Powell man up and speak the truth: the voters made a stupid choice and we can't let that guy anywhere near the actual levers of power in this country - it's like a toddler with a machine gun. We have to elect the Democrat this time, for the good of the country.
That would be a display of actual Patriotism.
14
Just because Mr. Trump has terrific kids doesn't mean that his worldview is appropriate for the job of president. Personally, I think he needs therapy, and I don't think America needs or even wants him. Before he ran, can anybody remember anybody saying, "Gee, I sure wish this guy who cheats his workers out of their paychecks would run for president?" I sure can't. The only two features about him that I recall before he ran was his lack of ethics and that goofy hair. Has anything really changed?
8
"I like people who weren't captured."
Take a good, honest look at that quote, Trump supporters.
A man who used his connections to avoid military service mocks a veteran who put his life at risk and suffered horrors most of us can;t imagine.
Make America Great Again----yeah, right.
Take a good, honest look at that quote, Trump supporters.
A man who used his connections to avoid military service mocks a veteran who put his life at risk and suffered horrors most of us can;t imagine.
Make America Great Again----yeah, right.
14
Well, Trump just fits into the GOP who for all its flag waving is far from patriotroitic. I ask how could a real American want to see families having no access to a doctor, no place to live, no food to eat, low grade schools for many. How could a patriot support selling guns legally to terrorists as the kill our people. How could a patriot invade a sovereign country based on lies and watch thousands of american soldiers die and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people die so their friends could make money. How could a patriot support racism and bigotry? I can almost excuse trump because of his mental state however what about the rest of the GOP and its followers!
8
Frank Bruni: Thanks for the fine article and: "“Patriotism,” the 18th-century writer Samuel Johnson once said, “is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”" It’s also a convenient cloak for a narcissist. Trump wears it shamelessly, but not so well that you can’t see through it." This reminded me precisely about W. Bush and Cheney's War for Halliburton and Big Oil in Iraq... They waved USA flags and had thousands of our precious troops die or be maimed for life to suit their greedy profits...
9
Let's not forget who used the phrase " America First " before Donald Trump. It was Charles Lindbergh and Father Coughlin in their tirades against intervention in World War II , in supporting Britain and in keeping immigrants out. Who cares if they get herded via death trains to death camps! That was a dark and disgusting chapter in American history as is Donald Trump, his campaign, his nomination as well as every Republican elected official that has supported or endorsed him.
10
This is a sharp and dense article. Thank you.
There are two key elements in the "patriotism" hawked by Donald Trump. Racism and unapologetic machismo.
Note that Trump and the Republican Party and a number of "Christian" fund-raising organizations have spread insinuations for years, portraying Obama as a dark foreigner, a closet Muslim who sympathizes with terrorists. In this way, they have won the allegiance of everybody in the US who feels disinherited and disoriented by the vision of a black president. (See also Nicholas Kristof's analysis of Trump's history as a racist.)
And the Times' own Emma Roller just published her (grim) report of sidewalk interviews with people outside the convention center in Cleveland. She ran into a number of couples that fit a certain simple pattern: the women said they might vote for Hillary, but the men preferred Trump.
Racism. Machismo (the sort of machismo that justifies impulsive acts of revenge). Quite a cocktail. Intoxicating! And if too many voters find it delicious, and drink it down, we'll all wake up in the cold, on broken concrete, in November.
There are two key elements in the "patriotism" hawked by Donald Trump. Racism and unapologetic machismo.
Note that Trump and the Republican Party and a number of "Christian" fund-raising organizations have spread insinuations for years, portraying Obama as a dark foreigner, a closet Muslim who sympathizes with terrorists. In this way, they have won the allegiance of everybody in the US who feels disinherited and disoriented by the vision of a black president. (See also Nicholas Kristof's analysis of Trump's history as a racist.)
And the Times' own Emma Roller just published her (grim) report of sidewalk interviews with people outside the convention center in Cleveland. She ran into a number of couples that fit a certain simple pattern: the women said they might vote for Hillary, but the men preferred Trump.
Racism. Machismo (the sort of machismo that justifies impulsive acts of revenge). Quite a cocktail. Intoxicating! And if too many voters find it delicious, and drink it down, we'll all wake up in the cold, on broken concrete, in November.
4
What scares me more than Mr. Trump is the amount of well meaning, regular Americans that would vote for him. That scares me..
12
It boggles the mind that this scam artist is pulling a fast one over so many Americans. I don't get the pure gut hatred for Hillary that so many Americans feel, and any other candidate on the planet would tear this joker down. I just traveled in rural Missouri and then in Alaska. There are a lot of Trump signs out there. Are a lot of us really not paying any attention at all? Is that the problem? This thief promises to create jobs when he has a history of not paying vendors on his construction sites. This thief promises to create jobs when all of his products are made by poorly paid workers in other countries. This thief promises to create jobs when he has run so many casinos and companies into the ground. There really must be a lot of desperate people in America who are really struggling... to believe this clown. And why should all the people he employs in other countries lose their jobs? Farhan apparently wants to keep his... this youtube video just about sums it up for me... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ja6aTxN3yU
9
Before Trump sells his "commitment" to the rust belt with planned protectionism, keeping jobs in the US, etc etc, Dems MUST flood those states with the facts as Mr. Bruni includes: "Most of his line of suits, ties and cuff links bear a ‘Made in China’ label...some also come from factories in Bangladesh, Mexico and Vietnam....Furniture in the Trump Home collection was manufactured in Turkey, and Trump Home crystal was made in Slovenia...
Moreover, undocumented immigrants have worked on the construction of properties bearing (and blaring) Trump’s name."
And St. Ivanka's lines of clothing are also made outside the US.
Trump is the biggest fraud since the discovery of "the Hitler diaries".
Moreover, undocumented immigrants have worked on the construction of properties bearing (and blaring) Trump’s name."
And St. Ivanka's lines of clothing are also made outside the US.
Trump is the biggest fraud since the discovery of "the Hitler diaries".
9
History, in its mode as legend, records innumerable instances when a prophet spoke out and was not believed by the populace, with disastrous results. Bruni, like Cassandra, is warning us about a Trojan horse built like a straw man: Donald Trump. If America chooses to look the other way, it will have chosen self-destruction at the hands of those who want to turn it onto a corporate theocratic version of Russia, China, Zimbabwe or Egypt or Iran--countries with freedoms for a privileged few, and mindless acquiescence for everyone else.
6
America's two hundred and fifty or so year experiment in liberal democracy is over. Here comes all your worst nightmares.
7
It may be worth noting Ambrose Bierce's observation that patriotism is not the last refuge of a scoundrel, "it is the first."
7
False patriotism and hypocrisy are not monopolies of the GOP. Yes, Trump insinuated McCain's capture by the enemy was cowardly while himself obtaining 4 Vietnam deferments, and everyone is now aware of his less than stellar business record.
But let's take a hard look at the Democratic candidate, the self proclaimed 'foreign policy expert': She cheer-led the invasion of Iraq, opposed the U.N.-supported Syrian ceasefire in 2012 that could have prevented the ensuing bloodbath, is firmly in bed with the Kingdom of Wahhabi Arabia - the world's leading cause of Islamic terrorism -, and blindly supports Zionist expansionism without the slightest regard for its human rights consequences.
What the U.S. needs are less flag-waving, less arrogance, less 'Exceptionalism' and a whole lot more Principle, Courage and Foresight in its leaders. We'll have to wait at least another 4 years to see whether such a leader can emerge in the surreal political world of the U.S.A..
But let's take a hard look at the Democratic candidate, the self proclaimed 'foreign policy expert': She cheer-led the invasion of Iraq, opposed the U.N.-supported Syrian ceasefire in 2012 that could have prevented the ensuing bloodbath, is firmly in bed with the Kingdom of Wahhabi Arabia - the world's leading cause of Islamic terrorism -, and blindly supports Zionist expansionism without the slightest regard for its human rights consequences.
What the U.S. needs are less flag-waving, less arrogance, less 'Exceptionalism' and a whole lot more Principle, Courage and Foresight in its leaders. We'll have to wait at least another 4 years to see whether such a leader can emerge in the surreal political world of the U.S.A..
1
I'm urging everyone to read Michael Moore's article, "5 Reasons Why Trump Will Win." It's very dismal but very cogent. And it has cattle-prodded me -- a "principled" non-voter -- to commit to registering to vote, this week.
10
Trump offers slogans, not solutions. Words, not actions. This seems to be OK with certain Americans. If those Americans suddenly began to hold him accountable for his deeds, he would be out of business overnight.
6
Trump will make America great again, kind of like he made Atlantic City great again.
4
some comments are probably not so outlandish - regimes like Saudi Arabia are supported by the US and regime changes have killed many
1
Remember the last scene in "Some Like It Hot"? Jerry (Jack Lemmon) can't shake Osgood, so he finally says "I'm a man." And beatifically Osgood replies: "Nobody's perfect!"
There you have the Trump voter, going for a guy that is diametrically the opposite of what he is selling himself as. But they don't care. That is true love.
Meanwhile it is Hilary Clinton who has the cloven hoof...
Remind me: what century are we in?
There you have the Trump voter, going for a guy that is diametrically the opposite of what he is selling himself as. But they don't care. That is true love.
Meanwhile it is Hilary Clinton who has the cloven hoof...
Remind me: what century are we in?
2
Thanks,Frank Bruni and the Times editorial staff for another excellent analysis and critique of Trump's history of lying and of his phony patriotism. There is not one redeeming quality in this moral and ethical cretin. Not one.
6
In any thesaurus , you won't find the word patriotism as a synonym for bellicose, or angry, or mean spirited, or for bullying. Patriotism is peaceful and generous and it brings out the best in people.
1
Like every bully
he's a fraud and a coward.
he's a fraud and a coward.
8
I think I have had about enough hand wringing from the Opinion writers about the orange menace. How many times can his gaffes be dissected?
The NYT's has collaborated with his rise for the last year and more. All the headlines (I have a digital subscription) were all Trump all the time, billions of free advertising from everyone. Click bait. The MSM are all complicit. Thomas Edsall is the only one who has written any sense on these pages. Sorry Frank, I generally like your pieces.
The NYT's endorsed HRC from the beginning, and gave short shrift to Senator Sanders, who was the only contender for the Dem nomination with any ideas. They NYT's did not dissect his proposals, but dismissed them out of hand. It may have behoved Dr. Krugman, as an economist, to examine Senator Sanders proposals in more depth, and offer a useful critique. But no, HRC all the way.
A headline today, offered that the Dems should support 'infrastructure', because all other problems were either solved (ACA) or unsolvable (gun control). What a hot topic to excite voters! I didn't read the article. My bad, it has all come down to 'too boring and predictable' now. Perhaps it advocated government spending on jobs that would be mandated to have a liveable wage, or mandatory union participation. I doubt it.
Senator Sanders was right. You folks need a revolution. Frank, I am sure you like your job, but aren't you tired of it all too? What were your dreams went you went into journalism?
The NYT's has collaborated with his rise for the last year and more. All the headlines (I have a digital subscription) were all Trump all the time, billions of free advertising from everyone. Click bait. The MSM are all complicit. Thomas Edsall is the only one who has written any sense on these pages. Sorry Frank, I generally like your pieces.
The NYT's endorsed HRC from the beginning, and gave short shrift to Senator Sanders, who was the only contender for the Dem nomination with any ideas. They NYT's did not dissect his proposals, but dismissed them out of hand. It may have behoved Dr. Krugman, as an economist, to examine Senator Sanders proposals in more depth, and offer a useful critique. But no, HRC all the way.
A headline today, offered that the Dems should support 'infrastructure', because all other problems were either solved (ACA) or unsolvable (gun control). What a hot topic to excite voters! I didn't read the article. My bad, it has all come down to 'too boring and predictable' now. Perhaps it advocated government spending on jobs that would be mandated to have a liveable wage, or mandatory union participation. I doubt it.
Senator Sanders was right. You folks need a revolution. Frank, I am sure you like your job, but aren't you tired of it all too? What were your dreams went you went into journalism?
2
Trump is a fake. We all know that. Even he knows it, but why are people voting for him?
Political contests in this country have morphed into street gang rivalries. It's so easy to slander and slime the other side, especially when you have a media outlet willing to abet. We know who that TV news station is!
Too, people often vote one issue, even at great expense to everything else in their lives. The abortion issue is one, guns are another.
Trump plays the fear card very well. Terrorists shooting up our malls and restaurants at random. Illegal immigrants stealing our jobs. "Trump's the man who can fix it."
Maybe he'll change the flag to Red, White and Trump! If you look at what he's accomplished, and not what he says. That's about all he's capable of!
Political contests in this country have morphed into street gang rivalries. It's so easy to slander and slime the other side, especially when you have a media outlet willing to abet. We know who that TV news station is!
Too, people often vote one issue, even at great expense to everything else in their lives. The abortion issue is one, guns are another.
Trump plays the fear card very well. Terrorists shooting up our malls and restaurants at random. Illegal immigrants stealing our jobs. "Trump's the man who can fix it."
Maybe he'll change the flag to Red, White and Trump! If you look at what he's accomplished, and not what he says. That's about all he's capable of!
5
Trump will say anything to shake people up when he wants to make a deal.
Shaking people up puts them off-balance, (it's called creating instability), and off-balance people will grasp more easily toward anything to keep them afloat. He's just a sleazy salesman.
When you deal with a world where many countries possess nuclear weapons; where nationalism wants to reestablish a Greater Russia; where the strong prey on the weak, creating instability can lead to the deaths of millions. Trump is clueless to this impact.
So are the members of the Republican Party that lend him their support.
They want their team to win more than they remember the ethics that they were supposed to learn about the boundaries of behavior. They will deport millions, kill other religions by the boatload, and arrest the "criminal" minorities and Liberals that stand in their way.
Shaking people up puts them off-balance, (it's called creating instability), and off-balance people will grasp more easily toward anything to keep them afloat. He's just a sleazy salesman.
When you deal with a world where many countries possess nuclear weapons; where nationalism wants to reestablish a Greater Russia; where the strong prey on the weak, creating instability can lead to the deaths of millions. Trump is clueless to this impact.
So are the members of the Republican Party that lend him their support.
They want their team to win more than they remember the ethics that they were supposed to learn about the boundaries of behavior. They will deport millions, kill other religions by the boatload, and arrest the "criminal" minorities and Liberals that stand in their way.
6
There is over whelming evidence that Trump is an egotistical liar and con man. Many Op-ed pieces cite damning examples, yet these examples never appear in aggregate on the most powerful media outlets, e.g "The Nightly News".
Trump lies continually. He can repeat "Lying Hillary" yet is never asked to account for his own lies. He has been part of frauds, hires illegals, sells foreign made goods, yet he claims to support the "little guy".
Fact checking is toothless, it is too late to have impact. Trump's lies needs to challenged immmediately during his interviews or upon reporting his statements.
Why is the television press givimg him a pass? The facts are damning, why are they parsed out so megerly? It is not "balanced" to ignore them.
Trump lies continually. He can repeat "Lying Hillary" yet is never asked to account for his own lies. He has been part of frauds, hires illegals, sells foreign made goods, yet he claims to support the "little guy".
Fact checking is toothless, it is too late to have impact. Trump's lies needs to challenged immmediately during his interviews or upon reporting his statements.
Why is the television press givimg him a pass? The facts are damning, why are they parsed out so megerly? It is not "balanced" to ignore them.
8
I can't understand the fascination so many "regular" people have for Trump.
He was the kid in school that we all hated to be around--the braggart going on about how good he was at baseball, math, cars or girls.
He's the jerky kid in the feel-good movie who, at the end, gets taken down by the little guy, and EVERYBODY in the theater applauds.
How can these GOPers not see this? Were they the people who begged to be his friend, who helped him with his mean and nasty pranks against the nerds? Who got him a drink from the soda machine and let him copy their homework?
Geez. What a loser.
He was the kid in school that we all hated to be around--the braggart going on about how good he was at baseball, math, cars or girls.
He's the jerky kid in the feel-good movie who, at the end, gets taken down by the little guy, and EVERYBODY in the theater applauds.
How can these GOPers not see this? Were they the people who begged to be his friend, who helped him with his mean and nasty pranks against the nerds? Who got him a drink from the soda machine and let him copy their homework?
Geez. What a loser.
8
Frank, as a matter of fact, some well informed progressives entirely agree that the US - with it's disgusting unquestioning support for Israel, its embrace of the death penalty, and for God's sakes the death and devastation wrought all over the world, starting with Iraq, and Syria - does not have the moral standing to lecture anyone about human rights. And a number of people whose experience and intellectual horsepower would put you to shame (Noam Chomsky, William J. Perry) have stated for the record that US and NATO aggression against Russia is one of the main reasons for Putin's actions toward us. I am very glad that Trump has said some thing that have long needed to be said about the US of A.
4
I am deeply saddened that Donald J. Trump will possibly if not probably become the President of the United States of America.
America has a problem with history. To call Samuel Johnson a writer is to call Babe Ruth a baseball player or Einstein a math professor. If one visits the libraries of the founders one discovers Samuel Johnson's importance to the enlightenment and the founding of the United States of America. If you want to know what the second amendment was all about you need only consult Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language. If you want to understand poetry or the meaning of the constitution you must read Samuel Johnson. Johnson was the intellectual giant of the late 18th century. Many scholars believe that Johnson's scoundrel was Edmund Burke the Ted Cruz of the British Parliament.
Samuel Johnson was a giant and is still a giant in the world of thoughts and ideas and how they are given life through words. Samuel Johnson was the philosopher who gave conservatism its dictionary and philosophical meaning. Samuel Johnson is the writer Americans who call themselves conservatives should read so as to understand Burke, Scalia and Cruz are not conservatives. Johnson is the most important person ever for those whose life is devoted to the written word.
Trump World begins and ends with television with a side of Twitter. Trump's World is 60 second sound bites and 150 character Earth shattering insights and truths. Trump and Johnson should never share an op-ed.
America has a problem with history. To call Samuel Johnson a writer is to call Babe Ruth a baseball player or Einstein a math professor. If one visits the libraries of the founders one discovers Samuel Johnson's importance to the enlightenment and the founding of the United States of America. If you want to know what the second amendment was all about you need only consult Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language. If you want to understand poetry or the meaning of the constitution you must read Samuel Johnson. Johnson was the intellectual giant of the late 18th century. Many scholars believe that Johnson's scoundrel was Edmund Burke the Ted Cruz of the British Parliament.
Samuel Johnson was a giant and is still a giant in the world of thoughts and ideas and how they are given life through words. Samuel Johnson was the philosopher who gave conservatism its dictionary and philosophical meaning. Samuel Johnson is the writer Americans who call themselves conservatives should read so as to understand Burke, Scalia and Cruz are not conservatives. Johnson is the most important person ever for those whose life is devoted to the written word.
Trump World begins and ends with television with a side of Twitter. Trump's World is 60 second sound bites and 150 character Earth shattering insights and truths. Trump and Johnson should never share an op-ed.
5
Hillary Clinton, with a win in November, not only will be the first woman president, but also, with the defeat of Donald Trump and his forces of darkness, she'll be the first female since Wonder Woman in WWII to help defeat fascism.
6
Don is a con man plain and simple, when you shake hands with Trump count your fingers.
5
I'd like to compliment the illustrator, Ben Wiseman, for very accurately capturing Trump's signature hand gesture. Good observation, Mr. Wiseman!
6
Among the many roles he is playing, you left out "best-selling author".
3
Trump lives in a silo of mirrors -- which turn Dorian at midnight.
3
The summer of Trump is tedious, but the fall of Trump will be glorious.
(a short version of Steve Singer's excellent comment)
(a short version of Steve Singer's excellent comment)
2
Trump is starting to sound like an orange Smurf, except where every other word a Smurf says is "Smurf," every other word he emotes is "Trump." I remain astonished and embarrassed at the support he has garnered.
4
Wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
7
That Donald Trump's love of country pales beside his love of self was evident from the array of gigantic golden letters spelling out "T-R-U-M-P" above the stage at the Republican National Convention. He might even have visions of erecting a similar display on top of the White House--to help sell all the not-made-in-America products bearing his name.
3
Say what we will about Donald Trump's failings, the sad fact is how easily millions of fearful and ill informed voters are so easily captivated by populist demagoguery wrapped in 'Patriotism'. We have it here in Australia with the recent rise of Pauline Hansen and her One Nation Party, Le Pen in France, Netanyahu—in fact all over the democratic world, where governing politicians have been consumed with power plays instead of governing.
3
After the republican convention we must change the lyrics of our national anthem to truly reflect the character of the American people. "Land of the free and the home of the afraid".
4
From the article:
"if Russia invaded a NATO ally that wasn’t pulling its weight financially, he might not rise to its defense."
This nicely sums up Trump in a nutshell. If our allies have enough dough then and only then will we defend them, that's the Donald. Everything, people, Countries and Patriotism has to be monetized for Trump. It's the only thing he understands.
"if Russia invaded a NATO ally that wasn’t pulling its weight financially, he might not rise to its defense."
This nicely sums up Trump in a nutshell. If our allies have enough dough then and only then will we defend them, that's the Donald. Everything, people, Countries and Patriotism has to be monetized for Trump. It's the only thing he understands.
3
"But his political strategy, like so much else in his life, is about what he deems best for Trump."
Change the pronoun, and you have the perfect description of Hillary.
Sure will be interesting to watch two self-centered and totally self-interested personas battle out as to who is the most selfless American.
Maybe Don can invite Hill and Bill on the tarmac up to his plane to discuss the grandkids.
Change the pronoun, and you have the perfect description of Hillary.
Sure will be interesting to watch two self-centered and totally self-interested personas battle out as to who is the most selfless American.
Maybe Don can invite Hill and Bill on the tarmac up to his plane to discuss the grandkids.
1
We have a lot of these patriots, especially in the GOP (Cheney, Gingrich, Giuliani, Limbaugh, Romney, Rove, etc.), who bleed red, white and blue in their talk, but not in their actions – as in, when their time came to serve in the military, they chose not to. Trump also never served – but in a 1997 interview with Howard Stern, he instead claimed to have battled his own “personal Vietnam,” which was trying to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases, when he was “sleeping around.”
So Trump might not be a patriot but he is a red-blooded American for sure!
So Trump might not be a patriot but he is a red-blooded American for sure!
4
Just as John Kerry testified,"who will be the last to die in VietNam, which one of the five replacements for his college deferments either was injured or died?Mr. Militaristic has never told us which foot had a bone spur that spurred on his draft dodging. Runs in the family too- his grandfather ducked service in the Kaiser's army in word war 1. Learns from the best, Ivanka should be proud!
6
Besides all the eradic and nonsensical talk and the thin skin, the worries about his stability ... the biggest thing for me is just that Trump has shown no real interest in "America First" in his now long career as an entrepreneur. Really none. Also no philanthropy anyone can detect.
The interest in the country and it's people seems to be something he acquired for self-aggrandizement.
The interest in the country and it's people seems to be something he acquired for self-aggrandizement.
3
Beware of the megalomaniac who who claims only he can make things right again.
9
And yet nothing out of the ordinary for a Republican presidential candidate, with the occasional exception of a Dole or Mccain.
5
Everything out of Trump's mouth is verbal diarrhea, untethered to reality. Without his battery of lawyers to make sure he gets his way he'd be seen as he really is; an unintelligent, unstable bully. I mean, when you add up all the things he's said in the past few months the fact is that he's just plan stupid.
9
Trump and the GOP are a sham! Like the Monty Python skit "Spam" - try voting GOP without getting a little "Sham" in it. Or try doing a deal with Trump without a little "Sham" in it.
Everything about Trump is a Sham! Not just in his patriotism, but also in his businesses, his alleged religiosity, and most of all his genius and claimed solutions to all problems - a Sham Wow!
What does one expect from the new leader of the party of Shams - the Sham investigations, Sham science, Sham voters rights laws, Sham Christian values (execute or lock up and hatred of Hillary), Sham wars, Sham, egg, bacon, sausage and Sham, ...
Glorious Sham.
Everything about Trump is a Sham! Not just in his patriotism, but also in his businesses, his alleged religiosity, and most of all his genius and claimed solutions to all problems - a Sham Wow!
What does one expect from the new leader of the party of Shams - the Sham investigations, Sham science, Sham voters rights laws, Sham Christian values (execute or lock up and hatred of Hillary), Sham wars, Sham, egg, bacon, sausage and Sham, ...
Glorious Sham.
6
Went into a clothing store today, found a Trump jacket made in China on the same rack as one by Joseph Abboud made in the US. Contrary to what
Trump says, clothing obviously can be made here. Wonder when he'll bring that bit of manufacturing back to the US.
Why hasn't he done it already and announced it loudly?
Trump says, clothing obviously can be made here. Wonder when he'll bring that bit of manufacturing back to the US.
Why hasn't he done it already and announced it loudly?
14
You know every Republican Convention always seems to have that " sham patriotism " to some extent. But this really takes the cake.
USA USA USA they chanted as each one mindlessly stepped over the cliff.
Orange, NJ
USA USA USA they chanted as each one mindlessly stepped over the cliff.
Orange, NJ
5
Love Frank Bruni, am terrified of what will happen to this country if Trump is elected. Every single law he supports, every justice he appoints, every policy he puts forth will be with his pathetic vision and how it would increase his wealth. Having this nut speak for our country on foreign affairs, of which he hasn't a clue and isn't interested in learning, is comparable to having Daffy Duck represent us. And he very well may be president. "Punishing" women for terminating a crisis pregnancy! Maybe he will force them to work on his wall! Those stupid women! Losers, every one of them. Handicapped? Losers! Poor? Losers! Don't support his agenda! Super duper pooper losers!
6
Speaking of sham patriotism:
Check out all the Republicans praising the 1st Responders (including Rudy Giuliani), and then google "Who Voted Against the 9/11 Zadroga First Responder Bill".
If Blue lives mattered to them, they wouldn't let so many 9/11 first responders die while fighting to pay their medical bills.
Check out all the Republicans praising the 1st Responders (including Rudy Giuliani), and then google "Who Voted Against the 9/11 Zadroga First Responder Bill".
If Blue lives mattered to them, they wouldn't let so many 9/11 first responders die while fighting to pay their medical bills.
6
The National Enquirer deserves as much respect for its journalism as Donald Trump does as a political figure seeking the highest embodiment of public trust in the Land. It is right and proper to compare the two in the same sentence.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
10
Patriotic slogans are mere buzzwords Trump uses to get a rise out of the crowd. He uses whatever ploy will get him the attention this needy child-man craves almost constantly. Attention deficit disorder is what rules Trump's mind and world. This guy can't seem to focus on much of anything before getting bored. I wonder if this guy has ever read a book, from beginning to end that is, other than "The Art of the Deal", or some piece about him.
What passes for a guy who doesn't need a teleprompter tells me he hasn't been able to develop the discipline and attention to detail it takes to master a speech and be able to read it without going off on some thought that invades his brain at the moment. He makes Sarah Palin appear a genius.
To Trump, everything not just his faux patriotism is a sham. You can fool some of the people all of the time. They are the Trumpists who will happily march off the cliff for this joke. In the end though the joke will be on them.
DD
Manhattan
What passes for a guy who doesn't need a teleprompter tells me he hasn't been able to develop the discipline and attention to detail it takes to master a speech and be able to read it without going off on some thought that invades his brain at the moment. He makes Sarah Palin appear a genius.
To Trump, everything not just his faux patriotism is a sham. You can fool some of the people all of the time. They are the Trumpists who will happily march off the cliff for this joke. In the end though the joke will be on them.
DD
Manhattan
8
I've lived a blessed life and am now in my mid 60's. Paying taxes was one of the privileges of being an American. Do you really want a leader who promotes bragging about beating the system. Talk about Making America Great Again.
11
Trump sold his soul to one special interest group - the Trump brand group.
3
Afraid Trump has become among his supporters an institution, God, unto itself like the Catholic Church, Fox News, the NFL and the NRA. It defines what God is then views itself thru the looking-glass and sees a trinity of self, ego and narcissism that is infinite, eternal and infallible. Among its followers, there is no one to say otherwise, even, Hanoi's pajama man, John McCain, who Trump hold with the highest contempt for having courage once when God, Donald, had none. Its is all above patriotism, the opiod of the masses.
1
If Donald Trump wants to see what happened to two of the POW's in North VietNam while he was nursing his sore foot, he might want to read "Two Souls Indivisible" by James S Hirsch. The story of the captivity, courage and friendship of Fred Cherry and Porter Halyburton. I believe they were held at the Hanoi Hilton from 1965 to 1973. I don't care how many billions of dollars DT allegedly has, the man is a fool.
4
Roughly half of the citizens of this Country plan on voting for Mr. Trump.
Have the cahones to explain that, rather than criticizing the salesman who sees a bunch of easy marks.
Have the cahones to explain that, rather than criticizing the salesman who sees a bunch of easy marks.
2
Real Americans pay their just debts, and don't hide behind bankruptcy laws.
Show us the tax returns, little man.
Show us the tax returns, little man.
9
Dear Mr. Bruni,
You spent 1108 words telling us how Donald Trump is not really a patriot, and I agree with you. I hope your can write at least as many words telling us about the patriotic attributes of Hillary Clinton in your next column.
You spent 1108 words telling us how Donald Trump is not really a patriot, and I agree with you. I hope your can write at least as many words telling us about the patriotic attributes of Hillary Clinton in your next column.
2
When Trump said he would examine military spending and only buy the things "we need" - do you think that went over well with DOD contractors? I never heard a peep from Hillary about this- We have over 735 military bases in 138 foreign countries. I have given up questing the necessity of this- Let's stop feeding the military industrial beast and use those resources here at home- If Trump makes half an attempt to do this, it will be worth having him in office and he can insult as many people he wants and I won't hold anything against him.
2
That must be a really tiny flag to look small in Donald Trumps hands.
4
Donald Trump cannot credibly claim to love America when it is obvious that he hates a great many Americans.
That this bigot and buffoon has been nominated by the Party of Lincoln is a sad, cruel joke.
That this bigot and buffoon has been nominated by the Party of Lincoln is a sad, cruel joke.
4
So important to keep hitting the fact that Trump products are manufactured in China and elsewhere. He does NOT put America first. People need to strike that note endlessly. Also, his relationship with Putin really needs more press. Josh Marshall over at Talking Points Memo has a fascinating piece up about it.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump-putin-yes-it-s-really-a-thing
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump-putin-yes-it-s-really-a-thing
5
Kristof did a good piece on Trump's racism and now this piece....great stuff, but I'm afraid that the people who need to read and reflect on these pieces don't read the NYT. The question is how will we reach them before it is too late, because I don't think NBC, CBS and Fox will "fact check" and report.
10
From now until November 8, the U.S. is on trial. How we respond to this trial will tell not just our own immediate futures, but how posterity in this land and all over the world will judge the American people of 2016.
7
it would seem that Trump's chronic state of apoplexy stems from all the failures and contradictions in his life.
3
Norman Mailer's was deeply suspicious of flag-waving patriots saying what their American flag on the sleeve patriotism really showed was their deep seated anxiety. I think Mailer got right. Trump and his basically white supporters are deeply anxious and afraid and they show their fear by waving the flag in everyone else's face.
6
Don't hold your breath waiting for Trump to collapse. In fact brace yourself for a blizzard of sorts, of propaganda aimed at HC. For years the Republicans have been following the advice of Joseph Goebbels who famously said if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth. (Swift boat?) Another of his quotes is "The bigger the lie, the more it will be believed." This is straight out of the Goebbels/Nazi playbook.
Look it up.
Look it up.
7
Trump is first and foremost a salesman selling Trump. It doesn't matter if it is fear, patriotism, nativism, xenophobia it is all just a product to sell.
Caveat Emptor folks. Caveat Emptor
Caveat Emptor folks. Caveat Emptor
3
Hey, all kidding aside, Trump has had at least one smashing victory: David Duke has come out of the swamps to run again for the US Senate. He feels safe to do so.
11
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"..."a man may have the external appearance of a patriot, without the constituent qualities, as false coins often have luster, though they want weight" Dr. Samuel Johnson's words certainly have relevance when you examine "Mr. four deferments " Donald Trump.
5
Mr. Bruni editorial is symptomatic of what is happening in the left wing media. This hysterical attack on Mr. Trump's patriotism does not sync with the Trump that we all know. He has been in our living rooms for 30 years. We like him. We could have a beer with him. Name calling is never an effective way to win an argument. I gave Mr, Bruni more credit, I'm disappointed in him.
2
Il Trumpallini's loyalty is only to himself. He is no Patriot.
6
The best thing you can say about Donald Trump is that he is no fool. Up 'til now, I doubt that he has been a racist, because I don't think he has had to think about it. He just blabs what works. Eventually, the narcissism may require some type of actual conviction, but do not count on it.
2
Trump is like a drunken uncle at a family reunion. He jabbers nonsense until his tie is soaked with spittle, but he keeps the party lively. Would you keep him around for four years? Hell no. Put him on a bus and send him home in the morning.
The man is so bizarre that he's strangely riveting, but he's a con man, a phony, and a disgrace to America. And the party is over.
The man is so bizarre that he's strangely riveting, but he's a con man, a phony, and a disgrace to America. And the party is over.
11
Emerson: The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons
12
Far more than a patriot, Mr. Bruni, Trump is a racist, a bigot, and someone who values women only for their vaginas. He proved his bonafides on racism by promoting the lie about the the President's birthplace, and on bigotry and misogyny by his comments on Mexicans and suggesting that Megan Kelly was unhinged because she was menstruating. And that is why they love him! There is nothing you can say to diminish that love.
11
Trump is a nationalist, not a patriot, not an advocate for individual rights.
4
Trump admires Putin, a high wire act who can't step down because the shield would lift on the gross corruption perpetrated on Russia. Is that what we want for America? Declare our independence from King George and hand it over to King Donald.
3
Donald Trump is using America. He is using it to feed his outsized ego. America is, after all, the ultimate prize. What better way to top off his gold house, his gold throne, his supermodel wife and his untold billions? The White (gold) House would be the ultimate notch in his belt, He doesn't love America; he loves attention, power and money because it distracts him from himself.
9
"It was the Christmas of Trump". ...the expensively wrapped and coiffered package was opened and found to be empty. The nested set of family and political sycophants auditioned for the role of Scrooge. The stockings drooped from the weight of lumps of coal. A list of the naughty was drawn up and everyone who disagreed and some that agreed were on it.
Trump is really bad drugstore fiction. A sham everything. A Christmas nightmare. Why are we even talking about this guy?
Trump is really bad drugstore fiction. A sham everything. A Christmas nightmare. Why are we even talking about this guy?
8
Just finished reading the latest dump of negative Op-Eds on Trump. While I do not like Trump or Clinton, it is clear that the NYT and its readers no longer care about even trying to appear neutral. Who would ever think that the NYT would be as "fair and balanced" as FoxNews. . .
3
Trump has only ONE thing going for him: he's not Ted Cruz. But that's not enough reason to vote for him.
5
The trouble with a fine piece like this, is that Bruni is preaching for the most part to the choir. It won't be read by the people who need to know something else about their new leader, Trump.
10
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel? In Trump's case it's the first.
8
Trump has revealed himself thoroughly to the electorate. It's really hard to believe anyone with a fifth grade education would fall for this ill-educated and uninformed opportunist. Where did all the defrauded Atlantic City investors go, anyway? Where did all the screwed New York contracters run off to? Barely a peep. Demagogues live and thrive on the silence of the victims...
7
Where are the Republicans getting those flags?
The reds, and blues are like none I have ever seen on an American flag?
Trump bring 'em in from Bangladesh?
The reds, and blues are like none I have ever seen on an American flag?
Trump bring 'em in from Bangladesh?
5
>>>>>>
Trump is just one person. The real problem is the multitude of his supporters. When is the media going to direct its criticism at the real problem, the Crazy Ape? They're not. The media and columnists avoid this fact because there is no solution to it. Once you accept this fact you may as well go home and put your head in the oven, and many do just that, because 1 or a 1000 more columns are not going to change the fact. But illusion, the lifeblood of a "ragtag" conflicted animal with too high a degree of consciousness, is cheap, and disillusionment is expensive.
As Otto Rank said,"with the truth, one cannot live". Freud too saw that there was no way out for Man from his double-bind that he fell into, but one.
"My philosophy not only does not lead to misanthropy, as might seem to anyone who looks at it superficially, and as many accuse it of doing … My philosophy makes nature guilty of everything, and by exonerating humanity altogether, it redirects the hatred, or at least the complaint, to a higher principle, the true origin of the ills of living beings.’
Leopardi
Trump is just one person. The real problem is the multitude of his supporters. When is the media going to direct its criticism at the real problem, the Crazy Ape? They're not. The media and columnists avoid this fact because there is no solution to it. Once you accept this fact you may as well go home and put your head in the oven, and many do just that, because 1 or a 1000 more columns are not going to change the fact. But illusion, the lifeblood of a "ragtag" conflicted animal with too high a degree of consciousness, is cheap, and disillusionment is expensive.
As Otto Rank said,"with the truth, one cannot live". Freud too saw that there was no way out for Man from his double-bind that he fell into, but one.
"My philosophy not only does not lead to misanthropy, as might seem to anyone who looks at it superficially, and as many accuse it of doing … My philosophy makes nature guilty of everything, and by exonerating humanity altogether, it redirects the hatred, or at least the complaint, to a higher principle, the true origin of the ills of living beings.’
Leopardi
1
I wonder if Trump will debate Hillary Clinton. Or, will he weasel out of it.
5
Donald Trump is a patriot in much the same way that he is a good Christian and a constitutional scholar, which is to say not at all. Of all the evidence undermining his claim to patriotism, nothing, in my view, is more damning than his despicable comment on John McCain's experience as a POW. Many of the finest Navy and Air Force aviators of their generation shared Senator McCain's fate, people who could spit more patriotism than Donald Trump could summon from his entire being. (Full disclosure: My Uncle Donald became a POW when his B-24 made an emergency landing in the Adriatic Sea after having two engines shot out over the Ploesti oil fields and subsequently losing a third engine as they fell behind the other surviving aircrews. So, yes, I am a little sensitive regarding this issue.)
7
"Trump Home crystal was made in Slovenia"
Slovenia is known for its beautiful crystal and it's beautiful women. Mr. Trump seems to appreciate both.
Slovenia is known for its beautiful crystal and it's beautiful women. Mr. Trump seems to appreciate both.
1
Trump's "patriotism" runs about as deep as those tiny (see photo) American flag toothpicks you stick into canapés and cocktails on the 4th of July. From avoiding military service, to crowing about whittling down his tax bill, to manufacturing his Trump gewgaws overseas, his only loyalty is to "the Republic of Trump." He loves America so much that he has brought us into disrepute among our friends and allies through his ignorant, inflammatory, and incoherent rants, and ended the GOP convention by proclaiming to the world what a bleak and sorry place we have become. Donald Trump is no "patriot"- he's a jingoistic flimflam man.
9
Trump's patriotism doesn’t add up ?
By the mathematics of patriotism :
- Trump gets a D on the Republican scorecard because he is pro-LGBTQ and public healthcare.
- Hillary gets a .. where do I begin, just go to Wiki Leaks and find out how the DNC and the Hillary campaign has undermined democracy, the DNA of patriotism.
By the mathematics of patriotism :
- Trump gets a D on the Republican scorecard because he is pro-LGBTQ and public healthcare.
- Hillary gets a .. where do I begin, just go to Wiki Leaks and find out how the DNC and the Hillary campaign has undermined democracy, the DNA of patriotism.
Lock em both up. Stripes are in and orange is the new black.
3
It is incontrovertible now, if there was ever any doubt - Donald pledges allegiance to himself - first, second third, all the way to last.
6
Yes, sham patriotism/businessman and demonstrated serial litigator/tax dodger.
He is not a change agent, he is just a con and self promoter and we have now heard the best he has to offer.
Trump is Toast, he's got nothing.
He is not a change agent, he is just a con and self promoter and we have now heard the best he has to offer.
Trump is Toast, he's got nothing.
12
Good column, but you are preaching to the choir (us NYTimes readers which mostly are not Trump's followers). How do we make them see what is obvious to us?
5
I hate Trump. I abhor Trump. But he may have a point when he says we do not practice what we preach. All the rest of his views are horrifying!
I have been aware of Donald Trump's hotels, wives, mistresses, children, reality shows, taste in bathroom faucets, lawsuit proclivities, poor bill-paying abilities, choice of lawyers and to be kind, his Trumpness, for lo, these many years. Don't hear any policy and have never heard any. Don't hear any empathy for the "losers" and have never heard any. Don't know about patriotism but he succeeded in getting the biggest, hugest American flag out front of Mar-a-Lago.....
8
Keep pointing out that the Emperor has no clothes...You're mostly preaching to the choir, but maybe somewhere out there in the hinterlands someone will hear you and take heed.
3
Little Donnie Dumkopf, where are your "beautiful" tax returns?
(President Nixon made his public while he was under audit - and he was POTUS at the time . He ended up paying about $500,000 in taxes that he had underpaid. An audit is NO excuse.)
(President Nixon made his public while he was under audit - and he was POTUS at the time . He ended up paying about $500,000 in taxes that he had underpaid. An audit is NO excuse.)
7
Mr Trump's speech will help him among Tea Party voters, including independents, who altogether are about 1/3 of the voters.
But his selection should not blind us to the major issue in the campaign, which is inheritance. Trump and co want to end taxation of inheritance, which would ensure the power of people like the Koch brothers and Trump himself. These people did not earn their money and have not been elected to any office.
Thomas Jefferson outlawed extreme inheritance when he was Governor of Virginia, because big inheritances give too much power to possibly nutty heirs. We should do the same. Lincoln thought that earned income should be taxed less than unearned income; capital gains and inheritance should be taxed at least as high as earned income.
Most of the other issues in the election and indeed in Congress are relative trivia intended to distract us from this central issue. To see what should be done go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Send a buck to Bernie or Elizabeth Warren, invite me to speak, save the world. Thanks. [email protected]
But his selection should not blind us to the major issue in the campaign, which is inheritance. Trump and co want to end taxation of inheritance, which would ensure the power of people like the Koch brothers and Trump himself. These people did not earn their money and have not been elected to any office.
Thomas Jefferson outlawed extreme inheritance when he was Governor of Virginia, because big inheritances give too much power to possibly nutty heirs. We should do the same. Lincoln thought that earned income should be taxed less than unearned income; capital gains and inheritance should be taxed at least as high as earned income.
Most of the other issues in the election and indeed in Congress are relative trivia intended to distract us from this central issue. To see what should be done go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Send a buck to Bernie or Elizabeth Warren, invite me to speak, save the world. Thanks. [email protected]
6
Trump is a nativist, not a patriot. ”He’s one of us” is a favorite political campaign sticker I have seen used by conservatives. I‘ve also often heard the nationalist taunt “USA! USA! USA!” at Republican rallies, as if we were a country divinely ordained for Whites only. That millions cheer on a draft dodging war monger, race baiting demagogue and self-styled demi-god as he takes over the Republican Party gives me an idea for a new slogan: “Orange the New White”.
16
I am not afraid of the cartoon antics of Donald Trump. What I fear are the millions of our fellow citizens who lack the critical thinking skills to recognize him for true danger to our society that he is. He has attracted the those of the worst stripe, racists, pretend patriots, misogynists and others who would remove the very freedoms that represent the best in the United States.
63
From a party that has produced leaders that have character flaws it should be no surprise that their new leader would make a psychiatrist's head spin. From Paul Ryan to Mitch McConnell and all who ran for the nomination it is obvious that they carry water for the rich, have no use for facts, hate government as well as their political opponents. It's a disfunctional opposition that has done great damage to our country. The only way to deal with them is to vote them out of office. Obama has tried everything and has been given their back.
57
As for his absurd claims of patriotism (which all the Republicans claim as their own), I am not interested in their blathering or their "beliefs." Christianity. America First. Build A Wall. Deport Deport Deport. (Only) Cops Lives Matter. On and on....
Beliefs are all well and good. It's the behavior that matters. The actions we take that prove or reflect our beliefs. If he is so "patriotic," how can he get four deferments for military service while other people's (read: not rich) sons go to war and are killed, maimed, or captured.
Bone spurs? That is his true belief: "I am more important than your sons. I am more important than anyone else. Only my life matters." He will always Put Trump First, which is the theme, the purpose, and the religion of his campaign.
His actions and his behavior contradict his hot air claims at every breath. Now it's up to us.
Beliefs are all well and good. It's the behavior that matters. The actions we take that prove or reflect our beliefs. If he is so "patriotic," how can he get four deferments for military service while other people's (read: not rich) sons go to war and are killed, maimed, or captured.
Bone spurs? That is his true belief: "I am more important than your sons. I am more important than anyone else. Only my life matters." He will always Put Trump First, which is the theme, the purpose, and the religion of his campaign.
His actions and his behavior contradict his hot air claims at every breath. Now it's up to us.
73
Mr. Bruni, you are trying to point out logical inconsistencies in Trump’s words and deeds that people have been talking about for a year now. But listening to the maniacs screaming to lynch Hillary Clinton at the RNC last week, it is clear that logic and reasoned debate are not what this election is about.
During the RNC last week, NPR invited Trump supporters to call in to explain why they supported Trump. As I listened, I was repeatedly struck at the mental gymnastics they would go through to discount all of his flaws and inconsistencies, ranging from “they are all made up by the press” to “he doesn’t really mean what he says” to “I don’t care what he says, I just want to tear the whole system down.” It seemed to me to be as much defiance of the criticism of Trump as it was positive conviction about him.
This struck me as similar to the defiance of someone in a love affair defending their flawed lover against criticism from friends and family. That in turn reminded of the woman who helped the two prison inmates escape in upstate New York last year. Deluded, maybe even knowing that she shouldn’t trust them, she nevertheless felt that these prisoners were her best chance to escape her own hopeless life.
In her case, she got cold feet at the last minute, which ultimately led to the capture of the two escapees. It will be interesting to see whether the American electorate gets cold feet at the last minute in November.
During the RNC last week, NPR invited Trump supporters to call in to explain why they supported Trump. As I listened, I was repeatedly struck at the mental gymnastics they would go through to discount all of his flaws and inconsistencies, ranging from “they are all made up by the press” to “he doesn’t really mean what he says” to “I don’t care what he says, I just want to tear the whole system down.” It seemed to me to be as much defiance of the criticism of Trump as it was positive conviction about him.
This struck me as similar to the defiance of someone in a love affair defending their flawed lover against criticism from friends and family. That in turn reminded of the woman who helped the two prison inmates escape in upstate New York last year. Deluded, maybe even knowing that she shouldn’t trust them, she nevertheless felt that these prisoners were her best chance to escape her own hopeless life.
In her case, she got cold feet at the last minute, which ultimately led to the capture of the two escapees. It will be interesting to see whether the American electorate gets cold feet at the last minute in November.
41
It's obvious that his supporters dont care about his records in business and what he has done and said since he participated in the presidential bid. That's not correct. Those who are sensible enough to understand that his records and what he has done and said matter, must speak up. The media is also responsible to continue chasing him for releasing hid tax returns and for explaining what he means by Making American Great Again and how to achieve that when at the same time he doesnt embrace the pluralistic of the society and he doesnt embrace decency towards the other Americans.
29
Laundry lists of Donald Trumps dubious actions, outrageous statements, and crude behavior have been made for months. Indeed, the lists get longer with each passing week. The irony is only one fact trumps these lists no matter how long they are. Donald Trump is the Republican's chosen candidate for President of the United States. That single statement is the more outrageous, illogical, and frightening than anything on the laundry lists. Thus ugly boy/man has bullied his way into this position. The Republicans have rolled over and surrendered their values and their party to this jerk. His candidacy is the most unpatriotic action ever made by a major political party in the United States.
97
Yes, I agree,
but republican values? The last republican president that displayed any values you refer to in my opinion, died before the turn of the 20th century
but republican values? The last republican president that displayed any values you refer to in my opinion, died before the turn of the 20th century
Few are likely fooled by Trump now. There is abundant evidence for all to see that he is a fraud and a user.
His supporters, however, simply don't care. As long as his rhetoric gives him and them cover to roll back what others see as the progress of the Obama presidency, they are happy to go along with the charade. That 80% of evangelical Christians support Trump tells you all you need to know about the level of hypocrisy at play.
Very soon, journalists and Democrats need to press Trump on how his own rhetoric, with it's seeming embrace of the LGBTQ population and Planned Parenthood, squares with the actual conservative platform of the Republican Party. And, yes, how his purported patriotism, "baby Christianity," and love of the common man square with his selfish behavior.
Though it's only as start, we must, by all means, see those tax returns.
His supporters, however, simply don't care. As long as his rhetoric gives him and them cover to roll back what others see as the progress of the Obama presidency, they are happy to go along with the charade. That 80% of evangelical Christians support Trump tells you all you need to know about the level of hypocrisy at play.
Very soon, journalists and Democrats need to press Trump on how his own rhetoric, with it's seeming embrace of the LGBTQ population and Planned Parenthood, squares with the actual conservative platform of the Republican Party. And, yes, how his purported patriotism, "baby Christianity," and love of the common man square with his selfish behavior.
Though it's only as start, we must, by all means, see those tax returns.
71
There must be an unceasing drumbeat for those tax returns!
1
The fact that 80% of evangelicals support trump, proves that 80% of evangelicals have absolutely no right to claim a connection to Christ. If there actually is such a place as hell, those who support trump are going to have a very hot time of it when they leave this veil of tears.
1
Totally correct.
If Trump has any genuine patriotism at all it would fit with room to spare on one star of the flag lapel pins that he and so many other self-proclaimed patriots wear. He and many other faux patriots are not patriots at all, but instead are terrorists. Their weapons of choice are words rather than guns and bombs, but they choose their words deliberately to incite fear as a way to achieve their political ends. Trump's words don't inspire a vision of a country that upholds the fundamental patriotic values of liberty, freedom, and justice for all. Rather, they paint a picture of a dark, dangerous, and imminently-threatening world. They play to our most basic instincts of fear and self-preservation in the face of threats to life and welfare. Trump and the other faux patriots who seek to play on tribal mentalities by ginning up fear and hatred of the "other," be it of the other candidate, the other political party, the other ethnicity or race, the other sexual orientation, the other religion, or the other country are among the most dangerous terrorists in our country. They should all be on the no-fly list.
45
I am still waiting for some journalist to ask Trump if he ever issued a directive to his companies to hire only Americans. It seems an obvious question and one he would have a problem verifying.
52
Didn't I hear the lizard say that he was going to have his VP handle domestic and foreign affairs, thus freeing mr. t. to "make America great again"? I would like some of the geniuses from his campaign explain to me which issues exist that are not either domestic or foreign. Does domestic and foreign not include the whole gambit of possible issues? Without addressing these, what exactly would the lizard be doing to make us great again. The man is totally a balloon the skin off.
Another thing. We have all heard ad nauseam the lizard's constant claims as to how smart he is. Yes, I know he has an Ivy league degree. However for my whole life I have been hearing various highly educated people speak, but I have never heard anyone except the lizard claiming such credentials, who sound like they have the intellect of a not-that-smart middle-school bully. One might state: Well he must be smart, look at all the money (he says has -- we don't know how much he has)he has accumulated. He must be really smart to have been able to do that. right?
Actually, no. All one needs to achieve this goal is to be a ruthless conscience free thing like him with a one million dollar stipend from daddy.
I am highly suspect that he actually earned that degree and wonder who wrote his papers and took his tests for him -- who actually earned his degree for him? How could it have been him?
Another thing. We have all heard ad nauseam the lizard's constant claims as to how smart he is. Yes, I know he has an Ivy league degree. However for my whole life I have been hearing various highly educated people speak, but I have never heard anyone except the lizard claiming such credentials, who sound like they have the intellect of a not-that-smart middle-school bully. One might state: Well he must be smart, look at all the money (he says has -- we don't know how much he has)he has accumulated. He must be really smart to have been able to do that. right?
Actually, no. All one needs to achieve this goal is to be a ruthless conscience free thing like him with a one million dollar stipend from daddy.
I am highly suspect that he actually earned that degree and wonder who wrote his papers and took his tests for him -- who actually earned his degree for him? How could it have been him?
13
Every day Trump continues to be popular reveals the true face of America to the rest of the world.
It's all too fatuous to keep pointing the finger at one man; let's be actively reminded every time we see him that his performance displays the side of the United States we've been eager to hide for over a hundred years, under the rhetoric of opportunity and idealism that has grown ever more tattered with each passing day.
Anyone out there, particularly outside our borders, cynical about our self-aggrandizing propaganda, has a champion in Trump, a man who represents America as it really is, not as it would like to imagine itself.
The lipstick is off the pig; the pig is us. Many have known that all along. Trump just confirms it with his success, which is as hollow as our empire's success, a shell of hypocrisy and confused intention.
It's all too fatuous to keep pointing the finger at one man; let's be actively reminded every time we see him that his performance displays the side of the United States we've been eager to hide for over a hundred years, under the rhetoric of opportunity and idealism that has grown ever more tattered with each passing day.
Anyone out there, particularly outside our borders, cynical about our self-aggrandizing propaganda, has a champion in Trump, a man who represents America as it really is, not as it would like to imagine itself.
The lipstick is off the pig; the pig is us. Many have known that all along. Trump just confirms it with his success, which is as hollow as our empire's success, a shell of hypocrisy and confused intention.
75
No Steven, the pig is not us. I'd have no trouble making my tax returns public for instance.
I have a hope that, in the privacy of the voting booth or home, if that is where people vote, the better side of thinking Republicans and even so-called Trump supporters will win out and, in the end, not be able to cast their vote for Trump. Call it patriotism on the part of the electorate, common sense, or just plain private acknowledgement that this man would be really, really hugely bad as a President for the United States.
48
Unfortunately, the polar opposite is possible. That, in the privacy of the voting booth, even more people than suspected will pull the lever for the temper tantrum candidate.
3
I guess what frightens me most is that there really are millions of my fellow countryman who believe all this flag-waving falderal. Whether that is a statement about the pathetic state of our educational system or people's ability to be swayed by a loudmouth showman, I don't know. I do know that I feel like I'm standing on the edge of the abyss...
107
Donald Trump inspires a certain novel brand of patriotism. A brand of patriotism that is yet to be fully defined. But then as I will keep saying Trump presidency is a long overdue experiment. If the USA did not have such a large national debt, the law and order was at its best, race relations were optimal, America was playing a positive role in the world that did not cause other nations to be destabilized and devastated, it would inspire a certain type of patriotism. But the kind of leadership (Bush followed by Obama) we have had in this century, it can only be sham patriotism to think of America as being a great nation when it can not absolve itself of the responsibility of destroying other countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya etc.and unable to end ballooning terrorism. Trump's brand of patriotism is one I can relate to because it prioritizes unashamedly rebuilding infrastructure in the USA, its armed forces, its veterans, its manufacturing base and taking care of broken promises of politicians. In a way the unity in diversity will occur with Trump's vision of justice and jobs for all.
5
Trump has no "brand of patriotism," because everything is totally opportunistic. Trump believes in no one but Trump, and because he's oriented to the third person he doesn't even really believe in himself - just the brand. And when you get down to it, the brand is just a shell for further self-aggrandizement. Trump is the personification of the Hungry Ghost, a specter of greed and grasping.
1
What you need to know is that, when all is said and done, Donald trump is a weak man. Only a weak man needs to, and does, like this one does.
And a weak man doesn't keep his promises, because he is too weak to. And mr trump has proved that point many times.
And those that vote for him are weak too, because the USA may have a lot of problems but following a weak man like trump - who promises the world but can never deliver - is not the way to fix them.
And a weak man doesn't keep his promises, because he is too weak to. And mr trump has proved that point many times.
And those that vote for him are weak too, because the USA may have a lot of problems but following a weak man like trump - who promises the world but can never deliver - is not the way to fix them.
2
And just what specific policies has your hero put forward that will
"rebuild[sic] infrastructure in the USA, its armed forces, its veterans, its manufacturing base and take[sic] care of broken promises of politicians"?
Your phony hero admits he learns about the military and foreign policy from TV talk shows, ignores the rule of law set forth by our founding fathers and knows nor cares not a whit about governing.
Just what is his vision? I guess I was absent on the day he outlined it.
"rebuild[sic] infrastructure in the USA, its armed forces, its veterans, its manufacturing base and take[sic] care of broken promises of politicians"?
Your phony hero admits he learns about the military and foreign policy from TV talk shows, ignores the rule of law set forth by our founding fathers and knows nor cares not a whit about governing.
Just what is his vision? I guess I was absent on the day he outlined it.
1
Donald Trump is the reincarnation of Barry Goldwater's infamous remarks in accepting his Republican nomination for President, "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue." Let's hope Americans overwhelmingly reject it this November as they did, in my first election as voter, in 1964.
43
It's certainly possible that Americans are not as innately intelligent as they once were. Voters, in 1964, had just been through WWII and were in the middle of Vietnam. They had a real knowledge of what the forces of evil could do to our country, from the inside and from the outside. Not so, today. So, Trump supporters have no experience with this brand of evil neo-facism.
43
Paul of Long Island:
Those words of Barry Goldwater that you quoted, were the words that shocked me and signaled me to change my registration from Republican to Democrat and I have been a liberal Democrat ever since. (Much to the horror of my Republican family at the time)
Those words of Barry Goldwater that you quoted, were the words that shocked me and signaled me to change my registration from Republican to Democrat and I have been a liberal Democrat ever since. (Much to the horror of my Republican family at the time)
George W Bush lied us into a preventive war, which is an act of treason, and Barack Obama whacked two American Citizens based upon the due process of his solipsistic reasoning. Although conquering Afghanistan has been a bad idea since Alexander tried it way back when, Obama will keep our troops in Afghanistan to give Democrats political cover for the election, which ought to be treasonous.
Trump wants to do business with Putin, and get along with Russia. He wants to stop the perpetual wars for democracy(really oil), and rid us of the neocons like Hillary for example. Trump wants to make the National Interest the test for an American commitment to war, but he is unpatriotic? Now that is some truly tortured reasoning.
I can hardly wait to hear the reasons that a humanitarian military intervention will have become necessary into Venezuela from Colombia during the next neocon reign of terror under the uber neocon HRC.
Trump wants to do business with Putin, and get along with Russia. He wants to stop the perpetual wars for democracy(really oil), and rid us of the neocons like Hillary for example. Trump wants to make the National Interest the test for an American commitment to war, but he is unpatriotic? Now that is some truly tortured reasoning.
I can hardly wait to hear the reasons that a humanitarian military intervention will have become necessary into Venezuela from Colombia during the next neocon reign of terror under the uber neocon HRC.
4
Trump is already doing business with Russia and is a good friend of Putin, and he'd sell out the USA to Putin as soon as he'd become POTUS if that would benefit him. His tax returns might provide more clarity on the matter of Trump's ties with Putin and shady Russian businesses, but he doesn't want to disclose them to the public.
Without his tax returns, it's all fluff. How can an entire presidential campaign continue with such a void in the exact center of one candidacy?
78
There are so many words that are cumbersome to handle in the public or even academic spheres: patriotism, racism, fascism, constitutional, elite, sexism, conservative, liberal, reactionary, etc. If we talk to our friends we nod our heads in agreement. If we talk with not-friends were are often stunned at the misinterpretations of our intent or their apparent lack of understanding (intentional or not).
Is there a singular face that represents love of country? I doubt it. I am not going to attack Trump's patriotism, however misguided it appears. I would attack his lack of thought, ignorance, hair-trigger belligerence, lack of political experience, overestimation of his own skills, and what he might do to and with the office of the presidency. There is plenty to dislike about Trump, plenty to distrust, without bothering with some of the vagaries of patriotism.
Is there a singular face that represents love of country? I doubt it. I am not going to attack Trump's patriotism, however misguided it appears. I would attack his lack of thought, ignorance, hair-trigger belligerence, lack of political experience, overestimation of his own skills, and what he might do to and with the office of the presidency. There is plenty to dislike about Trump, plenty to distrust, without bothering with some of the vagaries of patriotism.
24
According to a compilation of Politifact assessment of statements by major American politicians, Trump lies more than any other, almost never attaining the simple rating of ''True.'' https://imgur.com/uOU48BM
Too many Americans have been lied to for too long to recognize what is true and what is not and many are angry that nothing is being done to help them. Trump uses his reality TV honed presentation skills to appeal to their worst instincts, making false or exaggerated statements of grievance, with literally no practical solutions put forward.
It is apparent, from reporting in The Times and The Washington Post, that Trump has never helped anyone but himself or his family. His claims to be philanthropic are almost always false. He has literally no record of service to others.
As he doesn't know what he will say next, we have no idea what he might do if elected President. No real approximations are even possible.
It is up to us, the American voter, to put an end to Trump's last personal brand-building campaign. He is in it for himself, not for us.
Where will you be on November 8?
Too many Americans have been lied to for too long to recognize what is true and what is not and many are angry that nothing is being done to help them. Trump uses his reality TV honed presentation skills to appeal to their worst instincts, making false or exaggerated statements of grievance, with literally no practical solutions put forward.
It is apparent, from reporting in The Times and The Washington Post, that Trump has never helped anyone but himself or his family. His claims to be philanthropic are almost always false. He has literally no record of service to others.
As he doesn't know what he will say next, we have no idea what he might do if elected President. No real approximations are even possible.
It is up to us, the American voter, to put an end to Trump's last personal brand-building campaign. He is in it for himself, not for us.
Where will you be on November 8?
79
The word patriot has had different meanings in the past, some pejorative, and Trump is precisely how the word patriot was once intended as derogatory.
The Online Etymology Dictionary says patriot comes to English by way of Middle French for "compatriot"(patriote), from Latin(patriota) and Greek (patriotes) "fellow countryman."
"Patriotes" is what Greeks called barbarians who didn't belong to a civilized state and identified with a common "fatherland" whereas Greeks were citizens (politai) of an intentional state.
Samuel Johnson, who first defined "patriot" in English, noted that "It is sometimes used for a factious disturber of the government." In America, the word "patrioteer" came into use in the 1920s, appropriating the negative connotations of patriot and served as the last refuge for scoundrels. "Patrioteer" fell from use but "patriot" remains but sans its previous derision.
Too bad because Trump is the epitome of patrioteer: the barbarian from a fatherland of his own kind of people, where might makes right, strangers are dangerous, a twisted golden rule - he who has the gold makes the rules - prevails, and women are property.
There's no no evidence that Trump thinks of himself as a citizen of a democracy based on a constitutional framework of governance with enduring rights, responsibilities and restraints.
Trump is textbook narcissism. He loves himself. Only thing he loves about America is the "ME" between A and RICA.
The Online Etymology Dictionary says patriot comes to English by way of Middle French for "compatriot"(patriote), from Latin(patriota) and Greek (patriotes) "fellow countryman."
"Patriotes" is what Greeks called barbarians who didn't belong to a civilized state and identified with a common "fatherland" whereas Greeks were citizens (politai) of an intentional state.
Samuel Johnson, who first defined "patriot" in English, noted that "It is sometimes used for a factious disturber of the government." In America, the word "patrioteer" came into use in the 1920s, appropriating the negative connotations of patriot and served as the last refuge for scoundrels. "Patrioteer" fell from use but "patriot" remains but sans its previous derision.
Too bad because Trump is the epitome of patrioteer: the barbarian from a fatherland of his own kind of people, where might makes right, strangers are dangerous, a twisted golden rule - he who has the gold makes the rules - prevails, and women are property.
There's no no evidence that Trump thinks of himself as a citizen of a democracy based on a constitutional framework of governance with enduring rights, responsibilities and restraints.
Trump is textbook narcissism. He loves himself. Only thing he loves about America is the "ME" between A and RICA.
52
"Patriot" seems to describe people who will do the cruel and irrational in the name of a deity or an abstraction. That is why patriotism has been called the last refuge of scoundrels.
This racist porcine orange con man a patriot? Your quote from Samuel Johnson was never more appropriate than today. I have always believed that being will informed was requisite to a functioning democracy. But Trump makes it so hard because of the nausea he induces.
56
My preferred quote on patriotism is the one by Oscar Wilde, who said that
patriotism is the vice of the vicious.
And that is Il Trumpolini's patriotism in one short quote.
He whips up his adoring so-called patriots with barrages of hate and fearmongering against all the 'others' being responsible of what ails this country, be it our 'foreign born' president, those of another colour, us evil pinkos, and the list goes on and on.
Can anyone even picture Herr Drumf in a press conference with a foreign head of state, where without a teleprompter, where his answers would be off the cuff in grammatically challenged word salads that don't make any sense?
For heaven's sake, that guy didn't even know what the nuclear Triad is, and doesn't know the difference between Sunnis and Shiites.
The rest of the advanced world looked on the US in amusement when we elected a B-class actor was elected to the highest office of the land.
Now they look on in horror. as do I.
patriotism is the vice of the vicious.
And that is Il Trumpolini's patriotism in one short quote.
He whips up his adoring so-called patriots with barrages of hate and fearmongering against all the 'others' being responsible of what ails this country, be it our 'foreign born' president, those of another colour, us evil pinkos, and the list goes on and on.
Can anyone even picture Herr Drumf in a press conference with a foreign head of state, where without a teleprompter, where his answers would be off the cuff in grammatically challenged word salads that don't make any sense?
For heaven's sake, that guy didn't even know what the nuclear Triad is, and doesn't know the difference between Sunnis and Shiites.
The rest of the advanced world looked on the US in amusement when we elected a B-class actor was elected to the highest office of the land.
Now they look on in horror. as do I.
82
I have never been a fan of Ronald Regan, but let us not ignore the fact that, after being a B-class actor (no shame in itself), he was governor of California for 8 years.
Excellent column. Timothy Egan is emerging as one of the clearest voices at the Times about a clear and present danger, without the dilution of message that comes from the addiction of too many journalists to false equivalencies.
I have not seen a better chance for the Democrats in many years to reclaim the mantle of patriotism, not of the Trump style of unrestrained jingoism, but one tempered by the humility that comes from knowing our faults and inspired by a dedication to the search for a more perfect union.
I have not seen a better chance for the Democrats in many years to reclaim the mantle of patriotism, not of the Trump style of unrestrained jingoism, but one tempered by the humility that comes from knowing our faults and inspired by a dedication to the search for a more perfect union.
12
A great rundown of Trumps non preparedness for the office of President. It is amazing that so many people don't understand how a man that swindled people, and can do nothing more positive than call people names is not someone we should have representing us.
20
Trump's "sham patriotism" displays itself in his words right through to his swagger.
His anti-patriotism -- xenophobia -- was revealed last summer, minutes after he announced his presidential candidacy, via his characterization of Mexican immigrants as "rapists."
Trump is not nice enough, or collaborative enough, to preside over the United States of America. (Nor is he competent enough, proven Thursday by his acceptance speech in which, though he mentioned a "plan" some half dozen times, provided nothing more than gross generalizations, and more trashing of Hillary Clinton.)
Trump can promise a safer nation, a more lawful nation, and all the "love" he wants. But his "patriotism" seems as shallow as his personality.
His anti-patriotism -- xenophobia -- was revealed last summer, minutes after he announced his presidential candidacy, via his characterization of Mexican immigrants as "rapists."
Trump is not nice enough, or collaborative enough, to preside over the United States of America. (Nor is he competent enough, proven Thursday by his acceptance speech in which, though he mentioned a "plan" some half dozen times, provided nothing more than gross generalizations, and more trashing of Hillary Clinton.)
Trump can promise a safer nation, a more lawful nation, and all the "love" he wants. But his "patriotism" seems as shallow as his personality.
20
Since sociopaths have the tendency to accuse others of the crimes they commit themselves, the characterization of Mexicans of being "rapists" gives to think...
Trump is not running for president of the United States; he is running for the position of dictator. His agenda insists he is the only one who can solve our problems and "Make America Great." Perhaps he hasn't noticed that America is great despite all the warts that he constantly magnifies.
24
Come on Roger. The real dictator is Obama and his lib far left views, executive orders et al
Der Trumpenfuhrer is a gift to the media. Columnists listen closely to his speeches so we don’t have to, and then sum up the distasteful essence for us. Do they find this fun? His personality is so obnoxious, that issue talk isn't even necessary for a column.
Patriotism is always a handy cloak for egotists with dictator tendencies, and superiority complexes. History shows they typically warn voters the country is under various threats from within and without, and only they can save us. Just don’t argue with them about anything.
Otoh, it’s true---how can we lecture countries---our police are shooting civilians in cold blood. Little police accountability. We operate a vast prison gulag. But the US should be able to elect decent, rational leaders to remedy our failings.
Patriotism is always a handy cloak for egotists with dictator tendencies, and superiority complexes. History shows they typically warn voters the country is under various threats from within and without, and only they can save us. Just don’t argue with them about anything.
Otoh, it’s true---how can we lecture countries---our police are shooting civilians in cold blood. Little police accountability. We operate a vast prison gulag. But the US should be able to elect decent, rational leaders to remedy our failings.
11
While you have quoted selectively certain moments of Mr. Trump's words, all in all his love of his country is far more apparent than Mrs. Clinton's (or Mr. Obama). Those who have known him for many years have attested to it, and I've heard those testaments. They were both real and convincing. Additionally, his intellect is far sharper than the "the smartest woman in the world." Mrs. Clinton, her numerous criminal, extraordinarily self-serving actions, and lies aside, can be measured by her decisions when she ran the State Department. Those decisions have deepened terrorism in the world, and thus they are responsible for thousands of innocent deaths. Furthermore, to quote one instance of her testimony on the the murders in Benghazi, "What difference, at this point, does it make!" Sure, who cares how they died! They are dead -- so who cares!
5
Thanks, Len, for this comment that is both entirely unconvincing, and entirely unsupported by facts.
1
Kinda lost sight of the context of that quote, huh?
Johnson: No, again, we were misled that there were supposedly protests and that something sprang out of that -- an assault sprang out of that -- and that was easily ascertained that that was not the fact, and the American people could have known that within days and they didn’t know that.
Clinton: With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that they’d they go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, Senator. Now, honestly, I will do my best to answer your questions about this, but the fact is that people were trying in real time to get to the best information. The IC has a process, I understand, going with the other committees to explain how these talking points came out. But you know, to be clear, it is, from my perspective, less important today looking backwards as to why these militants decided they did it than to find them and bring them to justice, and then maybe we’ll figure out what was going on in the meantime.
Johnson: OK. Thank you, Madame Secretary.
Johnson: No, again, we were misled that there were supposedly protests and that something sprang out of that -- an assault sprang out of that -- and that was easily ascertained that that was not the fact, and the American people could have known that within days and they didn’t know that.
Clinton: With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that they’d they go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, Senator. Now, honestly, I will do my best to answer your questions about this, but the fact is that people were trying in real time to get to the best information. The IC has a process, I understand, going with the other committees to explain how these talking points came out. But you know, to be clear, it is, from my perspective, less important today looking backwards as to why these militants decided they did it than to find them and bring them to justice, and then maybe we’ll figure out what was going on in the meantime.
Johnson: OK. Thank you, Madame Secretary.
Con artists do flourish in the US. Trump loves the abject credulity of this nation.
Americans from both parties have made clear they have no stomach for dynasty politics. No more Bushes, no more Clintons. Now comes Donald Trump. And his children. Tell me Trump has no dynastic intent. His sons are creepy in a Nixonian used car salesman sort of way. They, and his daughter Ivanka, are the closest thing he has to confidants. How could they not honor his legacy? They would feel it imperative to follow in his footsteps. Politics and all.
Trump's most ardent supporters are the same ones denouncing dynasty politics. Willful ignorance must what keeps them from seeing the obvious.
Trump was a scoundrel long before his patriotism bloomed, and it smells like the titan arum (Trump would like the "titan" part): large, gaudy, and sickening...the corpse flower.
Trump's most ardent supporters are the same ones denouncing dynasty politics. Willful ignorance must what keeps them from seeing the obvious.
Trump was a scoundrel long before his patriotism bloomed, and it smells like the titan arum (Trump would like the "titan" part): large, gaudy, and sickening...the corpse flower.
24
65% of respondents to a CNN telepoll this morning say they like Ivanka best to represent the upcoming Trump generation politically.
What's creepy is you attacking Trumps family. You don't know them at all so why opine? U libs start more trouble with name calling and your fake intellectual comments.
We don't show patriotism by phony displays.
George Steinbrenner (another rich guy like Trump) showed how patriotic Yankee fans could (be forced to) be by deciding to have us all stand for "God Bless America" in the seventh inning because we might have forgotten that we showed our patriotism before the game by standing and singing the national anthem. If he hadn't died, we might have had "My Country Tis of Thee" added in the third inning. No one can be more patriotic than Yankee fans.
George Steinbrenner (another rich guy like Trump) showed how patriotic Yankee fans could (be forced to) be by deciding to have us all stand for "God Bless America" in the seventh inning because we might have forgotten that we showed our patriotism before the game by standing and singing the national anthem. If he hadn't died, we might have had "My Country Tis of Thee" added in the third inning. No one can be more patriotic than Yankee fans.
8
The Yankees have also shown that having the most money won't stop you from losing.
There is an image burned into my brain from the triumphal - or perhaps 'triumphalist' is a better word - last moments of the GOP convention.
It is a picture of the stage in Cleveland, with the longest row of American flags I may ever have seen, dwarfed beneath the name TRUMP above the proscenium in letters that may very well rival in size those on Trump Tower.
That picture is worth more than all the words that anyone has written or will write about the Hollow Man who now leads the Republican party.
It is a picture of the stage in Cleveland, with the longest row of American flags I may ever have seen, dwarfed beneath the name TRUMP above the proscenium in letters that may very well rival in size those on Trump Tower.
That picture is worth more than all the words that anyone has written or will write about the Hollow Man who now leads the Republican party.
34
I was struck by that Vegas image as well. Unbelievable!
Terrorists hate America because they perceive we put our country first above all others. Trumps mindless talk about how he will right all the situations where we are losing will only bring more hate and violence toward this country.
14
Paying Taxes is patriotic and the price we pay for a civil society.
All this talk of tax breaks when we have a revenue issue needs to stop.
Time to grow up, fund the needs of the 99% and remember it is NATO that creates safety for international trade and a good reason to tax corporations.
I want to see Trumps tax returns. I want to know the rate.
All this talk of tax breaks when we have a revenue issue needs to stop.
Time to grow up, fund the needs of the 99% and remember it is NATO that creates safety for international trade and a good reason to tax corporations.
I want to see Trumps tax returns. I want to know the rate.
66
and the income and the deductions, especially those for charity.
2
How can Donald Trump be considered patriotic when he doesn't believe the U.S. is a great country? He has more respect for the thuggish Vladimir Putin than the president of the United States. In Trump's case, disloyalty is a more appropriate word than patriotism.
50
Not one news source has even hinted of an investigation concerning Trump's nearly identical father-in-law, Viktor Knavs. He could have a connection to Putin or other former Communists which we Americans are unaware of.
Knavs was a card carrying Communist in the former Yugoslavia (now Slovenia) where only 5% of the population possessed party membership. Her mother did not. But Knavs certainly did (original source document located at Archives of the Republic of Slovenia)
Does anyone else find it as disturbing as I do that Trump has a former Communist party member as a family member as close as Knavs is? Knavs involvement has never been released or discussed in the press, why not? Has Knavs ever been investigated by the US Government? With Trumps emphasis that Eastern Europe's former Soviet bloc countries should look to their own resources to handle Russia, would he stand to somehow profit if Putin invades further?
I might be paranoid & deeply cynical, but then again.......
Knavs was a card carrying Communist in the former Yugoslavia (now Slovenia) where only 5% of the population possessed party membership. Her mother did not. But Knavs certainly did (original source document located at Archives of the Republic of Slovenia)
Does anyone else find it as disturbing as I do that Trump has a former Communist party member as a family member as close as Knavs is? Knavs involvement has never been released or discussed in the press, why not? Has Knavs ever been investigated by the US Government? With Trumps emphasis that Eastern Europe's former Soviet bloc countries should look to their own resources to handle Russia, would he stand to somehow profit if Putin invades further?
I might be paranoid & deeply cynical, but then again.......
I'm not a Trump fan. No way. But the media attacks on him may be going too far and actually be counterproductive, encouraging sympathy for the guy.
4
I think that the media is far to easy on Trump giving his wildest ideas respectful coverage. Why aren't I reading every day that "Trump fabricates a problem or crisis and then asserts that he is the only person to solve or fix it?" Sympathy for this sociopath and egomaniac would be unpatriotic.
39
Don't bet on it.
1
Trump's own speech last Thursday should have finished him off. Watching it felt like reading "Mein Kampf".
2
Trump's problems are more serious than any "sham patriotism". And the issues raised here are not really about patriotism anyway, but about decent behavior and running a campaign on clear proposals for solutions of clearly identified problems, not on rabble rousing distortion and name calling.
38
To sum it up....Trump is not only the worst candidate ever to be nominated by a major party, but he is a horrible human too.
But the GOP always defers to fear. Fear of whatever and whomever will invoke the most at this time and place. At least as long as I have been able to vote, starting with Saint Ronnie and his Evil Empire.
I never in my wildest dreams thought Ted Cruz and I would be on the same page about anything. Cruz is as smarmy as they come and has his own personal reasons for hating Trump, the biggest being loosing to him, then the wife and daddy thing, but he is right about Trump.
But the GOP always defers to fear. Fear of whatever and whomever will invoke the most at this time and place. At least as long as I have been able to vote, starting with Saint Ronnie and his Evil Empire.
I never in my wildest dreams thought Ted Cruz and I would be on the same page about anything. Cruz is as smarmy as they come and has his own personal reasons for hating Trump, the biggest being loosing to him, then the wife and daddy thing, but he is right about Trump.
57
Donald Trump is a grifter born to wealth. His word is worthless, as thousands who have done business with him have found out.
Democrats read the names of all the lawsuits he's been part of and simply reading the titles took four hours.
He lies the way most of us eat lunch - regularly, automatically, often forgetting what we've had before it's time for the next meal.
Democrats read the names of all the lawsuits he's been part of and simply reading the titles took four hours.
He lies the way most of us eat lunch - regularly, automatically, often forgetting what we've had before it's time for the next meal.
88
Stephen Colbert when asked, which candidate will be better for your jokes, he slowly walked to his desk, laid down, and then said: "I'm scared to say it out loud." It was a sweet, funny, but unnerving answer. (It's on YouTube like everything else.)
It got me to thinking, that candidate, whose entire fortune is built on his last name, branding everything he touches, from ties made in China, to bottled water and buildings, why are even repeating his "brand name".
Henceforth, I will not use the China promoting, biased landlord's brand name. I prefer to call him Beetlejuice, summoning him only when his dark arts are required.
It got me to thinking, that candidate, whose entire fortune is built on his last name, branding everything he touches, from ties made in China, to bottled water and buildings, why are even repeating his "brand name".
Henceforth, I will not use the China promoting, biased landlord's brand name. I prefer to call him Beetlejuice, summoning him only when his dark arts are required.
41
Trump's defense of Putin raises questions that deserve answers. Russian hackers got DNC emails that may irritate Bernie supporters, and sent them to Wikileaks. Given that Trump's multiple bankruptcies and business failures have alienated Wall Street financiers, if Russian money is a major source of the financing of his golf empire, the media needs to build pressure for the release of Trump's tax returns so that all potential influences on his actions can be identified.
25
Paul Manafort is the go-to K-Street influence peddler for foreign kleptocrats. Trump is very well connected.
It appears no American bank will touch Trump and that much of his funding comes from Russian oligarchs with close ties to Putin.
Excellent point! And given the tendency of sociopaths to accuse others (often pre-emptively) of the crimes they commit themselves, Trump's accusations and name-calling reveal a lot of leads to do some in-depth research on: "Crooked", "Lying", "Loser", "Committing treason", etc.,
Putin also knows how the coin-operated Clinton era Lincoln bedroom worked. The gross corruption of the Clinton Foundation, and the Clinton's enduring access to power and influence are more than troubling as bad examples to our enemies. And now it seems the GOP is serving poisoned Trump steak as revenge. Great moral leadership, all around!
2
The "gross corruption of the Clinton Foundation", that's new to me. I haven't seen one thing that the foundation has been even accused of, no less indicted for. What planet are you from? faux entertainment planet?
1
Please name one instance of quid pro quo. One.
1
What exactly is the gross corruption of the Clinton Foundation? You throw out innuendo but have no facts to support.
Clearly, you dislike the Clintons,and so you throw out the right wing talking points without corroboration.
Clearly, you dislike the Clintons,and so you throw out the right wing talking points without corroboration.
1
To listen to Donald Trump tell it, President Obama presides over not the United States of America, but Tolkien's Mordor. There isn't space enough here to convey the image of a landscape of unfathomable bleakness, of a place where nothing good can live. In Master Trump's telling, the president is Sauron, his evil eye searching, probing everywhere, greedy to destroy.
And Trump has plenty of company in the platoon of patriotic soldiers who refused to risk their young lives in the service of their flag.They were far more full of the promise of private and public success, if only, just only, they could find a way out of serving on the 20th Century's version of the Littlle Big Horn, half a world away, where everyday American men went to dig their own graves.
Two who would serve as president, who found other things to do when the letter came included Donald Trump and Mittens. Dick Cheney flat-out said "I had other priorities."
Patriotism has often been employed by the Right as a weapon against those on the left (or the center), and particularly against minorities, to belittle them for their refusal to acknowledge the symbol that is, in their minds, responsible for their poverty, their oppression, their unhappiness as citizens of a country that has marginalized them. The GOP uses the flag as a jeering symbolic reminder to those who could never benefit from their country's blessings that they were "the other."
Trump's empty patriotism is dissonant and insulting.
And Trump has plenty of company in the platoon of patriotic soldiers who refused to risk their young lives in the service of their flag.They were far more full of the promise of private and public success, if only, just only, they could find a way out of serving on the 20th Century's version of the Littlle Big Horn, half a world away, where everyday American men went to dig their own graves.
Two who would serve as president, who found other things to do when the letter came included Donald Trump and Mittens. Dick Cheney flat-out said "I had other priorities."
Patriotism has often been employed by the Right as a weapon against those on the left (or the center), and particularly against minorities, to belittle them for their refusal to acknowledge the symbol that is, in their minds, responsible for their poverty, their oppression, their unhappiness as citizens of a country that has marginalized them. The GOP uses the flag as a jeering symbolic reminder to those who could never benefit from their country's blessings that they were "the other."
Trump's empty patriotism is dissonant and insulting.
14
Donald Trump is no patriot. He called avoiding STDs his own Vietnam. The figures he admires are dictators, including America's adversary, Putin. He has no respect for the Constitution or our sitting President. His campaign for our highest office is grotesque TV viewing.
The disturbing part is how many people previously considered patriots are going along with him. Take John McCain, onetime POW, two-time Presidential candidate and longtime officeholder. Despite Trump's attacks on him as a POW, and refusal to apologize to all veterans, as McCain asked, despite Trump's awfulness, McCain is putting party before country with his endorsement. McCain has lamely suggested that the rest of our political body will somehow offset Trump's ugliness.
Trump is a poser and his fake patriotism will take its rightful ignominious place, but the fact that a major national party can shed its concern for the fate of our country is a blight and pathology that must be called for what it is.
The disturbing part is how many people previously considered patriots are going along with him. Take John McCain, onetime POW, two-time Presidential candidate and longtime officeholder. Despite Trump's attacks on him as a POW, and refusal to apologize to all veterans, as McCain asked, despite Trump's awfulness, McCain is putting party before country with his endorsement. McCain has lamely suggested that the rest of our political body will somehow offset Trump's ugliness.
Trump is a poser and his fake patriotism will take its rightful ignominious place, but the fact that a major national party can shed its concern for the fate of our country is a blight and pathology that must be called for what it is.
15
"There's no easy way to judge patriotism." That may be true, but it is quite easy to identify what is most definitely NOT patriotism. And that is Donald Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin, which goes far beyond one of mere mutual admiration. Cash-strapped as he is, Trump is increasingly reliant on money from investments in Russia, much of which comes from oligarchs close to Putin. Exactly how much money Trump is receiving from Russia and how closely Putin is involved we don't know, in part because he refuses to release his tax returns. But there is substantial economic involvement. Moreover, two of Trump's main advisors, Paul Manafort and Carter Page, have been involved with dubious Russian politics for many years. Putin, for his part, has thrown his full support to Trump, as is reflected in the pro-Trump coverage by Russian state-controlled media.
The effects of Russian influence are evident in Donald Trump's foreign policy aims, insofar as these have been specified. Witness his recent statement to the NYT expressing reservations about protecting our NATO allies in the event of a Russian invasion. In addition, the one plank in the Republican Platform which the Trump campaign had a hand in shaping was the one *weakening* the anti-Russian stance in Ukraine.
It is all well and fine to debate whether Trump's patriotic rhetoric is hollow. But let's not lose sight of the underlying very serious question of the nature of Trump's allegiance to Vladimir Putin.
The effects of Russian influence are evident in Donald Trump's foreign policy aims, insofar as these have been specified. Witness his recent statement to the NYT expressing reservations about protecting our NATO allies in the event of a Russian invasion. In addition, the one plank in the Republican Platform which the Trump campaign had a hand in shaping was the one *weakening* the anti-Russian stance in Ukraine.
It is all well and fine to debate whether Trump's patriotic rhetoric is hollow. But let's not lose sight of the underlying very serious question of the nature of Trump's allegiance to Vladimir Putin.
17
Frank, one of your best. Seems as though people are starting to wise up to Trump's phoniness and hypocrisy. Another example: playing Mr. Big Shot supporter of Veterans but when HE was draft age during the worst of Vietnam, Trump somehow requested -- and received -- five deferments.
My family members weren't so "lucky" or similarly inclined and served with honor.
The graphic is perfect and much appreciated.
My family members weren't so "lucky" or similarly inclined and served with honor.
The graphic is perfect and much appreciated.
12
As repugnant as Trump's statements are, what is equally repugnant is that so many "leaders" within the Republican party continue to support him even as they state they oppose most, if not all, things that Trump espouses. Why are Paul Ryan, John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Scott Walker, Orrin Hatch, etc. able to get away with tepid, non-endorsement endorsements or supporting but not endorsing a candidate? If Trump gets elected and the country begins a descent into hell, do they think they will be off the hook for their role in our country's decline because they didn't "endorse" him? They, and so many others, are showing what patriotism isn't. I guess it shouldn't be surprising that a political party that has made abundantly clear that slogans such as Party First; Win At All Costs; Anything To Keep America White, Especially the President; Patriots on the Outside, Cowards on the Inside; etc. has selected a non-patriot as their candidate and as their party's leader.
21
Trump basically said John McCain was a loser.
How many people in the Trump family have served in the military?
How many people in the Trump family have served as missionaries overseas?
How many people in the Trump family have served their communities in any way?
The answer to all three questions is zero.
This is the man who Republicans believe will be a great president, the savior for America.
How many people in the Trump family have served in the military?
How many people in the Trump family have served as missionaries overseas?
How many people in the Trump family have served their communities in any way?
The answer to all three questions is zero.
This is the man who Republicans believe will be a great president, the savior for America.
24
Until he discloses his tax returns I will assume he pays practically NO taxes. Sorry for not according him presumption of innocence, but he wreaks of guilt.
26
Guilt is far from the only thing he reeks of.
His tax returns might reveal even worse things than paying almost no taxes if we may believe other posters on this board.
1
I, for one, am completely dumbfounded by the support Trump has garnered for himself during this run for the White House.
I should have been forewarned, when shortly after Trump announced, my gay, 89 year-old Puerto-Rican cousin who served in the Army for twenty plus years announced his unabashed belief that Trump is the best thing for this country since the Louisiana Purchase ( no, it wasn't bought by Trump's ancestors ).
After listening to his rationale, it was tough to discern whether my cousin's support was because of Trump himself, or his vitriolic hatred for Obama based on Obama's liberal, according to him, use of executive order instead of partnering with an opposition Congress content on doing nothing.
The reason the Founding Fathers created the Electoral College was their fear of an uninformed electorate making poor choices.
Maybe it is a good thing that the Electoral College is still around. Just sayin'.
I should have been forewarned, when shortly after Trump announced, my gay, 89 year-old Puerto-Rican cousin who served in the Army for twenty plus years announced his unabashed belief that Trump is the best thing for this country since the Louisiana Purchase ( no, it wasn't bought by Trump's ancestors ).
After listening to his rationale, it was tough to discern whether my cousin's support was because of Trump himself, or his vitriolic hatred for Obama based on Obama's liberal, according to him, use of executive order instead of partnering with an opposition Congress content on doing nothing.
The reason the Founding Fathers created the Electoral College was their fear of an uninformed electorate making poor choices.
Maybe it is a good thing that the Electoral College is still around. Just sayin'.
16
Trump is the symptom not the disease. Trump has risen in a climate that nurtures his dark veins of authoritarianism and bigotry. The problem is not just Trump; the problem is us. We let tribalism blinds us from the common good. We let fear of the changing world blinds us from how to improve ourselves to be more competitive. We let a con man tell us that all will be well if we give him our soul even though in our heart knowing that he won't deliver. We are the problem.
14
It is hard for me to write how scary Trump is to me. But I will write that he seems to generally be looking to make a buck somewhere- often in tawdry and sketchy ways- not paying contractors and such. His 4 bankruptcies also left his creditors unpaid.And I think his love of Putin comes because he wants to open more businesses in Russia. He and his family make money off this campaign- paying themselves and billing for usage of his own properties. And he creeps me out- holding his daughter's hips (and sort of her butt) after her speech.
I do not understand how this nomination could have happened- except that the Republican Party has gotten lower and lower in recent years, stiffing more and more people through tax cuts to the wealthy. I do not understand my 150,000 fellow Montanans who voted for Trump in the primary. That he has even 15% or whatever percent of winning terrifies me.
I do not understand how this nomination could have happened- except that the Republican Party has gotten lower and lower in recent years, stiffing more and more people through tax cuts to the wealthy. I do not understand my 150,000 fellow Montanans who voted for Trump in the primary. That he has even 15% or whatever percent of winning terrifies me.
16
I am simply curious how his followers, many of whom claim the same false "patriot" label for themselves, can un-knot themselves from the long-held proud demand that those who protested the Vietnam war or civil rights atrocities to "love it or leave it"; those same people during the debacle called the GOP convention screamed how horrible this country is, how awful so many of its citizens are, and how ashamed they were of the country. Why then, in their hateful mindset, can they possibly stand to live here? How can they, in clear conscience (which they seem not to possess), can they suck in all the benefits this country provides them, and yet hate with such vitriol? This is not protest to improve our country, or to change hurtful societal actions...it is simply an ignorant and hateful attempt to shut everyone out of our democracy other than those few just like themselves.
12
It is really pretty simple. They are Yankee fans!
I've heard one thought posed that has kept me up at night. That thought is we maybe can deal with Donald Trump, at the polls and by excluding him from the history books. What is far more persistent and dangerous, to us as a people, are the millions of people who align with him, identify with him, and vote for him. If, and after, Trump gets pushed aside another will rise to take his place, unless we focus on the problem, instead of a symptom of the problem.
17
How do you defeat the law of diminution at the margin?
It is embarrassing to me how many of my fellow veterans are supporting Trump. I'm deployed at the moment, and I am one of the few in my unit who will not vote for him. He represents the complete opposite of what a military officer should be. He shares no values with us. He dodged the draft and insulted a Senator who did not for being captured. How could a former Navy SEAL who became famous for being captured get up on a national stage and support this charlatan? People criticize Hillary's handling of classified material. With all of his shady business connections and proclivity to lie, how will Trump even get a security clearance?
38
Well Said. And as a presidential nominee, he is now getting daily security briefings. He no longer has to rely on the National Enquirer as his news source.
1
The people who don't even want to see Trump's tax returns can bless his loyalty to the US and integrity to his word, bypassing the whole USA security vetting apparatus.
If we consider patriotism to be love for one’s country, we can understand the difficulty facing a narcissist like Donald Trump, whose love for himself leaves no room for loving anything which is not part of him. He can love his immediate family, because they are extensions of Donald Trump. But having a true love for America? Forget about it.
Other Republicans can and do have a love for America. Their problem is the ‘sacrifice’ part of patriotism. They are kind of hoping that you and I will make the majority of any sacrifices required.
Other Republicans can and do have a love for America. Their problem is the ‘sacrifice’ part of patriotism. They are kind of hoping that you and I will make the majority of any sacrifices required.
20
I have heretofore friends saying that they "can't wait" for Donald Trump to become president, and plan to meet violence with violence. They applaud his outright xenophobia, racism, and ignore his obvious flaws. I can only assume that they are answering the call of their own dark inner selves. God help us if this man gets elected.
30
Susan I hope these "friends" of yours (I have similar "friends") have joined our volunteer army so they can really serve our country. They won't...no, they won't. It may be dangerous. I bet they also swagger around with their guns if they live in an "open carry" State like Ohio.
1
I was born within a week of Donald Trump. I and the majority of my male friends are Vietnam veterans. We all paid a real and enduring price to be Americans. Where was Donald Trump? He was one of the privileged who avoided the draft --- and probably views those of us who served as "losers".
To be a patriot, one needs to be willing to sacrifice for his country. I've seen no indication of the tiniest glimmer of altruism, selflessness, or self-sacrifice in Donald Trump. He has lived his entire life gaming the system and conning others for his own benefit and advantage. He is so clueless about patriotism that he called John McCain, who's sacrifice is unimaginable to Trump, a "loser" for being captured when his aircraft was shot down over Hanoi.
One thing that I learned in the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta was that wishful thinking and self-delusion are very dangerous things. In combat they can get one killed. The degree to which Trump supporters attribute their wishes and their goals, to a demonstrated liar and con-artist, is the height of wishful thinking and self-delusion --- and many times more dangerous to our Nation.
To be a patriot, one needs to be willing to sacrifice for his country. I've seen no indication of the tiniest glimmer of altruism, selflessness, or self-sacrifice in Donald Trump. He has lived his entire life gaming the system and conning others for his own benefit and advantage. He is so clueless about patriotism that he called John McCain, who's sacrifice is unimaginable to Trump, a "loser" for being captured when his aircraft was shot down over Hanoi.
One thing that I learned in the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta was that wishful thinking and self-delusion are very dangerous things. In combat they can get one killed. The degree to which Trump supporters attribute their wishes and their goals, to a demonstrated liar and con-artist, is the height of wishful thinking and self-delusion --- and many times more dangerous to our Nation.
81
Is it really helpful to blindly enable stupid policy be signing your body over to be used to implement it?
Wow! What a compelling statement from a veteran. I hope more veterans will speak out about their sacrifices, and define true patriotism for those who seem to be "confused". Thank you for your service!
1
Ok I have real trouble even envisioning Obama in an ROTC uniform at Harvard. Let's ask Carl Berstein, Chris Matthews and Bill Clnton how they were able to avoid the draft during the Viet Nam years.
How to define patriotism? I know how some define it and that is flying the flag from their front door 24/7 365 days all year long. I fly the flag on Memorial Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, and Labor Day. I have observed that those 24/7 flag flyers are usually Republicans, some of whom love to say how much they love their country, but have disdain for near half of America's citizens.
19
There's patriotism. There's jingoism. and there is PT Barnum. Trump veers between the second two.
Patriotism is a love of country - a fierce devotion to ideals, and a fierce devotion to assuring we stand up to ideals, and meet them. Continue them. Patriotism can be critical - must be critical - when the country is on the wrong path.
Jingoism is blind. You slap a bumper sticker on the rear of your car, and fly a flag out the window, and call yourself a patriot without ever trying to figure out what responsibility that entails. Many of our politicians are jingoists. Flags on the lapel do not a patriot make.
But Trump is more the PT Barnum type. He really isn't too worried about responsibility and ideals. He just wants people to buy a ticket to the show. He'll sell one for the freak show happily, and have big signs promoting the Egress, so that people suckered into trying to see the Egress have to pay to get back in.
Patriotism is hard work. It requires a strong commitment to civic responsibility. It requires action not show. It recognizes that hard work, like taking responsibility for mistakes and correcting them is necessary. It isn't about saying America is great, or bragging about how you are so great America will look good reflected in your glory.
Trump is a buffoon. A vainglorious, bragging, bullying mouth with a time lag to brain. That doesn't qualify him as a patriot.
Patriotism is a love of country - a fierce devotion to ideals, and a fierce devotion to assuring we stand up to ideals, and meet them. Continue them. Patriotism can be critical - must be critical - when the country is on the wrong path.
Jingoism is blind. You slap a bumper sticker on the rear of your car, and fly a flag out the window, and call yourself a patriot without ever trying to figure out what responsibility that entails. Many of our politicians are jingoists. Flags on the lapel do not a patriot make.
But Trump is more the PT Barnum type. He really isn't too worried about responsibility and ideals. He just wants people to buy a ticket to the show. He'll sell one for the freak show happily, and have big signs promoting the Egress, so that people suckered into trying to see the Egress have to pay to get back in.
Patriotism is hard work. It requires a strong commitment to civic responsibility. It requires action not show. It recognizes that hard work, like taking responsibility for mistakes and correcting them is necessary. It isn't about saying America is great, or bragging about how you are so great America will look good reflected in your glory.
Trump is a buffoon. A vainglorious, bragging, bullying mouth with a time lag to brain. That doesn't qualify him as a patriot.
334
What a wonderful comment! Spot on. Rightly chose by the Editors. :-)
The last businessman to run an American war was Republican automotive executive Secretary of Defense Robert Strange McNamara in Vietnam. Secretary McNamara was a World War II military intelligence veteran. His boss President Lyndon Johnson was a legendary skilled political operator master. That American team did not very well against the likes of Ho Chi Minh and Vo Nguyen Giap. Donald Trump has none of their knowledge nor experience nor wisdom.
The last Republican team in the White House failed to detect and prevent the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks and unleashed the regional ethnic sectarian apocalypse by invading and occupying Iraq based upon lies about Iraqi WMD's and an Iraqi connection to the 9/11/01. Trump/Pence have none of their talent, wisdom nor experience.
Donald Trump postures, parades, pretends and preens as though he were kin to the former Soviet Union KGB East German station chief and former head of the Russian FSB martial art master Russian President Vladimir Putin. The tough Trump macho act relies on boyish name calling along with flamboyant physical and verbal gestures. Trump is no Putin.
The last Republican team in the White House failed to detect and prevent the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks and unleashed the regional ethnic sectarian apocalypse by invading and occupying Iraq based upon lies about Iraqi WMD's and an Iraqi connection to the 9/11/01. Trump/Pence have none of their talent, wisdom nor experience.
Donald Trump postures, parades, pretends and preens as though he were kin to the former Soviet Union KGB East German station chief and former head of the Russian FSB martial art master Russian President Vladimir Putin. The tough Trump macho act relies on boyish name calling along with flamboyant physical and verbal gestures. Trump is no Putin.
2
“Patriotism,” the 18th-century writer Samuel Johnson once said, “is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”
Beautifully stated. For someone in a position of wealth who cares so much about school choice, about veterans, about police, about Christians, about the average American I would expect beneficiaries of his donations and support to come pouring out of the woodwork. There have been none. That, combined with the unwillingness to release the taxes, suggests to me that he man makes no charitable donations.
14
Some patriot: "Trump has been blackballed by all major US banks with the exception of Deutschebank, which is of course a foreign bank with a major US presence. He has steadied and rebuilt his financial empire with a heavy reliance on capital from Russia. At a minimum the Trump organization is receiving lots of investment capital from people close to Vladimir Putin." http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump-putin-yes-it-s-really-a-thing
23
That makes me curious to know what is in Trump's tax returns...
"Ignorance is a state of being uninformed (lack of knowledge). The word ignorant is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware and is often used to describe individuals who deliberately ignore or disregard important information or facts." Wikipedia
I have yet to encounter a Trump supporter who questions Trump's false rhetoric. It appears that a very large number of our citizens do not know how to think critically and independently.
Why? Our school systems are being dumbed down through budget cuts and meddling religious bullies. Oh yes, religion has more blame than just influencing school curriculum. Christian, Muslim, Judaism, et al all ask their followers to believe the tenets of their faith without question. However, it seems most of these religious folks don't know that reliance on faith does not apply to politics. It is easier to just believe the things that politicians say, if the words satisfy some emotional but illogical beliefs.
I have yet to encounter a Trump supporter who questions Trump's false rhetoric. It appears that a very large number of our citizens do not know how to think critically and independently.
Why? Our school systems are being dumbed down through budget cuts and meddling religious bullies. Oh yes, religion has more blame than just influencing school curriculum. Christian, Muslim, Judaism, et al all ask their followers to believe the tenets of their faith without question. However, it seems most of these religious folks don't know that reliance on faith does not apply to politics. It is easier to just believe the things that politicians say, if the words satisfy some emotional but illogical beliefs.
13
The all-volunteer military has led to this time in history, where Americans are totally disengaged in their country because there is no mandatory public service, no skin in the game. Several generations now think of patriotism as just supporting well-equipped armies and periodic wars that don't come close to touching our shores.
This also is why blatant draft dodgers like Trump, Romney and Cheney can seek the highest offices in the land by waving flags and promising military action that their children will never be a part of.
This also is why blatant draft dodgers like Trump, Romney and Cheney can seek the highest offices in the land by waving flags and promising military action that their children will never be a part of.
22
It would be a disaster if Trump became President. However, good ideas can come from bad people.
It is time other nations in NATO pay their share of the free world's defense. By subsidizing their defense we effectively are subsidizing their economies where we are competing with them. By us allowing them to solely focus on rebuilding their economies we aided Germany, Japan and South Korea to more readily compete with our private industries including automobiles.
This needs to change.
It is time other nations in NATO pay their share of the free world's defense. By subsidizing their defense we effectively are subsidizing their economies where we are competing with them. By us allowing them to solely focus on rebuilding their economies we aided Germany, Japan and South Korea to more readily compete with our private industries including automobiles.
This needs to change.
3
The fact is that either Trump thinks that people are not sufficiently intelligent to understand the meaning of his words or he isn't sufficiently intelligent to understand the meaning of his words. He is like a child who feigns innocence. He is not accusing Cruz's father of being involved in JFK assassination, he is "simply pointing out something he saw in The Inquirer" (that eminently respectable and credible publication). So, if you are not trying to accuse the Senior Cruz, why are you bringing this up? What kind of hare-brained explanation is that? And you want to be believed when 75% of your facts are total fabrications. I guess it's too late for you to grow up, so continue to be the loser you are in the world of reason.
22
Well, Mrs.Clinton did a great job (those 21,000 e-mails top destroy Mr. Sanders)
on Mr. Sanders, as didi the NYTimes also. Worse, the NYTimes hardly mentioned Mr. Sanders and ignored him.
Now it's time to attack Mr. Trump. I thought I read that Mrs. Clinton was going to talk about her policies and positions on the world scene.
However, I now see the totally opposite, with her and her team attacking Mr. Trump at every opportunity.
Mr. Trump is no saint, but Mrs. Clinton isn't either!
SHe should stick to her original mentioned intent of discussing polities and positions, and let Mr. Trump trip over his tongue!
on Mr. Sanders, as didi the NYTimes also. Worse, the NYTimes hardly mentioned Mr. Sanders and ignored him.
Now it's time to attack Mr. Trump. I thought I read that Mrs. Clinton was going to talk about her policies and positions on the world scene.
However, I now see the totally opposite, with her and her team attacking Mr. Trump at every opportunity.
Mr. Trump is no saint, but Mrs. Clinton isn't either!
SHe should stick to her original mentioned intent of discussing polities and positions, and let Mr. Trump trip over his tongue!
7
Could not agree more. A tiresome and undeserved cultural vanity that the rest of the planet politely ignores for the fairy tale that it is, including the dozen or more countries who consistently poll better on every definable metric one could arguably apply to make the claim, but don't because their citizens recognize that, well, it's just dumb; only the inferior need to brag endlessly and mythologize the mundane.
23
As I've listened to Trump and his supporters rant and rave over the past year, the picture that emerges of a Trump presidency is one of a starkly authoritarian and brutal regime. Certainly not one that embraces the American principles of our founders.
I'm constantly reminded of that quote from Nitzche: "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster."
We must deal with our troubles and our enemies in a way that does not compromise our values. This is fundamental not only being an American, but to the very words of Christ that the GOP claims such love for.
I'm constantly reminded of that quote from Nitzche: "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster."
We must deal with our troubles and our enemies in a way that does not compromise our values. This is fundamental not only being an American, but to the very words of Christ that the GOP claims such love for.
32
Sham patriotism? I think someone who truly cared about this country would care who is here and for what reason. Illegals are not paying for social services, education or anything else every taxpayer pays for every day while living in this country. A patriotic person would adhere to the Constitution. I think you have your journalism confused when it comes to the speech Trump gave to the public. His children set the bar extremely high for most Americans. And those children did not become alcoholics, womanizers or murders like the Kennedys. The problem with Americans is that most of them cannot get on the bar much less achieve what Trump and his children have been able to. And don't run the victimization stories; they are old news.
2
His children have had the benefit of having a very wealthy father who is in a position to give them upper management, one could better measure their worth if, as many other wealthy businessmen have done, their father had them start at the bottom and work up, learning every aspect of the business.As for services, illegals contribute about 20 billion dollars a year into Social Security, Medicare and federal and state withholding taxes, not to mention taxes paid on goods and utilities, how much has Trump paid? That's right, we'll never know because he'll never show his tax returns.Even illegals have done more for us than Trump has ever and will ever do.
88
I'm sorry folks, it's not illegal immigrants who are strangling the Middle Class. It's a distorted financial system that makes it more profitable to move money around Wall Street than to invest it in actually making products and providing services. Corporate investment in R & D has declined to a trickle while companies like Apple are now making most of their money as financial institutions and sheltering most of their cash overseas to avoid taxes. Though it is not deliberate, lobbyists (through our Senators and Congressmen) are bleeding us to death by distorting the very capitalism upon which we our economy depends --- in order to achieve short-sighted economic gains for their sponsors.
11
News flash. Many undocumented aliens pay taxes - income and sales. And most never receive any social security benefits. As for sales tax, in states like mine, it supports numerous social services.
13
I imagine that a lot of Trump supporters as well "see through it," but they revel in how the inadequacies of this candidate make those who can't fathom his rise chafe with discomfort. Pointing out the disparity between Trump's stated posture and his history can only make these supporters snicker even more at our frustration and displeasure.
10
While I agree with virtually everything in this column, I wish Americans would stop going on about their exceptionalism. It's a bit like saying My Mom is Exceptionak. All mothers are exceptional. Some are rich, some are good-looking, some are great cooks, some are truly loving but it's silly to claim only one exceptional Mom. Same with countries. The US has many exceptional qualities, but sometimes its exceptionalism is problematic, especially when it aligns itself with some of the world's most appalling regimes in refusing to sign treaties about land mines and cluster bombs or the rights of the child, or will not take part in the Internationak Criminal Court. It is exceptional in being the only advanced industrial country not to have a comprehensive universal public health system, an idea, according to s recent Times editorial on Bernie Sanders, that is apparently economically unfeasibke. Then there is the world's greatest and most exceptional gulag -- a country with just over 4 percent of the world's population with 22 percent of the planet's prisoners. I could go on, but I think the case can be made that the Anerica has no arm-lock on exceptionalism. I live in a country that is decenr, free and open. It's good enough for me and I am not going to call it exceptional.
66
Could not agree more. A tiresome and undeserved cultural vanity that the rest of the planet politely ignores for the fairy tale that it is.
3
There is nothing discordant about being patriotic and positive about America. I am pretty sure that is one reason why President Obama won in 2008 with the simple slogan "Hope." Fear-mongering has never bred true reform that benefits the masses. As a show of being a positive citizen, I am not going to menton in this comment how absolutely ridiculous it is to think that Donald Trump will provide the American people with leadership and wisdom befitting a person sitting in the Oval Office with his tiny, fat fingers hovering over the nuclear codes.
41
Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
34
A great quotation, which is why Mr. Bruni ended his column with it. It's usually best to read an article before commenting on it.
1
It is not what he can do for the country but what the country can do for him and his family.
They can stay at his hotels and golf courses, which he advertises by staging his events there.
They can buy his and his daughter's line of clothes which they model at events and provide internet links for purchase.
They can give to his charities, for which he takes credit in those rare times he actually makes a donation.
They can contribute to his Presidential campaign, though he brags that he is rich and will self-finance his campaign.
The Trump campaign for President is the largest branding event in US history, all for the benefit of Trump and family.
They can stay at his hotels and golf courses, which he advertises by staging his events there.
They can buy his and his daughter's line of clothes which they model at events and provide internet links for purchase.
They can give to his charities, for which he takes credit in those rare times he actually makes a donation.
They can contribute to his Presidential campaign, though he brags that he is rich and will self-finance his campaign.
The Trump campaign for President is the largest branding event in US history, all for the benefit of Trump and family.
99
Patriotism and extreme nationalism are light years apart. A true patriot believes that his/her nation has earned the respect of its citizens and other nations by being honest, decent, generous, optimistic, and fair and open minded. Donald Trump possesses none of those qualities. Extreme nationalists are egocentric, ethnocentric, and parochial in their thinking. Donald Trump is all of those and worse. His reckless rhetoric has spiked fear and loathing in America and he postures that the only way to fix a broken America is to put the task in his hands only. That is not patriotism. That is blatant demagogery.
60
What surprises is how the swagger of superman Trump is having an effect on so many which seem to cower confronting untold calamities by magnified and imaginary catastrophes. Quite a counterpoint in their attitude to what the USA still is, the most powerful country in the world militarily, economically and financially; beware that if you are afraid to lose that power, you will as demagogues will take you there.
25
Weeeel....
It's not sham patriotism - if the message is secession. I've been calling the RNC platform "Secession 2.0" The GOP has been actively gutting the country from within, and Donald Trump is the perfect foil for irrevocably dividing the country.
We do have, fortunately, the weapons of this war, and war it most surely is. We must engage every eligible voter; assure that all eligible to vote, do so; and we must hold elected legislators accountable for representing the interests of all constituents over donors, lobbyists and corporations.
Civic and civil engagement is what will win and start the US back on the path to righting wrongs and uniting us all.
It's not sham patriotism - if the message is secession. I've been calling the RNC platform "Secession 2.0" The GOP has been actively gutting the country from within, and Donald Trump is the perfect foil for irrevocably dividing the country.
We do have, fortunately, the weapons of this war, and war it most surely is. We must engage every eligible voter; assure that all eligible to vote, do so; and we must hold elected legislators accountable for representing the interests of all constituents over donors, lobbyists and corporations.
Civic and civil engagement is what will win and start the US back on the path to righting wrongs and uniting us all.
43
There is very little chance the American people will regain a sense of unity when there is now an industry that enriches itself by stoking irrational divisiveness.
1
Unfortunately, Republican Gerrymandering on the local and state level may have already rendered "the weapons of this war" moot; it may be impossible to right those wrongs through the ballot box! The fix is in!!
1
Is it possible that opposition by the NRA and the Republican Party to any policies aimed at controlling guns is rooted in an effort to arm a rebellion against the government?
1
The diverse origins of the American people precluded the development of a national identity rooted in ethnicity or religion. Born in the fires of a revolution for independence, the nation forged a common identity around commitment to the democratic ideals of the Declaration and the Constitution. In theory, at least, anyone who subscribed to those principles could join the national community.
In practice, however, the novelty of a country not united by tribal ties led many white Protestants, the dominant element in the population, to define the nation in terms of their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Much of the history of the US has revolved around the struggle of marginalized groups to achieve equality within the national community, a goal that required whites to abandon their narrow conception of American identity.
Progress along those lines brought the US closer to a fulfillment of its original ideals but also fostered resentment among some whites over the threatened loss of their dominance. The Trump candidacy embodies that sense of white anxiety and anger, which explains the hostility to Latino immigrants (not just illegal ones) and Muslims. Trump's patriotism, while real enough, represents a yearning for that tribal identity that, for generations, distorted the authentic character of American nationalism.
Bonds of unity based on a commitment to ideals and principles have no meaning for a man so indifferent to the importance of the intellect.
In practice, however, the novelty of a country not united by tribal ties led many white Protestants, the dominant element in the population, to define the nation in terms of their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Much of the history of the US has revolved around the struggle of marginalized groups to achieve equality within the national community, a goal that required whites to abandon their narrow conception of American identity.
Progress along those lines brought the US closer to a fulfillment of its original ideals but also fostered resentment among some whites over the threatened loss of their dominance. The Trump candidacy embodies that sense of white anxiety and anger, which explains the hostility to Latino immigrants (not just illegal ones) and Muslims. Trump's patriotism, while real enough, represents a yearning for that tribal identity that, for generations, distorted the authentic character of American nationalism.
Bonds of unity based on a commitment to ideals and principles have no meaning for a man so indifferent to the importance of the intellect.
35
Of all the criticisms of Trump, most valid, I completely agree with him that in NATO all the treaty members have obligations, not just the US, and if not meeting those obligations, then the US is not obliged to defend them either. These are some of the richest countries on earth, and our willingness to exhort verbally, but leave it at that, has allowed the rest of Europe to basically free-ride. If anything Trump needs to be commended of saying out loud what should be taken for granted: that obligations are mutual and not one-sided. And when it comes to being the moral lecturer of the world, who has been responsible for the mayhem in the middle east, for hundreds of thousands of dead and injured, for spawning ISIS and leaving behind a conflagration? Putin or China do not even come close;they are peaceful nations by comparison, and we are the paragons of human rights? Trump is a flawed messenger, but at least in this part his message is spot on.
13
Trump has no message, beyond that which most closely serves his own self interest.
One need only look up the definition of sociopath and narcissistic personality disorder to understand what is going on here.
One need only look up the definition of sociopath and narcissistic personality disorder to understand what is going on here.
3
Since, like Trump, you speak in generalities and do not offer any specific facts, it is hard to determine your point. NATO funding is based on percentage of GDP of each country. The formula is fair and all NATO members pay their obligated share. As far as overall defense spending goes, the U.S. does spend a significantly higher portion of their GDP on overall military than do other NATO members. But then, the U.S. has worldwide commitments, not just in Europe. Many of the other NATO members don't. But then again, even little Lithuania sent troops to Afghanistan.
AS far as spawning ISIS and the responsibility for the mayhem in the Middle East, you can directly blame the Bush/Cheney administration's policies. Start with the lying about weapons of mass destruction to start a war we shouldn't have. A war that cost the U.S. significant national treasure that Republicans to this day do not admit their part in burdening our country with. And then the full tilt departure from any moral principle by approving and advancing torture, waterboarding, CIA involvement is sending prisoners to secret third country prisons to be "interrogated", GITMO....the list goes on and on. It was during this time that I unregistered as a Republican and is also the primary reason I would never again vote for a Republican.
AS far as spawning ISIS and the responsibility for the mayhem in the Middle East, you can directly blame the Bush/Cheney administration's policies. Start with the lying about weapons of mass destruction to start a war we shouldn't have. A war that cost the U.S. significant national treasure that Republicans to this day do not admit their part in burdening our country with. And then the full tilt departure from any moral principle by approving and advancing torture, waterboarding, CIA involvement is sending prisoners to secret third country prisons to be "interrogated", GITMO....the list goes on and on. It was during this time that I unregistered as a Republican and is also the primary reason I would never again vote for a Republican.
What so many fail to see is this - if people keep getting murdered by terrorists, and cops keep getting gunned down on the job, America is going to continue living under this current cloak of fear.
As Trump's picture of a terrorized and fearful America unfolded Thursday night, he positioned himself as the one who will protect us.
That's not rational, but there's nothing rational about fear. Under this continuing scenario, he has a good chance of getting elected.
Now that is something to fear.
As Trump's picture of a terrorized and fearful America unfolded Thursday night, he positioned himself as the one who will protect us.
That's not rational, but there's nothing rational about fear. Under this continuing scenario, he has a good chance of getting elected.
Now that is something to fear.
59
Except as usual, the picture he is painting is wildly distorted. The actual facts don't support a rise in the death of cops and if people want to fear terrorism them should fear domestic terrorism. Far more people die from that and Trump wants to give more people guns.
Again, his voters are not living in the real world. Of course the media exacerbates the issue.
Again, his voters are not living in the real world. Of course the media exacerbates the issue.
56
And both the real-time and morning after fact-checking of the dark convention speech produced commentary that failed to place the cherry-picked stats in a broader context. The shallow reporting was shamefully in sync with the speech's egregious lack of big picture; and it wasn't until later Friday that the outrageously narrow -- niche numbers -- were re-examined with nuanced evaluation. This is the new world of politics, Trump was allowed to highlight specific numbers about, say, specific cities on which to hang a crime trends thesis that has no national implications. Basically a Madison Avenue approach to sell a home security system (there's one running now in prime time). This sort of practice tracks with the general lack of intellectual gravitas infecting journalism and the culture at large. Thursday night's speech and its reception are Exhibit A.
12
I agree completely, and you filled in a gap in my comment. There's nothing rational about the fear plaguing the country. Any of us is much more likely to die from a lightning strike, or crossing the street, than a terrorist attack.
Fear of flying is just as irrational. But a lot of people won't fly because of it, preferring to travel by car or bus. Much more dangerous.
As for attacks abroad, they will be more frequent than attacks in the US (I think), but again Trump will play to these fears and make them our own.
Perception if reality. And a lot of people perceive that the offal Trump is pitching is real.
Fear of flying is just as irrational. But a lot of people won't fly because of it, preferring to travel by car or bus. Much more dangerous.
As for attacks abroad, they will be more frequent than attacks in the US (I think), but again Trump will play to these fears and make them our own.
Perception if reality. And a lot of people perceive that the offal Trump is pitching is real.
2
Doesn’t there have to be something wrong with people – Trump’s true believers – who can’t tell the difference between solipsistic self-involvement and other-centeredness, between narcissistic ego and earned, tempered pride? Sorry to “psychoanalyze” all these people, but there is really a missing piece in these folks who hear ugly provincialism as love of country, who see an imperious demagogue and see competence and authority. The real problem, I’d say, is with us “adults.” Even children don’t deify the braggart playground bully.
153
Very well said.
Setting aside shared bigotry, what is it that is appealing to in Trump's voters? I think it is that he recognizes and says he will fix the stagnating middle class, stagnating wages, the fact that their kids will have a harder time than they did. These voters have now realized that both parties have failed to deliver a solution to this problem. Of course his solutions are nonsense but both parties had better start really taking action on the failing middle class or another demagogue with fewer of his many flaws will arise, and soon. That demagogue will win.
20
Democrats had a solution to health care problems altho Obamacare is far from perfect or even above average. However, millions of people have health insurance who didn't have it before. The stimulus was watered down with tax cuts (due to Republican input) and it still passed with almost no Republican votes. Arlen Specter voted for it I think. then came 2010 and the Tea Party. How did the Tea Party help on issues like wage stagnation, and "kids will have a harder time than they did"? Obama consistently put forth infrastructure building ideas only to be roundly rejected by the Rs. And if those bills had passed, the Republicans would have wanted eliminating the prevailing wage law (Davis-Bacon) on those very projects, creating not just stagnating wages but reduced wages. How many Republican voters would have wanted Davis-Bacon to continue? Not many if they listened to their Republican office holders and candidates.
6
Nativism and jingoism are not the same as patriotism, but this dispute gets to the heart of the ongoing culture wars.
Remember "America -- love it or leave it"? Clearly some people think there is only one way to love one's country.
Nativists and jingoists will always try to shout down those who value social progress, inclusiveness, and equal opportunity, i.e., the values that truly make America great.
Remember "America -- love it or leave it"? Clearly some people think there is only one way to love one's country.
Nativists and jingoists will always try to shout down those who value social progress, inclusiveness, and equal opportunity, i.e., the values that truly make America great.
70
I still well remember the way journalist Jorge Ramos was physically manhandled out of a Trump press conference, and then nastily told by the manhandler to go back to his country (except Ramos is a US citizen). Not a single other reporter showed support for Ramos.
The whole scene made me burst into tears, suddenly and openly, and I am typically moved to tears no more or less than the next person. Trump's supporters smugly argue that Trump has the right to include and exclude whoever he wants to at his own press conference, but that isn't the point. Imagine what Trump will do with others who challenge him. A tin pot despot in the making if there ever was one.
A security guard of a candidate for POTUS putting his hands on a journalist and dragging him out of a press conference.
As anti-American as it gets.
The whole scene made me burst into tears, suddenly and openly, and I am typically moved to tears no more or less than the next person. Trump's supporters smugly argue that Trump has the right to include and exclude whoever he wants to at his own press conference, but that isn't the point. Imagine what Trump will do with others who challenge him. A tin pot despot in the making if there ever was one.
A security guard of a candidate for POTUS putting his hands on a journalist and dragging him out of a press conference.
As anti-American as it gets.
324
Don't tase me, bro!
That Trump has advanced this far is a testament to the need for better funding for education in this country. It's no wonder Republicans cut and cut and cut money from education--an educated electorate would see through his duplicitous ranting.
333
Which is exactly why Thomas Jefferson called for an educated electorate.
I believe it was John Ashcroft who said something along the lines of, "we should keep them barefoot and pregnant". You are absolutely right. And, the GOPers cut everything else so that poor people, not just illegal immigrants would "self deport".
The tragedy is that the media, including this newspaper say very little about how this affects our society. Instead they engage in hang wringing and being "balanced" while shouting these self-serving slogans from the roof tops. Just look at this section. The top editorials are all about Trump. None are about Clinton and her policies. She only gets big headlines when its a criticism or "analysis". Negative all the way.
I have been very disappointed in the NY Times in this regard. Is there really any so-called "Liberal Media" anymore? Like almost all the Repub's claims, it ain't so and social media will devour it just as surely as Trump will devour our country if he is elected.
The tragedy is that the media, including this newspaper say very little about how this affects our society. Instead they engage in hang wringing and being "balanced" while shouting these self-serving slogans from the roof tops. Just look at this section. The top editorials are all about Trump. None are about Clinton and her policies. She only gets big headlines when its a criticism or "analysis". Negative all the way.
I have been very disappointed in the NY Times in this regard. Is there really any so-called "Liberal Media" anymore? Like almost all the Repub's claims, it ain't so and social media will devour it just as surely as Trump will devour our country if he is elected.
Well said - as DontheCon put it: "I love the poorly educated"
I find it curious how many Trump supporters and conservatives make the apparent claim that they are the repository of patriotism and the rest of the country is not patriotic. From my own military service, as well as that of my ancestors in the wars of the 19th and 20th century, as well my nephew in Iraq, one is not asked one's party preference when one volunteers and your buddies in the field could care less what political party you belong to when the shooting starts. Patriotism is not owned by one party or group of people.
205
I agree, Tom. I feel the same way about the folks in this commentariat and many NYT columnists who continually assert their superior intelligence. Do you?
How can any rational person want to claim to be a "patriot" in the United States, in 2016? That would identify one with the likes of Republican xenophobes like Rudy Giuliani, singing "God Bless America" at Yankees games, once he became a celebrity by marching over the bodies of the 9/11 victims.
No, Republicans have made being a "patriot" into a litmus test for bigots.
No, Republicans have made being a "patriot" into a litmus test for bigots.
Maybe we should call the event "TRExit."
Here's a dumpster fire salute:
I pledge allegiance to the United State of Trump, one nation under Trump, indivisible, with liberty and justice for me.
But I am profane. I don't believe in the divine right of Trump to tear down my country and hurt my fellow Americans in pursuit of the ultimate con and the loudest praise. Lord knows there's plenty of evidence; he'd take us to the cleaners! So ugly ...
I pledge allegiance to the United State of Trump, one nation under Trump, indivisible, with liberty and justice for me.
But I am profane. I don't believe in the divine right of Trump to tear down my country and hurt my fellow Americans in pursuit of the ultimate con and the loudest praise. Lord knows there's plenty of evidence; he'd take us to the cleaners! So ugly ...
66
Another Republican chickenhawk
39
"He'd take us to the cleaners" - and of course, make us pay the bill.
1
For Donald Trump, a great country must be one that allows Donald Trump to succeed. Donald is honest in that he admits he does what everyone else does to succeed. He uses the corruption of a corrupt system to survive and prosper. He pays as few taxes as possible, outsources manufacture of his brands to other countries, and uses illegal immigrant labor when it is cheaper. If his way of success depends on corruption, then he cannot clean things up.
Does he think that we all can take advantage of the system without destroying it? Or is he going to take advantage of the system for us, and then share the results with us?
For Trump, being patriotic is, like being rich, a matter of projecting the right image; being taken prisoner wrecks this image, but apparently waterboarding does not.
Does he think that we all can take advantage of the system without destroying it? Or is he going to take advantage of the system for us, and then share the results with us?
For Trump, being patriotic is, like being rich, a matter of projecting the right image; being taken prisoner wrecks this image, but apparently waterboarding does not.
54
I once heard the owner of an amusement park that featured scale models of famous monuments say that the success of his business was due to the fact that people prefer the fake to the real. The reality of his insight is underscored by the popularity of professional wrestling, reality shows, televangelism and the cosmetic surgery business. Americans love the fake, the ersatz, the bogus. They love illusion and delusion.
Trump is a fraud and a fake but people like fake and they love a loveable fraud. Reality is unpredictable. With fake there is always a happy ending - or at least the temporary the illusion of one.
Trump is a fraud and a fake but people like fake and they love a loveable fraud. Reality is unpredictable. With fake there is always a happy ending - or at least the temporary the illusion of one.
93
Richard,
I think some people like fake. Then there are those who prefer the truth.
I think some people like fake. Then there are those who prefer the truth.
Well said. Crooked lying Trump is a hipocrite. Lots of bull and zero substance. Unwilling to see reality as is, and propose improving on what seems to be working, he is creating divisions and scapegoats to a point of no return, devoid of any clear reason nor logic. He is irrelevant now, a sore loser in ideas that would make sense and be helpful. He is a fraud.
46
Trump finds excuses for not producing his income tax returns. Does anyone think that he will actually participate in any debates? The man would rather face a tiger in the road than the truth.
87
Oh.. Trump will debate all right just he will just say whatever he wants. Debate is easier when truth doesn't matter and you yell the loudest and sound the most angry. What would be interesting is whether his supporter will buy everything that he says.
gsandra: I agree trump will avoid debating Hillary. She will crush him on all topics...
Well said. Too intellectual for the Orange Ones supporters. They want to believe the big lie that the Royalist GOP has been shouting from the roof tops for the past 30 years. Unfortunately, this for-profit, 'free-market', make as much as you can, money grubbing philosophy has been adopted by many in the US. Even the prosperity Christians (???) preach it every Sunday.
I certainly hope that there are enough level headed Americans left to put out this fire and start a road back to sanity. HRC is by no means the progressive voice that we need, but at least she is not intent on national suicide. Vote in November. Hope is just around the corner.
I certainly hope that there are enough level headed Americans left to put out this fire and start a road back to sanity. HRC is by no means the progressive voice that we need, but at least she is not intent on national suicide. Vote in November. Hope is just around the corner.
86
Trump is mimicking another uber-nationalist, from the 1930's, to whom the "Fatherland" was an extension of himself. That is, until all was lost in 1945, and then it was the "Fatherland" that had betrayed the great leader, exactly the attitude of Trump, lashing out to blame others for his own incompetence, when the failure is his and his alone.
So before this great country turns its back on democratic principles, wishing instead for a "strongman" in whom to place all of their trust, listen to the words of Albert Einstein, before we're all wearing red, white and blue jumpsuits:
“He who joyfully marches to music rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism, how violently I hate all this..."
So before this great country turns its back on democratic principles, wishing instead for a "strongman" in whom to place all of their trust, listen to the words of Albert Einstein, before we're all wearing red, white and blue jumpsuits:
“He who joyfully marches to music rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism, how violently I hate all this..."
126
There are some philosophers who have posited that humans may be part of an elaborate game or experiment, our actions throughout history essentially those of test subjects. Absurd as it sounds, a Trump candidacy, with honest to goodness supporters of this madman no less, makes one wonder if some higher beings might be toying with us after all. My guess is if Trump is elected President, the experiment will come to a grinding halt and Americans, at least, will be deemed unworthy of further study.
54
Dude, I don't like trump any more than you do, but you're not making sense here.
Yes... the laboratory mice are laughing till their bellies bursting now watching us putting Trump up for President. The answer to the question of existence is still 42 as Trump is nothing new. Trump just follows a long line of demagogue rising in history over and over again. It is laughable how human being made the same mistake over and over again.
Thank you, Mr. Bruni. In some of your recent columns I was beginning to wonder about you. Hitting back against The Donald in a personal manner is precisely the way Hillary needs to conduct this campaign. For Trump, love of country is decidedly synonymous with love of self. The U.S. has gone straight to the devil and only he can save us: not only is that a lie, it's an insult. And to make the lie as clear as possible, his entire record as a businessman (to the extent that it doesn't include his tax returns) must be examined and commented upon. The bankruptcies, the stiffing of contractors, the use of undocumented immigrants, the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs, etc., etc. And let's look at his payroll: do his employees get to share in his company's profits? Do they receive decent benefits and salaries roughly equivalent to the work that they do? Most of all, let's acknowledge the fact that the idea he regularly promotes of having been a self-made master of the universe is a complete fabrication- that he inherited the business he runs from the father who in fact built it from the ground up. Time to call out this insufferable imposter and poseur before we follow the lead of contemporary Russians and elect ourselves a czar.
269
His father built his company based on government contracts.
As someone who is appalled almost beyond telling by Donald Trump, I was so looking forward to reading this column, only to find it going off the rails three paragraphs from the end, when Mr. Bruni states that " . . . our conduct in waging war is ideally what sets us apart from less principled countries and earns us the respect of the world."
That sentence makes me gag.
We violated the Nuremberg Principles, which we helped write in 1948, when we invaded Iraq after 9/11. In fact, according to those principles, invading Iraq, a country that was no threat to us and which hadn't provoked us, was the biggest possible war crime.
In the service of that war crime, American service-people tortured prisoners of war, violating the Geneva Convention, to which we are a signatory. Further, our use of drones has killed hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians including children. Our "conduct in waging war", in this century at least, demonstrates that we are very much one of those "less principled countries". As for this conduct having earned us the respect of the world, I rather doubt it.
I am very disappointed in Mr. Bruni for having written this. I think it's inexcusable.
That sentence makes me gag.
We violated the Nuremberg Principles, which we helped write in 1948, when we invaded Iraq after 9/11. In fact, according to those principles, invading Iraq, a country that was no threat to us and which hadn't provoked us, was the biggest possible war crime.
In the service of that war crime, American service-people tortured prisoners of war, violating the Geneva Convention, to which we are a signatory. Further, our use of drones has killed hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians including children. Our "conduct in waging war", in this century at least, demonstrates that we are very much one of those "less principled countries". As for this conduct having earned us the respect of the world, I rather doubt it.
I am very disappointed in Mr. Bruni for having written this. I think it's inexcusable.
76
The things that happened during the Bush Administration do not represent the ideology behind the formation of the United States. They were unforgivable aberrations dreamed up by greedy, power-mad, evil men who never learned anything in Civics Class, and I, personally, think that they should be tried for treason and spend the rest of their lives in jail or taken out and shot.
It may take many more years before this mess is fixed, but many of us still believe in the principles upon which this country was founded, and that they are worth resurrecting and fighting for, even when the enemy is within our borders. And I am not talking terrorists and illegal aliens. I'm talking about people for whom the Declaration, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and even the statement on Lady Liberty's tablet, mean less than nothing. These people present a clearer and more present danger to these United States than any terrorist cell ever could.
It may take many more years before this mess is fixed, but many of us still believe in the principles upon which this country was founded, and that they are worth resurrecting and fighting for, even when the enemy is within our borders. And I am not talking terrorists and illegal aliens. I'm talking about people for whom the Declaration, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and even the statement on Lady Liberty's tablet, mean less than nothing. These people present a clearer and more present danger to these United States than any terrorist cell ever could.
63
Hi, Jackie -
I know that the things that happened during the Bush administration don't represent our ideals. I am greatly upset, however, that those illegal and immoral actions were allowed to stand. I regard President Obama as having been derelict in letting them do so.
We have, sadly, lost any moral high ground we had with regard to human rights in wartime. And with a Republican platform that wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, build a wall from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, and make the Bible mandatory reading in high school, I'm not sure we have the moral high ground in peacetime either.
Pax.
I know that the things that happened during the Bush administration don't represent our ideals. I am greatly upset, however, that those illegal and immoral actions were allowed to stand. I regard President Obama as having been derelict in letting them do so.
We have, sadly, lost any moral high ground we had with regard to human rights in wartime. And with a Republican platform that wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, build a wall from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, and make the Bible mandatory reading in high school, I'm not sure we have the moral high ground in peacetime either.
Pax.
35
Give me a break! The US is one of the most warlike nations in human history! This nation was founded on slavery and genocide of its native inhabitants! And the detonation of not one but TWO! nuclear bombs on an enemy that was completely defeated, and in fact was suing for peace through back channels is one of the worst crimes against humanity ever committed. In the top 5, for sure. There was the barbaric fire bombing of hundreds of Japanese cities and the civilians who lived there. Then our terrible relentless bombing of North Korea. Oh yes, then Vietnam, free fire zones, Lt. Calley and the Phoenix assassination program. Do you know that if there was a wall for dead Vietnamese like our wall in DC, it would be 9 miles long?? America is and always has been a violent, war mongering Empire. We get what we want through bribery and/or threats and/or killing. Wake up and smell the coffee.
4
I am the granddaughter of coal miners and the daughters of lower middle class parents. I grew up hearing about the importance of the union and the loyalty of my family to it, even as I read and understood that the union also had its corrupt side. I am a believer that government IS the country, based upon our Constitution and the checks and balances it sets up. It's messy and sometimes it's ugly. But while we hear endlessly about the Second Amendment, we hear little about the promise to "provide for the general welfare" and seldom consider what that means. Because I think that part is important, I am a Democrat and in favor of Social Security, safety nets, and long for universal health care, though I have always had top notch health insurance myself.
But I guarantee that if the Democrats had chosen George Wallace to be its candidate for President, I would not have voted for him. When party is more important than country, you get this kind of craven collapse we are seeing among too many in the Republican party. I have developed at least a measure of respect for some people I almost never agree with, because while we may disagree, they have put principle above caving.
But I guarantee that if the Democrats had chosen George Wallace to be its candidate for President, I would not have voted for him. When party is more important than country, you get this kind of craven collapse we are seeing among too many in the Republican party. I have developed at least a measure of respect for some people I almost never agree with, because while we may disagree, they have put principle above caving.
564
"...we hear little about the promise to "provide for the general welfare" and seldom consider what that means."
The phrase "provide for the general welfare" is neither an article nor an amendment to the Constitution, and it was never intended as permission to turn the republic into a welfare state.
"When party is more important than country, you get this kind of craven collapse we are seeing among too many in the Republican party."
It's worse than that. Both Trump and Hillary consider themselves more important than either party or country. Their only loyalty is to themselves.
The phrase "provide for the general welfare" is neither an article nor an amendment to the Constitution, and it was never intended as permission to turn the republic into a welfare state.
"When party is more important than country, you get this kind of craven collapse we are seeing among too many in the Republican party."
It's worse than that. Both Trump and Hillary consider themselves more important than either party or country. Their only loyalty is to themselves.
So what's your solution? Actually, the preamble sets out the whole purpose of government, the "mission statement" of what government is about. One Republican acquaintance of mine once railed that he hated to pay taxes, so I suggested he stop driving on roads. The fact is, government does provide for our "general welfare" in many ways: regulations that keep the water, food supply, and products we use safe (or at least with that intention when they are not subverted by greed); roads and bridges and schools; emergency relief provided, you will note, even for libertarians, when hurricanes pound the coast and tornadoes twist through the heartland; Social Security that was mean to make sure that our elderly who had worked but didn't make much money might not have to sit out with a bowl on the streets; regulations meant to keep the weak from being plundered by the mighty.
Certainly, we can talk about all of this. But not with you, apparently. It's very difficult to talk to someone who has already made up his mind about everything. I wonder, if I asked you, would you actually know what was in either party's platform? Or that Clinton just picked as her VP candidate someone whose son is a Marine about to be deployed?
And I reiterate: so what are you going to do? A democratic Republic requires voters and citizens to participate, not simply to sit and gnaw on their own bones and wallow in self-pity.
Certainly, we can talk about all of this. But not with you, apparently. It's very difficult to talk to someone who has already made up his mind about everything. I wonder, if I asked you, would you actually know what was in either party's platform? Or that Clinton just picked as her VP candidate someone whose son is a Marine about to be deployed?
And I reiterate: so what are you going to do? A democratic Republic requires voters and citizens to participate, not simply to sit and gnaw on their own bones and wallow in self-pity.
5
From my vantage point being a NY resident all of my life and knowing his media history-- he's a piece of work and mostly a fraud/huckster. Time to vet him with 1) his taxes, 2) the concrete industry in NYC, 3) his grades at Wharton, 4) all the people's assertions that he "stiffed" them and more. Being a patriot means respecting the laws, rules and principles of what you claim to uphold. Here is a man who stated at the start of his convention acceptance speech that he would speak the truth and likely without doing any work he went on to make many inaccurate statement in the attempt to paint an ugly picture of America. All the while, he has taken advantage of every tax break, business break, running for office expense break, etc. If her were as patriotic as he was full of himself and his media presence, he'd have something to work with. His words are about as bleached and coiffed as is his hair. Only as good as the next set.
Trump is about Trump. His words are a sales deal. His patriotism is pure sham. He wouldn't know a line from the constitution if it were in his pant pockets. Why others want him to lead them is a major worry for this nation. Forgive me, but such superficiality is not going to help this country aspire to anything more than it is now or has been. The youth of this country are not going to allow Trump to turn America into polarized nation or into a dictatorship. His language is fascist and he is racist or borderline both of these descriptions.
Trump is about Trump. His words are a sales deal. His patriotism is pure sham. He wouldn't know a line from the constitution if it were in his pant pockets. Why others want him to lead them is a major worry for this nation. Forgive me, but such superficiality is not going to help this country aspire to anything more than it is now or has been. The youth of this country are not going to allow Trump to turn America into polarized nation or into a dictatorship. His language is fascist and he is racist or borderline both of these descriptions.
420
"Being a patriot means respecting the laws, rules and principles of what you claim to uphold."
With that definition, Hillary certainly is not a patriot either.
"Trump is about Trump. His words are a sales deal."
And Hillary is about Hillary. She will say what is necessary to get elected, even if that means changing her story from time to time.
With that definition, Hillary certainly is not a patriot either.
"Trump is about Trump. His words are a sales deal."
And Hillary is about Hillary. She will say what is necessary to get elected, even if that means changing her story from time to time.
Trump, for me, has become one sickening poisonous Meatloaf - all his lies, misdeeds, false assertions, empty promises, mental instability, etc - rolled into one massive disgusting lump. So much mendacity, sadism, unceasing predatory behavior. Such arrogance and entitlement, along with resentment and endless petty feuds.
Really, I'm tired of it. Sick and tired of cataloging his negative traits and outright dangerousness. It seems like we've been doing this endlessly. I'm running out of vocabulary, tired of putting mental energy into such a waste of oxygen as this man has proven to be.
This election cannot be over soon enough. So long as it ends with his EXIT.
Really, I'm tired of it. Sick and tired of cataloging his negative traits and outright dangerousness. It seems like we've been doing this endlessly. I'm running out of vocabulary, tired of putting mental energy into such a waste of oxygen as this man has proven to be.
This election cannot be over soon enough. So long as it ends with his EXIT.
240
Amen.
The loutish buffoon even has me grudgingly admiring Ted Cruz.
I mean, really.
The loutish buffoon even has me grudgingly admiring Ted Cruz.
I mean, really.
Frank, the whole key to Drumpf has been summed up for us by Meghan Trainor in the lyrics to her song ' Me Too ':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLAQmRW8ck
We shouldn't bother ourselves looking for depth where there is none.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLAQmRW8ck
We shouldn't bother ourselves looking for depth where there is none.
22
Patriotism has always been the "last refuge of scoundrels." In this case it's the refuge of a malignant narcisssistic fascist who is the nominee of the Republican Party.That Friday press conference was study in megalomania and braggadocio that could be the basis for many psychiatric seminars. Watching Mike Pence visibly shrink away, I wondered if he realize he had made a Faustian bargain. I would advise Governor Pence to concoct a sudden serious prostate issue that would force his resignation from the ticket. He'd at least have some modicum of self-respect left.
166
Governor Pence is not much better than Trump - check it out. Resist the urge to normalize these types of people, even if they don't seem quite as narcissistic as Drumpf.
33
Yes Trump has done this all out in the open. There is nothing secretive about his behavior. Veterans, law enforcement officers, and Foxes stable of arm chair generals apparently still love him. It is not his non existent military record or his America last business practices that concerns them. It is as simple as Trump verbally being behind them one thousand percent. Who will back them up no matter what their actions, who will build up the military, homeland security, and local police forces, and who will stage large public relation events in their favor. The way Trump conducts his personal life is irrelevant to them, however, the fact that he is their biggest cheerleader who pledges to burnish their reputation and grease their skids makes him a huge favorite.
34
"Who will back them up no matter what their actions, who will build up the military, homeland security, and local police forces, and who will stage large public relation events in their favor. "
There are certainly good reasons to doubt that Trump will follow through on any of his implied promises:
1. Short attention span. Trump's embrace of homeland security and local police is a brand new, opportunistic position for him. If you check his website, mention of "law and order" does not come until after the police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge. In fact, most of Trump's positions are developed right after some traumatic event and are then quickly forgotten.
2. Off the cuff promises are not the same as detailed policies and plans. Most striking about Trump's positions, except immigration, is their lack of detail. What specific things would Trump do to build up local police forces, for example, and how would he pay for them? He's never said. In fact, even his proposal to pay for the wall with Mexico by garnishing remittances headed across the border is unexecutable and probably illegal.
3. Does Trump even believe what he himself says? Most of Trump's promises are impulsive. No vetting or thought have gone into them before they've been made. History shows that words have no consistent meaning for this man. His only belief is in himself and his comfort. He has changed his position at will and later argued that he meant "black" when he said "white."
There are certainly good reasons to doubt that Trump will follow through on any of his implied promises:
1. Short attention span. Trump's embrace of homeland security and local police is a brand new, opportunistic position for him. If you check his website, mention of "law and order" does not come until after the police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge. In fact, most of Trump's positions are developed right after some traumatic event and are then quickly forgotten.
2. Off the cuff promises are not the same as detailed policies and plans. Most striking about Trump's positions, except immigration, is their lack of detail. What specific things would Trump do to build up local police forces, for example, and how would he pay for them? He's never said. In fact, even his proposal to pay for the wall with Mexico by garnishing remittances headed across the border is unexecutable and probably illegal.
3. Does Trump even believe what he himself says? Most of Trump's promises are impulsive. No vetting or thought have gone into them before they've been made. History shows that words have no consistent meaning for this man. His only belief is in himself and his comfort. He has changed his position at will and later argued that he meant "black" when he said "white."
58
Then they have allowed themselves to be bought off by a cheap huckster. They should be ashamed.
1
Trump's tax returns are not in the open... why is he so secretive about them?
1
I have to believe that many of Trump's supporter are genuinely believing him. There cannot be so many so carefulness for the destruction of the country. And so the urgent question is : how to reach them and reveal the con before it is too late?
42
Samuel Johnson, if alive today, would most certainly recognize Trump for being a consummate scoundrel.
117
Agreed. I'd also like to hear Mark Twain's take on him.
2
Unfortunately many authoritarian figures have managed to get themselves elected to lead their nations (Putin, Chavez, Erdogan, just to name a few). Once there, there people are often skillful at retaining power due to corruption, vilification of the oppositions, conjuring up "threats to the nation", and weakening of government institutions originally put into place to check the powers of the executive. Because people have become convinced that some existential threat to the nation is imminent, they are willing to put up with these guys until it is too late to remove them. Mr. Trump appears to admire the techniques used by despots to keep power. This should be scary enough for any "patriot" to be wary of voting for him. Unfortunately, when people become scared, face economic uncertainty and lose trust in the ability to their existing governmental institutions to function, they are more likely to be receptive to the seduction of authoritarian figures like Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump is no patriot. Mr. Trump has one loyalty - to himself. That in itself should give any American Patriot pause.
222
He has already branded himself as our Savior, our Deliverer and our Messiah who alone has the wisdom and the power to fix what ails this country because his ego has no bounds. Next he will say, if he hasn't already, that he IS America. Therefore, it goes to follow that whatever is good for him, personally, is good for the nation. And nothing will be further from the truth. Thought Bush II was bad? If Trump wins the White House, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Trump's America would not be 'great,' but rather a shadow of its former greatness. Trump wants to turn the country of immigrants into an exclusive club open only to people who think the right things, believe the right things, worship in the right manner, and rather than saying with open arms "Give me your tired, your poor..." says, "Keep out all who are different." Sameness kills creativity and inventiveness. Although the delusion is that it would bring peace, sameness leads to boredom, which generally leads to either apathy or infighting.
It seems clear (and odd) that Trump does not want American to be the 'leader of the free world.' He claims it is too expensive; that we are too damaged; that we are imperfect, so we cannot speak on human rights; and that our friendship will always be conditional to a financial bottom line. If he is elected, I can imagine 50 years from now a USA which is a shadow if its former self; a country which looks to others for protection from the leader of the world - China; and a people filled with fear and woe wondering what happened.
It seems clear (and odd) that Trump does not want American to be the 'leader of the free world.' He claims it is too expensive; that we are too damaged; that we are imperfect, so we cannot speak on human rights; and that our friendship will always be conditional to a financial bottom line. If he is elected, I can imagine 50 years from now a USA which is a shadow if its former self; a country which looks to others for protection from the leader of the world - China; and a people filled with fear and woe wondering what happened.
115
he would set up an annual purge to thin out the herd
I don't think that all of Donald Trumps supporters are necessarily full of hatred, but I do believe that their fears are being taken advantage of in such a way that makes them more accepting of over-simplification and empty promises, and more willing to accept an overly-generalized notion of whom to blame for our country's problems.
88
I don't know, but maybe the fact that many Americans did not like the wink and nod tolerance of the underground nation of illegal immigrants - economic slaves - how shameful - but our leaders chose to dismiss them as racists and intellectually inferior. Maybe if someone in either party had stood up for people who pointed out the problem and done something to fix it instead of villifying them, Donald Trump would not be so popular. Look to the deafness of politicians to half of America, and there you see the problem. It is not racist to want your nation's immigration laws to be followed. We need a President who listens to all of America.
2
What made America great in the first place were all the immigrants who came here working together to build a nation which embraced the values and rights set forth in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Some came voluntarily, some who came were indentured servants, and yes, some who came were slaves. What we became was a nation forged in a melting pot of different ideas, cultures, and values. Trump's grandparents and mother were immigrants. What would he say to them now were they still living? Go home? Or does his xenophobia only apply to those foreigners with darker complexions?
Trump's idea to"make America great again" is to isolate us from the rest of the world, the very antithesis of what made this country outstanding in the first place. How could anyone in NATO possibly trust him now, when he has publicly stated he might not come to an ally's defense? For that matter why would anyone trust anything he says with his lies, vacillating, and retractions.
Trump's idea of patriotism is America pledging allegiance to him. He is a dangerous demagogue who has attracted those who would have Clinton "shot for treason" or "publicly hung", and he has inspired David Duke to run for Senator in Louisiana - that alone speaks volumes.
Anyone who has a conscience and a heartbeat should find this man frightening, and a threat to our country. Were Trump to be elected, he would not be the one doing the isolating, other nations would quickly distance themselves from us, with good reason
Trump's idea to"make America great again" is to isolate us from the rest of the world, the very antithesis of what made this country outstanding in the first place. How could anyone in NATO possibly trust him now, when he has publicly stated he might not come to an ally's defense? For that matter why would anyone trust anything he says with his lies, vacillating, and retractions.
Trump's idea of patriotism is America pledging allegiance to him. He is a dangerous demagogue who has attracted those who would have Clinton "shot for treason" or "publicly hung", and he has inspired David Duke to run for Senator in Louisiana - that alone speaks volumes.
Anyone who has a conscience and a heartbeat should find this man frightening, and a threat to our country. Were Trump to be elected, he would not be the one doing the isolating, other nations would quickly distance themselves from us, with good reason
256
In answer to your rhetorical question, yes, it does apply only to immigrants of a darker complexion. Plenty of Europeans verstsy their visas, not a word about them.
Not to mention two of his three wives were also immigrants.
There is widespread confusion as to the meaning of the words country and nation. Country is raw description of a set of borders, government and so on. Nation, derived from the Latin, speaks to a people. Donald Trump wants to rule a white nation. Hillary Clinton wants to run an effective, perhaps efficient, country of many heritages. One rejects importing refugees, while the other sees the benefit of adding to the American diversity stew. We are not yet at the point where we can say “One out of many” but we are slowly moving in that direction.
This election will test how far we have to go. Trumps popular vote will indicate the proportion of Americans who want to live in a white nation perhaps not realizing that whites soon will be a minority as well. Clinton’s vote totals will come from those who put race, national origin and sex in a secondary category below the primacy of making government work for everyone, not just the 1%.
This election will test how far we have to go. Trumps popular vote will indicate the proportion of Americans who want to live in a white nation perhaps not realizing that whites soon will be a minority as well. Clinton’s vote totals will come from those who put race, national origin and sex in a secondary category below the primacy of making government work for everyone, not just the 1%.
86
"Clinton’s vote totals will come from those who put race, national origin and sex in a secondary category below the primacy of making government work for everyone, not just the 1%."
Clinton's vote totals will come from the typical sources - every possible group that feels they are not being treated fairly and see the Democratic Party as their savior. In addition, Hillary will get a portion of the Republican vote that sees how incompetent Trump is and find her the lesser of two evils.
Neither one will get my vote because they can't be trusted to do the right thing and they are both narcissists.
Clinton's vote totals will come from the typical sources - every possible group that feels they are not being treated fairly and see the Democratic Party as their savior. In addition, Hillary will get a portion of the Republican vote that sees how incompetent Trump is and find her the lesser of two evils.
Neither one will get my vote because they can't be trusted to do the right thing and they are both narcissists.
2
Donald Trump's campaign reminds me of Arnold Schwarzenegger's reign for eight years as governor of California, although at least the body builder turned movie star was optimistic. Both were all talk and lacking in any real plan to help citizens. One killed a state party, the other may kill a national party.
Before he left office in 2011, he left the state in a fiscal mess and furloughed state employees for one day a week. Most used sick days and vacation time to thwart his efforts to save money by cutting their pay. Road crews had to be paid overtime whenever the numerous California freeways were shut down on Fridays to clean up an accident.
The Gubenator helped to kill the California Republican party that had been dying a slow death under Gov. Pete Wilson's "English FIrst" initiative in 1994. Wilson used anti-immigrant racism to win re-election, but created a huge backlash among the state's growing non-white population. Trump may kill the Republican party in large states as America becomes more diverse.
Before he left office in 2011, he left the state in a fiscal mess and furloughed state employees for one day a week. Most used sick days and vacation time to thwart his efforts to save money by cutting their pay. Road crews had to be paid overtime whenever the numerous California freeways were shut down on Fridays to clean up an accident.
The Gubenator helped to kill the California Republican party that had been dying a slow death under Gov. Pete Wilson's "English FIrst" initiative in 1994. Wilson used anti-immigrant racism to win re-election, but created a huge backlash among the state's growing non-white population. Trump may kill the Republican party in large states as America becomes more diverse.
170
Patriotism, like religion, is a convenient handle by which hordes of people can be swayed and brought to your doorstep with no more effort that spouting a few platitudes. Donald Trump is known for taking the easy way out, so it's no surprise that he'd use this sham, or any sham, that would make it easy to acquire credibility that he doesn't deserve. Rather than feel shame, he revels in the ease with which he's risen very nearly to the presidency. A few more insults and half-truths and lies, and he may just make it to the highest office in the land.
We should be ashamed to inhabit a country so crammed with credulous believers that a Donald Trump can rise to power.
I've posted this once before, but it seems appropriate to do so again, given the patriotic theme.
Oh beautiful, those specious lies,
Trump panders and inflames.
His verbal mounting travesties
Accost our muted brains.
America, America,
God felt disgrace for thee.
We crowned a hood, and as He should,
God fled the G.O.P.
We should be ashamed to inhabit a country so crammed with credulous believers that a Donald Trump can rise to power.
I've posted this once before, but it seems appropriate to do so again, given the patriotic theme.
Oh beautiful, those specious lies,
Trump panders and inflames.
His verbal mounting travesties
Accost our muted brains.
America, America,
God felt disgrace for thee.
We crowned a hood, and as He should,
God fled the G.O.P.
604
Thank you. I'm saving your verse to send the next time my crazy uncle sends another "Hateful Hillary" email.
1
Mine eyes have seen the glory
of the coming of the Trump
he will trash our very nation and
he'll leave us at the dump
we'll work and slave and suffer
and we'll no doubt take our lumps
as his "truth" goes marching on
of the coming of the Trump
he will trash our very nation and
he'll leave us at the dump
we'll work and slave and suffer
and we'll no doubt take our lumps
as his "truth" goes marching on
7
I hope you post these lyrics again and again. Can't hear them often enough. Thanks!
1
"... Human beings suffer in exact proportion to the extent that they depart from the truth. This is a structural beam of the individual and collective human mind and soul, perhaps literally encoded in our DNA, and it defines our place in the universe. Human beings need the truth as much as we need food. Jesus and Gandhi both proved it by fasting, when necessary, until certain truths became known to them and others. And, for the sake of this argument, it matters not at all to me whether you believe that this elemental need is woven into us by God or by science. It just is. ..."
- "Does the truth matter?" By Dr. Keith Ablow
The irony isn't just that this observation appears on the FOXNews website, but that while Dr. Ablow asserts it there few who turn to FOX as a primary source of information, and confirmation of their beliefs, and might agree with Dr. Ablow, don't hold Donald Trump to this standard.
Trump does not, if one judges him by his statements and the fact checking done to verify them, believe in truths, or the truth, but in a truth, that being whatever he wants his audience to believe.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jun/29/fact-checkin...
Politifact rated 60.13% of Trumps claims false or pants on fire, and 2.53% true.
Clinton on the other hand gets 13.33% and 13.33%.
Not that any of this matters to many who support Trump. Belief is a powerful thing. A lot of Americans believe Obama is a Kenyan Muslim.
.
- "Does the truth matter?" By Dr. Keith Ablow
The irony isn't just that this observation appears on the FOXNews website, but that while Dr. Ablow asserts it there few who turn to FOX as a primary source of information, and confirmation of their beliefs, and might agree with Dr. Ablow, don't hold Donald Trump to this standard.
Trump does not, if one judges him by his statements and the fact checking done to verify them, believe in truths, or the truth, but in a truth, that being whatever he wants his audience to believe.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jun/29/fact-checkin...
Politifact rated 60.13% of Trumps claims false or pants on fire, and 2.53% true.
Clinton on the other hand gets 13.33% and 13.33%.
Not that any of this matters to many who support Trump. Belief is a powerful thing. A lot of Americans believe Obama is a Kenyan Muslim.
.
91
we now have Liar Liar as well as Pence on Fire.
81
Frank, for all the bile he vomits up about Trump, makes a point; and it’s not JUST that Trump is conflicted between his criticisms of Barack Obama’s policies and his own stated verities. It’s that his approach to foreign affairs isn’t really all that different from Obama’s. Unlike the president, Trump wouldn’t assume that Germany, France, Italy and Spain would get the message that they need to contribute more substantively to their own defense – Trump sticks it right in their eye. But, in the end, it’s really the same thing.
Both approaches are right, though I’d pick one mid-way between the two.
Yet I don’t believe that Trump would risk global instability if his bluff were called, while Mr. Obama’s not bluffing – he’s demonstrably willing to let the world go to hell in its own handbasket before seriously extending U.S. influence and might to maintain stability. If Trump wins and follows the same course, I would criticize him endlessly about it. But I don’t believe that he would follow the same course. His tough words may put enough fear into allies that they start looking at ANY way they can divert funding from butter to guns, and that would be to the good. But he’s not about to let Vladimir Putin invade Poland and Eastern Europe generally … and I’m not so sure that the same thing can be said of Barack Obama or even of Hillary Clinton.
Of course, NOTHING that Frank offers up as evidence of his charge bears the slightest on ANYONE’S “patriotism”.
Both approaches are right, though I’d pick one mid-way between the two.
Yet I don’t believe that Trump would risk global instability if his bluff were called, while Mr. Obama’s not bluffing – he’s demonstrably willing to let the world go to hell in its own handbasket before seriously extending U.S. influence and might to maintain stability. If Trump wins and follows the same course, I would criticize him endlessly about it. But I don’t believe that he would follow the same course. His tough words may put enough fear into allies that they start looking at ANY way they can divert funding from butter to guns, and that would be to the good. But he’s not about to let Vladimir Putin invade Poland and Eastern Europe generally … and I’m not so sure that the same thing can be said of Barack Obama or even of Hillary Clinton.
Of course, NOTHING that Frank offers up as evidence of his charge bears the slightest on ANYONE’S “patriotism”.
9
You really have no concept of Obama's foreign policy. Obama has increased the NATO presence in Eastern Europe and was indirectly involved in a coup in Ukraine that overthrew the elected leader (a Putin puppet), and installed a borderline Neo-Nazi regime.
Trump would be a disaster, and no amount of rationalization on your part will change the truth.
Trump would be a disaster, and no amount of rationalization on your part will change the truth.
90
@Richard: Whose kids are you willing to sacrifice to "extend U.S. influence and might"? At the moment, the maintenance of "stability" should be a matter of consideration for western Europe, Turkey and the Arab nations. They, after all, are the ones who occupy the front-lines of ISIS depredations and Russian provocations. If they're not willing to go all in in opposition to these threats, why should we offer to send our troops to do the dirty work on their behalf? Conservatives (including even Trump, at least insofar as ISIS is concerned) are infatuated with the idea of exercising our military power whenever another nation or radical organization even sneezes in our general direction. That power involves real human beings, many of whom will inevitably come home in caskets if we rely upon them too freely and irresponsibly. Conservatives enjoy treating them as heroes, most especially the ones who come home in those caskets. Deferment Donald should follow Mr. Obama's lead and try to avoid making heroes of those whose parents would prefer to see them alive and well.
83
Kevin:
What policy? We RECENTLY participated in a JOINT effort to increase the NATO presence in Eastern Europe; and what evidence do you have that Obama did anything to precipitate Yanukovych's ouster in Ukraine? I mean, other than serve as interested spectator while rounding the seventh fairway at Andrews?
His willingness to follow Merkel's lead is POLICY? For almost eight YEARS? What about missing Arab Spring completely? What about serial Keystone Kops antics in Syria? What about Libya? What about an Iranian deal that Iran violates left and right? What about the rise and peaking of ISIS on his watch and the destruction of Iraq? What about the increasing tensions in the South China Sea? What about ignoring Central and South America for the entirety of his term, then claiming that the victims of the results -- kids in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras -- must be air-lifted along with half the population of those failed nations to become American citizens.
You're right: I have no idea of Obama's foreign policy: mostly because there hasn't BEEN any.
What policy? We RECENTLY participated in a JOINT effort to increase the NATO presence in Eastern Europe; and what evidence do you have that Obama did anything to precipitate Yanukovych's ouster in Ukraine? I mean, other than serve as interested spectator while rounding the seventh fairway at Andrews?
His willingness to follow Merkel's lead is POLICY? For almost eight YEARS? What about missing Arab Spring completely? What about serial Keystone Kops antics in Syria? What about Libya? What about an Iranian deal that Iran violates left and right? What about the rise and peaking of ISIS on his watch and the destruction of Iraq? What about the increasing tensions in the South China Sea? What about ignoring Central and South America for the entirety of his term, then claiming that the victims of the results -- kids in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras -- must be air-lifted along with half the population of those failed nations to become American citizens.
You're right: I have no idea of Obama's foreign policy: mostly because there hasn't BEEN any.
5
Those of us who live in NYC have long recognized Mr. Trump as a fake and a phony. He was perversely entertaining at times while creating harm only to those gullible enough to buy into his scams (Trump "University") and tacky buildings (generally purchased by wealthy foreigners not in on the joke). A fool and their money..., so they saying begins.
Donald Trump actually lost the New York County (Manhattan - his home town!) Republican Primary vote to Mr. Kasich. We know him. And we are terrified at the prospect of this uninformed imposter controlling approximately 4,500 nuclear warheads.
Donald Trump actually lost the New York County (Manhattan - his home town!) Republican Primary vote to Mr. Kasich. We know him. And we are terrified at the prospect of this uninformed imposter controlling approximately 4,500 nuclear warheads.
901
Ditto..I'm NYC born, 1948. I could see part of Family Trump's segregated real estate kingdom from the el train on my route to high school in Queens back in the 1960s. Trump and his limo have been a constant of our tabloid world for decades.
I was working at Citibank in International Finance when the guys in the Real Estate division got suckered by Trump's first bankruptcy and let him off the hook. NYC banks no longer lend to Donald. He is considered a bad credit. We need to see his balance sheet as he may be borrowing money from China, Russia, etc. He is the opposite of patriotic. He is cheap on church, charity and country.
He may give you a ride in his limo but it is only so he an get into your pockets. A vote for Donald is a vote for Bankruptcy, for all of us.
I was working at Citibank in International Finance when the guys in the Real Estate division got suckered by Trump's first bankruptcy and let him off the hook. NYC banks no longer lend to Donald. He is considered a bad credit. We need to see his balance sheet as he may be borrowing money from China, Russia, etc. He is the opposite of patriotic. He is cheap on church, charity and country.
He may give you a ride in his limo but it is only so he an get into your pockets. A vote for Donald is a vote for Bankruptcy, for all of us.
3
Donald Trump is loyally "patriotic" to his life in a country where he had the meritorious qualifying wisdom to be born rich, white and male. A life that comes the closest to the divine right to reign and rule of royalty.
In addition to the dubious measurment of patriotism by military service and using American labor and buying American products one can add the nationality of Donald Trump's choice of spouses. Donald Trump is a loyal patriot to his foreign born wives and their ofspring. The first Mrs. Donald Trump was born and bred a communist atheist supermodel in Czechoslovakia. The third and current Mrs. Trump has a similar pedigree but from the Slovenian region of Yugoslavia.
Since 9/11/01 0.75% of Americans have volunteered to put on an American military uniform. None named Trump. About 0.003% of Americans are cops. None named Trump.
Donald the cop. Donald the commando. Donald the builder. Donald the dealer. Donald the leader. Donald Trump is an ignorant, immature, intemperate and fickle bad little boy used to playing role games on a tiny playground. But the world is a much bigger and tougher battleground.
By any reasonably fair historical measure the most patriotic Americans arrived enslaved from Africa and remained loyal to a country that has not and does not treat them equally, morally and justly.
In addition to the dubious measurment of patriotism by military service and using American labor and buying American products one can add the nationality of Donald Trump's choice of spouses. Donald Trump is a loyal patriot to his foreign born wives and their ofspring. The first Mrs. Donald Trump was born and bred a communist atheist supermodel in Czechoslovakia. The third and current Mrs. Trump has a similar pedigree but from the Slovenian region of Yugoslavia.
Since 9/11/01 0.75% of Americans have volunteered to put on an American military uniform. None named Trump. About 0.003% of Americans are cops. None named Trump.
Donald the cop. Donald the commando. Donald the builder. Donald the dealer. Donald the leader. Donald Trump is an ignorant, immature, intemperate and fickle bad little boy used to playing role games on a tiny playground. But the world is a much bigger and tougher battleground.
By any reasonably fair historical measure the most patriotic Americans arrived enslaved from Africa and remained loyal to a country that has not and does not treat them equally, morally and justly.
188
Plenty of good points here. But surely you're not suggesting that having a foreign-born spouse -- or even a succession of them -- connotes lack of patriotism.
1
Are you implying there is something wrong with being born in Europe -- as many of our ancestors and grandparents were? or something wrong with atheism? Don't people have the right to worship (or not worship) as they please?
Yeesh.
Yeesh.
I am less concerned about the hysterical Trump fans at the RNC and the people who put Trump bumper stickers on their car.
I am more concerned about those who will quietly cast their ballot for Trump in the fall without admitting it publicly because they know how it reflects on them.
I fear that some will pull the Trump lever just to see what happens if we blow things up, as a few have suggested to reporters.
Frankly, this is how BREXIT came about and many regretted their vote afterward and more will soon as the country sinks into recession and corporate headquarters relocate wholesale to Europe.
There is still a lot people don't know about Trump, such as his associations with Mafia figures in NYC, a $200,000 fine paid for keeping black employees away from mob connected friend Robert DiButti. Just guessing we'll hear more in October.
But the worst about his lack of character and integrity seem to matter little to his supporters. Bumper stickers and yard signs may be more scarce than usual for the GOP candidate. Polling may seem to run against him as the RNC and DNC effects fade.
But I will remain very concerned until all of the ballots are counted.
I am more concerned about those who will quietly cast their ballot for Trump in the fall without admitting it publicly because they know how it reflects on them.
I fear that some will pull the Trump lever just to see what happens if we blow things up, as a few have suggested to reporters.
Frankly, this is how BREXIT came about and many regretted their vote afterward and more will soon as the country sinks into recession and corporate headquarters relocate wholesale to Europe.
There is still a lot people don't know about Trump, such as his associations with Mafia figures in NYC, a $200,000 fine paid for keeping black employees away from mob connected friend Robert DiButti. Just guessing we'll hear more in October.
But the worst about his lack of character and integrity seem to matter little to his supporters. Bumper stickers and yard signs may be more scarce than usual for the GOP candidate. Polling may seem to run against him as the RNC and DNC effects fade.
But I will remain very concerned until all of the ballots are counted.
403
Pray he doesn't own a chunk of Diebold.
1
" Hillary Clinton’s selection of the milquetoast Tim Kaine as her vice president shows, the Dems have put forward a candidate who embodies an establishment widely recognized as having betrayed the majority of the American public." can't remember the pundit who stated this but I do agree. I wasn't for Hillary before and this solidifies my non vote for Hillary.
Nobody regretted their Brexit vote in Great Britain. That is a lefty myth. There were petitions to redo the vote, but the signers were all "Remain" votes who were embittered and wanted a "do over".
'There's no easy way to judge patriotism...'
Perhaps not, but Trump has suggested impeding the free exercise of religion, he does not support a free press, he has encouraged violence against protesters, seems amenable to unreasonable search and seizure, and has endorsed cruel and unusual punishment. Thankfully, with his real estate background he's unlikely to propose quartering soldiers in citizens homes.
Trump's entire candidacy is an offense to many of the rights that already make America a great country.
Perhaps not, but Trump has suggested impeding the free exercise of religion, he does not support a free press, he has encouraged violence against protesters, seems amenable to unreasonable search and seizure, and has endorsed cruel and unusual punishment. Thankfully, with his real estate background he's unlikely to propose quartering soldiers in citizens homes.
Trump's entire candidacy is an offense to many of the rights that already make America a great country.
292
“Thankfully, with his real estate background he’s unlikely to propose quartering soldiers in citizens homes."
If Trump could find a way to use private citizens’ homes to quarter soldiers and make a profit he would do it.
The same way that the GOP wants to take down and privatize VA health care. He doesn’t care about our active duty troops OR our vets, or our private citizens. For Trump it’s all about him and making money--and he has made a LOT of money so far, renting out his own Trump Towers for his campaign, charging the use of his TRUMP jets and helicopters to his campaign. “Loaning” his money to the campaign. That’s why he asked for $1 billion from donors to pay him back and get some more of that filthy lucre.
The bottom line will always be “Trump, Trump, Trump.”
If Trump could find a way to use private citizens’ homes to quarter soldiers and make a profit he would do it.
The same way that the GOP wants to take down and privatize VA health care. He doesn’t care about our active duty troops OR our vets, or our private citizens. For Trump it’s all about him and making money--and he has made a LOT of money so far, renting out his own Trump Towers for his campaign, charging the use of his TRUMP jets and helicopters to his campaign. “Loaning” his money to the campaign. That’s why he asked for $1 billion from donors to pay him back and get some more of that filthy lucre.
The bottom line will always be “Trump, Trump, Trump.”
2
What else is there to say? The only thing that will keep "The Don" out of the White House is our votes.
472
If I were a cursing man, ah, check that. If I were a publicly cursing man, I would have run plum out of expletives by now trying to describe the insult to our country that is represented by Donald Trump as a major party nominee. I would have gone through all of Nixon's recorded cursing, thrown in some of LBJs down home pig farm expressions and then used up all the mean words in the rap music hall of fame.
We have never seen the likes of this self regarding, self celebrating egotist on our national stage. Never. We have never seen someone so utterly unqualified to hold the reins of America's massive military power. Never. We have never seen someone so obviously empty of constructive ideas and so utterly uneducated about American history, traditions and responsibilities this close to grabbing the White House. Never. We have never seen someone who takes pride in his failures, washes away bankruptcies as great victories and who seems to have based his entire business career self promotion while walking over "the little people" at every opportunity. Never.
I could go on. The brain starts to freeze up at the irrationality and borderline insanity of nominating such a man to the most powerful single office on the planet
The alarms have been suitably sounded. The only thing you get with Donald Trump is more Donald Trump. HIs promise to re-set the world order is as empty as Trump U. His only value, if that, is to wake a sleeping establishment and then to crawl back into Trumpworld.
We have never seen the likes of this self regarding, self celebrating egotist on our national stage. Never. We have never seen someone so utterly unqualified to hold the reins of America's massive military power. Never. We have never seen someone so obviously empty of constructive ideas and so utterly uneducated about American history, traditions and responsibilities this close to grabbing the White House. Never. We have never seen someone who takes pride in his failures, washes away bankruptcies as great victories and who seems to have based his entire business career self promotion while walking over "the little people" at every opportunity. Never.
I could go on. The brain starts to freeze up at the irrationality and borderline insanity of nominating such a man to the most powerful single office on the planet
The alarms have been suitably sounded. The only thing you get with Donald Trump is more Donald Trump. HIs promise to re-set the world order is as empty as Trump U. His only value, if that, is to wake a sleeping establishment and then to crawl back into Trumpworld.
1012
Since conspiracy theories are at the forefront in this election cycle, let's talk about another one, the permanent government. If it fact it exists, surely these folks realize Trump would be disastrous for them, and thus will prevent him from taking power. I, for one, would be more than willing to don an aluminum foil beanie to help them, if called.
13
> self regarding, self celebrating egotist
Trump's basic concern with social approval marks him as selfless. Mindless desires, contra religion, are not selfish. See _Atlas Shrugged_ for rational selfishness.
Trump's basic concern with social approval marks him as selfless. Mindless desires, contra religion, are not selfish. See _Atlas Shrugged_ for rational selfishness.
EricR writes, "Since conspiracy theories are at the forefront in this election cycle, let's talk about another one, the permanent government."
I've never heard of the "permanent government". Can you say something about it? How do I get more information about the "permanent government"? Is it described using any other names?
I've never heard of the "permanent government". Can you say something about it? How do I get more information about the "permanent government"? Is it described using any other names?
1
How I weary of Trump. As the Spring of Trump becomes The Summer of Trump, soon to be the Fall of Trump -- both figuratively and literally, a season of the year and the moment of his downfall -- I cringe at the mere mention of that name. Trump. It exhausts me, probably the way "Attila" exhausted bone-weary Romans defending their realm against the scourge.
This is how I think it will play out. Trump will advance boldly and wantonly, as is his wont, trusting that his old ploys will work simply because they always have, so why stop now? That conceit, and because he's too lazy and feckless to grow and change, will do him in.
How will it happen? The weight of all his bombast will rebound against him. An onslaught of crude, lascivious insults. He will tell one lie too many, one nasty lie and something inside that invisible, elusive public mind will snap. What comes next is a great falling away -- of support, or even interest -- because the public will have heard enough. All at once millions of people will think, "I can't take four more years of this ...", "this" being Trump, years of Trump being Trump, and his absurdity. His absurd illogical non sequiturs. His absurd mercurial cruelty. And the absurd cold cruelty of acolytes like Christie, that fallen angel slowly swirling towards the drain, desperately clinging to Trump's coattails, the stench of Bridge-gate about him.
The clock strikes twelve, and Cinderella Trump's coach-&-four becomes a pumpkin drawn by rats for all to see.
This is how I think it will play out. Trump will advance boldly and wantonly, as is his wont, trusting that his old ploys will work simply because they always have, so why stop now? That conceit, and because he's too lazy and feckless to grow and change, will do him in.
How will it happen? The weight of all his bombast will rebound against him. An onslaught of crude, lascivious insults. He will tell one lie too many, one nasty lie and something inside that invisible, elusive public mind will snap. What comes next is a great falling away -- of support, or even interest -- because the public will have heard enough. All at once millions of people will think, "I can't take four more years of this ...", "this" being Trump, years of Trump being Trump, and his absurdity. His absurd illogical non sequiturs. His absurd mercurial cruelty. And the absurd cold cruelty of acolytes like Christie, that fallen angel slowly swirling towards the drain, desperately clinging to Trump's coattails, the stench of Bridge-gate about him.
The clock strikes twelve, and Cinderella Trump's coach-&-four becomes a pumpkin drawn by rats for all to see.
446
Amazing imagery, Steve. One only prays that you are right. I wish I could be as optimistic as you but realizing Americans elected Bush, not once but twice, leaves me with a feeling of despair. People are so angry, when angry one doesn't think straight. Fox "news" has a far greater influence than it did even in 2004. Social media has also exploded, as have "political" blogs where any ignorant bombast finds an audience. We are far more disconnected from reality than we were in 2004. Will all of these various factors converge and result in the dangerous election of Trump? My heart tries to tell me we will listen to our better angels but, sadly, my mind can not be convinced. The rage and ugliness are boiling over and I believe with result in the election of Trump. I hope with all my heart I'm wrong.
5
I like the "fall" of Trump.
> His absurd illogical non sequiturs
Modern intellectuals and artists have been rejecting objectivity for a long time. Trump is their baby.
Modern intellectuals and artists have been rejecting objectivity for a long time. Trump is their baby.
Great column, insightful too. My understanding of the word patriot centers less on how much claims to be one as on how much one proves, through actions, he or she is one. Another way to put it is, if you have to keep reminding people how patriotic you are, you aren't.
Patriots put country--its values, goals, aspirations, and principle--before the goals of self interest. Can anybody say, without laughing, that Tump always puts his on interests and survival first? I mean really: we know how much of a hypocrite Trump is by the examples Frank cites here: using undocumented workers, having his goods manufactured abroad, etc etc.
For me the most blatantly unpatriotic thing Trump said--and so gratuitous, to boot--was questioning McCain's patriotism. I mean why? I guess when you see everything as winning or losing, you can't even recognize that being captured means you were there in the first place.
Fighting for country. Not seeking deferments or using a bone spur as an easy excuse. When has Donald Trump ever put his life on he line, or even stuck his neck out, to defend the honor of this country? That dark, ominous acceptance speech was a major tearing down of this country in order to build himself up.
Cynical, manipulative, and very definitely the antithesis of patriotism.
Patriots put country--its values, goals, aspirations, and principle--before the goals of self interest. Can anybody say, without laughing, that Tump always puts his on interests and survival first? I mean really: we know how much of a hypocrite Trump is by the examples Frank cites here: using undocumented workers, having his goods manufactured abroad, etc etc.
For me the most blatantly unpatriotic thing Trump said--and so gratuitous, to boot--was questioning McCain's patriotism. I mean why? I guess when you see everything as winning or losing, you can't even recognize that being captured means you were there in the first place.
Fighting for country. Not seeking deferments or using a bone spur as an easy excuse. When has Donald Trump ever put his life on he line, or even stuck his neck out, to defend the honor of this country? That dark, ominous acceptance speech was a major tearing down of this country in order to build himself up.
Cynical, manipulative, and very definitely the antithesis of patriotism.
656
Erratum: "Can anyone say without laughing that Trump doesn't always put his own interests and survival first?"
70
"When has Donald Trump ever put his life on the line, or even stuck his neck out, to defend the honor of his country?"
Good question.
When did Bill, or Hillary, or Kaine, or W, or Romney?
Oh, wait: Hillary got shot at at the Sarajevo airport in the 1990's, right?
These people, and I include Bernie, are no patriots.
IKE, JFK, and Bush 41 served under fire. The present group are nothing do admire, including Mr. Trump.
Good question.
When did Bill, or Hillary, or Kaine, or W, or Romney?
Oh, wait: Hillary got shot at at the Sarajevo airport in the 1990's, right?
These people, and I include Bernie, are no patriots.
IKE, JFK, and Bush 41 served under fire. The present group are nothing do admire, including Mr. Trump.
> Patriots put country--its values, goals, aspirations, and principle--before the goals of self interest.
We fought WW2 for self-interest against enemies who sacrificed self-interest to country. Perhaps youve heard of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We fought WW2 for self-interest against enemies who sacrificed self-interest to country. Perhaps youve heard of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Boy Trump has really created a field-day for you guys in the media! How much easier can your job get? While I loathe Trump as much as the next guy, it would be welcome if more was said more often about what his appeal is on each and everyone of the issues even if his positions and attitudes are untenable. Let's not forget that with such a weak Republican Party, the democrats can get away with untruthful and weak policies themselves. We need a strong Republican Party, that respects Democrats as people even while they disagree on policy. So if that ideal were met, what would be those conservative concerns that Trump is appealing to that might deserve a second look?
17
With all due respect, IT, I think your call here is both naive and misdirected.
Naive because there is plenty of reporting and discussion of what Trumps' "appeal" is. In a nutshell, I would say he appeals to people's resentments and their desires to legitimize their chosen scapegoats for their concerns. Regarding economic insecurity and job loss, the scapegoats are immigrants, the export of jobs to other countries, and government regulation. Regarding ethnic and status insecurity, the scapegoats are immigrants - again - , minorities, gun control, and court decisions that supposedly undermine their values.
Misdirected, first, because there is some indication that Trump supporters don't really care whether he delivers on his promises; the actual policies don't matter so much as sticking it to the powers that be. To that extent, substantive, issue focused conservative critiques of Democratic policies are not the point.
Second, and more importantly, such critiques, whatever their merits, can wind up imputing to Trump a far greater measure of coherence and reasonableness than is actually there - an unwarranted sanitizing and normalizing of the Trump campaign. I have seen this in editorials in my own local paper. If he wants to speak in a coherent, focused, and measured way to any issue, that has to come from him; other people can't make it up for him.
Naive because there is plenty of reporting and discussion of what Trumps' "appeal" is. In a nutshell, I would say he appeals to people's resentments and their desires to legitimize their chosen scapegoats for their concerns. Regarding economic insecurity and job loss, the scapegoats are immigrants, the export of jobs to other countries, and government regulation. Regarding ethnic and status insecurity, the scapegoats are immigrants - again - , minorities, gun control, and court decisions that supposedly undermine their values.
Misdirected, first, because there is some indication that Trump supporters don't really care whether he delivers on his promises; the actual policies don't matter so much as sticking it to the powers that be. To that extent, substantive, issue focused conservative critiques of Democratic policies are not the point.
Second, and more importantly, such critiques, whatever their merits, can wind up imputing to Trump a far greater measure of coherence and reasonableness than is actually there - an unwarranted sanitizing and normalizing of the Trump campaign. I have seen this in editorials in my own local paper. If he wants to speak in a coherent, focused, and measured way to any issue, that has to come from him; other people can't make it up for him.
43
This is George Lakoff talking about Trump: "Donald Trump expresses out loud everything they (angry middle- aged white guys) feel, with force, aggression, anger, and no shame. All they have to do is support and vote for Trump and they don’t even have to express their "politically incorrect:" views, since he does it for them and his victories make those views respectable. He is their champion. He gives them a sense of self-respect, authority and the possibility of power." Very interesting article by Lakoff on alternet.org. I would add: Just look at the smile on David Duke's face as he announced that he was running for office. It was like "I'm so glad I don't have to hide under a rock anymore."
7
The culture has vomited out Hillary and Trump. Back to 1776!
Average guys and gals in the US have been left out in the cold for two generations, while people with education and connections have done extremely well. During the Regan era they were told, "Let the rich run rampant and you'll at least get some crumbs." Result: devastated pensions, emasculated unions, falling wages, factories packed up and moved overseas . . .
Having finally, at long last, realized that they cannot expect to ever participate in the vast wealth being generated, we have now moved to another response: "If I can't have any, I'll do my best to see that the elite doesn't get any either." Supporting Trump is like sticking a wrench in the works. People know that he's only focused on his own ego, but it is obvious to anybody that he'll go to any extreme to "win", meaning allowing Trump to preen about destroying somebody he doesn't like. Even if it doesn't directly help the working class, they at least get the satisfaction of hearing the establishment howl in pain.
The sobering fact is that there >is< another level beyond this, a level that the US has approached several times in our history, but never actually reached. This is when the mob concludes that the only response left is to "kill the rich."