Like many I thought that Trump's obvious birther lies would have disqualified him in the public's eyes for being a viable candidate, after all seemingly more minor occurrences like Muskie crying a bit in front of the Union Leader newspaper had put the kibosh on his presidential aspirations. These are different times though,but when the ugly Trump juggernaut kept plowing along I thought that his act would get old and he had an incurable case of foot in mouth disease would bring him down. This has happened, but we might be still in dangerous waters. In almost every horror movie there is a false premature feeling of euphoria when everyone feels the monster/ax murderer etc has met their fitting demise. Unfortunately there is stirring in the scenery as the demon proves they are very much alive, and after the initial horror there is an extended battle to make sure that the monster is not really dead but really, really, really dead. We must keep similar vigilance regarding this demon who unfortunately is no creature of a scriptwriter's fervid imagination.
20
We have utterly failed as a nation by not nominating Bernie.
4
If Donald Trump got 10% of the vote I would be surprised. I am absolutely shocked that anyone likes this annoying bombastic bullying braggart. But the Republicans long ago found out that all they have to do is make up any kind of story they want to bring down their opponent and if they keep doing it it has an effect. They had Bernie Sanders repeating some of their right wing propaganda. Many on the far left bought into that. I found it amazing the hate it spewed from the far left upon Hillary. Yes we would like to see a woman president but not that woman they would say. Well it was that woman that was strong enough to fight off the Republican Party and their hate squats for the last 30 years. If that's not the woman that they want there is no woman that could be strong enough and peers to be president of United States.
20
The younger generation may be the best ever.
2
History, the movement of nations, human progress are not about 'winning' but they are strongly correlated to leadership and concomitant nation building. Nothing Mr. Trump has said, unsaid or resaid indicates that he is capable of either.
5
What about all the people that are sick of the Clinton's? Never see them in your paper. Very suspicious. I know you want us to think there aren't any, but you may be surprised comes election day.
5
Many millenials are idealistic and have not suffered any setbacks in life - yet. They have been sold a false bill of goods by the Democratic Party and by President Obama and now Hillary Clinton. They love the idea that they will receive free things from the government which of course will never happen.
Obamacare has caused many Americans to be forced to pay higher premiums for inferior medical care. Mr. Obama promised them they would be able to keep their doctors which was untrue. Now we are seeing insurance opt out of this failed program. Welfare rolls have increased and the jobs that the Democrats have created and brag about are low paying ones. There has also been a racial divide in our country caused by the Black lives matter folks which now our president hesitates to criticize.
Our country has not been traveling on the right path for almost eight years now and there must be a change in policy if we want to make America really prosperous and great again. Many are really hurting and see that their future looks bleak. Donald Trump would not have been the choice for the Republican Party but we can thank Mr. Obama for his rise to the top. They are frightened about their futures and want to try giving a different kind of candidate a chance.
They are disgusted by both political parties that have left them out in the cold. I do not blame them and feel their pain.
Obamacare has caused many Americans to be forced to pay higher premiums for inferior medical care. Mr. Obama promised them they would be able to keep their doctors which was untrue. Now we are seeing insurance opt out of this failed program. Welfare rolls have increased and the jobs that the Democrats have created and brag about are low paying ones. There has also been a racial divide in our country caused by the Black lives matter folks which now our president hesitates to criticize.
Our country has not been traveling on the right path for almost eight years now and there must be a change in policy if we want to make America really prosperous and great again. Many are really hurting and see that their future looks bleak. Donald Trump would not have been the choice for the Republican Party but we can thank Mr. Obama for his rise to the top. They are frightened about their futures and want to try giving a different kind of candidate a chance.
They are disgusted by both political parties that have left them out in the cold. I do not blame them and feel their pain.
4
I'm interested in how those of us old enough to well remember Vietnam and inner city riots compare the divisiveness then to today.
Our nation is very troubled right now and it's sometimes easy for memories of the past to change over time. Just as in other aspects of our lives, our politics always have challenges. Whatever the results this year, Trump and Trumpism won't suddenly just fade away.
Nothing is ever perfectly cured. Vietnam taught us to be wary of involvements abroad, and I believe we have made progress against discrimination, but what we learned from lies about the Gulf of Tonkin did't keep us from plunging into Iraq, and distrust between police and black communities plagues us.
When troubled, I try to keep perspective. What if had been born in Syria? Or what is now Darfur? Would I really be happier if Ilved in a Northern European country with a social safety net but an uncertain future?
Yes, much of my idealism has died. Conservatives will continue to look backwards and you can't talk them out of it. Trumpists have no sense and we can't come to compromise and understanding. They need to be disenfranchised by seeing their candidates voted down and, unfortunately, their fantasies crushed.
There are still amber waves of grain out there, though. Keep faith and hug your grandchildren.
Our nation is very troubled right now and it's sometimes easy for memories of the past to change over time. Just as in other aspects of our lives, our politics always have challenges. Whatever the results this year, Trump and Trumpism won't suddenly just fade away.
Nothing is ever perfectly cured. Vietnam taught us to be wary of involvements abroad, and I believe we have made progress against discrimination, but what we learned from lies about the Gulf of Tonkin did't keep us from plunging into Iraq, and distrust between police and black communities plagues us.
When troubled, I try to keep perspective. What if had been born in Syria? Or what is now Darfur? Would I really be happier if Ilved in a Northern European country with a social safety net but an uncertain future?
Yes, much of my idealism has died. Conservatives will continue to look backwards and you can't talk them out of it. Trumpists have no sense and we can't come to compromise and understanding. They need to be disenfranchised by seeing their candidates voted down and, unfortunately, their fantasies crushed.
There are still amber waves of grain out there, though. Keep faith and hug your grandchildren.
17
Real American "exceptionalism" would be a landslide rejection of Mr. Trump and all he represents. The future of our nation and the promise of the 250 year old American experiment is at stake. While Trump supporters have legitimate grievances, the charlatan, narcissicist whom they support is playing them for suckers. I am not complacent but hopeful that common sense still is the bedrock value today as it has been in the past.
22
The folks who form Trump's base seem less angry about losing than they are about others winning, as if others winning somehow diminishes them. They have lost economic ground, to be sure; the evolution from manufacturing to technology required retooling, and those who weren't able to retool have been left weak, impotent, shamed in their own eyes. Working people, and men especially, who prided themselves on having a good job and being a successful breadwinner, have lost not only economic power; they've come down in the world; they understand that in some sense they're losers; they've lost face. Meanwhile,others are not knowing their place: immigrants' children are excelling in school, giving the white kids a run for their money, winning the scholarships; more and more black Americans are succeeding, climbing the ladder, winning respect; and women are taking their rightful place as equals with men; and all are ascending to positions of power that had been reserved for white men. The same honor-culture thinking that spurred poor whites to fight for the Confederacy is alive and well today in the Trump supporters who resent anyone else pulling ahead while they themselves are parked at the side of the road. Trump speaks to the gut need to restore potency and face by promising strength, power, and winning, by installing speed bumps and closing roads to success for others, by putting the country in reverse.
17
Sorry, you're wrong. America is, in very real terms, a decline. Trump may be an extremely poor messenger but the message itself is correct.
11
America in decline? Hogwash! It's still the country everyone around the world tries to emulate. It's true that some of our cultural preferences such as our movies and music maybe not as good as it used to be. But art has its ups and downs and goes to periods of light and darkness. We reached such great heights in these areas through the 40s 50s 60s and 70s that that was bound to be a decline. But we are the world leaders.
Rap and Trump are both just bumps in the road.
Rap and Trump are both just bumps in the road.
5
Yeah, I am sure we all miss those halcyon days of the Cold War, child labor, Vietnam, segregation, lynchings, Joe McCarthy...
4
People tend to see what they want to see.
1
Ho-hum, another predictable partisan hit piece from Timothy Egan on, who else, Donald Trump. It would be nice to hear exactly what positions Trump holds that Egan takes issue with and why. Instead we get the usual Egan bromides that Trump is "doubling down on hatred." O.K., please explain. I have listened to a number of Trump speeches the past week and there was nothing that could be called hatred. Aggressively vetting refugees from Syria and other Middle Eastern countries does not count, in my book, as hatred. It is common sense given the state of the world in dealing with terrorism. Please Mr Egan, let's have some real analysis of the GOP positions instead of the name calling (e.g., "desperate Trump"). Not worthy of a Times' columnist, strictly high school.
9
Oh, Tim, you are so blind. 'Nuf said.
4
"Looking for refuge from the gust of insanity blowing across the fruited plain, ..." By far, the best opening line I've read in a long time.
6
Lions and tigers and bears, okay, Trump and McConnell and Ryan oy! Vote for your lives.
8
America loses when people like the Clintons, are owned heart and soul by the banksters, Wall Street robbers. And hedge fund hucksters. Not to mention the billions of foreign money contributed to their Foundation. . Not to mention the lobbyists, the illegal alien amnesty or TPP advocates. Everyday Americans don't have a chance.
4
But the kids (I know some are in their 30's) need to vote! Beg your children to vote.
12
I am sorry.... great read. But, the Doritos quote and Fever Swamp quote are two of the best that I've read this campaign season. TImothy keep visiting the Cascades if they generate thought waves like that!
5
I know Egan isn't a fan of Bernie Sanders, but he could have had the grace to point out that a rather super percent of millennials enthusiastically supported his candidacy. And perhaps, just perhaps, it was a form of optimism among this age group that led them to believe that Bernie's vision for a new New Deal America was achievable while too many of their elders were writing it off as a fantasy.
5
Trump's declaration that people would get bored with his winning was quite funny. Let's hope no one gets bored with his losing.
9
Trump's defeat by HRC is vital to the survival of our nation, it is number 1. Number 2 is erasing the republican majority in the Senate and the House. Please vote.
24
The Clinton Foundation is having its annual Gala in the coming week. It will of course be attended by all of the corporate bigwigs and a large contingent of foreign dignitaries. Contributions to a campaign are strictly limited, but to a presidential candidate's charity are not. This is classic 'pay to play.' Stevie Wonder's song "Signed Sealed and Delivered, I'm Yours" will be playing in the background.
8
I support the Carter Center, myself. And others support the Bush Foundation. I understand, if fact, that LBJ's foundation is doing fine. If you will educate yourself a little, you will know that all presidents found charities, and all in fact do charitable work through those. Then you'll stop acting like you've found some malfeasance to point to with glee, as if you've done something worthy of note.
3
When there is evidence of wrong doing, I'll will be concerned. "Do as I say, not as I do" is not my operational philosophy.
3
Trumps nonspecific "Gee, sorry" has all the sincerity of a convicted felon trying to avoid punishment. The only thing he's sorry about is that he's losing. I hope Mr. Egan is right. But it's dangerous to get too cool about winning too soon.
6
Trump must win. why? People won't learn otherwise. 4 yrs is not that long.
1
People won't learn. Four years is way too long to put the country, and the world, in the hands of a madman and his fans.
2
Unfortunately, those millennials, as you say, "still have to vote." Will they? Or are they so "meh" that they don't think their votes are needed?
4
The tribal mindset attributed to Trump doesn't grow or even survive. It just rots. And the herd Trump hopes to stampede to the White House just wants a free all-you-can-graze open pasture, a six-pack, Monday Night Football and an opioid Rx or meth and beer chaser. Politics just gives them headaches. Waving poms poms at rallies with free bagels and standup shtick with familiar punchlines is more fun than bowling night. Actual voting is like a viagra ad -- who wants a reminder of what they're not very good at.
Couch Nation belches and Pundits more liberal than smart suffer panic attacks that terminal apathy and chronic ADD are Marvel comic book super powers eager to get jiggy with politics. Consider how well their current idol of excess and success has done organizing a paint-by-numbers national foxtrot that even Sarah Palin and Trump POW punchline McCain riverdanced to without breaking a sweat on a porch with that famous view of Putin's lower forty. C'mon, a penthouse pansy who counts hanging with Scott Baio as fun, thinks an election campaign is a Miss Universe contest for political consultants, better keep their day job.
Hate can grate but never is great. But it keeps pundits busy and away from mischief. And it did reduce the Republicans to Donner Party wannabes craving for more finger food.
But I agree: if winning is not losing to anthropomorphic imbecility, it's not an Olympic event and the gold medal was made in China with plastic harvested from cadavers.
Couch Nation belches and Pundits more liberal than smart suffer panic attacks that terminal apathy and chronic ADD are Marvel comic book super powers eager to get jiggy with politics. Consider how well their current idol of excess and success has done organizing a paint-by-numbers national foxtrot that even Sarah Palin and Trump POW punchline McCain riverdanced to without breaking a sweat on a porch with that famous view of Putin's lower forty. C'mon, a penthouse pansy who counts hanging with Scott Baio as fun, thinks an election campaign is a Miss Universe contest for political consultants, better keep their day job.
Hate can grate but never is great. But it keeps pundits busy and away from mischief. And it did reduce the Republicans to Donner Party wannabes craving for more finger food.
But I agree: if winning is not losing to anthropomorphic imbecility, it's not an Olympic event and the gold medal was made in China with plastic harvested from cadavers.
2
“Of course, they still have to vote.”
Reading Timothy Egan’s feel-good column has been a pleasant way to start a Saturday morning. It was a welcome break from the nightmare of Donald Trump, which the Republicans have so recklessly inflicted upon our nation.
Every word Egan wrote has the ring of truth. Americans are going about their business, enjoying each other and celebrating our freedom, our beautiful country and our inspiring young people winning in Rio and elsewhere.
At the same time, increasing numbers of Americans are registering their disgust at the self-absorbed, self-important embodiment of hate and ignorance, who dares to impose himself on a good nation.
As we follow the example of our young people, rejecting the bitter grumbling of old white guys with nothing better to do than wallow in hatred, some of us old white guys who like the principles of fairness and decency upon which our nation is based, want to remind our young folks to keep up the pace through the finish line.
Let us hope that Timothy Egan’s words quoted above are not forgotten.
Reading Timothy Egan’s feel-good column has been a pleasant way to start a Saturday morning. It was a welcome break from the nightmare of Donald Trump, which the Republicans have so recklessly inflicted upon our nation.
Every word Egan wrote has the ring of truth. Americans are going about their business, enjoying each other and celebrating our freedom, our beautiful country and our inspiring young people winning in Rio and elsewhere.
At the same time, increasing numbers of Americans are registering their disgust at the self-absorbed, self-important embodiment of hate and ignorance, who dares to impose himself on a good nation.
As we follow the example of our young people, rejecting the bitter grumbling of old white guys with nothing better to do than wallow in hatred, some of us old white guys who like the principles of fairness and decency upon which our nation is based, want to remind our young folks to keep up the pace through the finish line.
Let us hope that Timothy Egan’s words quoted above are not forgotten.
6
I don't think Trump (or anyone else) needs to say a word about the huge mess this country finds itself in. You can push all of your diversity, income inequality, immigration or whatever else. But the cities of this country are full of unemployed people, the schools are crumbling, there is a massive drug problem in the ghetto and the suburbs. We have crumbling infrastructure, escalating healthcare costs, massive angry race issues, lack of good jobs for both college and non-college graduates and the lists goes on and on.
5
Like you said: "Don't jinx it." It's not over until it's over, and "over" doesn't only mean the presidential election; it includes down-ballot elections and the ensuing aftermath. If Trump is the symptom of the Republican pestilence, the underlying sickness must be cured.
11
"We're Winning!" but we haven't won yet. Let's hope all the ghosts in Hillary's closet are out. Even a resounding Clinton victory won't remove the stench of "The Trump Effect." There will still be millions of angry, ignorant bigots who will be more angry and more bigoted with loaded guns and empty minds. They're not going away.
Hillary needs a way to reach out to them or she'll face more obstruction than Obama.
Hillary needs a way to reach out to them or she'll face more obstruction than Obama.
21
Egan's continual obsession with Trump and his support of the status quo, is extremely disappointing. All of a sudden, Egan believes that young people can save us from Trump, when he's been insulting them for supporting Bernie in every other column (without a comment section). Can the NYT please give us one columnist who can see past the fact that they have "theirs"? Just asking for one.
3
Give me a break.
1
Be very careful. You are crowing about a seriously flawed candidate. Hillary and Bill, have a long history of shooting themselves in the foot, and they have a lot of skeletons in their closet. Their enablers have been able to cover most of them up, but they could still break out.
I will not vote for Trump, but I'm not going to vote for Hillary either. I will not participate in putting so much sleaze in the White House.
I will not vote for Trump, but I'm not going to vote for Hillary either. I will not participate in putting so much sleaze in the White House.
2
I can't really understand why Trump is that much worse than any of the other radical right-wing Republicans. I panic at the thought of a President Cruz or Ryan, for instance.
4
I did not have to cringe to read this column. Thank you, Mx. Egan.
I am slowly learning what Hillary surely knows: Trump's words fall differently upon Arab ears overseas than they do upon ours. Nusrallah believed him because he is the Republican presidential candidate, which gave him a credibility he does not deserve. It is beyond deserving, because influential foreigners will use those lies as inputs into their decisions.
I am slowly learning what Hillary surely knows: Trump's words fall differently upon Arab ears overseas than they do upon ours. Nusrallah believed him because he is the Republican presidential candidate, which gave him a credibility he does not deserve. It is beyond deserving, because influential foreigners will use those lies as inputs into their decisions.
2
In 80 days bring on the boredom! (We could have, should have done better.) Trump is a candidate so bad he makes boredom look good.
Let's hope voters realize not only the importance of voting against Trump, but also against the Republican Senators & Representatives who have put party before country for the past 8 years, all because they can't tolerate a black man being president.
Congress was controlled by the Democrats in the 1st 2 years of President Obama's 1st term & they accomplished much: an economic stimulus to combat the Great Recession, bailing out the U.S. auto industry (thus saving thousands of jobs), & passing the A.C.A. ("Obamacare") which, in case anyone has forgotten, not only has provided insurance to millions who didn't have it, but also let our children stay on our plans till the age of 26 & prevented insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions.
Then the Republicans took back 1st the House of Representatives & then the Senate. Mitch McConnell said their #1 goal was to make Obama a 1-term president. Not to create jobs or keep us safe from terrorists, but to oust Obama. (Even those who agreed with McConnell should vote him out for his utter failure.)
Congress has done nothing since the Republicans took control. Nothing except shut down the government, fail to pass a budget, vote 50+ times to end "Obamacare." They've hurt us for their own gain.
If we want the federal government to start working for all of us, not just the wealthy, we must vote Republicans out of the Senate & House of Representatives as well as keep Trump out of the White House.
Congress was controlled by the Democrats in the 1st 2 years of President Obama's 1st term & they accomplished much: an economic stimulus to combat the Great Recession, bailing out the U.S. auto industry (thus saving thousands of jobs), & passing the A.C.A. ("Obamacare") which, in case anyone has forgotten, not only has provided insurance to millions who didn't have it, but also let our children stay on our plans till the age of 26 & prevented insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions.
Then the Republicans took back 1st the House of Representatives & then the Senate. Mitch McConnell said their #1 goal was to make Obama a 1-term president. Not to create jobs or keep us safe from terrorists, but to oust Obama. (Even those who agreed with McConnell should vote him out for his utter failure.)
Congress has done nothing since the Republicans took control. Nothing except shut down the government, fail to pass a budget, vote 50+ times to end "Obamacare." They've hurt us for their own gain.
If we want the federal government to start working for all of us, not just the wealthy, we must vote Republicans out of the Senate & House of Representatives as well as keep Trump out of the White House.
2
The political discourse in this election has hit a new low which may manifest itself in what our children see: Bullying works(childhood suicide), degrading women works(domestic violence) and money is all that is important(A crash in the stock market). That is the country we have ushered in. Doesn't look pretty! Look what we have had for the 7 years of Obama when the Republicans vowed to do nothing because we had a black President!
1
Maybe Tim Egan can retire "meh"? He already used it to describe the idea of having the first U.S. women president. Frankly, he sounds silly every time he uses it.
1
Do anti Trump people here in their current (momentary?) triumphs still support a two- (or more) party election
1
This is such a refreshing piece.
It is especially invigorating because it recognizes that the overwhelming success of the marvelous diversity of Americans at the Olympics is not just a moral and functional model for the whole world to emulate,
but our success at the Olympics disproves Trump's hate-based pessimism
and that success is Trump's supporters' worst nightmare.
It is especially invigorating because it recognizes that the overwhelming success of the marvelous diversity of Americans at the Olympics is not just a moral and functional model for the whole world to emulate,
but our success at the Olympics disproves Trump's hate-based pessimism
and that success is Trump's supporters' worst nightmare.
Will millennials vote? An opinion without a vote is a request to be abused for the next 4 to 8 years directly, and possibly 20 from the Supreme Court.
13
Whoa! It is way to soon to be cheering that Trump has been knocked out. He has put a Breitbart operative in charge of his campaign. These are the folks who nearly brought down Planned Parenthood with ideologically edited videos and who specialize in propaganda. Do not underestimate them. My hope is that they will continue to preach to the choir and that their unethical tactics will alienate people beyond their present far right circle of influence. But the jury is still out. I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch.
6
Mr. Egan has been on a singular campaign of ever increasing invective
and ad hominem attacks against Mr. Trump. I have yet to see him honestly assess the issues which motivated millions of actual voters to bring him to the Republican nomination fair and square. Instead, we read no more than fear, doom and gloom and end of the world predictions, the very things Mr. Egan assigns to Mr. Trump. This is at best irony. As a lawyer I look at facts not motives but I am concerned when there is never any counterweight on the Op-ed pages of the Times to the near hysteria portrayed in the Egan approach. Our Founders were made of sterner stuff and would not flinch in my view from the 2016 election, plus in the past we have had elections in which the rough and tumble of the process easily matched 2016 yet to read Egan you would think November 8 is anything other than a normal election - we are fine. As a registered Democrat I can assure Mr. Egan the electoral process is still a work in progress and whichever candidate prevails, the Republic will do fine!
and ad hominem attacks against Mr. Trump. I have yet to see him honestly assess the issues which motivated millions of actual voters to bring him to the Republican nomination fair and square. Instead, we read no more than fear, doom and gloom and end of the world predictions, the very things Mr. Egan assigns to Mr. Trump. This is at best irony. As a lawyer I look at facts not motives but I am concerned when there is never any counterweight on the Op-ed pages of the Times to the near hysteria portrayed in the Egan approach. Our Founders were made of sterner stuff and would not flinch in my view from the 2016 election, plus in the past we have had elections in which the rough and tumble of the process easily matched 2016 yet to read Egan you would think November 8 is anything other than a normal election - we are fine. As a registered Democrat I can assure Mr. Egan the electoral process is still a work in progress and whichever candidate prevails, the Republic will do fine!
2
Excellent summery of what is happening in real America - wining - in big way. Blacks and whites are competing by displaying their excellence not hate and wining, young generation coming in large numbers to show their disapproval of hate culture of Trump and a political party created history by nominating the first woman president candidate. This is a wining time of America - continuation of the great moment of 2008 when America elected a first black president. I like to cry again on November 7 night like 2008.
2
Nominating a political lowlife like Hillary Clinton certainly is something to cry about. She is incapable of telling the truth and has a pathological need to lie. She really needs psychological help and is to be pitied rather than being run down.
1
Donald Trump read a statement. The statement was that he acknowledged he has said some things which he regrets. The media and pundits have used the word 'tone' to describe his having read this statement--i.e., Trump has changed his tone. I disagree.
Tone suggests attitude, an emotional element to his words, a recognition of feelings; in fact, Trump cynically mouthed words on a teleprompter to benefit himself. It was neither a statement of emotional connection or contrition. There was and is not change in Trump's tone; he is just as obnoxious and narcissistic and willing to squash people as ever. No, there is no change in tone, only a threadbare veil of pretended manners thrown over his take-no-prisoners strategy for winning.
Tone suggests attitude, an emotional element to his words, a recognition of feelings; in fact, Trump cynically mouthed words on a teleprompter to benefit himself. It was neither a statement of emotional connection or contrition. There was and is not change in Trump's tone; he is just as obnoxious and narcissistic and willing to squash people as ever. No, there is no change in tone, only a threadbare veil of pretended manners thrown over his take-no-prisoners strategy for winning.
12
And regret just means that in looking back he realizes he shouldn't have done it (most likely because he sees that it hurt him in the polls, and/or because this is what Ms. Conway told him he should say). Regret is not an apology.
3
Trump isn't my man at all---I oppose him no less than Mr. Egan does. But I'd rather drop all those emotional expressions that only reveal Egan's panic at being unable to rationally clear the American Trump eclipse.
I don't know the contexts of Trump's “We are a country that doesn’t win anymore,” yet in one context he's right. Discounting the "victories" over midgets like Grenada and Panama, the U.S. never won a real war since August 1945. Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq are all examples of military semi-victories, at best, or quasi-defeats, at worst.
And the dread of carrying on in that tradition is the real reason why Obama's administration, aware of the American popular sentiment, stands by as tyrants and despots flourish, helpless peoples crushed, and a world-menacing nation is assured a nuclear superpower future. Liberty and Justice, human rights and democracy, are to be secured for Americans only. Lucky you!
But the of-late American pathetic military record is not for lack of military might, technology or prowess---it's for the curse of "proportionate force." The Third Reich and the Empire of Rising Sun were defeated, and compelled to become democracies, by devastating, disproportionate force, including actions nowadays considered war crimes.
Proportionate is clearly a subjective measure. Here's an idea how to make it objective: if you won, that means you have used disproportionate force. Congratulations, America! Since 1945 you've only used proportionate force!
I don't know the contexts of Trump's “We are a country that doesn’t win anymore,” yet in one context he's right. Discounting the "victories" over midgets like Grenada and Panama, the U.S. never won a real war since August 1945. Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq are all examples of military semi-victories, at best, or quasi-defeats, at worst.
And the dread of carrying on in that tradition is the real reason why Obama's administration, aware of the American popular sentiment, stands by as tyrants and despots flourish, helpless peoples crushed, and a world-menacing nation is assured a nuclear superpower future. Liberty and Justice, human rights and democracy, are to be secured for Americans only. Lucky you!
But the of-late American pathetic military record is not for lack of military might, technology or prowess---it's for the curse of "proportionate force." The Third Reich and the Empire of Rising Sun were defeated, and compelled to become democracies, by devastating, disproportionate force, including actions nowadays considered war crimes.
Proportionate is clearly a subjective measure. Here's an idea how to make it objective: if you won, that means you have used disproportionate force. Congratulations, America! Since 1945 you've only used proportionate force!
2
You seem to confuse America with God, believing as you do that through force the US can cleanse the world of evil and cause virtuous rulers to bring justice and peace, and so forth. You might note that not even God does that, obviously, and America has quite a ways to go before it either has or deserves to have unbridled power of coercion over the globe. If the Obama administration does indeed secure "liberty and Justice, human rights and democracy", even if "only for Americans," as you put it, then he will have been the first.
3
Spot on! America already IS great. We have a bright future as long as we continue to lead in technology, education, innovation and creativity. But just as the American athletes' outstanding achievements in Rio depend on years of hard work, commitment to goals, sacrifice of immediate gratification, so do achievements in those other fields so vital to America's future. THAT is what a meritocracy looks like: a triumph of the nerds. America, with all its faults, is more truly a meritocracy in many ways than it has ever been, with its citizens who are not straight WASP or Catholic men more able than ever before to rise to their full potential.
The rage of Donald Trump, his enablers and his followers is the rage of those left behind by this newly meritocratic system. Unlike some who have reset their expectations and will compete fairly with others, this is the crowd that wants to regain the edge it had when the "others" were unfairly excluded and they beat up the nerds. They want to be handed gold medals for winning a race where everyone else is hobbled.
I feel sympathy for those whom the economy has left behind, but their solution lies in renewed commitment to early childhood health and education, public education from pre-K through university, and denying themselves the short-term panaceas of rage, junk news, junk TV, junk food and substance abuse. It's time to stop elegizing the hillbillies among us and for them to stop pitying themselves. I'd rather applaud Olympians and nerds.
The rage of Donald Trump, his enablers and his followers is the rage of those left behind by this newly meritocratic system. Unlike some who have reset their expectations and will compete fairly with others, this is the crowd that wants to regain the edge it had when the "others" were unfairly excluded and they beat up the nerds. They want to be handed gold medals for winning a race where everyone else is hobbled.
I feel sympathy for those whom the economy has left behind, but their solution lies in renewed commitment to early childhood health and education, public education from pre-K through university, and denying themselves the short-term panaceas of rage, junk news, junk TV, junk food and substance abuse. It's time to stop elegizing the hillbillies among us and for them to stop pitying themselves. I'd rather applaud Olympians and nerds.
7
But Trump is not an inexplicable anomaly who got nominated by accident. He is a mirror in which we can see the shadow side of our American psyche -- the unconscious racism; love of violence; aggressive sexualization and disrespect toward women; disdain for education and knowledge; ruthless use of economic power to overwhelm and exploit others; sick self-love that says we're better than others just because we're Americans; pious "Christianity" that threatens our neighbors and tramples the poor, and all the other hypocrisies. The way we win with Trump is not just by defeating him for president and moving on with a sigh relief. We will truly win if we see in him these unpleasant realities that are part of our culture, and change ourselves to better live up to the high American values we claim to stand for.
14
This election is about convincing voters what America they live in. But it's also about convincing the people what values have shaped our history.
Every time Trump runs down this country I want to smash in my TV. Every time he makes a deliberate effort to court voters who up to now have shunned him, I cringe. To hear him "talk to" African American voters in the inner cities has likely to benefit from his presidency (of course, while addressing a whites only crowd), my jaw drops.
Yesterday he kept repeating, "what do you have to lose?" over and over and over. This from the man who began his career at Daddy's knee renting apartments in Queens to everybody except African Americans, even losing a costly lawsuit over the practice.
And then he virtually promised that after 4 years, he'd win 95% of the black vote.
Winning. It's such an American word, but its meaning sure varies based on who is shouting it.
Every time Trump runs down this country I want to smash in my TV. Every time he makes a deliberate effort to court voters who up to now have shunned him, I cringe. To hear him "talk to" African American voters in the inner cities has likely to benefit from his presidency (of course, while addressing a whites only crowd), my jaw drops.
Yesterday he kept repeating, "what do you have to lose?" over and over and over. This from the man who began his career at Daddy's knee renting apartments in Queens to everybody except African Americans, even losing a costly lawsuit over the practice.
And then he virtually promised that after 4 years, he'd win 95% of the black vote.
Winning. It's such an American word, but its meaning sure varies based on who is shouting it.
13
"In 80 days, we can bring on the boredom"
Maybe the status quo is boredom for those who have their jobs and retirement set. For the majority who do not have enough in their retirement accounts, cannot afford healthcare and do not receive a living wage, the status quo is a living nightmare. As for the Olympics, who could afford to give our kids that kind of training and opportunity? Many parents can't afford the usual music lessons anymore, after the Recession and stagnant wages. It's hard to be inspired when one finds out that Ryan Lochte's car is a Rolls Royce. Obsessing about Trump, while embracing Clinton's status quo, is not winning. It's distracting oneself from the massive suffering occurring under Egan's nose.
Maybe the status quo is boredom for those who have their jobs and retirement set. For the majority who do not have enough in their retirement accounts, cannot afford healthcare and do not receive a living wage, the status quo is a living nightmare. As for the Olympics, who could afford to give our kids that kind of training and opportunity? Many parents can't afford the usual music lessons anymore, after the Recession and stagnant wages. It's hard to be inspired when one finds out that Ryan Lochte's car is a Rolls Royce. Obsessing about Trump, while embracing Clinton's status quo, is not winning. It's distracting oneself from the massive suffering occurring under Egan's nose.
9
Yes, there's trouble, as well enough I and mine know. But we'll have some pleasure in the Olympics (and frankly, not with resentment that our kids aren't in the running). We'll remember that we do have a lot, including the ability to teach our own kids the things we know how to do, and how to drive the cars we happen to have, although they aren't Rolls Royces. Teaching them that they are mistreated because other people are Olympic athletes or own fancy cars? Not so much. We will vote for Clinton because we believe she is the best person running, hands down, and we will continue to advocate in every way we can for decent treatment for workers and retirees, and an end to the grip of wealth on the nation's people. That means, first, defeating the republicans who are their hands about our throats, and second, electing--and even becoming--leaders who will defend all of us against the depredations of the powerful. That's our plan, and crying and being angry all the time is optional. It's not the option we want. We're going on a picnic today.
1
This was a really uplifting piece of writing. But once again it is among many that completely misses the dark underside of politics...in both parties. What the millenials also know is that politics is increasingly irrelevant to most of our lives. It has become about interest group politics in a pay-to-play environment where huge fortunes are funneled through donations, lobbying and privately funded disinformation. Hillary is only marginally more meaningful. The economy has also left millenials behind while boomers like me fight the last wars rather than focus on the future for our kids. More reporting on the money and corruption endemic to our politics is vital towards replacing this system. While ultimately this is a feel good piece, once the betrayal of democracy sinks in to the majority, the work towards a politics and economy that works for all can begin. No one wants to be a pawn in the battles among elites no matter what your age.
7
Yelling across the media in a crude attention-getting demand for black votes that offers a negative bet has the same creepiness as the cat calls of strange men directed at women walking down the street. It is more intimidation than woo. It is more threat than offer. Its bottom line is indifference, its purpose is to satisfy some impulsive fool who doesn't know you and doesn't care and wants one thing only, doesn't have time to spend, is unwilling to invest, but feels entitled because in the glare of an instant, he (or she) finds you attractive. The obvious answer is no.
In his shout-out for black votes, Donald Trump didn't go off-script. He acted according to his life-long practice and instincts. Politics aside, racism and misogyny are often paired, often skirt violence, often blame or shame its targets and victims, often package the threat and dehumanization in a false promise.
Add to the bizarre, low rate appeal the fact that an eugenics organization which wants to bred human's to keep the European gene pure, believing it to be more intelligent (supporting the claim of Iowa Congress member Steve King) is a sponsor of Trump's first television ad. In 48 hours, Trump went from Russian sympathizer to racial purifier. Whether by cat call or dog whistle, his politics has turned uglier and hit a new ideological low.
In his shout-out for black votes, Donald Trump didn't go off-script. He acted according to his life-long practice and instincts. Politics aside, racism and misogyny are often paired, often skirt violence, often blame or shame its targets and victims, often package the threat and dehumanization in a false promise.
Add to the bizarre, low rate appeal the fact that an eugenics organization which wants to bred human's to keep the European gene pure, believing it to be more intelligent (supporting the claim of Iowa Congress member Steve King) is a sponsor of Trump's first television ad. In 48 hours, Trump went from Russian sympathizer to racial purifier. Whether by cat call or dog whistle, his politics has turned uglier and hit a new ideological low.
13
Remember Paul Ryan and others support their party's nominee. Their tacit endorsement permits him to move forward, as he proposes the rest of us take an ideological test when his statements about crime and immigrants inextricably demonstrate he has no respect for the limits the constitution puts on government and or how it protects the freedom of all men and women.
Trump's brokenness is deeper than insulting a grieving mother by using a discredited stereotype that belittled and blamed a wife and mother whose son died defending those freedoms. His brokenness is deeper than tragic. His brokenness is dangerous. His own campaign has now assigned him a shadow, a minder, an adult-sitter who escorts him and appears with him everywhere he goes.
Eugenics points inward: in every generation there are whites who claim global and historical superiority over humanity. Whether called “America First,” or couched as safety and security, whether it's the example of a young mixed Asian supporter of Trump being removed from a rally and the refusal to admit the obvious mistake, Trump's use of rhetoric, threats, intimidation, violence and his associations and advocacy is evidence, pattern and practice that shows Trump is a misogynist and white supremacist.
You can disconnect racism from its history any more than you can separate yourself from your genealogy. In Trump, the DNA is twisted in the worst way.
Trump's brokenness is deeper than insulting a grieving mother by using a discredited stereotype that belittled and blamed a wife and mother whose son died defending those freedoms. His brokenness is deeper than tragic. His brokenness is dangerous. His own campaign has now assigned him a shadow, a minder, an adult-sitter who escorts him and appears with him everywhere he goes.
Eugenics points inward: in every generation there are whites who claim global and historical superiority over humanity. Whether called “America First,” or couched as safety and security, whether it's the example of a young mixed Asian supporter of Trump being removed from a rally and the refusal to admit the obvious mistake, Trump's use of rhetoric, threats, intimidation, violence and his associations and advocacy is evidence, pattern and practice that shows Trump is a misogynist and white supremacist.
You can disconnect racism from its history any more than you can separate yourself from your genealogy. In Trump, the DNA is twisted in the worst way.
5
Trump is not in control of his own behavior being an extreme narcissist. He was chosen by a distorted system to represent a major party in a two party system. He disgraces the entire nation with his vulgarity and ignorance. In no uncertain terms, we have all lost by Trump's nomination.
21
Did you climb Luna Peak? It is the most sublime perch in the United States facing as it does into the great double cirques of the Picket Range with its summits apply named Terror, Fury and Challenger. It is also the hardest location to visit being surrounded on all sides by trail-less difficulty.
Sublimity and Difficulty. Sublimity and Terror. Sublimity and Challenge. The sublime comes with difficulty, terror, challenge and, yes, fury.
We can and must rise to the sublime despite the difficulty, terror, challenge and fury. We are after all America. The greatest country on Earth.
Sublimity and Difficulty. Sublimity and Terror. Sublimity and Challenge. The sublime comes with difficulty, terror, challenge and, yes, fury.
We can and must rise to the sublime despite the difficulty, terror, challenge and fury. We are after all America. The greatest country on Earth.
3
My dream for America: all Republicans (and libertarians) out of power across the land; Democrats, Progressives and Greens, in power & as loyal oppositions, discussing policies/issues and arriving at sane solutions to real problems. Now that would give me hope for the world. The ugliness, selfishness and greed has to be stripped of all power.
15
The photo is fascinating--young white millennials supposedly 'saving us' & 'winning.' Saving us from what? Winning what?
What is fascinating to me is the way the conversation has been shifted - deliberately I would argue - away from the economic pillage our oligarchy is committing against us, to "isms". Though obviously fighting against racism is important, not a word on these signs about 'winning' against college debt, lack of economic opportunity, trade deals that badly hurt the worker, lack of long term vision for economic prosperity & healthcare for all. In just a few short years we went from Occupy to "Say No To Trump". Who is the Party of No now? The writer even celebrates the "rejection," as he puts it, focusing much more on how young people are more voting *against* Trump than *for* Clinton. Why? I have never seen an election in which the supporters don't support anything--they just hate the other side.
What does this accomplish? Well, it redirects focus & frustrations with their own party.
Now apparently only "Republicans fear losing money"---I guess Democrats have stopped worrying about money. Classism has disappeared. There is no class war. There is no longer a language for it. There is no language for the millions of Americans who are desperately worried about the future of their children and even themselves. What happened to the the conversation Sanders brought up? Where is Sanders by the way? Why is he not speaking? Maybe the millennials should ask.
What is fascinating to me is the way the conversation has been shifted - deliberately I would argue - away from the economic pillage our oligarchy is committing against us, to "isms". Though obviously fighting against racism is important, not a word on these signs about 'winning' against college debt, lack of economic opportunity, trade deals that badly hurt the worker, lack of long term vision for economic prosperity & healthcare for all. In just a few short years we went from Occupy to "Say No To Trump". Who is the Party of No now? The writer even celebrates the "rejection," as he puts it, focusing much more on how young people are more voting *against* Trump than *for* Clinton. Why? I have never seen an election in which the supporters don't support anything--they just hate the other side.
What does this accomplish? Well, it redirects focus & frustrations with their own party.
Now apparently only "Republicans fear losing money"---I guess Democrats have stopped worrying about money. Classism has disappeared. There is no class war. There is no longer a language for it. There is no language for the millions of Americans who are desperately worried about the future of their children and even themselves. What happened to the the conversation Sanders brought up? Where is Sanders by the way? Why is he not speaking? Maybe the millennials should ask.
18
He could'a said this: “You know,” he said, “I’ve been watching the Olympics in Brazil. By the way, I have a lot of friends in Brazil. A lot. I see we’ve been winning a lot medals there. But, but,” he emphasized, “When I’m President and we make America great again, our Olympic team will win all the medals. All of them, because we’re going to be so great.” He then added, “You know those people who didn’t win medals? Those losers. We won’t be sending them anywhere.”
10
Great column, Timothy Egan. Reading it made me smile. I may not be as optimistic as you are at the moment, but I did feel better after reading your words. Thanks for giving me some warm political feelings for a change . . . most of the time, I just get chills.
12
That said, we have a huge mess to clean up. The ugly American is rampant around the globe and few remember the sacrifices of WWII that allowed the opportunity for a better world. We are quickly descending into a worse world. Why? We have the knowledge, we have the evidence, we have the means to change but we are blocked by an outmoded, Royalist model that holds us back. In one word it is GREED. It is time for the liberal progressives to claim the bully pulpit and shout from the roof-tops
Condemn the racist bigots of the GOP that refuse to move this country forward. Vote them out of office. Throw the shackles of corporate America off our backs. There are plenty of intelligent people who can do the job of running the banking sector and giving us jobs. We are not dependent on the fat, dumb offspring of rich corporate manipulators.
Give an immigrant a chance and she will run circles around these lazy 'job creators'. Have the courage to vote the Royalist GOP out of office from the local level to the national level and see the ideals of the American Revolution realized. Vote in November.
Condemn the racist bigots of the GOP that refuse to move this country forward. Vote them out of office. Throw the shackles of corporate America off our backs. There are plenty of intelligent people who can do the job of running the banking sector and giving us jobs. We are not dependent on the fat, dumb offspring of rich corporate manipulators.
Give an immigrant a chance and she will run circles around these lazy 'job creators'. Have the courage to vote the Royalist GOP out of office from the local level to the national level and see the ideals of the American Revolution realized. Vote in November.
18
trump just looks so yesterday
5
Privilege is a terrible thing to lose ... and the Trumpter Swan is going to give it back to you'all. The final insult must have been after saving all that money to buy yourself a vintage Coupe De Ville only to find that they've all been bought up by those welfare queens.
It's just one of many plots against you.
You can't go the McDonald's because those Spanish-speaking employees would spit in your Coke. You can't get a good education because those government schools are trying to force you to develop "critical skills". You can't go to Padre Island any more because you'll be trampled to death by terrorists driving Humvees across the Mexican border. You can't go to church because they expect you to "love your neighbor" rather than "stand your ground".
Can't the MSM understand that it's only your life that matters most. And soon Mr. Trump will give you back all the privileges you know to be yours, all the security you now lack while huddled in your bunker and all the resources, natural and unnatural, to which you're entitled. But only if voter fraud can be stopped in America's ghettos.
Happy days will be here again.
It's just one of many plots against you.
You can't go the McDonald's because those Spanish-speaking employees would spit in your Coke. You can't get a good education because those government schools are trying to force you to develop "critical skills". You can't go to Padre Island any more because you'll be trampled to death by terrorists driving Humvees across the Mexican border. You can't go to church because they expect you to "love your neighbor" rather than "stand your ground".
Can't the MSM understand that it's only your life that matters most. And soon Mr. Trump will give you back all the privileges you know to be yours, all the security you now lack while huddled in your bunker and all the resources, natural and unnatural, to which you're entitled. But only if voter fraud can be stopped in America's ghettos.
Happy days will be here again.
6
Wishful thinking, isn't it? A society that does not privilege its men and normative majorities will not last very long. If Clinton, or any egalitarian politician, gets into power, then democracy is illegitimate and should be overthrown.
Regardless, the American traditions of social luxuries will lose in the face of global nationalism -- especially as more non-whites enter the country. Young, idealistic white women are not going to carry the day for long. Trumpism, or what the rest of the world knows as nationalism, cannot be suppressed, and not just in whites. If there is a better future for America, it will be a nationalistic one, on behalf of all the identity groups living there.
Regardless, the American traditions of social luxuries will lose in the face of global nationalism -- especially as more non-whites enter the country. Young, idealistic white women are not going to carry the day for long. Trumpism, or what the rest of the world knows as nationalism, cannot be suppressed, and not just in whites. If there is a better future for America, it will be a nationalistic one, on behalf of all the identity groups living there.
Almost every single one of your statements is wrong. First, you claim a society that doesn't privilege its men and normative majorities will not last very long. What evidence do you have for this? In fact, evidence suggests the contrary. The 21st century world is far more egalitarian between men and women than previous eras, and compared to the cataclysmic world wars of the previous century, this world is much more stable.
The most stable countries are also those that are most tolerant of dissent and normative minorities. These are democracies where the rights of minorities are protected. In these places, because people tolerate differences, there is little cause of bloodshed and violent conflict. In contrast, look at the Middle East, where Sunnis fight Shiites, Turks fight Kurds, and secular tyrants fight religious fanatics. Without a live-and-let-live spirit, bloodshed is inevitable.
Furthermore, the American traditions of essential freedoms, not social luxuries, has always triumphed over brute nationalism. The ultra-nationalism of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan has already lost.
Who knows, if Germany had not persecuted its "normative minorities" like Jews to the same extent, it might not have lost so many atomic scientists to the US. It might have won the war.
All this is to say, Trump's way is the wrong way. It has already proven to be a dead end.
The most stable countries are also those that are most tolerant of dissent and normative minorities. These are democracies where the rights of minorities are protected. In these places, because people tolerate differences, there is little cause of bloodshed and violent conflict. In contrast, look at the Middle East, where Sunnis fight Shiites, Turks fight Kurds, and secular tyrants fight religious fanatics. Without a live-and-let-live spirit, bloodshed is inevitable.
Furthermore, the American traditions of essential freedoms, not social luxuries, has always triumphed over brute nationalism. The ultra-nationalism of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan has already lost.
Who knows, if Germany had not persecuted its "normative minorities" like Jews to the same extent, it might not have lost so many atomic scientists to the US. It might have won the war.
All this is to say, Trump's way is the wrong way. It has already proven to be a dead end.
This is my America, one Trump doesn't know and never will:
Bedraggled, exhausted, frustrated, worried, I was driving to a new home in another state several hours away. When I got back into my car after pumping gas, a young African-American woman with long braids, also getting back into her car with another young woman after pumping gas on that ungodly hot day, called over to me (an elderly white woman), "I hope you have a happy and peaceful afternoon."
She had seen the stress on my face.
I answered, "You just made my day 100% better, thanks!"
She then asked, "Do you need a hug?"
"Yes, I could use a hug."
She got out of her car and gave me a tight, warm, loving hug, "Have a blessed day," she said.
I responded, "You just made my day blessed."
We went our ways, and my stress washed away.
She was my guardian angel.
She was my America.
Donald Trump, you don't know the America that most of us know.
Bedraggled, exhausted, frustrated, worried, I was driving to a new home in another state several hours away. When I got back into my car after pumping gas, a young African-American woman with long braids, also getting back into her car with another young woman after pumping gas on that ungodly hot day, called over to me (an elderly white woman), "I hope you have a happy and peaceful afternoon."
She had seen the stress on my face.
I answered, "You just made my day 100% better, thanks!"
She then asked, "Do you need a hug?"
"Yes, I could use a hug."
She got out of her car and gave me a tight, warm, loving hug, "Have a blessed day," she said.
I responded, "You just made my day blessed."
We went our ways, and my stress washed away.
She was my guardian angel.
She was my America.
Donald Trump, you don't know the America that most of us know.
5
"Millennials are saving us."
The young grow wiser and more responsible, but the old only grow more stubborn and more certain of their infallibility. Demographically speaking, older (particularly white) voters are much more prone to give in to Trump's fear and hate-mongering. In contrast, Millennials seem to be stepping up as the grown-ups this year.
But we are still a few months from the election. I just hope your words out in the polls in November.
The young grow wiser and more responsible, but the old only grow more stubborn and more certain of their infallibility. Demographically speaking, older (particularly white) voters are much more prone to give in to Trump's fear and hate-mongering. In contrast, Millennials seem to be stepping up as the grown-ups this year.
But we are still a few months from the election. I just hope your words out in the polls in November.
Say what?
"the old only grow more stubborn and more certain of their infallibility. Demographically speaking, older (particularly white) voters are much more prone to give in to Trump's fear and hate-mongering."
Can you show us your data on that? If not, please keep your ageism to yourself (or join the Trump bigots).
--From a proud 72 yo liberal white male geezer--
"the old only grow more stubborn and more certain of their infallibility. Demographically speaking, older (particularly white) voters are much more prone to give in to Trump's fear and hate-mongering."
Can you show us your data on that? If not, please keep your ageism to yourself (or join the Trump bigots).
--From a proud 72 yo liberal white male geezer--
Speaking of jinxing, I hope this column doesn't do that. More than two months until the election.
1
I'm not sure Trump will be funded long enough to be more than an afterthought by the election. He continues to alienate his "core" supporters. We all knew he was sucking up to Putin (who's a lot smarter than Trump) but Trump himself proved it.
1
Just another reason to vote ONLY Democrat 2016 and shove the Republican'ts and their ilk so far down that they will never recover and end up in the trash heap of history where they and their ilk belong.
3
Excellent column Tim. Hard to comprehend why anyone supports the lunatic. Down with the cesspool party, and their leader - the embodiment of ignorance, hubris and insults. Vote everybody, wisely of course.
2
After Pete Wilson, my state went Blue.
Please join us!
Please join us!
2
YAY US! America is smart and strong, hip and cool. We can now watch ourselves show Trump how uncool he is, how we will enjoy watching him flail and fail. The public has spoken. Loud mouthed foul racists such as Trump will not be tolerated.
6
So from your opening description Tim, I'm guessing you climbed Sourdough Mountain, yeah?
Mr. Trump's foray into Louisiana's flooded areas today might have looked good on another candidate. But Mr. Trump has already shown us that he doesn't care about the have-nots, even the newly minted have-nots of a flood. It was just a photo op. At least I didn't hear him say anything stupid for a change, but perhaps I didn't watch long enough.
6
Trump and the GOP are one--Ryan and McConnell agree with this. So a straight party line vote for the Dems is the ONLY alternative.
6
Trump is not in control of his own behavior being an extreme narcissist. He was chosen by a distorted system to represent a major party in a two party system. He disgraces the entire nation with his vulgarity and ignorance. In no uncertain terms, we have all lost by Trump's nomination.
23
A great deal of what the Trump supporters either want or fight has nothing to do with politics. We can measure his cynicism by his promises to Appalachia that he'll bring back coal. He's a building developer; he understands full well that energy efficiency in new and retrofitted buildings has already had colossal effects on their consumption of coal-generated electricity. He knows that gas is cheaper than coal. Trump knows that coal is dead because that's what capitalism does to industries when better alternatives become available int he free market. The GOP knows it too. When his supporters understand how brutally Trump used them, they'll reviolt against the GOP that enabled it.
19
There is a kind of entitlement on the part of coal miners and other dead occupations that somehow America owes them a living and that government is the remedy for their own bad life decisions.
I certainly hope you are right, but it won't take much for the Republican Party to coalesce around Trump if he cleans up his act. And the Clinton Foundation, which they are starting to focus on, is completely indefensible even without proof of any actual quid pro quo. Even if there was no actual purchase of any favoritism, nobody would have contributed 10 cents if they hadn't thought they were going to get something in return. After all, they could just as easily contributed to the Red Cross or any one of thousands of other charities whose work they supported. If Clintons weren't pedaling actual influence, they certainly were pedaling the expectation of influence. I guess those foreign governments and billionaires were just suckers. The Clinton's can hardly complain that they didn't commit an actual crime when they were raising money on the expectation that they would. So now Bill Clinton has announced that CF will stop taking international contributions if Hillary is elected. Leaving aside the question why he wouldn't stop ALL contributions, why was it OK to accept those contributions when HC was Secretary of State but not if she is president? Don't get me wrong. I will be voting for this dork. But only because the sleaziness of her and her husband is only slightly beyond the pale, while Trump's deficiencies threaten the existence of the country. Those poll numbers look great, but it is a long way to November. I hope Hillary has a really good strategy for the home stretch.
13
It's time to stop being an echo chamber for indefensible attacks on everything Clinton. Here's the Clinton Foundation: http://www.factcheck.org/2015/06/where-does-clinton-foundation-money-go/
“We operate programs on the ground, around the world, that are making a difference on issues ranging from poverty and global health to climate change and women’s and girls’ participation,” Minassian told us via email. “Many large foundations actually provide grants to the Clinton Foundation so that our staff can implement the work.”
"Asked for some examples of the work it performs itself, the Clinton Foundation listed these:
-Clinton Development Initiative staff in Africa train rural farmers and help them get access to seeds, equipment and markets for their crops.
-Clinton Climate Initiative staff help governments in Africa and the Caribbean region with reforestation efforts, and in island nations to help develop renewable energy projects.
-Staff at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, an independent, affiliated entity, work in dozens of nations to lower the cost of HIV/AIDS medicine, scale up pediatric AIDS treatment and promote treatment of diarrhea through life-saving Zinc/ORS treatment.
-Clinton Health Matters staff work with local governments and businesses in the United States to develop wellness and physical activity plans.
"CharityWatch concluded about 89 percent of its budget is spent on programs."
“We operate programs on the ground, around the world, that are making a difference on issues ranging from poverty and global health to climate change and women’s and girls’ participation,” Minassian told us via email. “Many large foundations actually provide grants to the Clinton Foundation so that our staff can implement the work.”
"Asked for some examples of the work it performs itself, the Clinton Foundation listed these:
-Clinton Development Initiative staff in Africa train rural farmers and help them get access to seeds, equipment and markets for their crops.
-Clinton Climate Initiative staff help governments in Africa and the Caribbean region with reforestation efforts, and in island nations to help develop renewable energy projects.
-Staff at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, an independent, affiliated entity, work in dozens of nations to lower the cost of HIV/AIDS medicine, scale up pediatric AIDS treatment and promote treatment of diarrhea through life-saving Zinc/ORS treatment.
-Clinton Health Matters staff work with local governments and businesses in the United States to develop wellness and physical activity plans.
"CharityWatch concluded about 89 percent of its budget is spent on programs."
16
Absolutely right, Susan, even if one hallucinates that the previous poster's being honest. Which he isn't.
2
And the airplane and who most uses it, and wages and honorariums to whom in what amounts over $100,000. Openness is not difficulty wished.
1
As one with far fewer days ahead than those which have passed, I find myself greatly comforted by this population bulge called "The Millennials." Their enthusiasm for technology, Innovative thought processes, and refusal to simply accept the "mess" that my generation has made of the planet, bodes extremely well for the future.
I am convinced that the millennials will be the ones that cure cancer, undo global warming, and return some fairness to the economy. They also seem more able to work as a team to overcome the political constipation that has gripped our elected officials for the better part of a decade. If they sound whiny at times, it is only because they are frustrated by a world replete with many challenges that are the result of our greed and neglect.
When I graduated college in 1981, I was entering the working world during what, up until then, was the worst economy and job market since the Great Depression. I clearly remember, however, that if one had an ounce of intelligence, and a half ounce of common sense, your career progressed upward as if powered by a rocket. Today's college graduates are coming into a working world that is aggressively using technology to destroy good paying jobs. Many, many companies have a schedule of ongoing, rolling layoffs.
The optimism I see with today's millenials, even in the light of the above problems, leads me to believe that they will birth a golden age of prosperity that will make the post WWII boom look like a recession.
I am convinced that the millennials will be the ones that cure cancer, undo global warming, and return some fairness to the economy. They also seem more able to work as a team to overcome the political constipation that has gripped our elected officials for the better part of a decade. If they sound whiny at times, it is only because they are frustrated by a world replete with many challenges that are the result of our greed and neglect.
When I graduated college in 1981, I was entering the working world during what, up until then, was the worst economy and job market since the Great Depression. I clearly remember, however, that if one had an ounce of intelligence, and a half ounce of common sense, your career progressed upward as if powered by a rocket. Today's college graduates are coming into a working world that is aggressively using technology to destroy good paying jobs. Many, many companies have a schedule of ongoing, rolling layoffs.
The optimism I see with today's millenials, even in the light of the above problems, leads me to believe that they will birth a golden age of prosperity that will make the post WWII boom look like a recession.
17
Like you, my days are dimming and I see those graduating high school after 2000 (many of them do not like the 'M' word) to be the cultural advancement, the evolution, of the social creativity of my boomer generation. They are liberal and thoughtful with more spirituality than Gen X and Gen Y. Some of my dearest friends fall into this demographic and they give me hope for America.
One of the reasons die-hard Trump supporters are so animated is that they also realize in their hearts that demographics are not on their side. Trump's promise to Make America Great Again resonates with people who feel that their communities and their way of life is dying. America may be winning but they feel like it is at their expense.
For folks who feel left-out it is tempting succumb to demagogues and to blame global trade, immigrants, minorities, even our inclusive values. Yet these facile and false explanations overlook the obvious that as technology transforms industries, the labor force must adapt.
It would have been far better if the leaders in the Republican party had led the way in managing the ongoing transformation of our society instead of appealing to the baser instinct of the disaffected. We need more Republicans to disavow the politics of fear and embrace an optimistic vision for addressing the very real challenges that we face in the hyper-connected era of self-driving cars, robotics and AI that is now imminent. There is more change on the horizon...
For folks who feel left-out it is tempting succumb to demagogues and to blame global trade, immigrants, minorities, even our inclusive values. Yet these facile and false explanations overlook the obvious that as technology transforms industries, the labor force must adapt.
It would have been far better if the leaders in the Republican party had led the way in managing the ongoing transformation of our society instead of appealing to the baser instinct of the disaffected. We need more Republicans to disavow the politics of fear and embrace an optimistic vision for addressing the very real challenges that we face in the hyper-connected era of self-driving cars, robotics and AI that is now imminent. There is more change on the horizon...
6
There are good jobs available. The unemployment rate is 5%! The jobs require thought, not brawn, and that is what upsets people who lack mental training. They didn't get the memo that brawn jobs are dead and to do well you need higher education. You need a mind trained to think. A mind can be trained just like a body in the gym. The mind gym is called a University. And those who body build in engineering will have good lives. I am in high tech and have to hire Indians to fill $100k jobs because there are not enough graduates in science and engineering. Even artists can make much money in developing UI and UX.
The jobs are waiting for you.
The jobs are waiting for you.
There is an episode in the old, "Get Smart!" series in which Smart rains insults and then blows on a Chaos agent with absolutely no effect other than making matter worse.
At which point Smart stops, pretends to brush off the Chaos agent's jacket, and straighten his lapels, and then says, " I uh, hope I wasn't out of line with that crack..."
That's Trump today. Ya, I said all those things, but I didn't mean them.
And that we're supposed to believe? We should vote for him because, well, he was conflicted when he was applauding Putin, threatening Hillary, denouncing immigrants, et al?
He fires Paul Manafort who works for Putin, and replaces him with Stephen Bannon whose only work is selling advertising and propaganda to Right Wing Extremists?
The nation will do the world a big favor if Hillary's victory margin over Trump makes Lyndon Johnson's 1964 historic 61.1% of the popular vote look small.
At which point Smart stops, pretends to brush off the Chaos agent's jacket, and straighten his lapels, and then says, " I uh, hope I wasn't out of line with that crack..."
That's Trump today. Ya, I said all those things, but I didn't mean them.
And that we're supposed to believe? We should vote for him because, well, he was conflicted when he was applauding Putin, threatening Hillary, denouncing immigrants, et al?
He fires Paul Manafort who works for Putin, and replaces him with Stephen Bannon whose only work is selling advertising and propaganda to Right Wing Extremists?
The nation will do the world a big favor if Hillary's victory margin over Trump makes Lyndon Johnson's 1964 historic 61.1% of the popular vote look small.
61
Yeah, Johnson's victory...
The young are cheering Hillary on. We'll see all people of color living and working together. No more police shootings of armed criminals - Milwaukee can bloom again.
I expect NY City schools to very shortly afterwards become an integrated oasis in the desert of the sad country Trump supporters left behind.
Maine will welcome African Americans with open arms no longer being held back to a 2% African-American population due to the old white men. Even Chapaqqua with throw off the yoke of oppression and see in influx of people of all color.
No?
The young are cheering Hillary on. We'll see all people of color living and working together. No more police shootings of armed criminals - Milwaukee can bloom again.
I expect NY City schools to very shortly afterwards become an integrated oasis in the desert of the sad country Trump supporters left behind.
Maine will welcome African Americans with open arms no longer being held back to a 2% African-American population due to the old white men. Even Chapaqqua with throw off the yoke of oppression and see in influx of people of all color.
No?
I am going to vote for someone who provided access to the US government, and its powers, to people and entities which made donations to her private foundation. I am doing this because I believe that the alternative is worse. But I have open eyes.
The Times and its columnists are drunk on their access to power. Because this power feigns concern for some (but not all) disadvantaged communities, the Times and its columnists can tell themselves that they're Really Good People as they brunch in Seattle and/or the Upper West Side.
Meanwhile - according to the Times' journalist - most peoples' health plans aren't worth the LCD monitors they're displayed on.
Winning!
The Times and its columnists are drunk on their access to power. Because this power feigns concern for some (but not all) disadvantaged communities, the Times and its columnists can tell themselves that they're Really Good People as they brunch in Seattle and/or the Upper West Side.
Meanwhile - according to the Times' journalist - most peoples' health plans aren't worth the LCD monitors they're displayed on.
Winning!
16
@pikul
Oh. So it's alright for a violent racist demagogue to bring out the worst in his like-minded electorate, then screech out for support from a foreign antagonistic state to use espionage on a U.S. citizen?? -- Right.
And all that after his campaign manager was shown to have been paid by a pro-Russian lobby in Ukraine??
Another thing.
What do you know about the UWS???
Oh. So it's alright for a violent racist demagogue to bring out the worst in his like-minded electorate, then screech out for support from a foreign antagonistic state to use espionage on a U.S. citizen?? -- Right.
And all that after his campaign manager was shown to have been paid by a pro-Russian lobby in Ukraine??
Another thing.
What do you know about the UWS???
1
Thank you Ted for calling it like it really is. I feel sorry for the plight of the kids in the inner cities , run by libs for decades, and still stuck in an inescapable trap for life. The dems have taken the African Amer vote for granted and have produced 0 for them. I don't know how that is winning.
2
BTW, the Times thru a great American, Colin Powell, under the bus by intimating his email system was like Clintons. Power corrupts
1
You already jinxed it: Chicago will now blame Tim Egan for a Cubbie failure to enter the World Series. Remember the name, Chicago: Tim Egan. You know, the guy who goes to the North Cascades National Park to pen columns and clear his head of Trump-induced choler.
We’re only three weeks beyond the Dem convention and Egan already has Trump dead and buried. And all that desperation that preceded the eulogies and graveside euphoria as his numbers climbed briefly above Mrs. Clinton’s. It might be a little too soon to assume that the Cubs will go all the way this year OR that Donald Trump, a guy who decidedly came from behind to slay a multitude of rivals, is no longer a threat before the first presidential candidate debate, which could be all about emails, her foundation, Libya and Syria.
It ain’t over till a fat bear in the northern Cascades, ready for hibernation, sings.
We’re only three weeks beyond the Dem convention and Egan already has Trump dead and buried. And all that desperation that preceded the eulogies and graveside euphoria as his numbers climbed briefly above Mrs. Clinton’s. It might be a little too soon to assume that the Cubs will go all the way this year OR that Donald Trump, a guy who decidedly came from behind to slay a multitude of rivals, is no longer a threat before the first presidential candidate debate, which could be all about emails, her foundation, Libya and Syria.
It ain’t over till a fat bear in the northern Cascades, ready for hibernation, sings.
9
Richard
I really don't know how you can sleep at night. Really.
I really don't know how you can sleep at night. Really.
22
Do you actually want this horrible man to win? Why? Can you find one rational reason to justify voting for him? And saying he's not Hillary is not acceptable. I can find multiple positive reasons to support her, but him? You have just given the lie to the concept of "thinking conservative."
18
It ain't over yet, but in late August one can usually tell the contenders from the has-beens.
11
The author is correct to admit that we are “in this conflicted and troubled democracy of ours.” Why? Because the people have taken a toll of the genuine democracy as they have been wheedled into voting the unscrupulous to offices without getting back unadulterated democratic rights and people’s sovereignty except a Whac-a-Mole response asking for more support with no pledges in return.
What the author did not mention are as follows:
The establishment is such a formidable foe that every anti-establishment element has to reckon with. Take D.J.T.’s difficult situation as an example. His being a pedigreed capitalist seems to be a breach of close on the exclusive privileges of the presidential candidates of the wannabe millionaires or billionaires. His total disregard for rank and of the corrupted party darlings has churned out anti-Trump stalwarts and he becomes the most reviled candidate since time immemorial. He cares more about his leading role in defeating the establishment’s snags against changes of a non-working system than taking the office and that has evoked vile comments.
A lone lion has been framed up in a wolf pack.
Establishment zealots have the temerity to call everyone who wants change bigots while the groundswell of support for radical changes towards a real democracy has prevailed.
Millennials are more supporters of Bernie Sanders as a democratic socialist than of H.R.C. as an establishment darling of dishonesty, hawkishness and other indelible stains.
What the author did not mention are as follows:
The establishment is such a formidable foe that every anti-establishment element has to reckon with. Take D.J.T.’s difficult situation as an example. His being a pedigreed capitalist seems to be a breach of close on the exclusive privileges of the presidential candidates of the wannabe millionaires or billionaires. His total disregard for rank and of the corrupted party darlings has churned out anti-Trump stalwarts and he becomes the most reviled candidate since time immemorial. He cares more about his leading role in defeating the establishment’s snags against changes of a non-working system than taking the office and that has evoked vile comments.
A lone lion has been framed up in a wolf pack.
Establishment zealots have the temerity to call everyone who wants change bigots while the groundswell of support for radical changes towards a real democracy has prevailed.
Millennials are more supporters of Bernie Sanders as a democratic socialist than of H.R.C. as an establishment darling of dishonesty, hawkishness and other indelible stains.
8
most of this really doesn't make much sense, andrew. and if you think donald trump has no regard for rank you haven't been paying much attention--nobody revels in rank more than trump.
he's not a lion. he's a hyena. and you know the dominant sex among hyenas is the female.
he's not a lion. he's a hyena. and you know the dominant sex among hyenas is the female.
Don't jinx it, indeed!
6
A victory by Clinton will not mean "We're Winning," although I wish that would be the case. America will not be winning until we have a requiem for the Republican-controlled House and Senate, and then lay to rest the scorched earth duo of Ryan and McConnell, the team that makes certain nothing gets done.
94
Hopefull, we take back the Senate and cause a serious dent in the Republican majority in Congress.
12
@stewart
And you honestly think that would be achieved with a Republican President?
Think again.
A Clinton victory would at least put Democrats in a position of power to do something more than watch a Republican Congress do NOTHING.
And you honestly think that would be achieved with a Republican President?
Think again.
A Clinton victory would at least put Democrats in a position of power to do something more than watch a Republican Congress do NOTHING.
6
I Prefer a victory that involves burying the "Tea Party" in a crossroads with a stake through it's heart.
GOP Delanda Est works too.
GOP Delanda Est works too.
5
I'm not cheering about a 52 percent gap among nonwhites in Texas.
I'd expect 70% at least among nonwhites there if they truly understand the God-awful threat of Trumpism.
I'd expect 70% at least among nonwhites there if they truly understand the God-awful threat of Trumpism.
47
I agree that 52% gap seems low. Unless the polling sample size was 10 people and happened to include both Ted Cruz and Katrina Pierson.
5
A 52 percent gap would be equivalent to 76 for Clinton versus 24 for Trump. That's easy to understand.
8
@dart
This is going to come as a surprise to you....But non-whites know better (and longer!) than any other group what "Trumpism" is all about.
This is going to come as a surprise to you....But non-whites know better (and longer!) than any other group what "Trumpism" is all about.
7
As much as I admire Mr. Egan's wonderful writing and his acumen, I'm worried that he's being a tad pollyanish. I follow the polls closely, and from what I can see the race is tightening. Although HIllary still has a substantial lead, I'd feel a lot better if the trend were in the other direction. But I strongly agree with the underlying premise of this column: that this election is about a lot more than the White House; it's a referendum on the American people. Who are we? To be vindicated -- to demonstrate that we are who Egan (and I) hope we are -- Trump must not merely be defeated -- he must be crushed coast to coast. I'm hopeful that he will be because Obama is right. Every time this sociopath opens his big, fat mouth he gives more thousands of Americans cause to be appalled.
36
"The winning is not necessarily for Hillary Clinton, though she is of course the beneficiary."
Oh, one is hearing altogether too much of this lucky Hillary stuff. I'm not going to make the case that Hillary has demonstrated to anyone who really tries to be objective that she deserves to be President, and therefore "is winning," but just point out that in contrast to every Republican candidate, Hillary created a frame at the Democratic convention in which to view the Dumpster to his disadvantage, from which he has been unable to free himself. No, she didn't do it on her own--the great Democratic speakers and Kizer Kahn made devastating contributions--and the winning is not "for herself." But that fact only underscores her vision. She has maintained all along, she is not doing it "for Hillary."
I leave it to more serious-minded political scientists to decide whether her "Stronger Together" strategy arose out of a perception that, as one hears regularly, she is a "flawed" candidate, or because it is precisely the sort of strategy a second wave feminist would predicate. But whatever it is, it is a winning strategy, and eminently compatible with the general sense of hope and self-confidence described in Timothy's article--though contrary to the assertions of Timothy's article, Hillary is not some random "beneficiary" but an integral part of the pattern.
Oh, one is hearing altogether too much of this lucky Hillary stuff. I'm not going to make the case that Hillary has demonstrated to anyone who really tries to be objective that she deserves to be President, and therefore "is winning," but just point out that in contrast to every Republican candidate, Hillary created a frame at the Democratic convention in which to view the Dumpster to his disadvantage, from which he has been unable to free himself. No, she didn't do it on her own--the great Democratic speakers and Kizer Kahn made devastating contributions--and the winning is not "for herself." But that fact only underscores her vision. She has maintained all along, she is not doing it "for Hillary."
I leave it to more serious-minded political scientists to decide whether her "Stronger Together" strategy arose out of a perception that, as one hears regularly, she is a "flawed" candidate, or because it is precisely the sort of strategy a second wave feminist would predicate. But whatever it is, it is a winning strategy, and eminently compatible with the general sense of hope and self-confidence described in Timothy's article--though contrary to the assertions of Timothy's article, Hillary is not some random "beneficiary" but an integral part of the pattern.
19
I wouldn't get so excited, if you look at national polls trump is still pulling nearly 40%, and that is to be blunt, pathetic, it says just how stupid so much of this country is. If 40% said neither candidate, I could respect that, I am not a big fan of Hillary, but that 40% of the people could support someone so patently vile says that Mencken was right. Some of that 40% are probably saying "oh, you know, Donald is just saying that to get elected, he doesn't really mean that", but they are just as stupid as those who actually believe what Trump says. If Trump was polling 20%, I would feel the way Egan does, but 40%? Not to mention that among those who Trump is appealing to, the haters, the older, less educated white voters, they vote, and in large numbers. Young people might hate Trump, but will they vote, or will they say "Bernie was ripped off" and sit on their hands? Will some of those young people decide to teach the democrats a lesson, and vote for trump?
If trump is polling 40%, it is likely he will get that % of votes...but if Hillary is polling let's say 52%, will she really get that? If a sizable portion of independents, young people and the like decide to sit on their hands, trump could win a plurality of 43%..even counting that Hillary likely will get many of the big states, all trump would have to do is pick up the red states, and maybe 3 swing states, to win.
If trump is polling 40%, it is likely he will get that % of votes...but if Hillary is polling let's say 52%, will she really get that? If a sizable portion of independents, young people and the like decide to sit on their hands, trump could win a plurality of 43%..even counting that Hillary likely will get many of the big states, all trump would have to do is pick up the red states, and maybe 3 swing states, to win.
11
But how long til he's charged with "high crimes and misdemeanors" and convicted by the Senate?
There was no way the Senate was going to convict Bill Clinton of, basically, philandering. Nixon resigned immediately after Barry Goldwater went to the White House to tell Tricky Dick he had the votes in the Senate to convict him, and he'd do it. Nixon knew it was over.
There was no way the Senate was going to convict Bill Clinton of, basically, philandering. Nixon resigned immediately after Barry Goldwater went to the White House to tell Tricky Dick he had the votes in the Senate to convict him, and he'd do it. Nixon knew it was over.
Every election article and editorial in this newspaper, for quite some time, has depicted Trump as evil and unlikely to win. Readers seems to have an endless desire to read different versions of the same story and the same slant, day after day. It's as if the readers need constant reassurance and the newspaper has just one song to sing. I understand why readers want to be reassured that Trump is as bad s they think. But I don't understand why anyone wants to read about it 100 times. I don't know which way Al-Jazeera leans but its recent article suggests that the election is still up for grabs and discusses why Trump has more appeal than many think, Those who will have a nervous breakdown reading a novel account should ignore this. But those who think that 100 versions of the same article are enough ought to read Al Jazeera's account. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/08/donald-trump-win-160804...
11
Speaking of 'why anyone wants to read about it 100 times,' how about how tired we are about continually bringing up the email story. It has been regurgitated ad nays run for years. Trump, on the other hand, proves his lack of fitness to serve in new ways every single day. It's just that simple, from his lips, without media bias. Unfit.
34
The reassurance needs you suggest many of us have may come to pass if Trump shoots someone on 5th Avenue, as he said he could, and not lose any votes
1
Well, waddya gonna do. Liberals are like that when they're confronted with a stupid, vicious loser who's scrabbled his way out of the GOP's cloaca.
By the way, really enjoyed the way you guys always try to portray everybody who knows more than you do and disagrees as hysterical somehow. It's real subtle.
By the way, really enjoyed the way you guys always try to portray everybody who knows more than you do and disagrees as hysterical somehow. It's real subtle.
1
"I could mention that the Chicago Cubs, who last won a World Series in 1908, when Teddy Roosevelt was president and more Americans got around by horse than car, have the best record in baseball. (I know: Don’t jinx it)."
You just did!
You just did!
3
Reason rules the day, not superstition. That is primitive stuff and doesn't belong in a discussion of this election.
1
I do find it incredibly disturbing that so many women vote Republican. I think it's a symptom of internalization of the culture of second-class citizenship. We need to address this self-loathing behavior and encourage women to see themselves as full participants and STEWARDS of American democracy who should be voting for civil rights for themselves as a matter of love of country.
31
Spot on. But women must learn not to hide their light behind a bushel, c from sj.
No matter what gains the Dems might make in 2016 they will give it back in 2018.
They will Leave HRC twisting in th wind as they did Obama in 2010 and 2014 by not showing up to vote.
Fro Dems voting every 4 years is all they can handle, but complaining about the outcomes of not voting they do full time
They will Leave HRC twisting in th wind as they did Obama in 2010 and 2014 by not showing up to vote.
Fro Dems voting every 4 years is all they can handle, but complaining about the outcomes of not voting they do full time
18
Yep
7
Dems, are you listening. Just stop, please stop, with stayiing home when you're not enthusiastic. Want to make things worse, take your toys and go home!
9
All those Bernie Sanders Millennial voters must be blind to the Utopia the last 8 years have been. Those Orlando and San Bernadino victims didn't realize ISIS is the JV team. Those 5000 affluent white suburban Fairfield County voters must not appreciate globalization. Maybe they should thank DNC lackeys Governor Malloy, Senators Murphy and Blumenthal for the great job they have done in Connecticut. With GE and Aetna moving out it just makes more room for some start up. Thanks for enlightening me.
8
Connecticut is in the Democratic column already. Too bad for you and your unbridled criticism of your great state. Sad, really.
3
the last 8 years haven't been utopia, but the us economy is the strongest in the world, we're the most innovative society in the world, and we're the culture making diversity work. the future starts here.
2
A winning Olympic team and a winning government are two different things. It is harder to find such idealism, dedication, and fortitude for one's country in a corrupt government bough by mega-corporations. Nice try.
4
Don't forget Women's rowing-- Gold for the 8+ and Silver for Gevvie Stone!!
7
Don't forget the drunken male swimmers. They should have known better and there's no excuse for vandalism.
Gymnastics and many swimmers, a fencer in a hijab, as well as a lot of sports I simply don't understand, did us proud but it only takes a couple of clowns to bring everyone down.
Gymnastics and many swimmers, a fencer in a hijab, as well as a lot of sports I simply don't understand, did us proud but it only takes a couple of clowns to bring everyone down.
2
Mr. Egan,
It's nice to look at the polls, but to quote your own column, "don't jinx it."
It's nice to look at the polls, but to quote your own column, "don't jinx it."
1
It ain't over til it's over. Don't count your chickens. Even if T loses, the mindset he represents is growing. All it will need to come to power is a really bad economic downturn.
6
If the mindset is growing, why are his numbers tanking?
1
@Dr. Dillamond
The mindset you attribute to Trump doesn't grow. It just rots. And the herd Trump hopes to stampede just wants a free all-you-can-graze open pasture, a six-pack, Monday Night Football and an opioid Rx or meth homebrew chaser.
Couch Nation belches and Pundits more liberal than smart suffer panic attacks that terminal apathy and chronic ADD are Marvel comic book super powers eager to get jiggy with politics. Consider how well their current idol of excess success has done organizing a paint-by-numbers national foxtrot that even Sarah Palin and Trump POW punchline McCain riverdanced to without breaking a sweat on a porch with that famous view of Putin's lower forty.
Hate can grate but it'll never be great. But it keeps our favorite pundits busy and away from mischief. And reduced the Republican Tea Party to Donner Party wannabes craving for more finger food.
But I agree: if winning is not losing to anthropomorphic imbecility, it's not an Olympic event and the gold metal was made in China from plastic harvested from cadavers.
The mindset you attribute to Trump doesn't grow. It just rots. And the herd Trump hopes to stampede just wants a free all-you-can-graze open pasture, a six-pack, Monday Night Football and an opioid Rx or meth homebrew chaser.
Couch Nation belches and Pundits more liberal than smart suffer panic attacks that terminal apathy and chronic ADD are Marvel comic book super powers eager to get jiggy with politics. Consider how well their current idol of excess success has done organizing a paint-by-numbers national foxtrot that even Sarah Palin and Trump POW punchline McCain riverdanced to without breaking a sweat on a porch with that famous view of Putin's lower forty.
Hate can grate but it'll never be great. But it keeps our favorite pundits busy and away from mischief. And reduced the Republican Tea Party to Donner Party wannabes craving for more finger food.
But I agree: if winning is not losing to anthropomorphic imbecility, it's not an Olympic event and the gold metal was made in China from plastic harvested from cadavers.
Not to worry, Doc. Demographics and Father Time will take care of that mindset that is "growing." In the meantime, we need to see that The Marmalade Mussolini never sees the inside of the WH.....
a few nights ago, another newscaster (in this case it was Judy Woodruff) ended a piece about Hillary Clinton saying something along the lines of "now she has to convince the American people she can be trusted".
Your column is a fresh breeze for my worried mind.
Your column is a fresh breeze for my worried mind.
1
Yes, let us hope that Hillary Clinton wins in a landslide of epic proportions, for that will show Republicans (from rich to the unrich) that a true majority of their countrymen and countrywomen sees things otherwise. THEN the battle will be not over, but joined--to remove gerrymandered district lines across the nation that favor state and U.S. House Republicans, and to pass legislation that benefits us the people who are not the 1%. Until enough of these national liabilities are removed from office, we remain stuck in their muck.
Should Clinton win in a landslide, there's still no reason to think that any Republican, even Susan Collins, will be willing to vote in ways that acknowledge that landslide. Republicans have shown for almost a decade now that if left to them, there is no "loyal opposition" (quaint phrase that, thanks to their efforts). Even the most reasonable of them will remain Republican and vote accordingly almost all of the time. So if you're not uber-wealthy, and you want representation that represents your interests and well-being, do your part to get the drawing boards redrawn. Join or contribute to the League of Women Voters and Common Cause, agitate for a redistricting referendum in your state, write your local newspaper repeatedly, send your governor a monthly letter, donate to Republican opponents, ... DO something. First of all, though, vote up and down Democratic in November.
Should Clinton win in a landslide, there's still no reason to think that any Republican, even Susan Collins, will be willing to vote in ways that acknowledge that landslide. Republicans have shown for almost a decade now that if left to them, there is no "loyal opposition" (quaint phrase that, thanks to their efforts). Even the most reasonable of them will remain Republican and vote accordingly almost all of the time. So if you're not uber-wealthy, and you want representation that represents your interests and well-being, do your part to get the drawing boards redrawn. Join or contribute to the League of Women Voters and Common Cause, agitate for a redistricting referendum in your state, write your local newspaper repeatedly, send your governor a monthly letter, donate to Republican opponents, ... DO something. First of all, though, vote up and down Democratic in November.
43
Absolutely right. The next battle is to undo what Republican legislatures did after the 2010 mid-terms gave them the power to exploit the 2010 census: gerrymandered the country to a fare thee well -- to a point that the House of Representatives is now permanently unrepresentative. We must undo the vandalism to representative democracy wreaked by the Republicans through their control of state legislatures and the power these legislatures wield over voting district boundaries.
16
Many Trump defectors are planning to vote Libertarian Green or Independent.
Unless Clinton has an insurmountable lead, this could be a problem.
No matter how high her statistical lead may be, people must get out and actually vote.
It is not a referendum if turnout is low.
Unless Clinton has an insurmountable lead, this could be a problem.
No matter how high her statistical lead may be, people must get out and actually vote.
It is not a referendum if turnout is low.
3
This article reminds me that the young voters in 1964 voted for a Democrat. How did that work out, Time?
As for the Cubs, National Parks and the Olympics, that is so nationalistic and anachronistic. Today is so globalist, open border and tolerant.
As for the monsters loosed on the land, Tim, how about the $20 Trillion debt, the $400 Billion debt service, the $500 Billion trade deficit, the $1.26 Trillion student loan anchor.
Did you ask those "Sound of Music" millennials if they saw shooting stars every time liberal university administrators raised tuition another notch?
No, of course not. Wouldn't want to spoil a kumbaya moment while
As for the Cubs, National Parks and the Olympics, that is so nationalistic and anachronistic. Today is so globalist, open border and tolerant.
As for the monsters loosed on the land, Tim, how about the $20 Trillion debt, the $400 Billion debt service, the $500 Billion trade deficit, the $1.26 Trillion student loan anchor.
Did you ask those "Sound of Music" millennials if they saw shooting stars every time liberal university administrators raised tuition another notch?
No, of course not. Wouldn't want to spoil a kumbaya moment while
4
you think barry goldwater, who wanted to a-bomb vietnam, would have been better?
If the millennials don't get off their couches and VOTE, all the virtuous thought in the world will avail them nothing. Remember: next election, vote against every Republican, for every office, at every level. Cathargo delenda est.
24
Yes it must. Ceterum censeo humanitatem preservandam esse. So that humankind can be saved.
1
Brexit became a realty because the young did not come out to vote.
1
Yeah, Timothy, like our president recognizes the flood! I needed a break from the politician who has roused the lowest impulses of the American character, Barak Hussein Obama.
7
Blame these wretched souls parents, not our President. If they harbor such dark hatred, who taught it to them?
10
So you'd prefer President Obama trek to Louisiana and sign autographs like you-know-who did?
2
No, Bern, it is Trump who has roused the lowest impulses of the American character.
10
How I wish you will be right...I can't wait for these 80 days to be over. Even if all goes well, I fear that the Trump ugliness will remain with us for some time to come.
8
Great, hopeful piece. Thank you, Mr. Egan. I do still fear the continuing trickle-down-Trump effect, though. In my corner of SoCal, the violent rhetoric has cost a position or two but the struggle against extreme incivility is far from won and may get worse given the latest campaign hiring.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/politics/man-twe...
The collateral damage to our public institutions and political culture is hard to measure. Common decency voters will have to show up in great numbers for the healing to begin.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/politics/man-twe...
The collateral damage to our public institutions and political culture is hard to measure. Common decency voters will have to show up in great numbers for the healing to begin.
5
As opposed to "doubling down..." Trump has so obviously tried to sabotage his own election that it has bred a conspiracy theory that his nomination was a ploy to elect Hillary. The main thing I question about Egan is his hauling thoughts of this dismal election year with him on a hike up a beautiful mountain. I am looking forward to the day when "aspiring politician" will be classed as a personality disorder rather than as a profession.
3
I am eager for January 20 to arrive. Hillary Clinton must hit the ground running fast for the first 100 days, and if I know anything about her, she will be well prepared.
Hillary will not begin her term under any illusions that thoughtful, reasonable discussion will achieve anything with the Republicans, or even many Democrats. Every accomplishment will be because of horse-trading and bare-knuckle politics, preceded by meticulous preparation, hundreds of phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and vote counts. And it will require lots of compromises--compromises that will make both the left and right wings unhappy. Last of all, she will create opportunities for the Republicans to get credit and bragging rights as well as Democrats.
We need to make our government work again, and this is how it is done. If it makes you queasy, don't watch.
Hillary will not begin her term under any illusions that thoughtful, reasonable discussion will achieve anything with the Republicans, or even many Democrats. Every accomplishment will be because of horse-trading and bare-knuckle politics, preceded by meticulous preparation, hundreds of phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and vote counts. And it will require lots of compromises--compromises that will make both the left and right wings unhappy. Last of all, she will create opportunities for the Republicans to get credit and bragging rights as well as Democrats.
We need to make our government work again, and this is how it is done. If it makes you queasy, don't watch.
3
I'm not sure why the Dems are necessarily so cocky and sure of a victory in November. Trump just had one of the worst months in election history, YET despite this is only down 6-7 polling head to head, and even less in the four way race. A 6-7 lead is nothing and can vanish in an instant. We also need to factor in blatant voter suppression going on, which might not be reflected in opinion polling, and could narrow this gap.
Meanwhile, Hillary is a woefully damaged and vulnerable candidate, to the point where there are going to be many focal points and questions regarding here. She appears to have a ceiling of which voters will even consider her. I think the Dems really shot themselves in the foot here, similar to Kerry in 2004. Had the Dems instead nominated O'Malley, Kaine etc as their nominee, boring candidates yet can govern and promote the Dem agenda, the Dems are up 12-15 right now over Trump, NOT 6-7, and they win in a landslide. Instead, with Hillary, Dems will be lucky if they win 49-43 over Trump in November.
The Dems better PRAY that an economic, world event (i.e. Russia or China) terror or other major adverse event doesn't happen in the next three months, along with any more FBI, Clinton foundation stuff in general. One bad event, and/or a couple bad weeks for Hillary, and this election is a toss up.
Meanwhile, Hillary is a woefully damaged and vulnerable candidate, to the point where there are going to be many focal points and questions regarding here. She appears to have a ceiling of which voters will even consider her. I think the Dems really shot themselves in the foot here, similar to Kerry in 2004. Had the Dems instead nominated O'Malley, Kaine etc as their nominee, boring candidates yet can govern and promote the Dem agenda, the Dems are up 12-15 right now over Trump, NOT 6-7, and they win in a landslide. Instead, with Hillary, Dems will be lucky if they win 49-43 over Trump in November.
The Dems better PRAY that an economic, world event (i.e. Russia or China) terror or other major adverse event doesn't happen in the next three months, along with any more FBI, Clinton foundation stuff in general. One bad event, and/or a couple bad weeks for Hillary, and this election is a toss up.
2
This almost gives me some painful pang of hope amidst my resignation in response to the reality of where the right wing remains in the USA.
I was never a Hillary Clinton supporter, almost entirely due to her hawkishness. While her drive amazes me, the war of the past 13 years which she failed to dissent has been heartbreaking.
Faced with resultant interminable ensuing hell from the war & guaranteed further blow-back, I fear she will likely overcompensate, maybe even call upon Kissinger the carpet-bomber for some of his disastrous militaristic advice.
But the people also failed to see through the false-flag, despite all the other unnecessary wars & misguided interventionism which they failed to forestall to their own dire detriment.
I'm glad Mr. Egan has been to the mountaintop & that he's seen another side of America in a younger, smarter & more socially fluent generation who hasn't yet blown it abroad.
Let's hope the Millenials can just say no to more wars, & keep their commander-in-chief in check.
I was never a Hillary Clinton supporter, almost entirely due to her hawkishness. While her drive amazes me, the war of the past 13 years which she failed to dissent has been heartbreaking.
Faced with resultant interminable ensuing hell from the war & guaranteed further blow-back, I fear she will likely overcompensate, maybe even call upon Kissinger the carpet-bomber for some of his disastrous militaristic advice.
But the people also failed to see through the false-flag, despite all the other unnecessary wars & misguided interventionism which they failed to forestall to their own dire detriment.
I'm glad Mr. Egan has been to the mountaintop & that he's seen another side of America in a younger, smarter & more socially fluent generation who hasn't yet blown it abroad.
Let's hope the Millenials can just say no to more wars, & keep their commander-in-chief in check.
4
Of course young people are optimistic. They're not long past the fairy tale stage, where everyone lives happily ever after, and they haven't lived long enough to see how the stories can turn out in real life. And -- this is a generalization, but true of most -- they know absolutely nothing about history. How many have read your book, Immortal Irishman, with its description of the Trumpian Know-Nothings? The U.S.'s tribalism is not all in its past. I hope that the optimism of youth will turn into votes in the fall, because you can only escape so much of reality by hiking.
4
The main reason that Trump is doing so bad among those voters mentioned here is not just because of his platform. It is because any person above a certain intelligence threshold cannot bring themselves to cast a vote for him. This is not just about his extremely limited vocabulary. This is about the fact that the content of just about everything he says is insulting to the intelligence of anyone with even an average IQ.
His speeches consist of nothing more than declarations of how things will be when he is president without ever once taking the trouble to explain how he plans to go about achieving it. He ends just about every one of his declarations with "believe me" which is no way to speak to adults.
This is not to mention he total lack of any capacity for logical reasoning, let alone critical analysis, which is apparent by the way he answers questions not by addressing the point of the question but by making general observations on the subject.
This is in addition to his daily displays of ignorance about the functions of government agencies. Just yesterday he said that he does not trust the intelligence agencies because they had made terrible decisions. To the majority of Americans who understand that the function of intelligence service is to provide intelligence and not to make decisions it was abundantly clear that a man with such ignorance is not fit to be commander in chief.
In short Trump's problem is that no American with an even average IQ would ever vote for him.
His speeches consist of nothing more than declarations of how things will be when he is president without ever once taking the trouble to explain how he plans to go about achieving it. He ends just about every one of his declarations with "believe me" which is no way to speak to adults.
This is not to mention he total lack of any capacity for logical reasoning, let alone critical analysis, which is apparent by the way he answers questions not by addressing the point of the question but by making general observations on the subject.
This is in addition to his daily displays of ignorance about the functions of government agencies. Just yesterday he said that he does not trust the intelligence agencies because they had made terrible decisions. To the majority of Americans who understand that the function of intelligence service is to provide intelligence and not to make decisions it was abundantly clear that a man with such ignorance is not fit to be commander in chief.
In short Trump's problem is that no American with an even average IQ would ever vote for him.
26
@Michael Stavsen: DT is not doing better because of mistakes he has made, because he is a neophyte in the political arena, and because the liberal t.v.media, which most people look to as their main source of news, is resolutely against him. His remarks have been distorted, he has been held up to mockery by even august news outlets like the NYT, bashed more often than HRC by the press, despite her "manigances,"her resorting to qui pro quo to increase the famiy's income--21 million since they left office--and despite her tragic mistakes as Sec.of State, which cost the lives of other Americans as well her history of deceitfulness. Attacks on TRUMP compared to Hillary:7-8 to 1.Finally,graduating first in ur class from Wharton is no mean feat. Said that DT is one of the best readers of contracts in the business.Is there any commenter whose achievements r the equivalent of Mr. Trump's?
4
Well, we know after 3000 lawsuits he knows how to break contracts.
3
Sorry to bust your bubble...Google whether Trump graduated 1st from
Wharton, and you will find that all he did was finish the last two years of undergraduate college at Wharton Business which is part of UPENN. He not only didn't finish first, he didn't graduate with any honors. He is basically a narcissistic braggart at best and an outright liar about practically everything else that comes out of his mouth. He is a master of puffery when it comes to his persona.
Wharton, and you will find that all he did was finish the last two years of undergraduate college at Wharton Business which is part of UPENN. He not only didn't finish first, he didn't graduate with any honors. He is basically a narcissistic braggart at best and an outright liar about practically everything else that comes out of his mouth. He is a master of puffery when it comes to his persona.
3
It is nice that the USA Is picking up a few medals but it is important to keep it in perspective.
On a population adjusted basis for Western industrial countries, the USA medal count is very much in the middle of the pack.
Canada's adjusted count is 170 as compared to 100 for the USA..
On a population adjusted basis for Western industrial countries, the USA medal count is very much in the middle of the pack.
Canada's adjusted count is 170 as compared to 100 for the USA..
8
Why don't we adjust for all the Canadian athletes who attended and trained at US universities and still live in the States?
2
Excellent. Canada wins the weighted average Olympics .
1
Stop adjusting medal counts, and just enjoy them actually
1
We’re winning in the short term, the decency of most Americans rising above Trump’s lynch mob leadership. But this election doesn’t come close to solving what got us here: Big Money. Liberals, moderates and conservatives agree is that Big Money is a noose around our electoral, political and economic systems; and as the super-rich get richer by bleeding us, they’re steadily tightening it. Even candidates who deplore auctioning their influence to finance their campaigns do it.
Conservatives blame big government—The Republican Party is an unapologetic shill for the billionaires, unfettered by truth—while liberals blame corporations, the vehicle by which the super-rich get hyper-rich. Some corporations ambush facts for profit. (Witness Exxon-Mobil, which unleashed liars for 40 critical years about climate destruction—whose effects already are being seen and felt—possibly already dooming our descendents to an unlivable planet. The private-public sectors are two cylinders of a single engine of power.
Professionals work for those who pay the bills. The only way our elected leaders can commit themselves fully to the citizenry is with publicly-funded elections. Bernie Sanders showed that a candidate clearly commited to serving the general population can run a viable campaign without Big Money. If enough other candidates can get themselves elected that way, leadership at all levels will reach a critical mass to make publicly-funded elections law. THAT’S when we win.
Conservatives blame big government—The Republican Party is an unapologetic shill for the billionaires, unfettered by truth—while liberals blame corporations, the vehicle by which the super-rich get hyper-rich. Some corporations ambush facts for profit. (Witness Exxon-Mobil, which unleashed liars for 40 critical years about climate destruction—whose effects already are being seen and felt—possibly already dooming our descendents to an unlivable planet. The private-public sectors are two cylinders of a single engine of power.
Professionals work for those who pay the bills. The only way our elected leaders can commit themselves fully to the citizenry is with publicly-funded elections. Bernie Sanders showed that a candidate clearly commited to serving the general population can run a viable campaign without Big Money. If enough other candidates can get themselves elected that way, leadership at all levels will reach a critical mass to make publicly-funded elections law. THAT’S when we win.
10
And if Mrs. Clinton is elected she gets to appoint justices to SCOTUS. In turn, those justices, hopefully, will have the good sense to overturn Citizens United. That, again hopefully, will get "Big Money" out of future presidential elections. Another reason why a vote for Mrs. Clinton is essential.
11
Sander lost. Remember?
2
Bernie, as he so often announced, HAD Big Money.
He simply got it from a different source. And that source also espected return on investment.
He simply got it from a different source. And that source also espected return on investment.
4
Frankly I would rather win the battle of the ideas than win by the least of two evils as this race has been portrayed by too many pundits. The battle for ideas should start with a reaffirmation of the common good, justice, and opportunity. Polices matter and the policies being pushed constantly by the right are good for the single bottom liners but can we survive by just paying attention to what policies make the most money for folks like Trump and the Kochs.
As the historian Robert McElvaine has stated capitalism goes down better with a teaspoon of socialism. This is the conversations we should be starting.
As the historian Robert McElvaine has stated capitalism goes down better with a teaspoon of socialism. This is the conversations we should be starting.
9
Trump is a perfect candidate for media reacting after almost two terms of no-drama-Obama.
Drama and substance in a leader or potential leader are inversely proportional to each other, but drama is what gets all the attention, deserved or not.
I'm guilty of this simply by commenting, but we're seeing and hearing all-Trump-all-the-time. Are we to assume Hillary has done or said nothing in the last few days? Even Trump's whopper of a non-apology apology has the media eating out of his hand as his new advisers outfit him with his "more presidential" mask. I can't help wondering what the German media were like in the period leading up to 1933.
If we indeed end up with President Trump, get ready for lots more drama reported at length by self-abasing media that have forgotten the meaning of "public interest"; to be followed by self-censoring media, or else.....
Drama and substance in a leader or potential leader are inversely proportional to each other, but drama is what gets all the attention, deserved or not.
I'm guilty of this simply by commenting, but we're seeing and hearing all-Trump-all-the-time. Are we to assume Hillary has done or said nothing in the last few days? Even Trump's whopper of a non-apology apology has the media eating out of his hand as his new advisers outfit him with his "more presidential" mask. I can't help wondering what the German media were like in the period leading up to 1933.
If we indeed end up with President Trump, get ready for lots more drama reported at length by self-abasing media that have forgotten the meaning of "public interest"; to be followed by self-censoring media, or else.....
15
Lest any Democratic voters feel some complacency coming on, let us remember that the larger the turnout the more likely that Clinton will also have a Democratic Senate to work with. And even possibly a Democratic House, if the Democratic voting wave is large enough.
If that happened, we might actually get some worthwhile legislation done to help this country, instead of another investigation into Benghazi. Wow - meaningful legislation - what a concept!
If that happened, we might actually get some worthwhile legislation done to help this country, instead of another investigation into Benghazi. Wow - meaningful legislation - what a concept!
58
EXACTLY....Just remember the Republican Congress that recently went out on break without voting on more funding to combat the ZIKA virus.
Luckily, we have a President who used an Executive Order to over-ride their indifference.
Luckily, we have a President who used an Executive Order to over-ride their indifference.
9
We could have a terrorist incident or a major natural disaster or a stock market crash any time in the next three months. If that happens all the polls may change to give the Trumpet a chance even if he, once elected, makes the disaster even bigger.
We need an electorate which votes sensibly in good times as well as bad. I am afraid that the American voter is just not mature enough to do that.
We need an electorate which votes sensibly in good times as well as bad. I am afraid that the American voter is just not mature enough to do that.
11
The most important matter right now is that we evil, lefty, big-gubmint-loving libruls and commies, do not get too confident because of Il Trumpolini's poll numbers falling like a rock.
We still have to get as many voters to the polls as we can, including the millennials, and get them to vote straight party down-ballot, even if their Republican dog-catcher is nicer than the Democrat.
Let it be a warning sign that in the midterm election of 2014 the pushed into a rage arch-right went to the polls in just slightly larger numbers and gave us the worst Congress ever in the history of the US.
We still have to get as many voters to the polls as we can, including the millennials, and get them to vote straight party down-ballot, even if their Republican dog-catcher is nicer than the Democrat.
Let it be a warning sign that in the midterm election of 2014 the pushed into a rage arch-right went to the polls in just slightly larger numbers and gave us the worst Congress ever in the history of the US.
13
The youth vote is meaningless and always has been. Young voters rejected George W. Bush by large percentages, in theory, but they didn't go to the polls. You could go further back in time and find similar results.
You also can't really predict how younger millennials will vote 20 years from now based on their beliefs now. Today's Sanders supporter could vote for Eric Trump in 2036.
You also can't really predict how younger millennials will vote 20 years from now based on their beliefs now. Today's Sanders supporter could vote for Eric Trump in 2036.
7
Where was this admiration and respect for millennials during the Democratic primary? Don’t look to them to save such a system; don’t rely on them to reaffirm the value of your own existence and beliefs. They have to find their own way.
5
"Where was this admiration and respect for millennials during the Democratic primary?" Excellent question. During the primary, millennials were derided frequently in these op-ed pages as being young and dumb for supporting Bernie.
3
Those fed up with Trump can nonetheless discern bad arguments against him. This is one of those. Mr. Egan employs an extremely negative tone to criticize Trump for being extremely negative. it is ok to acknowledge that somebody on your side has done a bad job. Mr. Egan has done a bad job.
7
I'm not seeing the "extremely negative tone" that you describe in this opinion article. Trump is a negative topic, all by his own doing. Any discussion about him won't be very cheerful. That said, I think Mr. Egan makes his point in a constructive way, and even with a bit of poetry: "Looking for refuge from the gust of insanity blowing across the fruited plain,..."
3
You've got Egan's laughing at a clown confused with a "bad tone." Cheer up: given Trump's selfishness, stupidity, ignorance and embrace of ugly ideas, he was being nice.
3
Oh, please! What drivel!
Ironic that Egan and David Brooks of NYT are freshly and So belatedly talking about millennials. where were they all these thirteen months?
5
The victories are pyrrhic at best. The one American name that will be remembered is Ryan Lochte. Who is to the Olympics what Donald Trump is to American politics. Maybe the pull date for the olympic athletes should be 21 with a senior olympics for the more jaded among us with the 21-40 set.
Thirty two is too old for juvenile behaviour for those setting an example much as 69 is too old to be Peter Pan and campaign to lead the world.
https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2016/08/i-told-yo...
Thirty two is too old for juvenile behaviour for those setting an example much as 69 is too old to be Peter Pan and campaign to lead the world.
https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2016/08/i-told-yo...
7
Oh please. Ryan Lochte is a liar and an idiot, but he's not running for President-- and he's not as dangerous as Donald Trump.
1
It’s too bad you couldn’t be bothered to stop and talk with any of the folks who have the ubiquitous Trump yard signs that pop up once you get a few miles away from I-5. You might be surprised by what you find. While I live and work in urban “Blue America”, I fish and hunt with, and an am related to, several residents of rural “Red America”. The Trump supporters I know don’t hate anyone. They even embrace the idea of immigrants who come here legally, assimilate, and work hard. (i.e. they learn to speak English, don’t ask for special privileges, and don’t take public assistance). They are disillusioned with an economy that hasn’t worked for them in a long time, and are sick and tired of an urban elite that continually derides their culture, while demanding that they bend over backwards to accommodate everyone else’s. While I certainly agree that Trump is an obnoxious carnival barker who cannot deliver on his promises (if he even believes them), I certainly understand the appeal of a candidate that doesn’t openly hate them as the Democrats do or dismiss them as the GOP has.
9
Great comment. I have relatives who I consider to be very smart and decent people. Not racist, bigoted, etc. They have, however, been incredibly damaged by free trade bills (they reside in Michigan and Ohio and work or worked in the steel and auto industries). They are desperate for change. They will vote Trump. And, frankly, I don't blame them.
4
JJ, I don't share your respect. I can understand why people vote Trump, just as I can understand why smart, decent Germans voted the Nazi Party inro power, but respect? Not hardly.
Hitler talked a lot about respect for the working man, making Germany great again, bringing prosperity. (I wish they'd subtitle his rants in the old footage so people could see it.) It was all there, mixed in with the scapegoating, very openly. So his voters chose hope and prosperity for themselves, and ignored or embraced the hatred, and in the end, received wholesale slaughter and ruin for all.
We have their example. I have no respect for people too angry to see that they are courting a conflagration that will first consume "those people" and then themselves and then everyone else.
Hitler talked a lot about respect for the working man, making Germany great again, bringing prosperity. (I wish they'd subtitle his rants in the old footage so people could see it.) It was all there, mixed in with the scapegoating, very openly. So his voters chose hope and prosperity for themselves, and ignored or embraced the hatred, and in the end, received wholesale slaughter and ruin for all.
We have their example. I have no respect for people too angry to see that they are courting a conflagration that will first consume "those people" and then themselves and then everyone else.
3
Oh, they'd get change all right.
3
My gripe with the Millennials is they never objected to Sanders's refusal to vote for the Brady Bill and against the PLCAA-the act that forbid anyone suing Gun Manufacturers. And why did Sanders vote that way, so he could get elected. Half his state are gun owners and needed a couple of bones to toss to the NRA, the Gun Lobby, and Gun Owners or he'd have been out of a job. It's that simple. All the Millennials cared about was getting their Student Loan Debt absolved and free college educations. That's it in a nutshell. Any interest these Millennials talk about in regards to Progressive Issues, cam much later, if at all. They and their co-signing families gave, and gave, and gave, seeing their donations as investments to get rid of all that misguided Student Loan Debt. As I've said over a hundred times in Comments, these Millennials didn't know Bernie Sanders from Colonel Sanders a year ago. Just the notion, many of them have stated they'd vote for Trump before Hillary just shows how effective Sanderr was getting these Millennials to hate Hillary as he decried the Banking Industry for being responsible for their Student Loan Debt, and then in the same breath mention Hillary Clinton being in bed with that same Banking Industry. They were those 'rebels without a cause' who found one-THEMSELVES!
So let's tell it like it really is and quit with the Millennial fluff.
So let's tell it like it really is and quit with the Millennial fluff.
6
@merc
Agree. Where were these folks in the photo 6 months ago???
Agree. Where were these folks in the photo 6 months ago???
1
Please don't blame all Bernie fans for the fringe ones. I voted for him and switched later because I felt he didn't have a plan, and followed him for a long time. But you're right, politicians gotta politic, and making exceptions doesn't work. Jill Stein has a real problem there too.
A lot of Trumpsters are trying to recruit Berniebusters, but anyone claiming to admire Bernie's positions would not/could not vote for Trump. A lot of that is trolling.
A lot of Trumpsters are trying to recruit Berniebusters, but anyone claiming to admire Bernie's positions would not/could not vote for Trump. A lot of that is trolling.
2
I hate to say this but...only losers will vote Trump. Winners...in mind, spirit, love of life and pride will vote Clinton.
16
What a ridiculous blanket statement.
5
@jj
It's only "ridiculous" if you're voting for Trump.
It's only "ridiculous" if you're voting for Trump.
1
It's true.
1
Things are looking pretty good if everyone votes.
But the Cubs?! Surely you jest. We all know they're going to find a way to blow it yet again. Their fans know this most of all. They just won't admit it.
But the Cubs?! Surely you jest. We all know they're going to find a way to blow it yet again. Their fans know this most of all. They just won't admit it.
2
Private vs. Public Trump. He's the same no matter what his devoted female handlers say.
Years ago, I knew someone whose husband was legal counsel for Trump and got taken to games where he sat with T in his skybox. Trump needed repeated assurance that, among other things, he was attractive to women. I remember thinking, you couldn't pay me enough to sit with this dude and prop up his flailing ego.
Years ago, I knew someone whose husband was legal counsel for Trump and got taken to games where he sat with T in his skybox. Trump needed repeated assurance that, among other things, he was attractive to women. I remember thinking, you couldn't pay me enough to sit with this dude and prop up his flailing ego.
16
Here's a good resource for that. Damning stuff!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-hired-me-as-an-attorney...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-hired-me-as-an-attorney...
2
President Obama, "Frankly, I'm tired of talking about her opponent" .
Rhett Butler, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn".
This writer, "Frankly, I'm glad the campaign of he who shall not be named, is in a shambles".
He's fired his former "operatives" & hired even sleazier ones.
Rhett Butler, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn".
This writer, "Frankly, I'm glad the campaign of he who shall not be named, is in a shambles".
He's fired his former "operatives" & hired even sleazier ones.
5
Mr. Egan:
thank you for your uplifting observations from the clearly fabulous North Cascades ...
and welcome back-to sea/see-level as the Rio Summer Games conclude this weekend ...
now:
we must not become complacent,
as the immediate path before us can quickly betray any gains attained thus far ...
a very concerted effort must be mounted and retained throughout these remaining 80-days of verbal toils, troubles, and turmoil:
to elicit, excite, and engage the roughly 45% of the non-voting eligible voters to join-into this year's crucial cycle ...
their participation is required to give this nation any chance at all of upending the make-up of the 115th Congress ...
'tis our choice(s) to make ...
will we?
There certainly are “low impulses” of the American character; these include, prominently, envy, sloth, and greed (for other people's money)
I will not defend DT; I still find it incredible that when the Dems decide to run perhaps the worst candidate they have ever nominated, a woman who is a walking demonstration of everything wrong with American politics, my Party nominates perhaps the only man in the country capable of losing to her.
Perhaps none of the ego-driven mob of candidates believed that the Republican electorate would be so clueless as to nominate a reality TV candidate; but, alas, in a huge field, a relatively small plurality can prevail. We could have had Cruz. Or Kasich. Or Walker. Or Christie. Or Bush. Any one of whom would likely have crushed Hillary. A minority of our electorate chose a bombastic, undisciplined, inexperience, showman. To quote HRC: “sigh”.
But anti-constitutional? This from a Party which believes gay marriage and abortion are contained in the document, but that firearms freedoms and free speech (on elections) are not?
Trump has NEVER been of the “far right” – or, indeed, any kind of “right”. He’s more Huey Long than Ronald Reagan. The problem is that he makes an apostle of greed, envy, and poisonous identity look good by comparison. Indeed, his policies are a lot closer to HRC’s than they are to Ted Cruz’s or John Kasich’s.
Funny, isn’t it, that the diverse and tolerant “love takes courage” crowd uses a clenched fist as its avatar?
I will not defend DT; I still find it incredible that when the Dems decide to run perhaps the worst candidate they have ever nominated, a woman who is a walking demonstration of everything wrong with American politics, my Party nominates perhaps the only man in the country capable of losing to her.
Perhaps none of the ego-driven mob of candidates believed that the Republican electorate would be so clueless as to nominate a reality TV candidate; but, alas, in a huge field, a relatively small plurality can prevail. We could have had Cruz. Or Kasich. Or Walker. Or Christie. Or Bush. Any one of whom would likely have crushed Hillary. A minority of our electorate chose a bombastic, undisciplined, inexperience, showman. To quote HRC: “sigh”.
But anti-constitutional? This from a Party which believes gay marriage and abortion are contained in the document, but that firearms freedoms and free speech (on elections) are not?
Trump has NEVER been of the “far right” – or, indeed, any kind of “right”. He’s more Huey Long than Ronald Reagan. The problem is that he makes an apostle of greed, envy, and poisonous identity look good by comparison. Indeed, his policies are a lot closer to HRC’s than they are to Ted Cruz’s or John Kasich’s.
Funny, isn’t it, that the diverse and tolerant “love takes courage” crowd uses a clenched fist as its avatar?
2
Oh Timothy!
Hubris is a dangerous thing.
Hubris is a dangerous thing.
3
Hitler management style was to pit one general against another, letting the most vicious and obsequious win. He took few decisions on his own. and those he did (stalingrad, normandy, etc) were catastrophic. Trump will pit his two new advisors the same way. We're in for a brutal 180 days, brutal. Hillary can find her voice, but nobody has fangs as long and sharp as Hannah/Trump. This is wicked, and Trump supporters are massing. Hitler has found his Goebbels.
3
Although I share Timothy Egan's respect for the Millenials and how they are reshaping politics, it is not enough to rely on young people to save us.
We are not winning. The global corporate coup is winning. In this election we have a choice between a megalomaniac billionaire and an acolyte of Henry Kissinger who essentially works for global corporations. There is a reason why the neocons, establishment conservatives and billionaires are declaring for Clinton, and its not love of country.
We should have a choice of more candidates, but mass media, 90% of which is controlled by global corporations, refuses to poll them and rarely talks about them. The corporation jointly owned by the DNC and GOP, and funded by global corporations, refuses to let anyone in the debate unless they poll over 15%, but hardly anyone polls third parties.
Almost all policy is written by and passed for the billionaires. The policies that are favored by large majorities of Americans are ignored.
https://scholar.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/mgilens/files/gilens_a...
Global oil corporations knew about global warming 30 years ago and proceeded to hide it. The internet is a giant vacuum sucking up our information for both governments and global corporations, who share it back and forth (bypassing government surveillance laws). DNA is being patented and manipulated. Trade deals are giving away our sovereignty.
Research!
Fight back or be enslaved.
We are not winning. The global corporate coup is winning. In this election we have a choice between a megalomaniac billionaire and an acolyte of Henry Kissinger who essentially works for global corporations. There is a reason why the neocons, establishment conservatives and billionaires are declaring for Clinton, and its not love of country.
We should have a choice of more candidates, but mass media, 90% of which is controlled by global corporations, refuses to poll them and rarely talks about them. The corporation jointly owned by the DNC and GOP, and funded by global corporations, refuses to let anyone in the debate unless they poll over 15%, but hardly anyone polls third parties.
Almost all policy is written by and passed for the billionaires. The policies that are favored by large majorities of Americans are ignored.
https://scholar.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/mgilens/files/gilens_a...
Global oil corporations knew about global warming 30 years ago and proceeded to hide it. The internet is a giant vacuum sucking up our information for both governments and global corporations, who share it back and forth (bypassing government surveillance laws). DNA is being patented and manipulated. Trade deals are giving away our sovereignty.
Research!
Fight back or be enslaved.
3
Could not agree more with you J.
What has happened to neocon Hillary's views after gaining Bernie supporters as represented by her appointment of Salazar to head her transition team and lead her appointment as President?
Hillary Clinton had published a year ago an op-ed deriding the revolving door where lawmakers leave office and become lobbyists or help special interests. And she had specifically said that she was concerned about lawmakers who go into that line of work, public policy work, for corporate clients, but do not register as a lobbyist, which seems to fit the description of Ken Salazar. Salizar is somebody who is very close to the oil and gas industry. WilmerHale, one of the most influential lobbying firms in Washington, who Ken Salazar works for, represent corporate clients across the board—Cigna, for instance. Cigna is a healthcare giant that is fighting for a merger with Anthem. WilmerHale represents them, Delta Airlines, Verizon, investment firms, a mining company. So, WilmerHale is a major law and lobbying firm.
What has happened to neocon Hillary's views after gaining Bernie supporters as represented by her appointment of Salazar to head her transition team and lead her appointment as President?
Hillary Clinton had published a year ago an op-ed deriding the revolving door where lawmakers leave office and become lobbyists or help special interests. And she had specifically said that she was concerned about lawmakers who go into that line of work, public policy work, for corporate clients, but do not register as a lobbyist, which seems to fit the description of Ken Salazar. Salizar is somebody who is very close to the oil and gas industry. WilmerHale, one of the most influential lobbying firms in Washington, who Ken Salazar works for, represent corporate clients across the board—Cigna, for instance. Cigna is a healthcare giant that is fighting for a merger with Anthem. WilmerHale represents them, Delta Airlines, Verizon, investment firms, a mining company. So, WilmerHale is a major law and lobbying firm.
4
Come on, Tim, spit it out! This is not a rejection of Trump but of the right wing GOP party of no. Let us hope the demolition of this racist wing-nut Koch Brothers John Bircher shut down the government part of the Republican Party can be completed in November, then happy days will truly be here again.
7
For all the people, Trump included, who think the U.S. is in decline; think again. Where would you rather be? Where would you rather invest? Which is still the greatest country on earth? Well, of course, it's the good old U.S.A. In 2006 a lady at a luncheon asked the group, where can we go to escape the lamentable George W. Bush. I raised my and and said, "This country is greater than all the grand-standing politicians put together, and they won't be able to change that." Applause followed. It still believe it's true, and that why people don't want to leave the U.S. but rather emigrate to it.
5
Yea, I would rather invest here like many other 99%ers
if only I had enough money after paying for increased
rent prices, low social security payments having been
self employed for 50 years, higher medical costs, etc. etc.
Ahhh....to invest. It must be nice.
if only I had enough money after paying for increased
rent prices, low social security payments having been
self employed for 50 years, higher medical costs, etc. etc.
Ahhh....to invest. It must be nice.
4
Perhaps you chose the wrong profession, or needed a better tax preparer.
1
I shall be so utterly thrilled when the days don't start and end with the latest Trump outrage to the sensibilities and to decency itself.
Trump exists in large measure because the Republicans pulled a fast one as they ushered the working, middle economic class into their tent, puffing up big promises and giving them little by vague hope, veiled racism and fake religiosity in return. They betrayed them, as all politicians do some of the time, but in this case they delivered them to Trumpism. Deflated and defeated at the end of this year, they might never return to the Republicans.
7
Trump's campaign has in effect administered a kind of proxy Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to the American electorate and it appears that almost 40% of us score highly on the Psychopathy and Paronoia scales. That's what leaves the bad taste in my mouth- not that a demogogic realtor gets a lot of air time but that a large chunk of Americans are ready to follow him. Can we be happy in a country where every third person thinks that way? Can we change their minds?
10
Hi Timothy,
I witnessed the Perseid meteor shower Baker Lake myself when we passed thru the debris. It was spectacular.
I hadn't really seen it since the early seventies in Big Sur when I was a teenager and around 9 PM a huge green shooting star filled the sky above the lake, going from North to South while satellites went slowly in the opposite direction. It reminded me of seeing Sputnik when I was a toddler.
But it wasn't quiet. Unfortunately the residents of a nearby town showed up to start drinking at 8AM until 1AM and ride jet skis all day. The smell of unburned gasoline was really oppressive.
So many homeless people were camped out, like myself, and we stuck together as much as possible. The drunks weren't bad people but the constant loud behavior and bad jokes about their reproductive parts was really, really, obnoxious. Say the "word" and get a laugh. I felt like I was in Jr High again.
It wasn't all bad though, eagles, osprey, green heron, blackbacked woodpeckers flew by, oblivious to the commotions, and a spotted owl called out every night from a point nearby, just across the water. I could barely hear him. A falcon left the feathers of bandtailed pigeon in the woods. Bear and elk scat were found a half hours walk away.
I found a few chanterelles nearby, and lobster mushrooms grew in the campgrounds.
One local mentioned that she'd never seen Mt Baker with so little snow before.
This is no time to be bored, Trump or not nothing is going to be the same.
I witnessed the Perseid meteor shower Baker Lake myself when we passed thru the debris. It was spectacular.
I hadn't really seen it since the early seventies in Big Sur when I was a teenager and around 9 PM a huge green shooting star filled the sky above the lake, going from North to South while satellites went slowly in the opposite direction. It reminded me of seeing Sputnik when I was a toddler.
But it wasn't quiet. Unfortunately the residents of a nearby town showed up to start drinking at 8AM until 1AM and ride jet skis all day. The smell of unburned gasoline was really oppressive.
So many homeless people were camped out, like myself, and we stuck together as much as possible. The drunks weren't bad people but the constant loud behavior and bad jokes about their reproductive parts was really, really, obnoxious. Say the "word" and get a laugh. I felt like I was in Jr High again.
It wasn't all bad though, eagles, osprey, green heron, blackbacked woodpeckers flew by, oblivious to the commotions, and a spotted owl called out every night from a point nearby, just across the water. I could barely hear him. A falcon left the feathers of bandtailed pigeon in the woods. Bear and elk scat were found a half hours walk away.
I found a few chanterelles nearby, and lobster mushrooms grew in the campgrounds.
One local mentioned that she'd never seen Mt Baker with so little snow before.
This is no time to be bored, Trump or not nothing is going to be the same.
4
No matter how bad and scary Trump is in this "summer of Trump" we should remember that there is considerable peril in our other choice. We are headed toward getting a president who doesn't want to be president. Hillary Clinton (pick one) hates the media, hates giving interviews and answering questions, hates the role of the media in our society, thinks the media is a bunch of mindless, selfish jackals, hates holding news conferences, is so fearful of saying the wrong thing that she'd rather say nothing unscripted. Which do you choose? All have at least an element of truth.
Elsewhere in the Times, Tabitha Soren writes about her encounters with Bill and Hillary Clinton in the '90s as an MTV reporter. It is this sentence in Soren's remembrances that has the most impact: "When she was persuaded to do interviews with Bill at her side, she was so careful with her words that she seemed to have no personality."
This is what we are getting, a person who is highly informed, intelligent and deeply concerned about "policy", but who will undoubtably shun the public role of the presidency to the greatest extent possible. Public engagement and commerce with and through the media would be on the shortest list of high priorities for any president. We are in the process of electing a president who doesn't want to do those things. Obama was somewhat reluctant as well, but he and his wife found their own way of adjusting. Hillary Clinton way is to draw deeper into her protective shell.
Elsewhere in the Times, Tabitha Soren writes about her encounters with Bill and Hillary Clinton in the '90s as an MTV reporter. It is this sentence in Soren's remembrances that has the most impact: "When she was persuaded to do interviews with Bill at her side, she was so careful with her words that she seemed to have no personality."
This is what we are getting, a person who is highly informed, intelligent and deeply concerned about "policy", but who will undoubtably shun the public role of the presidency to the greatest extent possible. Public engagement and commerce with and through the media would be on the shortest list of high priorities for any president. We are in the process of electing a president who doesn't want to do those things. Obama was somewhat reluctant as well, but he and his wife found their own way of adjusting. Hillary Clinton way is to draw deeper into her protective shell.
6
@doug
First of all, your "news" sources are questionable -- And as far as Clinton's "protective shell" is concerned, you'd probably have one too after being in the Republican cross-hairs for over thirty years.
But then, if voting for a racist like Donald Trump is OK by you, just say so and have done with it.
First of all, your "news" sources are questionable -- And as far as Clinton's "protective shell" is concerned, you'd probably have one too after being in the Republican cross-hairs for over thirty years.
But then, if voting for a racist like Donald Trump is OK by you, just say so and have done with it.
3
On a recent trip to DC, I visited Arlington National Cemetery. My dad is buried there. The Bronze Star he was awarded for valor during WW II is noted on his grave. As I walked from the Tomb of the Unknown to his gravesite, and gazed upon the thousands upon thousands of white headstones beyond what my eye could see, I felt deep gratitude for what these soldiers of every generation endured to keep us safe from the darkest forces of their time. Forces of hate and division that would threaten our great country, our freedom and our values. Many made the ultimate sacrifice . Many would remain physically and emotionally scarred throughout their lifetimes. Our task is so much easier. To keep these same dark forces Trumpism has unleashed from threatening our nation, all we have to do is vote. They asked nothing in return for their service, but I feel we owe them all this one simple act of gratitude.
33
@bondy
Thank you for your comment. I'm sure your dad is proud of you.
Thank you for your comment. I'm sure your dad is proud of you.
3
Thank you for your testimony. Every American who has the chance to visit the DC area should go to Arlington for quiet contemplation. My daughter Britt was in college during the two wars under G.W. Bush and I very much wanted the two of us to attend a grave side service for one of the returning soldiers from those wars, not out of morbid curiosity, but so she could witness first hand what her country was doing thousands of miles away and to show respect for the dead and their families. The wars come and go, but the families know its meaning for all of their lives.
3
@Donnah Bondy:Ur otherwise moving account of visit to Arlington is stained by ur willingness to use it as a talking point, to politicize ur homage to ur father and fellow veterans by bashing Mr. Trump. As I recall, TRUMP simply asked why KHAN's wife remained silent while her husband,originally from northern India, one of the world's most violent places, more atrocious than Chile under Pinochet, lectured us on the Constitution. Trump implied that Mrs.Khan' silence was due to servility, which, if u have ever served in an Islamic country, and I have done stints in several, know that subservience is standard for women in these places, even those with a democratic tradition like Senegal. Hard to believe, but even educated families have daughters subjected to cruel, inhumane practice of female circumcision. So , DT's question was not out of line. Khan's willingness also to politicize his son's death for the sake of HRC's campaign is also inexcusable. Had Sen. Clinton and other Democrats and Republicans stood up to the war lobby, there might not have been an invasion whch has been so costly to us and, above all, to Iraquis. As Alfred de Musset wrote, "Une porte doit etre ouverte ou fermee!"If u want to pen a eulogy to ur father and other veterans, do so because it would be well deserved. But politicizing a tribute makes it appear that one has ulterior motives.
3
As always very fine writing and thoughtfulness. That said, I'm not so optimistic.
At the moment, I can summarize my problem with two words: Louisiana flooding. That's a shortcut for the worldwide increase in extreme weather events and other evidences that climate change is now beginning visible acceleration, with accompanying sea level rise (estimated to be 2-6 feet by 2100 at the conservative end, ending up in a few hundred years at over 200 feet), Arctic melt (a big storm churning up there now), warm years (yes, El Nino is just over and there will be a hiccup in this which is *not* a downturn), desertification, burning down rainforests for profit (and so often those profits accrue to a few billionaires while the workers are poisoned and not paid enough), there's more but that will do for now.
Unless we get some sensible compassionate people who pay attention to reality instead of their funders from big polluter central, and and who want to work together to solve problems in charge, in Congress, in states, in towns, and abroad, we are headed for danger similar to that currently suffered by the people of Louisiana.
They don't want us politicizing their tragedy. That's just the problem. Naming the problem and dealing with it is "politicizing". Bull!
So people, wake up and vote. Don't indulge in Jill Stein, get Hillary and a Democratic congress in office, and then work on her to face reality as it is, as it really is. It's a challenge, but we can because we must!
At the moment, I can summarize my problem with two words: Louisiana flooding. That's a shortcut for the worldwide increase in extreme weather events and other evidences that climate change is now beginning visible acceleration, with accompanying sea level rise (estimated to be 2-6 feet by 2100 at the conservative end, ending up in a few hundred years at over 200 feet), Arctic melt (a big storm churning up there now), warm years (yes, El Nino is just over and there will be a hiccup in this which is *not* a downturn), desertification, burning down rainforests for profit (and so often those profits accrue to a few billionaires while the workers are poisoned and not paid enough), there's more but that will do for now.
Unless we get some sensible compassionate people who pay attention to reality instead of their funders from big polluter central, and and who want to work together to solve problems in charge, in Congress, in states, in towns, and abroad, we are headed for danger similar to that currently suffered by the people of Louisiana.
They don't want us politicizing their tragedy. That's just the problem. Naming the problem and dealing with it is "politicizing". Bull!
So people, wake up and vote. Don't indulge in Jill Stein, get Hillary and a Democratic congress in office, and then work on her to face reality as it is, as it really is. It's a challenge, but we can because we must!
39
Too late. Democrats should have thought of that before doing Hillary.
6
@thomason
Wrong. If anyone, Jill Stein and her supporters should have thought about that a long time ago.
Name recognition goes far in ANY political race, and face it -- Stein is just not that well known.
Can't blame the Democrats or the Republicans, she should have gotten out there before now.
Wrong. If anyone, Jill Stein and her supporters should have thought about that a long time ago.
Name recognition goes far in ANY political race, and face it -- Stein is just not that well known.
Can't blame the Democrats or the Republicans, she should have gotten out there before now.
3
Susan you do realize Hillary means the continuation of the same same. Even establishment republicans want Hillary because of the comfort, guarantee of more of the Same way things work, same way business is conducted, same way big money will keep pouring into politics, same way our ejected officials will resume fundraising for next election as soon as they are elected to office....Status Quo guaranteed. That is exactly what disgusts our youth today.
6
I've long attributed the extreme cultural and political clash in our country to the fact that we face a major paradigm shift. What we face is hard: climate change, perhaps a permanently altered "American dream," a racially different mix of Americans, the loss of a shared religion, massive changes in how we communicate and travel and entertain ourselves. Of course, it's hard. And who wouldn't want to deny or escape some of these changes. But the future is coming and it will be good in its own way if we don't lose sight of our fundamental decency, freedoms, rights and generosity of spirit.
17
Aside from climate change, what you say we face looks pretty good.
Well, the upside is that mother nature will reduce the republican base, certainly after this election, through attrition. In a decade or less, these folks will shake hands with whomever they believe to be at the gates of heaven and answer for their sins; false gods, bigotry, etc.
Where will these sick and dying turn in their last months for help and mercy? Certainly not a minority practitioner or an immigrant or the evil federal medical plans. To the Republicans; they will send an insurance rep or a private service, if you qualify. Most, if not all, will not be able to afford the "great America" that they think they will get.
Think of the look on their face when they realize through heavens majesty that "My Hate was a coward's life. Real Patriots gave their lives, their taxes, their families, their time, and their fare share not because they hated, but because they loved their country."
Where will these sick and dying turn in their last months for help and mercy? Certainly not a minority practitioner or an immigrant or the evil federal medical plans. To the Republicans; they will send an insurance rep or a private service, if you qualify. Most, if not all, will not be able to afford the "great America" that they think they will get.
Think of the look on their face when they realize through heavens majesty that "My Hate was a coward's life. Real Patriots gave their lives, their taxes, their families, their time, and their fare share not because they hated, but because they loved their country."
19
Back in the old days when Romney was running, GOP ideas were actually something you had to reckon with. To argue over. True, they often relied on flimsy data or no data but the proposals were generally concerned with governing a multi-ethnic modern country going into the future, for the most part.
Trumpism is none of that. There's nothing there to discuss. There's nothing to wrestle with except pointing out what part of the constitution his proposals violate.
Trumpism is none of that. There's nothing there to discuss. There's nothing to wrestle with except pointing out what part of the constitution his proposals violate.
20
The Millennials want practical solutions and practical people able to commit and follow through to get the solutions in place.
Having said that there is so much change needed.
First, honesty and facts need to be the conversation of all. No more TV talking heads letting questions go unanswered is a starting point. Think of the all the lies perpetuated by so many corporate and established politicians and so on to infinity.
The world and our country need a seismic shift of priorities and the channeling of our monies.
Violence, guns, war, military budgets are siphoning monies needed to eradicate poverty, disease, climate change, education and supply affordable food and housing, world wide as well as in America.
The list of what the world's people need to attend to and share the wealth to balance a world to peace and prosperity is endless.
It is not only the Millennials that seek solutions and honesty.
State legislatures, governors and a congress seeking to minutely control our lives with access to bathroom laws, voter suppression laws, women's removal of their privacy rights, and a myriad numbers of economic policies favoring the few, are, again, only drops of water in the ocean of self-indulgence,
greed and lies and corruption.
The Millennials may be the generation to bring the world of solutions to a practical reality.
But in between we need the warriors of courage to begin the process that will move us all closer and closer to world peace and prosperity.
Having said that there is so much change needed.
First, honesty and facts need to be the conversation of all. No more TV talking heads letting questions go unanswered is a starting point. Think of the all the lies perpetuated by so many corporate and established politicians and so on to infinity.
The world and our country need a seismic shift of priorities and the channeling of our monies.
Violence, guns, war, military budgets are siphoning monies needed to eradicate poverty, disease, climate change, education and supply affordable food and housing, world wide as well as in America.
The list of what the world's people need to attend to and share the wealth to balance a world to peace and prosperity is endless.
It is not only the Millennials that seek solutions and honesty.
State legislatures, governors and a congress seeking to minutely control our lives with access to bathroom laws, voter suppression laws, women's removal of their privacy rights, and a myriad numbers of economic policies favoring the few, are, again, only drops of water in the ocean of self-indulgence,
greed and lies and corruption.
The Millennials may be the generation to bring the world of solutions to a practical reality.
But in between we need the warriors of courage to begin the process that will move us all closer and closer to world peace and prosperity.
13
And we need an educated print and nonprint media, not just the pretty longhaired women that the top executives want to sexually harass.
1
Due to the overriding greed of the 1% and their Republican employees (of whom several have bankrupted a number of states by giving huge tax breaks to the 1%) the vast majority of the people in this country are relatively poor and ignorant. Trump will be elected. End of story.
@av
It will only be the end of the story if Trump is elected.
It will only be the end of the story if Trump is elected.
1
Pretty broad strokes you paint with here, AV.
No good rich people.
And, no good poor people, or middle class people either in your "vast majority."
No good rich people.
And, no good poor people, or middle class people either in your "vast majority."
Great column Mr. Egan. Got me thinking that everything about the man (his racism, sexism, extreme pessimism, love of conspiracy theories, his apparent lack of love of country, his attempts to render illegitimate the current American President, and the likelihood of him declaring invalid any negative results of the upcoming election) got me wondering about Donald Trump's approach to life and his American birthright. Has he always been the spoiled brat we see all over TV now? Growing up, was there no sense of love of country, of being wealthy and needing to give back? Did he ever give of himself in service to others or his country? Were his parents so equally vacuous that they did not bestow upon him no sense of duty or honor or empathy? What a troubled, psychopathic personality he seems to have. How did a man of such high wealth and standing in life reach his 70th year in such a low state of humanness?
25
He suffers from acute affluenza.
2
This is probably the best piece I've read during this whole (protracted) election cycle. I'm in my mid-60s, optimistic about the future (the alternative is a waste of time), and hope with all my heart that the younger voters Mr. Egan describes turn out in "huuuuge" numbers.
19
From everything we read about the republican candidate, I, as a white male in his 60's, should regard him as the last vestige of hope for America as it was. However, as someone who remembers the hate spewed upon black people, Hispanics, and returning veterans from Vietnam (not forgetting the people shot and arrested for protesting that war), I think we've had enough of this visceral hate and separation. The angry people following this man are so far removed from my father's brand of conservatism, and it's frightening that so many feel so rejected.
What has he offered these people to gain such rabid respect? What can he offer the auto worker in Detroit when he and his running mate were so quick to come out against them when they were in crisis? What can he offer the coal miner in West Virginia when it is the mine owners themselves who have destroyed the industry through their lack of concern for the worker and the environment? Does his seemingly intense desire to fire and sue people give others assurance that he's a man who 'gets things done'? Because he says what's on his mind doesn't mean that those thoughts are right, and that those thoughts will make your life better. Leading those who choose to be blind into oncoming traffic is not a sign of leadership, it's more like a death wish. We're better than that as a people, and it's not easy and not an overnight fix, so to paraphrase Spiro Agnew, it's time we stopped following "...the nattering nabobs of negativism".
What has he offered these people to gain such rabid respect? What can he offer the auto worker in Detroit when he and his running mate were so quick to come out against them when they were in crisis? What can he offer the coal miner in West Virginia when it is the mine owners themselves who have destroyed the industry through their lack of concern for the worker and the environment? Does his seemingly intense desire to fire and sue people give others assurance that he's a man who 'gets things done'? Because he says what's on his mind doesn't mean that those thoughts are right, and that those thoughts will make your life better. Leading those who choose to be blind into oncoming traffic is not a sign of leadership, it's more like a death wish. We're better than that as a people, and it's not easy and not an overnight fix, so to paraphrase Spiro Agnew, it's time we stopped following "...the nattering nabobs of negativism".
22
Not sure that trademark coolness of the young is a good thing in this case, Mr. Egan. As you say, "they still have to vote." That's worrisome: a lather of fear is more motivating than "meh".
9
Yes. I think that was a gentle prod by mr Egan.
The fundamental message of this article is right on. This is not about right vs. left or Euro-style democratic socialism vs. American capitalism or any of that junk. This is about voting for a politician vs. voting for a future Hitler. The white separatists are in seventh heaven over the combo of Trump and Bannon. The Neo-Nazi's have never been so close to the potential of actual power. It is so important to repudiate Trump and it will be important for Republicans to be active in that process. The Republican mantra should be: don't do it for Hillary, do it for America.
25
Anybody with half a brain can see that Mr. Egan is spouting the same sort of hatred he criticizes. The irony is unmistakable. The editorial is a mockery of itself. Did Mr. Egan graduate 3rd grade?
3
Mr. Egan uses the process of discerned critical thinking coupled with his education level (he is certainly a college graduate) and using research to clarify facts that show to us a maturity of problem solving by use of these means.
I see only that he had made a decision based on facts of Trump's words and actions that there are parallels to destructive outcomes generated from the thinking coming from trump'
I see no hatred in Mr. Egan's words.
Hatred is as hatred does., a Forrest Gump equivalent statement.
Perhaps you should search your own heart to understand your perceptions of hatred.
I see only that he had made a decision based on facts of Trump's words and actions that there are parallels to destructive outcomes generated from the thinking coming from trump'
I see no hatred in Mr. Egan's words.
Hatred is as hatred does., a Forrest Gump equivalent statement.
Perhaps you should search your own heart to understand your perceptions of hatred.
11
It's not ironic when it is the truth.
The "irony" of Mr. Trump and his 'true believers is that neither remotely understands that love of country is not exclusive, nor does it involve stepping on the Constitution, and that love of fellow citizens is not demonstrated by scapegoating those without voice.
The "irony" of Mr. Trump and his 'true believers is that neither remotely understands that love of country is not exclusive, nor does it involve stepping on the Constitution, and that love of fellow citizens is not demonstrated by scapegoating those without voice.
6
I think you nailed it! Trump supporters have half a brain!
3
Sorry, but don't be looking for the next generation (millenials) to solve any problems beyond new ways to use their smartphones to order this or that or to amuse themselves with silly games and self-promotion. They want to blame previous generations for dumping them into a world of student loan debt and no prospects for decent employment. To them, all our political and economic systems are unfair and rigged against them. Boo hoo. I want to see the statistics on their turnout in primary elections and after the general election. If they didn't turn out in numbers more than 70%, then you will have the evidence that they will not be fixing anything.
4
That's insulting to millennials! Both my kids are engaged in public service dedicated to giving back to the country. Which millennials have you been talking to?
3
Again, such a broad bush of exclusion.
I am going to wake up every morning between now and the election having every faith that Millennials will turn out, because we have taught them well.
I am going to wake up every morning between now and the election having every faith that Millennials will turn out, because we have taught them well.
1
@marylouise
Sorry. I don't share your optimism. But then again, I have probably been reading their comments on these boards a little too long ...
As far as I'm concerned, seeing is believing.
Sorry. I don't share your optimism. But then again, I have probably been reading their comments on these boards a little too long ...
As far as I'm concerned, seeing is believing.
The points made by Egan are so flawed it leads me to feel embarrassed for him more than angry.
Athletes doing well is a reflection of a healthy/"winning" society? Really? Tell that to the 40 million blacks in the U.S. who dominate our sports life yet languish in poverty, have low educational attainment and have life expectancies years shorter than others. Athletics are not a reflection of anything other than... athletics. The true reflection of a healthy society is one with a thriving middle class, not one full of celebrities and poverty.
Further, young people today voting against Trump portends them always voting against populist candidates? Were not today's Trump supporters once young and some of them even from the "flower power" generation?
Working hard and playing by the rules for decades only to be laid off, have a declining standard of living, being lied to by politicians, seeing others who don't play by the rules pass you by, etc, etc, tends to have an impact on people's thinking. All this to say, don't assume today's youthful and naive voters will remain naive any more than they will remain young. It is quite likely they will be the voters propelling forward the next Trump once living in this society another decade or so gets the better of them.
Athletes doing well is a reflection of a healthy/"winning" society? Really? Tell that to the 40 million blacks in the U.S. who dominate our sports life yet languish in poverty, have low educational attainment and have life expectancies years shorter than others. Athletics are not a reflection of anything other than... athletics. The true reflection of a healthy society is one with a thriving middle class, not one full of celebrities and poverty.
Further, young people today voting against Trump portends them always voting against populist candidates? Were not today's Trump supporters once young and some of them even from the "flower power" generation?
Working hard and playing by the rules for decades only to be laid off, have a declining standard of living, being lied to by politicians, seeing others who don't play by the rules pass you by, etc, etc, tends to have an impact on people's thinking. All this to say, don't assume today's youthful and naive voters will remain naive any more than they will remain young. It is quite likely they will be the voters propelling forward the next Trump once living in this society another decade or so gets the better of them.
6
Oh my Zeus, how do you get out of bed in the morning. Take your negativity somewhere else.
Haven't we had enough of this?
Haven't we had enough of this?
1
No, this is still a free and democratic country and I still get to vote, voice opinions, and advocate for my positions and I don't need your approval to do so.
1
It is becoming common for TV commentators to say Donald Trump is calm and reasonable in his private life -- that he in sensitive to people and is quite charming. The inference is that the private person is the real Trump.
No way. As candidate for president, the real Trump is what he says at his Rallies. He wants illegals deported, and does not mind breaking up the families of those who have helped build our economy. He wants to refuse immigration of Muslims or those coming from "terrorist countries", his hatred of the press portends he would violate freedom of the press. He says we ought to destroy Isis even if the methods used kill innocent children and other citizens. He has demonstrated that he does not understand the purposes of progressive taxation. He advocates torture. His response to many questions is to intimidate the questioner. He does not believe sexual harassment is a matter of law, but rather a problem that women can solve by being more clever. We only need to listen to Trump speak in public. That's the real guy. If it is not, then his whole campaign is a big lie.
No way. As candidate for president, the real Trump is what he says at his Rallies. He wants illegals deported, and does not mind breaking up the families of those who have helped build our economy. He wants to refuse immigration of Muslims or those coming from "terrorist countries", his hatred of the press portends he would violate freedom of the press. He says we ought to destroy Isis even if the methods used kill innocent children and other citizens. He has demonstrated that he does not understand the purposes of progressive taxation. He advocates torture. His response to many questions is to intimidate the questioner. He does not believe sexual harassment is a matter of law, but rather a problem that women can solve by being more clever. We only need to listen to Trump speak in public. That's the real guy. If it is not, then his whole campaign is a big lie.
24
I don't believe it; not for a heartbeat. The D's attitudes ARE his personality, and NO ONE is a good enough actor to compartmentalize the character flaws he so proudly parades on the air. We should ask ourselves why he seems to go though vice president, managers and wives with such abandon.
1
First couple of paragraphs-- we get the point.
I won't vote for Trump. But I won't vote for Mrs. Clinton either. That will be a first, for me and a lot of other people.
I'm resigned that her juggernaut, with zeppelin attached, will ponderously settle on the White House, like it or not.
Let's not forget that the media, the NYTimes included, created this man.
I won't vote for Trump. But I won't vote for Mrs. Clinton either. That will be a first, for me and a lot of other people.
I'm resigned that her juggernaut, with zeppelin attached, will ponderously settle on the White House, like it or not.
Let's not forget that the media, the NYTimes included, created this man.
6
If the media created this hideosity, aka Mediastein's Monster, then the public (GOP-primary voters) were the lightning bolt that gave it life.
17
@carabine
Just for the record. The NYT didn't create this man. He was well on his way to insanity before he hit the campaign trail -- as most New Yorkers can tell you.
Another thing.
Anyone who REALLY gets the point, knows that now is not the time for experimentation or apathy.
Trump must NOT be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office.
Just for the record. The NYT didn't create this man. He was well on his way to insanity before he hit the campaign trail -- as most New Yorkers can tell you.
Another thing.
Anyone who REALLY gets the point, knows that now is not the time for experimentation or apathy.
Trump must NOT be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office.
18
But please, if you are not a Republican devotee, do go to the polls and vote for the Democratic down ballot folks. You can always skip the president part.
After all, the Senate to consider, and thus the Supremes. And possibly the House. And the future of this country, given that the GOPer Congress has done almost zippity doo dah for the American people for 8 years in order to block Obama, mindlessly ruin his presidency and the rest of us along with him. Remember the government shut downs that cost the tax payers millions and disrupted countless lives? Etc. They even refuse to have hearings on a perfectly qualified man to replace Scalia, leaving the Supremes short for an entire year, (which ought to be illegal; it's certainly immoral).
After all, the Senate to consider, and thus the Supremes. And possibly the House. And the future of this country, given that the GOPer Congress has done almost zippity doo dah for the American people for 8 years in order to block Obama, mindlessly ruin his presidency and the rest of us along with him. Remember the government shut downs that cost the tax payers millions and disrupted countless lives? Etc. They even refuse to have hearings on a perfectly qualified man to replace Scalia, leaving the Supremes short for an entire year, (which ought to be illegal; it's certainly immoral).
12
The elections can't come quick enough. Thank you young people for keeping decency and hope alive. I am tired of living in the sewage of Trumpism!
10
@rml
You might also want to go down the line and thank every group who has ever been insulted or maligned by Donald Trump.
Another thing.
Read some more of these posts--evidently there are a lot of young people out there who will not be keeping "decency and hope alive".
Don't put all of your bets on one horse.
You might also want to go down the line and thank every group who has ever been insulted or maligned by Donald Trump.
Another thing.
Read some more of these posts--evidently there are a lot of young people out there who will not be keeping "decency and hope alive".
Don't put all of your bets on one horse.
3
Mr. Egan, as usual, your hatred is showing. I don't like it, or you, or the NYT,
or Democrats. I'm actually fed up with not liking you. I hate you.
You need a serious case of the fair and balanced, no not (just) Fox News, the real thing.
Its truly amazing, your incendiary, hating words. You really DO hate everybody except the left-wing anointed privileged classes.
And the NYT loves you.
Is it really possible you don't understand how truly awful this piece is?
or Democrats. I'm actually fed up with not liking you. I hate you.
You need a serious case of the fair and balanced, no not (just) Fox News, the real thing.
Its truly amazing, your incendiary, hating words. You really DO hate everybody except the left-wing anointed privileged classes.
And the NYT loves you.
Is it really possible you don't understand how truly awful this piece is?
3
I think you need to look up the word "irony" in the dictionary.
13
You supply in your own words why Egan and others have a healthier balanced world view than your own.
How many times did you use the word 'hate.'
You must be one of the Trump people.
How many times did you use the word 'hate.'
You must be one of the Trump people.
3
Oh....Hate. Looks like the Trump Kool-Aid has taken the desired effect.
3
As a blue Democrat in red Texas, your stats from the Lone Star State let me know I am not alone. Thank you, Mr. Egan. Your column has raised my spirits. There's hope for us yet.
15
These past few weeks have had more optimism to them ... it is satisfying watching Trump sink in his muck. It IS important that the millennial's get out and vote, extremely important, and that those who may not be thrilled about Hillary don't fall back in apathy, and fail to show up and vote. Voting against this man is essential. He is utterly without conscience and integrity, and I dread what new lows he and the latest additions to his campaign team will shamelessly spew forth next. I believe in the greater good of America and Americans, but we are looking at this tragic turn in politicking, because of a tremendous amount of apathy. People need to vote, even if its "hold your nose" and vote. We have a participatory gov't, but too many people don't participate, they opine and find fault or favor, but abdicate the simple process of just showing up at the polls. And with that we lose. We lose greatly.
18
The liberal mind touts science, yet it utterly lacks what science is made off - critical thinking.
The image above reads "republicans fear losing money, minorities fear losing lives." Aside from the inanity of this statement, how about an alternative narrative.
"My money's worth more than your life."
Can we explore and have discussion about this narrative, going beyond the empty sloganeering of "Yo, I deserve a higher pay, 'cuz I want a car like yours, a house like yours, a wife like yours, a tattoo and ear-ring like yours, and 'cuz my dad's in prison and mom's on drugs."
The image above reads "republicans fear losing money, minorities fear losing lives." Aside from the inanity of this statement, how about an alternative narrative.
"My money's worth more than your life."
Can we explore and have discussion about this narrative, going beyond the empty sloganeering of "Yo, I deserve a higher pay, 'cuz I want a car like yours, a house like yours, a wife like yours, a tattoo and ear-ring like yours, and 'cuz my dad's in prison and mom's on drugs."
1
Because Trump is such a critical thinker. Lol
9
@ Michael Harper
Unlike Mrs. Clinton, Trump does not pretend being a thinker, he doesn't even bother to finish his sentences. I don't believe he takes himself as seriously, as she does.
Unlike Mr. Trump, Mrs. Clinton has no sense of humor, no imagination, and is plain as carton.
This (still) great country will have a mental midget for a leader (it matters not which midget) in the foreseeable future, which will doom us all to continuing stagnation, and more losses to aggressive and assertive powerhouses of China, India, and Russia.
Unlike Mrs. Clinton, Trump does not pretend being a thinker, he doesn't even bother to finish his sentences. I don't believe he takes himself as seriously, as she does.
Unlike Mr. Trump, Mrs. Clinton has no sense of humor, no imagination, and is plain as carton.
This (still) great country will have a mental midget for a leader (it matters not which midget) in the foreseeable future, which will doom us all to continuing stagnation, and more losses to aggressive and assertive powerhouses of China, India, and Russia.
1
Good lord, what open racism.
3
I like what you did there with not mentioning Michael Phelps. I guess the fact that the most accomplished Olympic athlete, ever, happens to be a white man doesn't serve the narrative.
Best to ignore that small piece of Olympic history. I guess it's pretty insignificant next to a fencer who wears a hijab.
Best to ignore that small piece of Olympic history. I guess it's pretty insignificant next to a fencer who wears a hijab.
3
Oh dear, Mr. Egan wrote about American women dominating the Olympic Games.
I am not aware that Michael Phelps was female. As to your 'white man' narrative, your comment really sounds like the ones from Herr Drumpf - racist.
I am not aware that Michael Phelps was female. As to your 'white man' narrative, your comment really sounds like the ones from Herr Drumpf - racist.
5
The whole idea here, is that, as a country, the pool of those we admire is becoming larger and more inclusive, no longer just rich white guys but young men and women of all colors and religion.
Nobody has ignored Michael Phelps. He has gotten plenty of media attention.
And you Trumpian slip is showing.
Nobody has ignored Michael Phelps. He has gotten plenty of media attention.
And you Trumpian slip is showing.
4
@ben
"I guess the fact that the most accomplished Olympic athlete, ever, happens to be a white man...."
What is this? -- the racist Olympics????
"I guess the fact that the most accomplished Olympic athlete, ever, happens to be a white man...."
What is this? -- the racist Olympics????
For the record, I can't stand Trump. Won't vote for him, period. But, with a 68 percent disapproval rating for untrustworthyness, Hillary hardly is the standard bearer for truth, justice and the American way.
4
I didn't read that in the article either as the author never stated that.
3
And how to you reconcile the 68 percent disapproval rating with the various fact checking groups that find that Hillary is more truthful than almost all other politicians over time, and far more truthful than any comparable Republican?
Could it be the American people have been duped by the constant drum beat of her enemies?
Could it be the American people have been duped by the constant drum beat of her enemies?
8
@ratigan
Now. Have you ever wondered just WHO started floating that kind of thing????
Clinton has been in the cross-hairs of the G.O.P. for over thirty years.
She's not a saint -- but she has done more in the line of Public Service than Donald Trump could ever dream about.
And she's sane.
Now. Have you ever wondered just WHO started floating that kind of thing????
Clinton has been in the cross-hairs of the G.O.P. for over thirty years.
She's not a saint -- but she has done more in the line of Public Service than Donald Trump could ever dream about.
And she's sane.
7
And if Hillary loses- will the Clinton Foundation continue to 'accept' foreign donations from suspect sources? That is certainly NOT the implication of the statement made yesterday. If she loses We lose and if she wins We lose. I do not think "conflict of interest" means anything the Clintons.
3
@mac
It sounds like a card-carrying racist like Donald Trump is just fine by you.
But guess what??? -- if he wins, a whole lot more people will lose.
It sounds like a card-carrying racist like Donald Trump is just fine by you.
But guess what??? -- if he wins, a whole lot more people will lose.
3
“We are a country that doesn’t win anymore,”
Yes--US Olympic performance is a glaring counter example.
But Lochte and friends was more than a blemish; it was a disgrace.
And very Trumpish. His idea idea of winning is "How to profit and stay out of jail"--lie and cheat shareholders, suppliers, contractors, governments.
If necessary issue "apologies" all the way to the bank.
Yes--US Olympic performance is a glaring counter example.
But Lochte and friends was more than a blemish; it was a disgrace.
And very Trumpish. His idea idea of winning is "How to profit and stay out of jail"--lie and cheat shareholders, suppliers, contractors, governments.
If necessary issue "apologies" all the way to the bank.
4
if you hike up from Rainy Pass, or any number of trails in the North Cascades, the beauty and wonder is staggering. If your soul is not uplifted you are truly dead inside.
Trump is one of those walking dead. An ideological zombie who feeds on fear, hatred and lies.
Trump is one of those walking dead. An ideological zombie who feeds on fear, hatred and lies.
25
Mr Trump in and of himself shouldn't frighten anyone nor should his outrageous remarks which he of all people know are only meant to arouse not to incite. He is much too smart to think he can control a mob which should be the basis of our concern. He also knows the windfall of his accidental candidacy will provide him and his family with more wealth than he ever dreamed possible
The fact that many among us are so easily incited should elicit much greater fear than his clearly rash vocabulary. People who toss around words of violence as though they are acceptable under any circumstance should indicate to most of us a major tear, assisted if not started, by elected officials at all levels of government exists in our social fabric, one which simple stitching will not repair.
The fact that this rend has been further torn by those who are elected to uphold our laws should and I hope will be seen by the electorate as how very deceptive many of those who purport to represent us have become in their efforts to cover up their own venality by incessantly attacking and obstructing our President who, unlike them, was duly elected to his office by a majority of our nation's citizenry.
Mr. McConnel and those of his political ilk do an unforgivable disservice to our nation in order that they continue to feed at the trough provided by their owners who have no qualms about slaughtering anyone or destroying anything.
Mr Trump is simply a figurehead for powers we rarely if ever see.
The fact that many among us are so easily incited should elicit much greater fear than his clearly rash vocabulary. People who toss around words of violence as though they are acceptable under any circumstance should indicate to most of us a major tear, assisted if not started, by elected officials at all levels of government exists in our social fabric, one which simple stitching will not repair.
The fact that this rend has been further torn by those who are elected to uphold our laws should and I hope will be seen by the electorate as how very deceptive many of those who purport to represent us have become in their efforts to cover up their own venality by incessantly attacking and obstructing our President who, unlike them, was duly elected to his office by a majority of our nation's citizenry.
Mr. McConnel and those of his political ilk do an unforgivable disservice to our nation in order that they continue to feed at the trough provided by their owners who have no qualms about slaughtering anyone or destroying anything.
Mr Trump is simply a figurehead for powers we rarely if ever see.
10
Mr. Egan has no problem accusing Trump followers, as well as Trump, of residing in the primordial muck. If he is like most liberals, he doesn't know a single Trump supporter. So the idea that 40% of Americans are insane and of unspeakably bad character is soulless pessimism without any first hand knowledge. The message here is negative and hateful so Mr. Egan is no different than the Republicans and is likewise an enemy of America. I think we should all go to the Everglades to get as far away from his negativism as possible.
3
So go, if you can find a part of the Everglades that hasn't been paved during exactly the sort of mindless real estate speculation that grabbed for Trump however much money it is that he's actually made over and above the millions daddy left him.
While you're there, hanging out with the Duck Commander, you can work on your reading comprehension. Egan's article said only that Trump had been dredging up the ugliest ideas in America and capitalizing on them, and that he had some followers who turn out to be loons and racists.
That happens to be true, regrettably. Sorry reality offends.
While you're there, hanging out with the Duck Commander, you can work on your reading comprehension. Egan's article said only that Trump had been dredging up the ugliest ideas in America and capitalizing on them, and that he had some followers who turn out to be loons and racists.
That happens to be true, regrettably. Sorry reality offends.
16
I'll bet he knows Maureen Dowd...
3
So you're going to get 40%. I don't believe that's going to make you a winner. Sad.
3
A beautiful piece that brought tears to my eyes. As a 44-year resident of the People's Republic of Austin, I truly think in my lifetime, we, as in Texas, will be a blue state. Young people don't rant and rave the way the Donald's know nothings do, they just shrug and go vote. Well done, Mr. Egan
15
Insider telltales:
Ivanka Trump and husband vacationing during the general election campaign
Melania Trump. Has she been 100% absent from Trump public campaign events since the end of the Republican convention?
Ivanka Trump and husband vacationing during the general election campaign
Melania Trump. Has she been 100% absent from Trump public campaign events since the end of the Republican convention?
5
The Times had graciously posted me on this topic some time ago. Hopefully, they will again post my redundant comment regarding the upcoming election. That is, the importance of getting out the vote. Sure the polls show Clinton comfortably ahead. But the polls also show us that about 40% of American voters will cast their ballot for Trump. That is way too close for comfort. Complacency can kill aviators. It can also kill our nation. We need to make every effort to assure a Democrat sweep, not only at the federal level, but at state, county, and community. Being complacent will be our undoing.
28
were i on a sailboat in ensenada i wouldnt be blogging
not even for 1 minute
1
Great column, Mr. Egan. The Don asks, "“When was the last time we won?” That would be when WE elected President Obama - twice! It will continue when WE elect Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton as OUR next President of the United States and make The Don a loser.
58
If Mr. Egan and Mr. Obama are so tired of hearing about Trump, why don't they broaden the dialogue? After all, the rejection "sweeping, and unequivocal — of the incivility and dangerous strain of anti-constitutional bigotry that Trump represents" mentioned by Mr. Egan, really characterizes the modern Republican party. If the Senate does not turn over, and the House doesn't learn a lesson, all the reasoned and progressive initiatives favored by the likes of Clinton, Obama and Sanders will continued to be stymied in the Congress. Time for the media and the opposition to bind irrevocably those who have, and those who continue to, back Trump to his poisonous message.
19
Don't get too excited about the polls in Texas: this state is in the bottom 10 for voter turnout according to data that goes back to the 70's. There is a concerted effort this time to do better, but without any local or state races to rally those who are otherwise conflicted about the presidential field - it is going to be a challenge.
5
Well, I hope you're out there helping to organize!
3
Yes. As a matter of fact, I am going to the County Court House just now to get trained as a Voter Registrar. In Texas, you are only allowed to register people in your own county.
3
@judopp
Well, I for one would like to thank you -- and good luck!
Well, I for one would like to thank you -- and good luck!
The hiring of Bannon at the behest of the entitled Mercer clan signals a tripling down on the inane vitriol and pessimism. But I guess his blanket apology makes everything okay.
9
We're winning? You're jinxing it Tim! You're encouraging complacency. Death is snapping at our heels: Trump still has 40% of the vote, 80 days in which anything can happen, and the bell curve going for him.
9
Despotic dictators do not "kill" their opponents, sir. They MURDER their opponents. There is a big difference in those words.
I do not think that what the U.S swimmers (Lochte and his pals) did is a "blemish". It is a disgusting display of disrespect for their host country, for the USA, and for themselves. They are the antithesis of the spirit of sports and they ought to be punished severely for bringing such shame to our country.
I do not think that what the U.S swimmers (Lochte and his pals) did is a "blemish". It is a disgusting display of disrespect for their host country, for the USA, and for themselves. They are the antithesis of the spirit of sports and they ought to be punished severely for bringing such shame to our country.
16
Steve, what the swimmers did was not a felony in Brazil, but you want them "punished severely"...why? They were drunk and guilty of very poor judgment. The victim was a mirror in the bathroom of a gas station, not another person. In the world of the punishment should fit the crime, a slap on their collective hands will do. They have embarrassed themselves, and their actions are a blemish on their Olympic performances, and that's a shame. Period.
5
“I suspect many people share President Obama’s sentiment. ‘Frankly, I’m tired of talking about her opponent,’”, so writes the irony challenged Timothy Egan in today’s column.
Pres. Obama has never made us laugh much, but here he uncorks a howler. Forsooth can the smoldering passion for the sound of his own voice actually be rendered ill-perfumed by the mere content of the words? We know him well enough by now to know the answer to that most important question.
And c’mon, are Timothy Egan, and Pres. Obama, really tired of Trump? The man is singlehandedly handing the Democrat the White House, and perhaps majorities in Congress, all of which they massively ill-deserve. I wouldn’t blame Mr. Egan if he had a Trump Teddy Bear that he hugs to sleep every night until Nov. 8.
Still, like Mr. Egan, I’m happy Trump is behind in the polls and there’s little reason to think things will turn around for him. But I’m sticking pins in my Trump Teddy Bear.
Pres. Obama has never made us laugh much, but here he uncorks a howler. Forsooth can the smoldering passion for the sound of his own voice actually be rendered ill-perfumed by the mere content of the words? We know him well enough by now to know the answer to that most important question.
And c’mon, are Timothy Egan, and Pres. Obama, really tired of Trump? The man is singlehandedly handing the Democrat the White House, and perhaps majorities in Congress, all of which they massively ill-deserve. I wouldn’t blame Mr. Egan if he had a Trump Teddy Bear that he hugs to sleep every night until Nov. 8.
Still, like Mr. Egan, I’m happy Trump is behind in the polls and there’s little reason to think things will turn around for him. But I’m sticking pins in my Trump Teddy Bear.
3
Obviously, this comment is POTUS talking about her opponent: “Frankly, I’m tired of talking about her opponent,” he said earlier this week. “I don’t have to make the case against her opponent because every time he talks he makes the case against his own candidacy.”
What if Hillary were held to the same standard as Ryan Lochte for lying? Would she not "shame" our country? Did she lie? Did she repeatedly claim that she did not lie?
What if Hillary were held to the same standard as Ryan Lochte for lying? Would she not "shame" our country? Did she lie? Did she repeatedly claim that she did not lie?
3
@mac
Oh please. ALL people and politicians lie at one point or the other.
As for Lochte, he is in a category all his own for that one.
Oh please. ALL people and politicians lie at one point or the other.
As for Lochte, he is in a category all his own for that one.
2
As a college professor and tutor, I wholeheartedly agree. I love the millennials. They seem to me to be the least prejudiced generation we have ever produced. I see them talking generously with one another regardless of race or ethnicity. I see them helping each other; they have a strong sense of service. And they are optimists, seemingly certain that they will make the world a better place. They are a large generation like the Boomers, so their benign influence could be change-making. I will vote for their future.
49
I'm pleased to relate that it's not just the millennials. A friend of min in his sixties has never voted Democrat in his life, He's voting for Hillary. Another friend, in her fifties, has never voted in her life. She's now registered and will be voting for Hillary. It's not a big deal: if you can help to eradicate Cancer by simply making one trip to the polling place what's there to think about?
63
Yes, folks, we need to vote against hate in all the down slate races. We all, including me, failed in not taking the 2014 elections seriously enough. Our Democratic President needs support from Congress but we also need to get rid of the Party of Hate in our state and local offices. In case anyone missed it, the Republicans here in North Carolina deliberately changed the voting laws to exclude as many black voters as possible and the local election boards are manipulating early voting and local polling hours. Then there's the infamous HB2 which was enacted and signed in eleven hours to demonstrate their hate for LGBT folks.
VOTE OUT THE HATE AND VOTE IN THE LIGHT OF RESPECT FOR ALL AMERICANS.
VOTE OUT THE HATE AND VOTE IN THE LIGHT OF RESPECT FOR ALL AMERICANS.
14
I'm a Texan and often distressed by the opinions of many in my state. But your report that even TEXANS get it, that Trump is up to no good, has made my day. Thanks!
17
Inspiring commentary -thank you.
BUT let us not forget that -thanks to Trump - That a significant percentage of Americans are ignorant angry haters and ripe for post election mayhem-- Fired up by their malignant leader!
AND when the Trump White National News Network premieres shortly after his election demise (in partnership with Breitbart Media) and joins Fox News in a daily flow of right wing propaganda worthy of Goebbels........
Vigilance is in order!
BUT let us not forget that -thanks to Trump - That a significant percentage of Americans are ignorant angry haters and ripe for post election mayhem-- Fired up by their malignant leader!
AND when the Trump White National News Network premieres shortly after his election demise (in partnership with Breitbart Media) and joins Fox News in a daily flow of right wing propaganda worthy of Goebbels........
Vigilance is in order!
12
" In 80 days, we can bring on the boredom." No, no, I disagree. We can't let politics be bor-ing. No way. We have to find ways to keep it interesting, without making it depressingly negative. Hillary Clinton cannot be boring if she wants to become a good leader.
I suggest that Clinton use the media and that she use gestures to communicate with the masses. For example, she can make the sign of a "W" for woman, by bringing both hands together with "V"signs. She can give Trump a thumbs down, or a zero (0) with fingers and thumb.
Now, the only thing we have to fear is... Donald (0) Trump.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
But fears and frustrations will remain after the election...
I suggest that Clinton use the media and that she use gestures to communicate with the masses. For example, she can make the sign of a "W" for woman, by bringing both hands together with "V"signs. She can give Trump a thumbs down, or a zero (0) with fingers and thumb.
Now, the only thing we have to fear is... Donald (0) Trump.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
But fears and frustrations will remain after the election...
4
As one who was unable to escape the primordial dreck that is Donald Trump, I mainatain a rather skeptical eye on him and those like him -- as he has managed to reach down even further into the depths by choosing Breitbart, after tossing Manafort (who has just jumped the Trump ship altogether).
But unlike yourself, I am still on the fence about the Millennials "saving us". Especially after enduring months of their social media-like invective during the Sanders campaign, and oft-repeated promises to vote for Trump rather than Clinton if Bernie didn't win the nomination.
Sorry. But I knew that from the beginning that Sanders had no-chance, and that Trump was a no-go.
And if some of them are just realizing this -- welcome to REALITY.
And if some want to vote Green/Independent/Progressive/Third-Party, it will be a symbolic one in an alternate universe.
And if some vote for Trump...Well, Good luck with that.
If we are "Winning" -- it won't be because of any one group.
But because there is a massive realization that Donald Trump and his ilk will do NOTHING to make America great again -- something that most Blacks, Latinos, LGBTs, Women, Disabled, College-educated people, and anyone else who has been attacked already knows about.
Welcome back.
But unlike yourself, I am still on the fence about the Millennials "saving us". Especially after enduring months of their social media-like invective during the Sanders campaign, and oft-repeated promises to vote for Trump rather than Clinton if Bernie didn't win the nomination.
Sorry. But I knew that from the beginning that Sanders had no-chance, and that Trump was a no-go.
And if some of them are just realizing this -- welcome to REALITY.
And if some want to vote Green/Independent/Progressive/Third-Party, it will be a symbolic one in an alternate universe.
And if some vote for Trump...Well, Good luck with that.
If we are "Winning" -- it won't be because of any one group.
But because there is a massive realization that Donald Trump and his ilk will do NOTHING to make America great again -- something that most Blacks, Latinos, LGBTs, Women, Disabled, College-educated people, and anyone else who has been attacked already knows about.
Welcome back.
10
Yes hillary is the beneficiary of don! Your 100% correct,
Democrats can thank the gods for don, because a "normal" republican like say a Mitt Romney, would easily defeat her.
Unfortunately we will be stuck with hillary, yech!
Democrats can thank the gods for don, because a "normal" republican like say a Mitt Romney, would easily defeat her.
Unfortunately we will be stuck with hillary, yech!
2
Any chance you thought Mitt was gonna win 4 years ago?
5
Nope, I am an FDR Democrat!
Clintons are conservative fools.
Clintons are conservative fools.
Your kidding, right Egan? Our future overwhelmingly voted for that other guy that we don't talk about anymore. You remember the Unicorn and Puppies dude?! The one with all those crazy ideas that you and Krugman and Blow and the rest of the NYT and its commenting readers now wish for and think would be a good thing.
But no Egan. The NYT and the older pragmatic, incrementalists, don't wish to move too fast. (Especially when paid not to!) They need time to finish sucking dry the marrow. Then, and only then, will they deem it a good time to move onto what everyone, including themselves, thinks how things should be. "It's just too hard right now." "Now is not the right time." "American't!"
Winning?
Glad it is working out for you.
By the way? What is this thing, vacation you talk about?! Sounds like a great idea. Too bad most of us don't get something like this. What an idea!
Maybe when all these self called adults move on, we'll then "Grow up" and realize how our country should be.
Hope it won't be too late.
What's up with all those dolphins flying away thanking us for the fishes?!
But no Egan. The NYT and the older pragmatic, incrementalists, don't wish to move too fast. (Especially when paid not to!) They need time to finish sucking dry the marrow. Then, and only then, will they deem it a good time to move onto what everyone, including themselves, thinks how things should be. "It's just too hard right now." "Now is not the right time." "American't!"
Winning?
Glad it is working out for you.
By the way? What is this thing, vacation you talk about?! Sounds like a great idea. Too bad most of us don't get something like this. What an idea!
Maybe when all these self called adults move on, we'll then "Grow up" and realize how our country should be.
Hope it won't be too late.
What's up with all those dolphins flying away thanking us for the fishes?!
6
To the commenter: what????
17
Your post is unintelligible gibberish. Please don't waste valuable commentary space if you have nothing of value to add to the discussion.
3
Rob,
What can I clarify for you?
Maybe the fishes reference?
Might it be the Bernie's ideas that are now being touted as things for HRC to work towards, but not mentioning his name?
Could It have been the snark of Hillary's American't you didn't get?
Must have been the sarcasm of all those Dems telling people to Grow up you didn't get.?! Right?
Surely it wasn't the quip about vacations?! Too easy. C'mon.
Or maybe you too were being snarky?
What can I clarify for you?
Maybe the fishes reference?
Might it be the Bernie's ideas that are now being touted as things for HRC to work towards, but not mentioning his name?
Could It have been the snark of Hillary's American't you didn't get?
Must have been the sarcasm of all those Dems telling people to Grow up you didn't get.?! Right?
Surely it wasn't the quip about vacations?! Too easy. C'mon.
Or maybe you too were being snarky?
2
People who Donald Trump may regret insulting, smearing, or lying about:
* President Obama (birth certificate, founder of ISIS, etc.)
* Hillary Clinton (health issues, 2nd Amendment solution, she should be executed, etc. etc.)
* John McCain (POW insult)
* The Kahn family
* Ted Cruz & his family
* Megan Kelly
* Mexicans
* Muslims
* Gay people
* Jews (who apparently count his money while wearing yamakas)
* The Washington Post
* The Press generally
* Protesters (who should be beaten)
* Rosie O'Donnell
* Carly Fiorina
* Charities that did not receive promised contributions
* Crying child at a rally
* Judge Gonzalo Curiel
* Vietnam vets
* Rince Prebius
* Election officials
* Paul Ryan
* Women who are sexually harrassed
* Women on maternity leave
* Women seeking an abortion
* Women generally ("have to treat them like ****")
* Black Lives Matter
* African Americans generally ("my African American", "laziness is a trait in blacks")
* Interned Japanese citizens
* Breastfeeding mother attorney
* Trump University Students
* The entire Republican slate
* "USA Freedom Kids"
* Angela Merkel
* NATO partners
* Elizabeth Warren
* The U.S. military
* Lindsey Graham (gave out cell phone)
* Orlando shooting victims
* Mohawk Native American Tribe
* The World Trade Organization
* Syrian refugees
* Kelly Ayote
* Colorado fire marshall
* The NFL
* Harriet Tubman
* New Jersey Muslims
* His own employees
* President Obama (birth certificate, founder of ISIS, etc.)
* Hillary Clinton (health issues, 2nd Amendment solution, she should be executed, etc. etc.)
* John McCain (POW insult)
* The Kahn family
* Ted Cruz & his family
* Megan Kelly
* Mexicans
* Muslims
* Gay people
* Jews (who apparently count his money while wearing yamakas)
* The Washington Post
* The Press generally
* Protesters (who should be beaten)
* Rosie O'Donnell
* Carly Fiorina
* Charities that did not receive promised contributions
* Crying child at a rally
* Judge Gonzalo Curiel
* Vietnam vets
* Rince Prebius
* Election officials
* Paul Ryan
* Women who are sexually harrassed
* Women on maternity leave
* Women seeking an abortion
* Women generally ("have to treat them like ****")
* Black Lives Matter
* African Americans generally ("my African American", "laziness is a trait in blacks")
* Interned Japanese citizens
* Breastfeeding mother attorney
* Trump University Students
* The entire Republican slate
* "USA Freedom Kids"
* Angela Merkel
* NATO partners
* Elizabeth Warren
* The U.S. military
* Lindsey Graham (gave out cell phone)
* Orlando shooting victims
* Mohawk Native American Tribe
* The World Trade Organization
* Syrian refugees
* Kelly Ayote
* Colorado fire marshall
* The NFL
* Harriet Tubman
* New Jersey Muslims
* His own employees
121
The party of grievances, concocting ever more grievances for the aggrieved.
7
Uh...That's more like the list of the folks Donald Trump seems to have a grievance with.
1
Trump can't even properly vet people who work for him at the highest level - his campaign being infiltrated by the likes of Paul Manafort who changed the RNC platform regarding Ukraine. Where was the EXTREME VETTING there Donald?
26
Be concious of what we've won. Celebrate it. But be vigilant. Stay scared! Having a terrible candidate for an opponent doesn't guarantee a win. Our blue state elected a professional wrestler for governor.
16
Our Olympic gold is not America's leading indicator; it is the American Century's last hurrah.
America is rotting from within. Ransom lies. Email lies. FBI lies. DOJ lies. National-security lies. ISIS lies. Benghazi lies. Nuke lies (Ben Rhodes NYT). Obamacare lies (Jonathan Gruber). Lies about lies…ad absurdum. And now Obama, Comey, Lynch & this erstwhile watchdog-press running Foundation-treason interference for Clinton—speaking of which—the no-comments news story in today's edition requires a mention: "Hillary Clinton Told F.B.I. Colin Powell Advised Her to Use Private Email."
Powell says he does not recall the conversation. But even if Clinton's claim is true, the essence of Powell's point was not to commingle personal and State/classified email—which was exactly what Clinton did, and to use the secure govt system for State/classified business, which Clinton, with premeditation, failed to do. And, he was certainly not suggesting a private server impervious to FOIA requests.
This illogical ruse apparently provided the FBI with a convenient rationale not to indict. Comey certainly saw through this nonsense. Just more evidence of FBI-DOJ-Clinton collusion.
Obama-Clinton-press lies/corruption/treason kill our soldiers, kill our citizens, compromise our national security & sell out our country.
Chris Stevens' schedule for his final 2 days were in Clinton's email.
Before you vote, ask yourself this: Would you want your own child to be under her command?
7
Um, would you want your child to be under the command of Trump? There is no contest here.
26
And you really think that Trump is not so toxic as to destroy us?
13
Hmmmm....you seem to have a problem with discernment and think that every thing a Democrat says is a "lie." Sounds like you've been drinking the Republican kool-aid too long!
1
What needs to happen here is for all of us to heed the President's advice: campaign like we're running scared - get out every last possible vote and make sure we don't win by just a comfortable margin - no, we need to bury the buffoon under a landslide! Only then will it dawn on the hate-fogged brains of the buffoon's superannuated, lily-white, sub-GED holding, voting-against-their-own-interests fascist fanboys, that their time is over. That the buffoon's antics are no longer acceptable in America, and that they can either deal with it or move to Russia with the buffoon.
20
Every day I go to 538 fix of "Phew!" I just want to fast forward to Nivember 8th so we can rid ourselves of this cancer called Trump! But then I go to MSNBC where there is an endless supply of pundits debating the horse race - most with discussions involving not just false equivalence with Clintons untruthfulness and disapproval ratings but advice as to how Trump can "pivot to become more presidential!" MSNBC folks! Do they really think we Americans will forget the hateful rhetoric and lies spewing from this lunatic's mouth forever a year now?
Now he is yammering about being "too truthful" as a way to a"apologize" THE SAME day that he hires a lunatic from Breibart. MSNBC - again - is asking him if he will apologize to the Kahns. His new campaign manager uses this softball question to say "Oh I don't know, but I hope they heard him!"
I want this guy to lose, but I really want him OBLITERATED so we don't have to go through this again. I want the media to own their part in this debacle as well. Their complacency last year, zeal for false equivalence and need for a horse race has left me numb. This IDIOT disgraced my president and INSULTED my intelligence four years ago asking for his birth certificate. I do not want him in my or my family's life anymore. He is horrible human being.
Now he is yammering about being "too truthful" as a way to a"apologize" THE SAME day that he hires a lunatic from Breibart. MSNBC - again - is asking him if he will apologize to the Kahns. His new campaign manager uses this softball question to say "Oh I don't know, but I hope they heard him!"
I want this guy to lose, but I really want him OBLITERATED so we don't have to go through this again. I want the media to own their part in this debacle as well. Their complacency last year, zeal for false equivalence and need for a horse race has left me numb. This IDIOT disgraced my president and INSULTED my intelligence four years ago asking for his birth certificate. I do not want him in my or my family's life anymore. He is horrible human being.
16
Hear, hear! Bravo!
1
Dear Tim,
If this was another time & different candidates for the Presidency, i would rejoice with you. The Polls certainly suggest that Clinton is a shoo in, & Trump has already lost.Asking someone if he would vote for trump is like asking a married man if he watches porno.The problem with the Polls is, too many Americans have been affected by the loss of manufacturing jobs, & are far more concerned about putting bread on the table than women’s choice,Gay Rights,& the separation of Church & State, & that includes gun reform. It’s the economy stupid, & the earnings on Wall St.has nothing to do with the unemployed & under employed.This is the hidden factor in the race for President. Remember everyone thought that Truman didn’t have a chance to beat Dewey.
If this was another time & different candidates for the Presidency, i would rejoice with you. The Polls certainly suggest that Clinton is a shoo in, & Trump has already lost.Asking someone if he would vote for trump is like asking a married man if he watches porno.The problem with the Polls is, too many Americans have been affected by the loss of manufacturing jobs, & are far more concerned about putting bread on the table than women’s choice,Gay Rights,& the separation of Church & State, & that includes gun reform. It’s the economy stupid, & the earnings on Wall St.has nothing to do with the unemployed & under employed.This is the hidden factor in the race for President. Remember everyone thought that Truman didn’t have a chance to beat Dewey.
6
Millennials are saving us. Yup! Love 'em!
1
@chesbay
Not all.
Not only.
Not all.
Not only.
3
Only if they actually go out and vote.
3
N.Smith--That's true, but I still love 'em! ;-)
Well your winning the propaganda war.
2
you mean "you're"...
2
correct!
Oh come on, give us some of yoyu right-wing truth.
WHAT WOULD ALI SAY?
Now listen to me y’all
The Donald must fall
We’ll knock him hither
We’ll knock him yon
And down will fall
The clown called Don
You can tell from the news
The man’s loose a few screws
Now we can’t have this dude
He’s nasty, vile and rude
He’s worst than strep throat
SO GET OUT AND VOTE
Now listen to me y’all
The Donald must fall
We’ll knock him hither
We’ll knock him yon
And down will fall
The clown called Don
You can tell from the news
The man’s loose a few screws
Now we can’t have this dude
He’s nasty, vile and rude
He’s worst than strep throat
SO GET OUT AND VOTE
23
Let's not get complacent. As you say, the millennial have to actually vote. Their track record on that front is not good.
We also have our third party renegades. The so called "Green Party" did it's part in installing W. in 2000. This party, which is on the ballot in only about half the states, has LITERALLY no chance of winning anything. But yet they go forward with their science impaired candidate and their vice presidential nominee who labeled Bernie Sanders a white supremacist. Yep, they march on full of self righteous fury undermining everything the CLAIM to stand for.
Green = Orange (Trump)
We also have our third party renegades. The so called "Green Party" did it's part in installing W. in 2000. This party, which is on the ballot in only about half the states, has LITERALLY no chance of winning anything. But yet they go forward with their science impaired candidate and their vice presidential nominee who labeled Bernie Sanders a white supremacist. Yep, they march on full of self righteous fury undermining everything the CLAIM to stand for.
Green = Orange (Trump)
18
We desperately need a voting system overhaul. Pick, in order, your 4 candidates. This way, people's votes for green (and any other color) candidate is registered and a vote for an unlikely winner won't install the likes of people like dubya or the Donald.
Also, we need to clean the house of obstructionists in this election. Let's go millennials!
Also, we need to clean the house of obstructionists in this election. Let's go millennials!
1
Normally I can make it through most of an Egan column before the unctous arrogance sending me running. Three paragraphs today.
2
Tim, this is a keeper. In the annals of political essays, the descriptor, "primordial muck of Donald Trump" takes the prize.
The performance of our millennials in Rio and the polls gave me an optimistic lift on the future for all generations. All generations should turn out and vote.
The performance of our millennials in Rio and the polls gave me an optimistic lift on the future for all generations. All generations should turn out and vote.
3
Donald Trump has one last strategy to play. Now that Roger Ailes and Stephen Bannon are on board, he is sure to adopt the Richard Nixon "law and order" message, and hope the Black Lives Matter movement stays in the news. He will try and speak in code to suburban women but, as the article points out, he'll have to find a way to speak to millennials. Young people aren't fooled as easily as grown ups. I just hope they are as reliable on Election Day.
5
"Millennials are saving us. ... Of course, they still have to vote."
Exactly. They still need to vote. If they do and stay consistently engaged, we have much to be optimistic about. But if they don't vote and stop paying attention that's a problem.
Exactly. They still need to vote. If they do and stay consistently engaged, we have much to be optimistic about. But if they don't vote and stop paying attention that's a problem.
5
"We're winning" is a risk amplifier. As one of the least motivated-to-vote countries, we can't afford any kind of excuse. Complacency is a common demotivator. All of you (us) who are so smart should be applying our smarts to getting out the vote, now and especially in the mid-terms. How about a few million dollar "Invention Awards" for ways to get voter participation up to the 75% range?
3
Look, if we only count on Millenials to save us, that's not gonna be enough. We, the elderly, vote more actually. And count me as very liberal too. (We also loved the Cascades.)
It's vital that we appreciate all voters. Mellenialsvincluded, of course.
I worry about those who may be conned by Mr. Breaks-It and I will not rest easily till Hillary wins. Hopefully in a landslide. And also hopefully with the GOP side accepting their defeat.
It's vital that we appreciate all voters. Mellenialsvincluded, of course.
I worry about those who may be conned by Mr. Breaks-It and I will not rest easily till Hillary wins. Hopefully in a landslide. And also hopefully with the GOP side accepting their defeat.
5
And with Congress in tow.
Trump apologized and expressed regrets, so this cheering is much too soon. Many people will conclude that he is a changed man. I expect that his poll numbers will rise and we'll have a whole new horse race. A lot of big money has been off the table but I think there will be a lot of new bets on Trump and this will also reinvigorate his campaign as he buys more ads and the like. Trump brand is alie and well.
5
DJT "apologized" about as clearly as he has outlined his polocy ideas. Still zero specifics.
4
He did not apologize, he did express regrets—but about what? He did not say. We are still awaiting a full explanation. Your typo speaks volumes—"Trump brand is a lie and well."
3
I think "a lie" is right.
I'm fed up with all of these vicious attacks on Donald J. Trump. After all, he's built many condos, casinos, hotels, and office towers in quiet good taste that enrich us all, and himself. While doing so, he has put tens of thousand of people to work, even paying some. And he created a world class university, only to see it maligned by some malcontent, ingrate, ex-students. As for Mr. Egan's love of natural beauty, Mr. Trump's complexion, aglow with healthy color, and hair to dye for, says it all about the man. He's a beaut. Inside and out.
7
I feel your sarcasm
1
And the gold medal for Best Snark of 8/19 goes to...Mr. Reader!
That was very fine.
That was very fine.
1
I wish I shared your optimism. But I have had too many conversations in the last few weeks, with people who support Trump. They are willing to overlook EVERYTHING he says and does, just because he "sticks it to them" ("them" meaning government and politicians at all levels). These Trump supporters frighten me. I wonder how many more are out there, gleefully looking forward to voting for Trump. And as a student of politics, I also know that young people are among the least likely to vote.
So I hope that Mr. Egan is correct. I hope everyone who abhors Trump, including millennials, gets out and votes. But I will be neither overly optimistic nor complacent about the outcome. We need to VOTE and send the loudest, clearest message possible.
So I hope that Mr. Egan is correct. I hope everyone who abhors Trump, including millennials, gets out and votes. But I will be neither overly optimistic nor complacent about the outcome. We need to VOTE and send the loudest, clearest message possible.
7
" The kids are — meh, it’ll pass. "
If 'Meh" really is representative of the "youngsters" mindset, it is not good.
"I'm cool. You should be too" is way too easy.
A serious Republican presidential candidate with even a slight chance for victory would create a situation seriously beyond "meh." Trump has no chance. That may be the real reason behind their cavalier attitude.
But - Trump is not the only republican running for office. I hope "the kids" are paying attention - and they had better damn well vote.
If 'Meh" really is representative of the "youngsters" mindset, it is not good.
"I'm cool. You should be too" is way too easy.
A serious Republican presidential candidate with even a slight chance for victory would create a situation seriously beyond "meh." Trump has no chance. That may be the real reason behind their cavalier attitude.
But - Trump is not the only republican running for office. I hope "the kids" are paying attention - and they had better damn well vote.
7
Millennials don't like Hillary either.
That is part of "meh." They won't vote for Trump. Many won't vote for Hillary either.
There is a price for setting up Hillary to be the beneficiary of something not hers, as Egan put it.
That is part of "meh." They won't vote for Trump. Many won't vote for Hillary either.
There is a price for setting up Hillary to be the beneficiary of something not hers, as Egan put it.
3
"Trump has no chance." I hate to see that opinion stated by anyone. Given that a Trump victory would be a disaster, it is unwise to assume anything. Further, the proverbial "October surprise" may await. Isn't it a possibility that Assange has that highly incriminating info ready to spring on the Clinton campaign? This move would likely result, some how/some way, in his extradition to U.S. for his alleged crimes. Messy for both parties, but not to be ruled out. A heavy blow from Assange, however, might render insignificant (and moot) anything Bannon has in store.
2
There's a price for believing America on the whole is anywhere near as liberal as the readership of the NY Times. Many of us who despise Mr. Trump stand rather far to your right and don't necessarily see as many detestable things in Ms. Clinton as you do.
I don't want a revolution, right or left. I'm not seeking perfection from a candidate but I do expect competence. For many of us Ms. Clinton gets the job done.
I don't want a revolution, right or left. I'm not seeking perfection from a candidate but I do expect competence. For many of us Ms. Clinton gets the job done.
1
I agree, and for all the millennial bashing I hear in the media, its the millennials who give me hope for this country.
8
Who is the "we" who are winning?
In the exalted Age of Obama there are more black African Americans in prison, on welfare, homeless, poorly educated, sick and unemployed than ever before. Black have still not reached their mountaintop. While the half-white by biological evolutionary DNA genetic nature and all white by cultural nurture President Barack Hussein Obama "talks down to black people" like the "politician" that he is. Thanks to two black Chicago preachers who knew him well named Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. we were warned about the limits of Mr. Obama's humility, humanity and empathy.
"We people who are darker than blue" are still losing. "If you had your choice of colors which one would you choose my brothers? If there was no day or night would you choose to be black or white?" Until there is a "New World Order" where blacks are divinely naturally created equal with certain unalienable rights then we are not winning. Listen to Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions.
In the exalted Age of Obama there are more black African Americans in prison, on welfare, homeless, poorly educated, sick and unemployed than ever before. Black have still not reached their mountaintop. While the half-white by biological evolutionary DNA genetic nature and all white by cultural nurture President Barack Hussein Obama "talks down to black people" like the "politician" that he is. Thanks to two black Chicago preachers who knew him well named Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. we were warned about the limits of Mr. Obama's humility, humanity and empathy.
"We people who are darker than blue" are still losing. "If you had your choice of colors which one would you choose my brothers? If there was no day or night would you choose to be black or white?" Until there is a "New World Order" where blacks are divinely naturally created equal with certain unalienable rights then we are not winning. Listen to Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions.
2
The rate of incarceration among African Americans has been going down since it peaked in 2001. The rate is still too high and there's a hugely disproportionate gap in the rate between African Americans and other Americans, indicating unequally administered justice. (Note that the highest rates of incarceration are in red states, led by Louisiana.)
But the rate has "declined by 23 percent" among African American males (3,535 per 100,000 down to 2,724 per 100,000) from its peak in 2001 until 2014, and "decreased 49 percent since the recent peak of 1999" among African American females (212 per 100,000 down to 109 per 100,000).
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/08/16/black-incarcerati...
More needs to be done to correct this injustice, but your assertion that during the "exalted Age of Obama there are more black African Americans in prison" is factually incorrect.
BLS statistics show that unemployment among African Americans has declined from a recent peak of 16% in 2010 to 8.4% in 2016. So, no, there are not more "unemployed than ever before."
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm)
I would guess that many of your other assertions are also factually incorrect.
But the rate has "declined by 23 percent" among African American males (3,535 per 100,000 down to 2,724 per 100,000) from its peak in 2001 until 2014, and "decreased 49 percent since the recent peak of 1999" among African American females (212 per 100,000 down to 109 per 100,000).
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/08/16/black-incarcerati...
More needs to be done to correct this injustice, but your assertion that during the "exalted Age of Obama there are more black African Americans in prison" is factually incorrect.
BLS statistics show that unemployment among African Americans has declined from a recent peak of 16% in 2010 to 8.4% in 2016. So, no, there are not more "unemployed than ever before."
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm)
I would guess that many of your other assertions are also factually incorrect.
3
"While the half-white by biological evolutionary DNA genetic nature and all white by cultural nurture President Barack Hussein Obama "talks down to black people" like the "politician" that he is." Who's talking down to who, here? As a black man, it always irked me when people start getting into who's "really" black and who's not based on where they were raised, how much money they make, their political opinions, their speech patterns or their clothing.
If you want to pick apart the President, that's fine (it's practically a national pastime), but it's a tired cliché to start talking about "genetically" black versus "culturally" black. You also make it sound like Obama has betrayed you somehow. Police and the GOP get angry because he criticizes them publicly. People in your camp get angry because he doesn't go far enough in criticizing police (and sometimes has the gall to criticize our own shortcomings). One half of the country swears he's giving it away to minority interests, while the other half swears he hasn't don't anything at all.
If you want to pick apart the President, that's fine (it's practically a national pastime), but it's a tired cliché to start talking about "genetically" black versus "culturally" black. You also make it sound like Obama has betrayed you somehow. Police and the GOP get angry because he criticizes them publicly. People in your camp get angry because he doesn't go far enough in criticizing police (and sometimes has the gall to criticize our own shortcomings). One half of the country swears he's giving it away to minority interests, while the other half swears he hasn't don't anything at all.
3
@mamba
FYI. Black people have been getting the sort end of the stick since time immemorable --- It didn't start with, or because of, President Obama.
Oh, and Curtis Mayfield is great!!
FYI. Black people have been getting the sort end of the stick since time immemorable --- It didn't start with, or because of, President Obama.
Oh, and Curtis Mayfield is great!!
3
Even those seers, on the highest mountaintops, pondering the meaning of the universe all day--everyday--now have got Trumps number. There is no there...'THEIR! He,s like a used car salesman who knows that the validity of his promises and assurances will only have to last until you drive it off the lot.
Snake oil, anyone?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Snake oil, anyone?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
7
Do not get complacent! Vote! Get everyone you know to vote! Help people register. Give people rides to the polls. If Republican "poll watchers" try to intimidate people, take video and let election officials know.
It's not enough to win, we need to win by a landslide — other countries are appalled by what they are witnessing, and the world needs to see that Trump does not represent America.
It's not enough to win, we need to win by a landslide — other countries are appalled by what they are witnessing, and the world needs to see that Trump does not represent America.
44
I admit ...
I'm a card-carrying, left-wing, knee-jerk, bleeding-heart, tree-hugging, Prius-driving, liberal Independent.
But what a day. I read the half-baked editorial about butkinis, and then on to Tim Egan's op-ed. I normally like Tim a lot, but today was too much.
Three things ...
First the photo: I read, "Hate is Easy ... Love Takes Courage ... Say no to racism, sexism, hate, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, fascism, bigotry, ableism, and Islamophobia."
I truly expected it to conclude, "Say no to Yahweh, the god of the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Mormons." But it concluded, "Say no to Trump." Ouch!
Second, there are many reasons I have a less than positive view of the U.S. I love the land and I love almost all of the people ... but the Constitution, the governmental processes, the judicial system, the awful consequences of unregulated capitalism, the everything gap between the wealthy and the poor ... ugh! Saying nasty things about the Donald is castigating at least one-third of our population. He is, in large part, who we are ... the real America.
Finally, I can't tell you how frightening it is to hear a smart guy like Tim Egan suggest that we will be saved by the Millennials. Omigod, that's an awful thought. It's time for Tim to read ...
"The Dumbest Generation" by Mark Bauerlein
"Not Everyone Gets A Trophy" by Bruce Tulgan
Sorry ... I know I'm being too critical. I'll let Millennials defend themselves ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_hs0fwfB94
I'm a card-carrying, left-wing, knee-jerk, bleeding-heart, tree-hugging, Prius-driving, liberal Independent.
But what a day. I read the half-baked editorial about butkinis, and then on to Tim Egan's op-ed. I normally like Tim a lot, but today was too much.
Three things ...
First the photo: I read, "Hate is Easy ... Love Takes Courage ... Say no to racism, sexism, hate, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, fascism, bigotry, ableism, and Islamophobia."
I truly expected it to conclude, "Say no to Yahweh, the god of the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Mormons." But it concluded, "Say no to Trump." Ouch!
Second, there are many reasons I have a less than positive view of the U.S. I love the land and I love almost all of the people ... but the Constitution, the governmental processes, the judicial system, the awful consequences of unregulated capitalism, the everything gap between the wealthy and the poor ... ugh! Saying nasty things about the Donald is castigating at least one-third of our population. He is, in large part, who we are ... the real America.
Finally, I can't tell you how frightening it is to hear a smart guy like Tim Egan suggest that we will be saved by the Millennials. Omigod, that's an awful thought. It's time for Tim to read ...
"The Dumbest Generation" by Mark Bauerlein
"Not Everyone Gets A Trophy" by Bruce Tulgan
Sorry ... I know I'm being too critical. I'll let Millennials defend themselves ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_hs0fwfB94
6
Frisbane, you write :
"He (Donald Trump) is, in large part, who we are ... the real America."
The man doesn't even pay income taxes !
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/business/how-much-does-donald-trump-pa...
Paying for your government to function is a very low bar of patriotism and Trump can't even get over that very low bar.
And then there's his major political accomplishment so far, the Birther-In-Chief who propagated a massive lie as a trial test balloon to see if he could bamboozle American voters as badly as he has bamboozled creditors, vendors, multiple wives, Trump University students, Trump Institute suckers and newspaper writes into building himself another gold-plated mansion.
Donald Trump is a monument to consumer fraud and deception.
Donald Trump is merely a real American Republican, a giant American fraud hellbent on personal profit and sinking the country into a morally, economically and intellectually bankrupt oblivion.
"He (Donald Trump) is, in large part, who we are ... the real America."
The man doesn't even pay income taxes !
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/business/how-much-does-donald-trump-pa...
Paying for your government to function is a very low bar of patriotism and Trump can't even get over that very low bar.
And then there's his major political accomplishment so far, the Birther-In-Chief who propagated a massive lie as a trial test balloon to see if he could bamboozle American voters as badly as he has bamboozled creditors, vendors, multiple wives, Trump University students, Trump Institute suckers and newspaper writes into building himself another gold-plated mansion.
Donald Trump is a monument to consumer fraud and deception.
Donald Trump is merely a real American Republican, a giant American fraud hellbent on personal profit and sinking the country into a morally, economically and intellectually bankrupt oblivion.
25
It heartens me to read that today's youth get it. They can read through Trump clearly and see him for what he is, as someone noted, "a moving clown show". Trump needs a red nose to go to with his Orange Hairdo.
Sadly, too many grumpy old white guys and gals have hopped on board a demagogue's runaway racist train, and many of them, not only the poorly educated, are being taken for a ride off the cliff.
The kids today live in a different world than their parents and grandparents. Multiculturalism, which should be a hallmark of an all-inclusive country such as the United States, has reached fruition, and it is a beautiful sight to behold. But, for old folks, many of them are afraid of these changes. They take them as a sign of Armageddon just around the corner. Many of them really don't have a clue. They make excuses for supporting Trump, say it's nothing to do with race or fear of other people who look, act different.
Many, in defending Trump, don't even realize in their defense how racist and chauvinistic they sound. They need to accept the fact that the United States is constantly evolving. We cannot go back to the Founders to seek wisdom. They left us a republic and assumed we would be adult enough, filled with enough brilliant men, and women, and people who look more like Hamilton than Jefferson, to take this marvelous experiment in democracy in positive directions for centuries to come. And that is what they are doing.
DD
Manhattan
Sadly, too many grumpy old white guys and gals have hopped on board a demagogue's runaway racist train, and many of them, not only the poorly educated, are being taken for a ride off the cliff.
The kids today live in a different world than their parents and grandparents. Multiculturalism, which should be a hallmark of an all-inclusive country such as the United States, has reached fruition, and it is a beautiful sight to behold. But, for old folks, many of them are afraid of these changes. They take them as a sign of Armageddon just around the corner. Many of them really don't have a clue. They make excuses for supporting Trump, say it's nothing to do with race or fear of other people who look, act different.
Many, in defending Trump, don't even realize in their defense how racist and chauvinistic they sound. They need to accept the fact that the United States is constantly evolving. We cannot go back to the Founders to seek wisdom. They left us a republic and assumed we would be adult enough, filled with enough brilliant men, and women, and people who look more like Hamilton than Jefferson, to take this marvelous experiment in democracy in positive directions for centuries to come. And that is what they are doing.
DD
Manhattan
3
They see through Hillary too. They see through the people who ran her, and now claim the other guys is even worse than what they are doing. They still remember the reception they got to their childhood excuse, "But Donny did worse."
3
@thomason
It is amazing how you have managed to cast yourself as the mouthpiece for a lot of people you don't even know -- It's not as monolithic as you apparently think it is.
Why not just speak for yourself, as most others have the ability to do the same.
It is amazing how you have managed to cast yourself as the mouthpiece for a lot of people you don't even know -- It's not as monolithic as you apparently think it is.
Why not just speak for yourself, as most others have the ability to do the same.
3
We will be winning when American's can afford college. Buy a house. Keep a job after a merger or buy out. Earn a pension. Rise above our birth status. The only thing we're winning is the election because Millennials are smart enough to see Trump for the buffoon he is, but we have already lost the American dream. Journalist and politicians in the top 20% need to get of the mountain wake up to reality of most of America.
5
If Donald Trump didn't exist, Hillary Clinton and the New York Times would have to invent him.
His existence has allowed every writer, editor, commentator employed by the Times a cheap shot, and an easy out from confronting something pretty ominous: The United States, pretty much by default, is about to elect someone with a proven lack of honesty, integrity and morality, who took part in everything from the pardon of Marc Rich to the selling of the Lincoln bedroom while being the decades-long enabler of a woman abuser, and who continues to be part of an appalling money grab which has included making implicit promises to Wall Street and foreign entities and selling State Department access.
Relax for now. You are going to get your way. Hillary is going to be elected. Then the real work begins -- propping up that corrupt wretch without Donald Trump to kick around.
His existence has allowed every writer, editor, commentator employed by the Times a cheap shot, and an easy out from confronting something pretty ominous: The United States, pretty much by default, is about to elect someone with a proven lack of honesty, integrity and morality, who took part in everything from the pardon of Marc Rich to the selling of the Lincoln bedroom while being the decades-long enabler of a woman abuser, and who continues to be part of an appalling money grab which has included making implicit promises to Wall Street and foreign entities and selling State Department access.
Relax for now. You are going to get your way. Hillary is going to be elected. Then the real work begins -- propping up that corrupt wretch without Donald Trump to kick around.
9
They will feel free then to attack exactly what they are voting for now. They'll pretend to shock and outrage over the wars, trade deals, lack of health care, and so much else. But their buddies will be in power in those 5,000 appointee slots, and their access journalism will thrive.
1
Millennials are politically apathetic compared to previous generations. A Pew Research Center survey released in May 20016 showed that “Millennials have punched below their electoral weight in recent presidential elections. For a host of reasons, young adults are less likely to vote than their older counterparts, and Millennials are no exception. . . In the context of their turnout history, the high-water mark for Millennials was the 2008 election, when 50% of eligible Millennials voted. By comparison, 61% of the Generation X electorate reported voting that year, as did even larger percentages of older eligible voters. In 2008 Millennials comprised 18% of the electorate, but as a result of their relatively low turnout they were only 14% of those who said they actually voted.” The research center concluded that “While it might be a ‘slam-dunk’ that Millennials soon will be the largest generation in the electorate, it will likely be a much longer time before they are the largest bloc of voters.”
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/05/16/millennials-match-baby-b...
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/05/16/millennials-match-baby-b...
1
Those of us who always vote, no matter our age, need to make sure the younger generation goes to the polls this November. Have a conversation with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, coworkers if possible.
Our younger generation is impressive, generally speaking. It's a tremendous relief to see such goodness coming up. They are already changing the nature of our country with their ability to see what's relevant and what isn't. Even if they, when reaching middle age, find themselves caught in the wheels of establishment life, they will already have made the contribution of shifting the focus. We need to make sure they get the education and the opportunities they want. I believe Hillary Clinton sees this, as did Bernie Sanders, and will take steps to keep those paths open.
Our younger generation is impressive, generally speaking. It's a tremendous relief to see such goodness coming up. They are already changing the nature of our country with their ability to see what's relevant and what isn't. Even if they, when reaching middle age, find themselves caught in the wheels of establishment life, they will already have made the contribution of shifting the focus. We need to make sure they get the education and the opportunities they want. I believe Hillary Clinton sees this, as did Bernie Sanders, and will take steps to keep those paths open.
3
"They are already changing the nature of our country with their ability to see what's relevant and what isn't."
Yes, and you ignored them this time, ran Hillary anyway, and then abused them for objecting. Now you want them to show some enthusiasm for what you did despite them and to them.
Yes, and you ignored them this time, ran Hillary anyway, and then abused them for objecting. Now you want them to show some enthusiasm for what you did despite them and to them.
1
So the Clinton Foundation will no longer, as of yesterday, take foreign or corporate donations if Hillary becomes president. Apparently, this was no problem when she was SOS, but now might present potential conflicts. I want to know if Bill will stop giving paid speeches. He was interviewed early in her campaign and said he did not plan to stop giving paid speeches because, essentially, someone had to bring home the bacon. Will he stop?
7
Explain to me how Trump will deal with conflicts of interest with his family businesses as president I haven't heard a word from him.
2
Actually the Foundation did not take such money while she was Secretary.
Instead it did what she is doing now. It gave lots of warning it would stop, and a clear start date when it would take it again.
That produced the present problems, because it is not necessary for a quid pro quo to take place on the exact same day. They are grown ups, just corrupt grown ups.
Instead it did what she is doing now. It gave lots of warning it would stop, and a clear start date when it would take it again.
That produced the present problems, because it is not necessary for a quid pro quo to take place on the exact same day. They are grown ups, just corrupt grown ups.
1
mike -- That has been something all Presidents have dealt with. Trump could do the same, and there is no reason to suppose he would not.
Hillary is unique because she already failed to do the right thing in that, when she was Sec of State and also shilling Bill as former President.
She is now repeating her pattern with this long advance warning of an exact period those who seek her favor must anticipate.
Hillary is unique because she already failed to do the right thing in that, when she was Sec of State and also shilling Bill as former President.
She is now repeating her pattern with this long advance warning of an exact period those who seek her favor must anticipate.
2
In order to have winners, we must have losers. The country as a whole has prospered under Obama's leadership. Some segments of the population have not. This is inevitable. But now comes Trump and promises to the ignorant, the stupid, and the disaffected that they also can win - not by bettering themselves but by dragging everybody down to their level. He can effect change, no doubt, but what kind of change? An economic crisis, global instability, trade war? The Arab Spring was a change from the status quo; how did it turn out? The fact is that the country as a whole is better off than it was; and so we should continue on the present course Instead of trying to blow it up in the hope that something even better will emerge out of the rubble. However, one small improvement would be for the woman in the picture to take her sign home: it is ridiculous, embarrassing and ungrammatical ("ableism", really?)
3
Our economy is not an athletic competition. It is not necessary that many lose so that a few can win.
It is possible for a rising tide to lift all boats, if the winners win with a bit more moderation and sharing the wealth with those who actually produce it in the workplaces they own, and who are meant to be their market. That actually would produce better overall numbers, since it would make a better market.
No, it most emphatically is not true "that the country as a whole is better off than it was; and so we should continue on the present course." The numbers that please you so are averages, an average of a few doing very well and the rest stuck slowly sinking. That is not a good structure, not even healthy for the temporary winners.
It is possible for a rising tide to lift all boats, if the winners win with a bit more moderation and sharing the wealth with those who actually produce it in the workplaces they own, and who are meant to be their market. That actually would produce better overall numbers, since it would make a better market.
No, it most emphatically is not true "that the country as a whole is better off than it was; and so we should continue on the present course." The numbers that please you so are averages, an average of a few doing very well and the rest stuck slowly sinking. That is not a good structure, not even healthy for the temporary winners.
1
The whole point of a market economy is that it IS a competition. The alternative to capitalism is socialism - which means poverty, starvation, corruption and violence. Of course, many European countries have a social safety net and the US could use a little more of that - but if you think Norway does not have growing economic inequality, a gap between the rich and the poor, and unemployment or underemployment - you haven't been there recently. I have. And the rising tide is happening right now in China, which has adopted capitalism with a vengeance. I was in China just a year ago, and I saw how eagerly young people throw themselves into the new opportunities offered by the market economy instead of whining about the lost socialist paradise.
Medical science has spent years and significant treasure researching the effects of hate on the human organism. Those who harbor hate suffer myriad medical problems not least of which is premature death. If the goal of ISIS is to kill Americans, they need send a big thank you note to Trump. Winning, on the other hand, seems to carry with it numerous health benefits, one of which is the glow of feeling vital and alive. No one needs to wait for Trump to start winning. A smile aimed at a complete stranger has significant health benefits and is a big step toward gaining a sense of well being. By any measure, a sense of well being is winning.
3
How can anyone seriously attack Trump and his supporters without calling equal attention to Hillary and her "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" acolytes? Trump isn't the practitioner of a failed foreign policy whose "foundation" took millions from countries with whom she was presumably involved in diplomacy. Trump isn't the person who signed off on the Uranium One deal while the Russians were donating millions to her foundation and paying her husband hundreds of thousands for speaking engagements. Trump isn't the one who carelessly mis-handled classified and secret State Department communications. He also isn't the candidate who promises to clean up Wall Street, even while accepting millions in speaking fees from large Wall Street firms. These aren't opinions, fears or what-ifs, they are things that have already happened. Sad that the Clintonites won't admit it.
7
Admittedly, HRC not the perfect candidate. BUT neither is she an ignorant hate-mongering narcissistic sociopath and con-man. i.e. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
3
Although I have kept my eyes peeled during my stateside visit this summer (Boston area,) I have been heartened by so far seeing no bumper stickers or lawn signs supporting Donald Trump. I am always struck during my visits to the US by the unfailing kindness, courtesy, helpfulness, and general friendliness of all the ordinary Americans I meet in shops, restaurants, parks etc. It is a joy to see citizens of all races, creeds and colors, going about their daily activities with apparent ease and civility. I hope I'm not being naive, but It is very difficult for me to imagine any of these people shouting out hatred at Trump rallies.
Although I am more apprehensive about what I will find as I move a thousand miles to the south next week, like Mr. Egan, I still believe that there is too much basic decency in this country for those like Trump to hold sway for long.
Although I am more apprehensive about what I will find as I move a thousand miles to the south next week, like Mr. Egan, I still believe that there is too much basic decency in this country for those like Trump to hold sway for long.
4
I frequently wake up in the morning and initially think that wow, that was a bad dream -- that Donald Trump was running for president and he was doing well.
And then I remember that it is no dream. But at least now his improv performance as your crazy old uncle running for president looks like it will close out-of-town before it gets to the White House Theater in D.C. But I disagree with Tim Egan that politics will go back to boring. Not with the knowledge that this kind of dark side to the American character is waiting in the wings watching for a possible encore with a different opportunist anxious to take center stage.
And then I remember that it is no dream. But at least now his improv performance as your crazy old uncle running for president looks like it will close out-of-town before it gets to the White House Theater in D.C. But I disagree with Tim Egan that politics will go back to boring. Not with the knowledge that this kind of dark side to the American character is waiting in the wings watching for a possible encore with a different opportunist anxious to take center stage.
7
the lowest impulses of the American character have been roused a number of times before this latest incarnation. 80 days is a long time in American politics. last night's mealy mouthed non apology might be the start on the road to recovery. hopefully not, but never misunderestimate Americans' ability to be easily gulled. also, the line trump used about being in the heat of debate and saying godawful things is nonsense. he said them during debates, while just making speeches, doing tv interviews, meeting with editorial boards and on twitter. in the heat of debates!? just another lie.....
9
This is the depth of our system's corruption, that we see maintaining it as a victory. Threatened with an ignorant and unstable con-artist, we will elect an intelligent, capable, and corrupt professional. We will spend another 4 years gawking at a deadlocked ''debate'' between a moderate to conservative corporate Democrat and the incomprehensible hysteria of the corporate Republican media-political machine. It is hard to summon enthusiasm.
12
Stop reading the right wing garbage about Hillary. They've sold you on the bill of goods that she's corrupt. I'm sad for you.
4
Donald Trump with his “machismo” pride never valued American women’s force; women that hate everything he represents; bigotry and racism. American women against politicians whose philosophies haven’t changed because they want to hold on to the 50’s with the belief women should be considered inferior due to gender; politicians foolishly unaware there’s been an underlying presence of women fighting for recognition. Women standing firm with the belief we are equal; deserving of having the same opportunity no matter where you come from as long as you try to excel in line with your capabilities and available resources.
American women are united seeking to strengthen American democracy with issues that would impact their strength, character and values. Thus, beware of women!
American women are united seeking to strengthen American democracy with issues that would impact their strength, character and values. Thus, beware of women!
7
What a pleasure to read this column. Thank you, Timothy Egan. I've been wanting to send the Trump campaign a bill for all the time it has wasted us this summer. The bill would include an item for the several hours so many thousands of us spent at JFK last Sunday night. Our group was an uncomplaining and well-behaved mob--more a grade-school fire drill than a panicked crowd, but I blame the ramped up jumpiness that imagined applause for Usain Bolt's victory in the 100 meters as a gunshot on Trump's whipped up climate of fear.
I had no plan to spend my vacation in the "fever swamp," but there we have been. So much wiser to head to the Cascades.
I had no plan to spend my vacation in the "fever swamp," but there we have been. So much wiser to head to the Cascades.
3
For a look at the new members of the campaign staff of the Trump group see:
https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/cnp_redacted_final.pdf
Included are Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway. The group called Council for National Policy includes the above as members. This is a group which fosters a policy known as "domionism" a far right "Christian" idea which wishes for Christian rule. Grover Norquist is a director. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Council_for_National_Policy
If this doesn't scare you I don't know what will. I can only think of this very far-right group as fascists.
https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/cnp_redacted_final.pdf
Included are Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway. The group called Council for National Policy includes the above as members. This is a group which fosters a policy known as "domionism" a far right "Christian" idea which wishes for Christian rule. Grover Norquist is a director. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Council_for_National_Policy
If this doesn't scare you I don't know what will. I can only think of this very far-right group as fascists.
9
Sorry, correct spelling:
Dominionism
For more on this see:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/01/5-facts-about-dominionism_n_945...
Dominionism
For more on this see:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/01/5-facts-about-dominionism_n_945...
1
To complete this cleansing the G.O.P. needs to be sent packing...
And if the renown 'angry, white, male voters' want to win anything they need to grow up....
Petulant 'Anger' is for children.
Thoughtful, strategic, well-intending, hard work and coalition building is what matters in a Democracy.
And the Democratic party is where that happens....
Join Us !
And if the renown 'angry, white, male voters' want to win anything they need to grow up....
Petulant 'Anger' is for children.
Thoughtful, strategic, well-intending, hard work and coalition building is what matters in a Democracy.
And the Democratic party is where that happens....
Join Us !
7
EEE,
Yes, nothing says "adult" like name calling. Got it.
Cleansing is a great idea. The corrupt Dem. Party along with the current GOP.
Fraud, money laundering, media collusion, lies and distortion for election manipulation. Your right, The Democratic Party is where that happens.
Join you?
I used to be a card carrying member. They left ME!
Your parties only saving grace this election, your not Trump.
Yes, nothing says "adult" like name calling. Got it.
Cleansing is a great idea. The corrupt Dem. Party along with the current GOP.
Fraud, money laundering, media collusion, lies and distortion for election manipulation. Your right, The Democratic Party is where that happens.
Join you?
I used to be a card carrying member. They left ME!
Your parties only saving grace this election, your not Trump.
1
Trump seems sane only when he speaks from a teleprompter. I wasn't surprised to read this morning that the speech last night was his third speech this week using a teleprompter. Perhaps his new handlers think it's the solution but Trump will probably throw out the speeches and possibly the handlers within weeks.
The handlers aren't attempting to make Trump into a Manchurian candidate but instead turn him into a calm ventriloquist's dummy so to widen his appeal. But Trump will sense his fans' desire for red meat sooner than later. It looks like he and they believe in each other more than the GOP apparatus itself.
Trump won't widen his appeal - but a boring Trump won't motivate his true believers to vote or help him financially as a new group of fans/customers after November if he loses. America should see the return of the unhinged Trump very soon.
The handlers aren't attempting to make Trump into a Manchurian candidate but instead turn him into a calm ventriloquist's dummy so to widen his appeal. But Trump will sense his fans' desire for red meat sooner than later. It looks like he and they believe in each other more than the GOP apparatus itself.
Trump won't widen his appeal - but a boring Trump won't motivate his true believers to vote or help him financially as a new group of fans/customers after November if he loses. America should see the return of the unhinged Trump very soon.
5
Trump panders to voters who want a "strongman" - a winner...
"Polling has shown that a significant indicator of readiness to support Mr. Trump is a voter’s inclination toward authoritarianism. Trump answers a yearning for an aggressive problem solver who is not queasy about his methods."- (Matt D'Ancona, The Guardian).
There is no refuge. Trumps core support won't be affected by any gaffes or missteps he makes. The anger is palpable, you hear and feel it at his rallies. The undercurrents remind one of Germany in the 1930's.
A majority of Americans are too smart to fall for this charletan, right?
"Polling has shown that a significant indicator of readiness to support Mr. Trump is a voter’s inclination toward authoritarianism. Trump answers a yearning for an aggressive problem solver who is not queasy about his methods."- (Matt D'Ancona, The Guardian).
There is no refuge. Trumps core support won't be affected by any gaffes or missteps he makes. The anger is palpable, you hear and feel it at his rallies. The undercurrents remind one of Germany in the 1930's.
A majority of Americans are too smart to fall for this charletan, right?
2
Some good points here. None better that this will be an election primarily about rejection as opposed to election.
My Dad told me that a voter will brave a hurricane to vote against someone, while staying home to watch TV if the effort to vote for someone is too great.
We may have a record turnout because there are so many now who can't fathom the idea of a Trump presidency. That doesn't mean I'm voting for HRC, I'm not. But to keep Trump away from the White House I will brave a hurricane to vote for Jill Stein.
But primarily, I'm casting a ballot against a Trump presidency.
My Dad told me that a voter will brave a hurricane to vote against someone, while staying home to watch TV if the effort to vote for someone is too great.
We may have a record turnout because there are so many now who can't fathom the idea of a Trump presidency. That doesn't mean I'm voting for HRC, I'm not. But to keep Trump away from the White House I will brave a hurricane to vote for Jill Stein.
But primarily, I'm casting a ballot against a Trump presidency.
2
"But to keep Trump away from the White House I will brave a hurricane to vote for Jill Stein." Then you are doing exactly what you said you weren't. A vote for Stein is a vote for Trump. I'm sorry if you don't "feel" like that, but that is the difference between idealism and practical reality.
5
If you are not voting for hrc then you are voting for Trump . It is a two party system, do your homework and get real.
3
RG -- You should have thought of that when you nominated hrc and then ran a "the other guys is worse" campaign.
2
I love the way you think, express, turn a phrase, and keep us hopeful, Mr. Egan, pointing out the GOP's and Trump's "stench" and "loosed" and "falsity".
Keep it up, Mr. Egan, "for the basic goodness and decency of the majority of people in this conflicted and troubled democracy of ours."
Keep it up, Mr. Egan, "for the basic goodness and decency of the majority of people in this conflicted and troubled democracy of ours."
11
Thanks to Mitch, his pledge of almost 8 years ago, and his refusal to hold a hearing on the Supreme Court nominee, the Tpubs are going down big time.
Believe me, it will be huuuge!
Believe me, it will be huuuge!
12
The man who could actually get the Millenials to the polls is Bernie Sanders. Sadly, now that his own run is over he's become invisible. "Working tirelessly to defeat Trump"? Rest time is over, Senator. Get to work.
22
The press ignored him then, and ignores him now. They can't mention him, because his very existence shames Hillary and what they've done to promote that.
3
Mark, Indulging in bitterness now serves no one's interest but Trump's. If you really despise Clinton and Trump equally, then go ahead and sulk. If you can see a difference between them, and can understand what a danger Trump represents, then get back into the fight.
2
I partially disagree with President Obama's assessment referenced here. The more Donald Trump is the subject and issue, the less opportunity there is for the swift boaters to concoct lies and exaggerations to damage Clinton. In 2004, the blatant, total lies by "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" became THE issue and sank John Kerry, who would have been a far better President than George W. Bush.
But, by keeping Trump and his persistent foot-in-mouth front and center, those opportunities to attack Hillary Clinton are getting fewer and fewer. They won't end and the cottage industry of attacking Clintons that has existed for 25 years will get stronger, as did the Tea Party and the Birthers when Obama took office 8 years ago.
So keep it up, Donald! We need a landslide for the Democrats!
But, by keeping Trump and his persistent foot-in-mouth front and center, those opportunities to attack Hillary Clinton are getting fewer and fewer. They won't end and the cottage industry of attacking Clintons that has existed for 25 years will get stronger, as did the Tea Party and the Birthers when Obama took office 8 years ago.
So keep it up, Donald! We need a landslide for the Democrats!
3
If HRC wins, does anyone think that a GOP congress will allow anything good to happen. Seriously?
I even have my doubts that they'll allow a SCOTUS justice to be confirmed. Obstruction worked for them for 8 years, why not continue?
I even have my doubts that they'll allow a SCOTUS justice to be confirmed. Obstruction worked for them for 8 years, why not continue?
2
@eduardo
Who says anything about a GOP Congress still beong around??? -- The Republicans have done their brand image irreputable harm that's been trickling down, thanks to "The Donald".
Who says anything about a GOP Congress still beong around??? -- The Republicans have done their brand image irreputable harm that's been trickling down, thanks to "The Donald".
3
I will feel better about about the American electoral system when the reluctant courts step in to correct the distortion of democracy via gerrymandering. Of the more than 400 seats up for grabs this year, fewer than 10 percent are seriously contested. The rest are the equivalent of the old English rotten boroughs-- safe seats for insiders. This is the result of a heavily financed campaign by the Repblicans to take control of state legislatures and then change the districting in their own favor. This seems to be the root cause if the current dysfunctional Congress. Until it is changed it is hard to share Tim Egan's optimism.
7
There certainly has been a lot in the news to depress us, frustrate us, and as if George W. Bush was not embarrassing and destructive enough, now the GOP gives us the know-nothing, trash talking, hissy fit thrower DJ Trump and his campaign managers that act like they just got off some pirate ship.
Seriously, look at some of the photos of Stephen Bannon, Trump's newest campaign manager of the week. Can't you just see a parrot sitting on Bannon's shoulders as he spews out diatribes and insults for Trump to use?
1. But the good news, wedged between all the bad GOP news, is that Trump's negatives are very high among all groups except low-education white males, and even they are inching away.
2. Roger Ailes' day of recockening finally came--not for all the lies and propaganda he has promoted, but for sexual harassment--and he is erased from Fox.
3. And, for the most part, the Olympics have been uplifting and joyous, especially the colorful, talented women's gymnastics team. Of course, there is the obnoxious 32-year old swimmer Lochte and his ugly American pals that must have studied at the Trump University of Charm.
The best news is Americans seem to be finally coming together and uniting against the dividers, the haters, and the disgraceful ones, and the younger generation isn't buying the old negative narratives from the right wing. See photo accompanying Egan's column. That photo gives this grandmother of 9 a lot of hope.
Seriously, look at some of the photos of Stephen Bannon, Trump's newest campaign manager of the week. Can't you just see a parrot sitting on Bannon's shoulders as he spews out diatribes and insults for Trump to use?
1. But the good news, wedged between all the bad GOP news, is that Trump's negatives are very high among all groups except low-education white males, and even they are inching away.
2. Roger Ailes' day of recockening finally came--not for all the lies and propaganda he has promoted, but for sexual harassment--and he is erased from Fox.
3. And, for the most part, the Olympics have been uplifting and joyous, especially the colorful, talented women's gymnastics team. Of course, there is the obnoxious 32-year old swimmer Lochte and his ugly American pals that must have studied at the Trump University of Charm.
The best news is Americans seem to be finally coming together and uniting against the dividers, the haters, and the disgraceful ones, and the younger generation isn't buying the old negative narratives from the right wing. See photo accompanying Egan's column. That photo gives this grandmother of 9 a lot of hope.
3
Donald Trump loves the poorly educated, those with advanced degrees from Trump University, masters degrees from hate radio, doctorates from Fake News, and double-majors in Disinformation and Propaganda.
Trump Nation, a bunch of sad Whites R Us supremacists lining up behind their prevaricating Birther-In-Chief like lemmings marching off a cliff of Trumpian ignorance, believe fervently that tax cuts, guns, and the reincarnation of George Wallace will solve their 2016 problems.
They have no idea that white robes and white hoods have somehow gone out of fashion.
They miss the 1950's America when Joseph McCarty hysteria, fascism and Wonder Bread nourished the nation.
These millions of American Sad Sacks and their Trump Sack will officially become the Biggest Losers in modern political history on November 8, 2016.
It's too bad this group of uneducated American misfits will never get bored of the the hate radio, Fake News and Grand Old Propaganda ministry that has collectively shrunken their IQ into a miniature collectible of Trump Tower.
The right-wing won the race to the bottom of the American barrel.
Their Republican standard-bearer, Donald Trump, stands proudly in the bottom of that barrel, cheering his poorly educated supporters to lower depths of depravity.
Declare 'victory' and go home, Trumpistan and Republistan.
You lost.
Trump Nation, a bunch of sad Whites R Us supremacists lining up behind their prevaricating Birther-In-Chief like lemmings marching off a cliff of Trumpian ignorance, believe fervently that tax cuts, guns, and the reincarnation of George Wallace will solve their 2016 problems.
They have no idea that white robes and white hoods have somehow gone out of fashion.
They miss the 1950's America when Joseph McCarty hysteria, fascism and Wonder Bread nourished the nation.
These millions of American Sad Sacks and their Trump Sack will officially become the Biggest Losers in modern political history on November 8, 2016.
It's too bad this group of uneducated American misfits will never get bored of the the hate radio, Fake News and Grand Old Propaganda ministry that has collectively shrunken their IQ into a miniature collectible of Trump Tower.
The right-wing won the race to the bottom of the American barrel.
Their Republican standard-bearer, Donald Trump, stands proudly in the bottom of that barrel, cheering his poorly educated supporters to lower depths of depravity.
Declare 'victory' and go home, Trumpistan and Republistan.
You lost.
291
I spent a few minutes the other day watching a right wing talk show on the local public. Some women were saying the the Bundy boys were being brought to trial down in Nevada on the date that Satan will be taking his annual bride (7 to 17 years of age). Another topic was the new world order. God protect us from the uneducated that Trump loves.
1
Nice rant!
"soulless pessimism" and "stench" - Sums up Trump and his candidacy very nicely. Well done. I mean, sad, but well said.
61
As Yogi Berra always said, "It' not over til it's over". We must keep beating the drums of sanity and hope right up to the finish line on November 8th.
SO VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!
SO VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!
133
Agreed. But DT's numbers are beginning to look so bad that the GOP leaders, fearing the impact on the down ballot, may be trying to come up with a means of dumping him before the election.
Losing the Senate, thus any control of SCOTUS, would be a worse case scenario for the GOP.
If they could install Cruz in place of DT, Clinton would have a much tougher row to hoe.
Losing the Senate, thus any control of SCOTUS, would be a worse case scenario for the GOP.
If they could install Cruz in place of DT, Clinton would have a much tougher row to hoe.
I am hoping that T rump is the clarion call to duty for all of US who have been somewhat asleep these last decades. He must remind US that our duty to vote, indeed to pay attention to the details of our Nation, is an ongoing necessity, not just something we need to do during the heat and noise of a presidential election.
Conservatives need to take their party back, not just from T rump but from Ryan and McConnell and ALEC and the koch bothers. The republican party bears no resemblance to real conservatism in its present incarnation.
Democrats must be vigilant and courageous and hold the ideals of Roosevelt, Kennedy, King and Obama proudly and high. We must take an interest in OUR government in off year elections as well as the big ones. We must take the Nation back from the control of the 1% and realize the promise of our democracy.
If this is the result of T rump stomping around, yelling and screaming and stomping on our Constitution then it will have been worth it.
And while listening to his whining voice it is real hard to find the bigger picture.
Conservatives need to take their party back, not just from T rump but from Ryan and McConnell and ALEC and the koch bothers. The republican party bears no resemblance to real conservatism in its present incarnation.
Democrats must be vigilant and courageous and hold the ideals of Roosevelt, Kennedy, King and Obama proudly and high. We must take an interest in OUR government in off year elections as well as the big ones. We must take the Nation back from the control of the 1% and realize the promise of our democracy.
If this is the result of T rump stomping around, yelling and screaming and stomping on our Constitution then it will have been worth it.
And while listening to his whining voice it is real hard to find the bigger picture.
329
Our forefathers were smart enough to think about the prospect of a Trump when they laid down the foundation for this country. The least we could do is summon some of that - liberty does not mean free to do any which thing, say whatever comes to mind or blindly follow sources and repeat without independent thought. It is freedom with obligations, one of which is to stay informed, as you say, and to remain a "thinking" people.
1
If you are happy with everything you see, vote for Clinton, because there will be no change from the last eight years. If you think that things could possibly be better if we did some things differently, you need to vote for someone other than Clinton, because to accomplish change you cannot go back to the same people who will continue to do what we have been doing. If you pick the latter option, your choices are very few. Clinton is not a default choice. Clinton is the status quo, the one who will fight hard to protect Obama's legacy, which is probably why he supports her.
The choice of the latter option requires taking a risk. All change is risk to some extent. The nation took a risk on "Hope and Change" when it elected Obama. If that worked out well you, and you are happy with where we wound up, don't take any risk and go with the status quo.
By the way, you demonize Trump as much as you say he demonizes others. What is the difference between the two of you in that regard? Why is it OK for you to call things as you see them and Trump can't without incurring your wrath?
The choice of the latter option requires taking a risk. All change is risk to some extent. The nation took a risk on "Hope and Change" when it elected Obama. If that worked out well you, and you are happy with where we wound up, don't take any risk and go with the status quo.
By the way, you demonize Trump as much as you say he demonizes others. What is the difference between the two of you in that regard? Why is it OK for you to call things as you see them and Trump can't without incurring your wrath?
12
Answer: Because Trump is a nasty, ignorant bigot.
4
I am happy. Sorry you're so miserable.
3
there are none so blind as those who will not see.
3
Tim - the winning vision you wax on about is a mirage. Adjusted for population New Zealand would now have 1024 medals to the U.S.'s 100, Denmark 732, Australia 361, Great Britain 281, Canada 161. Perhaps you would think a heavyweight boxer that knocked out a featherweight would count as winning? No - America is losing badly. Our model of embedding sports in the schools is a failed enterprise - instead of having sports run by the club model and where schools just focus in on academics. Americans are more obese, we perform worse in the Olympics and our 12th graders are totally outperformed by other international students in math and science and engineering.
8
Adjusted by population Grenada would have 100,000 medals and China would have 3. In other words, your facile "adjusted for population" argument is meaningless. You think China wouldn't love to have 100 medals to the U.S.'s 55? And that their far more centralized government hasn't devoted much more state money and effort to that pursuit than the USOC?
If America is losing badly, what does that say about the rich and or powerful competitors like China, Russia. Germany, Japan and others who can't match our success?
If America is losing badly, what does that say about the rich and or powerful competitors like China, Russia. Germany, Japan and others who can't match our success?
1
Hogwash.
What about India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc? They all have a huge populations and are absent from the medals table. Not everyone is into sports like that.
What about India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc? They all have a huge populations and are absent from the medals table. Not everyone is into sports like that.
LOL - You think we are winning against China? They are graduating more English proficient engineers every year than the U.S. does. Their students are winning international academic Olympiads where American students are practically no-shows. I took the liberties to compare western, industrial democracies - sorry I didn't cover third world islands and the biggest communistic nation in the equation.
1
Yet the Clintons and Obama keep making unforced errors to keep Trump alive. Most recently, the admissions by Obama's administration that the $400 million payment to Iran was withheld as leverage for the release of the prisoners, contrary to prior statements that there was absolutely no connection between the two. Then the Clintons announcing yesterday that they won't take foreign or corporate donations to their foundation if she is president, given the potential for conflict -- pretty much damning themselves by admitting that, yes, there were conflicts when they did this when she was SOS. I hope that Trump's new team doesn't know how to capitalize on these unforced errors any better than his prior team did (which was not at all).
6
I don't know if Obama's administration said there was no connection - I thought that was in the context of the accusation they paid a ransom - but even if so, to use the money they owed to Iran as leverage is brilliant: "We will return to you what we owe you (the 400M), if you return to us what you owe us (the prisoners)." A potential for conflict does not mean there was an actual conflict in the past, but it's prudent to remove the potential now, before she becomes POTUS. There's nothing wrong in recognizing that. And while we're at it: Where are Trump's tax returns? How on earth was it possible that Christie forgave him 25M in taxes? How's that for a conflict of interest? What comfortable position has Trump promised Christie in return for that favor in case he becomes POTUS?
3
Does this mean the Donald will stop sending fundraising e mails to foreign lawmakers?
5
Please, please, please! The $400 M was Iran's money from a cancelled sale long ago (+-1979) that the nuclear deal was to return to Iran. It was smart to withhold it. It was not ransom, but money that the nuclear freeze deal with Iran explicitly pledged to return.
5
The NYTimes gives Obama and now Hillary a pass. The country is not good for everyone. If it was, Over 94 million wouldn't be out of the labor market. Obamacare is a disaster. Because of his deals with big pharmaceutical companies, drug prices have skyrocketed. Now tensions with Russia are at a high level and we are the closer to war with them than ever before. The Middle East is in shambles. Now you are pushing Hillary as the great savior while continuing to tell us things are rosy. Tell the truth instead of constantly bashing Trump. Hillary's policies such as infrastructure projects were the same ones Obama got a trillion dollars for. Where did that money really go? Real unemployment is about 10% but much higher in many groups. Millions of immigrants continue to be brought in even though the working and middle class are suffering and wages are stagnant. Hint ...there aren't enough jobs for the real Americans so stop flooding the country with more people. Crime has skyrocketed. So stop bashing Trump and look at yourself and your leaders.
7
"our leaders"? who did you vote for to represent you in Congress?
As for where the trillion dollars went - I cannot speak for all of it, but I do know that some of it went into our local highway infrastructure projects (3 badly needed bridges) as well as helping local land owners and public land managers managing invasive species that rob our local agricultural economy and devastate wildlife habitat. All of this put people to work and had demonstrable positive outcomes for our local economy.
As for where the trillion dollars went - I cannot speak for all of it, but I do know that some of it went into our local highway infrastructure projects (3 badly needed bridges) as well as helping local land owners and public land managers managing invasive species that rob our local agricultural economy and devastate wildlife habitat. All of this put people to work and had demonstrable positive outcomes for our local economy.
4
Too many of those 94% are simply unemployable. Digging for coal and tariffs aren't going to bring unskilled manufacturing jobs back to our shores, not matter how many times you bash foreigners. Hillary Clinton isn't a great savior, but she isn't bitter that older white conservatives painted themselves into life's corner.
2
Dear Connie, Trump will stiff his voters and the American people like he stiffed his contractors. He honestly intended to pay his contractors of course - "believe me" - "I always tell the truth" - until he didn't. The American banks have wised up to him and don't let him borrow any money anymore - hopefully the American public will follow suit. Hillary Clinton is no saint, but she's competent and experienced.
2
Thanks for your perspective. You made my day!
7
We are a suppressed electorate:
We have FOUR political parties on the 2016 ballot in all 50 states:
and yet..
The CORPORATE MEDIA...such as The New York Times...only covers
TWO political parties: The Democratic Party (which NYTimes is For) and
the Republican Party (which NYTimes is Against)/
and the Real Republicans who are The Best Candidates and have NO
Controversial baggage...are not mentioned...or covered in this newspaper.
so...That is MUZZLE of MEDIA...and
I think that you NYTimes can exclude what needs to be included...as fair
reporting...but you damage your august image as a Pulitzer...in doing so.
We have FOUR political parties on the 2016 ballot in all 50 states:
and yet..
The CORPORATE MEDIA...such as The New York Times...only covers
TWO political parties: The Democratic Party (which NYTimes is For) and
the Republican Party (which NYTimes is Against)/
and the Real Republicans who are The Best Candidates and have NO
Controversial baggage...are not mentioned...or covered in this newspaper.
so...That is MUZZLE of MEDIA...and
I think that you NYTimes can exclude what needs to be included...as fair
reporting...but you damage your august image as a Pulitzer...in doing so.
5
Journalists have blurred the line between "news" and "opinion". I'm old school, and prefer that no matter the political leanings of a news organizations owners, this distinction will be maintained.
The NYT is hardly the worst offender in this matter. Fox News has been better (and accurately) described as Faux News.
So while I appreciate your sentiment, you may want to look in your GOP backyard for better examples.
The NYT is hardly the worst offender in this matter. Fox News has been better (and accurately) described as Faux News.
So while I appreciate your sentiment, you may want to look in your GOP backyard for better examples.
1
Twas always thus, CBRussell. We have a system that supports two major parties. Third parties are always small and only split the vote when they get some traction. It's why Bernie Sanders, a long-time independent, signed on to the Democratic Party this election season. He didn't want to split the vote. And the Times has written articles about Stein and Johnson. But they aren't going to make a difference in this election. New political parties arise from the ground up, by electing people to city, county and state positions and building support. Eventually, a new party might replace one of the major two. But unless we change our election laws, we will still always have two major parties competing.
It's important, also, to read elsewhere. Thanks to the internet, we now can easily read all kinds of reporting and viewpoints every morning without having to subscribe to ten papers. And who are the "Best Candidates" who have no controversial baggage? Are you talking about down ticket people in various states? Local papers should be covering those.
It's important, also, to read elsewhere. Thanks to the internet, we now can easily read all kinds of reporting and viewpoints every morning without having to subscribe to ten papers. And who are the "Best Candidates" who have no controversial baggage? Are you talking about down ticket people in various states? Local papers should be covering those.
3
The Olympics, our jingoist moment every four years.
Don't forget what a yuge disaster they are for host cities. It took Montreal 30 years to pay off the debt from hosting the 1976 games. Barcelona needed 20 to pay off 1992. Athens will NEVER pay off the cost of 2004. And our own Atlanta, still paying for 1996, is poised to raze an Olympic Stadium opened 20 years ago, modified at public expense to house the Atlanta Braves, and to be replaced in the suburbs for next season with the (unwilling?) help of Georgia taxpayers. Will Rio ever recover from the costs incurred here?
The Olympics are a conspicuous exercise in consoicuous athletic consumption. How about that yacht USA basketball players are slummng it on?
But the positive is that the 100+ medal haul by the US, with hard to find coverage NOT involving the US, gives us something to focus on other than the Trumplethinskin/Putin/Breitbart campaign on one side, and the inevitable coronation parade (brought to you by, among others, the New York Times) on the other. Mao's Long March was a "fun run" compared to this presidential campaign.
Don't forget what a yuge disaster they are for host cities. It took Montreal 30 years to pay off the debt from hosting the 1976 games. Barcelona needed 20 to pay off 1992. Athens will NEVER pay off the cost of 2004. And our own Atlanta, still paying for 1996, is poised to raze an Olympic Stadium opened 20 years ago, modified at public expense to house the Atlanta Braves, and to be replaced in the suburbs for next season with the (unwilling?) help of Georgia taxpayers. Will Rio ever recover from the costs incurred here?
The Olympics are a conspicuous exercise in consoicuous athletic consumption. How about that yacht USA basketball players are slummng it on?
But the positive is that the 100+ medal haul by the US, with hard to find coverage NOT involving the US, gives us something to focus on other than the Trumplethinskin/Putin/Breitbart campaign on one side, and the inevitable coronation parade (brought to you by, among others, the New York Times) on the other. Mao's Long March was a "fun run" compared to this presidential campaign.
9
You wrote this entire piece about youth saving us without even mentioning Bernie. The youth do not get Hillary, people need to understand. They are tired of establishment screwing us over and over again. They want out, their vision is Bernie's vision. For a year now Hillary supporters have scoffed it off, ridiculed the youth, the media voluntarily blocked out Bernie, but the youth kept their eyes and ears and souls on Bernie.
9
Bernie? He brought nothing new to the table only the leftover idealism of the Boomers of the 70's that faded under the overwhelming disdain of the Nixon Reagan republicans who crushed those idealistic ideas to death under the flood of personality prosperity and one war after the other. Bernie was just another old white man looking for fame. Hillary is offering us our first women President for god's sake and I am proud to stand up and say YES!!!!!!!
4
Like all NYT columnists, Egan likes to pretend the Bernie phenomenon didn't happen (and isn't still happening).
4
and now its time to move on, just like Bernie did.
4
In my day, people had respect for one 'nother and, you know what, patriotism... why that meant something goshdarnit. People didn't just go 'round doin' whatever they pleased without any consideration for others. When you went into the votin' booth... well, that was important. It was sumthin' ya' did with a little respect and thought 'bout how the country was supposed to be goin'. Ya' didn't just vote for whatever fella was gonna give what you wanted. You actually thought 'bout whether he was a good man for the job. These days, ain't no one has any respect... Just do whatever ya want... whatever makes you feel good.
I'll tell you what... Senior citizens these days. Someone needs to knock a lil' sense into 'em.
I'll tell you what... Senior citizens these days. Someone needs to knock a lil' sense into 'em.
7
Glad you threw in the millennials--both my children, not the most politically oriented---view Trump as irrelevant or in my son's words, a moving clown show. Having said that, what millennials are looking for are problem solvers, not problem creators. Putting aside the racism and other group prejudices, which millennials just don't get, they live in a generation looking for practical solutions to real world problems. They are bothered by a political class, now led by world class buffoon, whose preoccupation with bathroom regulations, Benghazi, Obamacare, are symbols of a generation that needs to retire.
281
Hillary to them is same old same old
2
Well then they're not very well educated and have not been paying attention!
Make sure your children understand that clowns can be lethal and buffoonery a smokescreen.
God bless the Millennials, and let's hope they actually vote. In the meantime, let me put Tim's point another way: The Republican party -- as in, the party of Trump, of hate, of nationalism and racism that has blundered straight into white supremacy -- is very simply on the wrong side of history. And the proof is that a massive wave of younger voters reject that party and its candidate with a shrug. They may not love Hillary -- and a good number may even vote for third party candidates, which is a development the Democratic Party will have to cope with in future years, that voter drain to the third parties. But for this year, now, what the Millennials represent is a huge rejection of 30+ years of the Republican slide into the weird fringes of bigotry.
254
Good post, but the Republicans are way past the "fringes of bigotry".
5
Meh to politics. Yeah to hanging out in the Cascades. I'm tired of reading about her opponent, too. Hillary in a landslide! Dog bites man! Yawn.
But pray tell, once Trump has been vanquished, and Hillary is marching the legions all across North Africa and the Middle East, and cozying up to bankers and techsters and anyone else with money, who then are you gonna compare her to? 'Cause without Trump for comparison, she's very possibly the worst candidate either party has nominated for President since Bush the elder. And will be about as disastrous for the country. Remember, it was he who started our Middle Eastern misadventures, from which we have yet to recover.
But pray tell, once Trump has been vanquished, and Hillary is marching the legions all across North Africa and the Middle East, and cozying up to bankers and techsters and anyone else with money, who then are you gonna compare her to? 'Cause without Trump for comparison, she's very possibly the worst candidate either party has nominated for President since Bush the elder. And will be about as disastrous for the country. Remember, it was he who started our Middle Eastern misadventures, from which we have yet to recover.
6
Hear, hear.
3
Not he, not Bush. It started, as Noam Chomsky observed, in 1945. We were king of the hill. And we wanted to stay there. All our politics/policies since reflect that fact.
1
Hi, Mr. Egan -
It's perfectly fine to point out how we are "winning" (Apologies to Charlie Sheen. Yikes!), this column for me would have been more gratifying if it had addressed those millions of Americans trapped in or sliding into poverty who are still most definitely losing.
While some of our poverty came about because of the economic collapse that happened during the reign of the gang that couldn't do anything right (Dubya's admin), much of it has occurred under - and has practically been engineered by the policies of - two "New Democrat" presidents: Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
And now we must all pray to whatever God, gods or goddesses, or mysterious force, that we hold dear to put Mrs. Clinton in the White House - another New Democrat for sure.
When she wins, unless we want more of what we got under Bill and Barack, those of us who pay attention will have to do much more than write comments on N.Y. Times columns. It's our job to swing this country back to the left - with policies that work for all of us.
It's perfectly fine to point out how we are "winning" (Apologies to Charlie Sheen. Yikes!), this column for me would have been more gratifying if it had addressed those millions of Americans trapped in or sliding into poverty who are still most definitely losing.
While some of our poverty came about because of the economic collapse that happened during the reign of the gang that couldn't do anything right (Dubya's admin), much of it has occurred under - and has practically been engineered by the policies of - two "New Democrat" presidents: Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
And now we must all pray to whatever God, gods or goddesses, or mysterious force, that we hold dear to put Mrs. Clinton in the White House - another New Democrat for sure.
When she wins, unless we want more of what we got under Bill and Barack, those of us who pay attention will have to do much more than write comments on N.Y. Times columns. It's our job to swing this country back to the left - with policies that work for all of us.
91
Correct. So let's vote the down ticket and give our next president a legislature she can work with.
2
The demise of the middle class as we once knew it began under Ronald Reagan and was continued by both Bush presidents. It was fueled by massive tax cuts for the rich and the increasing control of government policy by big donors. Defining the problem as caused only by Bill and Barack is to miss the complexity which includes among other things the indifference to voting by many Americans and Citizens United. If all Hillary does is appoint solid Supreme Court and Appellate Judges she will have turned the tide.
5
Hi, Shirley -
I think the roots of the attack on the American middle and working classes actually go back to Carter, but the all out assault did begin under Reagan.
While it's easy to blame the Republicans - and fairly accurate to do so as well - as a lifelong Democrat I'm much more concerned with the abandonment of the middle and working classes under my own party's last two leaders. The Democrats today could accurately be described as the party of the 10% - the well educated professional class.
Bill Clinton's policies, from welfare reform to his crime bill to NAFTA, absolutely clobbered the working class and the poor people of our country. Obama is still doing all he can to pass the transparently anti-U.S. worker TPP.
The Republicans have always been, and will always be, the anti-worker pro-corporate party. The Democrats used to represent workers and the poor. If they don't start doing it again, then Hillary will be a one-term president and will deserve to be.
I had my eyes opened and my blood pressure raised by Thomas Frank's latest book about the New Democrats. It's called "Listen Liberal". I read, I listened, and I will now be much more politically active.
Cheers.
I think the roots of the attack on the American middle and working classes actually go back to Carter, but the all out assault did begin under Reagan.
While it's easy to blame the Republicans - and fairly accurate to do so as well - as a lifelong Democrat I'm much more concerned with the abandonment of the middle and working classes under my own party's last two leaders. The Democrats today could accurately be described as the party of the 10% - the well educated professional class.
Bill Clinton's policies, from welfare reform to his crime bill to NAFTA, absolutely clobbered the working class and the poor people of our country. Obama is still doing all he can to pass the transparently anti-U.S. worker TPP.
The Republicans have always been, and will always be, the anti-worker pro-corporate party. The Democrats used to represent workers and the poor. If they don't start doing it again, then Hillary will be a one-term president and will deserve to be.
I had my eyes opened and my blood pressure raised by Thomas Frank's latest book about the New Democrats. It's called "Listen Liberal". I read, I listened, and I will now be much more politically active.
Cheers.
I hope that the anti-Trump forces do not bore easily after we defeat him. His brand of Fascism is alive and well armed.
34
For the most part they are also lazy and cowardly. Quite a few of them haven't even bothered to vote in past elections. Most of them will go back to watching Faux News.
4
I overheard a local GOP group, very active in their party and in local elections, having lunch at a diner here. "Should I put out my Trump sign now?" One asked, chuckling. There was actually a groan from the rest.
I'm feeling some hope that we will not only win this one, but crush Trump so badly that he'll never rise again, nor anyone quite like him.
I'm feeling some hope that we will not only win this one, but crush Trump so badly that he'll never rise again, nor anyone quite like him.
2
Income in equality and climate change are the critical issues facing millenials and all of us for that matter. Thus, the young voter's attraction to alternatives to the Republican and Democratic parties. Trump is just rude and inappropriate and Hillary is more of the same politics and policies that stagnate government. Bernie spoke to these issues, Clinton gives them lip service it seems and Trump is not even close.
2
Have you noticed the automaton that has been standing in for Trump at his recent rallies hasn't been receiving the rousing roar of the crowds the real Trump whores himself for. His trademark grin of smug self-satisfaction in response to the cheers is a pale shadow its former self. The tepid applause to the toned down, monotone recitation from the teleprompter has to be tearing at the soul of the real Donald Trump, locked up somewhere safe, apparently until the polls close on election night. His most ardent supporters must be wondering what is wrong.
Despite Egan's news of Trump's pockets of lack of support here in Texas, our 38 electoral votes were locked in for him before he even announced he was running for president. There might be some concern for a few Republican seats in down-ticket races, but Trump doesn't need to spend a dime here on advertising. I would love it, though, if the millenial generation along with the black and latino voters could pull off the political miracle (aided and abetted by those of us of graying hair and long in the tooth who want this win less for us than for them).
Our young citizens have the power to determine the future of politics in America, and the sooner they realize that and act on their potential strength, the brighter America's future will be.
Oh, yeah, the Olympics. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Lochte and company exhibit the traits of a Trump supporter. They are an embarrassment to the rest of us.
Despite Egan's news of Trump's pockets of lack of support here in Texas, our 38 electoral votes were locked in for him before he even announced he was running for president. There might be some concern for a few Republican seats in down-ticket races, but Trump doesn't need to spend a dime here on advertising. I would love it, though, if the millenial generation along with the black and latino voters could pull off the political miracle (aided and abetted by those of us of graying hair and long in the tooth who want this win less for us than for them).
Our young citizens have the power to determine the future of politics in America, and the sooner they realize that and act on their potential strength, the brighter America's future will be.
Oh, yeah, the Olympics. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Lochte and company exhibit the traits of a Trump supporter. They are an embarrassment to the rest of us.
26
Well said. Have you noticed that Trump has shorn some of his orange/ golden locks? Maybe like Sampson, he has lost his strength or verge. He seems drugged. How soon will he get tired of this and revert to his own self? Also, he has 'apologized' for former nasty comments he made. Reminds me of the 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers.'
As to Olympic embarrassment, you are right on that count too.
As to Olympic embarrassment, you are right on that count too.
2
Glem, To your observation in your first sentence: Yes, I noticed it too, yesterday when I watched his rally. I think his audience didn't know what to make of Trump's embrace of African Americans...
1
Assuming (hoping, praying) Trump loses, we will still not be able to retreat into "boredom," i.e. Inaction, complacency. He has clearly signaled to his supporters that the opposition, no matter how illegal or unconstitutional, should continue. The government will have to figure out how to deal with Bundy family-type occupations and vandalism of gov't (public) properties, if not McVeigh-type homicidal terrorist attacks. Millennials can help, but all America needs to guard against the barbarians within our nation, who are supported by a major political party.
15
Yes we are a great nation, warts and all. In time we seem to recognize the warts and do something about them. I think we are in one of those times when the weigh of progress gained in the past century collapses the old structures that hold us back.
In moment, it is important that Trump and the sickness that he represents be defeated. Clinton must run these next 80-some days with the confidence and determination shown by Ashton Eaton in the 1500m, the last event of the Olympic decathlon; he left nothing to chance as he sprinted past his closes competitor and finished with a gold medal.
In moment, it is important that Trump and the sickness that he represents be defeated. Clinton must run these next 80-some days with the confidence and determination shown by Ashton Eaton in the 1500m, the last event of the Olympic decathlon; he left nothing to chance as he sprinted past his closes competitor and finished with a gold medal.
38
Bring on the boredom in 80 days? Great plan! That Democratic apathy after the 2008 election brought us a republican-controlled, do-nothing congress that would rather watch the house burn than put out the fire.
50
Tim, I love your columns but the headline over this one makes me nervous.
The absolute worst presidential candidate in American political history is riding a surfboard in the shallows but he's still at or near 40%. That so many voters think so well of him (or so poorly of HRC) makes me think the entire election will hinge on either an October surprise or an uncomfortable reliance on the "perception and wisdom of the American voter."
Worst, though, Tim, is the leakage from Donald Trump's presidential bid upon the American political landscape. He has spawned a substrata of dubious species that I fear will, unfortunately, find permanence in governors' mansions, statehouses, and gerrymandered Congressional districts. Trump may go away after the election, but he will reappear, like Macbeth's ghost, summoned to the aid of other unprepared, racist, xenophobic descendants who will seek to infect the Commonwealth, encouraged by the departed red-haired realtor.
I hope your headline runs on the morning of November 9th.
The absolute worst presidential candidate in American political history is riding a surfboard in the shallows but he's still at or near 40%. That so many voters think so well of him (or so poorly of HRC) makes me think the entire election will hinge on either an October surprise or an uncomfortable reliance on the "perception and wisdom of the American voter."
Worst, though, Tim, is the leakage from Donald Trump's presidential bid upon the American political landscape. He has spawned a substrata of dubious species that I fear will, unfortunately, find permanence in governors' mansions, statehouses, and gerrymandered Congressional districts. Trump may go away after the election, but he will reappear, like Macbeth's ghost, summoned to the aid of other unprepared, racist, xenophobic descendants who will seek to infect the Commonwealth, encouraged by the departed red-haired realtor.
I hope your headline runs on the morning of November 9th.
486
Banquo's ghost.
Please do not forget that the Supreme Court, with or without a Democratic sweep of one or both houses of Congress, will be Hillary's pick. The voter suppression, the violation of voters' rights, will be reversed, and real elections where votes of all Americans count equally are not far off.
If Hillary wins by 1 vote, I am fine with that. Trump may get a bump from refocusing his anger, his venom, his pathetic shrill cry, on the Clinton Foundation (which has done enormous good). But voters have already spoken, as they did with Mitt Romney.
If Hillary wins by 1 vote, I am fine with that. Trump may get a bump from refocusing his anger, his venom, his pathetic shrill cry, on the Clinton Foundation (which has done enormous good). But voters have already spoken, as they did with Mitt Romney.
1
Wisdom of the American voter?
You are quick to applaud the success of our Olympic athletes, but you fail to recognize the dark side of these games. It was never about sport. It was about mega-profits and power.
You failed to mention the billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidized revenues that were funneled to a handful of Brazil’s most powerful, well-connected families and their companies. Or the millions of dollars that found their way into the pockets of corrupt IOC officials. Or what about the monies that were allocated to build a modern, sanitary and safe sewage system for the favelas. The raw sewage still runs untreated through the streets of Rio and into the bays. Or what happened to the jobs that so many were promised? The police have not been paid in months. Neither have the firefighters nor the teachers nor other government employees. And hospitals have been closed for lack of funds.
What has happened to the 77,000 citizens of Rio internally displaced by these games? Evictions went down throughout the favelas by squadrons of militarized police followed by bulldozers, as the people ran for their lives waving their property deeds.
So as you praise our corporate sponsored Olympic medal winning athletes, you might remember those who have lost so much to provide a few days of spectacle. (To get a better understanding of the Olympics read Dave Zirin’s recent columns at www.edgeofsports.com or watch Bryant Gumbel’s Real Sports Olympic Special on HBO.)
You failed to mention the billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidized revenues that were funneled to a handful of Brazil’s most powerful, well-connected families and their companies. Or the millions of dollars that found their way into the pockets of corrupt IOC officials. Or what about the monies that were allocated to build a modern, sanitary and safe sewage system for the favelas. The raw sewage still runs untreated through the streets of Rio and into the bays. Or what happened to the jobs that so many were promised? The police have not been paid in months. Neither have the firefighters nor the teachers nor other government employees. And hospitals have been closed for lack of funds.
What has happened to the 77,000 citizens of Rio internally displaced by these games? Evictions went down throughout the favelas by squadrons of militarized police followed by bulldozers, as the people ran for their lives waving their property deeds.
So as you praise our corporate sponsored Olympic medal winning athletes, you might remember those who have lost so much to provide a few days of spectacle. (To get a better understanding of the Olympics read Dave Zirin’s recent columns at www.edgeofsports.com or watch Bryant Gumbel’s Real Sports Olympic Special on HBO.)
34
Why is this comment NOT a Times Pick? I wonder...
6
Reading the several admonitory comments like this on the upbeat election columns in today's paper, does make me wish I could take off from work and, like a plumber, fix all the loose, faulty and corrupted parts of the world system. But I can't. I am 66 and have lived all that time in a country, here, that has been a great place to live. In my time, we took care of McCarthyism, helped our leaders end the Vietnam war, did what is now known as beating Communism, recovered from being cheated by Wall Street cheaters, elected a black President twice. And now seem poised to elect a woman President instead of...How realistic is it for "us" to fix the plethora of problems resulting from greed and lack of care? We have Doctors Without Borders and refugee helpers doing their best. But if I know anything it is that humanity throws itself curve balls every day that the best of us simply swing at and miss. We are a nation of rollers, dodging and returning punches to life. We have to work and stay healthy and use our wits at every turn to do the right thing every day. That's what I want my grandchildren to know.
2
And yet, some 40 % of voters still support Trump and intend to vote for him, according to recent polls. They and their beliefs will continue to impact our society long after Trump heads back to his tower in November. That's still a yuuuuuge problem which we need to confront and resolve.
111
Given the extreme partisanship in place today, it is unlikely that tRn can possibly score fewer than about 150-160 EVs. Before this polarization, US voters rudely gave both Goldwater (52 EVs in 1964) and McGovern (17 EVs in 1972) the rejections that they deserved.
Speaking of young voters, a poll shown on MSNBC yesterday broke down the under 30's support; roughly 40% for Clinton, 20% for Trump, 35% combined for the Libertarian and Green Parties, to the detriment of Hillary. Sure would be helpful is Bernie did, as he promised, everything he could to keep Trump from becoming president.
52
Demographics may save us all in the end. Here in Georgia, where polls are showing Hillary with a slight lead, the same is happening. Young voters are rejecting Trump. Naturalized citizen voters are rejecting Trump. Increasingly, women are rejecting Trump.
Which leaves Trump with bitter old white men. Except that he is starting to lose that group, as well.
I made my decision to not vote for Trump from day one - when he came down the escalator to insult Mexicans. I am glad that some others are waking up to the vile thing that is Trump and his campaign.
Which leaves Trump with bitter old white men. Except that he is starting to lose that group, as well.
I made my decision to not vote for Trump from day one - when he came down the escalator to insult Mexicans. I am glad that some others are waking up to the vile thing that is Trump and his campaign.
119
Yes they are rejecting Trump. However, he is statistically tied in polls that allow them to also reject Hillary. Hillary does well in polls that push a choice, either/or, can't avoid it. But they can avoid voting for her, and when asked many say they will avoid voting for her.
1
Facts, please, enough with your pessimistic innuendo.
2
Know hope. No. I'm not referring to Donald Trump losing. The Chicago Cubs will win the World Series this year.
3
tim, you did not sound anything like this about america before the electioneering began. and you are week by week mirroring the 'messaging' of the clinton campaign. call that opinion journalism?
3
His column is not journalism, it's opinion.
20
mirroring a campaign's talking points isn't opinion, either. opinions are things actual people actually hold, not manipulative yipyap.
4
Since when should 'winning' be the point of it all?
6
You missed the point. Despite what Trump says about the US "losing" all the time one can find many instances of the US "winning". Not only that, Trump says he hates losers and has become exactly that, a loser.
Winning is not the "point of it all", but we would do well to look at the "wins" we have garnered to be able to better see how dishonest and pessimistic Trump is.
Winning is not the "point of it all", but we would do well to look at the "wins" we have garnered to be able to better see how dishonest and pessimistic Trump is.
10
The author asserts that a “demographic wave” of “nonwhites” is changing Texas, but according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas was 79.7 percent white in 2015, up from only 70.4 percent white in 2010. Whites now make up a greater percent of Texas population than they do of the United States, which was 77.1 percent white in 2015. The bureau projects that Texas will continue to grow more “white” as long as present immigration and birthrate trends continue.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/48,00
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/48,00
2
Although you are technically correct, lefty liberals believe hispanics ARE NOT WHITE, but are in fact a unique hispanic/latino "brown race" that is distinctly different than "pale whites of European ancestry".
Compare Latino actress Cameron Diaz in "My Best Friend's Wedding" to Italian American actor Al Pacino in "Scarface." I have blond hair and blues eyes nd about half of my Hispanic friends have skin as lights as mine. Hispanics who work outdoors tan.
@Concerned Citizen: Sorry, I'm a "lefty liberal" and a Latina. I and my entire family, who are all "lefty liberals," identify as white.
2
Glad to hear that Timothy Egan, who regards those who continue to prefer Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton as far-left extremists, dead-enders of the worst order, is winning.
Most Americans, however, see only losses. And expect to see still more same from Mrs. Clinton.
How wonderful it is to be comfortable. Just repeat "racist!" and "Ralph Nader Florida!" a few times a day. With enough money in the bank, you too can win....
Most Americans, however, see only losses. And expect to see still more same from Mrs. Clinton.
How wonderful it is to be comfortable. Just repeat "racist!" and "Ralph Nader Florida!" a few times a day. With enough money in the bank, you too can win....
3
no complacency! Everybody must vote! don't take this for granted. PLEASE!!!!
188
YES!
Make sure you and everyone you know is registered to vote.
And then VOTE!
United States Election Assistance Commission
http://www.eac.gov/default.aspx
Make sure you and everyone you know is registered to vote.
And then VOTE!
United States Election Assistance Commission
http://www.eac.gov/default.aspx
13
If all readers of this column take up the challenge to register at at least 2 millennials? We can do it!!
6
Get a group of friends and family together and make it a party. Go to a locally owned restaurant or have a potluck.
4
The Trump campaign has always been a snake eating it's own tail, and with his recent hires has become a circular firing squad. How ironic he has become the dictionary definition of his very own favorite put down, loser. I not only want to see his tax returns (disgusting!), but his college transcripts (people have seen them and you should hear what they're saying!) and his vaccination record, because I'm thinking this puppy has never been treated for distemper. Actually, vaccination is the one screed he hasn't whined on and caterwauled about, that I know of, but with the addition of the Breitbart storm trooper in chief, that could change in a heartbeat. And don't think for a minute that the personnel shuffle was a demotion for Manafort, it was designed to lower his profile and afford him more time and cover to meet with his KGB handlers, who are as surprised as the GOP that they can't manage the enfant terrible.It occurs to me though that Trump is more like the work of some terrorist organization, given his close resemblance to a dirty bomb.
In the few weeks left I hope the campaign indulges in more acts of desperation under the tutelage of Bannon to further alienate everyone. There are still a few ethnic, religious and preference groups they haven't fully skewered, institutions they haven't insulted and patriots they haven't accused of treason. Then there's the picture of Fred Trump drinking vodka with Kruschev. Trumps campaign is hemorrhaging, if not bleeding from it's eyes.
In the few weeks left I hope the campaign indulges in more acts of desperation under the tutelage of Bannon to further alienate everyone. There are still a few ethnic, religious and preference groups they haven't fully skewered, institutions they haven't insulted and patriots they haven't accused of treason. Then there's the picture of Fred Trump drinking vodka with Kruschev. Trumps campaign is hemorrhaging, if not bleeding from it's eyes.
258
Or bleeding from "wherever." Sorry. I couldn't help myself.
4
@Pat M: Leave Trump's hemorrhoids out of this.
Or from whatever.
Tim Egan, I always like the columns that begin with you up in the North Cascades National Park since my mind is freed in the same way every time I am out in my Ullstämma Naturreservat where I am with my swans (Cygnet cygnet) just as you often are with yours (trumpet swans I believe).
I am encouraged by your report that you saw waves of people of all colors and that the millenial fraction of these is moving on into the 21st Century. One of my daughters, full-time resident of the US, reported to me in May when we were together that an important change she sees in these millennials is that they do not divide Americans up into "races" as most commenters and the USCB do. They just see them as individuals with a variety of lines of descent.
One of those millenials, Simone Manuel, color black and medal Gold, had this to say on BBC World Radio and as quoted in the Guardian (but not NYT):
"My colour just comes with the territory..."
"But at the same time, I would like there to be a day where there are more of us and it's not like 'Simone, the black swimmer' because the title 'black swimmer' makes it seem like I'm not supposed to be able to win a gold medal."
Simone gets Gold for that statement; she is way out in front but maybe her wisdom can carry others in her wake.
Now Tim, out to see my swans "mamma, pappa, barn" always together!
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
I am encouraged by your report that you saw waves of people of all colors and that the millenial fraction of these is moving on into the 21st Century. One of my daughters, full-time resident of the US, reported to me in May when we were together that an important change she sees in these millennials is that they do not divide Americans up into "races" as most commenters and the USCB do. They just see them as individuals with a variety of lines of descent.
One of those millenials, Simone Manuel, color black and medal Gold, had this to say on BBC World Radio and as quoted in the Guardian (but not NYT):
"My colour just comes with the territory..."
"But at the same time, I would like there to be a day where there are more of us and it's not like 'Simone, the black swimmer' because the title 'black swimmer' makes it seem like I'm not supposed to be able to win a gold medal."
Simone gets Gold for that statement; she is way out in front but maybe her wisdom can carry others in her wake.
Now Tim, out to see my swans "mamma, pappa, barn" always together!
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
208
Larry, enjoy your swans (cygnet cygnet) and please continue to write to the Times. I'll be a temporary European myself, soon, off to my little nest in The Marais of Paris. The exposure to thoughtful Europeans is always good for my frazzled soul. Especially in this seemingly endless season of Trump.
3
Whistling swans.
1
at Barney Bucket / sign not working! Helpful replies are the best, will look up whistling swans. AT Rebecca Hewitt also/went through various rain storms but there in the one area untouched by rain were the family, male and female who return every year and their 4 surviving offspring. Will put them at my FB and maybe blog / tomorrow. Welcome to Paris;
Larry
Larry
What? Greater than this? And don't minimize it , sport is a microcosm of what a country expresses, not the only one of course but it is what the country's young people belabor hard to achieve excellence.
Outside your borders there are untold many that fervently, however dismayed we maybe, hoping that Trump gets an overwhelming defeat, it would help us in Europe to face the like populist/nationalist movements which are based on the same vulgar, hate the others sentiments.
Outside your borders there are untold many that fervently, however dismayed we maybe, hoping that Trump gets an overwhelming defeat, it would help us in Europe to face the like populist/nationalist movements which are based on the same vulgar, hate the others sentiments.
11
Trump and the GOP leadership will have ZERO beneficial effects of adressing the demise of manufacturing jobs in the US given the Corporations mandate to "maximize shareholder value" ( aka profits) at the expense of everything else. Significant segments of the US electorate has been, and are continuing to be fooled, by the talk of the GOP - when one needs to carefully inspect only their actions. The current generation of GOP is working to advance the cause of the ultra-wealthy and global corporations at the expense of the country's well-being and future. IMO their behavior is borderline treasonous - and yet they wrap themselves in the flag and call themselves patriots. Go figure!
147
Agreed and the same goes for their overall economic agenda, which trump, "the outsider", just stapled onto his platform of acquiring, sealing up and using the property known as the US to barter his way around the globe bullying the rest of the world into submission. To listen to his boasts, you might imagine that he will be flying around the world in Air Force One (his own gold toilet seats implanted for a fee) gathering up lost manufacturing jobs, sticking them in baggage and bringing them straight to the depressed areas that need them -- "I love the miners, so I'm bringing them a toy manufacturing assembly line from China!"
3
We've seen this all before--in Vichy France during the German occupation.
1
"PATRIOTISM, n. Combustible rubbish read to the torch of any one
ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the
last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened
but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."
Ambrose Bierce - The Devil's Dictionary
ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the
last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened
but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."
Ambrose Bierce - The Devil's Dictionary
3
Trump's quip that "This country is going to hell," was a warning of what was to come from his own campaign, not a reflection of our national well-being.
229
How is it not a reflection of the well being of this country? The adult labor participation rate is around 60% and is continuing to decrease. We have health care premiums rising and are expected to rise as long as obamacare is still in effect. Racial tensions are rising. And we have a porous border that is allowing potentially dangerous people to just walk over and enter the country. We aren't living in the best of times. Maybe life in your secure Manhattan brownstone is going just fine, but for a lot of us Americans in other parts of this country we are not prospering. How arrogant you are to discredit the the suffering of other Americans.
1
Who knew? The Chicago Cubs are cautiously cited as a “winning” example in the New York Times? Wow! And, while this might only be seen by long suffering Cub fans as another possible jinx, the real question is whether the curse that tavern owner Billy Sianis placed on the team in 1945 in retaliation for refusing stadium entry to his goat can be at last and finally overcome.
This is the year!
This is the year!
3
Loathing is not the same as standing in line and voting. Millennials hate doing that. As long as people actually vote, we have no issue.
My mantra continues: children need to be taught Civics at a young age and throughout schooling to equate the politics of everyday, to vote choices.
My mantra continues: children need to be taught Civics at a young age and throughout schooling to equate the politics of everyday, to vote choices.
30
Or they need candidates that inspire them, like Bernie. Millennials certainly stood and line and voted for Bernie.
8
Give them Hillary, and "Millennials hate doing that."
You were told, and you did it anyway.
You were told, and you did it anyway.
1
The non election of Trump is not the ultimate solution to all our problems but it is the beginning. The next step and maybe the most important step is throwing the bums out in the down slate elections. Anyone who endorsed or refused to totally disavowed him should be shown the door.
536
But for Republicans it is Party before, way before, Country.
2
Agree. It would be fine if the DNC, the DSCC and the DCCC published lists of Republican opponents who have not repudiated Mr. Trump. Sort of a Voter's Guide for the Real World.
It's all Good, Tim. I'm still a nervous boomer, but I'm very hopeful.
BTW, Where the heck is Bernie sanders?? Old mister "work tirelessly to assure that Trump is not elected?" I haven't been able to find any evidence of campaigning, etc., on his part. The only item of any interest is that he apparently has bought a second home in a gated community on a lake in VT.
I'm not "feeling the Bern."
BTW, Where the heck is Bernie sanders?? Old mister "work tirelessly to assure that Trump is not elected?" I haven't been able to find any evidence of campaigning, etc., on his part. The only item of any interest is that he apparently has bought a second home in a gated community on a lake in VT.
I'm not "feeling the Bern."
626
Maybe Bernie, by just saying he'd work tirelessly for Hillary, was doing the best he could come up with, under the circumstances. As loathsome as I find Trump to be, I can't get excited about Hillary either, although I'd vote for her if I absolutely had to. But I can't get over her attitude of entitlement, and especially I can't get over the idea of her accepting speaking engagements at bigwig gatherings for over $200,000 a shot. I don't find that inspiring in the least.
Above all, though, I feel that Bernie was the best candidate we've had in a century, and he was, first, ignored completely by the media, and then undermined, and I will never forgive the people who did this. I feel like it was that we had one last chance to save this country from corruption and disarray, and that chance was snatched away from us. I still "feel the Bern." And I feel very much betrayed.
Above all, though, I feel that Bernie was the best candidate we've had in a century, and he was, first, ignored completely by the media, and then undermined, and I will never forgive the people who did this. I feel like it was that we had one last chance to save this country from corruption and disarray, and that chance was snatched away from us. I still "feel the Bern." And I feel very much betrayed.
12
@ jim, did you feel that other out of office politicians that accepted speaking fees had a sense of entitlement? And the media somehow convinced 3 million more people to vote for Hillary than Col. Sanders?
At what point does repeating right wing hate machine propaganda get tired? Look at her policies and try to overcome 25 years of Hillary hatred spewing from the right who feel threatened by a woman.
At what point does repeating right wing hate machine propaganda get tired? Look at her policies and try to overcome 25 years of Hillary hatred spewing from the right who feel threatened by a woman.
19
Begrudging a candidate not stumping hard for Hillary, whose income for the past two years amounts to $38 million, is typical.
How about Hillary gives us a compelling reason to vote for her other than I'm not him (Trumplethinskin)?
How about Hillary gives us a compelling reason to vote for her other than I'm not him (Trumplethinskin)?
6
Your point of having the young vote is so important, I do hope that they find a way to get to the polling places in November. Many do not.
You line of " There's more support for a Doritos Locos Taco at a natural food picnic..." is the best line I have read this political season. Thanks..
You line of " There's more support for a Doritos Locos Taco at a natural food picnic..." is the best line I have read this political season. Thanks..
75
It's heartening to see that Timothy Egan's caustic view of Trump has become so mainstream, it evokes virtually no comments. An excellent opportunity for me to raise an issue that is critical to America's future but is being ignored by the media. I refer to the fact that the two most powerful elected Republicans, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, remain firm supporters of electing Trump president. That means they are now working side by side with Stephen Shannon and the Brietbart wing-nut crowd to elect Trump. Trump's campaign shakeup clearly signaled his move into the orbit of America's rightwing extremists.
But so far as I can tell, neither Ryan nor McConnell has bothered to comment publicly on the company they and Trump now keep. And the media are being complicit in their silence. Can someone tell me what piece of the puzzle I'm missing?
But so far as I can tell, neither Ryan nor McConnell has bothered to comment publicly on the company they and Trump now keep. And the media are being complicit in their silence. Can someone tell me what piece of the puzzle I'm missing?
426
You're still puzzling over Ryan & McConnell? They represent the moral and intellectual bankruptcy that besmirches the Republican Party. Neither needs to speak out - Trump is doing a fine job of articulating their ideas.
64
Of course what Franc says is true. But it goes much deeper than that. Ryan and McConnell are concerned first and foremost about maintaining their own fiefdoms and that can only happen if Trump is elected. They need him to sign their heinous legislation of tax cuts for the rich and corporations, and the gutting of the safety net for everyone else. And of course to repeal the ACA. They have already had plenty of practice on that one having voted to repeal it over 50 times. And the biggest prize of all is stocking the Supreme Court with right wing reactionary judges that will do their bidding for decades to come. They know that their "American Dream" can only be realized if Trump is elected. But that is NEVER going to happen! Vote the straight democratic ticket at all levels of government and unleash the power that effective government can produce.
22
"Can someone tell me what piece of the puzzle I'm missing?" I'll gladly do that for you. Neither Ryan nor McConnell can afford to alienate Trump's supporters because both know Trump's constituency's votes are needed if they intend to keep their jobs. The only thing that has changed is Trump has exposed the GOP's underlying unity. They are smart enough to know that white sheets and swastika's must be left in the closet. Further proof that Trump is ignorant. He doesn't even understand why the GOP has tried to keep its agenda out of sight. How ignorant is that?
116
Millennials are saying Yes! Not necessarily to and for Hillary Clinton, but they are shouting NO! to Trump. That Donald Trump suggested those addicts of the Second Amendment might could do something about his Democratic opponent was the nadir of this campaign. No, wait, not the nadir - that is Trump's mouthing of mendacity about our country and the people of our country, lies and lying and hollow promises to his red-capped believers that he will make America great again. Maybe blaming President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Clinton for inventing ISIS is Trump's nadir. Maybe his fear-mongering among the low-info voters, bigotry, racism, misogyny, xenophobia is the nadir. As you said, Tim, "the winning is happening; lightness is prevailing". From your lips to God's ear!
198
The ISIS accusations are, arguably, as low as Trump has gone. But "nadir"? Does this man have a "nadir"? Every time I think he has reached bottom, he tops it! Or should that be "bottoms" it? I saw something on the news last night about some sort of aspersions concerning Hillary Clinton's health.
5
From another Floridian, I can only say that you and I, and other Floridians must remember there is only one way to stop horrific policies from Trump, AND Marco Rubio. Vote in November!! We cannot be complacent in an election that is so vitally important.
1
Indeed there is something terribly ironic about having a candidate bang on and on about what "losers" we Americans are, a situation only he can fix, and then to watch the coed, racially and culturally diverse line up of athletes representing the US winning at the Olympics, a multinational event where intense competition is paired with true sportsmanship and respect. There could not be a better contrast between what is actually the best of our national and human impulses, and in xenophobic, biased and mean-spirited trumpism, the worst. Good on you, Mr. Egan, for illuminating that point.
275
I read somewhere that Trump was surprisingly not tweeting about the success the United States has been having at the Olympics. We are at the top of the heap with far and away the most medals, gold, silver and bronze. The best part of the Olympics for me is the diversity of the American participants. Just looking at the Gymnastics team makes me proudly say...in your face Donald Trump. In your face white supremacists who support Donald Trump. On the world stage America is winning. America comes in all colors, ethnicities and religions. Pride in showing our best on the world stage, not cloaking ourselves in xenophobia. This was the promise America made to my grandparents when they came through Ellis Island, not the Dystopia Donald Trump purports we are
577
@ Lorraine Huzar - LH given your fine comment you might want to look at my quote from Simone Manuel who looks forward to a future 21st Century America as I do. My grandparents and great grandparents came through Boston, not Ellis Island, and did first what most immigrants do, spoke their mother tongue (svenska) at home and had lots of kids. They did very well. And a footnote from a recent report from a Swedish student of Swedish emigration-out in one place in Minnesota Swedes were designated as "black"! The novel in which this is used is to be published in September.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
5
Sounds interesting. I will look into it. I teach U.S. History, warts and all. This nation was built by immigrants, unfortunately the promise of the 20th Century seems to fading into history. Trump and his ilk are hearkening back to the 1930s when demagogues led their countries to
unspeakable acts of horror and inhumanity and of course war
unspeakable acts of horror and inhumanity and of course war
6
While the right wing Democrats are telling us about the wonders of the Robber Baron Era, when a few did so well and were such great winners they made our overall numbers good. Love the average number, ignore what it means.
1
Yes, yes, yes---but no complacency here. Trump could still win this. As Obama has said, we have to keep running scared until after the election.
252
Let's just hope that this Bannon lets Trump be Trump. Trump's lack of a filter is really is his own worst enemy. I think Bannon will make it an even dirtier campaign and I truly believe the American people are getting sick of it. Hopefully when (if) the candidates have debates, the moderators ask questions and expect answers, not platitudes or unfounded accusations. Debates in the past have almost been a joke where we never get details or answers from the debaters. Trump will probably have a good week or two, but can he keep it up?
215
All Hilary has to do in the "debates" is quietly let Trump rant and at some point ask: "Are you finished?" Then she can get back on track and discuss the issues.
24
Bannon is just what we ought to have expected from Donald "double-down" Trump!
5
Like my mother who said to me when I came home with a 99 on a test, "why not 100?" I first thank you for that joyful column and then suggest that we all turn attention to the anger, stagnant wages, persistent discrimination, crumbling infrastructure and dangerous world - did I mention that we have a drought up here in God's province? Trump is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Vacations are good, though, even my mother would admit.
42
Now that Mr. Trump has new advisers and is regretting not always choosing “right words,” I believe it would be highly beneficial to the American people if he prepared a detailed list of all the wrong and hurtful words he has uttered in the course of his Presidential campaign.
I personally have heard him repeatedly utter lies, vile insults and baseless accusations against President Obama, Mrs. Clinton, his Republican opponents (notably Senators McCain, Cruz, Bush and Rubio)), Muslims, a Gold Star mother, journalists, disabled people, a federal Judge, the U.S military, native Americans (remember Sen. Warren and Pocahontas?), not to mention blacks, women, obese people and countless others too numerous to list here.
A full accounting of his lies, insults, hurtful words and odious characterizations of multitudes of decent, patriotic Americans will constitute a valuable addition to the history of these times; one that will hopefully serve as a stark warning to future generations of Americans in need of a clear reminder of the severe damage that vulgar words, lies, insinuations and conspiracy theories can do to the political institutions of this country.
The job of preparing this sorry list of slander and character assassination is far to important to be rushed. I therefore propose that Mr. Trump be allowed six months to assemble it.
Meanwhile, I ask only that he apologize now for falsely claiming that President Obama was born in Kenya and is not a legitimate U.S. President.
I personally have heard him repeatedly utter lies, vile insults and baseless accusations against President Obama, Mrs. Clinton, his Republican opponents (notably Senators McCain, Cruz, Bush and Rubio)), Muslims, a Gold Star mother, journalists, disabled people, a federal Judge, the U.S military, native Americans (remember Sen. Warren and Pocahontas?), not to mention blacks, women, obese people and countless others too numerous to list here.
A full accounting of his lies, insults, hurtful words and odious characterizations of multitudes of decent, patriotic Americans will constitute a valuable addition to the history of these times; one that will hopefully serve as a stark warning to future generations of Americans in need of a clear reminder of the severe damage that vulgar words, lies, insinuations and conspiracy theories can do to the political institutions of this country.
The job of preparing this sorry list of slander and character assassination is far to important to be rushed. I therefore propose that Mr. Trump be allowed six months to assemble it.
Meanwhile, I ask only that he apologize now for falsely claiming that President Obama was born in Kenya and is not a legitimate U.S. President.
876
Step 9, eh? Good luck with the making of amends...
I'd settle for seeing his tax returns and laughing that he pays no taxes and makes almost no charitable contributions out of his own pocket.
I'd settle for seeing his tax returns and laughing that he pays no taxes and makes almost no charitable contributions out of his own pocket.
12
Didn't you hear? Trump expressed "regret" for sometimes offending while "speaking the truth?" All is forgiven now with this latest pivot. The bloviators on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News are now celebrating the new -- the real -- Don Trump as a really nice guy in private whose missteps were the result of his inexperience.
So, all is well, and Tim can relax in the knowledge that the Republican candidate for President is a regular nice guy, a friend of the oppressed, and a mature, responsible adult.
Right.
So, all is well, and Tim can relax in the knowledge that the Republican candidate for President is a regular nice guy, a friend of the oppressed, and a mature, responsible adult.
Right.
4
Great. When Trump self destructs you can all be triumphant in your election of Hillary Clinton. Before she is inaugurated Obama's TPP will probably be passed by the lame duck congress. Then she will push through the Atlantic trade deal and TISA.
She will expand our aggressive military stance, fight more covert wars to open up countries to global corporations, and punish leaders that want to protect their citizens and their resources. Do you really think that global banks pay to hear her talk? Do you really think that global corporations care about the fine work of the Clinton Foundation?
Global corporate mass media gives you a choice between two parties they own, and you dutifully get a tear in your eye and you beg, "Vote for the lesser evil."
Then you tell us how courageous it is for the people who brought us the Iraq War, obviously fought for global oil companies, to refuse to vote for Trump, with many endorsing Clinton.
Kissinger was only one of many secretaries of state that exported terror around the world. Look up the School of the Americas. We train the paramilitaries of South America and created the Mujhadeen, which became Al Queda, which became ISIS. Look it up! Then empowered them with our criminal conduct of the War in Iraq.
Clinton has promised to expand the hunt for "lone wolf terrorists." The only way to do that is surveillance of US citizens. But it is our own hypocrisy and the distribution of more than half of the world's weapons, that creates terrorists.
She will expand our aggressive military stance, fight more covert wars to open up countries to global corporations, and punish leaders that want to protect their citizens and their resources. Do you really think that global banks pay to hear her talk? Do you really think that global corporations care about the fine work of the Clinton Foundation?
Global corporate mass media gives you a choice between two parties they own, and you dutifully get a tear in your eye and you beg, "Vote for the lesser evil."
Then you tell us how courageous it is for the people who brought us the Iraq War, obviously fought for global oil companies, to refuse to vote for Trump, with many endorsing Clinton.
Kissinger was only one of many secretaries of state that exported terror around the world. Look up the School of the Americas. We train the paramilitaries of South America and created the Mujhadeen, which became Al Queda, which became ISIS. Look it up! Then empowered them with our criminal conduct of the War in Iraq.
Clinton has promised to expand the hunt for "lone wolf terrorists." The only way to do that is surveillance of US citizens. But it is our own hypocrisy and the distribution of more than half of the world's weapons, that creates terrorists.
3
Mr. Egan, I hope you are right.
40
All the emphasis on Trump misses the point that we need to get rid of the Ryan-McConnell blockade. That is where we need focus.
799
Absolutely!
6
Actually we need both. We shouldn't let the one divert our attention from the other.
7
Citizens United needs to be overturned, too. Otherwise, we're going to continue to see terrible candidates running for election at all levels.
9
How wonderful. When you awake from your dream state and cannot ignore even this paper's minimal coverage of the carnage all around us, get back to us with another fiction of puppies and balloons. Meanwhile try adjusting that propeller on your favorite hat because its reception seems poor.
11
Oh please, Reba... won't you allow even a small dose of "half full"?
46
Hopefully you keep your caustic views to yourself, Reba. Some of us look forward to each day as being full of promise and possibilities.
30
Yesterday I saw on the internet a CNN reporter break down in tears over the sight of a wounded, dust covered four-year-old boy rescued from the rubble in Allepo. This stuff has been going on for four years without any end or any solution in sight, but that child will be forgotten in a few days. We've had, every day, huge doses of "half full"---and, frankly, in fact, to say the least---I don't think "half full" is appropriate these days
9
Trump is NOT the answer, but let's not pretend he isn't tapping into something real besides racism and sexism. The millennials you're touting here were and are primarily Sanders supporters who despite getting constantly kicked by the NY Times are not and will not support Trump. They never did. After Trump loses, and that looks more certain every day, we still have a great amount of work to do.