The Liar-In-Chief occupying the White House obviously thinks that being POTUS is a part-time job. He seems more interested in his golf game at his Florida resort than he does about leading the country. This is no surprise. Many of us have known for quite a long time that Trump is supremely unqualified to be the leader of the free world both intellectually and tempermentally. Our enemies do not fear us and our allies no longer feel that they can count on us. Trump has accomplished one major thing in his first hundred days. He has destroyed the credibility of the United States.
207
Hear, hear, Mr. Blow. I wish every person in America would read your take-down.
112
Pinning down Donald Trump is like nailing jello to a wall. It's impossible because as noted, he'll never admit to being wrong. The closest thing we've heard was his comment on never knowing how hard healthcare is. And this trait is shared by his many supporters. T'were it that he shot his grandma, they'd say she must have deserved it. The only silver lining is that Trump is in over his head, in a system he does not understand, and with a temperament that just doesn't work there. He will eventually nail himself to the wall, but it will take time, and his supporters will be looking for ladders to climb up and carry him down.
48
He's still using that ancient photo on his tweets. Developing World dictators use younger images of themselves to fool people. I guess this fools Trump supporters into thinking he is more energetic than he is. Hanging around the WH residence in his bathroom after 6 P is hardly "high energy."
50
It really is old news that Trump is a fake and a fraud, as anyone with an IQ over 95 is well aware.
What is deeply disturbing is the population who voted for this mentally unstable traitor: the rich and greedy and the poor and ignorant.
Impeaching this traitor cannot come soon enough.
What is deeply disturbing is the population who voted for this mentally unstable traitor: the rich and greedy and the poor and ignorant.
Impeaching this traitor cannot come soon enough.
196
Ignorance really is bliss and trumpets are blissful.
19
Another day, another Trump bashing editorial from the Times. Sorry, but outside of your liberal bubble, the rest of us know that the liberal media is just as corrupt and dishonest as he is. Perhaps they deserve each other? BTW. Next election it might be a good idea to nominate a candidate who is not worse than he is.
26
We are on the verge of 3 wars in less than 100 days. Trump's top advisors are Generals, his daughter and 36 yr.old son-in-law. Putin could not have planned for the decimation of America any better or faster.
119
Well said! Unfortunately few if any Trump supporters will read it.
37
"For many of us, this is affirmative reinforcement; for others, it is devastating revelation." And for some, it is just something else to deny and ignore...
33
Don't you dare waver in how you are treating this guy. We were all warned about normalizing this guy's ineptitude, aggression and deceit. Don't let their ubiquity dilute your message in the least. In a race to the bottom for presidential attributes, I'm not sure which of those is the most dangerous, but I hope he doesn't have a chance to show us. Comey, let's speed things up, shall we?
90
Excellent analysis, Mr. Blow.
Now we just need to be patient while the intelligence community to finishes its work.
Now we just need to be patient while the intelligence community to finishes its work.
51
Show me a Republican that isn't a fake and a fraud, and add to that, a racist to the core. From the highest to the lowest posts, there has not been one come forward.
105
He is a jerk with the talents of a side show barker. But come on now -90 days really does not tell me much, check back with me at the nd of the summer.
20
America is great again. Blatant corruption is in vogue. Greed is good.
21
It would be amusing to discover that Donald Trump is one of us making these daily comments and observations to the articles written and opened for comments. If so, I wonder which one of us he is? It's not me. If you're amongst us Mr. President, enjoy.
4
Honestly I have no idea why this opinion piece was written.
Charles Blow is just repeating himself.
I agree with everything he wrote.
I agreed with it the first time he wrote it as well.
Why keep repeating almost the same ideas.
If he hasn't convinced people to be against Trump why would he think he would
by giving them more of the same.
The only thing he accomplishes by giving us more of the same is to convince Trump supporters the New York Times has nothing new to say that they want to hear and this will in the long run help Trump.
Please take a break.
Find something else to write about.
Two things you have to change.
Stop putting people down because they support Trump.
Telling people they should feel cheated is like telling them they are ignorant
because they can't see what you see.
Stop saying the obvious.
No one voted for trump because he said he would build a wall.
They voted for him because he wants to build a wall to stop people from coming here.
The wall was only a means to something they wanted.
Even if he hasn't built a wall he has kept his promise to try to stop people from coming here.
This is what they care about so telling us he will not build a wall serves no purpose.
Charles Blow is just repeating himself.
I agree with everything he wrote.
I agreed with it the first time he wrote it as well.
Why keep repeating almost the same ideas.
If he hasn't convinced people to be against Trump why would he think he would
by giving them more of the same.
The only thing he accomplishes by giving us more of the same is to convince Trump supporters the New York Times has nothing new to say that they want to hear and this will in the long run help Trump.
Please take a break.
Find something else to write about.
Two things you have to change.
Stop putting people down because they support Trump.
Telling people they should feel cheated is like telling them they are ignorant
because they can't see what you see.
Stop saying the obvious.
No one voted for trump because he said he would build a wall.
They voted for him because he wants to build a wall to stop people from coming here.
The wall was only a means to something they wanted.
Even if he hasn't built a wall he has kept his promise to try to stop people from coming here.
This is what they care about so telling us he will not build a wall serves no purpose.
32
Charles, please keep in mind that Trump is a political symptom even more than he's a bizarre, crazy-making free agent. There are many others like him or worse who can and will manipulate the hillbillies. The Dems must figure out what they stand for soon, if they even can, and then stand up for it without wavering or drifting off to the right when things get tough. If not, there will be more and more like Trump in our future. And don't forget, he's not Hilary, and Obama tapped his phones.
8
How timely a piece for Mr. Blow to have the day Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister. Today got to watch another Trumpesque bumbling, boorish representation of our country. This was another Trump using a vernacular as close to chat you'd hear around a water cooler as ever. This guy has no polish, no sophistication, and definitely not the brains to be president. And after eight years of listening to President Obama, we have a bar to judge Trump against, and the bar is no longer in plain view. The bar is laying at the bottom of the hole Trump has dug for himself. He acts like he's still on the Apprentice, and that 'boorishness' has no place in the White House.
50
How could 62% of Americans ever think that this public liar, serial bankrupt, blustering buffoon could be trusted to keep his promises?
Maybe that's not what happened. Maybe, just maybe, people were so upset with the status quo that they were ready to toss the board. Add in the most severe disinformation campaign in living memory, and no trust is required.
It still might work. After he's gone, the backlash might be enough to set things right, if the republic survives that long without fatal damage.
Maybe that's not what happened. Maybe, just maybe, people were so upset with the status quo that they were ready to toss the board. Add in the most severe disinformation campaign in living memory, and no trust is required.
It still might work. After he's gone, the backlash might be enough to set things right, if the republic survives that long without fatal damage.
19
I think it's important not to forget that while Trump may have fleeced a sizeable fraction of the population and that he's failing them and their families, that fraction of the population still wants the "grenade-throwing iconoclast bent on blowing up the D.C. establishment and the big-money power structures." They still want the wall, and they still want Obamacare gotten rid of. That they're not getting what they hoped for isn't going to drive them back in the direction of Obama, Clinton, and Biden. It may, however, drive them in the direction of someone worse than Trump. Don't think for a second that Trump failing to deliver on his promises is going to change the wishes of his voters.
28
I am still expecting the Republicans to hoist a "Mission Accomplished" banner over the Carl Vinson as it sails to the Indian Ocean, and not the Sea of Japan. It would look great with the cardboard cutout photo of Donald from this article. Nothing to see here folks-move along.
13
I agree with most of what you've said today, Charles, but I think that many of Trump's supporters bought the bull because they wanted to make a point. They didn't want to be ignored. They did want to shake things up.
Perhaps they had to believe despite the evidence.
To think they will have a reckoning on their belief system may be too hopeful. After all, many of them have been primed by Fox News and for them truth is twisted in many ways. Numbers and facts have been skewed. Threats have been enhanced with blame put on 'others'.
That prepared the way for Trump. Those of us who know his long history are not surprised by his fraudulence. That is him.
Those who drink the kool-aid live in their comfortable bubble of superiority and fake values based on that.
It will take something bigger than all of us for them to change their minds or question their choice. They are already a cult of people who do not question what he does. Weaknesses are strengths. Lies and outrageous claims are real in their world.
When your world is skewed you will accept anything lie as truth and make any excuse to preserve it all.
Perhaps they had to believe despite the evidence.
To think they will have a reckoning on their belief system may be too hopeful. After all, many of them have been primed by Fox News and for them truth is twisted in many ways. Numbers and facts have been skewed. Threats have been enhanced with blame put on 'others'.
That prepared the way for Trump. Those of us who know his long history are not surprised by his fraudulence. That is him.
Those who drink the kool-aid live in their comfortable bubble of superiority and fake values based on that.
It will take something bigger than all of us for them to change their minds or question their choice. They are already a cult of people who do not question what he does. Weaknesses are strengths. Lies and outrageous claims are real in their world.
When your world is skewed you will accept anything lie as truth and make any excuse to preserve it all.
18
How interesting to hear from some of the trump supporters, because I have been unable to fathom why anyone would believe such an obviously corrupt idiot would be good for our country. I still don't. I agree with Charles Blow completely. He probably has to keep pointing out the obvious, because some of you just can't see what seems plain to the rest of us. Yes, all politicians are flawed, but this administration is not normal.
42
Unfortunately Donald Trump is a reflection of the American Dream. It entails rugged individualism at the expense of anyone else and ostentatious flash and trash as empirical proof of 'success'. With the exception of his enormous inherited wealth which set him up nicely, he displays many of the hallmarks of American aspirationism, particularly the virulent anti-intellectualism the majority of his compatriots share and admire. The inconvenient truth is that this boorish philistine is at the head of a complex country with a key role in world events.
31
You are too severe, give the good man time his chance. Americaq may learn something. This country was based on common sense, not the Hillary/Obama lies and smoke screens that we have been presented with.
9
Trump knows how to play to an audience but he understands nothing about what makes a great state nor does he care. He says whatever the people he wishes to influence want to hear, but he believes not a word of what he says.
8
Ah yes, the good man. Who brags about grabbing women's parts against their will, wants to get rid of Meals on Wheels, make climate change worse, alienate our allies, discriminate based on religion, destroy science, destroy US tourism, take away healthcare from 24 million people, enrich himself and his family using his elected post, while spending millions of taxpayer dollars to go play golf. He is common sense personified.
44
Modern technology is based on quantum mechanics. Times change.
8
This is laughable. Trump is slowly but surely dismantling the Obama era. Border crossings are markedly down, ICE is chasing down criminal aliens, the stock market is at record levels, $90 billion of regulations have been eliminated, Gorsuch is on the court, the Chinese are doing Trump's bidding to corral the N. Koreans, companies are creating jobs, Sessions is targeting MS-13, an exec order banning revolving door politics, approving the Keystone Pipeline, Killing the Trans Pacific Partnership, freezing new regulations... In a nutshell, it's like Christmas everyday!! That is more than Obama did in 8 years,
Charles, stop being blinded by hate.
Charles, stop being blinded by hate.
Well well said!!!
9
To me and many others - Trumpy is a repulsive non human being. Stupidity personified. A died in the wool 100% narcissist. My take on his frequent trips to Mara Largo unfortunately boil down to a suspicion that he can indulge in drug type stuff down there and get away with it. Sniff, Sniff. His election a HUUUUGE mistake. A lesson learned by American voters.
15
Now that you mention it, he does do a lot of sniffing when speaking. Maybe that's why he makes such asinine and stupid statements. Yessiree, you could be on to something.
9
Couldn't agree more, Charles. Keep up your usual superb work.
15
I wonder whether all the still-loyal Trump voters are happy with the riffraff he invites to the White House for dinner? Sarah Palin used to be a conservative darling, so OK. Kid Rock -- not exactly deserving of presidential honor. But Ted Nugent -- ?? His obscene rants and cultivatedly boorish behavior are beyond the pale. He is not fit for polite company. And this is the type of person our Dear Leader surrounds himself with. Disgusting.
17
Blow is taking a highly principled and courageous position opposing Trump in these pages.. Based on his past work, I just did not see this coming.
7
We should be careful not to go too far in blaming the victims here. Trump is a highly-skilled shyster, and he had Fox News to back him up. Job prospects had dwindled, unions died, and Republicans blocked any government action to help them. In a case like that it's hard to refuse salvation.
7
They don't realize that they are the victims, desperation has dulled the senses, which is the tragedy in a 'developed' country, no one should be so desperate and lacking hope that they cling onto a shark to save themselves.
6
Don't forget what a big help CNN was, giving Trump tons and tons of coverage-- and I'm not talking about the Trump surrogates. Trump couldn't have done it without CNN, whose softball circus-style coverage (not-so-magic "magic walls" and all) helped make CNN billions during the election, a synergy openly celebrated by CNN chief Jeff Zucker, who has openly boasted about the financial bonanza the whole process has been for CNN.
15
Maybe it's my mood upon reading this, but I feel for his supporters. I absolutely abhor that this man is president of our nation, but I don't want to blame his supporters.
I mean, they had to be pretty desperate in order to deny the enormous red flags and obvious manipulations of this guy. It's not like he was being subtle. So what made them so desperate? What did the "other" side (I guess that would be mine, the Dems and liberals) ignore about their needs and their fears so that when a charlatan rode into town and blatantly lied to them, they were so hungry to believe his words that they just did.
I don't hate Trump because of his politics, I hate that he exploited people for power and fame and adulation. But I'm also regretful that this gap has opened and we didn't listen to people who have been pushed out of the economy and a chance at prosperity, while we were pointing fingers and greedy corporate activities.
Time to listen better, and beyond that, take action to help ALL Americans, regardless of politics. And stop shaming Trump supporters!
I mean, they had to be pretty desperate in order to deny the enormous red flags and obvious manipulations of this guy. It's not like he was being subtle. So what made them so desperate? What did the "other" side (I guess that would be mine, the Dems and liberals) ignore about their needs and their fears so that when a charlatan rode into town and blatantly lied to them, they were so hungry to believe his words that they just did.
I don't hate Trump because of his politics, I hate that he exploited people for power and fame and adulation. But I'm also regretful that this gap has opened and we didn't listen to people who have been pushed out of the economy and a chance at prosperity, while we were pointing fingers and greedy corporate activities.
Time to listen better, and beyond that, take action to help ALL Americans, regardless of politics. And stop shaming Trump supporters!
In his book _Truck: A Love Story_, Michael Perry writes of a friend who told him "the trouble with America today is not that we're dumb, it's that we're dumb and proud of it."
I think this idea explains a lot: Trump's continuing popularity with his base isn't a measure of President Trump's performance -- it's a measure of his supporters' pride. In themselves. So sad.
I think this idea explains a lot: Trump's continuing popularity with his base isn't a measure of President Trump's performance -- it's a measure of his supporters' pride. In themselves. So sad.
25
They believe they can transform the facts by sheer force of will.
9
This has been said many times, but it's the one thing that stares me in the face the most in this whole disaster: It was obvious all along that this would be the outcome. That's one reason why so many of us refused to believe that it would happen, that the Beast would become our President. But it has happened. I'm angry, not as much as I was, but still. However, anger is a destructive emotion. The main thing that it destroys is its holder. So I am doing my part: contributing to worthy causes, writing a blog, writing comments to op-eds such as this one. And I sometimes turn the political stations off. Constant bad news fries the soul. I am optimistic enough to think that this will end someday, and that we will put laws in place so we cannot have our democracy hijacked like this again.
35
It got hijacked because it isn't a democracy. One person one vote is not the rule, and unequal protection of law is the result.
19
“President Donald Trump’s image among Americans as someone who keeps his promises has faded in the first two months of his presidency, falling from 62 percent in February to 45 percent."
The real question is the sanity of the polled Americans--that it was ever 62% is frightening. That it's still 45 percent is frightening. As Obama said, C'mon!
The real question is the sanity of the polled Americans--that it was ever 62% is frightening. That it's still 45 percent is frightening. As Obama said, C'mon!
It is clear that the president does not have the ability to think of
the future.
What is the span he can handle? Two months? 100 days?
Does he not think that the very bad health care bill will come
back to smack him a few months out?
That whatever relief he has grabbed for rich boy tax breaks will
show up in a hellish roar? He is insane. Without the ability to
reason beyond the moment.
the future.
What is the span he can handle? Two months? 100 days?
Does he not think that the very bad health care bill will come
back to smack him a few months out?
That whatever relief he has grabbed for rich boy tax breaks will
show up in a hellish roar? He is insane. Without the ability to
reason beyond the moment.
I would be cautious with the notion that the fools who voted for Trump can exhibit self reflection. The lack of morality and introspection is what they find most appealing.
25
They don't have to be smart and self reflective. After all Trump has a " very smart brain " and " knows all the best words ". How about that chocolate cake? The most beautiful piece of cake ever seen by anyone!!
The collective IQ of the American public is declining every day he is in office with the help of feckless corporate journalism.
The collective IQ of the American public is declining every day he is in office with the help of feckless corporate journalism.
19
Mr. Blow, you omitted one crucial obstacle preventing Trump's supporters from turning on him, for now at least: President Obama left us a pretty good economy and a nation in much better shape than the one handed to him in 2008. Trump voters have refused to accept that reality, listening instead to all the doom and gloom from Fox and Friends. Now, President Obama is gone and his legacy is suddenly Trump's America. Whaddya know? It looks ok to these folks. It'll take time for the damage of Trump's policies to reach Americans across the country.
Who knew being president of the U.S. could be so complicated? What is frightening is that this "fake President" is so ignorant of the realities he is commenting about, that he is going to eventually cause a crisis in the real world. Unsurprisingly, Trump has not achieved any of his agenda, and in fact has had to undo much of what he attempted to do, when he found out what the political and economic costs would be. When you are a narcissist, you are lacking in the character needed to own up to mistakes. Hopefully, this country will survive his ineptitude and the corruption that has already occurred and will occur in the future, given the many possible conflicts of interest! But that seems to be what this enterprise has always been about, enriching the Trump organization and family.
I enjoy reading your columns, and feel voices of resistance are more needed than every in our country. Thanks for your insights!
I enjoy reading your columns, and feel voices of resistance are more needed than every in our country. Thanks for your insights!
21
As a recent Gallup Poll underscored, many of the Trump voters cast their vote based on hate; hate of minorities; hate of immigrants; hate of other religions; hate of woman, hate of science, hate of facts, and hate of basic humanity. That is what Trump pandered to and that is why many of his voters voted for. Personally I think they all voted based on hate. Certainly the did not vote on common sense and decency, knowledge of issues, or understanding of policy given Trumps overtly obvious lies, ignorance, and incompetence. You would really have to be a fool not to have seen him as the con-artist huckster that he is.
Accordingly, it is not surprising that the majority of his voters are sticking with him even as it becomes absurdly obvious what a fraud he is. They voted for hate and hate is the one area Trump continues to deliver.
Accordingly, it is not surprising that the majority of his voters are sticking with him even as it becomes absurdly obvious what a fraud he is. They voted for hate and hate is the one area Trump continues to deliver.
35
I still can't get over that we have "normalized" the fact that two key advisers the the President of the United Stated are his daughter, a 34 year old apparel/accessories licenser, and son-in-law, a 36 year-old real estate developer - neither of whom have any experience in (or until now any known aspirations to) governance or public service of any kind. Can you IMAGINE the absolute hysteria on the Right if Chelsea Clinton and her husband were working in a Clinton White House? It would be armed insurrection!
48
Mr. Blow, you are completely insane. To think that in less than 100 days that Trump has totally failed to live up to his promises is delusional. We have a long way to go and Trump has already accomplished many things that his supporters expected of him, not the least of which is appointing a Supreme Court judge that is very conservative! Border crossings by illegal immigrants is down 70%, the jobs market is much improved and the stock market is in record territory. What's failing is the liberal agenda with its black hooded thugs violently trying to shut down free speech. What Trump supporters are disappointed by is the constant insults directed at them by hate mongers like you.
17
Border crossings were way down before Trump took office. Jobs market was improved years ago and in fact declined this last report. Stock market has nothing to do with helping ordinary people. The left has its extremists as does the right, but most leftists are not violently trying to shut down free speech. The Supreme Court judge, Gorsuch, also has no interest in ordinary people's rights.
39
Of course the stock market is up - Trump's captains of industry are squarely in power with regulatory checks and balances that have cramped their way of doing business in the past now being rolled back daily.
14
It seems the best that Trump supporters can do is hurl epithets against those who don't think like that Trump is the best thing since sliced bread ... he's not.
But I will say this, if there is anyone who knows about hate, it's Donald Trump. Not only did he run his platform on it, but that's what got him (s)elected.
But I will say this, if there is anyone who knows about hate, it's Donald Trump. Not only did he run his platform on it, but that's what got him (s)elected.
18
We now are living in “Animal Farm” the book;
Trump is an immoral, untrustworthy, deceitful, lying PIG lacking even the minimum knowledge for his election or position.
BUT he is where he is because he lied and converted lots of similar piglets who could not see through his fake persona or distorted truth.
He demonized Clinton and the piglet packs salivated and chanted and then succumbed to his treachery and voted with ignorance or great prejudice.
What is it about Orwell’s book and the Russians that we should all consider resisting?
Trump is an immoral, untrustworthy, deceitful, lying PIG lacking even the minimum knowledge for his election or position.
BUT he is where he is because he lied and converted lots of similar piglets who could not see through his fake persona or distorted truth.
He demonized Clinton and the piglet packs salivated and chanted and then succumbed to his treachery and voted with ignorance or great prejudice.
What is it about Orwell’s book and the Russians that we should all consider resisting?
38
Donald trump is the them epark rollercoaster from hell. All those signed on and still support him are going to have the ride of their lives, unfortunately taking the rest of us along.
This rollercoaster is an old, rickety wooden contraption unmaintained for many decades, just waiting for some butterfly somewhere to flap its wings, for the whole edifice to tumble down like an interstate highway bridge into a river. All the riders are doomed.
Perhaps someday there will be a Thornton Wilder to write a new 'Bridge at San Luis Rey' to memorialize all the victims of this political infrastructure failure.
This rollercoaster is an old, rickety wooden contraption unmaintained for many decades, just waiting for some butterfly somewhere to flap its wings, for the whole edifice to tumble down like an interstate highway bridge into a river. All the riders are doomed.
Perhaps someday there will be a Thornton Wilder to write a new 'Bridge at San Luis Rey' to memorialize all the victims of this political infrastructure failure.
12
("RAZZLE DAZZLE" From B'way musical "Chicago":)
It's all a circus, kid! A three ring circus.
[Politics]- the whole world- all show business.
But kid, you're working with a star, the biggest!
Give 'em the old RAZZLE DAZZLE...
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it,
& the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead & feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em,
& they'll never catch wise.
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will grow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool & fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Throw 'em a fake & a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze & dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big big bamoozeleh
Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
& you've got a romance!
Show 'em the first rate sorcerer you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you got no talents
RAZZLE DAZZLE em,
& they'll make you a STAR!
It's all a circus, kid! A three ring circus.
[Politics]- the whole world- all show business.
But kid, you're working with a star, the biggest!
Give 'em the old RAZZLE DAZZLE...
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it,
& the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead & feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em,
& they'll never catch wise.
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will grow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool & fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Throw 'em a fake & a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze & dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big big bamoozeleh
Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
& you've got a romance!
Show 'em the first rate sorcerer you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you got no talents
RAZZLE DAZZLE em,
& they'll make you a STAR!
20
In Trump we rust.
14
Just hope we can get him out of there before he blows us all up.
18
NEWS FLASH!!! Policitian makes promises on the campaign trail but doesn't deliver once in office! See page 2 for last week's weather forecast.
5
Charles, I'm beginning to think you don't like Trump.
However, I would implore CB's readers to send him new column ideas. This column has been recycling for months now.
However, I would implore CB's readers to send him new column ideas. This column has been recycling for months now.
14
The strong support among core Trump voters points at the streak of racism and misogyny across our heartland and in the South. Many of these people--white women included--voted against Hillary, either because she is a woman or because they swallowed the absurd hyperbole dished out by the Republican Noise Machine because Hillary is a woman. "Stands to reason she'd mishandle sensitive email, don't it?" "Stands to reason she'd shoot off her big mouth to them Wall Street tycoons." For these folk, Trump's glaring incompetence makes no difference. He's deporting furrigners, he's cashiering Planned Parenthood. 100% approval!
22
Charles-- you know how you love superheroes and often make reference and comparisons to their game and the power? Well, I love Pink Floyd and I have every reason to believe that "Brain Damage" is one of the songs that is most fitting right now... Check it out...
Most Trump supporters don't care and don't feel cheated. They voted for him as a giant middle finger to those they saw as "the elites". They are just happy "their team" one. The greatest victory is just watching liberals be angry and sad. Even as his administration looks more and more like W Bush every day, they celebrate because they don't really care about policy or the debt. All they care about is winning the cold civil war of right vs left.
Trump's base is very uneducated because if they were truly educated they would understand how wrong his agenda is for the blue collar worker and unskilled laborer. His presidency is about Trump and only Trump. The conflicts of interests are so blatant, yet nobody inside or outside the "swamp" of Washington DC seems to care. Trump supporters are misogynistic and racist, and have no true understanding about America's place in the world.
This a a reflection of the dark and morally corrupt political state of affairs in America. Trump and all his supporting congressmen and senators know a code of conduct and decorum come with the territory. Trump refuses to even care, so why should his dopey supporters? When our country is left to ruin, and the world has turned it's back on the rich, spoiled and ignorant child that is America, maybe then Trump supporters in and outside of the the government will wake up...but probably not, they'll find yet another Hilary or Obama to blame for their troubles.
This a a reflection of the dark and morally corrupt political state of affairs in America. Trump and all his supporting congressmen and senators know a code of conduct and decorum come with the territory. Trump refuses to even care, so why should his dopey supporters? When our country is left to ruin, and the world has turned it's back on the rich, spoiled and ignorant child that is America, maybe then Trump supporters in and outside of the the government will wake up...but probably not, they'll find yet another Hilary or Obama to blame for their troubles.
14
Trump voters chose this man because he validated their fears and bigotry. Yes, there are communities devastated by the loss of manufacturing jobs, and the subsequent lack of investment in new businesses as well as retraining, but the NYT's self-flagellation about the media missed or ignored these people has become its its own subgenre in journalism.
Allow me to share a story: in 1967 I was a senior in high school in a blue collar community. My English class was reading G.B. Shaw's "Pygmalion". Some parents complained because they were offended by the scene in which Eliza's father thinks that Professor Higgins wanted to buy Eliza for sexual purposes. That complaint scared the school's principal and our teacher was forced to drop that play from our class. When I graduated from high school I left that community and NEVER looked back.
There is no reason to elevate ignorance, fear or hate into political virtues.
Allow me to share a story: in 1967 I was a senior in high school in a blue collar community. My English class was reading G.B. Shaw's "Pygmalion". Some parents complained because they were offended by the scene in which Eliza's father thinks that Professor Higgins wanted to buy Eliza for sexual purposes. That complaint scared the school's principal and our teacher was forced to drop that play from our class. When I graduated from high school I left that community and NEVER looked back.
There is no reason to elevate ignorance, fear or hate into political virtues.
13
Thank you Mr. Blow for continuing to tell whoever will read and listen about the dangers of DJT. Its important for readers to be reminded of the ridiculous statements and actions of this man. Remember the 12 women who came forward at great risk to themselves to accuse Trump of sexual impropriety? How about the whole "mexican judge" bit? How about the time he accused Ted Cruz's dad of being involved in the assassination of JFK? There's enough here to create a documentary about 1000 hours long. Yet roughly 62 million people managed to vote for this guy. Amazing, isn't it?
Charles Blow's statements about Trump are exactly right, and I agree with those who lament that so many were taken in by this cardboard stand-in for a leader. After 33 years as a teacher trying to include principles of character and critical analysis into my curriculum, it is most sorrowful for me to see the failure of citizens to care enough about their neighbors so as to actually put this straw man into the Oval Office. On the other hand, many people in America suffer daily because of exclusion and the enormously unfair economy, that I think some voters had run out of ideas for improving their lives and voted with their anger. I can't blame them. Now is a time for compassion and vigilance. Time to work harder for inclusion and justice.
11
Trumps failure and fraud is only half the equation. The other half, represented by the voters bad judgment is the critical ingredient to Trump's failed administration.
My abandonment of America and investment in another country was based on my fellow Americans' inability to join together as a team, invest themselves in a good education, and use their citizenship to elect competent and honest politicians.
I ran for my local Board of Supervisors in Marin County as a contribution to my community. What I discovered as a candidate was a lack of motivated voters who cared enough about their community to invest in that community.
America has earned a Trump as its president and got exactly what it deserves!
My abandonment of America and investment in another country was based on my fellow Americans' inability to join together as a team, invest themselves in a good education, and use their citizenship to elect competent and honest politicians.
I ran for my local Board of Supervisors in Marin County as a contribution to my community. What I discovered as a candidate was a lack of motivated voters who cared enough about their community to invest in that community.
America has earned a Trump as its president and got exactly what it deserves!
9
Honestly, this entire article should have gone without saying, but it needs to be said to those who naively bought this naked emperor's bill of goods. One should be able to admit to naivete (it certainly beats having to admit to being stupid, selfish and short-sighted), but even that, seems to be difficult for most people.
We all tend to have tunnel vision. It has its good uses for human survival as it permits us to focus on what we need to focus on, like for example, a deer in the woods we need to eat in order to stay alive. Even our eyes are constructed so that they cannot take in all at once all that is around us. If they did, it would be overwhelming and confusing to our brain the way it is constructed. Granted, the brain is a highly complex organ, but it has its limitations. No doubt, if we survive, it will adapt and become more complex.
For the moment, there is nothing wrong in admitting your brain was fooled by a highly practiced trickster. It happens to all of us. The problem is, this particular trickster, as Mr. Blow pointed out, does not have othe people's best interest at heart, and would, if he could, eat all of our hearts raw on a golden platter if he thought it would help his empire, the one people are helping him to expand by their denial of his avarice.
We all tend to have tunnel vision. It has its good uses for human survival as it permits us to focus on what we need to focus on, like for example, a deer in the woods we need to eat in order to stay alive. Even our eyes are constructed so that they cannot take in all at once all that is around us. If they did, it would be overwhelming and confusing to our brain the way it is constructed. Granted, the brain is a highly complex organ, but it has its limitations. No doubt, if we survive, it will adapt and become more complex.
For the moment, there is nothing wrong in admitting your brain was fooled by a highly practiced trickster. It happens to all of us. The problem is, this particular trickster, as Mr. Blow pointed out, does not have othe people's best interest at heart, and would, if he could, eat all of our hearts raw on a golden platter if he thought it would help his empire, the one people are helping him to expand by their denial of his avarice.
10
For Trump voters who voted on issues, he is or will be a disappointment. But if, as I fear, many/most of his voters wanted a president who would represent the white male patriarchy and extreme nationalism, they will continue to see Big Daddy and nothing will dissuade them. I wonder how big of a catastrophe he would have to create for those voters to come around?
11
Well, he is putting the brakes on the H1b issue, so there is a definite improvement as far as I'm concerned.
5
I think that at least those who didn't vote for this president are pretty clear by now about the extent of his character deficits, his business failures, his lifelong dishonesty and routine defrauding of his marks, and his sale of hollow status symbols to the superficial individuals with the money to buy them. What no one seems to notice -- or at least comment on -- is the comparative deterioration in his communication skills (language, sentence structure, and vocabulary), the significant decline in social skills even in public situations that demand basic formal courtesies, the increasingly mercurial and impulsive behavior, and what appear to be chronically negative mood states. These signs in a man of 70 with a family history of dementia are concerning.
17
Adding to your voice...someone has to point out to those Trump supporters that DT believes if he says something over and over it becomes the truth to them. And if he says someone else did something wrong it was probably done by himself.
8
I wonder how many Trump fans who say they aren't disappointed in Trump just don't want to admit their disillusionment to someone they see as a "snooty, liberal East Coast pollster". It's a bitter pill for those who already believe we look down on them.
5
"Fully 38 percent — say he has performed better.”
They voted in a crass fool to be a crass fool and I think everyone will agree he has outdone himself by becoming supremely crass and more foolish by the minute.
It's the reality show formula the more objectionable, the more stupid, deceitful and horrendous a character is the more people love them.
Plus, he is their fool and they love him for it.
They voted in a crass fool to be a crass fool and I think everyone will agree he has outdone himself by becoming supremely crass and more foolish by the minute.
It's the reality show formula the more objectionable, the more stupid, deceitful and horrendous a character is the more people love them.
Plus, he is their fool and they love him for it.
9
Thank you Mr. Blow for assessing this chaotic president in your weekly column, which I always look forward to and always read. We've all been conned, and some of us are aware of it, some of us are not, but please do keep reminding us just how dangerous this ignorant and incompetent president is. He knows nothing of governance and cares less, he's never served in the military, he's led a life of wealth and privilege but still refuses to release his income tax returns. Let us all hope he does not get us into a war with North Korea. Trump's quixotic, mercurial personality is so ill suited for the office of president. He's a deadly mistake, which all of us are going to pay for in one way or another. Many thanks again for your column!
9
Did anyone else notice that the ICBM mobile launch system paraded by North Korea look identical down-to-the-rivet-patterns seen on Russian Mobile Systems of recent May Day parades?
5
He gets nothing right - just like his fellow Republicans. To hitch his wagon to fossil fuels and to reduce the gas mileage requirements for the car industry( just to mention two things) is absolute stupidity to the nth degree. His utter lack of character disgusts me. How is it possible in a country full of extremely bright people we end up with a dolt in the top job?
24
Probably because he's not a dolt. Multi-billionaires who also manage to get elected President rarely are. It's astonishing for sure, but some people actually hold views that vary from yours.
4
I wouldn't call Donald Trump "fake and a fraud". He's been the same miserable, dishonest, boorish, arrogant, ignorant person ever since he came into our view. He's consistently rude, a liar, a con man, a creep. We ned a anew word to fully describe him. He's a real Donald Trump.
Barring some incredible tap dancing by Putin, AND the complete failure of the Democrats in putting forth a candidate with a pulse, Trump WILL be a one-term president.
And perhaps the biggest presidential failure ever.
And perhaps the biggest presidential failure ever.
9
it depends what is meant by failure. he may actually succeed in destroying the environment, severely limiting women's access to health care, making life miserable for immigrants, setting back voting rights 50 years, etc., etc. as the bard said, "there's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all.'
8
So when are we going to pull back the smokescreen of "foreign policy" this liar has tried to pull over us and get back to the Russia collusion situation? Things don't go away just because he wants them to go away. He is who and what needs to go away!!! I'm just getting so sick of him. I want him GONE.
13
The shining city on a hill has become an unweeded garden "that grows to seed, things rank and gross in nature/Possess it merely."
4
"Oh what a piece of work is man."
5
How could we have allowed this man to become POTUS? There was enough danger signals all along, including Russian collusion data that FBI hid from the populace. With that hovering over his head right after the election, the Electoral College had the opportunity to think about this and decide on what was right for the country. Instead we have this Fake & Fraud installed as POTUS and we have to suffer through his in-competencies, with the support of a spineless and cruel GOP Congress and a highly partisan Supreme Court. We are definitely not an enlightened democracy and we have no moral right to go tell the world who they should elect & what values they should promote. We have to re-learn some values ourselves!
I wonder who are the forty five percent who still believe he will keep his promises. No wonder that forty five percent of the public believes that the world was created five thousand years ago.
12
For this to happen, for his supporters to actually turn on him something really bad would have to happen that was a direct result of his incompetence. I feel that he will be our President for the next eight years. The Republicans as they always do will use that opportunity to wreck the economy in order to make the rich richer.
Their economic scorched earth policies failed under Bush one, Bush 2, and will always fail because the Supply side economics or trickle down doesn't work and it never, ever has. It will also be the thing that sweeps the dems into office and power once again eventually.
Their economic scorched earth policies failed under Bush one, Bush 2, and will always fail because the Supply side economics or trickle down doesn't work and it never, ever has. It will also be the thing that sweeps the dems into office and power once again eventually.
4
Trump is a master at blaming his failures on other people. He'll always give his supporters a scapegoat to blame.
6
My visiting nurse told me that my blood pressure has leveled off to near normal since I no longer listen to President Trump anywhere. Yet one thing lingers quietly in the back of my mind: war. Why won't others see or feel that danger.
15
I do, Minnie. Every day.
6
Anyone who isn't frightened by the specter of a man like Donald Trump occupying the White House is simply not paying attention, and is either unwilling or incapable of being educated to what matters in order for representative democracy to function. That so many American citizens meet these criteria is enough to make me crawl under my bed and tremble until the hideous specter is finally gone. To quote Michael Bloomberg's speech at the Democratic convention: "God help us."
80% of Republicans would support a dog for president if it was the Republican nominee. And 20% of those Republicans would only vote for the dog if it was white.
Unfortunately, statistically speaking, half the voters have below average intelligence. Many don't have the critical thinking skills to discern what is happening. In most elections, even if a candidate presented by a party isn't stellar, it isn't a complete disaster in the making if they are elected. In this past election, the Republican Party presented Trump and many in the electorate aren't intelligent enough or sophisticated enough to see beyond their own short-term fears of job loss, etc.
15
Has it occurred to anyone that White House and other vacant government posts and jobs have not been filled because Trump knows that when all the facts are out he will be run out of Washington (or jailed)- and his appointees will follow.
Maybe the guy does have a bit of consideration and decency within him.
Maybe the guy does have a bit of consideration and decency within him.
Can't the vast majority of us agree, regardless of our conservative or liberal or moderate views, wherever we fall on the spectrum, that this man is what Mr. Blow states A Fake and a Fraud. "He isn’t cunningly unpredictable; he’s tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled". Can't we all agree on this?
I know Party over Country rules for those elected under their Party's banner...but where are the leaders? When I see Sen. Tom Cotton questioned by his constituents as to why or when will the President release his tax returns respond by saying they are under audit...I'm afraid that's a cowardly response and a position that threatens our democracy. Again where are the leaders of our land?
I know Party over Country rules for those elected under their Party's banner...but where are the leaders? When I see Sen. Tom Cotton questioned by his constituents as to why or when will the President release his tax returns respond by saying they are under audit...I'm afraid that's a cowardly response and a position that threatens our democracy. Again where are the leaders of our land?
12
Any con man will tell you that once you hook a mark, they almost fight you to stay on the hook. Admitting that they were conned - most people just won't do it. This is how people get taken for thousands.. and the more they sink in, the deeper they dig. Trump is pulling the biggest con of his life, and after a lifetime of fake image and fake results, that is 'really really huuuge'. Trump's hardcore won't admit his complete non-qualification as president until he does something monumentally stupid, something even willful ignorance can't excuse. What really scares me is what those possibilities are starting to look like...
14
Wow, who knew that Charles Blow disapproves of Donald Trump?
13
Seriously? Anyone who voted for this grifter and con-man is an imbecile.
19
Deplorable AND imbecilic. Does the left really believe that it converts or persuades people by insulting them?
3
Trump was the big fat middle finger the "losers" of this country raised to the "winners." They didn't care if he was honest or competent as long as he channeled their anger and peed on the establishment. He lived their American dream of the unashamed pursuit of money, power and sex. They'll drop him if they ever figure out what he thinks of them.
Now that sir was a dead on accurate article of what is happening. Most of the people that voted for him will not admit they got fooled by a con man. They would be to embarassed to admit the left was right.
Impeach Trump as soon as possible. I'm not thrilled about Pence as president but at least I can go to sleep at night and not wonder if the idiot in office will kill us before I wake the next morning.
Impeach Trump as soon as possible. I'm not thrilled about Pence as president but at least I can go to sleep at night and not wonder if the idiot in office will kill us before I wake the next morning.
11
It seems to me that there are at least four kinds of Trump followers"
1- True believers who have bought into the cult of the Great Savior. Cults have come and gone many times in history; the followers are never able to admit they've been conned, and continue to rationalize why things didn't turn out as promised.
2- Anti-elite haters. These people enjoy seeing somebody sticking it to the urban/coastal elites who they think look down on them.
3- Money-grabbers. Conservatives with access to wealth are more than happy to see an administration that will give them even more access to money. The goofy front-man is just a show.
4 - Religious ideologues. They'll put up with anything to get a right-wing Supreme Court. Like the cult followers in category 1, they'll ignore or make up excuses for everything else.
There are, hopefully, a few people in a fifth category -
Well-intentioned Republican voters who can see the facts, and realize that the man they voted for is indeed a fake and a fraud. Unfortunately, most of them are probably in category 3 above, and don't care, so long as they get even richer.
1- True believers who have bought into the cult of the Great Savior. Cults have come and gone many times in history; the followers are never able to admit they've been conned, and continue to rationalize why things didn't turn out as promised.
2- Anti-elite haters. These people enjoy seeing somebody sticking it to the urban/coastal elites who they think look down on them.
3- Money-grabbers. Conservatives with access to wealth are more than happy to see an administration that will give them even more access to money. The goofy front-man is just a show.
4 - Religious ideologues. They'll put up with anything to get a right-wing Supreme Court. Like the cult followers in category 1, they'll ignore or make up excuses for everything else.
There are, hopefully, a few people in a fifth category -
Well-intentioned Republican voters who can see the facts, and realize that the man they voted for is indeed a fake and a fraud. Unfortunately, most of them are probably in category 3 above, and don't care, so long as they get even richer.
10
When a candidate appeals to the ignorant uneducated masses who don't understand that their life-saving health insurance is Obamacare, also called the Affordable Care Act, there is no hope for them to understand anything. They evidently are willing to take Trump at his daily word, which changes at his every whim. They don't notice that every word is a lie.
I hope that those in congress finally wake up and get rid of that poor excuse for a human out of the White House before it is too late. He and Kim Jung Un are a matched pair. The two of them could start a war just to show they are the best, smartest and every other ridiculous superlative that can think of with their tiny twisted brains.
I hope that those in congress finally wake up and get rid of that poor excuse for a human out of the White House before it is too late. He and Kim Jung Un are a matched pair. The two of them could start a war just to show they are the best, smartest and every other ridiculous superlative that can think of with their tiny twisted brains.
8
Kevin Phillips who was a strategist in the Nixon Campaign of 1968 said "the secret to politics is understanding who hates who."
Trump gets that. He knows he scores well with the working stiff from Steubenville when he infuriates columnists from the New York Times.
Trump continues to hammer Obama because it rallies that part of his base (probably close to forty percent) that is still suffering from Obama Derangement
Syndrome.
Trump gets that. He knows he scores well with the working stiff from Steubenville when he infuriates columnists from the New York Times.
Trump continues to hammer Obama because it rallies that part of his base (probably close to forty percent) that is still suffering from Obama Derangement
Syndrome.
11
Keep hitting them out of the park Charles!!
10
I voted for Trump. What I wanted was to have you write angry article for four years. So for so good.
9
My guess is that he's making more writing them than you're making reading them.
14
Here's a comment on Blow's writing style.
He tries to talk to Trump voters, but ends up talking about them. A careful writer will never do that without a proper bridge, perhaps relying on a sub-headline.
His choice of words is a bit arrogant and show-offy. Again, a thoughtful writer addressing blue collar readers with limited educations will not employ "tirades," "effigy," "inclusivity," "bourgeois," "raffish," and "anathema".
His rather imperious column reads as if to say, "I am Elite; you are not".
He tries to talk to Trump voters, but ends up talking about them. A careful writer will never do that without a proper bridge, perhaps relying on a sub-headline.
His choice of words is a bit arrogant and show-offy. Again, a thoughtful writer addressing blue collar readers with limited educations will not employ "tirades," "effigy," "inclusivity," "bourgeois," "raffish," and "anathema".
His rather imperious column reads as if to say, "I am Elite; you are not".
What worries me are the dead enders who will continue to support this Buffoon no matter how badly they are treated or what he does with decisions and his daily pack of lies to embarrass America. I have been watching Kansas for decades where they vote against their interests since the beginning of time and realize you can fool some of the People All of the Time. There is no relief from impeaching this lying thief whose sole goal is emptying the US Treasury. He has put Poison pills in the line of Succession that would guarantee more bad news for America. Our best bet is to continue to thwart his every move every chance we get.
I have know this man since I can remember and I have never ever liked the way he portrayed himself on the TV and news. He is making huge disasters in our country and around the world with his.... ignorant views. Just go abroad and ask locals what do they think of him... But don't ask how they think of the people who voted for him.... specially women...
Democracy doesn't always work. In fact pure democracy never works! But democracy does often work in surprising, strange and mysterious ways. Trump is awful, but maybe awful is constructive right now in the course of American history. Maybe we needed some kind of a lesson.
Well, we've had it; Now let's get rid of this jerk.
Well, we've had it; Now let's get rid of this jerk.
6
there's more to learn.
You all write as if you know him and you do not. You only know your opinion. You judge without knowledge. It takes time to right the wrongs of the last administration. 100 days is not very long - give him a chance to do his job.
3
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." - Maya Angelou
Every day since Trump descended that escalator, he's shown us who he is.
Every day since Trump descended that escalator, he's shown us who he is.
6
Give him a chance....
A chance to take away my Medicare and Social Security?
A chance to take health care away from all but the very rich?
A chance to completely foul our air and water?
A chance to ruin our National Parks and the Artic Wilderness by opening it up to drilling?
A chance to heat up the hatred of Americans by terrorists?
A chance to add our country to his list of bankruptcies?
A chance to get us all killed in an escalated nucular war?
Which of these are you waiting for before you consider him a success?
A chance to take away my Medicare and Social Security?
A chance to take health care away from all but the very rich?
A chance to completely foul our air and water?
A chance to ruin our National Parks and the Artic Wilderness by opening it up to drilling?
A chance to heat up the hatred of Americans by terrorists?
A chance to add our country to his list of bankruptcies?
A chance to get us all killed in an escalated nucular war?
Which of these are you waiting for before you consider him a success?
14
You didn't know Obama, either. But Trump is the one undoing environmental regulations at a hideous clip - are you in favor of coal-debris in streams? Trump is the one looting the Treasury, having us PAY HIM while he stays at his own properties. Trump is the one who is woefully uninformed about N Korea and lied about sending "an armada." I think I know what I'm looking at.
7
I think the worst category of voters is those that voted, but DID NOT CHOOSE a presidential preference. THEY elected the draft-dodger-in-chief (helped, of course, by Comey and the russians). By not voting for any candidate, they caused this horrible reality to occur. There is no getting away from the cowardice and irresponsibility of this action, and no squirming away from the responsibility those voters now bear.
The only corrective action is to push all elected legislator to make the russian collusion investigations a full-court press. No distraction "investigations" of Rice, no backing away and pretending to look at tax law (especially without seeing the fraudster's real ties to russian, and other, money). Those ties could have huge affects on corrupted foreign policy decisions, not to mention huge financial windfalls for the fraudster and his family.
We saw how his daughter is lying about divesting her business interests as she, on the SAME DAY as dining with China's premier, she was granted Chinese trademarks. That is ILLEGAL. The family is treating the presidency as if they just found a YUGE treasure chest, with no one looking. This is all almost beyond belief. INVESTIGATE. PROSECUTE!
The only corrective action is to push all elected legislator to make the russian collusion investigations a full-court press. No distraction "investigations" of Rice, no backing away and pretending to look at tax law (especially without seeing the fraudster's real ties to russian, and other, money). Those ties could have huge affects on corrupted foreign policy decisions, not to mention huge financial windfalls for the fraudster and his family.
We saw how his daughter is lying about divesting her business interests as she, on the SAME DAY as dining with China's premier, she was granted Chinese trademarks. That is ILLEGAL. The family is treating the presidency as if they just found a YUGE treasure chest, with no one looking. This is all almost beyond belief. INVESTIGATE. PROSECUTE!
11
Trump is like a supersonic jet. The shock waves he makes never catch up to him. No wonder the man never looks back.
1
I am not a Trump supporter, but your Trump tirades are tiresome. You admit that Trump supporters have not reached the same opinion of the prez as you have, despite his about face on many of his pre-election promises. You might take the bold step of talking to some and asking how that incongruence is possible. The rest of the material you present is just a lot of name-calling. You have nothing new to add, and as valuable you think your opinion is, I doubt it will sway any Trump supporters at this point. You can either continue preaching to the choir, or you can try to provide some original, reflective pieces that speak to everyone. Otherwise, this is just clickbait.
7
Truth be told, I find myself hoping the terrible inevitable will happen soon so we can get it over with. The waiting is killing me. Sad.
I sure hope you're talking about a "medical emergency" that forces 25th Amendment "solutions", and not the reality depicted in those hideous NK CGI videos.
2
Republicans care not a wit about strength of character, leadership abilities, honesty, etc., etc. in the White House!
There is only one thing they cared about: The court.
With Gorsuck on the bench and possibly one more like him, the Conservatives will get every wish they have ever had to drag the US back to the nineteenth century!
There is only one thing they cared about: The court.
With Gorsuck on the bench and possibly one more like him, the Conservatives will get every wish they have ever had to drag the US back to the nineteenth century!
6
Faith demands respect, but it is downright stupid public policy to bless adhering to beliefs in defiance of facts and/or reason.
Mr. Trump is a liar and a cheat]], and without having a plan, he has created a giant truthless space that becomes what is essentially a national vacuum for the rest of us to fill in. Trump has a fighting chance politically because our country is so divided that too many are willing to abandon reality. In today's USA, the average person, whether conservative or liberal, right or left, will side with party before country. Having a liar as a president works because watching people argue has become a national pastime. When Trump says an "armada" is sailing to Korea, the left sees an unprepared fool, but the right labels him a genius for disguising true intent and leaving our enemies wondering. He tells a big birther lie and the right credits him by saying no press is bad press. In short, our right has become adept at scrambling for the fake evidence to support whatever he tweets, like a massive synchronized cover up, with one senator mimicking the next. In the meantime, the left seems to have disappeared.
I do think this will change, because something material is bound to happen, be it jobs, fear or war, or just too many people becoming fed up. But, Mr. Blow, this is a real enemy. We are practically in a Civil Cold War. Please keep fighting for the left.
I do think this will change, because something material is bound to happen, be it jobs, fear or war, or just too many people becoming fed up. But, Mr. Blow, this is a real enemy. We are practically in a Civil Cold War. Please keep fighting for the left.
7
I just... don't... get it. But that's the problem I had going into this election. I couldn't believe so many people would make such an obviously terrible choice. It breaks a lot of trust in basic judgement and decency. I'm a long way from leaving a Trump voter alone with kids again any time soon.
14
There seems to be a spiritual crisis in the U.S. . That a man like Trump is considered a success by many shines a light on the empty promise of material gain over the values of hard work, honesty, and humility. Any gain by subterfuge is corrosive to democracy.
Trump is the late night commercial that morphed into an over hyped infomercial president. The citizens are still half asleep, but Trump's governing circus is not ready for prime time, and unlikely to ever be more than cynical prestidigitation.
Any effort to move the people out of state of complacency and apathy is a gift to the principles of freedom and liberty.
Thx
Trump is the late night commercial that morphed into an over hyped infomercial president. The citizens are still half asleep, but Trump's governing circus is not ready for prime time, and unlikely to ever be more than cynical prestidigitation.
Any effort to move the people out of state of complacency and apathy is a gift to the principles of freedom and liberty.
Thx
7
All you say about trump is true but does that matter in the long run? As trump bombasts his way around and shows how incompetent he is, the Rep Congress is passing laws to help the rich and hurt everyone else. His cabinet choices and Supreme Court choice (recommended by others) sailed through Congress. The Court is now tipped to the conservative side. Poor RBG will have to hang on for dear life in order not to give him another seat to fill.
Tom de Lay's successful gerrymandering has basically given the Rep a clear perpetual victory in Congress. The only hope is the frustration people feel and show at the town hall meetings. If this came be kept up, maybe the Dems might have a chance.
Tom de Lay's successful gerrymandering has basically given the Rep a clear perpetual victory in Congress. The only hope is the frustration people feel and show at the town hall meetings. If this came be kept up, maybe the Dems might have a chance.
4
While this column writes the truth, it neglects an important reason Trump got where he is. The Republicans running against him in the primaries were a sorry bunch. Hillary Clinton, while possibly well qualified, was a lousy candidate with the baggage of her sex plus past and current allegations of wrongdoing. Do you really think Trump could have defeated a competent opponent such as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan?
re: Charles's observation, "... the stubborn human resistance to admitting a mistake should never be underestimated," I'm reminded of JK Rowling's, "People find it far easier to forgive someone for being wrong than for being right."
Unfortunately, contrition seems out of reach for the president and for many of his supporters. Call me naive, but I think a little more introspection and space to say "I was wrong" would benefit both parties.
2
I agree with Blow, Trump is a person who is utterly without ethics and has no intention of assuming the responsibilities of the President with any seriousness. He has developed habits of promising people what they want without any concern about how to satisfy those desires because throughout his life he has been able to fail to deliver on his promises and yet never suffer for doing so. As President he continues in this pattern of behavior, promising people what they want but making no efforts to follow through if those things do not just happen all by themselves.
The people who voted for him simply ignored his previous behavior and the substance of what he said to them which indicated precisely what to expect from the man as President.
The people who voted for him simply ignored his previous behavior and the substance of what he said to them which indicated precisely what to expect from the man as President.
6
Thank you, Charles, for continuing to keep your promise never to normalize Trump. Your light on who this man really is and what it means for the country, and most likely the world, is a vital public service.
7
A friend who was a used car salesman told me long ago that people "want you to lie to them. They want to think they are getting a better deal than is possible."
If it makes you feel good, you believe in it and want it.
If it makes you feel good, you believe in it and want it.
2
Thank you once again, Mr. Blow, for putting such eloquent words to my exact sentiments! I just wish there were a faster way to wake up from this nightmare. His removal from power — whether by impeachment or failed reelection bid — can't come soon enough!!
5
Trump has taken mendacious chutzpah to unbelievable heights. The man has no empathy for humans but knows how to play to a certain audience for fools. His cashiered architect of his electoral college victory, Steve Bannon, found a large audience for Trump's bigoted bombast.
6
Fake + Fraud = Fired
Times needs to reassign Blow to National Appalachian beat. Knocking on white blue collar doors, seeing how the other lives surviving day to day, asking them why they support Trump. Humanizing people--what should be a gifted writer's goal. Or maybe, unlike Bob Herbert, Blow prefers Pigeonholing himself as angry black issues only, Trump as bogeyman writer's (block) crutch.
8
Trump is just doubling-down on Reagan.
He'd find what Barack Obama described so eloquently:
"And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
"And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Mr. Blow, you really do not understand business.
Donald Trump accrued wealth because people like his hotels and golf courses.
Unlike Obamacare, no one is forced to buy anything from the Trumps or any member of his family.
Donald Trump accrued wealth because people like his hotels and golf courses.
Unlike Obamacare, no one is forced to buy anything from the Trumps or any member of his family.
8
No, but taxpayers have been forced to pay for many subsidies for him over the years, in addition to covering his massive loss carryovers.
What were you saying about understanding business?
What were you saying about understanding business?
12
Tell it like it is, Charles. You've got his number.
10
While I agree Trump is a disaster and never thought he would or could be anything but a tragic farce, I will make an allowance for Trump.
Trump, I do not believe, sought the office of the presidency solely for what it would do for his bottmline. I don't even think it was much of a priority. He wanted to be worshipped and adored. As a narcissist, that actually has more value to him. Money only takes you so far.
The other thing is that Trump is a child. He didn't know he couldn't do a lot of the things he said. If there has been any surprise for me it has not been that he is ignorant on policy, diplomacy and issues. It is the depth of his ignorance. His first hundred days have been filled with, "Who knew everything was so complicated? Who knew?" Everybody knew but he clearly just had no idea. Hence, I think, since he is a child, he believed that President of the USA have magical powers and can pretty much do whatever they want.
In that sense we are lucky. I count anything that Trump said he would do and now can't as a real success. Admittedly, this country has a lot of serious problems and challenges that need to be addressed with thoughtful legislation and funding. But with the Republicans holding both branches of Congress, that isn't going to happen. So to the extent nothing happens, it is a quasi win.
I wouldn't count on Trump supporters jumping ship very soon. They need a palatable alternative.
Trump, I do not believe, sought the office of the presidency solely for what it would do for his bottmline. I don't even think it was much of a priority. He wanted to be worshipped and adored. As a narcissist, that actually has more value to him. Money only takes you so far.
The other thing is that Trump is a child. He didn't know he couldn't do a lot of the things he said. If there has been any surprise for me it has not been that he is ignorant on policy, diplomacy and issues. It is the depth of his ignorance. His first hundred days have been filled with, "Who knew everything was so complicated? Who knew?" Everybody knew but he clearly just had no idea. Hence, I think, since he is a child, he believed that President of the USA have magical powers and can pretty much do whatever they want.
In that sense we are lucky. I count anything that Trump said he would do and now can't as a real success. Admittedly, this country has a lot of serious problems and challenges that need to be addressed with thoughtful legislation and funding. But with the Republicans holding both branches of Congress, that isn't going to happen. So to the extent nothing happens, it is a quasi win.
I wouldn't count on Trump supporters jumping ship very soon. They need a palatable alternative.
2
Trump supporters are apparently blind to the man's compulsion to destroy what he cannot have.
4
Almost any other human being is more palatable than Trump.
2
Democrats always seem to be two or three steps behind the GOP and frequently caught flat footed, even despite broad appeal for many of their policies among independents plus among those who don’t turnout. They are frequently inept at getting out their message, framing issues, and controlling the narrative. For instance, people say they dislike Obamacare (plus not knowing the ACA is Obamacare), yet when you read out provisions in the bill, people largely support them. Here are some suggestions:
1 - They need a PR overhaul, one that pulls together a cohesive messaging strategy, pre-empts conversations and frames issues across multiple PR channels. They also need a clear and concise policy agenda to back it up, focused on the economy.
2 - They need to STOP obsessing over why people voted for Trump, and instead need to set realistic election goals and focus on targeting three items: 1 – Independents/leaners, and 2 – Those who don’t traditionally turnout, 3 – Motivating their own to turn out. 40-45% of the country will vote GOP no matter who the GOP nominates; stop obsessing over “educating them;” they’re lost causes. Also, get rid of dreams of 60% appeal, or the idea of a 50 state strategy; they’re unrealistic. Instead, try for more practical goals, such as 52 – 54% of the national vote, and target purple states, especially those mid-west states that swung the ’16 election.
3 - They need a massive, all-in effort to combat voter suppression, gerrymandering
1 - They need a PR overhaul, one that pulls together a cohesive messaging strategy, pre-empts conversations and frames issues across multiple PR channels. They also need a clear and concise policy agenda to back it up, focused on the economy.
2 - They need to STOP obsessing over why people voted for Trump, and instead need to set realistic election goals and focus on targeting three items: 1 – Independents/leaners, and 2 – Those who don’t traditionally turnout, 3 – Motivating their own to turn out. 40-45% of the country will vote GOP no matter who the GOP nominates; stop obsessing over “educating them;” they’re lost causes. Also, get rid of dreams of 60% appeal, or the idea of a 50 state strategy; they’re unrealistic. Instead, try for more practical goals, such as 52 – 54% of the national vote, and target purple states, especially those mid-west states that swung the ’16 election.
3 - They need a massive, all-in effort to combat voter suppression, gerrymandering
9
This East Coast liberal couldn't agree more.
Not sure "bourgeois" is the right word, since it pertains more to middle class, unimaginative ideas -- although there is a sense of materialism. Hard to tell what Mr. Blow intended because Trump desires to be part of the very wealthy elite and has surrounded himself by those people. But truthfully, Donald is rather bourgeois in all respects except actually but being middle class.
1
Trump more accurately fits "bourgeois " designation. Marx's much misunderstood
term is not compatible with so called "middle class" an often ill defined aspirational self defining designation .
term is not compatible with so called "middle class" an often ill defined aspirational self defining designation .
Generations later, many residents of red states can't or won't admit that their decedents succeeding from the Union in 1861 was a mistake. Regardless of the consequences. Their identity rests on "I was right. everyone else is wrong. If Trumps promises are never kept, they'll blame anyone but Trump. Or themselves.
8
No matter how much we revel in roaring at the preposterous sham that is the Trump "administration," I'm afraid his base of support will remain solid enough to keep him in place, despite his many failures and betrayals. Voters can be very stubborn--much more inclined to admit that they made a mistake at the altar on their wedding day than they are to admit they made a mistake in the voting booth.
2
We think our presidential politics matter, but this past election has focused US citizens on a truth that transcends all of politics and announces the death of democracy: the congressionally sanctioned tax fraud that has given fewer than three hundred families HALF of the wealth of the United States and a staggering amount of world power. Why be quiet anymore, and why pretend the people have any power to alter this revolting theft? I sincerely seek an answer.
6
Many Americans love the life life style of rich and famous and they love beautiful people specially first family.The exotic life of Trump family and their whirlwind travels ,their fancy clothes may be the reason many people are enchanted with Trump phenomenon?
3
Trump used fear, racism, hatred and stupidity all rolled into a giant wad of something you find under a bus seat. You immediately wipes your hand and hope you don't catch any germs. Too late for those who voted for him and unfortunately for those of us who did not, but are forced to deal with their horrible choices.
4
When the Trumps leave the white house they will be the richest family in the world. Someone needs to stand up to this looting of the United States. It will not come from the senate or House. They are all as corrupt as Trump. He is taking it to a new level.
9
100% agree. I feel like I wrote this article myself!
4
I'm guessing that race and gender plays a very big role and especially in the last election. And Mr Strumpet is a big daddy war-bucks and as such all that voted for him, is the opposite of the last president and Ms Clinton.
It's advertising, say it enough and many will believe whatever it is. Hit the hot buttons overtly or covertly and with a society wrapped up in personality as opposed to substance and you get this. On top of all that I have to wonder how much is strumpet, and not like Uncle Dick with George II, someone else behind making or suggesting the decisions.
It's advertising, say it enough and many will believe whatever it is. Hit the hot buttons overtly or covertly and with a society wrapped up in personality as opposed to substance and you get this. On top of all that I have to wonder how much is strumpet, and not like Uncle Dick with George II, someone else behind making or suggesting the decisions.
2
Mr. Blow, And your point is? It's a given: people do not vote in their own self interest. And, the dwindling white middle class are now often seeing themselves no better off than those other, non-deserving, people. Life in our country is going to get even worse in my sadly humble opinion.
1
It is amazing to read some of the comments from Trump supporters that are easily identified by their getting so few recommendations from other readers. Can the American Public, in general, be so out of touch with this President's lack of credibility and sophomoric behavior, or is this just a method of identifying that subspecies of Boobus Americanus which exists among us?
14
I love your fire, Charles, but beating up on the trump and the hate driven individuals who support him is not doing us much good. By this time even the least enlightened of your readers get that trump is a hollow person.
Do you have any ideas or thoughts on how we can get rid of this golem? for that is what he really is.
Do you have any ideas or thoughts on how we can get rid of this golem? for that is what he really is.
10
No Tom, Mr. Blow doesn't have one single constructive notion in his head. What little space there is, is filled with hate for Trump and police officers.
8
Is it just me, or would that cardboard cutout make a better president than the real thing?
12
It takes a grown-up to admit they were bamboozled so, no, trumpets will never admit voting for draft dodger trump was a YUGE mistake.
7
His voters won't admit they made s mistake because theose of us who know Trump and who warned everyone about him are seen by his supporters as "elites." Yes, we know it is ridiculous for someone who lives on 5th Avenue to point at working class and middle class non-conservatives and scream, "Ewww! Elites!" But his supporters don't, because they lead sheltered lives. These are the people who grabbed their guns when they heard Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast. They will believe anyone who tells them what they want to hear.
They will shell out money they barely have to buy books and memorabilia from gloating multimillionaires. They are the suckers PT Barnum toted up and declared were born every minute.
You can't fix viscioous, deliberate stupidity. It has no cure. They revel in their "rebelliousness" against authority as they vote for authoritarians. In your wildest dreams, you couldn't invent that much stupid.
They will shell out money they barely have to buy books and memorabilia from gloating multimillionaires. They are the suckers PT Barnum toted up and declared were born every minute.
You can't fix viscioous, deliberate stupidity. It has no cure. They revel in their "rebelliousness" against authority as they vote for authoritarians. In your wildest dreams, you couldn't invent that much stupid.
6
There's a very simple solution to Trump's promise to build a wall that Mexico will allegedly pay for. His administration must be required to provide documentary evidence, for example an official promissory issued by the Mexican Government which states on no uncertain terms that it will issue funds to build said wall starting on a specific date to the US Government to begin building it. Barring this, no US taxpayer should be required to lay out one penny toward its construction.
I'm a small business owner and loathe business owners like Trump who believe they can stiff suppliers. Trump tragically represents a significant minority of Americans who believe theft is a legitimate business plan and a dark, horrible stain on America's reputation.
I agree with your analysis almost completely. Except for attaching the label fraud and fake. That he was wrong and inexcusable so seems more and more evident. That's called arrogance. But fraud and fake, imply an intentional attempt to deceive. The very real problem is that both the Republicans and Democrats, really believe in what they are saying and doing! And yet there is no factual basis to support either of them. Just like mass slayers. Their indifference to being killed clearly indicates they are not doing it for selfish motives. And yet both the Republicans and Democrats were quite right in the analysis of what the other was doing. Neither candidate seems qualified for the office. Just like two "experts" who disagree when looking at the same reality, don't have a clue and can't understand why the other has the position they do in thinking the other is unworkable. the reality is that both overall are presenting unworkable information. Rowland Stevens a reality driven Rathgic point of view
As many other here have suggested, the lack of remorse or alarm, even now, by such a huge portion of his base, is what is most shocking.
You might wonder what it would take to move that contingent to question the wisdom of their vote, but to be honest, I really don't want to find out.
You might wonder what it would take to move that contingent to question the wisdom of their vote, but to be honest, I really don't want to find out.
6
My husband (who watches FOX occasionally and was leaning towards Trump before Trump disparaged the judge assigned to the Trump U lawsuit and then gave up with disgust on politics altogether) had it exactly right when he looked up briefly at the TV during the inaugural ball and said, "what a bunch of ghouls."
4
In Arkansas in 1953 a barker told his flock the earth would end on August 6, 1954, and to sell all their possessions and congregate on a mountain top in the Ozarks. So they did. August 6 came along and the world did not end. OK, maybe the sign was wrong on the day, but the August was right. August went by and the world did not end. Leon Festinger of the University of Minnesota interviewed those who were on the mountain WHEN PROPHECY FAILS. They still believed the barker, maybe the world ended in a different manner.
Later detectives determined the error. They were supposed to gather at the top of a tower in NYC, the sign being a real sign, T-R-U-M-P. Everything comes to those who wait.
Later detectives determined the error. They were supposed to gather at the top of a tower in NYC, the sign being a real sign, T-R-U-M-P. Everything comes to those who wait.
5
I read When Prophecy Fails in college (the turbulent 60s). It had a profound affect on my understanding of people, and it still does.
1
The impressions that NYT readers (see the postings below) have of "Trump the Monster" are the exact polar opposite of how Trump's supporters perceive him. They think he is a talented quirky human being with good intentions for this country. The boiling hatred for him is clearly the product of fake news, with Exhibit A being Mr Blow's column.
8
One of the commenters here mentioned, "I'd say the problem here with this country goes much deeper than the fraud that is Donald Trump."
Quite right. America is the land of P.T. Barnum and the Ponzi scheme. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Quite right. America is the land of P.T. Barnum and the Ponzi scheme. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
4
Mitt Romney – as reported by CNN on March 3, 2016:
"Here's what I know: Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud," Romney said. "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing members of the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat."
Romney said that "dishonesty is Donald Trump's hallmark," pointing to his "bullying, the greed, the showing off, the misogyny, the absurd third-grade theatrics."
Unfortunately, Mitt compromised himself by going cap in hand to Trump to be considered for the Secretary Of State position, once Trump was elected President. However Mitt’s March 2016 analysis of Trump is pretty much what Mr. Blow is describing in this op-ed piece. It's not really a surprise.
"Here's what I know: Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud," Romney said. "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing members of the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat."
Romney said that "dishonesty is Donald Trump's hallmark," pointing to his "bullying, the greed, the showing off, the misogyny, the absurd third-grade theatrics."
Unfortunately, Mitt compromised himself by going cap in hand to Trump to be considered for the Secretary Of State position, once Trump was elected President. However Mitt’s March 2016 analysis of Trump is pretty much what Mr. Blow is describing in this op-ed piece. It's not really a surprise.
8
Are they printing re-runs of your column now?
4
Perhaps, over time something happens to remove Trump from office or to mitigate his influence and power.
We are still left with a Congress that confirmed cabinet appointments for people bent on the destruction of the planet and who want to hurl the civil rights of its citizens back to nineteenth-century parameters. We are still left with a Congress that is, by-and-large, in accord with limiting personal privacy, access to health care, clean air and water, and public education, and, oh yes--don't even get me started on "nobody needs to use the internet."
It's systemic, endemic moral corruption. Please keep on, Charles Blow, and thank you.
We are still left with a Congress that confirmed cabinet appointments for people bent on the destruction of the planet and who want to hurl the civil rights of its citizens back to nineteenth-century parameters. We are still left with a Congress that is, by-and-large, in accord with limiting personal privacy, access to health care, clean air and water, and public education, and, oh yes--don't even get me started on "nobody needs to use the internet."
It's systemic, endemic moral corruption. Please keep on, Charles Blow, and thank you.
8
"He [Trump] oversold what he could deliver because he had no idea what would be required to deliver it, nor did he care. He told you what you wanted to hear so that he could get what he wanted to have. He played you for fools."
Hmm...Sounds just like Obama's promise that under Obamacare if you like your doctor or your plan you can keep them, eh Charles?
Hmm...Sounds just like Obama's promise that under Obamacare if you like your doctor or your plan you can keep them, eh Charles?
5
Actually, no, it doesn't sound anything like that.
9
The overwhelming volume of lies from Trump is of no concern to you, but Obama oversells his program and its all you talk about for years.
You don't REALLY care if people lie to you...you just want your team to win.
That may be true of all of us...I'm not saying it isn't, but the sheer volume of outright lies from Trump should be of some concern to someone who cares SO much about falsehoods from a democratic president.
You don't REALLY care if people lie to you...you just want your team to win.
That may be true of all of us...I'm not saying it isn't, but the sheer volume of outright lies from Trump should be of some concern to someone who cares SO much about falsehoods from a democratic president.
And Trump said about the Republican Healthcare Plan that he would "give insurance to everybody." Oh but wait, Republicans don't have a Healthcare Plan do they HurryHurry?
7
The only reason most liberals are not in total despair is the prospect of impeaching Donald and kicking him and his team out of government. The flow of information is slow, but there are eddies and currents that are about to speed things up.
11
The scariest thing about all this is that the leaders of the world all know that Trump is a fake and a fraud. Our enemies will take advantage of this, some may even goad us into a useless war. Trump, for no reason other than to prove his authority and masculinity, will take the bait. The best we can hope for this ludicrous administration is that he doesn't get us all killed.
14
Mr. Blow is at it again, taking the holier than thou attitude, ranting and raving about the symptom, not the cause. The people of this country elected Trump. THe people, unschooled, addicted to reality TV, talentless celebrities, and soft core porn masquerading as advertising. And much of the society we have today is because rather than holding up social standards of behavior, we allow everything...or turn away, so as not to be shamed for our feelings.
This country got what it deserves, both the snooty disdainful left and the religious hypocrites of the right are at fault. Trump is just taking advantage of it.
This country got what it deserves, both the snooty disdainful left and the religious hypocrites of the right are at fault. Trump is just taking advantage of it.
5
I truly wish columnists and commentators would stop using the term cunning. It implies a thoughtful process, a deliberate method of thinking and doing...which is not Trump. He's always been this way...predictably unpredictable, which is not really anything at all. Sure if path A is the normal, traditional way, he'll go towards B, but not that far off from A. Plus, if suddenly veering from B back to A will do him more good, serve his ego and interests, he'll veer! And claim he never veered, and thats that! He wins!
He has always been able to set the narrative, mostly because no one trully gave two bits about him, or his shenanagins. Now we do. And now its truly important that he not get to set the narrative. But as long as the "opposition" keeps fixating on schooling his cult members, they wont get to set much of anything.
Dems and those on the more left side keep accusing him of The Con. But his fans truly believe the real Con was coming from the Clintons, and of course Obama. So Trump made campaign promises he likely cant meet. Name a politician who also doesnt fit that bill? So what Trump zealots say, its the broken system thats hurting his chances.
Nothing is his fault, not yet anyway...not till he truly makes a blunder he cant shed. Not until the many dots are truly connected, and not just whined about existing - will there be any hope of schooling his cult members.
He has always been able to set the narrative, mostly because no one trully gave two bits about him, or his shenanagins. Now we do. And now its truly important that he not get to set the narrative. But as long as the "opposition" keeps fixating on schooling his cult members, they wont get to set much of anything.
Dems and those on the more left side keep accusing him of The Con. But his fans truly believe the real Con was coming from the Clintons, and of course Obama. So Trump made campaign promises he likely cant meet. Name a politician who also doesnt fit that bill? So what Trump zealots say, its the broken system thats hurting his chances.
Nothing is his fault, not yet anyway...not till he truly makes a blunder he cant shed. Not until the many dots are truly connected, and not just whined about existing - will there be any hope of schooling his cult members.
4
Your very first line says it all. But it's not a revelation. That conclusion has been widely known, to anybody with any sense at all, for 50 years. What both angers and depresses me is the litmus test of an election that exposed how many stupid people there are. And more every day, regretfully. Who knew that being an educated, reasonably well-informed American adult was so complicated. Apparently, tens of millions.
10
Mr. Blow yet again you hit the nail on this time the Trumpian head. Your editorial is precisely correct. I knew what this huckster Trump was all about before the biggest Con ever sold his Harold Hill wares to the gullible and/or desperate in this nation. I can only cry in powerless disgust as to why on earth blue collar whites thought Trump cared more about them and less about himself. He not only cares less about them he cares ONLY about himself.
He is so bad in so many ways it staggers the imagination. If he is not among those his minions want to lock up I can only hope our nation survives.
He is so bad in so many ways it staggers the imagination. If he is not among those his minions want to lock up I can only hope our nation survives.
6
Enormous messes take a long time to clean up. I didn't vote for him, but I give him credit for taking the issues on.
3
Messes?
Do tell.
From what I remember here on Earth President Obama took office with unemployment at 10.3% .
He oeft office with unemployment at 4.7%.
He took office with a stock market at 6500.
He left with it over 18,000.
He took office with the murderer of 3,000 Americans still at large.
He left office with bin Laden sleeping with the fishes.
He took office with a flatlining auto and housing sectors.
He left with both posting record numbers.
He took office with millions of Americans unable to get healthcare and left with 26 million more Americans getting modern healthcare.
If President Obama was handed the country draft dodger trump was handed we'd be carving his face in Rushmore by now.
Now how many coal jobs has president genital grabber created for his idiot base?
Do tell.
From what I remember here on Earth President Obama took office with unemployment at 10.3% .
He oeft office with unemployment at 4.7%.
He took office with a stock market at 6500.
He left with it over 18,000.
He took office with the murderer of 3,000 Americans still at large.
He left office with bin Laden sleeping with the fishes.
He took office with a flatlining auto and housing sectors.
He left with both posting record numbers.
He took office with millions of Americans unable to get healthcare and left with 26 million more Americans getting modern healthcare.
If President Obama was handed the country draft dodger trump was handed we'd be carving his face in Rushmore by now.
Now how many coal jobs has president genital grabber created for his idiot base?
11
I could not have said it better. I am fearful every day.
2
Preaching to the choir, Mr. Blow. The people you're trying to reach are unreachable, willfully so. SAD.
6
"...a Pew Research Center poll released Monday 'showing very little buyer’s remorse among Trump voters.'" I suspect this is in large part because many of those who voted for Trump were and remain virtually unaware of what's really happening in the world, living instead in tiny bubbles of social media that reinforce their unfounded views of reality.
4
I am no fan of Trump and always think that he will say whatever to make a deal even before he decided that he ego demands a presidency. However, I am not unhappy that he reversed himself on some of the stupidest positions that a president can take. Why tear up the Iran agreement when they are abiding by the nuclear freeze for now? Why label China a currency manipulator when it will make all politics in Asia so much more complicated and not to mention that it is plain false? Why build a "beautiful" wall when it is useless and there are really so many better uses of our money? Well, given the choice of "a fake and a fraud" and a right wing fanatic, I will take the fake and the fraud any day.
1
For the rest of us, Mr. Trump's fakery and phoniness is very old news.
"A Fake and a Fraud"? Well put! Pretty much sums up EVERYTHING about Trump!
2
It is amazing to me every time I read or hear a person who supports Trump as not only President of the USA but also as a prominent world leader by stating they "approve of his job performance, because they approve of his job performance!" They just do. That's it? Just cause - huh? Okay, well - I'm sorry, just cause I'm sorry.
4
My enjoyment of Charles Blow's continuing condemnation of the current dictator wannabe is blunted by the Times' longstanding vilification of the Clintons. By highlighting and exaggerating every Clinton misstep, either by herself or her husband—with all those articles about the email "scandal" only the last, final blow in a decades-long persecution—Blow's employers have helped to bring about the very debacle he witnesses now. A recent article summarizes better than I could: http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a54602/new-york-times...
3
Amen, brother. Amen. Nobody speaks the naked truth to power better than you, Mr. Blow. Never stop being our voice of conscience.
2
A republic is predicated upon many things but an educated electorate is primary.
2
Mr. Blow, your takes on Trump and his hypocrisies are among the most incisive and the most consistent. Thank you for demonstrating the media's true role in times such as these, and please - please - keep it up!
2
"manifestly the most ill-informed, under-prepared, ethically-challenged and psychologically ill-equipped president in US history"
Former foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans (Australia)
Former foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans (Australia)
3
Mr. Blow, with all due respect, you are preaching to the choir here. Most, if not all clear thinking people who read or subscribe to this paper know exactly who he is and what his ambitions are. Will voters who voted for him recognize this? Who cares? The deed is done!! Yes, you can blame all those blue collar, working class people who pulled the lever for him, but to what avail? The problem with Trump being president is the fact that the Democratic Party dropped the ball! The Democratic Party failed to recognize the plight of the working class. The Democratic Party chose a party darling to be its representative. The Democratic Party catered to the intelligentsia and fringe liberal groups as its base. Blame the Democratic Party, not those who voted that Trump is President! You pays your money and you takes your chances!!
2
I blame both the gullible, ignorant, brainwashed, bigoted, racist, self-serving blue collar and elitist Trump-supporting Americans AS WELL AS Debbie Wasserman Shultz's Democrats!
Bernie Sanders most certainly would have won over Trump and Clinton, both the most hated presidential candidates. However Shultz's democrat party's dirty tricks sabotaged this election for all Americans and citizens of the world.
Bernie Sanders most certainly would have won over Trump and Clinton, both the most hated presidential candidates. However Shultz's democrat party's dirty tricks sabotaged this election for all Americans and citizens of the world.
1
People see things based on where they are, not how they actually are. People saw unconventional because they were uncouth; they thought rebel because they were raffish.
4
Honestly, anyone who claims to have good morals who voted for Trump has an incredible ability to deny reality. The man is a sexual pervert. I have to bite my tongue from laughing at the reflex response about what a pervert Clinton the male was. Sure, Clinton is a creep too, but for some odd reason I don't get the willies when I hear Mr. Clinton's voice, but I sure do when I hear Trump on NPR. Something about Trump's voice saying things about grabbing genitals and eating tic tacs makes me sick. How in the heck do all those evangelicals who voted for him deal with their hypocrisy?
11
Even if Trump throws a tantrum and starts a hot war, his believers will claim he's defending the union -- the same way GW Bush neocons insisted that we needed to evade Iraq be use of the WMDs buried there. When none were found, they still insisted -- right to the end of W's presidency -- that investigators should keep looking. The same nonsense went on during the Vietnam quagmire. We never - ever - see to learn.
4
The ONLY democracy in the world with an electoral college voting system, US of A gets into convoluted elections. This convolution resulted in Trump winning the Presidency with ONLY 46% of votes EVEN THOUGH Hillary got 48% - almost 3 MILLION more votes!!!
Among those who voted for Trump, some - about 20% of those who voted - are DIE-HARD Trump supporters. NOTHING would have made them abandon Trump.
That leaves about 26% of Americans who voted, did vote for Trump because they did not like Hillary. These people should have been more analytical and should have seen through Trump the conman. They didn't. Instead, they voted for Trump.
This reader wonders what they think when they look themselves in the mirror.
Perhaps these 26% voters thought that Trump would be more Presidential than the typical campaign bluster. However, as more cogent individuals they should have known - and did NOT - that a leopard CANNOT change its spots!!!
So unless by a miracle this person is kicked out of White House, Americans are collectively DOOMED for rest of four years.
When he leaves, this man will leave a trail of mishaps. He is hellbent on destroying many institutions that took YEARS to build - by Obama and his predecessors. The damage that he will cause will ALSO be felt for MANY generations to come - after he is gone.
As a Canadian, in addition to feeling terrible for American cousins, this reader is also worried - simply because what happens in US impacts Canada as well.
Among those who voted for Trump, some - about 20% of those who voted - are DIE-HARD Trump supporters. NOTHING would have made them abandon Trump.
That leaves about 26% of Americans who voted, did vote for Trump because they did not like Hillary. These people should have been more analytical and should have seen through Trump the conman. They didn't. Instead, they voted for Trump.
This reader wonders what they think when they look themselves in the mirror.
Perhaps these 26% voters thought that Trump would be more Presidential than the typical campaign bluster. However, as more cogent individuals they should have known - and did NOT - that a leopard CANNOT change its spots!!!
So unless by a miracle this person is kicked out of White House, Americans are collectively DOOMED for rest of four years.
When he leaves, this man will leave a trail of mishaps. He is hellbent on destroying many institutions that took YEARS to build - by Obama and his predecessors. The damage that he will cause will ALSO be felt for MANY generations to come - after he is gone.
As a Canadian, in addition to feeling terrible for American cousins, this reader is also worried - simply because what happens in US impacts Canada as well.
6
"Trump’s brand is built on exclusivity, not inclusivity. It is about the separate, vaulted position of luxury, above and beyond the ability for it to be accessed by the common. It is all about the bourgeois and has absolutely nothing to do with the blue collar.
And yet somehow, it was the blue collar that bought his bill of goods. People saw uncouth and thought unconventional; they saw raffish and thought rebel."
That precisely describes not just Trump's playbook, but the playbook of the entire Republican Party ever since it was taken over by the right-wing. The right-wing ploy in this country has always and ever been, since our founding, that "you too can become rich." That fraudulent con is the reason millions of Republican voters consistently vote AGAINST their own economic self-interest, and in the interests of the richest of the rich. It's because they have been taught to believe that somehow, identifying yourself with the rich will MAKE you rich someday. It's total garbage of course, but it's the answer to the question, "what's the matter with Kansas?" And Trump is the very personification of that fraudulent trope. Trump and the Republican Party are actually a perfect fit.
And yet somehow, it was the blue collar that bought his bill of goods. People saw uncouth and thought unconventional; they saw raffish and thought rebel."
That precisely describes not just Trump's playbook, but the playbook of the entire Republican Party ever since it was taken over by the right-wing. The right-wing ploy in this country has always and ever been, since our founding, that "you too can become rich." That fraudulent con is the reason millions of Republican voters consistently vote AGAINST their own economic self-interest, and in the interests of the richest of the rich. It's because they have been taught to believe that somehow, identifying yourself with the rich will MAKE you rich someday. It's total garbage of course, but it's the answer to the question, "what's the matter with Kansas?" And Trump is the very personification of that fraudulent trope. Trump and the Republican Party are actually a perfect fit.
5
Sigmund Freud talked about projection. "Psychological projection. Psychological projection is a theory in psychology in which humans defend themselves against their own unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others." Interestingly if you take note is that Mr. Trump attribute weaknesses in others which are his own but even worse.
3
Eight years of obstruction during the Obama presidency and the prospect of Hillary becoming president promised to extend that record of obstruction. Yes, Trump stirred up some of the yahoos we're forced to live with. But many who voted for him (I certainly did not) were simply trying to end the obstructionism of the tea party congress. To disparage all those who voted for Trump with egregious labels is to disparage fellow citizens with sensible motives and is unacceptable behavior in a democracy. A democracy thrives on respect.
Yes, the Trump presidency is so far a disaster, precisely because he has been undermining and is likely to continue to undermine democratic principles. We shouldn't do the same.
Yes, the Trump presidency is so far a disaster, precisely because he has been undermining and is likely to continue to undermine democratic principles. We shouldn't do the same.
2
"People saw uncouth and thought unconventional; they saw raffish and thought rebel."
That statement also applies to people who watched Trump's reality TV except it had nothing to do with reality. That's why they are duped. What's lacking are critical reasoning skills. We all suffer while for those legions still cling.
That statement also applies to people who watched Trump's reality TV except it had nothing to do with reality. That's why they are duped. What's lacking are critical reasoning skills. We all suffer while for those legions still cling.
6
"A fake and a fraud?"
Those words could easily apply to Charles M. Blow, ersatz editorial writer. He has one constant theme. Hate Trump. He beats on Trump like hard rain on a tin roof.
He updates is daily hategram with fresh quotes from other journalists. Just so long as those quotes assail Trump. [ProTrump quotes are ignored because that would create objectivity.]
Never does he write from his own original research because he doesn't do any. He might just as well spend his time writing poetry for all the impact he has on the world today. -Zin out
Those words could easily apply to Charles M. Blow, ersatz editorial writer. He has one constant theme. Hate Trump. He beats on Trump like hard rain on a tin roof.
He updates is daily hategram with fresh quotes from other journalists. Just so long as those quotes assail Trump. [ProTrump quotes are ignored because that would create objectivity.]
Never does he write from his own original research because he doesn't do any. He might just as well spend his time writing poetry for all the impact he has on the world today. -Zin out
9
I think it's important to continue to call Trump out on his laughable performance. The second we stop being surprised and outraged at each new toddler-like misstep he makes, that's when he's finally won -- he'll have finally lowered the standard enough that nobody even notices anymore. If we don't maintain our own high standards, like "I prefer a president who doesn't bully individuals and companies he feels have slighted him somehow on social media", or "I'd rather a president try to stay informed, rather than vehemently speaking out on topics he doesn't even know the first thing about", or "for the love of god, why are you turning away intelligence briefings!?", they'll be gone forever, and the next set of candidates will be under no obligation to meet any standard of decency or competency for decades to come.
Personally, I think we're already doomed. I think we were locked into a doomed course when Reagan gutted education and then Bush used it to turn out a generation of standardized test takers who are actually unable to think for themselves. I think pointing out how stupid everything he does is is actually pointless too, because it's been made clear that a critical mass of Americans just genuinely don't care. So while I agree that he's not accomplishing anything, I don't hold his method of coping against him at all.
Personally, I think we're already doomed. I think we were locked into a doomed course when Reagan gutted education and then Bush used it to turn out a generation of standardized test takers who are actually unable to think for themselves. I think pointing out how stupid everything he does is is actually pointless too, because it's been made clear that a critical mass of Americans just genuinely don't care. So while I agree that he's not accomplishing anything, I don't hold his method of coping against him at all.
3
"[ProTrump quotes are ignored because that would create objectivity.]"
No, Pro-Trump quotes are ignored because they are either fiction or the result of hallucinations."
No, Pro-Trump quotes are ignored because they are either fiction or the result of hallucinations."
4
I'm giggling at the notion you have, Zinvev, that an opinion piece requires research.
Where should Mr. Blow begin his quests? Go to the section devoted to How to Think at the library? Look up Today's Ideas on the internet? Ask around at The New School if anyone has thoughts about anything?
And even more giggling at your belief that an opion writer must be objective.
"Hehehe," if I may quote Gail Collins.
Where should Mr. Blow begin his quests? Go to the section devoted to How to Think at the library? Look up Today's Ideas on the internet? Ask around at The New School if anyone has thoughts about anything?
And even more giggling at your belief that an opion writer must be objective.
"Hehehe," if I may quote Gail Collins.
Mr. Blow, your weekly "The Sky is Falling" columns on Trump, including this one, have missed one crucial element. His supporters KNOW he's a fake and a fraud, but they elected him anyway given the terrible state of the Democratic party. I'd suggest pointing your comments towards their failures. Instead of focusing on what used to be its core, working people, it's now a progressive left-wing "issue of the day" party that drowns out open debate. The Democrats brought us Trump. They are the real frauds. If you want to reach readers other than your extreme left core (or maybe you don't), I suggest taking an objective view.
4
Whats amazing is the stypid Democratic Party that doesnt think they can win in Montana or Kansas.....hey, here's some advice. A month or two before election season begins, start running ads about all the corruption and un-American activites and broken promises and blame Republicans! Lay the groundwork instead of sending me emails asking for money 20 times a day. Get off your butts and do something!
5
As upsetting as it was that enough people were conned into supporting and voting for Trump, it is even more upsetting to see that most of these people still see no problem with him and his cabinet. Who are these people? Is anyone else getting a queasy feeling watching this all unfold? I honestly believe that there's a smokescreen going on with Russian "tensions" while Tillerson had his private meetings as the sanctions are being discussed again. Same with North Korea.....look, there's a squirrel! Meanwhile.....
5
The loyalty of Trump's base reflects either the self-interest of the wealthy, and indifference to the rest, or the reluctance to admit you've been conned--and perhaps worse, there is no simple solution to your frustrations. Many, perhaps most, Americans have no wish to be politically engaged, and still less desire to grapple complex problems with imperfect solutions. Neither education nor temperament predisposes them toward such an unremitting effort, and Trump offers nostrums and the illusion of restoring the 1950s. And this is a separate problem from reluctance to admit personal error, which indisputably is operating as well. A book called Stealth Democracy, by John R. Hibbing, further opened my eyes to the general disinterest of the public; the levels of ignorance are probably already familiar to readers in this forum. Tribalist venting is so much more emotionally satisfying that actually grappling with structural decline in the economy, or global warming. The average American, IMHO, still has an unrealistic view of what 'eternal vigilance' means.
4
The only way to exorcise the BIll O'Reillys and Donald Trumps of the world is to cut off the money that they earn their handlers. We gotta get $ out of politics.
4
You guys just don't get it, do you? A rational voter would not have voted for Trump, but then 85% of Republicans (those who are hurt by Republican fiscal policies), if rational, would not vote Republican, either, because it is not in what most of us think to be in their self interest.
The point is that liberals just don't get what Republicans (note I'm not sayng "conservatives") believe is in their self interest. It doesn't matter what you think someone's self interest is - what matters is what THEY think their self interest is.
So far Trump has succeeded at mostly nothing. So in fact, other than getting Gorsuch on the bench, hasn't harmed much of anyone - yet. But Trump is constantly poking a stick in everyone's eye. Every nomination, every order he signs that Democrats hate makes his supporters happy. Exposing the traditional Republicans (read McConnell and the hated Ryan, and all those other "swamp" representatives), is exactly what they want. And so far, surely in only 100 days, none of Trump's calamity has yet come back to roost and actually hurt his supporters - yet.
Insanity has been described as continuing to do something that's obviously not working. Mr Blow, by continuing to call Trump supporters stupid, lazy, and selfish is being stupid, lazy, and selfish himself. And getting us nowhere.
The point is that liberals just don't get what Republicans (note I'm not sayng "conservatives") believe is in their self interest. It doesn't matter what you think someone's self interest is - what matters is what THEY think their self interest is.
So far Trump has succeeded at mostly nothing. So in fact, other than getting Gorsuch on the bench, hasn't harmed much of anyone - yet. But Trump is constantly poking a stick in everyone's eye. Every nomination, every order he signs that Democrats hate makes his supporters happy. Exposing the traditional Republicans (read McConnell and the hated Ryan, and all those other "swamp" representatives), is exactly what they want. And so far, surely in only 100 days, none of Trump's calamity has yet come back to roost and actually hurt his supporters - yet.
Insanity has been described as continuing to do something that's obviously not working. Mr Blow, by continuing to call Trump supporters stupid, lazy, and selfish is being stupid, lazy, and selfish himself. And getting us nowhere.
4
It is disingenuous for Blow to criticize Trump for failing to fulfill campaign promise policies when Democrats like Blow have opposed and blocked those policies.
If you actively oppose the policy changes--like you refuse to fund a border wall--how can you criticize Trump for failing to enact it? Nonsensically inconsistent.
Another example of "anti-Trumpism" regardless of logic or consistency.
If you actively oppose the policy changes--like you refuse to fund a border wall--how can you criticize Trump for failing to enact it? Nonsensically inconsistent.
Another example of "anti-Trumpism" regardless of logic or consistency.
6
Are you running a satire? You have to be, right? I guess you could genuinely not have been here for the past 8 years, because what you're describing was actually the declared and purposeful strategy of Republicans against Obama. Mitch McConnell vowed to just categorically automatically oppose anything he tried to do, for the explicit purpose of later being able to claim Obama hadn't gotten anything done.
Even if you had been missing for that, I would still have to guess you've been in existence for long enough to learn to write, so I can't really explain why you aren't aware that the vast majority of Trump's reversals and unfulfilled promises have actually been because he himself changed his mind, not because he's just been prevented or obstructed somehow. Did democrats stop him from labeling China a currency manipulator like he said he would so many times? Did the democrats obstruct his ability to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem? Did they somehow force him to not even try to make good on "health care for all" with a bill that would have left tens of millions without health insurance? What about making Mexico pay for the wall? Lowering the cost of pharmaceuticals? Releasing his tax returns? Not getting involved in foreign conflicts? If it's not clear to you that he just tells everyone whatever he thinks they want to hear because he doesn't actually know anything about the topic, then yeah, I guess it would seem like some shadowy liberal cabal had forced his hand?
Even if you had been missing for that, I would still have to guess you've been in existence for long enough to learn to write, so I can't really explain why you aren't aware that the vast majority of Trump's reversals and unfulfilled promises have actually been because he himself changed his mind, not because he's just been prevented or obstructed somehow. Did democrats stop him from labeling China a currency manipulator like he said he would so many times? Did the democrats obstruct his ability to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem? Did they somehow force him to not even try to make good on "health care for all" with a bill that would have left tens of millions without health insurance? What about making Mexico pay for the wall? Lowering the cost of pharmaceuticals? Releasing his tax returns? Not getting involved in foreign conflicts? If it's not clear to you that he just tells everyone whatever he thinks they want to hear because he doesn't actually know anything about the topic, then yeah, I guess it would seem like some shadowy liberal cabal had forced his hand?
6
He's perpetrated the greatest scam in history: we taxpayers shell out money to him personally for the privilege of protecting him AND his wife in two completely different locations. No need to worry about renting out hotel rooms when the government has no choice!
7
Good article Charles. Yet I don't think the intended audience reads the NYTs.
6
I think that those people who unapologetically stick with Trump through thick and thin and who never will admit that they got conned or made a mistake are the same people who react that way when it comes to everything and everybody else in their lives. So if they backed the wrong horse at the racetrack and don't admit it, don't expect them to "see the light" when it comes to Trump. It will make your life easier.
3
Perhaps the democrats should craft legislation that will help those in desperate straits, which the republicans will then quash. In 2018 the democrats can then remind the desperate how they tried to help them but were stopped by the party of trump.
2
Authoritarianism is on the rise. What are we to think of Putin's stranglehold on Russia? Of Erdogan's concentration of dictatorial power in Turkey? Of the rise of Orban in Hungary? Of Putin's fan,Trump, congratulating Erdogan on the Turkish autocrat's recent power grab?
Are we, as American citizens, just going to stand by and watch as our nation drifts from the troubled waters of plutocracy into the far more treacherous seas of kleptocracy?
Perhaps the following is worthy of reflection: The kleptocrat's immediate goal may be self-enrichment, but kleptocracy's longer term consequences are the desensitization and demoralization of the broader public. Kleptocrats succeed only when there is a widespread cynical conviction that institutionalized avarice is to be expected and tolerated--and has no limits.
Indeed, is it theft or a straightforward giveaway when kleptocracy is no longer countered by public outrage?
Are we, as American citizens, just going to stand by and watch as our nation drifts from the troubled waters of plutocracy into the far more treacherous seas of kleptocracy?
Perhaps the following is worthy of reflection: The kleptocrat's immediate goal may be self-enrichment, but kleptocracy's longer term consequences are the desensitization and demoralization of the broader public. Kleptocrats succeed only when there is a widespread cynical conviction that institutionalized avarice is to be expected and tolerated--and has no limits.
Indeed, is it theft or a straightforward giveaway when kleptocracy is no longer countered by public outrage?
9
I am a psychotherapist, and have written a book about chronically hurtful people. basically those with personality disorders. One thing I stress is that these people are expert at eliciting support and expert at fooling people. Most people are, I think, trusting and trustworthy. It is very hard to get it, or believe it when one has been played and fooled. But once one figures it out, after the shock, loss, grief and anger, things can begin to make sense. Unfortunately, that wake up can take a very long time for many, and never happens for others, who continue to avoid facts and reality. I think we are in for a very long and harrowing ride.
7
I think many of his supporters believe he is doing a good job for the same reason they voted for him - they only listen to what he is saying (or tweeting), but they do not do any of their own research. Trump proclaimed he's accomplished more in his first 100 days than any other president - well, if he tells you that and you don't do your homework, you are going to believe it. This is why he won in the first place - so many people chose to believe what he said without doing any kind of research. If all you listen to is Trump or Fox, how can you be well-informed?
3
The thing that has shaken me to the core is there is a huge swath of people, who are well educated and wealthy that just ignore all the atrocities and crimes that Trump is committing and say nothing. I still deep down believe that some of the GOP leglislators are intelligent and see all that you describe Charles and they say nothing and enable Trump.
Of course there are the Trump voters who are not well educated who voted for him and expected him to work miracles. There are the complete far righters who love Trump for all the hated, racism and misogyny that he represents.
But it is the people who if you meet them are friendly, quite frankly Gorsuch reminds me of them. They present well, friendly yet they just ignore the fact that we are on the brink of nuclear war.
I think that a lot of them are in their comfortable bubbles, in manicured communities and houses removed from all the unrest and diversity of city living. How can they ignore the potential end of the world? How can they ignore what you describe, a fake and a fraud in the White House? I think they are happy as their financial reports of their hoidings remain intact. Can you ignore all of Trump's wrongdoings just for lower taxes?
I really have questioned myself and wondered why I am so upset and so many of the swath of people that I grew up with and went to school with are blase about Trump. I really hope that I am wrong and that it doesn't take a nuclear catastrophe to suddenly get these people's attention.
Of course there are the Trump voters who are not well educated who voted for him and expected him to work miracles. There are the complete far righters who love Trump for all the hated, racism and misogyny that he represents.
But it is the people who if you meet them are friendly, quite frankly Gorsuch reminds me of them. They present well, friendly yet they just ignore the fact that we are on the brink of nuclear war.
I think that a lot of them are in their comfortable bubbles, in manicured communities and houses removed from all the unrest and diversity of city living. How can they ignore the potential end of the world? How can they ignore what you describe, a fake and a fraud in the White House? I think they are happy as their financial reports of their hoidings remain intact. Can you ignore all of Trump's wrongdoings just for lower taxes?
I really have questioned myself and wondered why I am so upset and so many of the swath of people that I grew up with and went to school with are blase about Trump. I really hope that I am wrong and that it doesn't take a nuclear catastrophe to suddenly get these people's attention.
6
Bro, you are preaching to the choir. His supporters who are true believers will never accept what he is or that he is a fraud cause this would totally destroy their self esteem and belief system. The Hillary haters just might come to realize that their hate was misplaced and acknowledge that they made an enormous mistake being blinded by their hate.
7
Everything in the article is true. But Trump supporters don't care. They love him anyway. He's just the type of emotional, unstable entertainer they want in the White House. Competent governance is unimportant.
5
"For others it's a "devastating revelation?" C'mon, get serious. If anything, it makes them even more virulently pro Trump. A few people will realize they've been had, but the rabid right wing will never stop loving him. They enjoy his wrecking ball approach. And they also don't believe anything negative reported about him because they've been brainwashed to vilify "fake news"
6
And that is why we may need a bloody revolution to set us on a good course again.
This is Trump's epitaph, already written in stone: "He oversold what he could deliver because he had no idea what would be required to deliver it, nor did he care. He told you what you wanted to hear so that he could get what he wanted to have. He played you for fools."
6
Boy, that would have to be a really big tombstone! Hey, I've got the epitaph for your girl Hillary; "I could have been a contender".
5
I think that Trump has the chops to rival Herbert Hoover in long lasting influence.
Not only in far exceeding President Hoover in having a tin ear and failed policies, but to have an enduring negative reputation that could last for decades. Just as Democrats were able to use Hoover's name as an iconic symbol to help win elections long after he was defeated, Trump has the potential to do the same thing for Democrats in our near future.
Not only in far exceeding President Hoover in having a tin ear and failed policies, but to have an enduring negative reputation that could last for decades. Just as Democrats were able to use Hoover's name as an iconic symbol to help win elections long after he was defeated, Trump has the potential to do the same thing for Democrats in our near future.
5
"Blindness, selfishness and fear..." What a winning description of those with whom you disagree! At least the election of President Trump has diverted Mr. Blow's attention from endless columns on police racism.
As someone who reluctantly voted for Trump, I must say that you miss the point. Given a choice between the continuation of President Obama's policies or, worse, a ramping up of warmongering by Mrs. Clinton, a populist liar who might actually nominate an originalist Supreme Court Justice and who talked about reducing the burden of regulation on industry sounded good to me.
It remains to be seen what President Trump will do, but he has, so far, not done anything that is particularly bad, despite all of the rhetoric, and has managed to do a few things that are notably good from a conservative perspective. For instance, Judge Gorsuch, letting Assad know that the use of chemical weapons will bring the might of the US military upon him, letting other tinpot dictators also get that message, reducing industry regulation, and reducing illegal immigration simply by making it clear that he means business (there has been a substantial drop in people attempting to cross the border this year).
I realize that these "achievements" probably cause you to clutch your pearls in horror, but they are, to conservative voters like me, real achievements. I look forward with interest to see what President Trump manages in the remaining 2,820 days of his presidency.
As someone who reluctantly voted for Trump, I must say that you miss the point. Given a choice between the continuation of President Obama's policies or, worse, a ramping up of warmongering by Mrs. Clinton, a populist liar who might actually nominate an originalist Supreme Court Justice and who talked about reducing the burden of regulation on industry sounded good to me.
It remains to be seen what President Trump will do, but he has, so far, not done anything that is particularly bad, despite all of the rhetoric, and has managed to do a few things that are notably good from a conservative perspective. For instance, Judge Gorsuch, letting Assad know that the use of chemical weapons will bring the might of the US military upon him, letting other tinpot dictators also get that message, reducing industry regulation, and reducing illegal immigration simply by making it clear that he means business (there has been a substantial drop in people attempting to cross the border this year).
I realize that these "achievements" probably cause you to clutch your pearls in horror, but they are, to conservative voters like me, real achievements. I look forward with interest to see what President Trump manages in the remaining 2,820 days of his presidency.
6
If your vote for Trump was as reluctant, and as rational, as you suggest, then you'd acknowledge -- your own cool-headed conservative pragmatism notwithstanding -- that the bulk of his vote came from out of the sewer, and that he played it for all it was worth. You get riled when we paint you all with the same brush, even as you fail to draw any real line between yourself (grammar and spelling aside) from what we all saw at those rallies. It is what it is. You're OK with it? Fair enough, but pardon us if it defines you when you declare it.
Likewise, your man Trump is what he is. You folks can say "Gorsuch" and "taxes" over and over, if that's what gets you through the night. And you can say that his bombs are better than the ones that Hillary (for certain!) would have dropped. But we're talking about what this guy really, actually is - which is all too obvious. And that is on your hands.
Likewise, your man Trump is what he is. You folks can say "Gorsuch" and "taxes" over and over, if that's what gets you through the night. And you can say that his bombs are better than the ones that Hillary (for certain!) would have dropped. But we're talking about what this guy really, actually is - which is all too obvious. And that is on your hands.
4
Dan,
I can live with my vote. I see no difference in my choosing the more conservative candidate than I see in Bernie fans voting for Mrs. Clinton. Does it mean they support her warlike tendencies or her bankster friends? No, it means they voted for the candidate more closely aligned with their political views and aspirations. That's what grownups do.
I can live with my vote. I see no difference in my choosing the more conservative candidate than I see in Bernie fans voting for Mrs. Clinton. Does it mean they support her warlike tendencies or her bankster friends? No, it means they voted for the candidate more closely aligned with their political views and aspirations. That's what grownups do.
2
I have less sympathy for those who voted for Trump. He was clearly unprepared to be President. He never showed a willingness to prepare. His overblown confidence way over ran his competence. He displayed an ugliness, mean spiritedness and profound lack of concern for others virtually ever time he opened his mouth. He lied compulsively. While I know people who voted for Trump that do many good and charitable work for others, I consider their vote at a fundamental level as unforgivable.
6
I can only speak for this Trump voter, but he already put one justice on the Supreme court and is likely to get a second. That and the fact that we don't have a liberal administration trying to expand the government for the next 4 years makes me happy with my vote and the election outcome. Trump was and is far from my first choice but I would still vote for him over the Democratic alternatives. However I do wonder if Mr Blow is planning to basically repeat the same column on how much he hates Trump for the next four years. It's getting kind of boring.
6
One thing Trump has been very successful at in his first 100 days is enriching himself and his family.
6
Is there nobody in his family who has any moral fiber?
2
The supporters--much like the people they elect to office--don't care about policy, philosophy or ideals. It's all about, We win! And the "snowflakes" are crying! Yay yay yay! . . . Indeed--the logic-half of the country weeps.
3
Mr. Blow. I agree with you on everything. Now could we please work together to help (rides, registration, help with ID requirements) and encourage our African American brothers and sisters to come out to vote in the midterms? They did not show up in 2016 the same numbers as they did for Obama in 2008 and 2012 and Clinton lost NC - a key swing state. Increased AA turnout could have overcome this margin. We need everyone to show up or we will lose again.
6
I think the two most telling events of DT's first 100 Days will be: First his set-up of Chinese Prime Minister Xi during their State dinner at the White House, when over dessert the Donald casually informed Xi that he had ordered the bombing of the Assadians in retaliation of the Syrian regime's recent use of nerve gas. And second, Trump's assurance to the world that "An Armada" was at that very min. sailing toward the Korean peninsula to thwart the North's Mad Man Kim, when in fact the carrier group in question was heading just the opposite direction.
These two events reveals Trump to be a master manipulator, creative liar and a person who will risk nuclear war simply to make a point. In other words a very loose canon on the American and world stage.
These two events reveals Trump to be a master manipulator, creative liar and a person who will risk nuclear war simply to make a point. In other words a very loose canon on the American and world stage.
3
Charles while I agree with you isn't it true that most politicians lie to get your vote??? The man is a buffoon and those who voted for him perhaps hoped that he might have changed the way things work in DC. We are now paying for that hope.
2
I hate to say this, but I think your well written article really reveals nothing new. Your readers, however, have provided many original, insightful comments. Perhaps you should write several op-eds about them....what they see as reasons, problems and solutions. Their opinions provide much "food for thought." You could bring them to light.
4
Being Wrong: Adventures In The Margin of Error by Kathryn Schulz
I am an unabashed liberal in trumpville, and they don't have buyer's remorse because they are really happy about how things are going. They didn't vote for trump, they voted against Clinton. Why? Lots of reasons. She's a woman for one.
Our neighbor voted for trump. A year or so ago we were going to ask him to build some bookshelves in our house. I explained what my husband and I wanted done, and he called my husband to "run it by the man of the house" before he would do work. We did not hire him.
Over Easter break another family member trump supporter told me how lucky I was to have boys because when girls go on dates "you know what boys are after," but when boys go on dates "you encourage them to, you know, get a little."
Another trump supporting family member doubted the accuracy of math. Not my math on the subject of loan repayment, but math in general. "You can make math say whatever you want," he told me as though 2+2=4 was something on which to have an opinion. Good luck convincing that guy that coal isn't the future.
By the way, these are actual quotes. I texted them to a friend while they were happening.
I get to live in a trump-supporting bubble, and it's frightening. There is no buyer's remorse here.
Our neighbor voted for trump. A year or so ago we were going to ask him to build some bookshelves in our house. I explained what my husband and I wanted done, and he called my husband to "run it by the man of the house" before he would do work. We did not hire him.
Over Easter break another family member trump supporter told me how lucky I was to have boys because when girls go on dates "you know what boys are after," but when boys go on dates "you encourage them to, you know, get a little."
Another trump supporting family member doubted the accuracy of math. Not my math on the subject of loan repayment, but math in general. "You can make math say whatever you want," he told me as though 2+2=4 was something on which to have an opinion. Good luck convincing that guy that coal isn't the future.
By the way, these are actual quotes. I texted them to a friend while they were happening.
I get to live in a trump-supporting bubble, and it's frightening. There is no buyer's remorse here.
7
A 70 year old testosterone replacement recipient is "raffish"?
Not exactly Charles. Nobody saw raffish, even his most ardent supporters.
Everyone sees a fat, rich old white guy. But, some folks like that.
Not exactly Charles. Nobody saw raffish, even his most ardent supporters.
Everyone sees a fat, rich old white guy. But, some folks like that.
2
Mr. Trump also partially accumulated his wealth buy selling real estate to Russian oligarchs, who have allegedly been using New York real estate to launder their ill gotten gains.
3
So Trumps "image among Americans as someone who keeps his promises" has fallen to 45%. Funny, he 'won' the Presidency with only 46% of the vote. I guess these suckers never learn.
2
When will republican congressmen start to realize his usefulness to their objectives is rapidly diminishing. Soon he will become an albatross hung around their party. Maybe its time to consider impeaching the con man before he brings them all down.
1
As bad as Trump is, people like McConnell and Ryan make me even sicker.
Trump is not clan over country, he is self over all. He's been morally adrift his entire life, but he's never pretended differently. At least not convincingly, even during the election.
Who are McConnell and Ryan? Certainly not the patriotic Americans they pretend to be. They are even scarier than Trump.
Trump is not clan over country, he is self over all. He's been morally adrift his entire life, but he's never pretended differently. At least not convincingly, even during the election.
Who are McConnell and Ryan? Certainly not the patriotic Americans they pretend to be. They are even scarier than Trump.
8
I'm sure many readers of the NYT voted for Hillary Clinton. In fact, she received some 3 million more votes than Donald the Magnificent. However, by steadfastly holding on to the Electoral College, the system got Don the Mag the job. It would be germane to the issue to decry this arcane mechanism, and to strive to abolish it. To my surprise, I see very little about that.
Mr. Blow recycles his lamentations about Don the Mag and his behavior, and points out tirelessly that his words and actions in office do not match his campaign promises. That is cheap.
After all, we should know by now that the system rewards idle talk and that enough voters will not examine the implications of campaign blather either broadly or even as it would apply to their own lives. This is stupid, I know, but many people are not very smart or are, at least, not sufficiently critical or inquisitive. The tragedy is that they swell the numbers and tip the scales.
The real question is whether Don's behavior is any different from his pre-POTUS incarnation. And there I believe the answer is a resounding NO. You're getting unadulterated Trump. Vainglorious, fickle, resentful and bereft of remorse, shallow and on a hair-trigger. Temperamentally utterly unsuited to face the challenges of his Office and surrounded by a bevy of people, selected for their perceived loyalty, not their competence.
What you're not getting, is a surprise.
Mr. Blow recycles his lamentations about Don the Mag and his behavior, and points out tirelessly that his words and actions in office do not match his campaign promises. That is cheap.
After all, we should know by now that the system rewards idle talk and that enough voters will not examine the implications of campaign blather either broadly or even as it would apply to their own lives. This is stupid, I know, but many people are not very smart or are, at least, not sufficiently critical or inquisitive. The tragedy is that they swell the numbers and tip the scales.
The real question is whether Don's behavior is any different from his pre-POTUS incarnation. And there I believe the answer is a resounding NO. You're getting unadulterated Trump. Vainglorious, fickle, resentful and bereft of remorse, shallow and on a hair-trigger. Temperamentally utterly unsuited to face the challenges of his Office and surrounded by a bevy of people, selected for their perceived loyalty, not their competence.
What you're not getting, is a surprise.
2
And the missing adjective, most significant: purely evil.
2
I like others wonder why Charles Blow writes the same column over and over since the election and why NYT doesn't seem to mind. Reading comments to these and other articles made me realize - the Times really feels that their readers need their daily 2 minute hate - and Blow's columns are the best vehicle they have for this. Most comments that extol his genius go on to get all that hate off their chests.
1984 is not coming from the right and I think its pretty clear Orwell didnt think it would either.
1984 is not coming from the right and I think its pretty clear Orwell didnt think it would either.
6
Spoken like a person who's never quite gotten the point of commas. Or the difference between an "article" and an "opinion." Or that when a year is passed, it usually stays in the past.
I though some were over the top when criticizing Obama, but they had nothing on the hate exhibited by Blow. i suspect it is race based.
3
In the meantime, he and his comrades continue to make money due to his position and influence. Sounds like he's accomplishing exactly what he set out to do.
2
While it might make me feel better to take my anger out on Trump voters, our anger should really be reserved for congress. In the last 15-18 years they have chosen party over country time and time again. They have brought the anger of the electorate to the point they voted against the Washington bureaucracy with a vote for Trump. What a country we would have if there was compromise-and don't blame the people - they did not create this. Money and special interests did. This is what the beginning of an Oligarchy looks like.
Trump may not have tossed us into a hot war, yet - but he is threatening something we treasure: that-most-vital sentiment that makes the dollar the currency of choice around the world. Whenever I travel everyone wants my dollars instead of their currency - that sentiment is priceless.
Sentiment and good faith are critical to our future as nation and as a people who do business around the world. They are fundaments of contract law too. Trump has knowingly become the antichrist to good business practices and honest relationships and the Republican Party is fine with that? Putin must be laughing . . .
Sentiment and good faith are critical to our future as nation and as a people who do business around the world. They are fundaments of contract law too. Trump has knowingly become the antichrist to good business practices and honest relationships and the Republican Party is fine with that? Putin must be laughing . . .
Trump's supporters are on a steady diet of alternative facts that only work in an alternative universe. At sometime that bubble will burst, and they will, willingly or reluctantly join this universe, this human race, where we have room only for facts and the truth.
I hope that bubble bursts soon. We need to get back to dealing with reality, before another war has started by arrogance, immaturity and impulse, one with horrible consequences for all.
I hope that bubble bursts soon. We need to get back to dealing with reality, before another war has started by arrogance, immaturity and impulse, one with horrible consequences for all.
1
Perhaps the only time Trump supporters will realize their error is the moment before the bombs obliterate us all.
1
"It is far easier to hornswoggle a man that it is to get him to admit to being hornswaggled." Mark Twain
The con started with Ronald Reagan, he who promised that we could be a "Great Shining City on a Hill" without having to pay for it. Why, we are so exceptional that the money to run our vast complicated Nation would just come down like manna from heaven.
Blue collar workers somehow were convinced that their unions were the enemy, not the bosses.
White southern voters were convinced that the republican party would keep the African Americans from gaining real power and station.
Those who prefer brass bands and bluster were convinced that deficit spending on a vast military buildup was the American way.
But Reagan face was kind and friendly, and both Bushes could get away with seeming to be regular guys. People were convinced that the republican party was serious and concerned with their issues. Fox not news had a lot to do with that part of the con.
Finally we have a face on the republican party that is every bit as ugly and mean as the heart of the party has been since Nixon.
The con started with Ronald Reagan, he who promised that we could be a "Great Shining City on a Hill" without having to pay for it. Why, we are so exceptional that the money to run our vast complicated Nation would just come down like manna from heaven.
Blue collar workers somehow were convinced that their unions were the enemy, not the bosses.
White southern voters were convinced that the republican party would keep the African Americans from gaining real power and station.
Those who prefer brass bands and bluster were convinced that deficit spending on a vast military buildup was the American way.
But Reagan face was kind and friendly, and both Bushes could get away with seeming to be regular guys. People were convinced that the republican party was serious and concerned with their issues. Fox not news had a lot to do with that part of the con.
Finally we have a face on the republican party that is every bit as ugly and mean as the heart of the party has been since Nixon.
2
'People saw uncouth and thought unconventional; they saw raffish and thought rebel.'
And Charles is preaching to the choir because 'the blue collar that bought (Trumps) bill of goods' do not read the NYT, much less Charles Blow.
And Charles is preaching to the choir because 'the blue collar that bought (Trumps) bill of goods' do not read the NYT, much less Charles Blow.
1
Tell us how you really feel, Charles. ;-)
In time, even the staunchest Trump supporter will have to face the fact that they are pitied by the more progressive of this nation. Actually and sincerely pitied. They will hate the progressives, the academics, the media and the liberal elite even more for this, but that hate will be a tiny candle compared to the roaring inferno of emotion they will save for the sad man child, who they will surely blame for putting them in this position. But it was never really about Donald Trump, was it? Let's hope they save a few red embers for themselves.
1
All Trump ever offered was to be the Jell-O people could nail to their wall of dreams.
His most uncomfortable follower without doubt is his floundering apologist, VP Mike (As far as I know.) Pence. Putting on one's "earnest" face never seemed so patently ineffectual. Maybe American Christians/ Prosperity Evangelicals should shop for another humble-righteous look.
His most uncomfortable follower without doubt is his floundering apologist, VP Mike (As far as I know.) Pence. Putting on one's "earnest" face never seemed so patently ineffectual. Maybe American Christians/ Prosperity Evangelicals should shop for another humble-righteous look.
Many politicians make promises they cannot deliver. However this "president" has provided a new meaning to "lying politicians".
He used every weapon in his arsenal in his bait and switch and con artistry to hoodwink his supporters. It was and is "don't look here, look over there" sleight of hand magic tricks.
His accomplishments of note is insuring he and his "Borgia" family are further enrichened by use by and abusing the importance of their new station in life.
Who new that being presidential could be so difficult
He used every weapon in his arsenal in his bait and switch and con artistry to hoodwink his supporters. It was and is "don't look here, look over there" sleight of hand magic tricks.
His accomplishments of note is insuring he and his "Borgia" family are further enrichened by use by and abusing the importance of their new station in life.
Who new that being presidential could be so difficult
If only he were just a fake and a fraud, a leech and a liar. I would add to his résumé a vulgarian, a philistine, a bully, a grifter, a double-dealer, a debaser, a destroyer, a miscreant, a misogynist, a pervert, a con man, a muttonhead, a narcissist, a sadist, and a sociopath. And so not my president.
1
Mr. Blow, still waiting for that apology to Senator Sanders- a principled man who actually cared about fairness, income inequality, and blue collar workers, whom you torpedoed for queen Hillary. "Acknowledging that your blindness, selfishness and fear compelled you to buy into a [wo]man who is selling you out may take more time".
5
The GOP just does not care....they just want to do everything they can to erase Obama's Presidency. Governing America is the biggest sports contest in the world and the other team is the enemy. All that matters is that the GOP wins, and so they will lie, rig the game, and play dirty and care about nothing else but the fact that they can be the winners. These people have totally lost their moral compass and are incapable and/or unwilling to see it. They will never admit they are wrong. The GOP voters simply do not care in the least about the issues that matter profoundly to liberals, like health care, environment, education, income equality; they only care about power and actually destroying what they consider the liberal agenda; they don't care about money and corruption in government as long as it is their money and their corruption. Feeding on a constant diet of Fox and other conservative propaganda, these people enjoy hating liberals and are relishing their victory. Their idea of politics is blood sport and our country is suffering greatly because of this. Nothing will change until it is utterly obvious that the current path is ruinous to all of us, no matter what team we are on. It will only be when we are facing disaster and on the brink of ruin (think 2008) that the few GOP swing voters will vote to give the demonized Democrats a chance.
Ms. Sullivan's advice to potential commenters to avoid name calling should apply to op editorialists as well, including Mr. Blow. Applying post truth adjectives like "fake" and "fraud" re TRUMP is not only misleading, but in violation of the Times's high journalistic standards. In fact, . Trump has accomplished much in his first 100 days: confirmation of SP Justice, Gorsuch,removal of regulations and enabling small and large businesses to thrive, enforcement of federal immigration laws by DHS head Kelly, ex Marine Corps general, a "can do" public servant. By the way, what is Mr. Blow, who makes a nice living as journalist,lecturer and author, able to send his progeny to a fancy ivy league school while millions of us earn barely enough to feed our families, so angry, coleric about? Have own issues re Trump's crass inlaws, but that is subject of another intervention. Have never read of Mr.Blow's visiting perilous housing projects where many of us live in perpetual fear of drug gangs. He should show the same derring do as other colleagues, use shank's pony to interview those beyond his comfort zone,let them talk. That was Breslin's philosophy and m.o. and it should be Mr. Blow's as well. Re name calling, writing that TRUMP supporters r "useful idiots" does not elevate the public discourse either, those words written by another Times journo.
1
"Trump cares only about Trump, his brand and his image, his family and his fortune. Indeed, his personal philosophy as president might best be described as clan over country." The sad truth is that - at its most basic - the same can be said about Trump voters. It wasn't a lack of education. It wasn't a principled disdain for the establishment. The common denominator for those voters was promoting their self-interests and pockets over all else. Will they get what they wanted? Of course not. The bigger problem is that they didn't care that what they wanted would have to come at the expense of anyone outside their immediate circle.
CMB, please keep up your relentless assault.
I worry, though, that converting the thoughts of those who supported him in the first place will be incrementally, painfully slow at best, and more likely will be futile.
Today's world is about broadcasting one's own staunch opinion to as many people as will listen (see Twitter) and often only to a group of agreers (see facebook and Twitter). Today's media has created thousands of megaphones and a shortage of hearing aides.
Listening to as many people as possible, integrating those diverse opinions, and then forming an informed set of principles based upon fact, reason, and social justice simply does not exist anymore if it ever did. Debate is over and reasoning passe.
Oh well.
I worry, though, that converting the thoughts of those who supported him in the first place will be incrementally, painfully slow at best, and more likely will be futile.
Today's world is about broadcasting one's own staunch opinion to as many people as will listen (see Twitter) and often only to a group of agreers (see facebook and Twitter). Today's media has created thousands of megaphones and a shortage of hearing aides.
Listening to as many people as possible, integrating those diverse opinions, and then forming an informed set of principles based upon fact, reason, and social justice simply does not exist anymore if it ever did. Debate is over and reasoning passe.
Oh well.
Well, it's been 100 days and he hasn't gotten us blown to smithereens yet. So yeah, he's performing better than I expected.
1
First things first everyone. Meaning, let's finish the business of Trump and Russia during the elections (if something, impeach; in nothing, move on). And, let's see his taxes (for a lot of reasons).
Trump and GOP voters have put all those who are vulnerable at greater risk: the disabled, those with chronic illnesses, the fragile elderly, people with student loans, those who utilze meals on Wheels or Snap, and anyone who may become seriously ill.
The best way to deal with Trump and his malign machinations: ignore him. Make him as irrelevant as he knows he is but can't admit it to himself.
1
Fellow commentators:
Please consider more effective resistance to expedite removal of our so-called president instead of reiterating already well-written vitriol of Mr. Blow's columns to assuage your personal feelings and opinions:
- Cut and paste them to emails of your Republican congressmen and women ad nauseum daily until their mailboxes are overflowing
- Remind them that their representations in future elections are at stake
- Tell them that they work for you
- Create your own catchy subject line to get their attention
- Distribute copies of the column at rallies, marches and public gatherings
- Spread the same copy at town halls and on all forms of social media
- Deposit piles of the column at offices of representatives
It is worth a try even if you only change one vote. You already know that you will never change the die-hard Trump supporters.
Please consider more effective resistance to expedite removal of our so-called president instead of reiterating already well-written vitriol of Mr. Blow's columns to assuage your personal feelings and opinions:
- Cut and paste them to emails of your Republican congressmen and women ad nauseum daily until their mailboxes are overflowing
- Remind them that their representations in future elections are at stake
- Tell them that they work for you
- Create your own catchy subject line to get their attention
- Distribute copies of the column at rallies, marches and public gatherings
- Spread the same copy at town halls and on all forms of social media
- Deposit piles of the column at offices of representatives
It is worth a try even if you only change one vote. You already know that you will never change the die-hard Trump supporters.
3
Yes, "A fake and a fraud." And a bad person and a coward. Why bother with the rest?
1
Donald John Trump is the duly legally elected current one and only President of the United States of America. Unless and until it is determined that Trump's election was a fake and a fraud then we need to deal with and accept that reality.
Truth be told 58% of white American voters including 63% of white men and 54% of white women voted for Trump/Pence. White Americans make-up 63% of Americans. Including white Hispanics, like Ted Cruz, Mario Rubio and Bob Menendez in the total, America is 77% white American.
Hillary Clinton was a fake and a fraud. Along with her husband Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton was the Mistress of Mass Black Incarceration, Mass Black Welfare Deformation, Corporate Plutocrat Oligarch Welfare and Military-Industrial Complex War Mongering.
Barack Obama was a fake and a fraud. During reign of Obama there were more black people in prison, on welfare and unemployed than ever before. While Mr. Obama talked down to black people and dismissed their socioeconomic educational pain as arising from their own innate unique sloth, immorality and ignorance.
Black folks needed and deserved his help not because they were Obama's most loyal long suffering supporters. Nor did being colored brown like Obama earn or deserve help. Black class status rather than caste earned President Obama's help. Triage instead of homage. Justice and morality instead of bigotry and white supremacy.
Truth be told 58% of white American voters including 63% of white men and 54% of white women voted for Trump/Pence. White Americans make-up 63% of Americans. Including white Hispanics, like Ted Cruz, Mario Rubio and Bob Menendez in the total, America is 77% white American.
Hillary Clinton was a fake and a fraud. Along with her husband Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton was the Mistress of Mass Black Incarceration, Mass Black Welfare Deformation, Corporate Plutocrat Oligarch Welfare and Military-Industrial Complex War Mongering.
Barack Obama was a fake and a fraud. During reign of Obama there were more black people in prison, on welfare and unemployed than ever before. While Mr. Obama talked down to black people and dismissed their socioeconomic educational pain as arising from their own innate unique sloth, immorality and ignorance.
Black folks needed and deserved his help not because they were Obama's most loyal long suffering supporters. Nor did being colored brown like Obama earn or deserve help. Black class status rather than caste earned President Obama's help. Triage instead of homage. Justice and morality instead of bigotry and white supremacy.
2
What is it you want, blackmamba. Should white Americans leave? Should we even out the black/white percentage by asking more Blacks to move here? What is it we've got to do to make your satisfied?
there will never be a trumpcare because he doesn't care
3
It just feels more correct, more reasonable, it feels as if the mist has lifted now that Obama is gone. The reality of his negative influence is now a glaring tribute to the liberalism of the past. There exists an air of courage and justice as the NYTs and columnist like Chucky demonstrate their disdain for being the losers they are in the election. They can't get over it and will never get over it- they can't have a waking moment without Trump interceding into their thought - world.
2
Once all the investigations of Trump's entanglements with Russia are completed, the Trump presidency will go the way of Trump U, Trump Steaks, and Trump Water. Trump managed to shock the political world and ascend to the presidency by fooling millions of disenfranchised voters. His descent will be equally spectacular as investigations peel away the fetid onion.
It is at our peril that we forget that nearly a thousand people literally drank the kool-aid and met their deaths at the urging of a charlatan, one not unlike Trump. Turn on Fox News and pay attention to the ads, featuring frauds peddling false dreams of glory, not unlike Trump. The question remains, what do the rest of us do while we wait for the rest of America to catch on to what New Yorkers have known about Trump the con artist for quite some time now.
2
"And yet somehow, it was the blue collar that bought his bill of goods."
But clearly not just the blue collar. It turns out that voting for and continuing to support such a complete buffoon is symptomatic of collars of many, many different stripes.
But clearly not just the blue collar. It turns out that voting for and continuing to support such a complete buffoon is symptomatic of collars of many, many different stripes.
1
Many including me had predicted as much before Trump's close electoral college vote. The fake billionaire is probably bankrupt with deep debt to unsavory money, including Putin's friends. Getting his little hands on the Presidency was his last hope to stay afloat. If Bernie Sanders was running against Trump, it would not have been close in either the electoral college or in the popular vote.
You sir, with this excellent column, you are helping restore your credibility. You made a big mistake backing Hillary Clinton, a good woman but not the best possible candidate. Unlike Friedman who never recovered the destruction of his reputation after his flawed cheerleading for the Iraq invasion that gave us ISIS, you are redeeming yourself.
You sir, with this excellent column, you are helping restore your credibility. You made a big mistake backing Hillary Clinton, a good woman but not the best possible candidate. Unlike Friedman who never recovered the destruction of his reputation after his flawed cheerleading for the Iraq invasion that gave us ISIS, you are redeeming yourself.
Yes. The president is rowdy, and good natured and again rowdy. He incited covert violence and ... I want your column to get after the DNC, and just how the Dems lost due to corruption, incompetence and whatever so we lost the election in the first place. We will loose without pressure on the DNC.
2
Take a break, Charles. Read a book. Ride a bike. Hike. Do whatever you have to do, but please stop writing the EXACT same column every week.
8
Why should he stop? NYT management seems very willing to continue paying him to say the same thing over and over.
No one is forcing you to read them, MB.
If you don't want to read what Mr. Blow writes, don't. We won't mind.
It is neither Trump or the people who voted for him who worry me nearly so much as the Republican Party that doesn't seem to care as long as it can pack the court and shove its right wing agenda down our throats. In the beginning I thought his depredations would be too much even for them. Then I began to hope that the democrats might retake the house midterm. Now, I just hope I can continue to afford alcohol.
1
The columnists of the NYT keep on elaborating the effects of our democratic collapse, without focusing on the cause, Citizens United. With billionaires now bribing our politicians anonymously, twit Trump's latest tweets are relatively trivial.
2
What I will never understand is WHY this wasn't transparent to all voters. Never was he "real", his talk was "empty" from the very beginning. We all may need to show more concern and understanding of the reasons why his base feels so desperate that they could not "see" through the fraud. Certainly DJT is not the only person in their life experience who is con man and betrays what he says. Never was there a chance DJT would bring the "hope" he promised his base. He cares only about himself and that has always been evident. Shame on the media for not exposing this to voters. Shame on the GOP for allowing DJT to continue to profit from the Presidency. Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell are culpable for what is happening to our institutions of democracy and our country.
4
Of all that you write, Charles, the most troubling remains the blind faith of Trump's followers and their unwillingness or inability to see the man for who he is. This stubborn insistence that he is somehow still their champion defies reason in my world. It is a strange world indeed where a man like Trump can still operate with impunity. Where once civility, morality and ethics mattered in the office of the presidency they can be so thoroughly and cavalierly cast aside.
Which brings me to the second most troubling piece of this equation: his party. A party that blithely stands silent as our country is raped and pillaged by this grifter Charles so eloquently writes about with astounding clarity and consistency. A party that enables this debasing of our democracy and the utter tarnishing of office itself through their obdurate commitment to party ahead of country.
Both factors are necessary and bound together in this nightmare, for without the co-dependent support of the Republican party this sham of a presidency would be never be happening. Hillary did win the popular vote by almost three million in spite of the illegal gerrymandering and intense voter suppression of minorities and the seven million who voted for candidates without a prayer of winning.
Which brings me to the second most troubling piece of this equation: his party. A party that blithely stands silent as our country is raped and pillaged by this grifter Charles so eloquently writes about with astounding clarity and consistency. A party that enables this debasing of our democracy and the utter tarnishing of office itself through their obdurate commitment to party ahead of country.
Both factors are necessary and bound together in this nightmare, for without the co-dependent support of the Republican party this sham of a presidency would be never be happening. Hillary did win the popular vote by almost three million in spite of the illegal gerrymandering and intense voter suppression of minorities and the seven million who voted for candidates without a prayer of winning.
1
What is "increasingly clear" from the first line in Mr. Blow(hard)'s screed is that this is simply a person who hates Donald Trump, which renders the remainder of his piece intellectually worthless. It reminds me of racist pamphlets that rant about the inferiority of black people, with all sorts of bogus 'facts' tossed in to make that case.
1
Look at that grin on trump's face. He looks like he just ran over someone's pet dog.
Seriously, what are democrats (of which I am one,) thinking? The reality is that Republicans have the White House, Congress and most state governments. Real change under those circumstances takes bipartisanship and not just governmental. As hard as it may be to even contemplate, Democrats are going to have to find a way to enter into a truce with the Republicans in power and end the we have the moral high ground war we continue to wage. I hope to live long enough to see the Intelligence Community both explain itself and conclude its investigation into Russia's meddling and ties between Trump, the many that are in his circle that we know of and those possibly unknown even yet. That is a huge job which may not be finished for years. While this is all of very grave concern, the seemingly total inability of anti Trump people to restrain themselves from labeling Trump voters as rubes that got taken because they are uneducated white racist misogynistic, etc. is the surest way to continue the civil war raging in this country. I do not remember any past election in which individuals who voted in any election were constantly and endlessly bombarded with such hatred on a daily basis. What possible good can this do our country? Trump and the the thoroughly perplexing quiet Republican Congress as well as State level Republicans may not be who we are as a country but politicians are fair game. They always have been. Those who simply exercised their right to vote are not.
1
I was in North Carolina when I voted for the clown. I was a Bernie supporter but the DNC / establishment wanted Ms. Clinton. I want change' I got much more of the same in Washington. The rich are about to get a lot richer with their tax cuts and the rest of us are or will be serfs to this debt "they" created. I have regretted voting for this narcassist since before the inauguration with his cabinet picks. Director Comey who came out right when early voting was going on and saying he was investigating Ms. Clinton swung my vote. But didn't Comey say he doesn't respond to investigations that are undoing when referring to Trump? Comey cost Ms. Clinton that election. Which side is he on' he's not suppose to be political, right? Has another country tainted him, too? Is all our government officials tainted by and owned by other countries to the point it's just a secret no one wants reveled because of the completeness of the conspiracy. One already knows big money (as a person / corporation) runs policy. But with Donald the Pretender not knowing where his Navy was, or which country he fired missles into, does anyone really have the rudder of the Executive branch, at least?
We as a nation have to start a true investigation into the Trump campaign's involvement with the Russians and possibly others. First, his tax returns should be outed by Congress, who have the power to release them. Then we can go from there, but "something's rotten in Denmark/White House."
We as a nation have to start a true investigation into the Trump campaign's involvement with the Russians and possibly others. First, his tax returns should be outed by Congress, who have the power to release them. Then we can go from there, but "something's rotten in Denmark/White House."
1
Have a little more faith Charles. we're headed into the light, A light so bright even Trump will see it. He is still undecided about which way he will go. And up ahead is the biggest deal of his life. Perseus slew the Medusa's head and not at all by any ordinary means may I add. I mention the Medusa because her time is not that far down the road. She is a big part of the Spring cleaning that goes on in the Cosmos, at least once in every century or so, and we are due for the treatment. The truth is that Trump is the least of our problems, because this lady it seem, is only now just getting started.
1
Bad----------Worse----------Worst
Seriously Reagan
|
Literally Bush Jr.
|
Actually Trump
Seriously Reagan
|
Literally Bush Jr.
|
Actually Trump
4
Who would have thought that "bone-spur" Trump is so adept at back-pedaling ?
1
I haven't seen much of Paul Ryan in the news lately. Don't let him back quietly out of the picture, waiting for the opportune time to 'welcome back' disillusioned Trump voters into the mainstream conservative fold.
Excellent column, as usual, though I'm partial to the term "charlatan". As soon as the Tough Guy in Chief brings back my old Fotomat job, I'm going to throw a party with Trump steaks and Trump vodka, maybe even take the wife for a weekend at Trump Casino in Atlantic City. Meanwhile, I'm enrolling in Trump U. So long, suckers!
At first I thought your editorial was going to be about the fake news perpetrated by the NYT sports write coverage of the New England Patriot's visit to the White House. It was remarkable -- almost cultural -- that someone associated with the NYTs would work to alter the facts to fit a narrative that our President is unpopular. Many of us voted to stop the most lawless administration in the history of this country (that is a fact -- check the number of court actions against the over reach of Obama's executive actions). Rather than moving on from the elections, and engage in current topics, you instead perpetrate fraud on your own readers through biased reporting. Good luck with that
2
This is why most people who voted for Trump are not sorry they voted for him. A great many and probably most of those people who voted for Trump were ill-informed and dreadfully lacking in critical thinking skills. Voting for Trump did not make them smarter. I don't know why the NYT or one of cable news networks doesn't hire me as a political analyst. This is easy.
1
The election of the self serving billionaire is proof positive that people often act against their own best interests. Tobacco companies knew this and turned a handsome profit. Cognitive dissonance is a powerful force and rules over us with such ease.
1
Trump has failed to be accepted by the very people he most wanted, the New York High Society crowd and the American educated middle class. His most ardent supporters are the under-educated, older white people and the white supremacists. Neither group will do the country any good.
Let him continue in his senseless and ignorant statements that will continue to expose his clownish behavior to the world. He and his supporters continue to embarrass us around the world.
If we have such a powerful democracy, a powerful system of checks and balances, how can we have this imbecile running our country? Our congress is inept because of their failure to coalesce long enough to govern. Our only option is to keep demonstrating against our politicians until 2018 when we can get a new more capable group n office.
Let him continue in his senseless and ignorant statements that will continue to expose his clownish behavior to the world. He and his supporters continue to embarrass us around the world.
If we have such a powerful democracy, a powerful system of checks and balances, how can we have this imbecile running our country? Our congress is inept because of their failure to coalesce long enough to govern. Our only option is to keep demonstrating against our politicians until 2018 when we can get a new more capable group n office.
Well, Charles, I guess you weren't raised in Jamaica, Queens. Those of us who were aren't the least bit surprised, shocked, etc., like you seem to be. Give Mr. Trump his due, for goodness sake: Fools deserve to be taken. He's darn good at it, maybe the best! And he's right out front about it! Yet you seem surprised. "There's one born every minute!" You do know who first said that, right? It wasn't Mr. Trump, but it might as well have been. Where the heck are you from?
1
Trump supporters see a 3-dimensional, breathing caricature of a cartoon hero from the '50s, pulling out his rootin' tootin' foot-long pistol and running the 'bad guys' outta town. They don't care at all about him, they just want to be like him. Our fate is being determined by 4 year-olds, wearing their PJs and sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning. "Pow, pow."
6
If one is hungry for the real thing, a President who is knowledgeable and courageous, I suggest FDR. Just listen to some of his speeches to the American people, as they fought the Great Depression, and then Hitler. Hear him fight the Trusts and other monied interests.
Ah, American democracy, I knew you when. Now we seem to be descending to a Putinesque pretend democracy, administered for the super rich and the crazy religious and those who hate clean air and water.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
Ah, American democracy, I knew you when. Now we seem to be descending to a Putinesque pretend democracy, administered for the super rich and the crazy religious and those who hate clean air and water.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
1
For those Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity informed Republicans his administration has been a success because of his SCOTUS justice Gorsuch. And there are more to come. It will take a generation or two for America to recover from the disaster that is Trump.
4
I have been a registered republican since 1995.... prior an independent .... then democrat. I ran for public office locally in 1992 under the "A Connecticut Party" then . Long story.
Never voted party line.
Did not vote for idiot trump or idiot bush.
Not all republicans are idiots too!
My local party is great at managing a town with democrats of ; 45000 citizens. We are a " fine oiled Machine". Not a trump sewer.
Charles don't lose hope that your voice is being drowned out.
Continue fighting for the right as Mormons ; who btw dropped the ball voting him in , go figure ? Always say about living a righteous life!
Chaffetz and Reid are Mormon failures at this religious edict.
So let's have perspective. His voters are angry and ready to attack his " foes"
And that would be us .... all of us that hate him.
Never voted party line.
Did not vote for idiot trump or idiot bush.
Not all republicans are idiots too!
My local party is great at managing a town with democrats of ; 45000 citizens. We are a " fine oiled Machine". Not a trump sewer.
Charles don't lose hope that your voice is being drowned out.
Continue fighting for the right as Mormons ; who btw dropped the ball voting him in , go figure ? Always say about living a righteous life!
Chaffetz and Reid are Mormon failures at this religious edict.
So let's have perspective. His voters are angry and ready to attack his " foes"
And that would be us .... all of us that hate him.
He saved us from Hillary...tough learning curve, he will weather the storm...Charles stop being so angry
2
It will take decades to undue the harm Trump has inflicted in just 100 days. The greed, malice, and fraud are so egregious they are unbelievable.
The US is quickly becoming a country of no consequence which is what the Russians have desired all along
The only question now is how long have the Russians been manipulating and colluding with the Republican Party? My bet is it goes through Gingrich, Kellanne and her husband and back to Paula Jones
The US is quickly becoming a country of no consequence which is what the Russians have desired all along
The only question now is how long have the Russians been manipulating and colluding with the Republican Party? My bet is it goes through Gingrich, Kellanne and her husband and back to Paula Jones
Century 21 FOX canned O'Reilly and there is now going to be a new awareness that you can "can" other predators and Trump is now not quite so invulnerable.
We all know most of the other flaws. One of his worse is never admitting he was wrong and always wiggles out using subterfuge as a trademark. He does this to appear strong to his supporters and acolytes and members of his agency-head coven.
Trump developed his personality type based on his verbal brain function which leaves out important words and uses corrupted syntax. This affected him as a teenager in school and left an imprint.
His domestic picks are nightmares and each was chosen even though each showed terribly imbalanced positions on the agencies they were to lead.
But the biggest weakness has been Trump's inability to fill the 500 top agency deputy-type positions and the rest of the 4,000 needed appointments. He has not been able to attract folks with the qualifications and has placed a loyalty-test at the top of the hurdle list. He is not looking for quality and is so fundamentally insecure that he believes that loyalty after his campaign antics should still be key.
He seeks to redesign a number of agencies and has no clue in terms of sizing and organizing based on mission and project load.
Maybe the second biggest danger is the GOP caucus which has gone along with this incompetent man who always holds up his signature.
We all know most of the other flaws. One of his worse is never admitting he was wrong and always wiggles out using subterfuge as a trademark. He does this to appear strong to his supporters and acolytes and members of his agency-head coven.
Trump developed his personality type based on his verbal brain function which leaves out important words and uses corrupted syntax. This affected him as a teenager in school and left an imprint.
His domestic picks are nightmares and each was chosen even though each showed terribly imbalanced positions on the agencies they were to lead.
But the biggest weakness has been Trump's inability to fill the 500 top agency deputy-type positions and the rest of the 4,000 needed appointments. He has not been able to attract folks with the qualifications and has placed a loyalty-test at the top of the hurdle list. He is not looking for quality and is so fundamentally insecure that he believes that loyalty after his campaign antics should still be key.
He seeks to redesign a number of agencies and has no clue in terms of sizing and organizing based on mission and project load.
Maybe the second biggest danger is the GOP caucus which has gone along with this incompetent man who always holds up his signature.
1
It is less about trump* than about his supporters who are dragging the country down to a feral state. All they wanted from him was the go-ahead to revert to crude, vulgar and in many cases, outright sadistic against those whom they bear grudges against.
2
Thank you for calling it as it mostly is. More journalists should speak out in this manner with objectivity and facts, and call incompetency for what it is. There's an old saying that most of us know: "what goes around, comes around." Hopefully, we only have to remain resistant and persistent and patient.
1
I think it's a simple matter of tribalism. They love him because he drives liberals crazy and they can see that. With his appointments of Sessions, DeVos, Pruitt, etc. he just proves to be the anti-Obama and that's what they wanted most.
2
I know I have a mantra .. sorry for those already with the program but I must reiterate for those that haven't got it yet...
Put aside temporally the quest for purity and perfection
Put aside temporally the Progressive "Radio" harping about all the non-Progressive things Obama did or the Progressive things he didn't do
Put aside temporally our utter disappointment in the insipid Democratic Party and consuming valuable energy fighting for every minuet social or environmental cause (especially because they often lead us to come across as just a bunch whinny kids or worse)
Rather concentrate on getting all out to VOTE in each and every election - because more of the "all" will vote toward the Progressive side than will not
ONLY OUR VOTES will cleanse us of the vermin (mostly Rs today) in DC, the States, and more Locally.
Don't concentrate on conversion or denigration - concentrate on action! that is POSITIVELY EXCITING PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE
Concentrate on supporting any thing/person - even a lesser evil - major or minor - that most likely would at least incrementally dilute or remove the poison we are being forced to drink
Remember if 100% of us voted about 42% would vote R - you ain't changing that percent with facts or logic or ridicule or friendship
Remember lots more of that 42% vote every election than the rest of the 58%
Remember only at about 60% EVTO - all things being about equal - does a Progressive have a fair shot - 64% to have advantage
Put aside temporally the quest for purity and perfection
Put aside temporally the Progressive "Radio" harping about all the non-Progressive things Obama did or the Progressive things he didn't do
Put aside temporally our utter disappointment in the insipid Democratic Party and consuming valuable energy fighting for every minuet social or environmental cause (especially because they often lead us to come across as just a bunch whinny kids or worse)
Rather concentrate on getting all out to VOTE in each and every election - because more of the "all" will vote toward the Progressive side than will not
ONLY OUR VOTES will cleanse us of the vermin (mostly Rs today) in DC, the States, and more Locally.
Don't concentrate on conversion or denigration - concentrate on action! that is POSITIVELY EXCITING PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE
Concentrate on supporting any thing/person - even a lesser evil - major or minor - that most likely would at least incrementally dilute or remove the poison we are being forced to drink
Remember if 100% of us voted about 42% would vote R - you ain't changing that percent with facts or logic or ridicule or friendship
Remember lots more of that 42% vote every election than the rest of the 58%
Remember only at about 60% EVTO - all things being about equal - does a Progressive have a fair shot - 64% to have advantage
I agree! Don't boo- vote!
The time for name calling and bluster is over. It's all about mobilizing people and getting them to VOTE.
The numbers do not favors the Republicans when turnout is big. There is a reason.
The time for name calling and bluster is over. It's all about mobilizing people and getting them to VOTE.
The numbers do not favors the Republicans when turnout is big. There is a reason.
The cost of a Trump presidency goes way beyond tolerating unprepared, unprincipled, uncouth, and unconventional. In the Donald's quest for power, which is only to serve his interests, he and his associates became, whether purposely or not, agents of Russia and Putin. And Trump is either too arrogant or ignorant to realize it. Or in what would be the realization of our worst fears, complicit in the collusion with the Russians.
1
I'm kind of glad he didn't keep his promises....
2
Unfortunately,less educated people have followed fakers throughout history. Wars have been fought and millions have died. Moreover,the unscrupulous have allied themselves with fakers for personal gain. This is not a new story;however those of who can still think critically and are not apathetic must fight to regain what is left of our democracy.
1
While I certainly do not support the narcissist-in-chief, Mr. Blow, you are making the mistake of taking him too seriously and quite literally. It's not as if other politicians, say Bill and Hilary Clinton or Debbie Wasserman Schultz, as examples, are genuine, sincere, and selfless. Trump is a typical politician of 21st century America: a person who purports to serve the common good while satisfying his private agenda du jour. As bad as things are, they are in fact better than most liberal commentators predicted. Think of what was discussed just a month or two ago -- on these pages:
* We would have Ted Cruz nominated for the Supreme Court. Instead we got a more mild-mannered and civilized clone of Scalia. Trump had no role in the travesty of the Senate stealing Merritt Garland. He only replaced Scalia in kind as any would expect a Republican to do.
* Many on these pages predicted our major policy decisions would be dictated by Steve Bannon, Rudy, Giuliani, and Michael Flynn. Instead we have Jared Kushner, Steven Munchin and HR McMaster. Kushner is inexperienced but he is a rational human being, if nothing else. McMaster is actually an excellent choice for his role. Probably the best and most ethical pick Trump made. Munchin is boiler plate Wall Street, no different from Larry Summers.
This is not to say that anything GOOD is happening. Rather, the fact is that NOTHING is happening. Mr. Blow, as a liberal, you should be thankful for that!
* We would have Ted Cruz nominated for the Supreme Court. Instead we got a more mild-mannered and civilized clone of Scalia. Trump had no role in the travesty of the Senate stealing Merritt Garland. He only replaced Scalia in kind as any would expect a Republican to do.
* Many on these pages predicted our major policy decisions would be dictated by Steve Bannon, Rudy, Giuliani, and Michael Flynn. Instead we have Jared Kushner, Steven Munchin and HR McMaster. Kushner is inexperienced but he is a rational human being, if nothing else. McMaster is actually an excellent choice for his role. Probably the best and most ethical pick Trump made. Munchin is boiler plate Wall Street, no different from Larry Summers.
This is not to say that anything GOOD is happening. Rather, the fact is that NOTHING is happening. Mr. Blow, as a liberal, you should be thankful for that!
1
Good Lord, man! Can you write about anything else? 13 straight "I hate Trump" editorials. Since Jan 1, the score is 25 to 2. I get it....but move on.
2
"There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase closely associated with P. T. Barnum (Wikipedia) and
Last year, the National Review called Trump “the P.T. Barnum of American politics.” Salon deemed him “the second coming of P.T. Barnum.” (NY Daily News)
What else needs to be expressed at this point? We've a HUCKSTER IN CHIEF as president.
Last year, the National Review called Trump “the P.T. Barnum of American politics.” Salon deemed him “the second coming of P.T. Barnum.” (NY Daily News)
What else needs to be expressed at this point? We've a HUCKSTER IN CHIEF as president.
Not sure if Mr. Blow reads these comments (for the record, on an article I published I read all 500 comments), but I think it's time to move on, or at least attack Trump only every other week. I get it. I didn't vote for Trump either. I think he's quite possibly the worst President we have ever elected. But that said, it serves little purpose to be known as the guy that just writes Trump diatribes for four years. There are many more social injustices facing us in the country and the world. Hard to believe the editors haven't offered up the same advice.
"De nouveau c'est la secheresse pour Monsieur Alexandre, parait il!" Have submiitted half dozen comments since last night on Mr. Blow's article of this morning and on the dismissal of Bill O Reilly at FOXNEWS, a victory for feminists, p.c. advocates and intolerant liberalism: Best news interviewer in the business, trenchant in his questioning, funny and spiritual as well.Questioned also why Mr. BLOW always appears so angry. Makes a nice living and sends his children to an ivy league college whereas many of us, to quote the old Irish dicton, do not have a pot to p... in or a window to throw it out of!" Also quoted advice given by an editor who counsels us to avoid name calling, to be informative and substantive, which I always strive to be.Final point to be made is that "Allahou Akbar" does not translate as "God is great," but accurate translation is "God is greater!" It is the comparative that counts.Having been awarded a certificate in written Arabic from NYU, I know whereof I speak. Many newspapers make that mistake, which is commonplace.
Sadly nothing any legitimate writer or columnist who talks about the great carnival barker will change anything for his followers with an IQ of a refrigerator. If the IQ is higher then it is about self greed through cutting taxes and allowing the poorest to suffer. "Who cares as long as I make money" seems to be the mantra for the trump followers who have a normal IQ and out of the frig class. But progressives must keep beating the drum on his failures and cons.
Language is important; it can be inclusive or devicive. How about stating "He palyed US for fools" istead of" ...YOU for fools." This choice of words deepens the divide, at a time when we desperately need to come together.
Charles, you nailed it! Of course, no one of his supporters will admit that....
1
If the Trump voters are doubling down on believing his lies, then it is up to us, the "anti-Trump" crowd (whatever political stripes that includes) to save the country.
Right now, we are in the "Rise of" part of something, a phenomenon (whatever it is) that is going to have a "and Fall of" period eventually. Hopefully, that will be sooner rather than later. Because based on Trump's actions so far, any number of nasty scenarios could unfold, if a real emergency test of his presidency took place. And I think we all know that.
I think even the Trump "voters" know that, in the back of their minds.
But if they are going to insist on believing his lies, in the face of incontrovertible evidence, then what help are they going to be in a national emergency?
Right now, we are in the "Rise of" part of something, a phenomenon (whatever it is) that is going to have a "and Fall of" period eventually. Hopefully, that will be sooner rather than later. Because based on Trump's actions so far, any number of nasty scenarios could unfold, if a real emergency test of his presidency took place. And I think we all know that.
I think even the Trump "voters" know that, in the back of their minds.
But if they are going to insist on believing his lies, in the face of incontrovertible evidence, then what help are they going to be in a national emergency?
1
You're assuming most people who voted for Trump know or care what a Populist is. They appreciate his bluster and his swagger, little else.
John Dean said the base of Trump voters take in very little information and cling to their beliefs. HL Mencken said "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."
Unfortunately it seems Trump might have to do something really terrible to get what he deserves. It's more likely that the Republican congress will turn on him before his constituents do.
John Dean said the base of Trump voters take in very little information and cling to their beliefs. HL Mencken said "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."
Unfortunately it seems Trump might have to do something really terrible to get what he deserves. It's more likely that the Republican congress will turn on him before his constituents do.
Donald Trump, and the extended Trump family, gives credence to the concerns of how and why the "gene pool" is being polluted and mutated.
Although I agree with almost every word in this well-written diatribe, one of very many by Mr. Blow, I do think preaching to the choir has reached an apogee and serves no useful editorial purpose. He and his audience would be better served by replacing pejorative declamations with useful or actionable guidance on how to further his and his readers alternative agendas. Trump will remain Trump. Expression of liberal disgust with him may catch eyeballs and accumulate clicks but will do little to advance a better future.
1
Mr. Blow, I am with you on every line in this op-ed about Trump. The man is everything you say and then some. But the only line I disagree is that this a revelation. In the short three months of his Presidency he has revealed all his personality and traits, unfortunately, all negative and very dangerous to us, Americans and the rest of the World. But, maybe your right. Maybe the best of the worst is still to revealed. And then what could happen? Please I don't want to know!
Roy Cohn was a lawyer. He was very aggressive, hurt people, and eventually was disbarred. He also gave D. Trump legal and strategic advice and
guidance. Cohn's principles of practice:
"-I bring out the worst in my enemies and that's how I get them to defeat themselves."
[D. Trump behaves undiplomatically and aggressively toward whom he perceives to be opponents].
"-Go after a man's weakness, and never, ever, threaten unless you're going to follow through, because if you don't, the next time you won't be taken seriously." [D. Trump may have behaved this way during business dealings. It is not clear if he has behaved this way yet in the role of president. I'm not sure if what he has done in Syria, apparently differing with Russia is like this tactic; or, is it a behind-the-scene maneuver with Russia ?]
- "I don't want to know what the law is, I want to know who the judge is." [Could "the judge" be for D. Trump the court of public opinion, public opinion which does not equal reasonable good judgment (?) ]
- "I don't write polite letters. I don't like to plea-bargain. I like to fight." [There is evidence from D. Trump's campaigning and tweets that he adheres to this method].
guidance. Cohn's principles of practice:
"-I bring out the worst in my enemies and that's how I get them to defeat themselves."
[D. Trump behaves undiplomatically and aggressively toward whom he perceives to be opponents].
"-Go after a man's weakness, and never, ever, threaten unless you're going to follow through, because if you don't, the next time you won't be taken seriously." [D. Trump may have behaved this way during business dealings. It is not clear if he has behaved this way yet in the role of president. I'm not sure if what he has done in Syria, apparently differing with Russia is like this tactic; or, is it a behind-the-scene maneuver with Russia ?]
- "I don't want to know what the law is, I want to know who the judge is." [Could "the judge" be for D. Trump the court of public opinion, public opinion which does not equal reasonable good judgment (?) ]
- "I don't write polite letters. I don't like to plea-bargain. I like to fight." [There is evidence from D. Trump's campaigning and tweets that he adheres to this method].
I love you Mr B, keep on rockin' !
Trump doesn't have a clue. He is the most dangerous kind of leader in that he doesn't know what he doesn't know. All he knows is that he is the center of the universe. He is the little boy that just got put behind the wheel of a Mack truck and can barely see over the dash and reach the pedals.
Many think that he will appoint wise experienced sages that will guide him. First of all, Trump can't be guided. That requires logical thinking. Trump displays no logic. Secondly, the narcissist surrounds himself wth people that feed his need, people that reinforce his beliefs and ego.
So far, the people being mentioned are as unqualified as he is. These people are not prudent conservatives. They are fanatics like he is. These are people that see the world in simple yes-no, black-white relationships. Trade and immigration are perfect examples.
Many think that he will appoint wise experienced sages that will guide him. First of all, Trump can't be guided. That requires logical thinking. Trump displays no logic. Secondly, the narcissist surrounds himself wth people that feed his need, people that reinforce his beliefs and ego.
So far, the people being mentioned are as unqualified as he is. These people are not prudent conservatives. They are fanatics like he is. These are people that see the world in simple yes-no, black-white relationships. Trade and immigration are perfect examples.
2
“A Fake and a Fraud” that Trump is should be cause for concern for the country, primarily because he now has control of the full might of the US armed forces and he has shown within the first hundred days that he is not afraid to use it.
What’s worse is that Trump is a voracious consumer of the “news” from Murdoch news empire, including NY Post and Fox News, which has been known for broadcasting “fake news,” such as Obama ordering the monitoring of Trump Towers and using British intelligence services to spy on Trump and his people.
Two headlines in the NY Post today is particularly worrisome:
Ever “helpful” Israel is apparently behind the headline, “Assad still has tons of chemical weapons: Israel”. Ever unhinged North Koreans are behind this headline: “North Korea warns of ‘super-mighty preemptive strike’”
Those are the kind of headlines that could set Trump off and, before you know it, missiles could be flying and MOABs could be dropped.
Be concerned. VERY concerned.
What’s worse is that Trump is a voracious consumer of the “news” from Murdoch news empire, including NY Post and Fox News, which has been known for broadcasting “fake news,” such as Obama ordering the monitoring of Trump Towers and using British intelligence services to spy on Trump and his people.
Two headlines in the NY Post today is particularly worrisome:
Ever “helpful” Israel is apparently behind the headline, “Assad still has tons of chemical weapons: Israel”. Ever unhinged North Koreans are behind this headline: “North Korea warns of ‘super-mighty preemptive strike’”
Those are the kind of headlines that could set Trump off and, before you know it, missiles could be flying and MOABs could be dropped.
Be concerned. VERY concerned.
Democrats have to learn to run better campaigns, from now on. And the NY Times critics need to find better criticisms.
I would suggest some added REPETITION, not just boring policy statements, like Hillary Clinton used.
"Perhaps
The man-hero is not the exceptional monster,
But he that of repetition is most master.”
―Wallace Stevens
Repetition could start with the use of a single WORD or two, that tends to define the mission of the candidate. Democrats might start with:
Trump TRUMP!
============
I would suggest some added REPETITION, not just boring policy statements, like Hillary Clinton used.
"Perhaps
The man-hero is not the exceptional monster,
But he that of repetition is most master.”
―Wallace Stevens
Repetition could start with the use of a single WORD or two, that tends to define the mission of the candidate. Democrats might start with:
Trump TRUMP!
============
1
Opportunist. Whichever is more popular. Flip and flop.
The right-wingers would take down any Lefty who flip-flopped. The left has no teeth. No passion - except you Charles. You have been perfectly acrid in your words. The entire NYT is not good enough. It is evident - the 4th estate was powerless to stop a fascist from becoming american president.
You sometimes need bile. It needs to erupt like after a bender. The left is too weak.
Stupid cannot have a seat at the table of grownups - yet america not only allows this - it seems to worship ignorance, stupidity and fear.
The right-wingers would take down any Lefty who flip-flopped. The left has no teeth. No passion - except you Charles. You have been perfectly acrid in your words. The entire NYT is not good enough. It is evident - the 4th estate was powerless to stop a fascist from becoming american president.
You sometimes need bile. It needs to erupt like after a bender. The left is too weak.
Stupid cannot have a seat at the table of grownups - yet america not only allows this - it seems to worship ignorance, stupidity and fear.
Thank you Charles for another eloquent piece on DJT. I look forward to your essays collected in book-form, as documentation of this horrid man.
1
I spoke to my cousin, and extremely intelligent woman, who lives in Florida. When she speaks of Trump it's like she's talking about her father who passed away. She idolized's this man her heels a dug in so deep her home and her job would be taken away from her, and she would say" when you give this man a chance" Being with her, and talking with her, was one of the scariest days that I will never forget. These voters are the walking smiling zombies. This country is being held together with fabrications.
1
This is a cursory observation, but I am finding that at work, in my neighborhood, and, bi-partisan family, closed minds are becoming illuminated. Those who had believed President Trump's drain the swamp tirades, are uncomfortable and disgusted with this administration's consistent choices of incompetent staff as billionaire accolades. Those who will never vote for Democrats are silent. They knew military service and smell bad wars. Their sons and daughters are draft eligible. Their votes, never mind Trump, had no clothes, and the daily admonitions, expressed, by President Trump, and their Party, towards so many other Americans, is bewildering. Their victorious President has made no effort to know their neighborhoods and bury the campaign hatchet. But, they, absolutely know when they have been played.
1
This old, retired psychiatrist honkered down in the upper Midwest thanks you, Charles, for a breath of fresh air and sanity in these ever darker times. I beleive, however, that Trump is the ripe fruit of a process of self-enrichment by the uber-rich as they have constructed elaborate financail conduits to funnel every last cent from bottom to top in the Capitalist circus that Amerika has become. The fall and retraction of Europe and the "nationalist" retraction occurring world-wide are simply the inevitable consequences of elitist entrenchment. The more we have, the more we have to safeguard. The historic migratory crises worldwide are the direct result of massive human overpopulation and calculated Imperialist destruction of Middle Eastern civil infrastructure. This wave of desperate humanity is breaking in Europe and they have Bush/Cheney to thank for it. Keep up your great work! Little else in the NYT is worth reading, sorry, but it's the truth. The Science and Health sections are appalling and rarely publish my critiques. Population density stress is THE cause of all our human "diseases of civilization" and the Healthcare Industry is raking in the bucks keeping the ever sicker and more depleted middle class alive for one more day. Stress R Us.
There are three kinds of people who voted for "president" trump. People who only vote GOP, people who could not vote for HRC, and people that really felt/were left behind after the 2008 recession. I do not blame them for liking one position over another, what I hold them accountable for is electing someone who is unbalanced, crooked and a bigot.
1
Consistently good writing vs Trump, and UT perhaps you are regretting some of what you said about Hillary.
Yes, clan over country. This puts the Trump clan in league of wanna-be Chinese Princelings and Russian Oligarchs--both of the latter are privatizing symptoms that seized the wealth of their societies as their old political systems crumbled.
Nothing new here, Charles, at all. Come on.
I regret to say, it is most of the voters who placed Trump in office who are fakes and frauds. Need to smarten up and take a good course in civics. And you who did not even bother to vote, or fell for the lie that there was no difference between the candidates: wake up.
1
A scam? A fraud? A colossal insider trading scheme? An ugly, spoiled child? A privileged, rich but backward, awkward, ignorant fool? The Trump brand, in other words?
The mystery of Trump is not his adoring mob, his 'base'. It's the media trying to figure our what, if any, policies he has. Pundits trying to understand the ramifications of what he says and does.
It's the think tanks who, with absolutely no evidence, still believe Trump has a thought in his head, however ill-formed, and some sort of agenda, policy, or purpose.
But, of course, it is obvious that there is nothing to Trump.
We have never known precisely his like before. Some of us have had the misfortune of working for bosses like him, who knew nothing, did nothing, but took credit for everything everybody else worked hard to do.
We have had to deal with preening, self-adoring brats, some of them our own, but they managed to grow out of it by 15 or so.
We have had ugly, stupid men, scowling in disapproval, frothing at the mouth with hatred, denigrating what they can't have, befouling what they don't understand. We have even brushed up against real madness. But we have never had a single character like Trump with all of his festering sores and all of the above insufferable traits rolled into one awful package.
And now he's president with a lot of power and all that outsized rage. This is not amusing anymore, if it ever was. What will it take to make his 'base' wake up and the GOP to stop Trump?
The mystery of Trump is not his adoring mob, his 'base'. It's the media trying to figure our what, if any, policies he has. Pundits trying to understand the ramifications of what he says and does.
It's the think tanks who, with absolutely no evidence, still believe Trump has a thought in his head, however ill-formed, and some sort of agenda, policy, or purpose.
But, of course, it is obvious that there is nothing to Trump.
We have never known precisely his like before. Some of us have had the misfortune of working for bosses like him, who knew nothing, did nothing, but took credit for everything everybody else worked hard to do.
We have had to deal with preening, self-adoring brats, some of them our own, but they managed to grow out of it by 15 or so.
We have had ugly, stupid men, scowling in disapproval, frothing at the mouth with hatred, denigrating what they can't have, befouling what they don't understand. We have even brushed up against real madness. But we have never had a single character like Trump with all of his festering sores and all of the above insufferable traits rolled into one awful package.
And now he's president with a lot of power and all that outsized rage. This is not amusing anymore, if it ever was. What will it take to make his 'base' wake up and the GOP to stop Trump?
2
I think there is an editing error re: 'clan over country' it should be klan over country- while Herr Drumpf has Scots heritage via his Mother ,his behavior demonstrates none of the honorable, highland traditions of faith,family and community with your neighbor. His 'klan' is the amoral, bigoted, criminal enterprise version.
1
I don't attribute it to blindness, selfishness and fear. Rather, it is the Fox New and Conservative media effect where lies are pushed with unrelenting fervor, turning about one third of the United States' population into a giant cult. And it is very difficult, if not impossible, to convince cult members that their beliefs are mistaken. Freedom of speech is not so great when the liars out-shout and out-spend the truth tellers and so many people are so gullible as to believe the lies.
1
And yet all of the things we fear most from Trump, bungling us into a war, shredding international agreements, fascism, will be cheered by his yahoo supporters.
1
Mr. Blow
I cannot disagree other than to say that none of this is really new information.
Time would be better spent on incessant coverage if DJT's collusion with Russia and the pending constitutional process we will need to navigate to put DJT's successor in place.
That is a topic worth covering!
Keep the focus on the Russian investigation and the truth will emerge faster than just bashing an administration that we know is illegitimate. We have to plan for the "day after DJT ". And that planning needs to begin now!
I cannot disagree other than to say that none of this is really new information.
Time would be better spent on incessant coverage if DJT's collusion with Russia and the pending constitutional process we will need to navigate to put DJT's successor in place.
That is a topic worth covering!
Keep the focus on the Russian investigation and the truth will emerge faster than just bashing an administration that we know is illegitimate. We have to plan for the "day after DJT ". And that planning needs to begin now!
Perfect
2
So, you can't be a fake news anchor if you are a fioghy sexual predator but you can be president of the united states.
Gotcha'!
Gotcha'!
1
Hard to argue with the general thrust or its specifics, though for many of us all this was patently clear about Donald Trump before he entered politics. Having it pointed up regularly is probably important on some level -this sort of 'presidency' should never be given the undeserved patina of normalcy- but it is also unhelpful in coping with the ongoing onslaught.
Easy to criticize, Mr. Blow, but what are your alternatives?
Easy to criticize, Mr. Blow, but what are your alternatives?
The plan for is Dems is simple. We must deal with demagogic pathological liar the only way we can, by opposing every single sly underhanded canard he attempts to foist upon the American people. We cannot waver. The very foundation of our democracy depends on it. We will never give up. The Resistance lives until this clear and present is removed from office.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
2
His followers, blinded by Fox News, will lick his feet to the end. They'll worship him as they're thrown out on the street and he relieves himself on them. He's their rich white hope, the protector of their tribe. They will die for him as robs them blind.
1
I think that Oscar Wilde may have said it best: “The English country gentleman galloping after a fox – the unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible.” Think about it.
1
So in other words Trump has become Hilary Clinton. Mr. Blow should be excited he gets the president he wanted. In all honesty though does the times feel it's needed to continue to let Blow post these pointless diatribes? We get it he hates Trump.
6
Trump should be so lucky...to even morph into a cheap knock-off of HRC, would be far better then being himself.
1
"So in other words Trump has become Hilary Clinton." Great example of a black and white mind. Continually pointing out absolute evil is not pointless - it is the essence of what we should be doing in this life. E. you think #45 is normal and Mr. Blow and I know that normalizing this evil evil evil man is in itself evil. Mr. Blow should write one of these columns on the hour till this blight has left our land. You really do not understand how much we hate #45. There has to be a better word than hate it seems flaccid at this point.
First, acknowledgement of your shilling for Hillary last spring would be appropriate, Charles. That, along with your smears of Bernie Sanders, the least fake and least fraudulent candidate of all, had an undeniable role in getting Trump elected.
He's your fake and fraud, Charles. Own it.
He's your fake and fraud, Charles. Own it.
5
Thank you. I used to love Charles Blow but after what he and the other opinion writers did to Bernie, I rarely read their columns but go straight to the comments.
1
This president is an angry dim-witted child. it's time to remove him from office, or have we not seen enough of his dim-witted childish behavior?
3
"accrue" is intransitive. People do not accrue wealth; wealth accrues. You might have tried "acquire."
2
Actually, it's both. From Merriam-Webster online:
transitive verb
: to accumulate or have due after a period of time--accrue vacation time
It's always good to check your facts before spewing your snark.
transitive verb
: to accumulate or have due after a period of time--accrue vacation time
It's always good to check your facts before spewing your snark.
Well, all I can say is that he chose his marks well: they seem willing to follow whatever path he continues to take, no matter what morals they need to shed along the way.
4
Blow,
I was hoping that you would write about something other than Trump but my hopes have been dashed.
I was hoping that you would write about something other than Trump but my hopes have been dashed.
1
The people who knew Trump, New Yorkers, hate him and voted against him. He's still afraid to go back. It's the people who don't know him who voted for him. They are slowly learning why New York hates him.
2
They're too stupid to learn. Hope I'm wrong but sure I'm not.
1
Same screed, different day. Find a voice, and find some subject matter. Dozens of times to the same well, same bucketful of bile, nothing new to say, automatic-pilot prose unworthy of the Times.
4
Same president different day and nothing about this president has changed neither then Mr. Blows "bucketful of bile". I hope Mr. Blow stops doing bucketfuls and starts doing fire hosing of bile - because that would be appropriate under the circumstances. Calling evil - evil every single day is an absolute good.
I frankly don't get all of the animosity towards Trump... except as regards the Secret Service guarding his entire family? Oh well, good paying jobs.. being created... Bill Clinton unleashed Wall Steet and got rid of the luxury tax instituted by George H.. Hillary did not promise universal single payer-- what she promised was more of the same (DC as Hollywood for ugly people and where the twain meet. She had just as bad a mouth as Trump-- or worse... deplorables, Putin and Hitler, and hubby was provost for one of those online for profit colleges. People will have to learn to work around government -- that's the reason we have religious organizations (bu I o not believe in most religious schools -- oddly, the Catholics seem less doctrinaire than many.. but they've had more years experience... once being the only school in town...)
We want Orpah. With Martha as Sec of Education. Ellen Degeneres as SEc. of State. Love my ticket. Someone young for v-P.
We want Orpah. With Martha as Sec of Education. Ellen Degeneres as SEc. of State. Love my ticket. Someone young for v-P.
"He isn’t cunningly unpredictable; he’s tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled."
Cuts to the heart of the matter.
Thank you, Mr. Blow.
Cuts to the heart of the matter.
Thank you, Mr. Blow.
7
How low do the polls have to go before he is gone? Hopefully a descent uncovering will bring an impeachment and he will be gone. For those who voted for t-rump, caveat emptor. An empty mind and an empty suit. When will those voters "see" this? After everything is gone and we are in WW111...
1
The huckster and charlatan has become the Great and Powerful Oz. How long before the Republicans say, "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain?" And will the American voters have the native wisdom to ask why the Republicans ever thought we should have paid attention to him?
2
Lacking breadth including humor displayed by every other NYT Columnist, Blow can only rely on his hatred for/ co-dependency on Trump--which really disguises Blow's hostility bordering on hatred towards whites. And I'm not a Trump supporter.
3
You obviously do not really understand the problem if you can say this about these columns. Mr. Trump is very possibly the very worst thing that has happened not only to this country but the world given global warming. There are no words that are harsh enough, repeated often enough to make you understand. My hostility to #45 literally has no limits - there are no words in any language ancient or modern to describe the negativity I have towards Mr. Trump and his supporters. If you do not understand this, in my opinion you are not paying attention. I am white and Mr. Blow has not published a word that I wouldn't have written myself.
1
Sooner or later, the rednecks and carnies who voted this grifter into the highest office need to look at themselves and realize they are to blame
4
More irrational vitriol from Charles Blow, whose column today makes it sound as if he's going off the deep end personally.
A huge number of people wouldn't agree with anything Blow has written.
Good thing for Blow and the NYT that they are so protected by libel laws.
A huge number of people wouldn't agree with anything Blow has written.
Good thing for Blow and the NYT that they are so protected by libel laws.
Mr. Blow: you're supposed to be writing a column, not giving a sermon. More analysis, please, rather than just name-calling.
6
And yet there's not a thing false about what he's said here.
Your title : forgot the word Liar!
2
Mr.Richard! This is ridiculous that you are defending this liar and sociopohat president. He's doing only damage so far. Are you so blind ? don't you see the rest of the population?Your selfish capitalist ideas is just like all cohorts around Trump . They are only serving the 2% of the population.
1
there's an old old school story about the bright kid who got an A+ for a 9th grade paper thought to show some talent and passion, so good it was, and so taken was he by praise, that he submitted the same paper for his 10th grade essay and got a B...11th grade, a C, 12th grade and F and a caution for lack of effort, absence of critical thought, immaturity of style and, of course, fervor gone flat...
time, mr blow, to get off the regurge and into the game...first, lay off the invective...you want frauds, look under your sofa cushions, they're everywhere...HRC played us for fools, rather sorting than uniting us, (trump on the other hand was taken for a fool by y'all, now all the more angry at him for trading on your distraction), the DNC betrayed us, ronald reagan was an FBI snitch during the HUAC disgrace, (lots of complict press there too), JFK cheated on jackie, guys and gals get juiced to hit homers and win races, ad infin...so, tape over the "resend" key and try...
an exercise that david mccullough used in his history classes to give beginning writers focus rather than have them overwhelmed by wider contexts, for example, read about WWI but instead of the comprehensive paper, pick one area that interests you and drill down, say, infantry training, battlefield medicine, a day in a tench, etc...so, go for something within the big picture, learn lots about it and teach us...how can we go about feeding poor kids before school? ..blueprint a new WPA jobs program, etc...etc.
time, mr blow, to get off the regurge and into the game...first, lay off the invective...you want frauds, look under your sofa cushions, they're everywhere...HRC played us for fools, rather sorting than uniting us, (trump on the other hand was taken for a fool by y'all, now all the more angry at him for trading on your distraction), the DNC betrayed us, ronald reagan was an FBI snitch during the HUAC disgrace, (lots of complict press there too), JFK cheated on jackie, guys and gals get juiced to hit homers and win races, ad infin...so, tape over the "resend" key and try...
an exercise that david mccullough used in his history classes to give beginning writers focus rather than have them overwhelmed by wider contexts, for example, read about WWI but instead of the comprehensive paper, pick one area that interests you and drill down, say, infantry training, battlefield medicine, a day in a tench, etc...so, go for something within the big picture, learn lots about it and teach us...how can we go about feeding poor kids before school? ..blueprint a new WPA jobs program, etc...etc.
2
Blow can't understand the love that some folks (whites, poor and others) have for Trump. Easy. As long as they're white , they feel better than being black. And Trump is the man whose dog whistle is make America White again. Strangely enough , these while folks feel superior being white, even if they lack jobs or Heath care.
PS . Bring Blow back in the paper version of the New York Times
PS . Bring Blow back in the paper version of the New York Times
4
If DT is as bad as Mr. Blow says he is. If DT is so dishonest and unethical as everyone says and yet he still beat Clinton, tells me that Hillary is even worse. I mean really, if Hillary couldn't beat DT how pathetic is that!!! Remember we were told that Hillary was the most qualified person to be President EVER!!! And she lost. Can't wait to see who the Dems run in 2020.
There must certainly be a high degree of overlap between voters who in 2000 and 2004 elected George W. Bush and those who in 2016 elected Donald J. Trump. How many Bush voters ever acknowledged that he was unfit for the presidency? Some people bought the Bush myth that he was a successful businessman and competent because he was the governor of a "big" state. Never mind that Bush had repeated business failures and was frequently assisted by powerful and wealthy friends of George H.W. Bush., or that the Texas governor is fairly powerless when compared to the governorships of other states. Long after Iraq had turned to a quagmire and budgets deficits were rising, many Republicans praised Bush as a strong leader and a great president. So it should be of no surprise that Trump has many happy partisans, these voters do not seek intelligence or competence in the their presidential candidates.
11
Mr. Blow, who earns a nice living as an advocacy journalist,lecturer and author, always seems to be in a state of perpetual outrage,which, to my layman's eyes, is a serious mental condition.If u r able to pay your progeny's tuition at a posh ivy league school, what's there to be so angry about, when many Americans r living hand to mouth, earning barely enough to put food on the table. Don't recall any article of his about the plight of those living in [perilous housing projects, under tyranny of drug lords, or any act of altruism in favor of those with fewer advantages than himself.. Apparently lacks the derring do,willingness to go as a journo where others fear to tread, stamina which some other colleagues possess in abundance.CB quotes Wash. Post as a source. So, what else is new? In fact, Trump has accomplished a great deal in first 100 days: confirmation of SP Justice, removing regulations which will allow businesses, large and small, to prosper, tightened up enforcement of immigration laws, and placed a "can do" former Marine Corps. gen. as head of DHS.To call Trump a "fake and a fraud," is not my definition of serving the truth.Have issues with Trump's grabby, crass in-laws, but that is another matter, Ms. Sullivan advises commenters to "avoid name calling,"which I strive to abide by, but this should also apply to Times journalists. Along these lines, calling us Trump adherents "useful idiots," written by one of Mr. Blow's colleagues, is also not appreciated.
3
Have you really listened to him in an interview???
“In fact, Trump has accomplished a great deal in first 100 days:”
Obviously a student of history we have here. I know that actually reading a book about the first 100 days of other presidents might be a bit more trouble than it is worth to you - but really - you make yourself a perfect stooge here. I’m sorry to call you names truly I am, it gives me no pleasure, but you are demonstrating perfectly what militant armored ignorance looks like. Do yourself a favor before you give out your uninformed opinions try just this once looking at the information in history before you make a fool of yourself in public again. Try looking up FDR’s first 100 days and then re-think.
Obviously a student of history we have here. I know that actually reading a book about the first 100 days of other presidents might be a bit more trouble than it is worth to you - but really - you make yourself a perfect stooge here. I’m sorry to call you names truly I am, it gives me no pleasure, but you are demonstrating perfectly what militant armored ignorance looks like. Do yourself a favor before you give out your uninformed opinions try just this once looking at the information in history before you make a fool of yourself in public again. Try looking up FDR’s first 100 days and then re-think.
Good jobł Mr. Blow. I realize that I am more furious than ever before. I am seeing more nonsense and stupidity than ever before. I am angry, because of 3 months of agony, cynicism, hypocrisy , Cruelty, arrogance, lies, petulance, and this administration continue to terrorize our nation. I have zero respect for republicans that ignore this terrorism from this government ( if I can call this government ). They are connected to the most greed and selfish -centered people. They care less if our nation explode. The idiots that voted for this "Orange clown" still believe that he came to save them, the other ones, voted for their own advantage. We are just like A Banana Repunlic ,we always critisuzed , and punish their leaders for our own selfsh interests. Now we are being punish. His is the reality . We Need to Resist and act fast to change that. Voting is the number one solution. We need to to take all local seats, states , from republicans , specially in the red states. We need all luck .
2
The way I see it, foxnews has Keith Ablow and nyt has Charles M Blow.
Doesn't matter if the nyt throws away objective journalism for incompetent people, we the people still see the reason Trump was voted in. Supreme court and the second amendment and we are still thankful that for at least a generation to come, American exceptionalism is safe for even the likes of Charles Blow to succeed.
Doesn't matter if the nyt throws away objective journalism for incompetent people, we the people still see the reason Trump was voted in. Supreme court and the second amendment and we are still thankful that for at least a generation to come, American exceptionalism is safe for even the likes of Charles Blow to succeed.
I also believe Charles Blow is yearning to have a Woodward-Bernstein moment where he's going to be THE ONE to bring down Donald Trump thanks to the power he wields as a member of the Fourth Estate. Unfortunately all Charles Blow succeeds in doing is preach to the choir while simultaneously turning off other readers who are getting weary of the constant anti-Trump drumbeat twice a week. Surely Mr. Blow can find another topic worthy of his time to write about. The Charles BlowTrump-dump is getting on everyone's nerves.
"He isn’t cunningly unpredictable; he’s tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled." Ah, Mr. Blow, if I should read more frightening words today I'll be surprised. The man doesn't know what he is doing and doesn't know eve how to do that. What has the nation done to deserve this! Oh . . . they voted him in. Did they get what they deserved? Did Germany, when they elected Hitler?
Well-said, Charles Blow. Thank you.
2
Blow is flogging a dead horse here.
Tell us something we don't know Charles.
The pathological liar, fraud and con artist that is currently presiding over the big house in DC is laughably inept as a leader.
To the voters that put him on office I say, you own him. Sleep well.
Tell us something we don't know Charles.
The pathological liar, fraud and con artist that is currently presiding over the big house in DC is laughably inept as a leader.
To the voters that put him on office I say, you own him. Sleep well.
2
Projection is the important aspect here. While conned at Trump's ability to deliver on specifics, most Trump voters still project the strength and bombast they think a Patton-style president should have (and project weakness towards the libtards they are told must be so). They will not back down unless a Trump action directly hurts them. Most Trump voters I know were just happy with his disruption, hoping he would "blow up the system" that they feel has ignored them for so long. With such a broad idea of blowing something up, they will continue to see incoherent policies and sudden reversals as a positive means to whatever end is 'blowing up the system'. Projecting a rosy idea of American power and wealth on Trump is dangerous, but it is always what carried Trump before during and after the election.
Ooooh, your columns are getting better and better.
Trump is a con-man, and the American people are his biggest mark.
Trump is a con-man, and the American people are his biggest mark.
4
Nobody should really be surprised at Trumps staying power with his base, and I mean base. He has delivered all the bluster, mean spirited crassness, and simple fixes that they have been longing for. "Health Care a problem??, I'll fix it. Little Brown men threatening our oil?? I'll fix it. Don't have a job? I'll fix it." He has sold the most obvious snake oil to his minions, and they bought it lock stock and barrel. Why? I guess no one else had the audacity to tell them so many lies and falsehoods than him on the presidential trail. No one else could simplify the country and the worlds problems into "us and them" bromides like he could, After years of being fed alternate facts on Fox News, they were ready to accept more lies and fantasies from the fantasy factory that is Trumps world. Trump and the lie machine are both still working their pie holes, and their fans are swallowing whatever they belch out as "truth". Of course, the vast majority of these folks are White.
Make of that what you will.
Make of that what you will.
1
Trump is merely the apotheosis of Republicanism, in which opportunism and expediency in the service of the one percent are the only values, and phony baloney "issues" (abortion, the deficit, law and order, peace through strength, 2nd amendment, etc.) are just ginned up to sucker the rubes, bigots, and Fox addled patriotic morons into voting against their own economic interests for people who have only contempt for them, couldn't care less about them, and laugh at them behind their back while they feed at the trough, and steal their money on behalf of their one percent puppet masters and the big corporations who fund them. They are just a bunch of prostitutes for plutocrats, thugs with briefcases, who have no values, no morals, no ethics, no principles, no program (as we all learned with their ridiculous attempts to craft health care legislation - after 8 years!) and above all: no shame. They are cancer that needs to be completely removed from the body politic in 2018 and 2020. For a look at how well government can function once people who want to destroy it are removed from power look to California, it is amazing what can be achieved once Republicans are shown the door:
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/04/22/jerry-brown-saves-california-447559.html
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/04/22/jerry-brown-saves-california-447559.html
1
Trump's is a fake and a fraud. What a scoop! STOP THE PRESSES!!!!
3
Yes, tragic, isn't it, that the POTUS being a fake and a fraud should be old news by now...
1
So, not having read all the comments it seems very counter intuitive that there is a specific improvement to Mr. Blow's opinion. First an acknowledgement of, yes to all thoughts and feelings of how in the hell were any of the poll numbers EVER affirming positive attributes to this obvious narcissistic, racist, misogynist cretin? And therein is the answer, on the score of his policies carried out by the racist perjurer Sessions he has attacked those with brown skins not white. He has threatened all of our freedom of privacy from over reaching government intrusion into our lives but to his minions this simply means women are objects for sex. And lastly, he has validated the fetish of weapons of death and terror. Of course his supporters never could make the logical leap from 1 plus 1 that regardless of the intent (kill the brown skinned muslims, yellow skinned Asians, black skinned americans), the result involves death on horrific scale for the aggressors also.
In short, basic republican policies or war in perpetuity bolstered by systemic racism and sexism foisted on we the people to enrich the .01%. No surprises here.
In short, basic republican policies or war in perpetuity bolstered by systemic racism and sexism foisted on we the people to enrich the .01%. No surprises here.
Let's not forget that the Democrats put up a seriously flawed candidate who garnered no enthusiasm and had huge negatives. (We know from the various leaked emails that the DNC was stacking the deck in her favor.) The "No to Hilary" vote had no place to go in November except vote for Trump or sit it out. I doubt that Trump would have prevailed against a Democratic candidate with a positive message--say Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren. There is a lot of blame to go around here.
Make America great again? It was pretty damn good before Trump became President as he milks the Treasury and his supporters to line his own pockets. We may be pushed into another unneeded war to prove he's a leader as he admires dictators and strong men. Before being elected he claimed he knew more than the generals and has proven he doesn't know much about anything except conning the folks who voted for him.
1
Charles, could it be a simple as gambling? I find the practice boring and a stupid waste of money, but some think Trump is for real about all this winning.
Some folks are vulnerable to this con. General Crook's aide found Apaches were unable to resist a card game. I am not fond of spinning wheels as this wheel of fortune is terrifying enough to keep me thrilled beyond relief.
Some folks are vulnerable to this con. General Crook's aide found Apaches were unable to resist a card game. I am not fond of spinning wheels as this wheel of fortune is terrifying enough to keep me thrilled beyond relief.
All this while at the same time enriching his pockets at the expense of the public not to mention diminishing the United States in the eyes of the world. This administration has displayed a total inability to govern let alone manage. It has lost its right to lead this great nation. It's time to draw up the papers. The constitution has been violated again and again.
Maybe Trump's supporters continue to support him because they are as divorced from the practicalities of reality as Trump is. Maybe they still cling to the hope that eventually, Trump can and will deliver on their behalf. In the mean time, he hasn't made their lives any worse, yet, so they persist in their fond hopes. But sooner or later, Trump's false promises and lies will all come crashing down, in a spectacularly public manner. There will be pain -- economic pain -- and most likely it will be inflicted most severely on the very demographic group from which Trump draws his strongest support.
What happens then?
What happens then?
Being Republican has always seemed to be more of an identity thing,
something you wear like a shirt with a fancy logo. THEY are the true elitists
snickering at the masses, the common people. So, it is not surprising that
so many are steadfastly supporting Trump despite his many policy (?)
blunders performed at breakneck speed.
One of Mr. Blow's phrases stands out, "clan over country". Pretty much sums things up. How ironic that Trump and the wealthy GOP want to dismantle the
health care system. Yes, it is cruel to gamble with Americans' health,
but it also exposes their false promise as "job creators". The health care
industry is one of the biggest, if not the biggest employer in the U.S..
Andrew Torre, a progressive writer in Vermont, wrote a very good and
unsettling piece about the "Putin-Trump Embrace" in Rutland's newspaper.
It explains the Trump upheaval, the loyalty lunacy, its attack on government.
something you wear like a shirt with a fancy logo. THEY are the true elitists
snickering at the masses, the common people. So, it is not surprising that
so many are steadfastly supporting Trump despite his many policy (?)
blunders performed at breakneck speed.
One of Mr. Blow's phrases stands out, "clan over country". Pretty much sums things up. How ironic that Trump and the wealthy GOP want to dismantle the
health care system. Yes, it is cruel to gamble with Americans' health,
but it also exposes their false promise as "job creators". The health care
industry is one of the biggest, if not the biggest employer in the U.S..
Andrew Torre, a progressive writer in Vermont, wrote a very good and
unsettling piece about the "Putin-Trump Embrace" in Rutland's newspaper.
It explains the Trump upheaval, the loyalty lunacy, its attack on government.
Mr. Blow, you are wasting your time restating these positions. Those of us who see DJT as "A Fake and a Fraud" have already agreed with you before you sat down to write this column. Those who see DJT otherwise are gratified by your opposition and their commitment to him reinforced.
A suggestion, if I may. Let's change the conversation to proposals for a platform that reflects our values, not those of Trump and the GOP. "What do you want for your children?" for example. Clean air and water? A minimum wage that is a living wage? A good, competitive 21st-century education all the way through college? Single-payer health care for everyone? Clean, efficient energy? A fresh, strong, modern infrastructure for everyone, with roads, bridges, airports and mass transit equal to any in the world? OK, whose ideas are most likely to move us in this direction?
A suggestion, if I may. Let's change the conversation to proposals for a platform that reflects our values, not those of Trump and the GOP. "What do you want for your children?" for example. Clean air and water? A minimum wage that is a living wage? A good, competitive 21st-century education all the way through college? Single-payer health care for everyone? Clean, efficient energy? A fresh, strong, modern infrastructure for everyone, with roads, bridges, airports and mass transit equal to any in the world? OK, whose ideas are most likely to move us in this direction?
I respectfully disagree with you. All those ideas that are most likely to move us in the right direction won't happen while trump and the repubs are in control. We need to get, and stay, fired up to resist every blow to our democracy. We need to protest and show that we are not taking this destruction of our country quietly.
1
That's exactly the point. Protest isn't enough. We need to stand for something, not just opposition. What do we have to offer those disenchanted Trump supporters? We need to agree on some specifics that moderates on both sides can agree to endorse.
Sing it, Charles...sing it.
Sadly, you are right about his adherents who cling to their belief that he's a great president! The best! are merely clinging to hope that somehow, someday, they'll actually reap a benefit from his unpredictability and chaos.
But it's not going to happen and I almost feel bad for them. Almost.
Sadly, you are right about his adherents who cling to their belief that he's a great president! The best! are merely clinging to hope that somehow, someday, they'll actually reap a benefit from his unpredictability and chaos.
But it's not going to happen and I almost feel bad for them. Almost.
1
Thank you for your ever clearsighted view of the abomination of this presidency. That people refuse to see the self-interested charlatan that Trump is, however, gives the impression that America is far more bigoted than ignorant. In this case, no moral judgement will sway his followers...the only hope is for the media and the lawmakers to keep following the money that is flowing into his family's coffers at the expense of taxpayers. Trump is literally costing us the earth, sacrificing everyone's future as he grabs for more and mor and more....
1
The late radio talk show host, Bob Grant, who basically was a conservative, would still have called Trump "a fraud, a phony, and a fake"!
1
Joseph de Maistre wrote in 1811 "Every nation gets the government it deserves."
Think about that when you criticize Trump. Money rules Washington D.C. as well as every state government. Donations bring rewards when the candidate is elected. Laws are passed, and programs are dismantled with the stroke of a pen. Trump didn't win because of his promises, most of which any fool knows would be impossible to achieve. He won because the Republican Party smelled a bigger than life, blustering celebrity who would appeal to angry voters, and people who fear being outnumbered by immigrants.
We have become, for the most part, a group of ignorant, uneducated, and disaffected people. Until we change priorities, our choices will reflect the American fascination with talk radio rants, FOX news commentaries, sports heroes, and reality show stars. We will be unable to discern truth from fiction and continue to repeat our mistakes. We will blindly follow leaders who tell us what we want to hear and get exactly what we deserve.
Think about that when you criticize Trump. Money rules Washington D.C. as well as every state government. Donations bring rewards when the candidate is elected. Laws are passed, and programs are dismantled with the stroke of a pen. Trump didn't win because of his promises, most of which any fool knows would be impossible to achieve. He won because the Republican Party smelled a bigger than life, blustering celebrity who would appeal to angry voters, and people who fear being outnumbered by immigrants.
We have become, for the most part, a group of ignorant, uneducated, and disaffected people. Until we change priorities, our choices will reflect the American fascination with talk radio rants, FOX news commentaries, sports heroes, and reality show stars. We will be unable to discern truth from fiction and continue to repeat our mistakes. We will blindly follow leaders who tell us what we want to hear and get exactly what we deserve.
You're saying Trump never apologizes it admits a mistake? Really?
I'll have to pay closer attention.
I'll have to pay closer attention.
The modern day equivalent to the Borgias has descended on the White House. The Trump family is in the process of robbing this country blind, and faithful supporters stand by with a smug sneer on their faces, wondering if they can get in on the thefts and scams.
A spineless and useless Congress sits and enables these thieves by doing absolutely nothing to stop them. The republicans, holding the majority, care more for themselves than they do the country.
Reason and honesty is fading. Graft and thieving is rising. Welcome to the world of incompetence and stupidity. An aberration named Trump has arrived. Incompetence and ignorance is now the new normal.
Welcome to the world according to Trump.
A spineless and useless Congress sits and enables these thieves by doing absolutely nothing to stop them. The republicans, holding the majority, care more for themselves than they do the country.
Reason and honesty is fading. Graft and thieving is rising. Welcome to the world of incompetence and stupidity. An aberration named Trump has arrived. Incompetence and ignorance is now the new normal.
Welcome to the world according to Trump.
I am still baffled over the support coming from the conservative Christians. Being a Christian myself it is so easy to see how Trump has never been a Christian. Yet these "so called Christians" still stand up for him apparently ignoring the lies and debauchery from before he even became a candidate to what is now a farce in the White House. I don't understand how anyone especially someone who claims to be a Christian can stand behind this man.
One woman had the audacity to say "well he's going to do away with abortion". I myself don't believe in abortion but I'm not dumb enough to think this is a political issue. If you don't believe in abortion then get your rear out on the street and start loving on those who are less fortunate. Start educating them as to a baby's life and for Heaven's Sake (!) stop thinking the political arena is to stop what you view as sin! That was the most ridiculous reason I have heard, but then I also got "well it's not our responsibility to take care of those who are not US citizens" IF you believe the Words of Christ YES IT IS! "Well i'm not giving up what I've worked hard for to pay taxes & support programs that let people sit around & do nothing" These comments are why I do not believe in organized "religion" it is too politicized, entitled and actually hateful. Constantine brought the church and state together and it's never separated. The true Christians ran to the desert. That's where I'm headed.
One woman had the audacity to say "well he's going to do away with abortion". I myself don't believe in abortion but I'm not dumb enough to think this is a political issue. If you don't believe in abortion then get your rear out on the street and start loving on those who are less fortunate. Start educating them as to a baby's life and for Heaven's Sake (!) stop thinking the political arena is to stop what you view as sin! That was the most ridiculous reason I have heard, but then I also got "well it's not our responsibility to take care of those who are not US citizens" IF you believe the Words of Christ YES IT IS! "Well i'm not giving up what I've worked hard for to pay taxes & support programs that let people sit around & do nothing" These comments are why I do not believe in organized "religion" it is too politicized, entitled and actually hateful. Constantine brought the church and state together and it's never separated. The true Christians ran to the desert. That's where I'm headed.
2
The "president" has persuaded many of us that he cannot be trusted and he will not change. His reversals/recalibration/evolution/education are now a desperate attempt to salvage his presidency and avoid impeachment simply by becoming what his ego has always avoided, a minion.
Who needs the "president" if:
Congress has the candy option instead of tax reform;
the "president" refuses to release his taxes;
the "Axis of Adults" runs national security;
the "president" has ceded authority to the Pentagon in military matters;
rule changes are suggested by business;
his children are nearby to moderate his behaviour;
he spends significant time on the links;
he continues to lie and refuses to apologize;
he breaks his promises and accepts the status quo?
When a figurehead "president" will do. And he is.
Just sign on the dotted line Sir. Thank you, you may go now.
He is now a minion licking the boots of those who hold the future of his presidency in their hands.
Trump history in tweets: https://factba.se
Who needs the "president" if:
Congress has the candy option instead of tax reform;
the "president" refuses to release his taxes;
the "Axis of Adults" runs national security;
the "president" has ceded authority to the Pentagon in military matters;
rule changes are suggested by business;
his children are nearby to moderate his behaviour;
he spends significant time on the links;
he continues to lie and refuses to apologize;
he breaks his promises and accepts the status quo?
When a figurehead "president" will do. And he is.
Just sign on the dotted line Sir. Thank you, you may go now.
He is now a minion licking the boots of those who hold the future of his presidency in their hands.
Trump history in tweets: https://factba.se
As a long-time spectator at the ugly clown show of ignorance and hucksterism that is Trump, my incomprehension runs up against the fact that Trump came out of the American social and political milieu, that he not only reflects the perverse and inverted values he espouses, but happily manifests the same thinking for a disturbing portion of your country. One can acknowledge and overlook a single psychopath, but the prevalence of support illustrates a real problem dark, dangerous and self-deluded.
2
For those who cast their vote for Trump, they fell for his hubris and mistook it for their own rallying cry.
[posted via Twitter & Facebook] Thanks, as always, for your clear voice. Spot on. Swallowing the "I-Made-A-Mistake" pill is danged difficult. Catches in the throat.
[posted via Twitter & Facebook] Thanks, as always, for your clear voice. Spot on. Swallowing the "I-Made-A-Mistake" pill is danged difficult. Catches in the throat.
1
He's being opposed 100% by the Democrats and the Republication party is splintered into groups. He has tried and that's all his supporters want. Many writers hate him and will give him zero credit and demand he accomplish his goals, that the writer opposes, within 100 days after inauguration. Forgetaboutit.
1
What? Donald Trump has no core convictions other than greed?
Russia, Russia, Russia.
Let's pray investigators are untangling the multitude of entanglements.
The fraudulent fleecer needs to go. He endangers us all.
Let's pray investigators are untangling the multitude of entanglements.
The fraudulent fleecer needs to go. He endangers us all.
2
As long as there is the world of Fox News right wing propaganda that plays to the Red State mentality of a closed world, as long as there are Christian fundamentalists who are told it is a sin not to support the likes of a Trump, as long as racism, bigotry and xenophobia motivate millions to support a disgraceful, ignorant clown like Trump, we will always be at risk of fakes and frauds in the White House.
2
Voters for Donald Trump love his shoot from the hip, punch in the nose way of thinking and acting. The more he bellows and pivots the more they love him! They will not back off from supporting him until he is truly exposed as a fake. One day when he is parading in his new golden clothes and all are admiring him, someone will pipe up and say, "Hey he is not wearing any clothes!" And the veil will fall. With all of the media available and considering how gullible most of us are, I don't trust that will happen for a long time. We must keep marching! Protesting!
8
Donald Trump can't afford to lose any support. If 7% of Republicans who voted for him had not done so, Hillary Clinton would be our President. He lost the popular vote by close to 3 million votes. He won the Electoral College by a mere 77,000 votes in three states: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. If the election were held now, Donald Trump would be trounced.
All of this said, it is now time for the Democrats to think and work for 2018 and 2020. We need to put forth detailed policies to fix our country's problems and reassure our allies that we are trustworthy. Yes, resist Trump and the Republican con men in Congress, but put most emphasis on the positive steps we will take when we are once again in charge.
All of this said, it is now time for the Democrats to think and work for 2018 and 2020. We need to put forth detailed policies to fix our country's problems and reassure our allies that we are trustworthy. Yes, resist Trump and the Republican con men in Congress, but put most emphasis on the positive steps we will take when we are once again in charge.
5
The Democratic agenda is sound. It answers problems of real life struggling Americans. I think cleaning out corporate influence is required. Telling Americans how programs will be paid for is important. Telling Americans that cabinet positions will be filled with the best person available would help. Telling us that the president and his family will be living in the white house full time is proper. Laying out foreign policy so our stupid citizens stop living in fear is required. Most important is showing some balls and confidence when Republicans insult Democrats because Democrats come off as sissies in the face of Republican insults.
President Trump is very much the same as businessman Trump. It's truly amazing how inept he was in the business world. Yet, he slipped through the crack, unnoticed. It points to some major flaw in the present electoral process. Yes, it was the Republican Party asleep at the switch that let this happen. But I reserve my wrath for the Liberals who seem to have given up on the American people as thir constituency
2
Unfortunately, there has always been a segment of the American electorate who believe that all of their problems in life are due to others; minorities, immigrants, elites, anyone or anything that is not like them. In the past, we have relied on the two major parties to screen their nominees, to keep those who play to the worst traits of the electorate away from serious consideration to become President. Many factors such as Citizens United, thank you John Roberts, gave someone like Trump the opportunity to bypass the party system and run on the gross lies and misrepresentations that played to people's prejudices.
It is correct not to over estimate voters' remorse when it comes to Trump. Nothing Trump does will ever convince these core supporters that they were wrong in their support of Trump, because the stupid things he says and does resonate with them, it is what they also think. What continues to baffle most of us is how on earth the other 10-15% of people that voted for Trump convinced themselves that doing so was a good idea. Voting for Trump was like giving a monkey a grenade; nothing good could possibly result. The man simply is not qualified, either in temperament or knowledge, to lead the country, and it will show every day of his presidency; 70 year old men do not change, he thinks what he does actually works regardless of the result.
It is correct not to over estimate voters' remorse when it comes to Trump. Nothing Trump does will ever convince these core supporters that they were wrong in their support of Trump, because the stupid things he says and does resonate with them, it is what they also think. What continues to baffle most of us is how on earth the other 10-15% of people that voted for Trump convinced themselves that doing so was a good idea. Voting for Trump was like giving a monkey a grenade; nothing good could possibly result. The man simply is not qualified, either in temperament or knowledge, to lead the country, and it will show every day of his presidency; 70 year old men do not change, he thinks what he does actually works regardless of the result.
3
How can anyone have ever fallen for it in the first place? The Birther conspiracy theory was a disqualification of character. The belief that climate change is a Chinese hoax was a disqualification of intelligence. The chant to make and buy American when he would make his own products overseas was a disqualification of hypocrisy. The many bankruptcies that never seemed to have learned their lesson were a disqualification of accomplishment. The stiffing of his workers due to those bankruptcies was a disqualification of empathy. The refusal to release his taxes was a disqualification of ethics. The repeated accusation of others as being guilty of criminal behavior was a disqualification of projection. All Trump ever represented was the diffuse anger of a toddler throwing a tantrum. And now we have a toddler throwing tantrums in the White House.
Because toddlers throwing a tantrum voted for him.
Because toddlers throwing a tantrum voted for him.
5
"And yet somehow, it was the blue collar that bought his bill of goods. People saw uncouth and thought unconventional; they saw raffish and thought rebel."
Such an accurate assessment, Mr. Blow.
You were right to bring up The Fix, as there seems to be little remorse from the Trump voters at the moment. When you confront them with the fact that establishment billionaires dominate his cabinet, you get responses such as.. "They can't be bought (huh?) "They're the job creators." "I'd want to keep my money too." "This is America, not Europe."
Buyer's remorse is far from taking hold with these people, even those requiring a magnifying glass to find someone to look down upon.
Such an accurate assessment, Mr. Blow.
You were right to bring up The Fix, as there seems to be little remorse from the Trump voters at the moment. When you confront them with the fact that establishment billionaires dominate his cabinet, you get responses such as.. "They can't be bought (huh?) "They're the job creators." "I'd want to keep my money too." "This is America, not Europe."
Buyer's remorse is far from taking hold with these people, even those requiring a magnifying glass to find someone to look down upon.
3
Trump and his cabinet are going to damage a great deal of the fabric of America's foundation. Most all can be recovered when we send him packing. There are, however, three catastrophic exceptions. 1. It won't take much more of this before the world witnesses the passing of the torch of world super power from US to China. 2. Our compromised ability to recover from the climate insult in store for us under a fossil fuel administration and the accompanying war on scientific data, is worthy of our panic. 3. The race toward shows of explosive force, the only source of media adulation for a compromised psyche addicted to it for self worth, serves only to hasten the march to a change in climate that goes so far as to threaten species survival as we know it.
3
With Trump it was never about doing something for the forgotten man (middle class white males). It was always, and remains all about lashing out and hurting the 'other'.
As long as Trump continues to make all the brown people, and the elite who champion them squeal then all else will be forgiven.
After all, anyone who ever looked for even a brief moment at this crass bloviator knew him for what he was. They should not be, cannot be, will not be surprised by what is happening now.
As long as Trump continues to make all the brown people, and the elite who champion them squeal then all else will be forgiven.
After all, anyone who ever looked for even a brief moment at this crass bloviator knew him for what he was. They should not be, cannot be, will not be surprised by what is happening now.
All the screaming that Hillary would have immediately gotten us into a war seems tame now that Mr. Reality is realizing that tossing bombs is the surest way to revive flagging ratings. He's surprised that people still want to see his tax returns, he travels more than a carnival on our dime, and can't believe that his bully bluffs don't work as well on the international stage. Fatten up on more cake, Mr. President, because the Chinese fox is just watching and waiting.
3
Trump's win, and the continued support of his followers, says a lot about the despair and fear that has taken hold in the USA. Voting in such a carlaton is a reflection of the collective angst. It is easy to fall for the sleep in wolf's clothing. As the wolf's clothes begin to shed, I truly hope people wake up.
2
Admitting mistakes is hard to do, agreed, and it's even harder when one's worldview and outlook gets so distorted and manipulated by the actual, truly fake news coming out of Fox et al. (Fox news basically brainwashed and bodysnatched a generation of angry white males). Trump reaped the bitter low hanging fruit that Rupert Murdoch, Roger Ailes, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and Co. had sowed. That's why Trump's attacks on the media, and his manipulation of it through "fake news", are so disturbing (this is one area where Trump is arguably an evil genius), because how can a cohort of disaffected, ignorant, or blind voters see the light if there is no basis for truth and fact? The Fourth Estate and the trust that it supports, is just as important an institution to a healthy and functioning civil society or representative democracy as the executive, legislative, or judiciary.
1
It's clear that Trump is in over his head. He is not qualified to be president. He is qualified to receive therapy, however. His distrust of everyone except his immediate family to run our Government is indicative of presidential paranoia. The problem lies with our electoral process where we are given a choice between a security risk under two FBI investigations, and a complete buffoon who needs help. We need to tighten up our election laws so that election fraud (in Hillary's case, rigging the DNC) is not permitted. This would have, in itself, eliminated Hillary from ruuning and allowed Bernie Sanders to easily defeat Trump. America will be great only if politicians are not snake oil salesmen. Voters are not usually well educated and are easily swayed by con men making inpossible promises.
2
Everything you said is true, Charles, but that includes your last sentence. There is a core group that supports Trump no matter what he does or says. They have been interviewed during the primaries, the election campaign and since then. They brush aside, rationalize or deny uncomfortable facts about Trump that are put to them. Is is that they long for a time when white men ruled supreme and women, minorities and immigrants knew their place? Is it that they really are racists and xenophobes? Is it that they viewed the business and governing classes as too removed from them to understand their problems, let alone solve them? During the campaign many were classified as undereducated. Does that mean that they don't understand what is going on? Many Trump voters agreed him and do so now. Others are desperate for a solution that is impossible, like coal jobs coming back. They will be bitterly disappointed. Yes Trump is a fake and a fraud, but it will be a long time before many realize that the Emperor is naked.
2
The election of Donald Trump demonstrated I had grossly underestimated my fellows' pettiness and overestimated their intelligence.
The reasons that Trump voters are pleased with his behavior so far?
They are as selfish, immoral and thoughtless as Trump is
OR
They yearn to see themselves ranked above other people, no matter how low they are
OR
They are waiting for some kind of tax cut and - if they aren't in a million$ tax bracket - it's not coming
OR
Jackpot! All of the above.
They are as selfish, immoral and thoughtless as Trump is
OR
They yearn to see themselves ranked above other people, no matter how low they are
OR
They are waiting for some kind of tax cut and - if they aren't in a million$ tax bracket - it's not coming
OR
Jackpot! All of the above.
3
only in the united states of hysteria could a billionaire (maybe?) pass as a populist.
and it ain't the first time. there once was a man named ross perot....
and it ain't the first time. there once was a man named ross perot....
2
Are Trump supporters the same people who send thousands of dollars to Nigeria to clear up tax problems before they can receive millions from a late Nigerian Prince who surprisingly left them in his will?
3
Two important things to watch:
* The day Trump reaches - HIS 100th Day - is exactly the day - the USA runs out of money.
* Trump is currently speaking at many events raising money for His 2020 Run for President!
* The day Trump reaches - HIS 100th Day - is exactly the day - the USA runs out of money.
* Trump is currently speaking at many events raising money for His 2020 Run for President!
1
Mr. Blow -- thank you for once again telling it like it really is about Trump. He's a lying narcissistic hypocritical parasite. This is the same man that whined and tweeted about President Obama playing golf. Last count I saw was Trump had his NINETEENTH golf outing at tax payers expense. And less than 100 days into his administration....
1
I'd be shocked, Rick, if a Benedict's supporters would come to understand his flimflam, they will unaffectedly blame President Obama for Benedict's failings. His supporters are quite something. However, getting the criminal justice mechanisms up and running against Benedict and his treasonous gang is the vehicle for justice. Write about RUSSIAGATE!
Democrats in this instance must be considered to be the clear-minded relative of the lightly-educated Republican voter who is being fleeced by Fox and Trump.
Of course it is exhausting and infuriating, but for the good of all, we must put on our hip boots, wade through the excrement and clean up the mess before we lose our beloved Democratic Republic.
Independent prosecutor, WHISTLE-BLOWERS, we need you now!
Of course it is exhausting and infuriating, but for the good of all, we must put on our hip boots, wade through the excrement and clean up the mess before we lose our beloved Democratic Republic.
Independent prosecutor, WHISTLE-BLOWERS, we need you now!
1
To try to understand the ruin of the future that Trump proposes to us "the brain", a good and obligatory reading is the essay The Civilization of the show, Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas Llosa. And to understand the president, any cheap book of psychopathology. Look for the index and you will notice that this fits from the A spends the Z.
Late last year, the NYT published a list of suggested book titles. I am now reading one of them, White Trash. While it is a slow read (because it is academic history), it focuses on the history of poor white people on this continent and how it is that they have so often supported politicians who dupe them into thinking that their interests are at heart. I am a regular fan of your column, but as I read this, I worried that those that should be reading it ( poorly educated whites who haven't made it in society) will not. Even people like our progressive, college educated son (20-something) who grew up in the most liberal of Mass towns, with the most liberal MD parents, aren't reading the NYT. Too many of them have bought the demonization of the NYT after Bernie failed to succeed. Many of them came to hate HIllary so much that they either didn't vote at the last minute, or held their nose and voted Trump because they hated Hillary so much. As a child of the 60s, with a Yalie dad and a mom active in NOW, my prejudice is to blame sexism. I am no longer confident that a woman will be elected president in my lifetime. As a professional woman, I know that women who have not achieved professional status are many times unable to support women in positions of power- perhaps because of envy or an unconcious belief that women should know "their place". Sorry to ramble.
1
The Trump voters: 63% of white men and 53% of white women loved his racism, white supremacy and hate filled rhetoric, so of course they'll accept his lies, and his immoral disregard for ethics. If you vote for someone because of the hate he spouts, you will not be too concerned that he destroys our democracy, and that him and his minions steal the country blind, you already got what you wanted: a boot on the neck of "those" people.
1
Huh? The hate filled rhetoric like what happened in Fresno yesterday? We have a total disconnect from reality here.
Don't you get it. Most people knew he was a lying fool, but they still believe he is better than Hillary.
Trump's gonna get another loan in America before he dies if it kills US!
1
Keep up the good work Charles. You are always spot on with your analysis of this life-long con-artist whose strongest traits are ignorance and arrogance.
2
It's called politics ,election promises, etc Charles. Guess what ,even Obama & Clinton & Bush did the same thing. You really are a cry baby.Also it's "'fake,phony,fraud" as coined by Bob Grant, whom I'm sure ,in your bubble ,you've never heard of.
Your column's title says it all.
1
It's hard to resist going back to "the beginning" for an explanation of Trump's continued support. The most astonishing development during that bizarre campaign was the creation of a persona who could make scores of blunders - any one of which would've sunk the hopes of almost any previous candidate - with impunity.
Consider, for instance, Rick Perry's "Oops" moment during the 2012 primaries. A simple failure to remember the name of an agency, and "poof!", he was gone. But Trump in 2016? More often than any inability to remember, he didn't know much of anything in the first place.
Blunder after blunder, and yet he's now a president... of sorts.
The only thing that seems to make sense is that his supporters were a carnival crowd who really thought there was a pea under one of those shells or that the girl really was sawn in half, or that Copperfield really did make the Statue of Liberty disappear.
But that does a disservice to tens of millions of voters who can't be totally dismissed as gullible, or stupid, or delusional. Maybe it was simple legerdemain, where the viewer's focus is directed toward the right hand while the left hand cups the silver coins.
That makes the most sense. While cheerleading "Lock her up!" chants with the right hand, the left hand - which purportedly contained an outline of a feasible economic plan - pulled out the index card with "Build the wall!" written on it.
It works at the carnival, so why not during a primary? Or in the White House?
Consider, for instance, Rick Perry's "Oops" moment during the 2012 primaries. A simple failure to remember the name of an agency, and "poof!", he was gone. But Trump in 2016? More often than any inability to remember, he didn't know much of anything in the first place.
Blunder after blunder, and yet he's now a president... of sorts.
The only thing that seems to make sense is that his supporters were a carnival crowd who really thought there was a pea under one of those shells or that the girl really was sawn in half, or that Copperfield really did make the Statue of Liberty disappear.
But that does a disservice to tens of millions of voters who can't be totally dismissed as gullible, or stupid, or delusional. Maybe it was simple legerdemain, where the viewer's focus is directed toward the right hand while the left hand cups the silver coins.
That makes the most sense. While cheerleading "Lock her up!" chants with the right hand, the left hand - which purportedly contained an outline of a feasible economic plan - pulled out the index card with "Build the wall!" written on it.
It works at the carnival, so why not during a primary? Or in the White House?
8
Charles, What you and your readers don’t recognize is the cultural divide in this country. It has always been there, but has emerged in recent years as cosmopolitans versus nationalists, those have benefited from the global economy, and this who feel left behind, spat upon and ignored.
All the name-calling in your recent columns does nothing to bridge that divide. It only makes it worse. If you and your readers think you can write off millions of Americans as ignorant racists and somehow defeat Trump and Trumpism, you’re sadly wrong.
The recent special elections in Kansas and Georgia show the limits of what Democrats can accomplish in red or swing districts by relying on their base alone.
The Dems need help, and that help can come from disillusioned Trump voters. Their numbers may be low now, but will grow, and could be decisive in many congressional districts in 2018, as well as in the all-important state races.
Democrats should ignore the siren song of purists who would like to turn their into an ideological party. These zealots argue that single-payer healthcare, free college tuition, getting money out of politics and other devoutly held liberal goals require a narrow party. The opposite is true; they will only become a reality with broad-based support.
No national party can govern this country without broad support. Ideological purity is a dead end. Coalition-building has always been a strength of the Democratic Party, and the party should build on that tradition.
All the name-calling in your recent columns does nothing to bridge that divide. It only makes it worse. If you and your readers think you can write off millions of Americans as ignorant racists and somehow defeat Trump and Trumpism, you’re sadly wrong.
The recent special elections in Kansas and Georgia show the limits of what Democrats can accomplish in red or swing districts by relying on their base alone.
The Dems need help, and that help can come from disillusioned Trump voters. Their numbers may be low now, but will grow, and could be decisive in many congressional districts in 2018, as well as in the all-important state races.
Democrats should ignore the siren song of purists who would like to turn their into an ideological party. These zealots argue that single-payer healthcare, free college tuition, getting money out of politics and other devoutly held liberal goals require a narrow party. The opposite is true; they will only become a reality with broad-based support.
No national party can govern this country without broad support. Ideological purity is a dead end. Coalition-building has always been a strength of the Democratic Party, and the party should build on that tradition.
5
Yeah, yeah ... still better him than her. At least with him there's a chance for shrinking this massive, bloated government bureaucracy, freeing up and growing the economy. She'd have raised our taxes already and grown the government and people's dependency on it three-fold.
5
Matt Tinkham
Better than "her," right, and in other news the moon will fall out of the sky, the next pope will be a rabbi from Tel Aviv, and later today Hitler will be ice skating in hell.
Better than "her," right, and in other news the moon will fall out of the sky, the next pope will be a rabbi from Tel Aviv, and later today Hitler will be ice skating in hell.
3
Trump is a traitor. He gained election by following his creed, win at any cost, lie, sell your soul and hock your nation to the Russians if that's what gets you there. Sell hatred of racial minorities, if that's what gets you there. Win by any means necessary. That is that psychopath's creed.
By following his ethos, Trump has amassed an administration which has more skeletons than can fit in its closet. It is an openly corrupt and criminal sewer. The Times and other media mince around flagrant violations of self-dealing, and corruption, with Trump charging the tax payers to subsidize his exorbitant billionaire display of ostentation as if it were his 'right.' It is not. His family engages openly in flagrant violations of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. With foreign powers such as China or Turkey - who are not exactly aligned with our human rights or national interests, openly conveying rights and business worth hundreds of millions to Ivanka, Jared, and the rest of Trump's immediate family. The media should be calling this out for the criminal behavior it plainly is, not mincing around with qualifiers like "bears looking into," or "which may appear criminal" etc.
The last thing we should be waiting for is a change of heart from the people who voted their hatred of the "other," Hillary, or some imagined Shibboleth construct under the alt.white construct of the "Liberal." They are bitter fatalists who already feel doomed and wish it on the rest of us.
By following his ethos, Trump has amassed an administration which has more skeletons than can fit in its closet. It is an openly corrupt and criminal sewer. The Times and other media mince around flagrant violations of self-dealing, and corruption, with Trump charging the tax payers to subsidize his exorbitant billionaire display of ostentation as if it were his 'right.' It is not. His family engages openly in flagrant violations of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. With foreign powers such as China or Turkey - who are not exactly aligned with our human rights or national interests, openly conveying rights and business worth hundreds of millions to Ivanka, Jared, and the rest of Trump's immediate family. The media should be calling this out for the criminal behavior it plainly is, not mincing around with qualifiers like "bears looking into," or "which may appear criminal" etc.
The last thing we should be waiting for is a change of heart from the people who voted their hatred of the "other," Hillary, or some imagined Shibboleth construct under the alt.white construct of the "Liberal." They are bitter fatalists who already feel doomed and wish it on the rest of us.
6
Well said.
Why does Fox News have a better recourse than the U.S. government when faced with a lunatic in the workplace? Please someone get DT out of the White House.
4
"That which does not consciously grow, degenerates"
- G.I. Gurdjieff
- G.I. Gurdjieff
1
I stopped reading Charles Blow several months ago. My disillusionment began with Mr. Blow's relentless, mean-spirited attacks on Bernie Sanders. With Trump as the GOP candidate, Mr. Blow took his invective to a new level.
I'm no Trump fan, but reading Mr. Blow's relentless, over-the-top histrionics got tiresome, even depressing, so I had to put him down for a while.
Checking back in today, it appears I haven't missed much. Mr. Blow is still at it. Today's offering has Mr. Blow pronouncing Trump a cheap suit con man and his presidency an utter failure -- and he takes an I-told-you-so victory lap to boot.
That's enough for me, and I'm probably not the only one. I suppose I'll check in again next year to see if Mr. Blow's has a new shtick.
I'm no Trump fan, but reading Mr. Blow's relentless, over-the-top histrionics got tiresome, even depressing, so I had to put him down for a while.
Checking back in today, it appears I haven't missed much. Mr. Blow is still at it. Today's offering has Mr. Blow pronouncing Trump a cheap suit con man and his presidency an utter failure -- and he takes an I-told-you-so victory lap to boot.
That's enough for me, and I'm probably not the only one. I suppose I'll check in again next year to see if Mr. Blow's has a new shtick.
3
Great choice of words to describe a complete fraud!
3
Trump is for wannabe's.
Trump isn't the problem, the people who voted for him are. The geeks (educated liberals from the cities) have taken over and the uneducated bullies high school drop outs are mad about that and they voted for Trump. As our society moves more and more towards technology and less and less from manufacturing (robots in coal mines anyone?) we will take over and absurdities like Trump will never happen again. We just have to grin and bear it and hope that this idiot doesn't start a WWIII with nukes.
Miss Obama?
There's a big picture of W on a barn near my home, with "Miss me yet?" in big letters.
Yes, W, with T-Rex as prez, we miss even you.
There's a big picture of W on a barn near my home, with "Miss me yet?" in big letters.
Yes, W, with T-Rex as prez, we miss even you.
4
New Englanders, like me, who share the Yankee values of thrift, lack of ostentation and being soft spoken, find Trump tasteless and low class a babbling and nasty small-minded Babbit.
5
Yikes. Yet another glowing vitriol screed from the man whose ... self described ... champions are comic book superheroes. Enough said.
4
You would think that the NYT would now be wary about publishing editorials based on opinion polling results.
5
Strangely enough, Mr. Clark, in the wake of the BIGGEST utter failure of polls and pundits and "experts"....the NYT is doubling down on believing polls, pundits and "experts".
Same old, same old. The short version is that Mr. Blow and his ilk have STILL not come to terms with LOSING.
Same old, same old. The short version is that Mr. Blow and his ilk have STILL not come to terms with LOSING.
Mr Blow, stop living in a cocoon and expand your circle. You don't have to friend them, just hear them out. I am as perplexed as you are about the length of time this con game, this charade is going to be allowed to continue. (Trick question: Who is allowing it to continue? We the people.) But I do listen to other side also. Remember, the other side includes 18-20% who believe that Obama is a Muslim. Honestly Mr. Blow, would birther movement sustain one day under the sun, if people were no so bigoted? These people are part of the base make 38% of the population who believe Trump is doing better than their expectation. It is not a tall hill to climb. I cannot do anything but keep mum when his schievements are cited as more than previous three presidents combined in first "less than 100" days - 1. passed two laws banning illegal immigration, 2. the wall has been designed, 3. China already stopped the nuclear test from North Korea, 4. Stock market is sky rocketting, 5. Unemployment is going down... I have a headache from hearing me...
3
Advice: Street and do not write because you are discovering an IQ very close to that of the ape, and a nature of a blind pig.
Charles Blow, just face it, you blew it during the election.
You and your fellow writers spent so much time on your attacks on Trump that you missed the opportunity to help your candidate win.
And now more attacks. What's the point? Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Why don't you use your space productively to highlight change makers and inspire people to stand up and fight to change things and make a difference.
Enough of the sour grapes complaining and whining already.
You and your fellow writers spent so much time on your attacks on Trump that you missed the opportunity to help your candidate win.
And now more attacks. What's the point? Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Why don't you use your space productively to highlight change makers and inspire people to stand up and fight to change things and make a difference.
Enough of the sour grapes complaining and whining already.
Most of Trump's supporters are racist. Incapable of changing position on him.
"For many of us, this is affirmative reinforcement..."
More likely, it's confirmation bias.
More likely, it's confirmation bias.
3
America got the president it deserved.
2
Do all the Trump voters/supporters who pejoratively referred to HRC voters/supporters "snowflakes," know what happens when enough snowflakes freeze, and are compressed? They turn into an iceball.
Ever get hit in the face with an iceball?
Ever get hit in the face with an iceball?
Yes, but he IS taking his meds now .. as evidenced by fewer 3:00 AM Tweetrants.
Awful picture of a 'true' narcissist, a megalomaniac who doesn't spare praise upon his frog-like figure, however past his prime, a weather vane in his decisions but fairly constant in his lying and demagoguery. This is a vulgar bully (a coward in disguise) still trying to overcome his deep insecurities...by pretending. This is the classic 'bull in a china shop', intent in destroying the last vestiges of civil society. His populism is just that, a farce to enrich himself further...at our expense. Now, shall we try self-examination for a change? We all knew what we were buying, a crook in his real estate dealings, a gross exaggerator of his abilities and content, a 'racist', a xenophobe, and a sexual predator. And still, 'we' voted for this false prophet. There aren't enough psychiatrists around to examine our little heads, to explain our self-hate or tribalism to have elected a most despicable thug. Having chosen a liar to tell us the truth, it is fair and just to expect hate and division as a matter of course.
1
Keep it up, Charles.
You speak for the majority of Americans, and that will be your legacy.
You speak for the majority of Americans, and that will be your legacy.
2
Well Chuckie, he "delivered" Gorsuch, and he's still not Hillary Clinton.
4
Well, "RJ," John Kasich would have delivered Gorsuch, and not be Hillary, either, on top of which he isn't a fake, fraud, pathological liar, cheat, and possibly selected and aided by dictator Putin. But your party has turned to the point at which you prefer Trump to Kasich. What does that tell the majority that voted for Hillary about the priorities of the Republican voting minority that chose, and elected Trump?
1
Keep up the good work Mr Blow. Only ~1300 days more...
2
Mr. Blow I think your best summary to date of Trump.
3
Judging from the title, I thought this was going to be about Obama.
The alternative was to vote for a liberal progressive fascists. One who has a record of corruption and policy failure. I did not like the chose but voted for the lessor of two bad ones Trump. So far he has done OK.
Hey, what is the coal mining jobs count this morning?
How many of those coveted coal mining jobs has draft dodger ttump returned to you gullible west virginian rubes?
Five?
10?
Do tell.
How many of those coveted coal mining jobs has draft dodger ttump returned to you gullible west virginian rubes?
Five?
10?
Do tell.
2
Articulate and spot-on accurate, as usual. Charles Blow you are a great blessing to us all!
I am so completely angry at every American who
voted for this incompetent, narcissistic snake-oil salesman. He is a disaster, and I now lay blame for the current mess at the feet of congressional Republicans who could rein in this dangerous moron but won't. Come November 2018, the vast majority of voters will have their say at the polls, and we will once again have a Democratic congress. That's what we desperately need; the GOP proves every day that they cannot be trusted to protect the people and everything for which our nation stands.
voted for this incompetent, narcissistic snake-oil salesman. He is a disaster, and I now lay blame for the current mess at the feet of congressional Republicans who could rein in this dangerous moron but won't. Come November 2018, the vast majority of voters will have their say at the polls, and we will once again have a Democratic congress. That's what we desperately need; the GOP proves every day that they cannot be trusted to protect the people and everything for which our nation stands.
("RAZZLE DAZZLE" From B'way musical "Chicago":)
It's all a circus, kid! A three ring circus.
[Politics]- the whole world- all show business.
But kid, you're working with a star, the biggest!
Give 'em the old RAZZLE DAZZLE...
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it,
& the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead & feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em,
& they'll never catch wise.
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will grow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool & fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Throw 'em a fake & a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze & dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big big bamoozeleh
Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
& you've got a romance
Show 'em the first rate sorcerer you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you got no talents
RAZZLE DAZZLE em,
& they'll make you a STAR!
It's all a circus, kid! A three ring circus.
[Politics]- the whole world- all show business.
But kid, you're working with a star, the biggest!
Give 'em the old RAZZLE DAZZLE...
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it,
& the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead & feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em,
& they'll never catch wise.
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will grow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool & fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
Throw 'em a fake & a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
And they'll beg you for more!
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze & dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big big bamoozeleh
Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance
Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
RAZZLE DAZZLE 'em
& you've got a romance
Show 'em the first rate sorcerer you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you got no talents
RAZZLE DAZZLE em,
& they'll make you a STAR!
Another hate filled Opinion by Blow signifying nothing.
How does repeating his smears weekly, differ from propaganda?
Does Blow have any constructive ideas?
Is "Trump resistance" a winning strategy?
If legislators, of any party, do nothing to benefit their constituents,they should be thrown out of office.
How does repeating his smears weekly, differ from propaganda?
Does Blow have any constructive ideas?
Is "Trump resistance" a winning strategy?
If legislators, of any party, do nothing to benefit their constituents,they should be thrown out of office.
2
I guess if Tax Reform, building a huge wall and deporting them all and repealing that worthless ACA, added to Gorsuch isn't implemented, then November 2018 will be a prelim report card.
President Trump gets one test, November 2020, passing grade 270.
You NYT writers spewed hundreds of the same smears for 16 months and Trump got 304.
We'll take our chances in 3 1/2 years.
The NYT should print all opinions.
President Trump gets one test, November 2020, passing grade 270.
You NYT writers spewed hundreds of the same smears for 16 months and Trump got 304.
We'll take our chances in 3 1/2 years.
The NYT should print all opinions.
1
The liberal hope that Trump voters will wake up and admit their mistake is pathetic. Moreover, it is ignorant. Even a superficial knowledge of history will show that once an extremist ideology is embraced, the believer can only move toward further extremes - never back toward the center. It took 70 years for Comminism to run its course; it failed only when the generation that had adopted it died out. Nazism did not collapse because Hitler's supporters woke up one day and decided to go back to the Social Democrats; it had to be defeated on the battlefield. Even when industrial jobs fail to materialize and their children die of opioids, Trump voters in rural America will cheer him on. They will be sustained by their hatred for the "elites", which translates as anybody who is more educated that themselves. Hate is much more enduring than love, especially for people whose lives are empty and meaningless.
1
It seems that Blow's idea of journalism is a series of ad hominem attacks. Unfortunately, these "editorials" say more about Blow than they do about Trump. Does Blow even realize that is is quite possible that he could be facing Trump as President for more than seven more years? The horror.
2
Well said. People like Blow are precisely the reason Trump is President and precisely the reason he will win in 2020. As it happens, I can't wait to watch liberals in November 2020. It will be like the keystone cops, bumping their heads into each other -- gnashing of teeth, back biting, violence. Count on it.
1
The rot goes well beyond Trump. Trump is just the Republican pig less the lipstick.
2
Yes, Charles but don't you know he is keeping his campaign promise to throw out all the brown Mexicans. Everything will be all right to his supporters as long as Sessions keeps up the pace. And if his numbers go lower there are the 'inner city hell scapes' to take of. Sessions is working on his revised pro-police 'law and order' plan right now and summer is coming, just in time to take down 'those neighborhoods'.
Trump's legions will cling to their disaster as long as Trump gives them what they want. It should never be forgotten that at the core of the Trump campaign (and administration) is racism. Obliterate Obama and his entire legacy and make sure that as many 'people of color' are removed or disenfranchised as possible.
Sessions works diligently and relatively quietly every day. Trump will not share the spotlight with him until it becomes necessary. One does not want to be too racist, it makes people ask too many pesky questions. So be very careful and watch what this administration is doing behind the tweets.
Trump's legions will cling to their disaster as long as Trump gives them what they want. It should never be forgotten that at the core of the Trump campaign (and administration) is racism. Obliterate Obama and his entire legacy and make sure that as many 'people of color' are removed or disenfranchised as possible.
Sessions works diligently and relatively quietly every day. Trump will not share the spotlight with him until it becomes necessary. One does not want to be too racist, it makes people ask too many pesky questions. So be very careful and watch what this administration is doing behind the tweets.
Trump's only accomplishment is placing judge StolenSeat on the Supreme court.
But of course 45 didn't actually didn't to do or know anything. The judge was selected by somebody else long ago, who needed to wait for some/any useful idiot to come along to nominate and then swear him in.
But of course 45 didn't actually didn't to do or know anything. The judge was selected by somebody else long ago, who needed to wait for some/any useful idiot to come along to nominate and then swear him in.
Every time Mr Blow writes an article it reminds me how grateful I am that Hillary is not the president. I'm grateful the United States voted Donald J Trump as the 45th president. He will appoint conservative judges, the economy is adding manufacturing, construction and energy jobs at a very good rate. These jobs pay very well, far better then the services and Taco Bell jobs that Obama was adding in his stagnate economy. I'm please Trump is enforcing the laws of the United States and not ignoring them. Illegal immigration is way down, that's a huge benefit to US workers, especially blacks and poorer Americans. I miss Obama like a wart and I miss Hillary like a hemorrhoid. I'm grateful the United States rejected the anti-American globalist path the liberal democrats were tying to take us down. This is so outstanding Hillary is not the president.
There are three kinds of lies: Lies, damned lies and polls. We need to be careful when reviewing polls showing Trump’s falling approval ratings and increasing lack of trustworthiness. Such polls need to be taken with a huge grain of salt. The polls didn’t do a very good job of predicting the election, and I think they are once again being viewed through the Democrat's rose-colored glasses. We hope all of his 'disqualifications' for the role he was given eventually turn his supporters against him, but to think that is in any way happening now is more wishful thinking. Hardcore Trump supporters don’t read the NY Times, they don’t watch MSNBC, and they don’t rely on science or true experts to formulate their opinions. They want to believe his promises, and they definitely don’t want to admit to themselves, or anyone else, they made a mistake. To think that his “legions cling to a thinning hope” is to misread his legions and the Republicans in congress. They are happy as clams, basking in his aura and loving every minute of our grasping for illusory rays of hope. Mr. Blow, and all of us who see Trump for what he is, need to figure out what we want and work for it, not rely on hope that he will some day disillusion his followers.
9
"Trump cares only about Trump, his brand and his image, his family and his fortune. Indeed, his personal philosophy as president might best be described as clan over country." Yes, he cares more about himself and his family than he does about America. Americans voted in a man with a brand to uphold, not a country that he wanted to improve or, as he put it, make great again. (Personally I thought parts of it were great without him in them.) Trump and his minions, including the GOP, are running America like the fiefdom of a petty king who can't pay his due to his liege lord. They will sacrifice the well being of their vassals to pay their liege lord. Any sacrifices they make will be undone by seizing land, ruining the crops, pillaging the villages, and killing any who oppose them. In case we've forgotten, they have God on their side, their God who is merciful to them.
The GOP has no interest in forcing Trump to act like a reasonable human being. He provides cover for their agenda which seems to consist of enriching themselves, policing bathrooms or forcing all of us to carry our birth certificates with us in case we don't look like our stated gender, and ensuring that corporations instead of people continue to receive massive welfare subsidies so as to continue to lie, cheat, and steal from Americans.
The GOP has no interest in forcing Trump to act like a reasonable human being. He provides cover for their agenda which seems to consist of enriching themselves, policing bathrooms or forcing all of us to carry our birth certificates with us in case we don't look like our stated gender, and ensuring that corporations instead of people continue to receive massive welfare subsidies so as to continue to lie, cheat, and steal from Americans.
3
I can't speak for the so-called "average Trump supporter"...but the idea that people were somehow conned is way overBLOWn. They elected the host of the Celebrity Apprentice FCS. Everyone knew exactly what they were getting and he has performed precisely in line with expectations. The fact that people that voted for Trump *don't care what he does* is tough to swallow I'll admit. The fact that HRC is not president seems to be victory enough.
2
It certainly seems shocking that, in spite of Trump's reversal on many of his insincere and exaggerated demagogic promises, his supporters remain loyal.
But he has been true to his racist ploys when it comes to his Justice Department's actions regarding immigrants and police reform. Sadly, perhaps this is enough to satisfy those whose economic welfare he continues to betray with his kleptocratic, self-serving rule.
But he has been true to his racist ploys when it comes to his Justice Department's actions regarding immigrants and police reform. Sadly, perhaps this is enough to satisfy those whose economic welfare he continues to betray with his kleptocratic, self-serving rule.
3
Any sane caring human USA citizen has known a long time that Trump is a horror. The problem is, he and HIS GOP, have the power and 'mercy, hope and change', better get it's act together.
There has too be effective citizen counter measures to right our shared, "Ship of State". I don't believe that most of his sycophantic voters will change heart. They are getting what they want and it will poison us all. AND they,' the cruel', are not the majority in this country.
There has too be effective citizen counter measures to right our shared, "Ship of State". I don't believe that most of his sycophantic voters will change heart. They are getting what they want and it will poison us all. AND they,' the cruel', are not the majority in this country.
4
For many, many Trump supporters GUNS are the primary factor. They were 100% certain that HRC would "take their guns away" and 100% sure that DJT would not. End of story.
3
Still wondering why Republicans still support Trump? One reason: he is not Hillary. This reason justifies all of Trump's lunacy and ineptitude.
3
Once he is gone, we need to find a way to "claw back" all the tax money he has wasted on indulging his whims. And if he is impeached, I hope we are able to throw the rest of his enablers out as well. It can't happen soon enough.
4
"He isn’t cunningly unpredictable; he’s tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled."
Best summation I've heard about this grifter and his family of grifters
Best summation I've heard about this grifter and his family of grifters
5
I don't think Trump did all this so that he could make more money. He did it to feed his ego. Charles wrote earlier in the year about Trump's being "deeply gratified" by the crowds cheering for him at his campaign events, as arranged by Bannon. His post-inauguration "thank you tours" show that same craving for adulation. He said whatever it took to get that--Lock her up especially. Now, it's not so easy, sans quick junket to Wal-Mart America, to get that kind of praise, so he picks through the paper (again I think it was Charles who said this) like an actor, trying to find good references to himself. It can't be as satisfying.
For the money, though, Trump understands that 60 million people voted for him and he can't be impeached straight off, if ever, for ethics violations, and so he's just snubbing us all. How can someone in his position, with his investments, fail to make money off them?
But the moneymaking is ancillary.
For the money, though, Trump understands that 60 million people voted for him and he can't be impeached straight off, if ever, for ethics violations, and so he's just snubbing us all. How can someone in his position, with his investments, fail to make money off them?
But the moneymaking is ancillary.
4
Although I agree with this assessment of Trump, there is something missing in Blow's idea of the people who voted for Trump.
For many it was not a vote for Trump, but a vote against Hillary Clinton.
For many it was not a vote for Trump, but a vote against Hillary Clinton.
2
Unfortunately, voting for 45, as a protest against Hillary, was just as smart as sinking the ship you are sailing on, because you do not like the direction that ship is sailing.
This blow it up strategy only serves the mega rich who come in and make money rebuilding to their own benefit.
This blow it up strategy only serves the mega rich who come in and make money rebuilding to their own benefit.
Trump voters suffer from a severe lack of metacognition.It is the inability to process information, or connect the dots, coupled with disdain for anyone who speaks in coherent sentences ,that allows them to keep the faith in the face of all the evidence.Truly sad and exacerbated by Democrats who still don't have a credible leader and who continue to focus on social justice and climate change, non issues for the "Trumpies",
whether we like it or not.
whether we like it or not.
1
Anybody who believed that the President could follow through on all, any maybe, of his promises was stupid in the first place and in no way will be able to process the obvious contradictions and failures. They'll keep lapping up the stupid of Trump.
1
The Trump voter has needs. Trump ran for office claiming he'd change their lives for the better. Are their lives any better?
1
Wow, Charles was right all along about how he saw his read of things! I can only guess how he will feel about his own calls on Trump in 30, 60, 180 days? 1 year, 2 years, at the end of Trump's Presidency? I can't wait to see how Charles' evaluation of his own read of his own insights play out. I bet it will make for fascinating columns as he looks back on his own words and supports his own insights.
Throughout the past 90 days, I've tried to figure it all out. Figure Trump out. His motives, his personality, the fact that he won the U.S. presidency.
Most of Charles Blow's thoughts in this piece have occured to me (however not nearly so well put) but this morning yet another big negative dawned on me: Trump doesn't recognize that he's building on anything. His speeches, tweets, interviews, even his inauguration speech, point to the chaos, unfariness or failures that existed pre-Trump. There is little, perhaps even no, recognition of the good, hard work that came before him.
Dr. Ian Malcolm's observation from "Jurassic Park" comes to mind: "I'll tell you the problem with the scientific power that you're using here, it didn't require any discipline to attain it. You read what others had done and you took the next step. You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility for it. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could, and before you even knew what you had, you patented it, and packaged it, and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox, and now..."
Most of Charles Blow's thoughts in this piece have occured to me (however not nearly so well put) but this morning yet another big negative dawned on me: Trump doesn't recognize that he's building on anything. His speeches, tweets, interviews, even his inauguration speech, point to the chaos, unfariness or failures that existed pre-Trump. There is little, perhaps even no, recognition of the good, hard work that came before him.
Dr. Ian Malcolm's observation from "Jurassic Park" comes to mind: "I'll tell you the problem with the scientific power that you're using here, it didn't require any discipline to attain it. You read what others had done and you took the next step. You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility for it. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could, and before you even knew what you had, you patented it, and packaged it, and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox, and now..."
1
Read Leon Festinger, et. al. fascinating and early social psychology report called "When Prophecy Fails" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Prophecy_Fails). It will convince you that you'll never get these people to disavow their earlier beliefs. Unfortunately for them, they must be left behind, wallowing in their illusions. We need to move forward without them.
2
Shockingly, there are some who see this national tragedy as a positive thing, including Lindsey Graham who said "We've got a president and a national security team that I have been dreaming of...he's done more to correct the world...than Obama did in 8 years...I am all in. Keep it up Donald." This from a previous outspoken critic. What parallel universe does Graham live in? The same place where everyone I see each day (gas station, grocery store, even the library where I volunteer in my tiny town) applauds him without reservation as they check out Bill Reilly's "Killing.." books. I literally live in a world I do not understand. Charles Blow, you're spot - on, and the danger of this deluded child and his band of kleptocrats cannot be overstated. Reading the NYT opinion columnists is keeping this former English teacher sane. My world is one of lakes and trees and miles between Trump-voting homes. Every day I need the strength once again to go out there and engage with my neighbors, people that I will call in an emergency,people who read and sell me stuff and love Trump. I take their voting habits very seriously as I believe that if the high school AP English teachers of America (that would be me until last June) had been doing their jobs properly, the American populace would possess the critical thinking skills necessary to have seen through this snake oil salesman. Fighting the Good Fight has never seemed so important.
2
trump is a an idiotic man with a long history of limited compassion, shady deals, fraud, sexual abuse, and no ability to change. He is no "child."
A fake, fraud and PHONY. An erratic unstable immature and greedy.
Thank you Mr. Blow for another great column. Keep pounding at this fraud of a President. It is people like you who will, in time, break the feet of clay upon which he stands. Sooner or later, those that fell for Trump and the GOP promises will finally become enlightened. Never give up until this horrific travesty of a Presidency is laid waste.
Looking forward to your next column.
Looking forward to your next column.
1
re. "little buyer's remorse": this is like religious belief: "I'll see it when I believe it." No one can change another's religious belief.
It is precisely his con game that his supporters love. They see him as the dominating white male who succeeds, and by supporting him they hope his "magic" will rub off on them. Those who voted for him thinking he would bring good change have already begun to doubt and regret. The real supporters are delighted with the installation in the White House of a white supremacist male, or at least one who is sympathetic to white supremacy, and a man supposedly of untold wealth--how untold we may never know, but supporters don't care. Educating those who believed what they wanted to see won't be difficult. It's the other group that needs to be addressed, because evidently, they constitute a fair section of our society. They will go down with their leader enthusiastically like Kong rode the bomb in Dr. Strangelove, without a thought for anyone else.
1
Trump is a snake charmer. His tune induces the snake to sway and we are hypnotized by the event ... then the snake strikes us.
Our nation is going down the tubes ... but we seem powerless to prevent it.
National failure is inevitable only if we believe we are powerless. It is not too late.
"We, the people" are the three most powerful words in this nation. Let's use them.
Awaken, mesmerized citizens! Run off the snake charmer and kill the snake of venality.
What constitutes Trump Failure? Let's not wait for nuclear war as failure. Conflicts of interest cannot be waived. Trumps are lining their pockets with every trip to Mar-a-Lago. That is provable fact. Ivanka and Jared are "employees" who vacation at will. At Easter, during tough times over Korea, they were in Whistler in Canada. That POTUS would have such workers is wrong.
Trump lies. That, in a POTUS, is a high crime AND a misdemeanor. Let's use our Constitution before we lose it.
Our nation is going down the tubes ... but we seem powerless to prevent it.
National failure is inevitable only if we believe we are powerless. It is not too late.
"We, the people" are the three most powerful words in this nation. Let's use them.
Awaken, mesmerized citizens! Run off the snake charmer and kill the snake of venality.
What constitutes Trump Failure? Let's not wait for nuclear war as failure. Conflicts of interest cannot be waived. Trumps are lining their pockets with every trip to Mar-a-Lago. That is provable fact. Ivanka and Jared are "employees" who vacation at will. At Easter, during tough times over Korea, they were in Whistler in Canada. That POTUS would have such workers is wrong.
Trump lies. That, in a POTUS, is a high crime AND a misdemeanor. Let's use our Constitution before we lose it.
1
The religious right swallowed everything repulsive about DJT to get what they wanted and they got it: Neil Gorsuch. Fingers crossed Pence doesn't get to to 'give' them another Supreme Court judge.
Mr. Trump is doing exactly what he had planned. The sole purpose in Trump's existence has been greed and fame. He is now arguably now the most (in)famous person in the world. His "Presidency" has allowed him to continue to amass wealth without a single care about the ethics involved in the same. He's treated the Oval Office like a reality show - look, look everybody see all the executive orders I've signed. See how terrifically infallible I am. The entire show is disgusting and yet about 40% of the voters still trust the man. It seems that PT Barnum was right as was HL Mencken.
5
The American people voted for trump to "drain the swamp", and yet reelected the "swamp" (i.e. the republican Congress). It boggles the mind.
6
Let's not forget Trumps wretched tv reality game show that lent legitimacy to his megalomania. It preyed on people that have unbelievable desires to fantasize how the wealthy live and operate. It taught aspects of competition and productivity in a win-lose framework that echoed many white collar working conditions including how lying, cheating and deferring to power are useful tools for achieving success.
"stubborn human resistance"...
I'd really like to hear Trump supporters explain exactly what Trump has done to merit their belief that Trump is doing a good job. Tell us how his policies support the populist views he used to present himself during the campaign. Tell us about his completed accomplishments. Tell us about how he has kept all of his campaign promises. DON'T tell us about how difficult it has been for him. DON'T tell us about all the people and conspiracies who are organized against him to keep him from doing what he said!
The Trump support is vague and unsupported. The human subconscious is a key part of the "stubborn human resistance to admitting a mistake". People subconsciously need to believe that Trump is doing a good job and will gloss over his mistakes. This is in spite of the fact that he is doing an execrably awful job as president and there is no tangible evidence to the contrary. Oh, and dropping 59 cruise missiles on Syria and a MOAB on Afghanistan are tactics, not policies, and are not enough to bail out an otherwise incompetent president.
I'd really like to hear Trump supporters explain exactly what Trump has done to merit their belief that Trump is doing a good job. Tell us how his policies support the populist views he used to present himself during the campaign. Tell us about his completed accomplishments. Tell us about how he has kept all of his campaign promises. DON'T tell us about how difficult it has been for him. DON'T tell us about all the people and conspiracies who are organized against him to keep him from doing what he said!
The Trump support is vague and unsupported. The human subconscious is a key part of the "stubborn human resistance to admitting a mistake". People subconsciously need to believe that Trump is doing a good job and will gloss over his mistakes. This is in spite of the fact that he is doing an execrably awful job as president and there is no tangible evidence to the contrary. Oh, and dropping 59 cruise missiles on Syria and a MOAB on Afghanistan are tactics, not policies, and are not enough to bail out an otherwise incompetent president.
If we, that is the readers and the writer of this column, as well as those outside this particular loop want to understand Mr Trump we must to some degree also try to understand ourselves.
Essentially our citizenry has lived with the myth of the United States as being formed through the truth of our so called founding fathers who, if alive today, may themselves have voted for Mr Trump
They were true believers, slaveholders, womanizers as well as the occasional decent and honorable, but equally rare person who rejected the above mentioned qualities. Our so called upper class like any of their ilk in any nation are, by dint of birth with the silver spoon firmly attached to the family bible, given a leg up in our less than equitable society. This is the beginning of our gambling electorate which recently bought several million worthless tickets in a lottery which has rolled over until the next drawing
Unlike the chosen of Mr Barnum, our last election showed that many more than one are born every minute
None of us had a choice of parents, circumstance, situation or locale of birth we were all just dumped into this world without anything, but the preconceptions of those surrounding us. If those preconceptions were erroneous, absurd, or dictatorial so be it. We are taught lies among truths and fictions among facts some of which enrich our lives but most of which enrich others
Mr Trump, like most of us, is just another person who believes the lies with which he was raised.
Essentially our citizenry has lived with the myth of the United States as being formed through the truth of our so called founding fathers who, if alive today, may themselves have voted for Mr Trump
They were true believers, slaveholders, womanizers as well as the occasional decent and honorable, but equally rare person who rejected the above mentioned qualities. Our so called upper class like any of their ilk in any nation are, by dint of birth with the silver spoon firmly attached to the family bible, given a leg up in our less than equitable society. This is the beginning of our gambling electorate which recently bought several million worthless tickets in a lottery which has rolled over until the next drawing
Unlike the chosen of Mr Barnum, our last election showed that many more than one are born every minute
None of us had a choice of parents, circumstance, situation or locale of birth we were all just dumped into this world without anything, but the preconceptions of those surrounding us. If those preconceptions were erroneous, absurd, or dictatorial so be it. We are taught lies among truths and fictions among facts some of which enrich our lives but most of which enrich others
Mr Trump, like most of us, is just another person who believes the lies with which he was raised.
1
The buyers' remorse will eventually kick in with a vengeance. As vehement as they have been in supporting their hero, they will finally get it and the reaction will begin slowly, but will be yuge when all is said and done. Trump plan to kick all of the millions off of health coverage provided by ACA while giving the big tax break to the top 1/2 of 1% should be widely publicized and let it sink in with his fan base and let's see if that doesn't get the buyers' remorse going more quickly. I bet it would start to open the eyes.
1
Many of the Trump voters I know voted for him because they didn't want to let Hillary and your fellow Democrats stack the Supreme Court with leftist lawmakers. As far as they are concerned. Trump has vindicated their choice already. Others were willing to vote in a Trump branded liar and a fraud because they didn't want the Clinton brand liar and fraud. To some extent all politicians are liars and con men. I have seen politicians that I admired start saying things opposite of what they said their whole career once they were on the Presidential ticket. It's sad but true. No one gets elected President by telling the truth.
Imagine we were to rank all American adults, not imprisoned or institutionalized, on their fitness to be president of the country. We would use obvious criteria - intelligence, work ethic, knowledge, character (honesty, integrity, empathy, decency, courage, and the like), experience, communication skills, wisdom, mental health, leadership/managerial skills, and so on.
Surely we would find Mr. Trump in the bottom decile.
Surely we would find Mr. Trump in the bottom decile.
3
When I was a wet-behind-the-ears 22-year-old I first encountered a 3 Card Monte scene on the streets of New York City. I paused on my stroll to take in the action. While intrigued, it didn't take long for this new kid on the block to realize it was a scam, and I moved on. Sadly for all of us, it will be a lot harder for America to extricate itself from this particular scam before a horrendous amount of damage is done.
2
Trump is, and has always been, a self-serving con man. The fact 62 million people voted for him, and 38% of Republicans say Trump has performed "better" than expected while in office, speaks volumes about what is wrong with the country.
3
Well said. It's going to be a long haul with this administration.
2
Charles, those of us who read your writing every time it appears know well by now what you think of the occupant of the White House, what you've determined by his actions that he is. The need isn't there to go over (and over) the same ground with a finely-tuned plow looking for substantiation as yet uncovered. I would ask you to turn your critical eye to a much larger picture.
Remind us again and again of the supporting cast in America who not only made this man's rise possible (media/education system/economic woes/greed/etc etc) but put him in office. Keep reminding us until we 'get it,' without need of reminding. Lead us to our understanding about what needs to be done to rescue ourselves, before it's too late. I know your incisive mind and compelling way with words can be well-put to this task.
I want to believe you know Pogo was right.
Remind us again and again of the supporting cast in America who not only made this man's rise possible (media/education system/economic woes/greed/etc etc) but put him in office. Keep reminding us until we 'get it,' without need of reminding. Lead us to our understanding about what needs to be done to rescue ourselves, before it's too late. I know your incisive mind and compelling way with words can be well-put to this task.
I want to believe you know Pogo was right.
1
The time will come that Trump voters will regret their vote. Hopefully it won't be their last thought in a blinding flash of light. They will have to be personally hurt fairly significantly before they admit it to themselves.
2
When I read articles about the numbers of DJT supporters, I always remind myself that he didn't win the popular vote. Not only did HRC win 3 million more votes, but adding everyone else (Stein, Johnson, McMullin) brings his share to 11 million less than the total everyone received (see Cook Political Report). While our republic was not well served by our electoral system, it restores my faith in Americans.
1
For many of us, it is trumps lack of credibility and because of that, our credibility as a nation has already be called into question nationally & globally.
trump is NOT making America great again!
trump is NOT making America great again!
1
Trump lives by, and owes his success (including the presidency) to the supposed PT Barnum assertion that there is a sucker born every minute. When the Trump Evil Clown Circus and Carnival rolled into town with Donald Trump as ringmaster a lot of people bought tickets. They marveled at the side show freaks in his Cabinet, oohed and aahed at the dancing girls (described in great detail by the top-hat-wearing Trump), and eagerly were fleeced by the rigged Midway games. And they loved every minute of it. As the circus caravan rolled out of town and on to the next, the smiling Trump puffed on a big cigar and repeated another of his favorite maxims: no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.
Hey! You want to call the American people stupid? Fine. They’ll muster up all of their cherished freedom, stubbornness, and self-reliance and do it again – just to prove they were right and that nobody can tell them what to do. Even if it kills them.
Hey! You want to call the American people stupid? Fine. They’ll muster up all of their cherished freedom, stubbornness, and self-reliance and do it again – just to prove they were right and that nobody can tell them what to do. Even if it kills them.
1
Remember what Michael Bloomberg said at the nominating convention: "I'm a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one." I'll bet none of Trump's willfully ignorant supporters even heard that.
1
Back in 1990 when the Donald was simply a mainstay of the New York tabloids Canada bought into neoliberalism and sold off our national oil company to the snake oil salesmen of Wall Street, Bay Street and the oil patch.
Today we need desperately to go our own way but we are so entangled in your economy that all we can do with every insult and threat levelled by your administration is apologize.
In 1990 we knew our pipeline should go East West not south to Chicago and Texas. Donald Trump is a rude awakening and the economic pain to be derived from getting out of the US stranglehold has got to bring fear to any Canadian government that dare challenge your Kleptocracy.
We have a great deal to protect in addition to our economy. We have a fine healthcare system, educational system, human rights and we want to protect our welfare system, We expect that a guaranteed annual income for every man woman and child will be part of our social fabric within five years.
We know we have got to do this because we know that within 15 years 40% of all our present day jobs will be automated.
Donald is a shock to our system because even though we have the wealth and resources to adapt the spanner you have dumped into our economic engine is making our task so much more difficult.
Even if many like myself are concerned with US military intervention it is not a major concern in Canada but we are not the USA and no longer can we ignore our border and rely on an understanding of friendship.
Today we need desperately to go our own way but we are so entangled in your economy that all we can do with every insult and threat levelled by your administration is apologize.
In 1990 we knew our pipeline should go East West not south to Chicago and Texas. Donald Trump is a rude awakening and the economic pain to be derived from getting out of the US stranglehold has got to bring fear to any Canadian government that dare challenge your Kleptocracy.
We have a great deal to protect in addition to our economy. We have a fine healthcare system, educational system, human rights and we want to protect our welfare system, We expect that a guaranteed annual income for every man woman and child will be part of our social fabric within five years.
We know we have got to do this because we know that within 15 years 40% of all our present day jobs will be automated.
Donald is a shock to our system because even though we have the wealth and resources to adapt the spanner you have dumped into our economic engine is making our task so much more difficult.
Even if many like myself are concerned with US military intervention it is not a major concern in Canada but we are not the USA and no longer can we ignore our border and rely on an understanding of friendship.
1
Trumps greatest appeal to his voters is his intellect. Most of the Trump voters were considered uneducated and regardless of Trumps successes in business, he is not a very intelligent or well educated person, his supporters feel a kindred connection with his fifth grade vocabulary and his total lack of knowledge.
“The poll showed just 7 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say Trump has performed worse than they expected him to. Fully 38 percent — five times as many — say he has performed better.”
There is the place to investigate. Why? What can be done to inject some reality?
For example, is it the echo chamber of Fox TV and Facebook news tuned to readers prejudices? If so what can counteract this influence?
There is the place to investigate. Why? What can be done to inject some reality?
For example, is it the echo chamber of Fox TV and Facebook news tuned to readers prejudices? If so what can counteract this influence?
1
He may be a fake and a fraud, but he is also a very real threat.
... effigy of cultural elite? Please, do not mistreat the culture more the country, already quite beaten. So we put it proposed with all his tricks of boxer finished in a last fight and threatening to throw us on American lands with thermo-nuclear bombs, we humans, we would not communicate with their huge wheels of mill representative of culture but everything otherwise.
Snake oil salesman, bar none. Let's just hope he leaves the stage quick.
Can you imagine how this poor excuse for a human being will be after a few more months of this job much less a few more years.
Now granted draft dodger trump has taken five Florida mini-vacations since winning the electoral vote and is on track to spend more on personal travel in one year than the Obama's did in eight, so he may mitigate the corrosive effects of the oval office for a while but he is an OLD MAN...And he is already looking way older than he did in November.
Now granted draft dodger trump has taken five Florida mini-vacations since winning the electoral vote and is on track to spend more on personal travel in one year than the Obama's did in eight, so he may mitigate the corrosive effects of the oval office for a while but he is an OLD MAN...And he is already looking way older than he did in November.
1
it appears he has no friends and no soul.
restore the visitor log as it's our house &
45 is just passing through, very briefly.
restore the visitor log as it's our house &
45 is just passing through, very briefly.
What's worse —the fact a nation of reality TV fans elected this clown? Or four years of reading about how bad it is until the day he leaves?
How many times will Mr. Blow write this exact same article and throw it into the wind?
Or is the nightmare twenty years actually from now? When corporations will still dominate all aspects and functions of government, and —even with a President worthy of our respect—the Super Rich still rule over the plebs...
How many times will Mr. Blow write this exact same article and throw it into the wind?
Or is the nightmare twenty years actually from now? When corporations will still dominate all aspects and functions of government, and —even with a President worthy of our respect—the Super Rich still rule over the plebs...
1
You have a point. But one Good Thing. It is not Hillary's promises that are crashing to earth like a fleet of paper airplanes.
1
These columns, while no less incorrect or resonant or important than they were last year, or in any of the past five months, are really starting to feel like they're on autopilot.
1
It takes an adult to admit they made a mistake so, no, trump trash will never stop believing in draft dodger trump's Cult of Personality or ever admit they got taken.
1
But he is a lovable con man to some, as opposed to Hillary who is a con woman lovable by very few.
OK, so what are we going to do about this?
Trump kept Hillary from the White House (and Bill). We are all winners. At least one, maybe more, conservatives on the Supreme Court, the rollback of Obama over-reach (and some general federal government over-reach) make it all worthwhile. He has already helped to MAGA. I wish him continued success. (and Mr Blow, is Hillary authentic and fully truthful? LOL).
1
So, Charles, do you prefer that Trump carry out the policies that you have railed against for almost 2 years? The wall, locking her up, etc.?
I never saw an article with the same headline listing the following frauds:
You can keep your doctor
I will save every family $2500 a year in health care premiums --mine just went up 16%
Benghazi attack caused by obscure film maker in US
I will close Guantanamo
I will pivot to Asia
I will reset relations with Russia.
You get my point...?
I never saw an article with the same headline listing the following frauds:
You can keep your doctor
I will save every family $2500 a year in health care premiums --mine just went up 16%
Benghazi attack caused by obscure film maker in US
I will close Guantanamo
I will pivot to Asia
I will reset relations with Russia.
You get my point...?
... the emperor has no clothes!
1
Right on. As usual.
1
That does not mean, of course, that he is not a liar nor that he will continue to flip flop on issues. He is a despicable excuse for a president. But the criticism from the left must be judicious or any claim to credibility will be lost.