2 quotes struck me:
“By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?”
Sounds like what my children would say - before they reached 10 years old.
“No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains.”
I completely agree. But the key word in the quote is "carelessly", Trump is nowhere near Hitler in terms of pure evil, but he is leading our country, by far the most militarily powerful country in the world, down a similar path. We would be fools to ignore it.
After asking "who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Trump is surprised that some people listen to him. At long last has he no shame?
4
The awful fake media is obviously the culprit. Did you see where the NYT said that Trump's claim that very few Democrats supported the opioid bill was false. The nerve! What's that you say? It was false? But he's the president!
2
Mr Trump talks like a street thug and is a menace to society.
Tony Soprano would have been a better fit than this guy.
5
Narcissism is a very intractable personality disorder. Nothing should surprise us from a narcissist once we identify the problem.
The question then is how to get away from that person because the individual will wreak havoc and create a lot of terrible angst.
Pep rallies follow the pattern and support the narcissistic compulsion for adoration. Just recognize the pattern, and get away. I would like all of us to understand what we are seeing, and all of us to work on getting away from narcissists in office. This does mean voting across party lines. So sorry to see what has happened to the Republicans. So sorry to see what has happened to the Dems. But if we vote ourselves away from this narcissism, the country can recover.
3
If the incendiary comments made by our President at rallies that taxpayers mostly fund are reported in the media, it is not an attack. Several people confronting a politician in a restaurant is not a mob. You can't put the genie of violence back in the bottle by talking about unity when you are a person who incites the violence. Railing against fake news when you are the purveyor of most of it cannot cause people to come together in peace and harmony.
9
Can we stop trying to compromise with a party full of racist, fascist, terrorists yet?
Right wing terrorists have killed more Americans than international terrorists (including 911) over the last 25 years. The left has killed no one.
The right bases all of the police in hate, he, and violence.
The left believes in love, sharing, and peace.
It's not both sides. Once side is Trump to create Justice and the other is trunking too overturn the Constitution. There is no equivalence between left protesters that yell at fascists, and fascists that actually going around beating pettiness up and murdering people.
Appeasing the Republicans has encouraged them to go more and more extreme.
You have to actually oppose the right if you don't want them to think they can get away with starting a second civil war.
Start trying too understand your own base and all of the workers that don't vote.
6
There is no medium more mainstream than Fox News. It draws the largest audience of television viewers. Can't get any more mainstream than that. Looks like Fox is going to have to clean up its act.
(And interestingly enough, spell check tried to change "fox" to "dox." Internet denizens will see the humor in Dox News.)
3
@Alison: If you think FOX News has the largest audience..not so fast!
Fox News is a cable news operation that is targeted towards an audience of largely older white men, with at best, a high-school education; who vote Republican, and are conservative.
True; they have the largest audience of the three CABLE news operations; however, they are both hardly msinstream; and their audience is dwarfed by the third-place CBS Evening News, which, like it or not, is light years more mainstream.
To paraphrase a line from an old Elvis Costello song, "Alison, your aim is hardly true."
Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump
A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!
Why is anyone buying what this lunatic is saying. HE is the one promoting racism, divisiveness, violence and stirring up his nazi supporters. God help us.
7
While it is not clear yet who sent the bombs, it's hard to ignore the straight line from the president's incendiary remarks to the incendiary devices.
He reminds me of the jerk kid in the high school cafeteria, egging his friends on to throw tater tots, and then able to claim innocence later because he never did it himself. But nobody misses the snide glee on his face because he stirred up trouble, and the handful of other jerks who thought it was funny like him even better. IN the meantime, he leaves behind a mess and somebody might actually get hurt.
6
In many instances, the media (especially television) fans the flames with incendiary rhetoric that is akin to waving a red cape in front of a bull. They often dredge and cherry pick obscure tweets and events that the mainstream population would otherwise never have heard about. And CNN, FOX and MSNBC are all guilty of this.
CNN's Don Lemmon is a prime example. His often reckless commentary is super charged with emotional disdain for almost everything coming from the right. And he all too often belabours and distorts his opinions which only adds fuel to the fire.
The President and presidents have always had a relationship with a free press that questions policy and motivations for policy.
This is the job of a journalist in a free and open democracy. Presidents have bobbed and weaved to avoid telling the whole truth but good journalists dig until they can inform the citizenry of the truth except in instances where truth might endanger the nation. The lies told for no reason except political by President Trump must be exposed by journalists as part of their duty to us, the citizens, in a democracy.
3
It may be that Trump is purposely toning down his usual ugliness & hate-mongering (at least a little) because he does not want to scare away any independent voters who are still on the fence before the upcoming elections. If Republicans keep the House & don’t lose any Senate seats, then you can bet the farm Trump will return to form, likely worse than ever. He may suspect that his boss Putin is behind these widespread & carefully planned murder attempts. And how smart does one have to be to realize that if Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton or anyone at CNN had been killed or injured by a bomb, Trump would puke out some phony statement about unification while inciting his dead-soul supporters to cheer.
3
Trump said he operates by creating chaos. He revels in conflict. The reality of his words has come to fruition.
4
He called out the media, and yet qualified that to be the "main stream" media, meaning every established news outlet other than Fox News.
In my experience, the worst, most hateful, most demonizing and most violent vitriol comes from the fringe media; Alex Jones, Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter, Lyndsey Ingram, Sean Hannity, and a host of others, specifically on Fox News. Even the supposedly sugar-coated Fox and Friends spews hateful disdain at others, if with a friendly smile and a precocious wink.
I'm not saying that there aren't others, "on both sides" (to borrow an unfortunate phrase), but it has been far worse, and has gone for far longer, on the right.
I have seen right-wing talk shows and more specifically Fox News brewing this particular potion for two decades now. For the president to call out everyone but them is absolutely abysmal, and is yet another symptom of the problem.
"It's not wrong, or violent, if they agree with me, or better yet, always tell me what I want to hear. It's our club. Everyone else is always wrong. And I'm not violent and closed-minded."
I personally go to great lengths to get my information from multiple sources, and to research the facts myself, looking for confirmation. I don't trust any media sources, even those seemingly without opinions.
Can everyone please start to do that? And can *all* media outlets please, please, please change their tone (without an explicit request from the Inflamer-in-Chief)?
3
@Bob
Yes, all media has an agenda. It is human nature. A consumer of news should not trust, but verify. The news gives hints, not facts.
The agenda of Fox has clearly been hate, greed, and violence for decades.
Both sides don't do it. Yelling at fascists is not political violence. The right promotes and participates in actual political violence.
The left has killed no one.
Right wing terrorists have killed more Americans than international terrorists.
They assassinate abortion doctors.
They assassinated JFK, RFK, and MLK.
They burn and shoot up black churches.
They find immigrants on the corner looking for work and beat them up our kill them.
The see someone they suspect is gay and beat them up, or kill them.
They see a trans person and beat them up our kill them.
They shot up a gay club.
Another gay club had its only exit blocked, then lit on fire.
They walk around with assault rifles.
The right believes in violence and the left believes in peace
The right believes in greed and the left believes in sharing.
The right believes in hate and the left believes in love for mankind.
The is no equivalence. Both sides don't do it.
Compromise with hate greed, and violence encourages hate, greed and violence.
Choose a side.
Instead of trying to understand Trump voters, try to understand why 2/3 of eligible voters didn't for either party. Hint: The lesser evil is still evil.
Passionately promote the Greater Good, the General Welfare, to win.
2
There's an old saying among responsible, productive people, "Fix the problem, not the blame." I don't think President Trump is familiar with it.
3
@Derek Martin
Unfortunately the problem is global billionaires who fund hate because of that can keep the working people of the world to blame and fight each other, they can keep stealing from us with impunity.
A few thousand people literally own half of the world's wealth; half of everything. A few thousand people did not create half of the world's wealth. They did not create half of all land, food, water, machinery, oil, metals, art, music, patents, etc., but somehow they have come to own half of everything. And they own 75% of corporate shares, including media shares.
The global billionaires are financing white supremacist groups and hate propaganda. They don't do it because they are racists. The only color they care about is green. They do it to divide and conquer the other 99.9% of the population, so they can get away with stealing half of everything, or more.
Productivity is up 40% percent over the last forty years, and billionaire wealth is up 40% too. Meanwhile the workers that actually create the wealth haven't had a real raise in all of that time.
It's not an accident.
1
As president he needs to make much stronger statements condemning these actions. We can go back and forth all day about who said what and who's to blame. At this moment there must be leadership from the president and the leadership should be statements such as: Violence is never the answer. Whether you're a Republican or Democrat we're all Americans and we don't treat others this way. Stop the hatred and stop the violent speech. With that said, I doubt he has it in him. I think he secretly "enjoys" this and thinks it increases his stature and power. Why do I say this? Because of his previous statements and actions. I'd like to be wrong. I'll wait...
1
@Citizen 0809
"I think he secretly enjoys this."
It's not a secret. Look at the glee in his face as he imitates a reporter being slammed to the ground by a Montana politician!
Trump actively promotes political violence, torture, police brutality, and attacks all of the institutions of our Republic, from the Judiciary to the separation of powers.
Read the Constitution, line by line, and as you read, think about what Republicans say in response. They want the opposite of the Constitution, except for the part that says they get to have an armory in their house.
The Metropolitan Club of NYC invited the leader of a "white chauvinist" group to speak in front of them last week. The group beat someone up outside right after. The Proud Boys has a documented history of violence, but the HQ of every NY Republican political campaign (according to their homepage) invited these white supremacists to speak.
The entire Party of Trump (which is 90% of the Republican Party) makes no secret of their hatred and desire fire violence. Just open your ears and listen. Go on their websites and read their comments about killing all the liberals (anyone left of Nixon), their glee at videos of police beating up peaceful protesters, and the constant calls to bring back slavery and put women back in the kitchen. That is the base of the Republican Party.
They don't need to be understood. They need to be soundly defeated and sent to hide under their pointy white hoods again.
2
What possible motive would a GOP or Trump supporter want to bomb these very weak targets? There is no reason to take these politically weakened individuals off the field. They are more valuable alive and well and whining. None of the devices exploded, which if you do the math leads to the likelihood that none were operational. Hoax? Threat? Who gains and who loses? Wait for the forensics. Wait for the forensic socials. Yes the rhetoric has been vapid. But, Trump needs all of these foils to make his case for the swamp to be drained. I am afraid of who the FBI will ultimately uncover as the perp? Is this a case of an arsonist trying to burn down his own house? WHo gains? What motive?
Is this just the beginning? Trump has spent his administration dehumanizing immigrants and transgender people. How long until these extremists decide that they are morally obligated to wipe out trans people? With so much religious zealotry being weaponized, I fear the transgender community will be targeted with a dogged determination, even more so than other groups with the probable exception of immigrants.
Trans people, immigrants (legal or otherwise), I support you. I know a lot of people who support you. We all need to calmly but with great earnestness, engage with bigots when we hear them say dehumanizing or violent things. Even if you can only change one mind, that's one more person who will (hopefully) choose love over hate.
3
@AJ
Trans people have been attacked and murdered by the right for a hundred years.
Can we stop compromising with hate, greed, and violence yet, Democrats?
Vote “D” for Democracy.
We’re fighting to save it.
6
It is not the media who has said it wants to hit a person at rallies, and it is not the media who promised to pay for legal bills of rally attenders who might get in legal trouble for physically assaulting other people. It is not the media who has made online commercials declaring the Democratic Party to be the "party of crime", nor was it the media who knowingly made up truly fake Bills supposedly introduced into Congress by "the Democrats."
President Trump is solely, and personally, responsible for these actions and falsehoods, and for thousands more lies and verbal endorsements of treating others in this country who disagree with him and his supporters to both verbal and physical assault - the most recent example being just the other evening when he gave "kudos" to the Congressman who had assaulted a journalist.
DONALD TRUMP is the person most constantly and most feverishly stoking the ideas of "them and us" and pointing to the supposedly terrible things done by "them" (with "them" being whatever group of people he wishes to unleash on in any given day).
DONALD TRUMP is the last person able and willing to unify the country - because in his heart he doesn't believe in it, and because he knows that division and chaos work for him.
The fact that division and chaos do not work for America doesn't bother him at all, because he doesn't care at all about America. All he cares about is Donald Trump.
Under this President, there can and will be NO unity.
6
@Not Amused
It's not just Trump.
The Republican Party for not make him president by accident.
@McGloin
yes, the GOP too
Is there any Republican legislator, senator or congressman who has the backbone to speak up?
Senators like Jeff Flake are not the answer, he says one thing and votes the other, always with an excuse for how he voted. He has no backbone.
Trump enabled by his cabinet and legislators like McConnell has sown these seeds of hostility, hatred and furor. Everything he accuses others of on twitter he is the guilty party,
Trump likely endorsed the Saudi killing of the journalist. Trump does not want a free press and everytime the Press reprints what he has said they are enabling him and he learned from the Apprentice how gullible the public is and how to manipulate public opinion through the media and he is a master of it.
Trump has not released his tax returns, he is a very, very, very bad person. He campaigns for himself at very hateful rallies while he is suppose to be leading this nation. He is destroying this country and every person who votes for a Republican is to blame, even the very nice people who smile and are friendly but when anything comes up about the world today, say "let's not talk about politics".
5
@EC17 Bingo. Accusing your enemy of the very thing of which you are guilty is the hallmark of a skilled con artist. Our criminal potus was warning of election fraud the very moment he was committing it.
3
Chromatic from CT deserves to be read again.
Previously, I was forced to use “Chromatic from CT” as a submission of my own, since “Chromatic” was at a maximum of words, and I could not add any of my own words, nor delete any of Chromatic, without changing Chromatic’s power and intent.
We must proceed with courage and hope that all of this will end well. There is no other choice.
Trump has only his own interests at heart, and it’s not only about “winning.”
2
Trump says that the media is to blame. All of the intended targets are Democrats. The only people and news organizations attacking them are the right wing media (Fox, et al) and our president. Maybe he's right.
6
Trump is like an alcoholic, depending on a frothing crowd's adulation to feed his insatiable appetite for attention.
In the wake of the attacks he had to emphasize "how nice" he was being.
This is like a guy who crashed his car into a telephone poll the night before, having a diet coke at the bar to assure everyone he is not really a drunk.
Wait until tomorrow night. The man is incapable of impulse control.
8
The nice thing about any day of Donnie's Administration is the predictability.
Another day, another Strawman to attack, another red-herring to feed the raw-meat crowd and another botched attempt at doing/saying the right thing, for 21 months now and counting.
Vote as if your future depends on it, because it does.....
7
I doubt the source of discord in the USA would ever acknowledge the actions of a malignant narcissist as being responsible for rapidly expanding hate within the country.
3
Enough with the false equivalency. This is not the media’s fault, nor is it the fault of Democrats. The fault lies squarely on the shoulders of the man sitting in the White House, who is engaging in Stochastic Terrorism every time he incites and condones violence to the angry mobs at his rallies. I listened yesterday, incredibly discouraged, to reporters and politicians wondering whether Trump would Do The Right Thing at his rally in Wisconsin, and was disheartened but not surprised when he didn’t.
Not only did he not even attempt to bring Americans together...he engaged in a ridiculous display of false equivalency in order to divide even further. Speaking in what I’m sure he thought was cleverly coded language, he condemned people comparing him to Hitler and people opposed to Confederate statues, and then afterward, engaged in some wordplay - “monument-al...monument-al”...he might as well have been wiggling his eyebrows, winking, and saying, “get it? get it? Monuments?”
He did not condemn the bombs, (which he downplayed as “suspicious devices,” not bombs), and did not even attempt to call for unity. He used the opportunity to dig in and divide even further, whipping up more hatred towards the media.
For the first time, I am really actually afraid. Afraid for the safety of my brown friends and family, and afraid we will never return from this dreadful state of division. Only a matter of time before the bombs actually detonate.
6
@August West
Read the Constitution, line by line, and compare it with Republican policy and propaganda. They are opposed to all of it, except the second clause of the second amendment.
When the Party of Trump says that a judge is an originalist, what they mean is that he wants to go back to the Articles of Confederation that united us until the Constitution was ratified.
Roy Moore who was twice removed from the bench for injecting his religion into his courtroom, said that he is against the last 29 Amendments to the Constitution. They includes the Bill of Rights (which Republicans regularly call "technicalities"), the separation of church and state, the end of slavery, the woman's vote, equal rights under the law for all citizens,, etc.
The Republican Party supported Roy Moore and half of Alabama voted for him.
When the Slave States realized that democracy was not going to let them expand slavery into the new territories, they formed an army and attacked the Union.
The Republican base flies Confederate Flags and protects monuments to traitors.
The Party of Trump wants to refight the Civil War.
Trump and his supporters like to claim the media is unfair to Trump. How exactly can any objective medium shed positive light on a pathological liar that enjoys inciting violence and racism?
4
So, according to Gov. Scott Walker “An attempt to engage in a terrorist act against any American is an attack on every American,” What utter bilge. These attacks were on particular Americans, not all Americans. They were on Americans of a particular political persuasion, not all Americans. They were Americas critical of Trump, not all Americans. The problem with doublespeak like this is that its tries to gloss over the fact that Trump's whole approach to popularity and attempt to retain power is to divide, not unite.
5
Body slamming....”my kinda guy”. “Lock her up” chanting, Trump encourages violent behavior, his supporters love it, they cheer at the very idea. Now a very real series of pipe bombs with the intention to cause grave harm to whom he often mocks, have been found but fortunately not exploded. Today he calls for unity??? After three years of mocking divisive nasty rhetoric? He literally has condoned violence. The word unity never crossed his lips until yesterday.
6
I blame the bomber. I certainly hope he/she is caught and appropriately punished.
3
@betty jones: OK. Investigators looking for thr bomber will be analyzing the bomber's potential motives. If the bomber is ever caught, prosecutors will be looking at the bomber's motives.
What motivated the bomber to make these bombs and send them to critics of Trump only?
1
This shell, if that, of a human being is well beyond any hope of any redemption or self-correction. That he is the President of the United States is, and should be to all citizens, a terrifying reality. Make America Great Again: Get rid of this ticking human time bomb ASAP!
6
He just couldn't stop at the Unify part of speech. What he is trying to tell the world is that the media needs to stop reporting his lies & crimes & start "Praise, Worship, & Glorify trump messages". He doesn't represent the USA. He represents trump & trump only. His real message to American Citizens is "Join me or die!"
4
@No Where To Run
"He doesn't represent the USA. He represents trump & trump only."
That is exactly right. And every time he makes an official decision with only Trump as the measure of its success that is an act of corruption by the President of the USA.
He even appointed a Justice to obstruct justice on the Supreme Court!
1
Trump can try to blame the media, but the media is reporting his words, words that incite violence, fear and hatred. Trump has no one to blame but himself and his crazed, brainwashed followers. Next thing we know he will claim that Democrats are responsible for these bombs in an attempt to make him and his fellow Republican servants look bad -- that the bombs are a Democratic plot against him.
5
@ PJ: It's already happening. Go to fringe right-wing media outlets and they are already propounding this conspiracy theory. As are some NY Times commenters.
Is the "rhetorical jujitsu" an odious personal talent of our president or is he coached by more odious and more dangerous Stephen MIller - more dangerous because he is more intelligent? This isn't funny any more, if it ever was. We've crossed into very dangerous territory.
4
Donald Trump is incapable of empathy or character, but if he ever acted as a real president imagine the good he could do in times like this. Impossible!
1
I think most of the comments are missing the equally guilty actors who have no limits to what they will accept from this entirely known quantity of bully and prideful ignoramus in the White House - what about Susan Collins, Jeff Flake, Paul Ryan, McConnell, ad nauseum. Trump Hitlerian persona is a distraction from calling out all the other supposed grown-ups who should know better. I tried calling each to plead with them to finally draw a line on the side of a functioning American democracy but to absolutely no avail. Have none of the Republicans just a wee bit of shame over the chaos they have let loose upon the world?
5
Trump's tweet today is an outright threat to the media.
" Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!"
Trump is enabling attempted murder, telling us all that unless the criticism of him stops, there will be more attacks. And his base agrees.
If there was any indication that these bombs were the work of an Islamic terror group, we'd be hearing something completely different from this psychopathic President.
6
@John Adams
Trump Haas been implicated in numerous crimes, by his fixer and other allies, by investigative journalists, and by his own words.
He is under investigation by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for numerous crimes.
However, he has no real legal team and no real defense strategy.
His legal team is really a public relations team and their strategy is to attack the investigators and the courts.
Trump appointed a Supreme Court Justice specifically because Kavanaugh has said that a president can only be investigated by Congress. Trump expects Kavanaugh to help shut down these investigations. Trump nominated a Justice to obstruct justice.
If that doesn't work he is plainly ready to start a civil war to keep himself out of prison and in power.
He said he should be"president for life," and that the American People should"sit in attention" for him with "fervor" like the North Koreans do for Kim. I believe him and you should too.
Save the Constitution and Our Republic from the Party of Trump.
Trump, more than anyone else in a leadership position, is responsible for this atmosphere of hatred. To blame those who simply report his bombastic vitriol and wonder where it will lead is nothing short of the biggest lie of all. The idea that he is a conciliator is bereft of logic and carries not one iota of truth. The notion that he is behaving "very nice" would be hilarious if it were not such cynical nonsense.
7
President Trump only has one plan in his playbook: divide and conquer. Americans (true patriots) must vote straight Democratic ticket so this would-be-dictator can be impeached. He is not fit to lead our nation.
4
Is anyone else wondering why it is taking Trump so long to point out that it's the Honduran refugees who are sending these bombs? We all know these people are in full control of the American media terrorist plot.
Come on, Donnie! You're not trying!
2
Bull Connor, Strom Thurmond, George Wallace and thousands of violence promoting racists in the USA passed the baton years ago. Among the proud carriers today is Trump. Frightened white people, including the media are repetitive in condemnation of clearly bottom of the barrel racist noise. These same people are blinkered from police shootings, healthcare denial, environmental toxicity and other life denying activities which target people by race. I do wonder what the response would have been if the 9/11 activities of those Saudi nationals had targeted black cities, buildings and organizations. Probably little else other than propoganda, Saudi paid.
These recent events are parts of speech, punctuations and paragraphs in America's encyclopedia on and promotion of slavery and its successors. Trump, like Wilkes Booth is having his moment. Unlike that actor, this coward uses a microphone while his violence is by proxy.
3
the only way to set a civil tone is for the media to ignore the trump!
2
Good luck to all the Trump haters. Hopefully these fake bombs will keep coming so the authorities, (and I don't include De Blasio's police force since I doubt they could find a terrorist anywhere), can find this person(s) and show the world what a lame attempt this was to frame Republican party supporters.
Blame the victim. This is all Trump can do. Despicable.
2
Trump is at the root of this evil. No doubt about it. He is a deeply flawed, filled with hate and dangerous individual who is incapable of taking responsibility for his despicable rhetoric and actions. Raise your hand if you think he is capable of cleaning up his act, FAST.
Fish rot from the head...and that is what's happening with our democracy. VOTE the GOP out of power...they are the fish rotting our democracy.
3
Yes, Mr trump, we all need to be civil.
Your fake NICENESS at your campaign yesterday was not honest or acceptable - your pandering to your base of hate.
As usual you blame the democrats and media.
What we all know since before the election is your continuous actions of the vulgar lies, fake news and divisive campaign style rhetoric that you use to pump up and control your base of hate to destroy civil rights, women's rights and the protection of children.
3
"Yes America, all you have to do to avoid being a target of domestic terrorists is to never criticize me. Ever. Otherwise you asked for it."
5
Trump can't act like a decent human being for even a day. #SAD
Now I guess I will go check my mailbox
2
You guys do nothing but bash him. He wasn't my candidate, but he was elected. There were no candidate to vote for. He IS the President, but the criticism NEVER stops and it seems that many of your readers want him either destroyed or thrown out, you're going so far as to back 7200 plus illegals to BUMRUSH the border. This is unbelievable, encouraging this onslaught, because of your political bias.
Protect the country.
That's right. Incite all the angry, white, undereducated people in the country and then when they do your bidding, chastise them for it. This lays at the feet of the president. His speeches about the press being the enemy of the people, telling his followers that Hillary should be locked up, and the slew of negative, awful rhetoric about all the leading democrats. He behaves as if he's only president to a small percentage of the Nation.
4
I want my country to unify around civility and sense. I will never unify around Trump, who is a fraud and a liar.
4
"Just do what I say and nobody will get hurt. Stop reporting the truth so my corrupt criminal empire can continue to grow, enrich me, and destroy the foundations of our democracy. Don't report it when I start jailing journalists, political rivals and/or anyone else who opposes me. If you're good we might still hold (rigged) elections in 2020. If I see any more evidence of paid left-wing mobs protesting, I might declare martial law for the whole country and start putting people in jail for disagreeing with me, which is an act of treason because I said so. Nice country you got here. It would be a shame if anything happened to it." - Love Don the Con
2
Meanwhile, Fox --- the true perpetrator of fake and incendiary news --- is devoting 85% of coverage to the caravan of refugees (opps, I meant terrorists and hardened criminals).
3
Trump is absolutely hopeless. He keeps going by the same old playbook of the blame game. His words ring hollow, coming from one of the main perpetrators of the current climate of hate and xenophobia. He is the one behaving like an idiot. How much more of this can we take?
4
"The democrats sent the pipe bombs to themselves so they could take away your guns!" in 3... 2... 1...
2
The POTUS must resign fast! Mueller will help facilitate on Nov.7!
Just the logical results of your thuggery, Mr. Trump. Sorry you don't see it.
1
The body slam president has as much credibiity as a plastic house plant.
3
News for Trumpet: The media did not murder the Washington Post writer in Saudi Arabia, you did Mr. Trump. The media did not make up up bombs and explosive ingredients to people who oppose your criminal, hate and demography, you did.
Your hatred of Americans, some very great ones who were mailed pipe bombs yesterday, were the exact people you have been making verbal enemies with, not the Free Press.
You are destroying America (Not making it Great again). You are destroying everything we sensibly have built for our citizens for centuries.. You have spread hatred, and even caused the most
brutal; hatred, lies and distortion of our beloved America.Here's a clue on making America Great Again: Leave it!
3
Civil tone?
No thanks president bone-spurs.
Civil War?
Absolutely.
We Victorious Yankees are spoiling for a fight now.
I think we need to teach confederate trump trash another lesson.
5
This country is getting to witness its own self-immolation at the hands of a political party that has sold its collective soul to the forces of stupidity and evil. While Congressional Republicans fiddle and diddle, Trump is still busy fanning the flames of domestic terrorism.
2
The axis of white supremacist nationalist right-wing evil begins with Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin hacking and meddling in the 2016 American Presidential campaign and election to get Donald Trump selected as their mutual dummy pawn pet puppet.
And that white supremacist nationalist right-wing international evil colluded, collaborated, conspired and cooperated with their domestic American Confederate brethren Mitch McConnell and Jeff Sessions to make America separate and unequal again by color aka race.
1
This is equivalent to a wife beater telling the spouse to stop insulting him with her appearance.
3
It's not the media; it's Trump! He's responsible for all the descent, anger and division in this Country. His rallies must be based on HItler's rallies because, according to reports (his wife being one of the sources), he keeps or kept Hitler's book along side of his bad. This would explain a lot. He has turned our political process into an all-out war against humanity.
1
He's almost to the point of publicly approving of the murder of his political opponents and critics. Anyone who thinks this man won't go there is a fool.
America had better wake up.
4
George Orwell is alive and well!
The wolves wanted to destroy the foxes, so they sent them poisoned food packages.
After an exhausting and thorough investigation they "prove" that foxes did that to "themselves", framed and surrounded the guilty foxes and after a bloody fight killed all the culprits, not remaining a single fox to testify....
Somehow reminds the Reichstag fire, don't you think?
1
Trump is devoid of morality and his little "speech" of yesterday is so hollow the echo is still ricocheting around the world. And then he uses smug passive aggressive remarks at his rally thinking he's somehow exonerating himself when to any sane person all he did was confirm he's responsible for the level of toxicity. Trump is a sick man.
5
How quickly he pivots from Nationalist to Kindness to Blame and Anger. A dangerous moron, but he knows better than anyone which is why he chats on unsecured phones.
1
Donald Trump is a malignant narcissist. One of the features of that condition is Chaos Manufacture. He thrives on dissension, blame, deceit and anger as a way of trying to make sense of the inner turmoil that rules his life. He has no business being anywhere near the presidency.
3
The man can't help it, he is a jerk (and I am being civil here) through and through.
4
Makes me long for the days when Trump confined his down time to the golf course instead of raising everybody’s blood pressure at these moronic pep rallies.
3
Trump has conditioned himself to not respond to poor results by changing his behavior. Instead he either denies that he behaved poorly or he blames others.
In addition, his strategy to defeat Democrats from winning seats in the Congress is to stir up his base with fear and loathing of Democrats to motivate them to vote. He has no alternative plan and that leaves him with the choice to be a President or to be a political agitator, so he chose the latter.
1
Enough with the "both sides do it" schtick. There are no Democratic office holders whose rhetoric approaches the vile depths of Trump's. Democrats and liberals do not hold violent racist rallies. Democrats and liberals do not watch or support NRA TV or Breitbart News or watch Fox News or read The Daily Caller. There is no equivalent on the left of these outlets, which traffic in lies and conspiracies and racist hate-mongering.
Trump supporters will have to take responsibility for this. He's their guy.
3
Accepting responsibility and blame requires maturity and an ability to be self reflective, qualities trump simply does not possess. There should be no surprise that he ignores the damage he creates, and continues to inflame. Voting takes on increased importance in these times. Trump needs to be checked and then, he needs to go away. The sooner the better. Before he permanently destroys the fabric of our nation.
2
For sure, we must as a nation unify ourselves for the purpose of removing from control of our government by today's Republican Party and Republican President.
3
We are in deep trouble, and — surprise, surprise — Trump is partially right that ittyhe mainstream media’s fault. The media let him get away with condemning the Central Park Five. If they had held him accountable back in the last century, we wouldn’t have to put up with his demagoguery today. The only hope is that the First Amendment survives the coming onslaught.
2
The reporters are correct about everything, yet I feel sorrow when "the newspaper of record" carries a news report that sounds exactly like an opinion piece. Please, New York Times, don't descent to his level, don't play in his sandbox. He wins again that way. Keep your stories as objective as possible in this maelstrom. Watch Judy Woodruff on PBS Newshour. She gets the truth out just fine without taking sides. Your reputation and standards are a bedrock of American news values. Don't willfully throw them away.
1
During his entire time as president Trump has made no effort to attempt to unify the nation. He instead has used every occasion to sow discord and divisiveness. He tries to lead by focusing disagreement and prejudice against others so to lead people by dark emotions. Like his statements that immigrants are criminals and rapists. By acting as a bully calling opponents names and in several instances promoting violence by encouraging those at his rallies to perform violence on demonstrators. Based on this its obvious that he has helped act as a catalyst behind these bombs. For him to ignore the consequences of his actions and now blame the media shows once again this circle of denial and the blame game Trump plays to promote hate and disagreement for his own ends.
1
Mr. Trump: you almost had it right last night. Unfortunately, you cannot help yourself and this morning you to had to undermine what you said by blaming the media. The example starts at the top. It’s obvious that you cannot take even the slightest criticism. Since that is the case, you shouldn’t be in the White House. Saying that you made this country great with the economy and other things, just doesn’t cut it. Any other president would have done the same if not better. You may have all these achievements, but the one thing you seem incapable to do is unite the people of this country and taking responsibility for your own actions. Nobody else but you is to blame for that. Inciting violence will never be OK. You are responsible for that. Saying that a representative is your kind of guy because he bodyslammed someone is not OK. That came from you, not the media. You can blame the media all you want, but the media did not force you to say these things. You are responsible for your own words and your own actions, whether you like it or not. Last I checked, this is not a dictatorship. We still have our First Amendment rights under the Constitution. Have you even read it? It looks like you haven’t. I would highly recommend it.
The USA is under attack and the President is absent. He's holding rallies while we are being bombed. Pence and the Cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment. We have no President.
By now, it doesn't take much to see through the rouse.
After non-stop rallies and riling his base, Donald Trump tries to appear like he wants to unite the country he has spent the past two years ripping apart by blaming someone, anyone other than himself for what has happened.
But the fact remains this country is under attack from within, and it is being speared on by the one who is supposed to preserve and protect it.
A sad day for America.
6
Equating the divisive rhetoric of Republicans to that of Democrats in general creates a false equivalency. The level of name calling, what-about-ism, and downright lying is the exception on the Democratic side, but more the rule for the GOP.
Which party makes a habit out of misrepresenting their voting record in Congress, suppresses the vote, denigrates our law enforcement organizations, seeks to destroy coverage for pre-existing conditions, and accepts illegal and covert campaign support from hostile foreign governments? Certainly not the democrats.
Which party is home for White Nationalism, intolerance for a growing diversity, and which party largely dismisses the credible testimony of women who have been sexually assaulted?
Please don't compare your mountain to our molehill.
2
If you and your party of Conservative Republicans destroy our Social Security, destroy our Medicare and Medicaid, if you destroy our abilities to ensure that our families are covered by comprehensive & affordable healthcare insurance with no penalties for pre-existing conditions, if you destroy our laws & regulations protecting us from mistreatment in our workplaces as well as from business & commercial fraud, destroy our air, water & land, pack our courts with rightwing extremist ideologues, if you continue giving billionaires tax breaks, if you destroy our right to vote, if you continue to viciously mischaracterize us, our words, actions & motives who oppose you and your policies socially, economically & politically as "mobs," if you continue to engage in graft & corruption, destroy our primary alliances with our allies over seas & take a wrecking ball to our body politick -- we will oppose you with humanly firmness of the kind never seen before in all aspects of our lives, our abilities & our sacred honor. We will oppose you in political campaigns & at the ballot box. We will never cease, never desist. We shall answer every attack with a more powerful & penetrating riposte. Our acts will be non-violent, legal & constitutional, but we will fight you all the same. We shall never, ever surrender. We will roll back all of your destructiveness and then advance in the other direction to correct your assaults & injuries. Even if this takes 100 years or more -- we shall do this.
9
The New York Times Editorial Board should join with similar entities at other mainstream media outlets and call for Trump's immediate resignation, or forced removal from office. He is clearly unfit for office and a detriment to the survival of democracy. His tyrannical, autocratic attacks on the media are reason enough to have him extricated from office. Just do it!
2
It's very clear, Trump is at the root of this evil. Want to change the trajectory of our country, then vote the GOP out of office in the mid-terms.
1
He is asking us to unify under him to support him and his hatred for people of color, his contempt for women and transgender folks, his disdain for the rule of law, his demagogery, his aggressive denigration of our democratic allies around the world, his admiration for murderous dictatorships. He wants us to attend his pompous rallies, where disturbed people carrying way too much hatred in their hearts scream obscenities at reporters and threaten or attack those who dare to disagree.
He want us to unify for this? He is out of his mind, as are the people who still support him. They all seem to have been driven insane by greed and hatred.
Where is the good side of their humanity? Because all the president and his minions manifest in public is the dark side of human nature: selfishness, greed, hatred, anger. I will not be joining his movement at any time in the near of distant future. His values are antithetical to the ones I was raised with and I do not support them, or him, and I have zero empathy for anyone who does.
3
I just listened to the President, and while I would always wish him more eloquent and less partisan, you're characterization of the speech is as unbalanced as you claim is his. Can anyone who works at the "New York Times," "The Washington Post," or at network news, especially CNN, MSNBC etc. credibly deny that their coverage of this President has been uniformly harsh and undercutting, even when his achievements are authentic? NOTHING justifies the terrorism we are now seeing -- whomever is practicing it. (It could be a false-flag operation; we just don't know at this point.) But his call for civility and strong defense of democracy were important and resonant -- and his description of most mass media coverage of him is, well, just realistic.
1
@Dr. Svetistephen
"and his description of most mass media coverage of him is, well, just realistic"
No, not even close. And what was unbalanced about the characterization of his speech?
Lets hope to god these last few days stir enough people to vote. To care enough about the future of this country!
2
Trump's response in Wisconsin last night, the way he was pained to read what was on the teleprompter reminded me of his very obvious discomfort reading the teleprompter in response to Charlottesville. He was putting up a bad acting job and it was very obvious to see. This feeling is furthered by his own admission of how well 'he was behaving'. Sad and wrong. Vote!
3
What a joke.
All these bombs and not one goes off.
Yes, it is a joke.
So, where's Mitc McConnell in all this? The Senate president is no where to be heard.
SPEAK OUT, Mitch.
Now is your time to actually provide some sembelence of leadership.
2
Every time Trump holds a campaign rally- and yes he is campaigning for 2020- he spews hateful rhetoric to his base. Trump is the key to these attacks. Did he place bombs in mailboxes? no. But he might as well have!
1
Just as Reagan was known as"The Great Communicator," Trump should from here on, be known as "The Great Manipulator/Instigator."
His berating the media; his piling on, and doubling down on lying; is more than incendiary.
The media should cover these dog-and-pony shows. The media should take a harder stand on criticizing this bombast. His followers appear already hard-wired for hate, ignorance, and fear; Trump simply knows which buttons to push.
Then, comes the pipe bombs aimed at some liberals he considers as "enemies." At a speech from the White House, Trump's voice becomes somber. He appeals for national unity.
Back on the rally trail, he claims to be behaving; no verbal shots taken at his usual targets; yet he's also very bad at hiding even the slightest hint of sarcasm.
And then, he starts in again with blaming the media.
Suppose in all of this pipe bomb business, what if one was sent to Trump Tower or Mar-a-Lago?
3
Sometimes I wonder if the violence is baked into American culture via the 2nd Amendment. For years I've heard NRA rhetoric about how the 2nd Amendment is there to protect against governmental tyranny. We have the guns to keep the government from going out of control, or so the argument goes. So when you have political figures and media outlets that portray aspects of the government as tyrants or traitors or threats to democracy or enemies of the people, someone might mistake themselves as a patriotic hero by wanting to kill these people, as is interpreted as the function of the 2nd Amendment.
"That's the downfall of chronic liars. When/if they tell the truth, nobody believes them."
Well, that's the GOP for you. They spent over eight years decrying someone as divisive and arrogant, when he wasn't, and now there's someone who IS divisive and arrogant (just to be nice here, he's a lot more worse than that) and they KNOW this but REFUSE to do anything except ignore it because it's in their favor.
3
It should be obvious to Trump that the more he attacks the media the less they will respect him. His inhumane treatment of the free press is in fact unwarranted and unAmerican in the first place and his constant lying has alienated the voting public and the press.
1
A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the TRUMP that every single person in the entire world refers to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. TRUMP must clean up its act, FAST!
Vote out the haters. Vote blue.
My daughter got a Masters degree from Columbia University in Journalism. She is a professional with professional training who was trained very rigorously in the art of writing, reporting and honesty. To continually call out the media for its dishonesty, "fake news" and bias is not what journalism is about. Our intellectually impoverished President has no idea of journalism and those who have dedicated their lives to this profession, which often has long hours, poor pay, little job security and now the threat of violence is mind boggling. It embarrasses me to be an American in this day and age.
50
When you're the President of the United States, in tense times, you should set a healing tone for everyone in the country. Mr. Trump is incapable of that. He's the ultimate partisan. He even mocks himself when he attempts to make a non-partisan gesture. It was a wink to his GOP base. And in classic form, he ultimately blames the press, except for Fox News.
15
No, Mr. president, it hasn't "gotten that bad". You have made it that bad. You have hammered the campaign narrative that Democrats want to open our borders to let a flood of vicious gangs and terrorists in to prey on innocent Americans and, "surprise, surprise"' some people take you at your word. The old GOP narrative went, "words have meaning", and in this case I have to agree with them. Is it only a matter of time before you go back to your violent rhetoric? That likelihood approaches certainty, SAD.
18
The Republicans made a Faustian bargain that they would put up with Trump's behavior in exchange for a Wall, for a repeal of Roe V Wade, for less taxes for the rich, and for a conservative Supreme Court.
Where are they now? Will they put up with pipe bombs and attempted murder? Their silence about Trump's belligerent, violence-inciting behavior is a de facto endorsement of that behavior. The Republicans are as guilty as Trump for these atrocities.
VOTE.
7
POTUS could not be correct in this instance. The violence and division lay at the feet of those in the C Suite of your media conglomerates. Earnings before all else as no different than those in other industries of corporate America.
This purposeful demonization of one side by another has torn this once strongly united country apart all for what..ratings? More drug commercial revenue?
Everyone including myself shares some blame for watching, listening, and reacting to the unrelenting bias by talking heads and former administration officials.
But some share more of the blame than others e.g. Sean Hannity, Lawrence O'Donnell, Charles Blow, Mark Levin.
The only solution would be a majority of people seeking fact over opinions and fiction but I seriously doubt this will ever come to fruition in my lifetime given the focus on figure more than mental acuity.
2
The President himself is one of the causes of extreme polarization and divisiveness in the nation. But he is too dense to recognize that.
He is constantly accusing the media of fake news but what about the thousands of lies he has tweeted or told in his speeches in the last several years? For him, his own lies are the gospel truth and what the media and others say about him are fake news. Very convenient. By some perverse quirk of human psychology, his base actually believes what he says. The Congress becomes an accomplice in it by looking the other way.
I have seen no retrenchment in Mr. Trump's divisive behavior after he became President. Before that, he said it was a tactic to win the election. Few believed that tactic to work. But it worked even to his own surprise! Why not continue using what worked so well in his campaign? He freely belittles his opponents in an idiom unbefitting a President. Slamming Water Maxine as low IQ is his latest rant. That is clearly a divisive tactic.
Mr. President, how would you feel if somebody described you as low IQ? Some people already have, though not so crudely.
5
No one really expected this wannabe tyrant to have a flash of conscience, did they? He doesn't have the curse of self-reflection, only curses us demanding to see his own reflection.
6
Once again, proof that we do not have a president. That office will remain unfilled until 2021.
10
When are we a a species mature enough to understand how much the feeble mind of a spoiled kid rised to become a narcissist creature, he/she will then behave accordingly to conduct a behavior based on pure self interest, gains and satisfaction?
Didn't we have enough examples already in history, specially recent?
Why so many individuals that are candidates to critical jobs must undergo psychological examinations, and all professionals require specific learning and subsequent licences to practice, and politicians, the creatures that hold from our wellbeing to the "button" don't?
We do this to ourselves.....
3
Trump is the re-incarnation of the Greek god Narcissus. His motto has been America First, but has behaved rather as Trump First.
His viscous attacks against the Democrats and any one who says anything critical of his 'leadership' are the root cause of the frightening tribalism that has emerged under his administration.
As a demi-go, he makes no mistakes, takes no responsibilities of wrong doing , knows how to arouse hatred towards his enemies...and then disingenuously coos that it is time to unify...
Can there be a greater nightmare for this wonderful country than "Trump at the Helm"?
4
Many are enjoying this moment in the United States... anarchists, Putin, China, and others in the world. Political rhetoric on both sides is at a hyperbolic level. It has been this way before in the United States. We had leaders that came forward in those days to reduce the chaos, fear, division, and distrust. Now, we have a leader that thrives on chaos, fear,division, and distrust. I will continue to depend on the New York Times and other news outlets to report the events in the spirit of the First Amendment. I will depend on the FBI and our law enforcement and intelligence agencies to solve this crime. Americans need to know the facts since facts are not important to the leader.
7
You know, whether you send a bomb or receive a bomb it's important to remember that we have some very fine people on both sides.
8
The rightwing bomb people are merely doing what Trump has inspired given, that is, their fundamentally violent tendencies.
It's a clear tool of Fascist thinking, entirely consistent with rightwing politics. I hope people can retire their false equivalency drama -- Democrats do not think, operate, or support violence.
15
The President has no idea how to unify. If you read his comments from yesterday and today he is always hung up on personal grievances. He doesn’t care about what he personally has done to foster hate. When the media merely reports on his words, actions, and the actions of his administration they are “fake news” because it is always someone else’s fault not his.
21
@Catherine
It was very obvious someone wrote those words he spoke that sounded so rational and American. You can hear the contempt for the words he is speaking in his tone as he read them.
El Trumpo could never produce anything remotely as grammatically sound or actually patriotic. The only political poison and endless hostility is coming from him and his party for the last 4 decades. Reporting the facts is not a hostile act.
What unmitigated gall. For the progenitor of the detestable, polluted atmosphere that has fractured and poisoned this country since his shady entrance into our highest office to be calling upon those who truthfully report on his continual assaults on the decency and humanitarian spirit that are the intended hallmarks of our society, and to stop exposing his rampant self-interest and divisive agenda is trump's most grotesque rant yet. He is less than a man without a country. He is a man dismantling a country he's never been part of.
13
And getting lost in this is yesterday's bombshell (no pun intended) that his use of an unsecured phone has allowed China and Russia to monitor his conversations. Where is the outrage after all the vilifying of Hillary Clinton for use of a private email server? Yet his crowd was yelling 'Lock her up' on the same day this news hit.
22
Unfortunately the man is incapable of seeing his own behavior as anything but stellar!
Hopefully some of his followers see otherwise!
5
Make no mistake about it, these terrorism acts of sending bombs to individuals that have been vilified by Donald Trump for over 2 years, is the result of the continuous incendiary remarks, vicious rhetoric and lies that Trump tells on a daily basis; any person who watches Trump's racist and hate filled diatribes at each one of his rallies who thinks otherwise is completely delusional.
What's even scarier is that with someone as ignorant as Donald Trump, he doesn't get it, he thinks this is like a television show.
My fear is when someone actually dies will he then take any responsibility, will the Republican's in Congress finally place blame where it belongs or will they again try and walk the line and parse the blame?
10
A narcissist will never take the blame.
14
Next he will blame the democrats. That’s his game. Keep changing the story. Sort of like the Saudis!
9
Anytime you, in a burst of optimism, hope that Trump will turn over a new leaf, "act presidential" (or at least, like an adult), do the right thing, or restrain himself from worsening a dangerous situation, you will be disappointed. He just can't help himself. He is truly a narcissist. He is incapable of moral leadership because he has no personal morals.
5
The President of the United States does not need to telegraph for us what a compassionate, caring, bipartisan human being he is. Unless, of course, he is a narcissistic sociopath who wants to play a compassionate, caring bipartisan human being on TV for five minutes.
I am disgusted both by Trump's reaction to these bomb threats and by all the comments along the lines of "but both sides are equally to blame." There have been no incitements to violence from Democratic politicians. Democrats do not hold Nuremberg-style rallies at which illegal detention of opposition politicians is the preferred solution to political problems. Democrats do not cast the journalistic profession as "the enemy of the people" for reporting the true acts of a would-be tyrant. This is all Trump.
13
Incitement to cause criminal action is a crime in itself, right? So, its time to indict Trump for this.
9
Chaos is what Putin and Brannon wanted and that’s what we got. What I’m surprised at is how so many people on social media have no discernment.
9
FELLOW CITIZENS: There are two enemies of democracy here. The petulant child-President, of course. But the other enemy is the citizen non-voter. Take a look in the mirror. Then vote.
16
We're all good over here Mr. Trump.
You personally persuaded me yesterday to complete my ballot in a way that I have never had to do in 40 years -- 100% against one person and his party.
Maybe you should go play golf for a few months until the election is over. Might help your party.
9
These were not “bomb scares” NYTimes. These were actual bombs that mercifully were ineptly made or discovered in time. Please be an accurate to this nightmare era.
9
Might be a good time to remind people that we, as America, have a fugitive serial bomber(s) on the loose.
Maybe Mr. Trump's administration could take just a moment from their fakety fake fake blamety blame blame and find the terrorist(s).
Just a suggestion Mr. Trump. But it is what real Presidents do.
9
"I'm trying to be nice..." are what every abusive man says when he thinks he may have gone too far.
10
Why the heck is the GOP Congress and Trump’s cabinet are remaining silent over this? The President of the United States is acting more bizarre each and every day yet Paul and Mitch refuse to lead. For the mental health of the country and the president himself he should be evaluated and treated as needed immediately.
Watching our President smiling, inciting the crowd and telling jokes at a super serious time where he projects his behavior onto his enemies is extremely troubling.
7
In light of these terrorist activities directed at ex-Presidents, and Democratic Administration Officials, Congressional members, why would Trump even go or have a rally and not gather these people at the Oval Office and speak out against this with solidarity......I guess it's too much to ask from someone who obviously doesn't have the capacity.
6
Some right-wing pundits and talking heads have already begun suggesting the bombs are part of a "false flag" operation by Democrats. This absurd deflection response, instead of delving deep into an issue, seems all too common for Republicans.
Women are being sexually abused, so the conservatives say "our boys are in trouble."
People of color are being killed by police, so Republicans say "blue lives matter."
LGBTQ citizens seek basic human rights, so the right says "OUR values are under attack!"
End this kind of deflection for political expediency and begin bipartisan, detailed conversations about these issues!
10
Once again, projection. That Tweet should be targeted to himself. "Purposely false and deceitful." Sad.
6
I find it funny when Mr. Ryan thanks god for our law enforcement... god does not pay for the police. We do. God has nothing to do with it. If there were a god, that god would not have allowed dirty Donald to be president. There it is.
10
I challenged my own brother and consequently no longer speak with him when his behavior became unacceptable to me. First, I did try to help by trying to understand his anger, but he had no respect for me and my ideas, so it was over in a calm sober fashion. All of our previous presidents and others who have had leadership roles in this country must both speak up and confront this ugly president. Remember, the White House is the people’s house and it is on fire and slowly burning down. We shall gather, unite and put the flames out. No violence, just a massive peaceful gathering in front of the White House to demand sanity and peace for our beloved nation. Thank you
5
The new attacks against the media are more disturbing than the rest of trump's incoherent stream of consciousness ranting.
CONGRESS! WAKE UP! You've allowed this man to wreck our democracy enough. Tell him in no uncertain terms to leave the Free Press alone.
You might want to also point out, that the press reports about what he does and says. It's a mirror and he's the tiny little object in it. In other words, he's the one driving this storm of hate. He's the architect. He's encouraging violence against his perceived enemies. Do your job.
8
Courtesy of CNN:
"Ryan Morris, founder of Tripwire Operations Group, a company that provides explosives training to law enforcement and military officials, said that by examining images of two devices -- the one found Monday at Soros' home and the one sent to CNN's New York offices on Wednesday -- it looked like they were real devices that would cause serious bodily injury or death.
'Whoever is doing this is just trying to elicit a fear or disrupt something,' Morris said. 'There are a multitude of more sophisticated methodologies that would have worked if they really wanted this to work.'"
(Using the male pronoun for convenience)
I'm basically trying to figure out if this person intended it to be a hoax or if he is just incompetent. Either way, once they find this person, he's looking at life in prison (at the very least). This fact leads me to believe that it was not meant to be a hoax. I hope they find this person very soon, as he is obviously not stable. If the bomber is seriously attempting to kill and keeps seeing his attempts fail, who knows what else he's willing to do next.
2
A Times headline has yet again put a positive and rational, yet erroneous, spin on narcissistic, deceitful behavior. There is nothing “bipartisan” about stating that sending bombs to people is bad and that we should get along. Merely an attempt to skirt the actual problem of several years of inflammatory rhetoric that panders to the lower nature of his followers )hardly a “base,” another misnomer. As my Grandma would say, “Proof is in the puddin’” He follows up with yet another assault on a free press and “blame the victim” rhetoric, then a coda of “Lock her up” chants against Secretary Clinton at his next mini-rally.
Main stream media are fully culpable for acting like the publicity stunt of this man’s candidacy was actually sincere and viable while limiting front page coverage of sincere and committed actors. And today’s violence is the fallout. But the Times and other mainstream media are still devoting column inches and valuable minutes to more shenanigans. Less coverage of him would be useful.
6
Trump's infantile, immature behavior used to make me furious. Now it makes me deeply sad. He had an opportunity last evening and this morning to help heal this latest wound, and instead he poured salt into it. His base may be pleased, but his country is on the road to destruction. Republicans have demonstrated time and again that they show no signs of intervening and saving the republic. Our only hope is for the Secret Service to handcuff Trump and spirit him off to an undisclosed location and free the nation from his abject tyranny. It is, sadly, a matter of life and death now.
8
Is there a more reprehensible president in U.S. history? The Great Divider calls for unity. The man who incites violence among his supporters blames the media.
It's beyond comprehension. America is in the middle of a Trump-induced nightmare.
Vote, Vote Vote.
3
These insidious attacks on the Democratic Party are the direct results of Trump encouraging his base to see the Democrats as the mob that's out to destroy our country. You can't continue to treat "the other" with such disrespect and not expect there to be loonies who will see it as reasonable. We are headed for something far worse than I imagined. It's also possible that this is an inside job intended to sow even more seeds of discontent. I think there is a certain pleasure taken in creating more chaos. VOTE!
3
Trump would be correct if he would be more specific about the media, and name his friends at FOX for being as responsible as he is for the divisions and anger in the country. The man himself is a clear and present danger to the country and our democracy, but Fox has been undermining democracy for years and republicans having given comfort to Trumpism. a revival of fascism.
7
Re:
"'I’m trying to be nice,' the president said."
There is no try. There is only do.
8
We always knew that a crisis would come that would test Trump's leadership. It's here and he is failing. Thankfully no one has been hurt. Trump's blame shifting and dissembling now looks weaker than ever. Americans need to vote for Democrats to put a check on this feckless administration.
4
Trump literally can't act like a normal human being for even one day. He has created a very dangerous atmosphere in this country.
We have successfully resisted would-be fascists in this country before, and it will take unity (not the kind Trump means) and effort to do so now. The next form that must take is voting for Democrats on November 6th.
5
It is difficult to even read articles like this, if it was fiction I think we would all be able to digest it, unfortunately it is a rally. Trump had to say he was trying to behave at the rally in response to a crowd that clearly did not want him to behave and that tells us more then we ever needed to know.
His cult followers are angry and bitter, they live in Red states, they vote Republican, they probably always have done and they are angry. I suspect they are the same people that were angry in the 60's over civil right and angry in the 70's that Nixon got caught, the same people that applauded effigies being burned of Obama, the same people who on their racism alone questioned the authenticity of Obama's birth certificate, led by their leader, Trump.
Trump has given his followers a thumbs up to racism, misogyny, violence, he has told them they are the victims and his little cult are loving it. I am so sad for America, you were better then this.
7
The Southern Poverty Law Center tracks the activities of hate groups in the US. Go on their website and see for yourself the rise of hate speech and actual violence directed at the targets of Trump's non stop invective. The country is now reaping what DJT has sowed.Trump is incapable of sincerity, and will not unify or soften his tone. Everything he does is a mockery of our long -held principals.
4
How dare he blame the media? He's already started his refocusing and projection rather than attempt to calm things down. He is a disaster. He is so dangerous.
5
The trajectory of violence is on a steady upward climb fueled by a campaign of hate and fear wrapped in a mantle of untruths. Are we approaching a re-run of April 12, 1861 (Ft. Sumter)?
3
Our President needs to be called out time and time again for every little thing he says, things that he fully knows are meant to divide the country more, make it a more hate filled place. By members of his Administration, by members of Congress, by the news media and journalists, by Melania, by all of us. It's well past time that the damage he is doing to our country be drowned in those voices who hope for a better America, as nothing Trump has done for this country is for the good of it and its people.
6
Add one to the ‘how to be a dictator’ list. I seem to remember Assad insisting that all the protestors of the government were terrorists. Leaders that can’t accept criticism view all contrarians as enemies.
4
@John
Critics are not necessarily contrarians. Contrarians take the opposite side of everything proposed. Leaders who see any opposition as enemies are simply paranoid and delusional.
1
His carefully delivered attempt at deflecting guilt indicates his deeply ruthless personality. He truly is dangerous.
5
Trump cannot blame the mainstream media for the division in our society.Mr.Trump, a free press is the cornerstone of our Constitutional Democracy!If you do not want a free press you need to resign.A free press is our birthright and we will not accept your constant carping about it.It makes you look like Putin, Erdogan and Prince Salman who also do not like a free press.Attack and deny may be your bywords, Mr.Trump, but you need to stop before there is more chaos.We respect a free press.
6
Thousands of people chant "Lock her up" and that's okay. Fewer than a dozen people harass a politician in a restaurant and that's an angry "mob." Both are clearly wrong. But the president leads one and mis-characterized the other. Next step? Pipe bombs sent to critics and political opponents. Continued attempts to promote some sort of equivalence here are designed to stifle protest on the left and minimize the consequences of inciting rhetoric on the right. If Trump could, he would "lock her up" and shoot all his critics on Fifth Avenue. Let's make sure he can't.
8
@Frank
That is simply regressive wingnut false equivocation. There's an enormous difference between verbally harassing a hypocritical, craven politician in a public restaurant and posting explosives to a politician's home or office. Tu Quoque ("you too") arguments simply are irrelevant. But that's the go-to for the undereducated masses.
2
@matty Difference of scale maybe, still wrong.
In general I think it wrong to to take a terrible news story and make it about Trump, but in this case it IS about him. HE IS TO BLAME. Period. End of story.
7
That was the first time I ever heard trump say anything remotely presidential. But is was as if by remote. Television remote. Something like the fox who shows up at the hen house as a security guard.
So will history call this the opening salvo of the second civil war? Perhaps. If the republicans pull off a rather unusual and suspicious victory on November 6, you could not rule anything in or out. People will put up with charlatans for so long. After that, the charlatan and his regime must resort to intimidation and outright fraud to stay in power. So far those of us on the other side have been patiently waiting for the mid terms. If fraud is suspect or somehow it don’t smell right, I would not expect the patience to continue. We will not stand by as the klu klux clan in congressional clothing puts pipe bombs in our mailboxes.
4
The real October surprise: President Donald Trump’s dangerous refusal to accept that he must carefully choose his words because the American president’s words are more influential than those of any other person on this Earth and can be used by people to spread either democracy or authoritarianism, peace or war, love or hate.
President Trump’s imprudent verbal assaults against his political opponents in America may be encouraging political partisans at home and abroad to countenance the elimination of their opponents. This is due to the office Mr. Trump holds and the important standing most of his opponents have within our democracy.
Some of President Trump’s opponents are either current or former elected representatives or appointed officials from one of the three branches of the U.S. government referenced in the U.S. Constitution. Others come from the press, also known as the “fourth estate,” whose freedom from government abridgment is guaranteed by the First Amendment.
President Trump’s routine characterization of news stories critical of his performance as “fake news” that should be discarded, and his personal attacks against a growing list of current and former politicians may have influenced the two front-page crises of international significance currently in the news.
America desperately needs a Democratic Congress to check the conduct of President Trump.
6
At what point can the president be legally charged with inciting violence? He is a dangerous threat.
At what point can the person(s) in the administration, who claimed in the NYT article that they are keeping the president at bay while they opportunistically move their conservative agenda along, be charged with reckless endangerment. They are putting people's lives in danger with their negligence of duty.
5
It's not clear that any comparisons of trump to historical villains have been made carelessly.
5
Making America Great Again one incitement at a time...
The judgment in the 1969 case Brandenburg v. Ohio formed the "Imminent Lawless Action" test, which is used by the Supreme Court to decide the limits on which speech is protected by the First Amendment.
Under the imminent lawless action test, speech is not protected by the First Amendment if the speaker intends to incite a violation of the law that is both imminent and likely.
How many Americans must be threatened, maimed, or killed before we put a stop to this?
4
For Trump, "unity" means that all media cover him like Fox News does and become his propaganda machine. Unity demands nothing from him, while his opposition is required to accept his view of his greatness and never criticize. What he finds at one of his rallies is what unity means for him. It means unconditional acceptance, no matter what he says or what he proposes. Unity is a one-way street, and all the effort must come from everyone but him.
9
Trump is right, the media needs to clean up its act and report facts, not their left-wing opinions. The media less than an hour after the first so called bomb, which if reporting is correct, may not have really been a workable bomb in the first place, the media was jumping up and down blaming Trump.
2
@Tony J Mann.... "the media was jumping up and down blaming Trump."....What do you have against facts? Trump is the one who said he would punch someone out. Trump is the one who said he paid for legal fees for someone who beat up a protester. Trump is the one who endorsed a Senate candidates body slam of a reporter, Trump is the one who has labeled the press the enemy of the people. Trump is the one who has denigrated and belittled the FBI investigation of Russian hands on the election. Trump is by his own words and actions a vulgar bigoted narcissist. Trump has lowered the civility of politics to the gutter. Why are you afraid of the truth?
10
@Tony J Mann
This is the most disheartening post I've read today, and not because the media who first reported the so-called bomb received the so-called bomb the day after reporting the so-called bomb at Soros.
This is an act of terrorism against the United States of America, Mr. Mann, whether liberals or conservatives or Martians did it.
All of America, starting with Mr. Trump, should be focused on finding and punishing those terrorizing the United States of America.
America is in a hopeless situation with Trump as President if he fails to act appropriately. Blinking his real message in Morse code to his supporters while having to read his teleprompted "concerns" is not cutting it.
4
Paranoia strikes deep. Trump gives the media "so much to work with." That is how he keeps his face on the screen for his devout followers to see. FOX itself is more obviously "partisan" than CNN and MSNBC. It looks and sounds like Radio Moscow did fifty years ago - when it only heaped praise on their political hero Leonid Breshniev. If Trump would shut up, the media would go after him less. But he uses it as a political weapon. While Trump is overall an ignoramus, he plays that modern-day game very well in order to maintain the loyalty of those who love his style of action.
2
2012 was the last normal election we'll ever have in this country. The GOP is waging war on American democracy: this includes voter suppression, voter intimidation, and gerrymandering. And there is more to come.
This reflects the GOP's contempt for electoral procedures they can't control. The logical extension from this antidemocratic approach is that if/when they start losing elections, they are going to further ramp up their attacks on anyone who isn't them -- they rig what they can control, and will attempt to destroy what they can't control.
For some of their followers, this will be in the form of political violence, which may include bombings and assassinations. This is coming. The GOP only supports democracy as a means of getting into power; their ultimate goal is a one-party state.
3
I'm not sure we all really understand the depths of Trump's malfunctions, because he hasn't revealed them all to us yet. Books and books have been written about demagogues in the past, each one coming up with a different theory. But his need to be the center of attention, to get what he wants at any cost, while feeding into the greed of others to gain their support (Republican congressmen), will only increase intensity. If Congress doesn't act, we may soon be at a point of no return, because he is not going to stop. Appeals to his common sense and better nature are not going to work, because these traits don't exist in him.
3
Trump has always been provocative around divisive issues. My hair would stand on end. His comments are always phrased to incite division, anger and fear. When did more than half the population become evil? Where did the alt right language come from. When did a person who has fought to become upwardly mobile and educated become elitist. He, himself is elitist believing he is a king or some such. Throughout my entire lifetime, the country has supported democracy and sought to end racism and all the other isms that have plagued us. We have a lot of unfinished business, but that is not the same as disassembling what is good and right in America and inciting a civil war.
4
The members of this crowd who called for the extra-judicial incarceration of Mrs. Clinton after this attempt on her life are in fact deplorable. They are violent nationalist terrorist sympathizers who follow a violent authoritarian leader. The violence can only continue as long as the provocation does. We must disabuse ourselves of the idea that the Trump supporter is a good faith American and we must treat persons like Ross Douthat who use every possible opportunity to attack the Clintons as accomplices in this reign of terror. Moreover, anyone who does not call for an end and a clear repudiation by the nationalists Now is guilty of contributing to this environment.
4
This is not a case of "both sides do it". With the exception of the shooter at the congressional baseball game, the vast majority of politically motivated violence in this country comes from the right wing. Obvious cases include the Oklahoma City bombing, the Atlanta Olympics bombing, the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado, the Pulse nightclub shooting, Heather Heyer's murder in Charlottesville, and now these mail bombs.
Beyond that, we have been saturated for decades with a right-wing media machine that does nothing but spew hate and divisiveness, spreads blatant lies, and does everything it can to motivate through fear, bigotry and anger.
The Republican party has not only tacitly embraced this vitriolic and divisive language, they have promoted it through dog-whistle rhetoric and policies that intentionally inflict harm upon marginalized and minority communities. Now, they have Donald Trump, who not only embodies these abominable behaviors, he also takes sadistic glee in spreading hatred and invoking violence in his words.
It is not "both sides" - it's the political right and especially now, it is Donald Trump.
7
I'm surprised that there doesn't seem to be outrage by taxpayers, especially those who oppose Trump for various reasons, at the enormous expense to all of us for his use of Air Force One to travel to campaign rallies. $200,000 per hour! https://read.bi/2D56IRc. Trump owns his own plane. He should use that and pay the freight from his own pocket or GOP resources. Not from my pocket.
5
Watching the Republican National Convention in 2016 expanded the hatred and extreme rhetoric in an appalling way. That was when the Republican Party became the Trump Party.
Violent rhetoric against Hillary Clinton shouted by people with contorted faces. Obscene signs and t-shirts openly sold and worn expanded the racism against Barack Obama to misogyny against Hillary. The xenophobia and bigotry in open view not at a white supremacist rally but the official national convention. Quickly during Trump's presidency most of the GOP holdouts folded with a few ethical holdouts like Sen. McCain.
At the Kavanaugh hearing, senior Republican senators gave voice to venom, rants, and open insults of the Democratic colleagues, which in earlier Senates would have been censured.
Yesterday there was an attempt to assassinate two former presidents of the United States. There was an attempt to assassinate a former attorney general and a former Secretary of State. Two representatives were targeted for murder and a Democratic donor who is a Holocaust survivor. The free press was targeted only days after a journalist was horribly murdered and dismembered.
These were attempted mass murders of several people and could have resulted in carnage.
This was political terrorism, and it was a right wing coup to destroy the leaders of the opposition party.
Every single Republican should stop. They should listen to themselves and watch their own ads.
Republicans, what have you become?
164
The ONLY times this President delivers comments that are moderate, or uses words of compassion, seemingly acknowledging the terror or hurt or danger to others or to national unity, are when he is (1)scripted and (2) laying down a record so that in the future, he (his supporters) can always point to an apparently reasonable quote to use as proof of his comity, preserved in the archives.
Within hours of such "reasonable" comments, he returns with animated attacks that celebrate anger and project blame on his favorite targets.
A civil tone is not a concept that this man understands - it's just another phrase someone provided to substitute for sad and bad, or lock ( her) up.
27
Here is what Trump said about political violence one week ago at a rally in Missoula, Montana, when he gleefully endorsed the assault of a reporter by Montana Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte:
"Any guy that can do a body-slam ... is my guy," Trump told supporters at the rally, adding that he was concerned at first that the incident would jeopardize Gianforte's campaign.
"I said: 'Oh, this is terrible, he's going to lose the election.' Then I said: 'Well, wait a minute, I know Montana pretty well, I think it might help him,' and it did," Trump said. (NYT 10/18/18.)
I challenge anyone defending Trump's repeated invocation of the press as the enemy of the people and worthy of the crime of assault, to compare his words about the attempted pipe bombing of Democrats to the words I have quoted above:
"“In these times we have to unify, we have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America,” Mr. Trump said before a planned event at the White House about efforts to combat the opioid epidemic."
What a despicable hominid we have made the President of this land.
209
Ah yes, the arsonist lecturing the fire department and the people whose house is ablaze.
13
We all know Trump advocates anger, divisiveness and has a disgusting penchant for stirring up hate in crowds by leading them in sickening chants.
He has gone too far with this.
We can only stop him by voting him out.
10
@Susan
Don't forget 2018!
1
Let's hope those responsible are rounded up quickly. Then I would like to see a poll taken of these thugs to determine how many of them voted for Trump.
3
I heard two "experts" interviewed on TV yesterday about the pipe bomb attacks. I remember that one was a former secret service officer. They pretended that they didn't know the motive behind these attacks - as if there could be any doubt!
Trump's despicable language at his Hitlerian style rallies, coupled with daily doses of omnipresent right wing hate radio should be enough to motivate an unhinged individual - "doncha think?"
23
You and I and many others may believe these actions to be the result of Trump's hateful rhetoric, but the two persons you refer to are professionals who are trained to wait for the evidence before pointing fingers. We should refrain from an attack on legitimate law enforcement (current or former). To be clear, yes I agree with your belief that Trump is the instigator.
4
If you have to "try to be nice" as the president, you're not fit for the job.
23
Once a hypocrite, always a hypocrite.
Trump will go down in history as the worst president this country has ever had.
When you want to run a country you elect a politician not an egocentric maniac.
24
@BTO. Or a failed businessman.
3
Anytime Trump has to say the right thing, he looks like he's in a hostage video.
40
Correct, Looks like he also has a hard time reading these notes. Like ,”I don’t believe what they are making me read”
Then, 30 seconds later he is back to his normal lies and rhetoric.
5
@Debbie
Glad that you noticed, too.
...and then asks for a cookie for his good behavior, the light in his eye looking like an inevitable snake strike if you give it to him.
1
Thank you for the straight-talking headline
5
Such a sad state of affairs of the world's freest tongue wagger. That he let go by blatant racially bound attacks and murder, dare mention women to hear his misogyny, have a public shoot up from a bully scorned, it is bomb targeted politicians for whom we must bipartisanly search and find out and punish those responsible to the fullest thrust of law.
7
I bet it was one of those scary, brown illegal immigrants that sent these "devices". Think about how much they could gain from something like this.
5
It's the media's fault? Donald when were you ever misquoted?
12
He reminds me of a very bad comedian, adlibbing his way through a one hour limit on his show. He tries to denigrate the NYT and Journalists who tell the truth about him by isolating that article or reporter labeling the information as "boring" or stupid. He goes from one negative idea to the next and builds hate and propaganda in the hordes of his followers-many who come to hear and act out the same. This is nothing but idol worship and blindness. Please all Journalists keep writing the more he complains the better-you know you are near or on the truth by the way he complains about the media. He has ruined the Republican party what a disaster!
9
@linda Brady Well, as far a ruing the Republican party, didn’t that start with Newt?
3
@ellie k.: Have to agree with you. Newt Gingrich was one of the worst, and McConnell, Ryan, and Cornryn are up there with him, along with nearly all of the members of the state government of Texas, and its senate. They all have to go. Their corruption on the one hand and their venom for their political opponents are breathtaking in scope. The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, actually hates the people who live in the capital, and claims that he can't breathe unless he's away from what he plainly refers to as the liberal stink. How anyone in Texas could cast a single vote for such a hateful man is a mystery for the ages, but it is becoming more clear that some of our fellow Americans also have a broad mean and hateful streak, and Trumpism only brings it out into the light. Let's hope that public exposure of their politically biased acts of vengeance will finally turn voters off the Republican party altogether. The Republicans are openly targeting anyone who dares to speak up against them, hoping to silence all critics and quash all dissension. Voter suppression and gerrymandering are just the tip of the Republican iceberg.
Once again he’s blaming the victim and basically siding with the attacker. Just like in Charlottesville. Just like with the women who came forward to talk about Roy Moore. Just like he did with Dr. Ford. Just like he did with Rob Porter. Just like he did with....
Well, you get the idea. I could do this all day, but I have to get back to work.
13
"Then Mr. Trump again directed the crowd’s attention to his bipartisan efforts: 'By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?' he asked. 'Have you ever seen this? We’re all behaving very well!'”
He might have said, "Look Mommy, I didn't bite Sally since 5 minutes ago! Can I have ice cream now?"
So here is the free world, led by a 5-year old with the morals of an alley cat and a mean streak a mile wide.
OK, so much for fake contrition. Back to body-slamming reporters, calling all Democrats unfit to serve, and referring to all with opposing points of view as a dangerous mob.
It almost makes you grudgingly admire a Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini. Compared to Trump, they were rocket scientists. Which may be our Republic's only hope. Trump is too lazy, stupid and self-absorbed to accomplish anything.
The fact that he's still in office shows you plainly where the real danger lies- the Republicans who prop him up, when they could have so easily sent him packing. It is they who do not speak out and condemn the stream of lies and invective emanating daily from the Oval Office. It is they who history will condemn most strongly.
35
Unfortunately the republicans are too afraid of the invective being poured down on them, so they cowardly pretend that trumps dictatorship qualities do not exist. He is the BULLY in the room and the only ones who could silence him would rather wait for someone else to step forward. Remember you reap what you sow and this cowardly bully is stripping our country for the self serving 1%.
Hmmm. Is FOX news not a part of Main Street Media? Should they clean up their act as well? Where can we get clairification?
21
That's the downfall of chronic liars. When/if they tell the truth, nobody believes them. Trump is no leader -- simply an instigator, intimidator, and pugnacist -- whose followers look up to him due to their own shortcomings and weaknesses, like the minions of a mobster.
14
I do not want my tax dollars to go to supporting the hate and divisiveness sown by Trump at these rallies.
He demonizes my progressive and holistic worldviews; he is scornful of women, minorities, and those with disabilities; he insults science and replaces it with boastfulness; he is funneling our hard-earned money towards the wealthiest in our society; he is destroying the environment; he fosters Nazi and far-right extremism; he shows no empathy; he does not read, or inspire citizens to better themselves through arts and letters; he is pursuing an isolationist, nationalist agenda; he is stoking continued violence in these United States.
I know. I know that the President is entitled to the same First Amendment rights that we all enjoy, including my right to post a litany of grievances.
But I cannot fathom why those of us whose values are under attack by this POTUS* , who are unjustly called a 'mob' while his followers chant "Lock her up!" and continuously demonize the media, cannot pull the plug on our funding such rallies. This is, now, blood money.
10
@Six Minutes Remaining
Hmm. Yes, and who IS paying for all of these ego-boosting rallies?
1
I absolutely agree and have considered that often. I would contact my Congressmen but Republicans they are and very supportive of the low life we have in office.
1
The left harasses GOP politicians in restaurants, Maxine Waters says to “hit ‘em hard,” liberal protesters scream and break things in west coast cities. And the left has no fault in this terrible political discourse?
4
@DanielMarcMD
OK, if the left is responsible for all of the vitriol, who is the lead demagogue? For the right, look no further than POTUS.
2
@DanielMarcMD
Screaming and "breaking things" is not the same as physical harm from bombings and shootings.
Conservatives have a long list of that later category. For reference, please consider -
Timothy McVeigh, Dylan Roof, Terry Nichols, Eric Rudolph, James Kopp, Paul Jennings Hill, Scott Roeder, Michael F. Griffin, Peter James Knight, Aaron McKinney, Russell Henderson, Shawn Allen Berry, Lawrence Russell Brewer, John William King, Roy Bryant, J. W. Milam, Byron De La Beckwith ...
2
@Byron Jones
It may be difficult to determine the lead demagogue(s) on the left, but where are the lead spokesperson(s) for the Democratic Party?
So far, the Democratic strategy is coughing up 24/7 rebukes of every tweet by DJT, and nothing more.
As I commented yesterday to a NYT article on the subject — it was not deemed fit for publication — I have never in all my years in politics seen the word “hate” used by Democratic and other left-leaning sources as much as I have in the last year. It is, of course, always used to describe the other side, to describe the motivations of Trump and his “base,” but the word itself is invoked exclusively by the left. Words like “libtard” have been around for years; the deliberate misnaming of the Democratic Party (“Democrat”) preceded Trump by decades; but “hate” is hurled around now by the left like a verbal tic. That’s an observable fact: listen to any show on msnbc, read any commentary in this paper, “hate” appears with even more frequency than “lie.” Eventually, the word turns on oneself. Who becomes the hater?
2
Perhaps the Left does use the word "hate" frequently, But the Right is actually doing it. See the difference?
3
@PL — correction: the earlier comment was published after all. It just took a while. (I didn’t think it was that incendiary!)
@PL: There is a difference between discussing what to do when you are the victim of hatred, and actually being a person who hates. The Democrats discuss hatred because they are constantly being targeted by people who hate them. I personally do not hate anyone, and do my best to avoid those those hate me for my political opinions. I also do not go out of my way to express hatred for those I disagree with. Many Democrats are like me. If we were left alone to go about our business - if we were not taunted or threatened or insulted by haters, we wouldn't even be discussing hate. Try aiming your critique at the actual haters.
Please: Stop writing news stories as if they are editorials! This article is filled with adjectives and descriptive passages that only play into Trump's hands. The news, delivered straight, is bad enough. "Rhetorical jujitsu." Give me a break
Unbelievable. NYT and other news outlets keep acting like Pavlov dogs. It is not surprising that Trump fools voters. That he keeps manipulating NYT, successfully, is truly shocking. What this guy is doing and saying speaks for itself. Go back to journalism school and re-learn the art of writing news stories that present facts, and only facts, and leave the spin for the op-ed page.
2
I agree that the president is largely to blame (or credit) for setting the tone of American politics. But I watched CNN last night, and I regularly read NYT. Let’s be honest here. The tone set by the media is not an invitation to unify. This started decades ago when we lost all hope of objectivity in reporting. Politics has followed. Ultimately the blame is with the citizens who consume media, love or hate those who disagree, and vote. Who can claim to be balanced anymore? How far are you from the middle? Ask yourself.
4
"Here in Wisconsin, he embarked on his 38th campaign rally since assuming the presidency..."
So, he constantly flies around the country, on Air Force One, with a staff and Secret Service detail, holding party rallies and campaigning for Republican candidates. How much does it cost per hour to operate Air Force One?
As a Democrat and an American taxpayer I mightily resent this. I know there is precedent, but 38 in not quite two years? What else does he do? Don't answer that.
Does the Republican National Committee have to report the tax dollar amount spent on their campaign finance statements? This is just wrong.
13
Politics has always been a nasty business. But we've gotten to a dividing line I haven't seen in my 59 years. With few exceptions this doesn't effect daily workaday living. Even if I know someone's political leaning it has no bearing on our friendship. Generally we steer clear of politics in our conversations.
Turn on the news and we're in a heated conflict. Same with almost any publication. If the news outlet in known widely most could tell you if it leans right or left. Why not have an editor at all publications who is responsible for something that's been done by the side they're not affiliated with that's non-controversially good? Maybe politics should do the same at the end of every nationally covered event. It may sound silly but we've got to find a way to turn down the hate. Maybe The NYTs should sponsor a contest to award the best ideas to help bring us together. It's a start.
2
Deeds, not words, Mr. President. Demonstrate your commitment to unity. You cannot control the media, but your provocative rallies invite a negative backlash from half the American electorate and the media will reflect that. If only you could rally the wider American population toward a fairer society and a more peaceful world, you would get glowing media coverage!
4
Trump never fails to disappoint. He gets points for consistency, if not for statesmanship.
2
In Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969), the Supreme Court held that "advocacy of the use of force" is unprotected free speech when it is "directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action" and is "likely to incite or produce such action." Although one could question how "imminent" Trumps incitement is, one could easily conclude that it is "likely to incite or produce such action."
I believe that it is time to hold Trump liable for his speech. He is a clear and present danger to this country, and anybody who endorses his violence inducing rhetoric is complicit (Fox News, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, et al.). This is a violation of our constitution, and should be enforced by the FBI.
9
What about the violence incited by BLM, The NYT, most of the networks and news outlets? By constantly saying he is a racist because he wants the border sealed, or he hates blacks because he backs laq enforcement, it is obviously meant to get whole groups to hate him, and there are always people that are ready to turn violent in both camps.
Apparently Trump doesn’t understand the concept of cause and effect. Hate speech has two effects: some individuals act on the hate speech and the mainstream media simply reports on the hate speech
4
It is with a growing sense of dread that I wade through the news each day of the Trump Administration. The shocking transparency of his worldviews combined with his homegrown lack of empathy suggest he cares nothing for the damage his words might do. As we collectively fall deeper into his immoral labyrinth of lies and deceits, I fear that the latest form his venomous utterances have assumed (pipe bombs) portends even worse may lie ahead.
However, even more shocking than this new reality for the US and ALL of its residents is the fact that his enablers (Republicans and conservative groups) have fully embraced his behavior as the ends justifying the means.
Please...focus on these enablers as the true villains (Trump himself is just a sideshow), and vote next month to restore the basic tenets of the America I knew, respected and loved.
7
No matter how we look at this, as POTUS Trump sets the tone for political discourse in the country. He has become the cheer leading deplorable for his basket of deplorable supporters. The sewage starts at the Oval Office, or the podium of Trump's rallies, and flows downhill from there. No other way to look at the sad situation in America today.
6
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt that DJT can't help himself. He thrives on creating hate and division. It defines who he is, and always has been.
3
I think the message which will attract the most support from the most Americans is one of hopeful, positive, specifically constructive and calming words.
Give people the ultimate contrast to the president and his party:
Decency and thoughtful plans and policy.
When they go low, go with rational ideas that spark the imagination and longing of most Americans.
Democrats have a built-in advantage.
Americans support the liberal position on every major issue.
Look-
www.pollingreport.com
When the irrational bully speaks, go with complete contrast - reassure the public with good ideas that matter in their lives.
Ideas on everything from immigration to taxes to energy to climate change. Americans support Democrats on all these issues.
Contrast is the winning message.
(where is the Democratic leader holding a daily, scheduled rebuttal to the falsehoods we hear? "The Daily Truth" - that could be a thing)
Inspire and soothe with a big dose of NORMAL.
People want normal.
4
How on earth can he even blame the Dems for Healthcare, they have had control of the senate and congress for many years, and for 2 years they have had almost complete control of the government. They managed to pass a sweeping tax deficit without issue, but their hands are completely tied when it comes to improving healthcare? Come on.
2
Voting out the Republicans will not solve what ails this country. The anger, bitterness & hostility that has infected our society will continue to eat us from the inside out. I truly fear that we are witnessing the fall of the dream of America and I am not hopeful for the future.
2
We don't know who committed the crime, so we don't know what motivated he or she to do it. We are also don't know how many bombs remain somewhere out in the postal system. We are fortunate so far that the multiple attempts to assassinate Trump's political opponents have failed. I expect our national leadership to take appropriate action to deal with this terrorist crisis. Now is not the time to blame the media as the cause of this. Now is the time to make sure there are no more bombs and if there are to make sure they don't explode, and catch the person or people who did this.
2
This is an attack on our democracy.
Both sides of the aisle must take blame. When elected representatives use harsh rhetoric, they must understand the ensuing consequences. There are people who listen, and who feel angry. There are people who go beyond just listening. They feel it is their duty and right to take action. Perhaps, this is what we are seeing. Whoever the perpetrator is has a reason for initiating the explosive devices. What that reason is, and the cause for that motivation is what we have to know.
Mr. Trump must tell us, the people, how he plans to unify. He is the POTUS. He is President for all people. He must initiate the action to unify. Right now, it is a priority. Because, people are concerned.
27
@citizen
I don't know if you've noticed but Trump has no plans to unify anything but his relationships with Russian and Saudi Arabia. The American people are only a means to an end for him. He is not president for all people and his last priority is to unify the American people. People in this country have much cause to be concerned but what they lack is education and knowledge on what is really happening to them and this country.
4
@citizen I can't follow your logic for it seems you're saying people have a right to act on their anger and use terror as a weapon? Pretty strong words for someone who doesn't sign his or her name to them.
3
@citizen
Sadly, the 45th President is totally incapable of unifying America. It must always be all about him, all of the time. The concerns of others are not even remotely a concern for him. Mr. Trump thrives on discord, insults and chaos.
5
This is the president who as a candidate , suggested that maybe the "second amendment people" could "do something" if Hilary Clinton were elected and also once suggested that the Secret Service service should cease protecting her so we can see what happens. For a while, his image control people will try to get him to rise above but he always reverts to his usual self. It's just a question of where we are headed now
18
chutzpah
shameless audacity; impudence.
synonyms: audacity, cheek, guts, nerve, boldness, temerity
"it took a lot of chutzpah for her to walk in on Owen's bachelor party"
The person who has spent nearly three years stirring up hate, as the chutzpah to call for unit? What a schnook and a schmegeggy.
Trump opened the Pandora's Box of hate, inciting violence, and now he is calling for unity? Trump started this civil discourse, and verbal civil war. Well, guess what, his base has weapons and are now using them for a weaponized civil war.
You reap what you sow.
The dumb schmuck.
16
"“It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description,” Mr. Trump said in a Twitter post on Thursday morning."
This of course applies to the president himself, as well as his vengeful supporters.
The president, unfortunately, sets the tone for the entire country. If he's tired of criticism and mainstream reporting, he could rein in his own rhetoric, start acting the leader he was elected to be, and stop the White House shenanigans t he press reports on.
The press is not the enemy of the people, Mr. Trump. The press verifies its sources, and if something is written, it's clear the reporters have access to people willing to speak to them.
The press seeks truth to power, something the Congress has stopped doing.
The press reports. It also critiques. It's one of the most precious freedoms US citizens enjoy.
I sense this president would like nothing better than to shut the press down.
I tremble as to what that would unleash in a country not used to this much abuse of power.
31
If there was an open season on scapegoats you could follow Trump around and fill your tags every time.
3
I am asking myself how to fight against all those lies and hatred without going down to this niveau. In Germany we have the AfD. It's the same.Reasonable people were were shouted down. What to do?
11
For God’s sake, John Kelly, do SOMETHING with Donald Trump’s mouth!
Trump thinks he’s funny? Well, bomb threats are terrorism and Donald Trump is responsible.
Our America is gone. And NO, Donald Trump is NOT behaving, as he joked in Wisconsin, my home state, last night.
His job is to keep my grandkids and all grandkids safe. He’s pathetic and off the wall, totally.
34
But me I expected it to happen/I knew he had no control/when he built a fire on Main Street/and he shot us full of holes.
- with many apologies to our nation’s Nobel Poet Laureate
5
He says let's all behave then brays like a donkey about "fake news and the media". Sad.
14
I read a comment, on another thread, by someone chiding everyone for laying the blame for these bombs at President Trump's feet. Hopefully, he will find his answer in this article.
We obviously cannot rely on President Trump to lead our nation to unity and rational discourse. Everything that has been written or said of him screams that he loves chaos and open hostility. He spits out his words with a venom unlike any statesmen we've seen in a very long time.
I am not immune to the fury that has been permeating throughout this country, and quite honestly, I'm unsure what to do about it. I have close family members that are hard-core Trump supporters; who parrot right-wing talking points; who call immigrants "animals;" who refer to me as a "libtard." How exactly am I to reach out to right-wingers, when I can't even bridge the divide within my own family?
Voting out republicans is not going to solve this problem. This seething hatred for the "others" isn't simply going to go away. And I'm sure as heck not going to silence myself to avoid further angering hateful, irrational people.
So what do we do about this?
254
@Patty O
Vote.
The situation in America is dire and unacceptable.
3
@Patty O
Yes, it won't go away as long as politicians first goal is to be or stay in power.
2
@Patty O
Thoughtful letter.
Voting Trump out, however,will certainly begin to solve this problem.
5
The purposeful gaslighting of the American public, the shifting of blame away from himself is something we see over and over again. The dereliction of duty is a hallmark of Trump in office. When he is not reading a script, we see a man totally devoid of compassion, completely lacking of a moral compass. Pouring gasoline on the fire by attacking the media the day after CNN was sent a pipe bomb is something no American president could have gotten away with. But the bar is so low, we have come to expect, and indeed, many make excuses for this horrendous behavior.
13
"I'm trying to be nice." When one hears this you know that someone in the WH has severely advised DJT regarding proper demeanor in moments of national consequence even though "nice" is never his natural inclination at these rallies.
Well, except when talking about himself.
And then there's his "TelePrompTer voice" which is subdued, without inflection and seemingly just read without understanding by the president. One also knows that whenever TelePrompTer Voice is used,whatever was said will likely be reversed by tweet or comment by the following day.
After all, the speeches he typically reads often do not reflect his true views. Just Stephen Miller's or his other " advisors."
And then there's Authentic Voice, that unbridled, often incoherent and repetitive voice we see at rallies and when DJT either has no idea regarding the subject manner or is attempting to deflect a question.
He's a pretty simple guy. I, for one, only listen to the unbridled voice. The rest is just background noise only to be reversed at a later date.
I'm sure today he will tweet what many Republicans are stating...that the Democrats sent these bombs to themselves to gain sympathy close to the election.
That " nice" voice will be forgotten in the flick of a tweet.
12
I wonder where the TelePrompter is.
I’m focused on being civil and deep breathing
The division in the US is a direct result of the insanity and lies put forth daily by Mr. Trump, his accomplices at Fox News, the RW noise and fury machine and the Republican politicians who have opted for party over country and corporations over people.
A day of reckoning is coming: November 6th. Be there.
18
The media needs to stop covering Trump's rallies. Nothing new is ever said and there is really no need to carry his rantings nation wide. If he wants to blame the media for everything then stop giving his rallies national attention. Cover his press conferences and all presidential announcements, but stop with the rallies.
11
The most frightening part of this is that many, many people voted for this man. Those same people think he has done a great job. It's not just the crazies at the MAGA rallies, but people you and I know. They actually believe he has done a great job. They talk about re-electing this man in 2020.
Mind boggling, to say the least. Maybe this is how America falls apart - the beginning of the endgame.
11
In less than 24 hours trump walked back the "let's unify" comments he clearly did not mean by blaming the media for our dangerous divisiveness. This is the no-accountability president who is chomping at the bit to start a new nuclear arms race. Meanwhile, in my blue state comfort zone, a trump stooge and Sam Brownback wannabe has a real shot at becoming governor. Where can I hide?
8
You can imagine the discussion with Trump prior to this rally: Please Mr President, be nice, tone it down. So he parrots that in his early talking, then rapidly devolves back to message because, hey, that's who he is, and that's why they love him etc etc. A 6 year old could manage to behave for longer than this
10
He is a great deal like a five-year old kid. He can stick with "I'll be good mommy'" until he mixes with his adoring fans at a rally. He is a tragic character and this is a tragic presidency. We must check his power in the midterms!
8
It's all about the impending election which might solidify the Monopoly Republican domination of the government.
4
It was more diabolical than Trump simply blaming the media. He implied that the bomber(s) was motivated by the comparisons being made between himself and "past historical figures," a euphemism for Adolph, no doubt. What other "historical figure" could possibly serve as a more accurate precedent for Daffy's malevolent use of "the big lie"? The dog whistle here was that if opponents keep comparing Trump to malevolent "historical figures" more bombs should be expected. This is the nadir of Trump's very depraved and dangerous thinking.
15
You got the point precisely. To paraphrase Trump, he is saying that those who compare me to Hitler, those who call me a narcissistic sociopathic con artist, and the ever critical press are responsible. His motive is to silence his critics. Knowing that they will not be silenced, he will continue his decisive and derisive rhetoric.
I keep on saying it, but of course to no avail; the American people are so splintered, so economically divided, their anger is becoming ever more palpable.
The only unity we see today in our dying Democracy, is a hardcore determination in corporate America, among the .01%, and among the elites, regardless their pretensions as to political persuasion, a determination to continue their decades long beggaring of the poor and the middle-class.
Trump is the tip of the spear the people are wielding, as they attempt, in desperation, to make their representatives aware that the status quo of deprivation will not be allowed to stand.
It's way past time for our corporate owned government and its protectors to wake up and understand that sooner than later the long-disenfranchised masses will have their day.
America is fracturing, getting ready to tear itself apart, and the willfully blind .01%ters refuse to see it, comforting themselves with their belief that they are insulated, invincible, and that the controls are in place to keep the hungry hordes from storming their ridiculously insecure enclaves.
History is replete with evidence of how quickly inequality can destroy society.
We never learn.
10
It is disturbing that we have an imbecile, a bully, a person with no morals or ethics, calling for the media to stop inciting violence.
Through the many years I have subscribed to this "failing" publication that is a pinnacle of the 4th Estate never incite violence, only report it.
Trump can read his audience and is skillful enough in gas lighting that he is able to incite some gullible fools enough to have them attempt violence or commit domestic terrorism and have those same gullible masses believe the grifter's blaming the "fake" news for the carnage.
Are these followers that easily fooled, or just children of the corn?
6
@Dan
PT Barnum:There's a sucker born every minute
lots of suckers
2
If the President does not wish to be compared with totalitarian dictators both historical and current, he should stop acting with disdain for our democracy and stop fawning over these strong-man authoritarians with no regard for freedom of speech, human rights and the free press. Most importantly, as we tell children words have consequences-think before you speak.
15
I believe he does think before he speaks and is purposeful in his changes.
Trump‘s statements contain a mockery of good behavior, making not encouraging violence sound like what an obedient (and powerless) schoolboy might do, while the bullies smirk and nudge each other in the ribs. He certainly did not sound as if he were really taking a stand against violence.
5
So by blaming the media, Trump basically threatens them by saying - "either get in line and stop publishing negative stories about me, or the bombs will keep coming..."
12
The Times blames the right, and then complains. It needs to examine its own role in creating this climate. Blaming Trump has been its default position on everything. It needs to take some responsibility.
2
The Times, along with the rest of the media, certainly deserves blame for giving oxygen to the Trump campaign. It covered his rallies and rants with 10 times the inches devoted to Bernie Sanders, even though Sanders’s rallies were better attended.
But “default position”? Come on. Trump is imposing stupid and pointless tariffs. He’s still trying to destroy Obamacare. He’s banned people from coming here from 7 countries, for no better reason than that they are from those countries. He’s making a mountain out of a molehill with the “caravan” in Mexico. He’s making the air dirtier and us more reliant on foreign oil. His tax cut is amplifying income inequality. He’s done nothing about Yemen except make excuses for Saudi Arabia.
Those are simple facts. It’s not a matter of blame: they’re his express policies. He’s a terrible president. It’s too be expected his name is attached to a lot of terrible news.
4
The "fake" main stream media? Really? It is listeners of Limbaugh and Alex Jones holding signs saying "fake bombs". Can these people be arrested for inciting violence? Since he appears to be above the law, can Trump at least be sued by the bomb recipients for same?
1
Trump didn't invent racism or misogyny or hatred of the free press but in my opinion he has done his best at every turn to amplify these awful traits at every opportunity.
What I will never understand is the people that continue to work for him while their fellow Americans, including now,a former President and U.S Secretary of State among other prominent American leaders have had attempts made on their lives.
An attempt has just been made to assassinate the people who were constantly at the top of Trumps "most reviled" list. Just step back and consider that for a moment. America 2018.
3
This is what happens when an arsonist becomes president. Those with the power to remove him, congressional Republicans, are busily upping the limits on their fire insurance hoping to profit from the conflagration while our nation burns.
5
when will he and his supporters grow up, man up and accept responsibility for their words and actions?
when they are sent home reeling from election losses
that's when.
VOTE
5
Rush, Hannity, Trump. All 3 demonize the media all day, every day. What they say the media does is doubled or tripled-down by them. This is so tiresome. The name calling, the victimization of the Right, the criminality of the Left. Is it effective politicking? Absolutely. Does it help the country and its people reach their full potential? Are you kidding? It all leads to this, disruption of social networks, and sadly, family division. Really sad and seemingly hopeless.
2
Yes indeed, these are "despicable acts," very likely triggered by Trump's despicable acts.
2
We already know Mr Trump "speaks with a forked tongue," is xenophobic, badmouths Democrats, calls for Mrs. Clinton to be locked up, praises body-slamming. The scale of the attempted pipe bombing assault on high level Democrats is directly related to his vitriolic verbal assaults. Who least likely to be effective in calling for unity and civility! Unmitigated hypocrisy.
6
Trump is deep down furious that the expectation is he will restrain his Id, and that he has to *not* spew rancor and spread fascist poison. Even if for one night.
He will hold this grudge. He is already making light of the situation and mocking it -- "see how nice I'm behaving." Really? How is that appropriate?
He is utterly transparent. How does that statement not constitute an admission he is in fact the author of the poison?
If I was accused of hitting someone in with my car and putting them in a hospital, and I denied it, and then the next day said, mockingly, "See how I am not driving like a maniac and hitting people today?" how is that a sign that deep down he at best, simply does not really care?
Who thinks it is funny to mock bombs sent to your political enemies, unless if, to paraphrase the fashion-forward Melania, "He really does not care"?
A sociopath.
4
Is there any one person in Congress with enough moral and political courage and sense of human morality to start the call to ask that this
"president" step down from his role? How about you, Cathy McMorris Rodgers? Do you have that courage? I know that Mitch McConnell does not. If only one Republican could show such courage and sense of decency then possibly he or she could harness the power to rid this country of this despicable, amoral demagogue before it is too late for the United States of America. If Congress can't muster the courage, then voters, let's do it ourselves! VOTE for your lives on Nov. 6th!
11
@Fitz
I don't know whether it's true, but it certainly appears to be the situation we have in this rapidly evolving fascist America.
Mark Twain is reputed to have said -
"If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it."
2
Unity is not possible at this time. This country will NEVER be able to heal and find a modicum of unity again until you are out of office, Mr. Trump. You are the worst president this country has ever known and will hopefully stay the worst for the rest of its history.
3
Donald J. Trump does not act like a president. He is an embarrassment to the nation.
11
Trump's hateful, vile and hateful speeches of us vs them will end up in tragedy. Just remember the pizza gate.
1
This would be like if someone shoots you and then calls for civility.
This is madness. Everyone sees it, right?
2
Look in the mirror Mr. Trump. It all begins with you - the attitude and the tone. MAGA is a smokescreen for hatred, bigotry and self-serving greed.
3
I'm sickened by Trump's continued use of the words "our country", laced throughout his totally-missing-the-mark comments of yesterday. The honeyed tone that accompanies, is obviously aimed at fellow white nationalists, and has nothing whatever to do with reconciliation. "Our country". Don't even bother hiding it anymore, dude, we know what you're up to with every utterance, every twisted smile. Trump, with the help of his administration, and his surrogates in the right wing media and within the GOP, is full steam ahead with the formation of an outright fascist state, most likely to be complete with severe repressions and the use of VIOLENCE against his own countrymen. If anyone doubted it before, look at how he actually has reacted to violence lately. He either doesn't care at all, or seems to enjoy it. In the case of this pipe-bomb terrorist, I do not doubt that he is pleased - yes, pleased. He is a psychopathic criminal, desperate to keep himself, and family, out of jail, and will do anything it takes to stay in power and crush those who (currently,) have the power to send him to prison. He is consolidating his relationship with Putin, God knows where that will go - but nowhere good. The last, best hope, is to vote the GOP out in two weeks. Otherwise, democracy is over.
6
"See how nice I'm behaving." Really? What child is this....
13
In one unfortunate moment, I chanced upon Trump’s “unify” speech at the BBC and this is what I saw:
• Trump read the speech from a teleprompter
• As usual, he just went through the motions, looking bored, mouth-breathing, reading the words on the screen like it is a chore
• There were a couple of seconds when he was almost tempted to go off-script (imagine him saying: but what if these bombs go off? Wouldn’t it be beautiful? Just beautiful! The most beautiful bomb explosion you will ever see! Believe me.)
• Displaying his usual cowardice, after the speech, Trump did not take any questions from the press
Tomorrow, a Friday, watch Trump dominate the weekend news cycle by saying something stupid in one of his ego-stroking rallies.
Trump can’t help himself. His hatred for the others—immigrants, democrats, women, people of color, intellectuals (termed as “elites”) and the average American—will always finds its way to the surface and verbalized in his language that’s beneath even that of a five years old.
12
We are unified. Against trump.
That's why trump says we're the enemy.
We can fire him.
And we will.
Now that's about as unified as a democracy needs to be.
Marching in lockstep is not democracy. There will be those who cry foul.
There will be those who plant bombs and knife and shoot and beat.
But the rest of are unified against that.
We are plenty unified, as unified as it gets.
That's his problem. That's the bomber's problem.
When weak persons can't force a united people to their will, they resort to violence. To praising violence. To excusing violence.
These are people he named by name, repeatedly, constantly, as unpunished crimials, unloyal treasonous traitors, plotters and schemers against him, who he called "the enemy"
And bombs show up on their doorstep?
And he wants us to unify behind his totally baloney story?
Like the TV detectives, I don't believe in coincidence.
He did it.
Fortunately for him, police can no longer legally smash the heads of those they think guilty against car door frames, torture them until they confess, carry them out on a stretcher.
We're all unified behind giving the accused their rights and against cruel and inhuman punishment.
Let the fair trial by jury begin.
6
This is American terrorism on American land against American citizens.
Why has no-one pointed that out ?
14
It could be no one’s pointed it out because it’s plainly obvious.
On the other hand, is it American terrorism? I wouldn’t put it past the Russians to plant these bombs to manipulate public opinion just before the elections.
“No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains.” Indeed! That should not be the work of mere amateurs. Surely not when there are so many professional, experienced, violators. Of selected, targeted people. Values. Norms. And ethical behaviors to learn from. With. All over this divided Nation of diverse Peoples.A politically-polluted "melting pot!" From Beginner to Master Classes! Indeed, “No one should ..." But so many are! Can! Will continue to...! As tweets twitter. And "nationalist" transmutes into patriotism voiced by a draft-dodger! By an aging "abuser" of so many. In multiple-ways along his path to self-acknowledged GREATNESS. Blaming others. Allergic to his own responsibilities for...Continuing to villainize others in, and by, his unique self-created villainy. “No one should carelessly" listen! But so many are. “No one should carelessly" support villainy! But so many are. “No one should carelessly" BE complicit. But so many are. All around. In our WE-THEY culture which enables, fosters, violating, daily, created, selected, targeted "the other(s)."In caravans-coming from...TO...Within American families, of whatever roots and heritages. In American neighborhoods. In American divided communities. In American abusing systems of all types and mandates. Is Yeats' caveat:"the centre can not hold" closing in, as we close-UP menschlich mutual trust? Mutual respect? Mutual caringness? Mutual help, when and if needed.Pipe bombs? Pipe dream of a USA.
1
Bragging about "behaving nicely" is a juvenile tactic employed by 3rd grade bullies. Trump is as disingenuous as the 8 year old who pinches the baby, then gives it candy.
Trump's inability to be introspective, accept responsibility and "man up" is as obvious as the smirk on his lying face.
5
Trump is the problem, not the media. He incites his base and the media only reports the events. How dare trump accuse the media of dividing this country!
Now, the base will pick up on this and continue to glorify their savior trump while they continue the trashing of media.
Where is the republican leadership, and why aren't they stepping forward to tell trump he's wrong and unfit?
2
In 2016 Donald Trump launched a new Civil War. The first very ugly results happened long ago. These terrorist attacks are just a more visible form of violence by rightwing supporters of Donald Trump's Hate Rethoric. And they will get even more threatning in the near future.
4
Without the fear and hate a narcissist like trump deflates, he has nothing else to keep him up.
At that point he will become even more dangerous as he spins into a crazy cyclone to reek even more destruction as he and all the trump enablers slowly dissolve into nothing.
Then, the work will begin to clean up the mess.
"See how nice I'm behaving?" His snarky and snide tone along with the sly wink lets his followers know he is just kidding...he can't do it.
I sat at my desk yesterday in tears. And now this morning another bomb and another tweet blaming the media...when will it be enough for republicans to step up? When someone is murdered? This is all really just too much...Vote like your life depends on it because, apparently, it really does...
287
@Darby Stevens - alas, someone has been murdered: Heather Heyer
11
@Darby Stevens
Republican party is Trump party now. Don't expect them to do anything but support the President no matter how vile his actions. This is not even the worst thing about the current state of affairs. The worst thing is how can anyone vote for these hatred filled individuals? People who vote for them have been brainwashed beyond our wildest imaginations. There is no turning back for them for it takes a lot critical thought and the ability to accept that you were wrong. If republicans do not get removed from power, expect to descend into a disastrous civil war in the next 10 years.
1
@Darby Stevens:Seemed to many angrily confronting leaders having a quiet meal and opposing leaders cheerleading that effort is encouraging violence. What Trump is saying in political gatherings is fair and discouraging illegal entry into our country is just. Obama spoke eloquently but restarted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in addition new ones in Syria and Libya. That's behaving nicely?.
1
This is on Donald J. Trump. He says we should unify?? We should unify to remove this horrible individual from office. Is it possible he is not aware of what he has wrought? Words cannot express my anger and disgust.
1
"...do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?” is nothing but a snide remark from the individual who is tearing the unity of this country to shreds.
4
Now, he’s playing the “ great unifier?” You can hear me laughing all the the way to the Ross Ice Shelf... too, too late to play this card. Trump is a phony and anyone who’s been thinking for himself since middle school can see it!
6
I think it is important to remember how many republicans felt while Obama was president. They felt as though the world was ending. "Forced" to buy health care, that men were going to put on wigs so they can go shower with your little girl (LGBT rights), gay marriage and woman's rights. I heard the whispers at work about men who wanted to hurt the president and his cabinet. I personally believe the Obama was one of the best presidents in history and is a national treasure. But these people in the "base" saw him as the antichrist. So now the base has their orange leader and are acting out. Trump salivates for a race war. Actually that is incorrect. Putin salivates for a race war. When America is burning, Trump will buy property wholesale and be safe in his golden condo.
I know Trumps base, they're ready and armed. Let's hope our armed forces don't flip against liberals when the war starts because we are drastically out gunned. Remember Ruby Ridge.
3
Trump has been attacking Amerricans and American values forever, inciting others to attack too. The bombs sent to Democrats are just another aspect of his mean and thoughtless actions. Let's vote as though our lives depended on it and remove all Republicans from office!
1
Trump Denounces Attempted Bomb Attacks ‘Despicable Act'
Saudi Crown Prince calls Khashoggi Case a ‘Heinous’ Killing'
Vladimir Putin Very Strongly Says He Didn't 'Order Hack'
And Jong-Un Says He Is 'Giving Up His Nuclear Weapons'
So many lies! Who to believe?
5
Place fake or incomplete bombs in strategic locations to: A) Have T call for unity and criticize Dems for not joining his call and making Dems look bad? B) Distract from Saudi news cycle? C)Blame Dems for a publicity stunt? D)Scare T's opposition? E) Continue the confusion and division in this country? F) All of the above? G) Fill in the blank _____________.
Another convenient distraction?
Is Trump so thick that he doesn't get that his calling for body slamming, face punching, and locking up Hillary are despicable acts? At long last, has this man no shame? I sense a civil war approaching if Democrats take either the House or Senate and that civil war will be incited by Trump who is desperate to win at any cost. The title of Rick Wilson's book Everything Trump Touches Dies is frighteningly accurate.
1
For years Trump has been calling for violence at anyone against him - particularly Obama and Clinton! And now he pretends to be offended when his dreams come to pass?!?
Nope. I'm not buying it. Behind closed doors I'm certain this despicable human being is giggling uncontrollably with glee.
1
Remember when he made 9/11 about him by remarking that he now owned the tallest building in Manhattan?
There is nothing he won't make about himself. There is no low to which he won't stoop. Absolutely disgusting.
1
"Do you see how nice I'm behaving...?"-The President of the United States.
“...but he did not call out his frequent rally targets, several of whom received packages on Wednesday, by name. And though “lock her up” chants rang out, Mr. Trump did not bring up Mrs. Clinton.”
———
Even the NYTimes now sets a very low bar for decent behavior. Seriously? We’re supposed to congratulate Trump for NOT saying or doing the right thing, which would have been, “Please don’t do that. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the others were and are public servants who served their country honorably. Just stop.” But no. He gets kudos and an “atta boy, way to go” just for holding back from saying anything worse. Shame.
10
Words never means anything to this person. Why do they matter now?
2
Trump, this terrorist bombing campaign is at your doorstep, nobody else's. Only luck and the diligent work of law enforcement prevented deaths. Yet what do we hear already from your political rally this very night? More chants of "lock her up".
2
Sure they are all "despicable acts" that you sow, every single waking hour.
"And thus I clothe my naked villainy/ With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ;/ And seem a saint, when most I play the devil." (Richard III) Replace "stolen out of holy writ" with "scripted by my enablers" and you have the essence of hypocrisy that is Trump.
3
Trump, after promoting hate and violence, tells us that the attempted bomb attacks are despicable.
How many Pinocchio's is that?
1
This president applauds a House member who body slammed a reporter just last week now decries acts of political violence. You really can't make this stuff up. He also attacks the media for contributing to the dangerous volatility in this country. You really REALLY can't make this stuff up. Now far right media outlets suggest liberals may have sent the bombs to their own leaders to foment unrest.
How much more of this can our country endure before innocent people die?
4
Isn't it pathetic hat Trump would plead for admiration because he spent a few minutes mouthing decent words? That he would grin and asked to be petted for a moment before he returned to his habitual demagoguery, blaming leftists and the media for instigating the attempted pipebomb assassinations. If the Democrats take control of Congress, they must begin impeachment proceedings on the grounds that he himself is a threat to democracy. If the crazy right-wing franchise or lunatic Trump supporter who perpetrated this crime had succeeded in killing their victims, this President would have blood on his hands. At any rate a tremendous among of financial resources will be spent on apprehending the criminal or gang inspired by his vitriol. There is one person primarily responsible for the vicious, divisive and violent climate of this country: Donald Trump. An empty man is an evil man.
3
@Lural
He is the Piep Piper of evil, here in America, but the real problem is that he has a following that is legion, and both you and I know that nearly every other person we encounter, is one of his acolytes.
Tell me how that kind of support gets decimated, because these last two years I've watched as the only viable party, the Democrats, wander in the wilderness of their own minds, unwilling to do anything to address the root of the problem, which again as you and I, and tens of millions of us know, is the carefully orchestrated inequality which both Republicans and Democrats have laid at our feet.
The sand is running out in the hourglass, and no one is there to stop it.
1
Trump wasn’t ‘trying bi-partisanship’! He was trying to fake bi-partisanship, while clearly indicating that he was... just faking it!
5
"We have to unify", Donald said, seemingly forgetting his two years of attacks on people whom he claims are disloyal to our country and to him. Of course, he himself was only able to follow his own advice for a very short time before he returned to his usual form of speaking. This old teacher gives him a D- for effort, his best grade ever!
1
When you turn up the heat on the stove, it's your fault when the pot boils over.
4
When will Congress (and the country) tire of being led by an adolescent?
1
Trump is both mentally and emotionally incapable of change. He has empathy for no one. Could you Trump speaking to a church congregation after a mass murder? Obama led a congregation in singing Amazing Grace. Trump would lead the congregation in "Lock Her Up".
1
Trump has spent the better part of three years spewing hatred. Hared against African Americans, Hispanics, Women, the press, Muslims, Arabs, Catholics, disabled, the poor, the elderly and yes, even Jews. His "rallies" resemble those of Adolph Hitler.
Now, some of his base, has resorted to domestic terrorism. Sending bombs through the mail, is domestic terrorism. Where is Homeland Security on this? Well, apparently doing Trump's bidding; nothing. But, rest assured, you can fly safely, by taking your shoes off and be screened like a common criminal at any public building. Oh, did I forget, 7000 "terrorists" are making their way from Honduras and he declared a "national emergency"? Or, how about coddling Saudi Arabia, as they continue to export their own terrorism?
Our Fuhrer has been spewing hared on a daily basis. He has called the so called "fake news" press the "enemy of the people". He has targeted Democrats as "evil". He has named many Democrat donors as "traitors". And the Clintons as "crooks". He has constantly called on his base to take action.
Now his base is taken to sending bombs to anyone whop opposes our Fuhrer. News, to Trump, this is not 1930s Germany, but 2018 USA. There are millions of people, not only Democrats, who do not want to live under a cowardly, inept, egotistical dictator and his political party.
"We Have to Unify" can be seen as your push to your terrorist base to finish the job, and unify under his dictatorship.
2 weeks to the blue Tsunami.
3
The guy that constantly comes across like a middle school punk is asking if you notice how nicely he's behaving?
2
"I'm trying to be nice." The word "imbecile" was invented for this guy. What adult speaks like he does? (Yet I can't call him a child, which would be an insult to children.)
1
This is rich. Donald Trump, hateful toxic narcissist and crime family boss who, throughout his entire campaign and time in office, has repeatedly sown the seeds of divisiveness and chaos, now has the unmitigated gall to blame the media for yesterday’s bomb scares!?!?
Meanwhile, the morally and intellectually bankrupt Republicans sit on their grubby hands while his robotic cult-like brain dead supporters wearing the moronic MAGA caps keep screaming “Lock her up!”, but who cares about a few pesky pipe bombs since what truly matters in Trump land is that the wealthy got their tax cuts. End of story.
6
No there's more. The story is about to reach its denouement. Trump with brilliant strategy in hand and with the backing of Congress and now nearly half the American public is close to ensuring his maintaining control of both houses of Congress thereby solidifying his dictatorship.
A relatively uneducated but highly emotional public is strongly motivated by fear of an ongoing immigrant invasion. At the primitive level of brain function the caravans of terrorized innocent families represent an invading armed force destined to take over our country. Trump's threat to call up our military reinforces this delusion. I believe that the immigrant issue outweighs all the other behaviors, speeches and policies of Donald Trump and ensures his prevailing on November 6th. I am concerned that the Democrats may become so demoralized that they will be rendered ineffective in their opposition to Trump's take over of the country.
How the average person votes in most national elections is governed more by emotion than by intellect. This characteristic of human nature has allowed me to make the above detailed analysis and prediction with great confidence. I am very interested in your response, dear reader, so I hope the NYT will publish this contribution to the discussion.
What do you think?
1
behold, the gaslighting
3
He is pathetic. Trump has no heart nor soul. He is simply using the presidency and his “base”. Trump is a money hoarder and an
Addict of adulation. He needs to
Be removed from office, because he is destroying the heart and soul of America.
2
His rhetoric is directly responsible for inciting a maniac.
8 pipe bombs have been delivered.
How many more are out there?
When you elect an crooked, ignorant man with no morals or decency- chaos and division is the result.
This is your America, folks.
Steve Bannon must be crowing.
1
A leopard cannot change its spots and a blustering moron cannot change his bluster.
1
Another glib and feckless performance from the class clown. When the country badly needs someone projecting competence and leadership he shows up with something out of Mad Magazine.
1
Inciting violence, championing Nationalists, White Nationalists, KKK, Nazis, equating hate groups who kill with protesters are the behaviors of Fascists and Donald Trump.
This is not normal and cannot be addressed as if it is normal.
3
Republicans have been throwing gasoline on this bonfire since Ronald Reagan. But it was Donald Trump who threw the tiki torch on the pile and started this bonfire which is now a wildfire of hatred and violence.
"I'm trying to be nice" is like a cobra trying to not be venomous.
And still, it's always all about Donald Trump. Nobody sent a deadly device to him, but it's STILL all about Donald Trump!
And his "message" about coming together? Here's a translation: "The MSM needs to shut up and stop saying bad things about ME, true or false, and praise ME and criticize Democrats when they criticize ME!"
"ME! ME! ME!" -- that's all our thuggish incompetent President thinks about.
7
A childish, truculent response. He’s incapable of remorse.
5
Most things the Don said were immediately dismissed by his base since they know when he is forced to say this... It is an act.
His plea not to be compared to nationalists and fascists of the past might telegraph that these comparisons are accurate and betray his true intent.
I await for him to shut down the comment section of the NYTimes to make things more civil, and prevent people to voice their opposition to his attack on democracy.
“stop the endless hostility and constant negative and often false attacks and stories.”
Mr. President you are an idiot.
For some strange reason you don't seem to realize that everything you do and say is FAIR GAME for QUESTION and CRITICISM. Only a weak mind equates criticism with negativism. Only a weaker mind equates criticism with falsity and hostility.
You are a consummate projecting republican, that is, projecting the way you actually operate on to someone else. This allows you to be openly hostile, and false towards others and for those fools who believe you, you get to fool them and they believe you and they never bother to question your own deviousness. Shame on you. I hope you become the first President to be impeached because you deserve it.
6
living in the United States today is like living in Germany in the 1930's ....on so many levels
5
Could it be that Trump is this obtuse, and not realize he is the elephant in the room, the one inciting to violence, and inviting a 'ready audience' to take things in their own hands? Is there no one to tell him to shut his big mouth, given that all he does is spew fear and hate and perpetuate stupid divisions, at a time we need to be united? If Twitter becomes a bit more responsible, it ought not allow the constant flow of lies from Trump. Or else, remove his personal phone, an awful security breach.
1
Who wrote that speech?
1
Talk about a dog face calling a horse face? "By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?” he asked. “Have you ever seen this? We’re all behaving very well!”
This man belongs in Dante's 9th ring of hell. Although he easily qualifies for rings 7 and 8 as well.
1
Donald Trump needs a handler,please.
Scott Walker needs to go. Vote him out please. Also Ted Cruz an every other Republican - please
Paul Ryan is a horrible person - glad to see him go
See how nice i’m behaving
2
After pipe bombs were sent yesterday morning to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., former Obama administration CIA director John Brennan, and Reps. Maxine Waters and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic leaders all, last night Donald Trump states to his base: "By the way, do you see how nice I'm behaving tonight? Have you ever seen this? We're all behaving very well!"
That particular statement aptly describes Trump.
The same day that two former US presidents are sent explosive devices in the mail, Trump childishly, adolescently, points the spotlight on himself, and himself alone. As if his incessant calls for violence against democrats, his disgusting demeanor and behavior over the past four years has nothing to do with why these 6 particular Democratic leaders (who include three African Americans, two women and a Jew frequently targeted by anti-Semites) were targeted with explosive bombs on the same day.
It is sickening to watch Trump make declarations of ‘woe is me’ while more than a handful of our top Democratic leaders are being sent bombs.
It is sickening to have Donald Trump serve as our President and leader of the U.S.
Hopefully the American electorate wakes up and goes to the polls.
Hopefully, turnout on November 6th will break records, especially among women voters.
Hopefully, Trump and his ‘me first’ behavior will hit a brick wall and be properly pushed back.
3
The ONLY thing that Trump has tried to do that is bi-partisan or "unifying" is to co-opt the Dems political rhetoric on the ACA and its provision to protect persons with pre-existing conditions. The hatred and divisiveness is still there.
As late as last night, he is still resurrecting his fallacious rhetoric from this campaign, reigniting his bias against immigrants (legal and illegal) and further pretending he is emperor in his proclamation that he will close the Southern Border.
Nothing unifying about this man.
Nothing presidential about this man.
Nothing honest about this man.
And truly nothing that cares about America.
4
Trump's response to this act of domestic terrorism was weak and insincere. Compare his belated and lukewarm reaction here to his immediate and full throated response to terrorist events carried out in OTHER countries if the perpetrators might be muslims.
2
Immediately I think of a five-year-old terror the week before Christmas... "I'm good Mommy, see how good I am. Can I have my presents now?"
6
@Jim Brokaw, except trump here thinks he is Santa, delivering his election promises!
1
I won’t be surprised if Trump is not directly involved in these heinous attacks. Democrats are too silent they need to lay the Blame on Trump. As he is most responsible!
1
Your 45th is just a "champagne nationalist". Whenever an autocrat would have the opportunity, he would walk the talk. Your 45th then fails. In Helsinki he only provided a caricature of patriotism, when meeting Putin. The pipe bomb aftermath also shows how fake a leader he is. He lacks what is referred to as a movement, because he lacks the actual competence of being an autocrat. Rallies do not establish a movement. That does not make things better for your country. But it could be much worse for you, and for us too.
7
The only cause of these acts is Trump.
4
Trump. Just like a two year old. “I didn’t do it”. What a disingenuous pile of lies to say “See how nice I am behaving?”while the bombs fly and the finger points at the poorest of the poor who still believe the US will welcome them and shield them from violence and terror.
I wonder ....when will this end?
2
Trump is an unhinged extremist Republican who thrives on daily chaos he causes. The media is doing a great job keep it up continue to tell us the truth about the GOP and their culture of corruption. Their Fox News is the GOP propaganda station only tells them what they want to hear. I am so looking forward to see the fracking bill 120 in Colorado soar to victory . The GOP and toxic oil and coal companies are digging deadly fracking well to close to Colorado residences they are worried about their toxic chemical affecting their water. They need to be in Dimock, Pa several years ago HMO did a report on that poor town. It was destroyed by a fracking company. They have kerosene smell permanently in their water and can't sell their homes. A Republican governor gave the oil companies the right to destroy North Eastern Pa. I lived 10 miles from their and am glad I got out. Fox News would never tell a story about the truth. Very sad.
Why are we still referring to this Game Show Host as President of the United States of America?
It is the office that is sacrosanct. Not the person who occupies it.
Now is the time that the 'Situation Vacant' sign is hung over the White House and the 'sponsorships' that irrigate the corruption of the body politic, Congress, are revealed in the full light of day.
Please stop giving substance to the delusional rants of this man who, has almost single handedly, diminished the standing of the United States throughout the free world.
2
The blame for these terrorist attempts falls on not just one person, Donald J Trump, but all of the Republican members of Congress who stand aside and do nothing to stop, condemn and fix this problem. On election day, if we don't vote Democrat for the reasons that Thomas Friedman outlined in this week's op ed, then we deserve what we get. We are on a fast track of being the most ridiculed country in the world. I have grandchildren who live Europe. My greatest wish had been for them to come to the US to live. Now, I feel that they are better off where they are. How long will it take to repair the damage this man has done. Now you can add to his list of accomplishments: promoting terrorist groups.
8
His poll numbers will go up now among his supporters.
Congress better do something quick, or we'll end up in a civil war.
1
The blame falls squarely on Trump who incorrectly blamed the media for actually portraying the hate and anger he professed for years. Trump is the source of any media angst. He uses the media knowing the value of the cameras as he was trained to do. The media is all too willing to cover Trump for business reasons.
2
Civility is a two-way street. The liberals have not always behaved in a civil way and have spoken about harming the Republicans whenever they are encountered. We have seen the mobs attack politicians and some in the Trump administration when dining and out in public. This does not condone these horrible bomb packages which are arriving at Hillary Clinton's, Barack Obama's and other people's homes. This despicable behavior is never warranted no matter what you think of those who are the recipients. This is sheer level and must stop.
Both political parties must tone down the rhetoric to prevent casualties from occurring. Republicans must also watch their negative tone too. They must at least try to get along and end the divisions that have caused the hate on both sides. How much more of this madness can our country take. The Democrats and Republicans must set a good example for the rest of the country to follow. We are all in this together and we are all suffering from these attacks. Let's start now before it is too late and someone gets seriously hurt or loses their life. We can stop this if we work together.
18
@WPLMMT It's clear that liberals cannot make ONE mistake because it's captured on film and played back a thousand times each time a new conservative transgression occurs - and yet, it's ridiculous to expect one side to be perfect just to avoid "whataboutism" - I have not heard one Democrat calling on their cheering fan base at rallies intended to stir up anger and fear to attack or shut down free speech or other people's ways of life. Sorry, only the conservatives have done that.
7
@WPLMMT
All they can do is blame Trump, which suggests no one is accepting any responsibility for his or her own contribution.
3
@WPLMMT
But - which "liberal" is out there naming targets, and getting laughs for smirking about attacks - physical ones - on opponents? Before the bombs were delivered, after the bombs were delivered? After the death in Charlottesville?
What democrat encouraged people at a rally to "get" someone they disliked, promising to pay for their defense?
There is one person above all who is supposed to model the best behavior - that is the president. This one's speeches and tweets are built of falsehoods and attacks: he is a man who has never negotiated in good faith with anyone ( regardless of affiliation).
4
It is misleading to say his base is increasing. Trump knows how to present a visual but the energy clearly is driven by him not by the rally-goers. The people at the rallys are merely the audience. The activity of power is now on the ground with voter registration, voter validation, and voters.
1
It is not a Border Wall or lack thereof that incited these bombs to be sent. It is Trump's invitation to his base to behave as badly as they can at these rallies and then take it to the streets.
A Leader has the ultimate responsibility in this country to keep the peace, to lead by example, to encourage our better angels.
Trump is not that Leader.
His idea of Leadership is to incite violence and hatred, to line his own pockets at the expense of the rest of us and to overturn every law that would take away our rights to clean air and water, our voting rights, our Health Care, Social Security and Medicare benefits, meanwhile lining the pockets of the Republican wealthy donors and the the Republican Congress.
The fact that only Democrats have been targeted could lead one to believe that maybe some of Trump's followers might be involved.
If it is foreign Terrorists, Trump should really tread very carefully.
If we find ourselves in the throes of World War Three, he would be responsible.
2
Trump is right about one thing. The attempted bombings are about him, and he should be held responsible! Get him out of office and held criminally responsible for what he has done to us! Get the republican governors out of office before they pardon trump and his crime family!
2
The psychological unraveling of djt , is escalating and he is trying to hold it together with scotch tape. This man is drowning for with each passing day it becomes quite evident that this 72 man has the Emotional Intelligence of an adolescent. His behavior has morphed from insecure and vulnerable to violent and irrational;
“By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?” he asked. “Have you ever seen this? We’re all behaving very well!
“Kanye West likes me,” the president said. “Interesting guy
“Wait till you see what happens over the next few weeks. You’re going to see a very secure border. You just watch,” he said. “And the military is ready. They’re all set. They’re all set. They’re all ready and there is nobody like them.”
In djt's warped mind the violent act of delivering bombs to those he mocks and deems 'the enemy of the state', the applauding and cheers he receives from his base is nothing more than his ego saying all is well djt you are doing an excellent job.
I no longer believe our nation can weather this storm until 2020. I no longer think we can bank on taking back the majority from the silent Republican party. djt has got to go, he has to be impeached for this debacle of our democracy is only going to get worse.
5
Despicable acts by some very fine people are what he
meant to say.
3
It isn’t his “fault.” However, he perpetuated the hate and flames it. But, it has been there since Bush 2004.
1
Whoever wrote Trump's little unifying "speech" must have been sweating bullets and praying that Trump would actually get through reading it without undermining the message with stupid, snarky, me-me-me comments. He refrained, but not for long.
There are clips of his calls to his unstable Trumpsters to act up, which the media have shown in abundance, but he'll just continue to claim it's not his fault while smirking and secretly urging them on.
1
Aren’t we behaving nicely? Something only a toddler would say, to win a pat on the head and a cookie before returning to tormenting the cat! That guy is our president? Wow.
4
To be fair, he did denounce the attacks unequivocally, appealed for unity and sought speedy investigation. It was a campaign rally and there is nothing wrong if he made political pitches after condemning the bomb plots and seeking unity. I am surprised how a supposedly unbiased Newspaper like NYT sees and interprets News through a political prism.
4
Trump truly has the bully pulpit.He and his base only respond to chaos.Trump’s goal is to divide this country;and, his base will blindly follow this demagogue and widely cheer him on as he gleefully attempts to destroy this county.
What is it about this man’s life that his passion is hate? He has lived a gilded life, without any tragedies...only advantages and a life paved with money and unaccountable power. The result is a monster that the Republicans cannot control.
2
President trump has and is giving permission to these low life followers of his to put peoples’ lives in danger. I’m sur they didn’t have the brains to build an actual bomb, but that is beside the point. When Trump approves body slamming, when he tells his followers that he can go and shoot someone in the middle of fifth avenue and still gets elected, he’s giving them permission to act violently towards people he doesn’t like.
How did we end up here, how did an unprincipled and dangerous man found his way in our White House, well, we know how. Now, the question is, what are we going to do about it? For those of you who think your vote isn’t going to make a difference, you’re wrong, your vote matters, all of us together, must vote him and his cronies out. They have caused too much damage, they must be replaced.
2
Trump’s 38th pep rally. Yet the man claims he can’t find the time to visit our troops in the war zones. I guess with all his golfing, tweeting and lovefests there’s just no time left over to be Commander in Chief.
Unforgivable.
1
Trump is the cause and now he blames the Press, by telling them to "tone down." His rallies are the issue...stoking the bully boys. It is natural that thugs like him, because from day one his rhetoric has been inciteful and nasty. Deliberately to bring out the crowd in a frenzy. One might conjecture that he in fact is the angriest of all. Blaming Hillary, with the refrain...Lock her up. And then doing the same thing..."using an unsecured phone" that it is now said is being listened to by China and Russia. How many secrets has this nasty President shared with our enemies?
2
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. . . .
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
W.B. Yeats
3
Obviously the man will do anything for power.
2
It's a good thing, in a way, that Trump is ignorant and careless. Imagine how much more damage he would do if he were even half bright. The GOP is what keeps him going; if they cut him loose, he could go play golf with his new best friend, Kanye West, and leave the rest of us alone, so we could try to recover from the craziness he has inflicted on the country.
2
What a divisive, hypocritical, lying politician 45 is. He has vilified everyone on the bomber's hit list and sits there pretending that we believe he is remotely concerned. He is the cause of the political gulf in this country, where relatives and friends are increasingly reluctant to engage in any conversation lest they create a civil war. Trump is solely responsible for this perverse act and for anything worse that might develop.
2
"He called on journalists “to set a civil tone” and to “stop the endless hostility and constant negative and often false attacks and stories.”'
In other words, Trump doesn't want to be called out when he utters his lies du jour.
2
What we need is a party that will run nationwide ads showing that voters will decide in the upcoming election whether the experiment in democracy will continue or the slide into fascism will accelerate. It's really that simple. You have a ruling party that has abandoned the rule of law for raw power. Trump and others regularly encourage violence; when it happens, they say "oh, that's terrible (wink)."
So we need a party that will mount a coordinated, strong effort to fight them. Unfortunately, we only have the Democrats.
2
Trump knows Robert DeNiro was sent a package this morning and yet shortly thereafter tweeted that the cause of all this is the main stream media.
This President should be removed from office. He has some kind of disorder that doesn't allow him to connect his own divisive rhetoric with the events now taking place.
7
Though the title should be of some allure to him, I doubt this cruel joke of a president has ever read Goethes “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”.
He should. But then he’d probably say “Goethe is a great guy. He used to work for me”.
Here’s hoping that the Sorcerer in this case will be the voters.
1
As Santayana stated: Those who fail to study history R doomed 2 repeat the mistakes of the past...,,,Tribalism, anger, hostility, among other factors are stoking severe resentment and desire for action on both sides. Unless this fact is successfully dealt with there will be a civil war; believe it or not!!!! Since the country is becoming more and more divided by a narcissistic president who doesn’t study history a peaceful resolution is doubtful. He sends out messages that he doesn’t want bilateral harmony and workin together. Good luck America.
4
The democrats started the “resist” and “hate” campaign from the first day at Trump’s inauguration. The “mob” was gathered to incite hate and violence in protest of our legally elected presidenct. What followed were more mob marches and protests which have not ceased to this day. Is it any wonder our country is do divided?
1
We’re supposed to welcome a president who embraces violence and suggests some of us are sexual fiends dirtying the white race? We’re supposed to embrace the end of our republic?
The Democrats did not start “Lock her up” or “Build the wall.” I haven’t heard Democrats talk about “grab ‘em by the (probably not supposed to put this word in).” The Democrats are not advocating destroying the climate (and our children’s and grandchildren’s future). The Democrats did not march in favor of racism in Charlottesville. And peaceful protests are not “mobs.”
5
Pvbeachbum, you're right in step, latching on to the taunting word of the week, "mob". Let's not forget that your fearless leader colluded with the Russian MOB, a real situation, not a trumped up bait word.
3
Trump just sent another tweet in essence blaming the "mainstream media" for what he perceives as hostile attacks on him. Now he equates reporting facts as hostile attacks on him personally.
5
He denounces it now but it’s really “mission accomplished” based upon his inflammatory hate filled words.
As many know and pointed out his “he’s my kinda guy” while campaigning with and for Ben Sasso for body slamming a reporter for asking questions. His words “the press is the enemy of the people” resonate with his crazy base. He’s the worst in history.
7
I think both republicans democrats and their respective news medias share blame equally
hopefully some of this will be resolved on November 6th
That man who literally called on his followers to beat people up wants to blame the media. Right.
The problem isn't yelling at politicians in restaurants, Donald, it's you demonizing your opponents and whipping up fear and rage with your torrents of whopping lies.
12
Adam Schiffs debate in California had to be called off because of the behavior of Trump supporters and reports that a bomb had also been mailed to him. I’m afraid that this looks too coordinated for a lone wolf. Is this just the beginning of more and even worse? There’s a deep state all right. It’s trump and the Republican Party.
10
I'm thinking.....Don Trump, Jr. (only half snark).
We need to stop Trump and his family. They are ruining our country.
2
Trump is an entertainer for the base. He performs for them in a parody of the presidency. He wanted an Emmy, but what he has now is only an act that he has to perform over and over and over. I don't think he gets that he is the one manipulated. He has to deliver the same spiel. Sad.
1
Trump couldn't survive in a unified country. For him to survive politically he must spew hatred of the other, the news media, and the Democrats. That's how low his party has gone to get votes. They and their base have become dangerous traitors to most of their country.
6
This country has ninety-nine problems and trump is all of them.
3
Trump says, "Unify... Come together in peace and harmony."
What's this, a 1960's kumbaya song?
Then Trump goes about demeaning immigrants and asylum seekers. Of course.
Call me jaded, but something is not quite right with this picture. After everything that's been said and done -- for over 3 years now -- Trump wants us to all get along.
What, if anything, can Trump do to reverse the trajectory he and the Republicans imposed upon our country? It would be interesting to watch Trump attempt to undo his vicious attacks, his stereotyping and vilification, his encouragement for violence, his disregard for more than half the country's population's needs and desires, his relentless destruction of everything Obama, his incessant lying. It would be even more interesting to watch Trump try to rein in his fiercest supporters.
Trump can kumbaya all he wants. I can't believe it... and I won't. I've never been one to fall for sweet nothings and roses after being mistreated, and, at my old age, I'm not going to start.
There is nothing about Trump and his MAGA crowds that I agree with or wish to unify with. They are a vile bunch (Really? Chanting "Lock her up!" and "Build the wall!" is hardly words of endearment, especially considering what just happened).
The Rubicon is crossed. The die is cast. Pick your metaphor.
2
Our President Trump repeatedly states a very clear and unifying message to our nation that threats or acts of property damage and injuries will not be tolerated to to express discontent to opinions or beliefs of others.
. At rallies, he fires-up attendees with emphasized truth and over-stated facts ... but they are not lies or provocation to encourage the breaking of our legal and Biblical laws and he does not use veil nor filthy language, signs or gestures.
. This is in sharp contract with the rhetoric I hear and see from opposition leaders and reporter of our President Trump.
....
And this is how it starts. I cannot imagine any of us who have been vocal about our deep disappointment over the behavior, not to mention the destructive policies, could be shocked that his words have caused these murderous actions. I am afraid and have been for some time. But courage is what we all need now. Media needs to cover the candidates in the upcoming elections and STOP giving space and time for Trump's ridiculous "tour". Don't let him create how this will become the end.
3
Trump's right. It in indeed the media's fault. They accurately reported on his violence-inciting words and tweets.
2
News flash for DJT; The President of the United States is first and foremost responsible for setting an example and the tone of discourse. Trump has only to look to his immediate predecessor to see how that works.
3
Watch for Trump to claim that the pipe bombs targeting Democrats (all critics of Trump) are part of a Democratic, liberal conspiracy to discredit his presidency and help Democrats in the midterm elections. That would be a low point even for Trump. What could be next? Shut down the liberal (“enemy of the people”) press? Suspend elections? We are on a very dangerous course. A steady march to totalitarianism, using people’s fears to suppress free speech and voter turnout and undermine democratic institutions. The brave and able members of law enforcement will deal with the pipe bomb threat. Everyone else needs to get out and vote on November 6 and say no to the fear mongers and inept Congressional leadership which cowers in silence.
5
The headline for this article is terrible. It did not reflect what President Trump did. Also. He said in WH that any political threats have no place in the USA. Did he stop the crowd from the political threat ‘lock her up’? No.
5
Finally, we’ve learned the price of everything and the value of nothing. Trump era... final assault on Democracy!
1
The "We have to unify" official statement was obviously written by staff and he read it like he was a hostage with a gun being held to his head. Just like his second Charlottesville statement.
Trump can't act like a president because fear, hatred, racism lies and slander are his only weapons. Without them, he would not be Trump and couldn't defend his sorry positions and record.
8
This man Trump is a scourge on our democracy. He is threatening our prospects for what could possibly be peace and hopefully sustained peace--if we human beings would mindfully rise to the occasion and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Trump is disrupting what had been in recent times a tentative balance that has long existed in this country between secular humanism and evangelical christianism. He seems delighted, exhibits what frankly appears to be a sociopathic glee at taunting those he perceives to be his enemies--and truly, to taunt both sides to viciously tear each other apart in words and in deeds, as we have witnessed this sad day.
It seems Trump would revel in watching hand to hand combat to the death between "metoo" activists and "alt-right" deplorables--for lack of a better word. He wants us to kill each other to spare himself the effort.
That both houses of the U.S. Congressional majority still enables this dishonest, depraved, non-human being--and I say that, speaking as a human being--amplifies the tragic truth that this is a political conspiracy, seeded by the so-called Tea Party within the context of our first black president's first midterm, and fanned continuously since that time with Trump's baldly racist taunts.
That Trump is now declaring himself a nationalist and our Congress remains mute condemns them all to eternal disgrace.
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.
4
They were chanting "Build the wall," over Ryan's speech. The attendees at these rallies are getting more and more frightening. They just keep changing the same slogans over and over, like robots that can't be shut off. Even when I've dealt with 45's supporters, when I get nuanced, they just parrot his slogans to me. They usually can't even have a discussion on the meanings or long-term repercussions of these "policies." And they now use "Trump, Trump, Trump," as a battle cry after intentionally saying something racist or misogynist. It is weird and creepy.
4
When you notice that the word "bipartisanship" contains "bi" you realize that it is a game which TWO have to play.
If Trump wants to be bipartisan, the New York Times is not going to buy into it because they expect to win in November through conflict.
You complained that Trump was not condemning Saudi Arabia. But as soon as he DID condemn the Khashoggi killing, you accused him of hypocrisy.
Trump is rude and boorish, but in his heart he does not want conflict. YOU do. I remember, in Nov 2016, after winning the election, he met with you guys at the NYT. Clearly he wanted amity. But you did not. You have bashed him day in day out for two years and you expect the payoff on November 6.
I am hoping that you will be disappointed and will decide to act like civilized people.
And what about HIM? He is not going to be civilized until the sun starts rising in the West. But he DOES often mean well and it is better if the Democrats decide to work with him. A rude mean who means well is better than nothing.
2
@Ludwig
You lost me at "but in his heart he does not want conflict."
He is conflict personified.
1
@Ludwig Trump means well? Forget the NYT and all other news outlets; just listen to trump at his rallies leading up to the election and all those since. Listen to the words coming out of his mouth, the words that he thinks of himself, words that are clearly off the cuff and not written by aides. He does indeed thrive on creating dissension. He LOVES to see people around him fighting amongst themselves. He has said as much.
Listen to him lying, to him making stuff up and stating it as fact, stuff you know to be in direct contention to U.S. law, the Constitution, and other sources of absolute fact that have nothing to do with news outlets' opinions.
trump makes it very easy to exercise critical thinking. He's out there every day on twitter and in front of cameras shooting his mouth off. You don't need to rely on press reports of live coverage when video and audio recordings are widely available.
1
@Ludwig
You have no idea what's "in his heart," any more than President Bush could see into Putin's soul.
1
The only way we will unify is to get you out of our lives Trump!! Resigning is a good first step. His radical mobs are a result of Trump himself, not the media. It's all about the win to them. Not about consequences, as they can't think that far beyond the win. It has to be the only excuse I can wrap my head around why they would support an administration that works to hurt them and they still defend him.
1
With the chaos and distress incurred over the past few days because of the pipe bombs, there is a lesson for all of us.
Trump's calling the thousands of persons seeking asylum in the U.S. a "caravan" maintains the framing of their plight in a negative light. The Miriam-Webster definition of the word caravan evokes the image of "a train of pack animals," which is exactly what Trump has declaimed repeatedly about immigrants. The same can be said for Trump’s “enemy of the people” characterization of the press.
Why not call it a "procession of refugees" instead? The word "procession" is defined as "a group of individuals moving along in an orderly often ceremonial way." The difference in these words may seem small, but the framing of the situation differs enormously.
It is infuriating that the media's thoughtless use of Trumpian verbiage/semantics without any analysis of negative implications that frame his propaganda, and only serves to dehumanize people and the press corps.
The kinds of messages disseminated through the press shape how the public thinks about important issues. For months, the media was intimidated enough to refrain from calling Trump's statements "lies" by calling them "misleading" or "questionable." At long last that has changed significantly (FOX news excepted).
The importance of a truly free press reporting factual information to the public should never be minimized. Such Trumpian “frames" simply serve to foment domestic terrorist attacks.
2
"and a castigation of how liberals reacted to Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh’s battle to be confirmed to the Supreme Court amid multiple accusations of sexual misconduct."
As a long time liberal, even I am appalled at what happened in the Kavanaugh case. Feinstein could have, in one heartbeat, handed the letter from Ford to the FBI upon receiving it. The FBI background check was ongoing at that time.
Then, the FBI could have fanned out and done confidential check that nobody would have known about, and, found out that nobody could confirm Ford's allegations as the FBI ultimately did learn publicly.
The entire episode did not have to happen in public. Feinstein's strategy of setting off a public bomb backfired as it should have.
Liberals did make a mess of that.
1
I am a white man, well educated, well traveled, well read. I have pretty much had it with white men. I would rather have dinner with anyone, anyone! in the caravan from Honduras than a "rally" attendee.
9
Look at me... I've shouted 'burn down the house' since I was elected, but I'm not holding a match. I'm a saint.
18
When Trump says he might put tariffs on Canadian cars and RUIN Canada I am sorry but no sympathy from me on what is happening in the US.
12
I'm surprised Trump didn't declare some of these bomb makers as 'very nice people'. Obviously someone else wrote his statement and told him not to go off script.
11
It’s only 7:30 am on thursday morning and the president is already tweeting, blaming the media for attacking him, and saying he is a victim. Is anyone surprised that he couldn’t contain himself from at least pretending to be civil?
10
"See how nice I'm behaving?" It's like the bad little boy in school who puts the tack on the teacher's chair and then sits smiling like a little angel in the back of the class. Soooo innocent.
6
This type of terrorist incident is further proof that Trump's base will go to any lengths to crush those they perceive as their ideological enemies. People of color, LBGT's and Jews should be extremely concerned should Trump and his minions consolidate their power in Washington. It is disturbing to see prominent people within these threatened communities continue in their support of Trump, even though he poses such a dire and imminent threat to their safety and freedom.
As phony as a conman can get!
Pats himself on the back for being nice while reading prepared statements like a scolded child. And even in those there was little contrition or introspection. Just a milder form of rabble-rousing.
How long before he goes back to his hate-filled lying diatribes?
13
The solution might be a simple one. Trump's long family history of embezzlement and tax evasion is what made him the crook he is today, thanks to Daddy Fred. Time to get the IRS and state tax enforcement agencies involved. The NYT has set the stage with its magnificent detailing of the Trump family's tax crimes, now let's act on that information.
Remember, after every effort was expended to stop the murderous career of Al Capone, he was finally arrested and imprisoned for tax evasion. If it's good enough for Scarface, it's good enough for Trump.
1
"By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?” This is not meant to unify. It is a mobster-like taunt that I can easily envision the syndicate boss saying to Eliot Ness in "The Untouchables." It is equivalent to saying, "Na na na na na" with his tongue sticking out as a way of mocking the norms of civility and with the presumption that he will be able to continue his reckless rhetoric with impunity.
4
I wonder how long it will take him to embrace the despicable conspiracy theory that Democrats sent the devices as a 'false flag' operation to woo voters? I have no doubt he will do so nor do I have any doubts about his rhetoric returning to full blast very quickly.
1
Destroying property? What is he talking about? Did he notice that the 750,000 at the DC Women's March and more all over the country were 100% peaceful, not so much as an arrest in DC?
We protest legally, if noisily -- that is what democracy looks like. It's in the Constitution, just above the part about weapons.
24
The state of the union is not strong.
18
You can't deliberately exploit fear, rage, hatred and tacitly condone violence 24/7 for two years of campaigning and another two as pretend president and feign shock and outrage when some twisted fan finally takes you up on it - and this goes for the equally amoral Republicult enablers.
And for those who think a mad bomber is some sort of liberal plot to make Republicans look bad - they don't need help for that. Liberals aren't responsible for tripling the number of emerging right wing extremist groups flourishing since Trump took office to go along with an equal number of hate crimes.
You caught it, you clean it, you eat it.
48
Donald Trump is an existential threat to the future of the United States. The only way to deal with a threat like him in our system is to get out in force in less than two weeks and vote like your democracy depended on it. He might get some checks put on him from a Democratic House (very little chance the D's do anything but lost a couple of seats in the Senate with a historically awful electoral map). But Democrats have a way of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. If you stayed home because you "just couldn't vote for Hillary" then get off your duff and get out and vote to stem the hemorrhaging caused by the complacency of those who didn't vote. If you voted for Jill Stein because you "just couldn't vote for Hillary" then get out and do your part to save our country from the avowed nationalistic monster that resulted from those third-party votes. We all knew what Trump was and we chose to ignore it. Now's the time to start fixing it in the only way a country with our values can fix it. With ballots, not bullets. Once violence enters the mix we lose our right to be the United States with all of the rights and responsibilities inherent in that privilege. The political right seemingly has no problem fomenting violence. We need to be better than that.
45
Those who think Trump will tone down his rhetoric after these pipe bomb incidents are sadly mistaken. Deep down, Trump is probably pleased that his "followers" acted on his hate-filled speeches against the Dems and the media, even though he gave a blatantly disingenuous condemnation while reading from a teleprompter like a robot. The end of his "presidency" can't come soon enough.
28
This is my belief. He has not shown us otherwise and it’s far, far past the time that the media should have stopped giving him leeway and respect just because of the office he holds. I imagine he went to bed last night feeling pretty darn good about himself for having driven one of his supporters over the cliff, and then making it all about him and his victimhood.
If you and your party of Conservative Republicans destroy our Social Security, destroy our Medicare and Medicaid, if you destroy our abilities to ensure that our families are covered by comprehensive & affordable healthcare insurance with no penalties for pre-existing conditions, if you destroy our laws & regulations protecting us from mistreatment in our workplaces as well as from business & commercial fraud, destroy our air, water & land, pack our courts with rightwing extremist ideologues, if you continue giving billionaires tax breaks, if you destroy our right to vote, if you continue to viciously mischaracterize us, our words, actions & motives who oppose you and your policies socially, economically & politically as "mobs," if you continue to engage in graft & corruption, destroy our primary alliances with our allies over seas & take a wrecking ball to our body politick -- we will oppose you with humanly firmness of the kind never seen before in all aspects of our lives, our abilities & our sacred honor. We will oppose you in political campaigns & at the ballot box. We will never cease, never desist. We shall answer every attack with a more powerful & penetrating riposte. Our acts will be non-violent, legal & constitutional, but we will fight you all the same. We shall never, ever surrender. We will roll back all of your destructiveness and then advance in the other direction to correct your assaults & injuries. Even if this takes 100 years or more -- we shall do this.
29
@Chromatic
Chromatic from CT deserves to be read again.
Previously, I was forced to use “Chromatic from CT” as a submission of my own, since “Chromatic” was at a maximum of words, and I could not add any of my own words, nor delete any of Chromatic, without changing Chromatic’s power and intent.
We must proceed with courage and hope that all of this will end well.
There is no other choice.
Trump has only his own interests at heart, and it’s not only about “winning.”
1
Now that he has his base in a frenzy they want more. They seem to want blood and if the bombs had gone off they would had it. So now what does he do?
If he continues to address them more softly, they will be disappointed and he'll lose many of them at his rallies. If he goes back to his usual rhetoric there will more attempted violence and possibly deaths. This is on Trump. Yes, he didn't send those bombs, but he is directly responsible for creating the atmosphere in which they were created. He needs to man up for the first time in his life.
20
I long for the days when a President addressed the Nation behind a desk in the Oval Office - with perfect diction, measured words, thoughtful rhetoric. Two former presidents had assassination attempts- and we get this clown of a man fueling the flames at a rally with his beloved base. The coarsening of our Nation. So sad.
28
If you've never seen an interview of people at a Trump rally, do yourself a favor and watch a few of them. It will give you an accurate reading on why events like domestic terrorism are on the rise. Remember Heather Heyer, the Capital Gazette shooting, the list is getting longer. The people at Trump rallies have taken a default position of pride in ignorance while looking for violence to quench their hateful appetites. It is a bizarre spectacle at best but in truth it is merely some poorly informed and misinformed people exercising their most base and uncivilized instincts. They think all this hateful rhetoric and abject ignorance is amusing. They think its entertaining. We do have actual culture in America and even some high culture. But we also have some truly low, petty and pathetic pandering to the least amongst us. I will protect anyone's right to enjoy whatever entertainment they like until it starts instigating violence. That is when it no longer is about freedom of speech but rather freedom from oppressive and violent hoards. By the way, if you wan't to see mob mentality, watch a Trump rally. As usual, Trump projects his world on others.
30
Also, read the text of his speeches, they are often incoherent collections of catch phrases and words which incite.
Vote as if your life and the nation depend on it!
@JW
This presidency is just another variant of the Jerry Springer Show.
1
What did anyone expect? Did you think his comments were sincere or heartfelt? Did you think he meant it? Of course not. Trump is way too far down the demogogue’s road to turn back.
11
I somehow doubt that historians will look back on Donald Trump's presidency, and call him "The Unifier".
15
"I'm trying to be nice," said the President. True perhaps as stated but truest if he stopped after the second word: "I'm trying."
He is indeed trying. Very trying. And very tiring except to those who would shred our democracy into tatters.
10
There is no moral equivalency between a pipe bomb and heckling a public figure at a restaurant, but public civility and respect must be the bottom line for us all. Because they do it will never be a reason for us to do it as this creates a difficult, if not impossible, spiral to the lowest common denominator of behavior. This is a lesson that most of us learned when we were in Kindergarten, but seem to have forgotten. Admittedly, our current administration does not inspire much confidence and would certainly be sent home from school for bad behavior, but perhaps we can be an example to them.
8
Trump is a damaged soul. He is not well. His behaviour and demeanour go way beyond 'politics'. His pathology becomes political only when it resonates with those who continue to support him. Unbelievably, there are enough of these people to fill arenas wherever he gives one of his surreal, disturbing 'rallies'. These are very strange and dangerous times.
18
Do Trump supporters even care?
6
Just in case the FBI has been sleeping over the past couple years, look no further than Trump if you want to find out why bombs are being sent to Democrats and the press against whom he has personally incited violence and even said he would cover the offenders legal expenses. You guys could resolve this in an hour at most. You're welcome.
6
He is childish. He couldn't grow up because his parents coddled him and gave him everything he wanted, and more. They did not discipline him, teach him respect dignity kindness empathy.
15
"The buck" stops at the president's desk, whether he likes it or not. Bone spurs won't get him out of this one. He incites violence from the heavy handed block and we all pay the price. The buck will stop with his accountability one day. As he said himself at the departure of saner heads from the White House, "Everybody leaves."
9
The military threat. I’ve expected that he’d have the military acting domestically ever since he was elected. Here it is.
12
@Baba Yep. He seems to truly believe that the military belongs to him personally. He's used the phrase "my Generals" a number of times and he obviously has no inkling of legal restrictions on how the military can be used.
Trump is like a man that is in free fall, and it is absurd to think that somehow, miraculously, he will change direction and become a unifying agent.
The fear and hate he has stirred up in his followers now has a life of its own and is out of control. His supporters at a rally chanting "lock her up," after it was reported that a bomb had been laid at Ms.Clinton's door, speaks volumes about these people, with whom there is no possibility of communication.
Like in any relationship there are things that happen that cannot be healed. We have reached that point as a country and either the whip is taken out of the hands of these people by voting, and the genie put back in the bottle, or we simply push for a way to separate permanently and completely.
22
He'll blame anyone and everyone else. The buck does not stop on the Resolution Desk.
7
He doth protest too much methinks. At the far ends of both the left and the right are issues that no one would care about without constant reminding. Bombs? Today's media can't help it, it's a megaphone that can blow up any ego to imagined heights. Has Trump played in Peoria yet?
1
Remember when the terrorists we worried about were from other countries?
Remember when the president was someone who attempted to unite and heal after a tragedy?
Remember when we were not the laughingstock of the world?
The good, old days. Will they ever return?
19
People don't go to Trump rallies for him to be nice. They go for the Two Minutes Hate.
23
A true leader doesn't need to say "see how nice I am behaving?". A real leader demonstrates character, honesty, respect and civility. You know it when you see it, not by them declaring it.
20
Based upon observation of his behavior during the campaign, and his tenure as president, it is obvious that history will judge Donald J Trump harshly.
One cannot have such a fleeting public disconnect with truth, fact or reality during the campaign, and as president (think of the Name Calling, Birthergate, Central Park Five, Russian Election Meddling, Denigration of Dedicated Civil Servants in his own Administration, etc.) and be remembered as a man of sound mind or character.
He's repeatedly indulged in acts of moral turpitude (think of the affairs with other women during three separate marriages, payoffs of hush money to women to suppress information about his treatment of them, repeated refusals to make his finances public, his money settlements to avoid prosecution for civil rights violations in his housing business, his anti-immigrant hate speak, etc.) and he can never be thought of as a man of virtue with a good moral compass.
Finally, his repeated acts of brinksmanship on issues of defense, the economy and state (think of how he has damaged the reputation of the United States with our allies, taunted our enemies by threatening the use of "fire and fury", voided NAFTA, the Paris Climate Accords, the INF Treaty, fumbled our economy with ill advised tax cuts coupled with spending excesses that weaken us with increasing deficits, etc.) will cause him to be remembered as the worst president ever.
Elections have consequences. This consequence will be a dystopian future.
22
@Dr. Ruth ✅ Yes, Trump is a disaster. But the GOP protecting and promoting him seems like a key component of his continuation in office. They put him there, and bear responsibility for the damage he is doing.
8
“See how nice I’m behaving?”
The numbers are not on Trump's side--who has received the wholehearted support of the American neo-Nazis and white supremacists, and has never condemned them or renounced their support. According to the FBI, more than two thirds of the terrorist incidents on American soil since 9/11 were committed by right wing neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, and as many people were killed in those attacks as were killed in the attacks by right wing citizens. Whenever Mr. Trump behaves like a real president or like a decent human being, we know he is not being sincere. In this case, he himself is setting the example that is dragging the country down. His entire press conference was a lie. Lies, racism and fear: that is what he using to incite the adoration of his base.
31
I have to wonder, is anyone at all going to vote this time around ?
3
"We must unify"are hollow words coming from Donald Trump.From the day he was inaugurated his only concern has been his well being and what he could do to rile up and unify his "base". He has done so many rallies always naming villains that his crowd has learned to be a chorus for rants.This is why they attend rallies so they can be part of a chanting mob.It is not unlike cheerleaders at a pep rally getting the crowd ready to cheer on the "home team".Mr.Trump has forgotten that it is his duty to unify America, not tear it apart. He has torn apart America by attacking individuals by name, denigrating whole groups of people and constantly criticizing the press.The murderous act by the person who sent bombs is a loud warning that the dividing of America must stop.
19
Leopards do not change their spots! Trump is still the same divisive Trump.
14
Mr. President, if you really want to unify the country, resign.
51
Speechless.
How many American presidents have attacked their own people like this?
It's an outrage and long, long past time for Trump to have been removed from office by his Cabinet.
He's worse than unfit. He's destructive. He's attacking The United States of America.
61
Remarkable that Trump was calling on journalists “to set a civil tone” and to “stop the endless hostility and constant negative and often false attacks and stories”.
The buck starts and stops with the president.
20
This is the rise of Fascism and the end of Democracy in America.
If the Republicans win Congress next month, we will then be governed by an absolute monopoly Republican undemocratic machine.
The Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches of their government will be in existence destroying the Constitutional mandate of our forefathers. Fully half the nation will lack representation.
Trump knows it.
23
All I know is that I have absolutely nothing in common with the people who bellow their blood lust at Trump’s rallies. I don’t recognize them as fellow citizens, nor do I care even a little bit about their “insecurities” or about their total inability to live in a modern society. We are only “Americans” in that we inhabit the same geographical location. I find them considerably more disgusting than Trump himself.
49
For every extremist on the left, there’s another on the right. The further you go away from the center, the further they go. Giving up on other Americans is not noble.
“By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight?” he asked. “Have you ever seen this? We’re all behaving very well!”
He makes a mockery of everything, including the person who instructed him to behave. He absolutely choked on those words of "unity" at the WH. No emphasis on the veracity of the situation with his drone voice.
I have no respect for Trump and look forward to the day I no longer have to hear his political soulless proselytizing. Every day there is drama. Every day an insufferable cinematic moment.
45
@Thread
Only a child refers to his own actions as "I'm behaving". See, mommy, I said sorry to Mary Ann. Now can I have her room?
Let’s get this correct: Attacks on the free press and continuous lying by leaders are the attacks on the people. Calling reporters “enemies” and fact-based reporting “fake news” are attacks on the people. Truth is required for justice and the American Way which a we are currently losing due to Trump who will go down in history as his own kind of “villain” with or without historical comparisons.
22
Trump was Constitutionally mandated and by affirmation of oath to the office to "insure the domestic tranquility". Not only has he failed to do his duty as President, but has actually contributed to disturbing the domestic tranquility.
These facts are absolute grounds for impeachment.
18
Whenever the press focuses on Trump's antics, style and rhetoric, instead of on substantive policy issues and Trump's (mis)handling of them, Trump wins.
3
At his latest rally in Wisconsin, Trump basically told his followers, "And dishonest CNN shares the blame for sending a bomb to themselves." But you elect (sort of) a cheesy reality show host to be president, and this is what you get.
16
the president will stop for half an hour to attack liberals, the press, the EU, China, Iran etc. then he will be back on the campaign trail telling the country that it will be invaded by the caravan, if he does not stop them from coming into the country.
Gentle reminder: Germany accepted more than 1 million refugees in 2016 alone. That's a caravan every two days. Yes, it created stress and friction, but it was the right thing to do. If only this president had a heart , he would possibly see things differently. And, by the way, I am sure all the people in the caravan would be more than happy to do jobs the average American no longer wants to do!
8
Women standing behind him for this statement—interesting framing, indeed.
3
When someone says I'm trying to be nice, they are basically saying that they are not nice.
Our President is not nice. He is not strong. He is not ethical. He is not particularly bright in the sense that he can complete a sentence or string more than two sentences together on the same subject. He is also a serial transgressor of the Ten Commandments.
So who wants this guy as a leader? About 4 out of 10 of all the people in the next crowd that you see, in the supermarket, at the baseball stadium, at your church or synagogue. A little less or more depending on where you live and travel. These Trump supporters are your fellow Americans. Let's hope they stay a minority and that some day our majority will actually govern this great country...
25
@Bill Cullen, Author The problem is that a lot of very wealthy people are getting what they want from this administration---tax cuts and deregulations. And because they care more about their money than about their fellow Americans, they look the other way when trump acts like one of the dictators he loves so much.
It's not just a lot of undereducated white people who support trump, is what I'm saying.
1
Call it like it is. Putin is pleased that his puppet, backed by the republicans has divided America to the point of civil war. There is no bringing the nation together until Trump is removed from office.
12
Trump’s impulsive behavior and child-like reactions are astounding.The need for adulation by his adoring fans drives his reckless comments at the Trump roadshow.Coming to a town near you soon.He will NEVER have the self control to lead his country and the world in a responsible manner. It is time to take the keys to the Oval Office away from him.America faces an existential crisis.
10
Unacceptable. Trump's complete conduct during this entire bomb scare against individuals to whom he has continuously publicly vilified is 'not quality leadership.' Trump's actions are not the 'best.' No respectable person who says they are for the safety and welfare of the United States of America should ever speak such volatile rhetoric that incites and influences individuals to act in a manner that may cause harm or result in death to former President Obama and his family, President Clinton and Senator Clinton, Former CIA Director John Brennan, Representative Maxine Waters, and CNN(a news media organization that does its best to broadcast and state only fact based information) does not deserve to hold the position of the Oval Office.
It is extremely shameful for many GOP lawmakers and its base supporters to condone Trump's behavior. The bold faced lies led and fueled by Trump to perverse and twist the rule of law in a way that is far more awful, demeaning, discriminating, sick, and violent than what any US Congress controlled by the Democrats or a Democrat in the Oval Office of recent decades is disgraceful. This type of behavior divides and does not unite a country. Democrats must tread carefully in response to Trump's despicable response to these threats. Uncivilized acts from anger that has been fomenting on both sides is not to be tolerated, nor uncivilized acts in response to the blatant and obvious rhetoric of Trump.
Thankfully no one was harmed or died today Trump.
11
Unacceptable. Trump's complete conduct during this entire bomb scare against individuals to whom he has continuously publicly vilified is 'not quality leadership.' Trump's actions are not the 'best.' No respectable person who says they are for the safety and welfare of the United States of America should ever speak such volatile rhetoric that incites and influences individuals to act in a manner that may cause harm or result in death to former President Obama and his family, President Clinton and Senator Clinton, Former CIA Director John Brennan, Representative Maxine Waters, and CNN(a news media organization that does its best to broadcast and state only fact based information) does not deserve to hold the position of the Oval Office.
It is extremely shameful for many GOP lawmakers and its base supporters to condone Trump's behavior. The bold faced lies led and fueled by Trump to perverse and twist the rule of law in a way that is far more awful, demeaning, discriminating, sick, and violent than what any US Congress controlled by the Democrats or a Democrat in the Oval Office of recent decades is disgraceful. This type of behavior divides and does not unite a country. Democrats must tread carefully in response to Trump's despicable response to these threats. Uncivilized acts from anger that has been fomenting on both sides is not to be tolerated, nor uncivilized acts in response to the blatant and obvious rhetoric of Trump.
Thankfully no one was harmed or died today.
3
Opinion commenters should address Mr. Trump directly and personally on live CNN, MSN etc, each for 5 minutes or less, every day throughout the day, without any questions or discussions. Our voice.
6
If the pipe bombs were indeed hoax devices (a possibility mentioned in the related NYT article), then it may be believable that Trump is in on the "joke" and is therefore perfectly content to wink at his Wisconsin audience.
He can then say tomorrow that those wimpy liberals were working themselves up over nothing or (even better) that inert devices proves that the Democrats sent the envelopes themselves.
Plus, it took MBS off the front page.
So this October surprise could serve a number of purposes that would play very well to the Trumpian base.
I hope that I am wrong - not that someone sending live explosive devices through the mail is preferable.
3
@Phillip
Finally, someone whose thinking he is in on it. I am with you. He is in on everything! Makes it happen so he can swoop in and be The Hero or Just Puts A thing in motion to have fun and play a game of “See Where, When and What might happen!”
1
He has continuously sown the wind and now he will reap the whirlwind! His republican cohorts have enabled him so don’t be surprised when they too must pay the piper.
4
I am sure President Trump is quite sincere in asking for unity if that meant everybody accepted his anti-democratic nationalism. Sorry, but this democratic gal will not bow to hateful, extremely exclusive, vengeful, fear-mongering nationalism.
Unity will be achieved if most Americans realize the Republican Party has rejected American, democratic, human values, and common sense associated with sanity and they are voted out of power along with destructive nationalism.
We fought two World Wars against nationalism and its appearance in this country is particularly ugly. It seems to be the ultimate consequence of decades of increasing political division, Of course, Republicans blame Democrats, President Obama, and Hillary Clinton, but this stuff started in the mid-1990’s with Newt Gringrich.
At tonight’s rally, President Trump and Scot Walker lied. Republicans have no plan to support pre-existing conditions and their promises, law suits, and legislation are proof of this deception. Unity requires all Americans to become more informed and to increase the size of short-term memories. Pay attention. In 2016, they promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Well, their legislation was repeal, with no replace. They have legislation written to try repeal “Obamacare” again, with no intention of actually allowing pre-existing conditions or replacing the ACA with anything. America! Stop believing lies and open you eyes.
12
On a day when two former Presidents were targeted, a former Secretary of State, a former CIA Director, Democratic politicians, a businessman and CNN, Trump still goes ahead with another political rally and blames the media and his opponents for what happened today with all the bomb threats. It’s insanity. He fails to realize that he is the problem, that he is the one inciting hatred and that he is the one inciting violence. Trump does not see himself as the problem. He blames everyone but himself. It’s another failure of Trump to carry out his duties as POTUS. He just does not care. It’s not within him to do the right thing. Ignoring his own past inflammatory rhetoric, President Trump tried to place the blame for the bombs onto the media and those who disagree with him.
12
Maybe we should all reflect on our own behavior over the past year and at least "Give peace a chance."
"He called on journalists 'to set a civil tone' and to
'stop the endless hostility and constant negative
and often false attacks and stories.'"
so it's them. not him. and he is "trying to be nice".
and how many of his listeners will be appeased by the fact
that kanye west likes him - if he does not build 'the wall'?
what a twisted mess to disentangle.
6
These recurring problems will CONTINUE until the Congress overturns that poisonous supreme court decision that lets "armies" of money from sources hostile to the best interests of our democracy pour into our elections. Only a CLEANSING election can do that!
4
@alonzo2020, we in MA are way ahead.
"Massachusetts Question 2, an initiative to create an advisory commission for amendments to the U.S. Constitution regarding corporate personhood and political spending, is on the ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute on November 6, 2018.
A yes vote is a vote in favor of establishing a 15-member citizens' commission to advocate for certain amendments to the United States Constitution regarding political spending and corporate personhood."
3
President Trump had it in his power to unify the country with the last Supreme Court pick. He could have chosen Merrick Garland.
6
He blamed the media and took no responsibility, which is about as clear an indication as there is that he’s responsible. He just admitted it.
6
"See how nice I'm being"
That's what he considers 'nice' - blaming the media and Democrats, and calling them names, never mentioning word one of what he's done, and just saying 'lets not have violence' while he keeps on with his demonizing rhetoric? He can't take a single day off from it, even in a speech about the problem?
7
Unfortunately the constant replaying of Trump’s incendiary comments only serves to further enflame his base and engage those who are less informed. NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, as well as cable news and FOX would do well to raise the level of public awareness by presenting factual accounts of the legitimate rights of all people to seek asylum. This does not mean illegal entry into the U.S, but an opportunity for the asylum seekers to have their situations evaluated.
5
Trump gave the incident the obligatory expressions of concern, but his other comments suggest he regards the situation as what I think it really is—a bad joke. Addressing John Brennan at CNN or using Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s name for the return address or sending Eric Holderman’s letter to an undeliverable address all suggest the calling card of a comic book villain. The joker perhaps. It’s all in keeping with the Left-wing hysteria that greeted the Kavanaugh hearing and, like it, this too will fail to do any damage to the real intended target which is Trump. He just loves this kind of thing because it shows how desperate and ineffective the Left is in staging its theater.
1
@Ed, the CNN pipe bomb was a live one. That is no joke. The building had to be evacuated because it is packed with "human beings". Trump only called for unity because his wife made him do it, she spoke ahead of him. She is not a fool, she knows exactly what is going on and she has tried to nudge Trump but he does not listen to anyone. The Russians and Chinese, though, listen to him all the time, not only on his various cell phones but every word he whispers is heard by them loud and clear. All his bluster about sanctions on China, Bolton in Moscow, are the kind of "games" he is playing for people like you, his admirers, he is fooling you into thinking he is on the top of the game, but then who knows what the Russians and Chinese know, that even his staff does not know. Shrug
3
I have only one question. Who benefits the most from this incident? All the rest is speculation and innuendo.
Why does Trump even bother delivering Teleprompter words which are supposed to sound like leadership? Nobody, whether critic or supporter, believes they are sincere. Everybody knows the drill by now — the flat, droning voice and the cliche phrasing that sounds like it was lifted from a junior-high civics textbook. And sure enough, his Wisconsin rally a few hours later was all nudge-nudge, wink-wink, I’ve got to play the good boy, and you could just sense the crowd wanting to burst out in boos and chants, the stuff they came for.
My question is this: What would he have said if he could have? And what would be the reason for saying that?
I hope all voters think deeply about this. I’ll be 67 next month, and the upcoming midterms are the most consequential of my lifetime. The usual decision-making rules do not apply. This is a moment of history. We each will have to live with the choices we make in a few days for the rest of our lives. Reality is fully upon us.
18
How far the United States has fallen in only a few years. I did not think I would see this turn of the wheel in my lifetime given the role the US previously played in securing the west from totalitarianism. But I suppose the TV culture and optional voting had to tip things in the end
10
At a rally tonight in Wisconsin, Trump took no responsibility for his hateful and seditious speech. Instead, he said it is the news media's responsibility to set the national political tone, revealing his complete ignorance about the role of the press. We have only one president and he is supposed to be the moral leader of the country, if not the world. On the other hand, the press is not monolithic but made up of thousands of outlets. Their primary responsibility is to report the news and to keep politicians honest on local, state and national levels. A junior high school student could explain to Mr. Trump how the roles of president and the press are very different.
8
This whole "bomb scare" thing is a PR stunt no matter how you look at it - sincere, alarmed, or cynical. We must never give too much weight to a PR stunt - especially one based on fear. Let the news be the news, not the agenda control it.
My crystal ball says we will extend the surveillance state to the US Mail. No more anonymous first class packages. No more stamps. All mail must be registered to the individual. This would be an overreaction based upon a non-threat.
And who gains? The security services. First rule in investigating any crime is to follow the money...
1
Vote, everyone! Please vote!
Those of us living overseas have already sent in our ballots, and, along with all of you, we have our fingers crossed that our beloved country will survive this sustained attack on our democracy and the values that once made our country the envy of the world.
But that will only happen if voters elect candidates who have ALL Americans' interests at heart, and not just those of the wealthy and well-connected. I'm loath to tell anyone how to vote, but it's increasingly clear that only one party can restore sanity in town halls, state legislatures, governor's mansions, and Washington. The Democratic Party.
Vote for a Democrat if you want to save health care options for yourself and hundreds of millions of Americans.
Vote for a Democrat if you hope to restore America's standing in the world.
Vote for a Democrat if you wish to protect our country from attacks, both from within and without.
Please do not be intimidated by those Republicans who are doing everything they can to make it so you can't vote. If you're legit, you can vote.
And please don't be swayed by anyone who says your vote doesn't count. Your vote does count. It counts more than ever in 2018.
Please vote.
12
"We have to unify".
Don't forget that we are in the few weeks every few years when Republicans sound like this. Right before elections.
In a month, Trump will be blaming this kind of thing on Obama.
3
It’s sheer irony that the personification & chief provocateur of fractured American society, and its’ leading beneficiary by the way, calls for ‘national unity’. Were the U.S. truly ‘united’ Trump would never have gotten the Republican nomination nor been elected president by his popular minority.
7
Reminds me of the scene when Norman Bates thinks about how he wouldn’t even hurt a fly.
7
@Michael
Finest Words In Comment to date! Someone should publish as “Non-Fake Non-Famous Non-Newsworthy Quote of the Day.
I laughed out loud! Thankyou for that
1
45 and his supporters and enablers provide a challenge to Alexander Hamilton and his colleagues who contributed to the "Federalist Papers". Are "societies of men really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force." So wrote Hamilton in the first paragraph of the first chapter of the "Federalist Papers". 45 has demonstrated an aversion to reason and reflection and an affinity to accident and force. His performance thus far shows himself to be more akin to King George than President George Washington. More to the point, are bad people capable of committing to and running good government? So far, the "Nays" have it with the numbers of confessed guilty pleas by members of 45's team. Chagrined without confession, 45 has not repented and moved in a different direction. When 45 says "We have to unify", who is the we and what does unify mean for him? Mindless conformity maybe the Republican ideal for citizenship, but many Americans are more like the wife who strikes out on her own at the end in the play "Doll House". Till 2020, we Progressives have a long walk on a cold Winter's night.
2
If Mr. Brennan is still "hoping maybe this is a turning point", he's deluding himself. Does anyone in the world still expect Mr. Trump to suddenly "pivot to Presidential"? That would be a miracle akin to that of Lazarus.
On the other hand, it's nice to no longer expect anything. Then we aren't disappointed when Mr. Trump continues to be true to his malignant nature, which is currently corroding the public sphere beyond anything seen since the 1960s -- or for that matter the 1860s.
5
Prior to today, Mr. Trump's calls for national unity and his tough proclamations against political violence consisted of "Enemies of the people" and "Lock her up," just to cite a couple. Enough said.
4
As he speaks the pre-written words of reconciliation, Trump is thinking, 'I like people who are SUCCESSFUL at what they do!"
3
"Past performance is no guarantee of future results." Except when you consider Trump. Considering his past performance including multiple bankruptcies, failed marriages, lenders who lost money, contractors who never got paid, etc., etc., it was only a matter of time till America went to Hades during his tenure.
Trump's every speech foments hatred, bigotry and divisiveness so mayhem was inevitable.
Now Trump has what he wants, Americans fighting against one another, so he can continue his looting and subjugation of democracy.
With Trump at the helm, his lackey republicans in congress, and impotent Schumer leading the Dems, the Russians must be positively gleeful watching their election tampering payoff "bigly". Unfortunately, that's my country Trump is flushing down the toilet this time, not his failed steak business, his failed college or a myriad of other Trump failures.
VOTE!!! Only massive turnout can overcome republican Gerrymandering & voter suppression.
9
So sayeth the man who bragged about being able to shoot someone on 5th Ave and not lose any supporters.
4
Trump's best shot at decent lasted several minutes. As good as it gets.
39
Trump forgot to mention at his rally that he insists on using an unsecure phone and Russian and Chinese agents listen in on everything he says. Maybe rally attendees will start chanting, "Lock him up!"
95
@Linda, it is obvious our intelligence officers have failed to safeguard our security because the biggest leaker is the President himself. With a leak this big, the plug has to be smartly installed, unless our intel is sleeping on the job.
2
They already do in Texas. Only they are referring to Beto O’Rourke, who they believe is guilty of... being a Democrat? It’s not entirely clear
Riiiight!
He blames Democrats for daring to challenge him, saying they are too blame for provoking the violence he recommends.
So we're all supposed to bow down to him.
He's not a godkingemperor, and he was elected by a minority. In fact, the vote cheating is such that the whole Republican party represents the minority.
They want to silence us.
Trump wants us all dead, in jail, or out of the country, silenced.
We haven't reached the bottom yet, but he's below the sewer.
112
Make no mistake, the threat of violence is a direct result of the mockery Donald Trump has made of constitutional democracy. When the President of the United States cannot govern without resort to demagoguery, on display each time he refers to Democrats as a vengeful mob; each time he lies with intent regarding Democratic positions on immigration, women's rights, Medicare and Social Security; each time he denounces the efforts of the Obama administration to address minority voting rights or the environment; each time he holds a rally and has his supporters still chant, "Lock her up," we cannot trust he has within him any capacity to unify this country.
And it isn't just Trump who feeds on this sickness of vilification and hate; it's his sons; it's his press secretary; its his advisors in the White House. They have all made nastiness the name of the game in politics in ways we have not seen before to this extent.
858
@dmdaisy And it is the enabling members of Congress who allow all this to go unchecked.
4
@dmdaisy
The first sign of this happened while Trump was campaigning. It was "Pizzagate" where one of his supporters went to a Pizza Parlor in D.C. with a potent way of doing away with people in one swift, deadly shooting because he believed that Hilary had a children's sex ring operating there. Trump cannot deny the results of his rhetoric. It has already been proven that his hateful messaging incites violence. Trump is a menace to this Country.
5
@dmdaisy, and all along we thought John Kelly was a patriot. Boston is so ashamed that Kelly cannot rein in a President so unhinged. John kelly is sitting on his hands.
3
This is Trump’s fault. His endless rallies, the way he spews lies and attacks Democrats and anyone he doesn’t like, his remarks that promote violence. All of it combines in a deadly stew of hate. What happened to the idea that the president is supposed to be a uniter? He is unfit to be president. He has been the primary agitator of this, and refuses to acknowledge that he has had a huge part in creating this atmosphere.
1053
@SH
Nov. 6! We will send a message that even he will understand.
19
Well said. If the current occupant of the Oval Office had a shred of decency, he would resign, but of course he doesn’t. Get out and vote, people. Rein this guy in and throw his GOP enablers out of office.
6
@SH It isn't Trump's "fault". It is his nature to be rude.
But very often what he wants is ultimately good. I hope that after the midterm election, both parties will decide to act like civilized people.
And that requirement applies also to Democrats who have acted like savages for the last two years.
Merely repeating Trump’s words without informing your readers of context is not responsible journalism. It is enabling the spread of propaganda. Trump’s words are hollow in context of the many instances where he has condoned and even encouraged political violence in the past. The NYT should do as more responsible news outlets have already done and report those instances to provide cotext.
12
It’s true - we should unify and throw that dirtbag’s supporters out of office.
45
I give him 12-36 hours before he says what he really wants to say
71
I told a friend that people would die because of Trump. Heather Heyer in Charlottesville and the two State Troopers in the helicopter were just the beginning. The people abandoned in Puerto Rico were next. These pipe bombs are a warning of a gathering storm.
70
"acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States", and just what does the president think his speaches contain at all of his rallies...
65
Of course Trump thinks bombing the progressive left is a "despicable act". He always suggested that they use their Second Amendment rights.
46
President Trump's words and behavior are as guilty as the person who sent the bomb, if not more. He might as well mailed the bombs himself.
71
@ME, President Trump is symbolic of the blustery loud mouthed crude unsophisticated American tourists one encounters everywhere in the world. We are better than that!
1
Dangerous Donal is complicit in this crime. His constant winking to the Deplorables to commit acts of violence was bound to get to someone vulnerable to act out. His calls for unity are disingenuous and demonstrate a total lack of self awareness as to the effect of his divisiveness. This guy is truly unfit for office. We may need a military coup to finally get him out of the White House. If that's the only way to get rid of him, so be it.
36
@Mark
"We may need a military coup to finally get him out of the White House."
Hey, it worked for Rome! That was what finally ended Caligular's reign of terror.
Reading from prepared notes in an obligatory statement today Trump denounces the "despicable acts."
Tomorrow, he will soften his tone and equivocate.
Sound familiar?
31
and literally tonight, the crowds at his rally are screaming lock her up.
there are no words except VOTE
253
#45 has forgotten President Truman: "The Buck Stops Here!
VOTE. November 6, 2018.00
45
@lftash #45 has replaced "The Buck Stops Here!" with "The Con Never Stops."
1
We'll unify when you resign. Step down now.
67
When you think things in the United States if America cannot get worse, they do. It is very difficult to believe anything that Mr. Trump says. And because of it, it is not possible to unify around such a chronic liar and fomenter of nationalistic hate. Donald lacks credibility.
What I can do is to pray for the United States of America and to keep my heart open to peace.
99
Trump and the Republican Party are responsible for inciting violence. It’s incredible that worse hasn’t happened yet.
35
Have Mueller add mail fraud to his list.
29
What Trump said about the attempted bombings: "In these times we have to unify, we have to come together."
What he meant: "Everybody must start liking me and stop criticizing me."
48
@Jay Orchard
Exactly right. Exactly.
6
Trump did not create this craziness. The GOP has been nurturing it since Nixon. Trump increased the craziness exponentially for his political and financial gain.
94
Not sure whether this is Trump-inspired as a result of the ad nauseam hate-Trump daily attacks from our Sovietized New York City mass-media, ABC, CNN et al., or Trotsky's DNA working the streets and mailboxes for the left, but one thing is certain, good timing for the left.
9
@Alice's Restaurant
Suggest you study a little history and find out about real repression. You're working on it, but you and Trump and Republicans have not yet succeeded in creating the repressive state you desire, where the voices of people with whom you disagree are not allowed.
Funny thing, your favorite Trump is in the bag for Putin. Putin doesn't allow dissent, but he does love to create chaos and violence here, as it reduces our standing in the world and leaves us very weak.
52
@Alice's Restaurant,
Trump is not the victim here.
5
@Alice's Restaurant
Are you suggesting that it would have been better had we already had martyrs? Sovietized, really, surely you jest? In any case, news to me, too bad we don't have German print media after 'him'!
2
Trump is culpable. His pandering to fear and hate is far beyond political. His continued speech advocating violence to his detractors and his graphic demeaning of his political opponents incite such actions by his followers.
28
This from the guy who publicly bellowed over and over "Lock her up." without a trial or even an indictment for any crime.
61
I for one will never unify with an admitted nationalist, a President who applauds the body slamming of a reporter, who demeans women and stigmatizes immigrants and people of color, who is corrupt, treasonous and unfit to be President. The time for unity is long gone; I personally have little if anything in common with Trump and his racist base. They are a force to be defeated not united with.
85
Trump wants hate crimes to happen. He supports everything that divides this country.
85
I thought one of the benefits of no longer being the President, or running for President, is that you could stop worrying as much about being the target of politically-motivated violence. Has a former President of the US ever been assassinated (after becoming a former President)? But then again since Trump repeatedly refers to the 2016 election in his speeches and continues to campaign as if that election campaign was still going on, it's possible that some of his not-quite-all-there supporters didn't realize that he already won. Yet one more reason why continuing education for voters is critical.
15
"We have to Unify," Trump says. He is right of course, but since he has spent most of his life trying to divide I'd assume he feels a bit lost at the moment.
8
Persistent, targeted, rhetorical "brainwashing" does have consequences.
11
Glad he denounced these attempted attacks. Plain and simple. I refuse to get partisan about the context. He did what a president should do. I hope he keeps it up.
6
Just listen to his rally later. The real him comes out when he isn't reading a teleprompter.
1
@Syliva I wouldn't count on it.
Trump’s comment that “...In these times we have to unify, we have to come together” is the equivalent of offering “thoughts and prayers” after a mass shooting in our country: empty and meaningless.
45
This is the result of having a so-called president who survives by being corrosive and divisive.
Trump is the anti-president.
16
You can always tell when someone else had to write Trump's "Unity" statements that he has to read and stumble over easy words. Because he doesn't believe what he is saying.
17
Great, a Presidential statement by Trump that is simple and to the point.
Let's see if Trump drops the vitriol during his campaign rallies.
5
Trump and the GOP broke democracy by his daily chaotic attacks and tweets against the Democrats with his lies has caused the extremists to do this. They are the culture of corruption and thrive with chaos. He needs to be impeached and soon.
12
Knowing that Trump never speaks the truth, one wonders how credible this message really is. One thing is clear, the person sending the bombs shares Trump's inability to spell correctly.
9
By “unify”, he means ‘Stop disagreeing with me’. No attempt to chart a middle course, no offer either. For a zero-sum man like he it’s all or nothing, so unless people who oppose him bow down to him he won’t be interested in unity.
10
On a day when attempts were made to attack two former presidents and others and CNN, the president reads his statement from a teleprompter? Is he completely devoid of human feeling, or doesn't he care?
17
The biggest proponent of the divisive politics of scapegoats, fear-mongering, and lies and he calls for unity and denounces the very actions inspired by his rhetoric. The real test -- will Trump change what he says, and how he says it? Or will he once more prattle about the terribleness of it all, and then go right on encouraging it, inspiring it, and reveling in it?
Will Trump tone down the crowd agitating over-the-top speeches at his rallies? Will Trump 'think three times then tweet once'? Or will Trump make the required, necessary, correct "denunciation" -- and then go right back to being the biggest pusher behind the erosion of our political civility?
This is a perfect chance for those who think that Trump is being mistreated to judge based on what he actually does. See what the next two weeks change in Trump's behavior. Watch closely, very closely. See if Trump changes... but don't hold your breath.
8
Let's see if Donald can manage to follow his own advice, or at least the advice his staff forced him to offer the nation. I imagine hearing his favorite chant of "lock her up" at his rally tonight in Wisconsin has him strutting, preening, and getting ready to let the whoppers fly.
He'll probably hear some dunce on Fox ranting about false flags and start spouting ridiculous conspiracy theories in the next 24 hours about Hillary sending the package to Obama and vice versa. He never ceases to amaze me with his sheer lunacy.
15
How is this man not guilty of incitement?
Oh, right, I forgot, the Supreme Court is stacked so he is above the law.
15
“The full weight of our government is being to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice ... “
DJT needs to look in mirror.
15
He may be trying to be presidential -- but talk about a day late and a dollar short. And a little bit of the boy who cried wolf. No one anywhere believes Trump cares.
23
Trump has shown us time and time again that he couldn't be presidential if he tried.
2
Trump new line tonight? That the media has a responsibility to set a civil tone?
Can you believe this guy? I mean what is it he has to do or say to convince the deniers in his camp that they've been duped...that this guy is simply not fit to lead?
The 18th century was deemed the age of enlightenment. Will the 21st be remembered as the age of ignorance - willful ignorance?
20
As I recall, the President just elected said something similar - he'd be the President of all Americans.
As Dr. Phil used to say "how's that workin' for you?"
It's not what politiciajs - and others - SAY at any given moment, its what they DO. And, sadly with this President, I say "what he says the next day and the next day and the next."
So let's even give Trump the benefit of the doubt, let's believe his cries for unity. And then see what he says tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
8
Surely it can now be said that there exists a clear and present danger that Trump's increments will result in violence up to and including death. So, the first amendment cannot be used to prevent him from being charged with incitement to violence. Another intent to added to the bill of impeachment.
10
Words have consequences! A pizzeria was attacked because of loose talk during the campaign! When will we come to grips with reality?
18
Trump will feign outrage and say we need to find out who is responsible. Breitbart will claim it was a pro Soros/Democrat who did it as political stunt. Fox will report that and Trump will tweet it.
35
Not only has Trump failed to perform his sworn duty to "Insure the Domestic Tranquility", but he has worked feverishly every day for two years to undermine it.
Trump is an enemy of all Americans.
Impeach him.
24
VP Mike Pence tweeted early in the day condemning these attacks. The occupant's initial response was to issue a tweet himself which showed Pence's tweet and the occupant saying "I agree wholeheartedly!"
That's how much cares.
19
Mr.Trump, these are not despicable acts, they are attempted murder.This attempt scared us to death.You are not protecting the American people- you are putting us all at risk.We have long memories and remember losing JFK and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King.No American should be mocked and demeaned.We can disagree without destroying each other.Your rally rants may entertain your crowd but they set a tone of disrespect and incite the unstable to take dangerous action.
25
I remember August '16 and his "2nd amendment solution" comment about Hillary Clinton. He must aggressively prosecute the bombers or not be taken seriously.
8
Trump's incompetence and narcissism has blinded him to the effect his rabble-rousing has had on this more virulent strain of hard right conservatism.
Robert Mueller needs to release a report before the elections and leakers need to leak it.
18
He’s reached new levels of hypocrisy.
12
Some of the comments I’ve read here confirm my worst fears. No matter how the President responds to a tragedy will never be enough for some of them. He failed at Charlottesville and got fussed at as he should have. But he condemns this act and it’s just not enough. We’ll be hearing about this hypocrisy again. You can’t have it both ways folks.
9
Yeah, you know why? because we've heard it dozens of times before: an event such as this transpires, obligatory words are spoken and all is well in the republic...until a vitriolic tweetstorm the next morning vilifies the press, a detractor or a political enemy. Ever hear of the boy who cried wolf? This is a variation on that story in which the boy spews hatred and then, when someone acts on that message, becomes conciliatory for one brief news cycle until he goes right back to spreading lies, hatred and nonsense. Meh, not impressed.
5
Most comments are not about him condemning this or not but about him being culpable for this development in the first place. Relishing in violent talk and imagery to rile up your base without thinking about consequences is reckless. And then having the guts to say "We have to unify" while blaming the media ist disgusting.
His "condemnation" last just a few hours. Feel free to listen to his rally in Wisconsin.
After encouraging Americans to inflict violence upon other Americans who have different beliefs, President Trump tells us that we have to unify?
34