This author seems not to understand may of the details about his subject matter. For instance, the charges being brought against Trump. In the real world it is a misdemeanor at best with an already expired statute of limitations. Bragg is relying on a very creative interpretation of the law to make it a campaign finance charge. FYI paying off a porn star (who already lost a legal case against Trump and whose lawyer is now behind bars) to avoid embarrassment is not a campaign finance violation. A whiny little Manhattan prosecutor like Alvin Bragg does not even have the authority to go after Trump for campaign finance violations since they are federal crimes. Then again, I seriously doubt progressive New York juries give a damn about the law.
There is another major problem with the Trump prosecution. For the law to mean anything it not only has to be enforced, but the public must believe it is enforced impartially. Now factor in the unprecedented nature of trying to use the legal system to destroy the leading opposition party candidate over stupid crap by a prosecutor who literally campaigned on prosecuting said candidate. Finally, it’s not like Washington is not packed full of people who casually commit worse felonies and misdemeanors all the time simply because they are powerful enough to get away with it. If they American public ever stops believing in the legitimacy of the justice system, then the whole thing collapses as respect for its authority evaporates.
The mass shooting numbers were bumped up by grossly reinterpreting their definition under the Obama administration. That way they could include the local gangs settling their differences in the hood and scaring the American public more. You can see this in action through Mother Jones’ claiming there have been over a hundred mass shootings this year and then arguing that there have been 73 since 1983 by white people (who make up the majority on their chart). They also did this on the same day no less. So yeah… awkward. This is because extremely high levels of violence are situated in America’s large inner cities. You remove those from the equation and the statistics on American violence drop like a rock. Not just guns either. These places also have a good old-fashioned appreciation for the sharp edge and blunt force classic method of settling scores with the body count to show for it.
Finally, Robert Kaplan really? I have read more than a few articles from him in my time and they have aged about as well as week old sushi. I like McTague’s articles about the U.K. They get into many important details I do not understand as an outsider. Unfortunately, those kinds of details are just as critical when trying to understand other countries.
Furthermore the law could stretch (as it so often expands) to indicting D.A. Bragg for being an accomplice (after the event) to blackmail and certainly to covering it up.
Elsewhere I see that the blackmailer is selling ‘merchandise’, including selfies, online, All publicity is….
Furthermore the law could stretch (as it so often expands) to indicting D.A. Bragg for being an accomplice (after the event) to blackmail and certainly to covering it up.
Elsewhere I see that the blackmailer is selling ‘merchandise’, including selfies, online, All publicity is….
Get over your narrow fixation with the moronic old draft dodger. The arrest etc is so advantageous for Trump that I’m beginning to wonder if the entire thing has been orchestrated by his supporters, so spare us your knee-jerk bleating outrage.
There’s a difference between challenging an opinion and demanding someone “get over” and “spare us” with dismissive hostility. This is UnHerd, not the Daily Mail.
There’s a difference between challenging an opinion and demanding someone “get over” and “spare us” with dismissive hostility. This is UnHerd, not the Daily Mail.
You are wrong like many who suffer from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Trump did not wish this nor is this good for the American government and its people.
In fact, Trump is the crisis the American left is using a an excuse to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
We have the FBI paying private companies to censor news the FBI or CIA doesn’t like. Just to be clear, US courts have already ruled, in effect, that it’s unconstitutional for government to even suggest that private companies censor something, even if the company refuses to do it.
Norwood v. Harrison (1973) was about Mississippi supporting unconstiutional race discrimination by funding textbooks for private schools who discriminated by race. The ruling said it is an “axiomatic” principle of constitutional law that the government “may not induce, encourage or promote private persons to accomplish what it is constitutionally forbidden to accomplish.” What that means is that the Feds can’t encourage private companies to engage in censorship, because the federal government itself can’t engage in censorship.
The left’s argument is that it’s OK for the federal government to encourage private companies to censor, as long as the federal government does not directly censor things itself. Mississippi’s argument was it was OK for them to buy books for private schools that were discriminating, as long as the state wasn’t discriminating itself. Mississippi lost. So should the left, as the left’s argument is exactly the same as Mississippi’s. The only difference is that the left is arguing about the 1st Amendment instead of the 14th Amendment.
In fact, Trump is the crisis the American left is using a an excuse to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
We have the FBI paying private companies to censor news the FBI or CIA doesn’t like. Just to be clear, US courts have already ruled, in effect, that it’s unconstitutional for government to even suggest that private companies censor something, even if the company refuses to do it.
Norwood v. Harrison (1973) was about Mississippi supporting unconstiutional race discrimination by funding textbooks for private schools who discriminated by race. The ruling said it is an “axiomatic” principle of constitutional law that the government “may not induce, encourage or promote private persons to accomplish what it is constitutionally forbidden to accomplish.” What that means is that the Feds can’t encourage private companies to engage in censorship, because the federal government itself can’t engage in censorship.
The left’s argument is that it’s OK for the federal government to encourage private companies to censor, as long as the federal government does not directly censor things itself. Mississippi’s argument was it was OK for them to buy books for private schools that were discriminating, as long as the state wasn’t discriminating itself. Mississippi lost. So should the left, as the left’s argument is exactly the same as Mississippi’s. The only difference is that the left is arguing about the 1st Amendment instead of the 14th Amendment.
With the state of the electoral rolls and the overwhelming fraud in the US; I doubt that anything will make any difference to the result of the next election.
It has nothing to do with Trump, outside of him being the one persecuted. It, rather, has to do with the rule of law. Or, in this case, the lack thereof.
It also serves the Dems to be continually prosecuting him for crap that won’t possibly stand up. The truly frightening part is America is such a mess he might actually get convicted in New York. He will win on appeal of course.
You are wrong like many who suffer from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Trump did not wish this nor is this good for the American government and its people.
With the state of the electoral rolls and the overwhelming fraud in the US; I doubt that anything will make any difference to the result of the next election.
It has nothing to do with Trump, outside of him being the one persecuted. It, rather, has to do with the rule of law. Or, in this case, the lack thereof.
It also serves the Dems to be continually prosecuting him for crap that won’t possibly stand up. The truly frightening part is America is such a mess he might actually get convicted in New York. He will win on appeal of course.
Exactly. The perception of political persecution and unfairness is very real. Hillary Clinton committed many so-called crimes – keeping a server in her basement without notifying State, her destroying evidence on cell phones and computers, the grift of the Clinton Foundation, etc. but she got off without even a haired being mussed. Similarly, it’s becoming clearer that Joe Biden, his son Hunter are grifting as well- payments from China, the Ukraine and elsewhere just because they are Bidens. Hunter lied on a gun application saying he never took drugs but he’s an addict but he never got arrested. Trumps house was raided by the FBI but when classified papers were found at SiX Biden locations nothing happened. And on and on. This is not sitting well with the American public. Christopher Wray the FBI is also a grifter – used federal planes to fly to his vacation home – and he’s the one perpetrating many of these injustices. The American leadership is corrupt & stinks. The people are suffering from Biden’s high inflation, overspending, wacky support of transgenderism, weirdo political appointees (the trans who worked as a nuclear expert but who also stole suitcases at airports? – Buttigieg the McKinsey Wonder Boy who heads up Transportation but can’t managed his way out of a paper bag). There’s a lot to be concerned and angry about.
Don’t forget Clinton’s National Security Advisor Sandy Berger taking classified documents out of the national archives by stuffing them down his pants.
half of NYC Felonies arrested get sentenced – the rest downgraded to misdemeanor or just let go. These are violent criminals, and these are arrested – and it takes a lot to get arrested in NYC, not just some suspicion.
To me this idiotic phrase of this agenda writer filled me with disgust!
”On the one hand, it shows that no figure is above the law; proof, even, that America remains a great republic.”
Writer – I hope every last time you have speeded in your car, had a glass too much, what ever thing it was – Are you above the law? Or do you think all your old laws broken should be punished? Come ON – TELL US. Do you deserve that every time in your life you broke the law you deserve punishment. To make Britain a great Democracy?
Is it a requirement that you get that speeding ticket every time just as much that a rapist and violent robber gets punished? FFS….
Yes, and he was “punished” for it. Berger was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and probation and fined $50,000. He also also had to pay $6,905 for the administrative costs of his two-year probation. He also lost his security clearance and license to practice law. So why should Trump not get the same treatment?
half of NYC Felonies arrested get sentenced – the rest downgraded to misdemeanor or just let go. These are violent criminals, and these are arrested – and it takes a lot to get arrested in NYC, not just some suspicion.
To me this idiotic phrase of this agenda writer filled me with disgust!
”On the one hand, it shows that no figure is above the law; proof, even, that America remains a great republic.”
Writer – I hope every last time you have speeded in your car, had a glass too much, what ever thing it was – Are you above the law? Or do you think all your old laws broken should be punished? Come ON – TELL US. Do you deserve that every time in your life you broke the law you deserve punishment. To make Britain a great Democracy?
Is it a requirement that you get that speeding ticket every time just as much that a rapist and violent robber gets punished? FFS….
Yes, and he was “punished” for it. Berger was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and probation and fined $50,000. He also also had to pay $6,905 for the administrative costs of his two-year probation. He also lost his security clearance and license to practice law. So why should Trump not get the same treatment?
Laura Jedeed is a fake.
Talks about debate but then joins cancel culture.
“I” am louder than her & she is scared. Comments
You are banned from commenting until 100 years from now.
Post
Don’t forget Clinton’s National Security Advisor Sandy Berger taking classified documents out of the national archives by stuffing them down his pants.
Laura Jedeed is a fake.
Talks about debate but then joins cancel culture.
“I” am louder than her & she is scared. Comments
You are banned from commenting until 100 years from now.
Post
You are bang on here, yet the columnist’s larger point holds, I think. Something is clearly wrong in America. What, exactly, is it? The use of the criminal law for political purposes (which some say is the essence of the “f” word)? But it’s liberals doing that, and the essence of liberalism is that every thing is permitted. What would drive a liberal to abandon, in such an obvious way, what he cherishes most of all? Is this the answer: Science, liberalism’s main weapon, provokes the fury to destroy its own liberal reason; it cannot endure science’s victory over morality, a victory sparked by the spirited self-pity of a nonexistent self, a self reduced to zero.”
UK left has turned right, back towards the centre and the so-called right has turned left, back towards the centre. They are both wise to do so, since only centrist can achieve any sort of electoral consensus from our population.
UK left has turned right, back towards the centre and the so-called right has turned left, back towards the centre. They are both wise to do so, since only centrist can achieve any sort of electoral consensus from our population.
Britain is using the climate deception to hit us over the head and control us. We have had climate scares by the experts for about 80 years and none of them ever came to pass. First the world was going to freeze over and at some stage this changed to global warming the current deception. Many were duped in the past and we are being duped now by the so called experts. The zero carbon policy is destroying our economy and our wellbeing. In the future people will laugh at us but then they will also be facing their mass deceptions and fear mongering.
It is very sad to see how the UK, a once shining symbol of liberty, democracy, and freedom, and a bulwark against tyranny that it was in two world wars, becoming a dystopian political morass just like the USA.
Are you sure? Based on what – the science? What about Russia”s warmongering effect on post Covid energy prices? For me, it’s not that I dispute that we need to tackle humankind’s effect on climate change, but that we should have effective transitional plans which don’t hit the world’s poorest hard or provoke wars.
I entirely agree with your second sentence. Simply screaming ‘Climate Crisis’ and ‘Stop Oil’ is pointless while China builds dozens of new airports, and poorer nations try to catch up with those who have already profited from fossil fuels. We need to manage the transition to other forms of energy and simply cope with the inevitable effects of climate change. Current plans for the use of ‘renewables’ are probably pie in the sky.
I entirely agree with your second sentence. Simply screaming ‘Climate Crisis’ and ‘Stop Oil’ is pointless while China builds dozens of new airports, and poorer nations try to catch up with those who have already profited from fossil fuels. We need to manage the transition to other forms of energy and simply cope with the inevitable effects of climate change. Current plans for the use of ‘renewables’ are probably pie in the sky.
It is very sad to see how the UK, a once shining symbol of liberty, democracy, and freedom, and a bulwark against tyranny that it was in two world wars, becoming a dystopian political morass just like the USA.
Are you sure? Based on what – the science? What about Russia”s warmongering effect on post Covid energy prices? For me, it’s not that I dispute that we need to tackle humankind’s effect on climate change, but that we should have effective transitional plans which don’t hit the world’s poorest hard or provoke wars.
Britain is using the climate deception to hit us over the head and control us. We have had climate scares by the experts for about 80 years and none of them ever came to pass. First the world was going to freeze over and at some stage this changed to global warming the current deception. Many were duped in the past and we are being duped now by the so called experts. The zero carbon policy is destroying our economy and our wellbeing. In the future people will laugh at us but then they will also be facing their mass deceptions and fear mongering.
Your are right. But then no one can “be” liberal to the bitter end, because that end is nothingness. A person who says “everything is permitted” will the first person to repudiate that everything is permitted. No liberal can avoid bigotry. Liberalism is quite literally not survivable.
Your are right. But then no one can “be” liberal to the bitter end, because that end is nothingness. A person who says “everything is permitted” will the first person to repudiate that everything is permitted. No liberal can avoid bigotry. Liberalism is quite literally not survivable.
The Biden Administration’s open borders’ agenda is destroying the USA – some 5,000,000+ people have illegally entered the USA since Jan. 20, 2021, and in the last couple of months, illegal PRC immigration has increased by 900%! How many of these PRC illegal migrants are the “Manchurian Candidates” circa 2023 who will pose a potential terrorist threat to the USA in coming years? Donald Trump is being indicted because he tried to get a handle on illegal immigration, and the Deep State has tried every device, including this indictment, to stop him.
Liberalism as implemented by the Liberal Party of the 19 th century died in the 1920s. What we have is vast number of people who though have attended universities are not scholars, under achieving, effete impractical upper middle class people who are defined by their ill grace and are malicious of heart to those who have the grace they lack. Grace is a quality one rarely sees today.
The Biden Administration’s open borders’ agenda is destroying the USA – some 5,000,000+ people have illegally entered the USA since Jan. 20, 2021, and in the last couple of months, illegal PRC immigration has increased by 900%! How many of these PRC illegal migrants are the “Manchurian Candidates” circa 2023 who will pose a potential terrorist threat to the USA in coming years? Donald Trump is being indicted because he tried to get a handle on illegal immigration, and the Deep State has tried every device, including this indictment, to stop him.
Liberalism as implemented by the Liberal Party of the 19 th century died in the 1920s. What we have is vast number of people who though have attended universities are not scholars, under achieving, effete impractical upper middle class people who are defined by their ill grace and are malicious of heart to those who have the grace they lack. Grace is a quality one rarely sees today.
McTague clearly has Trump Derangement Syndrome. He ignores the particulars of this supposed crime: not a crime a la Edwards, not a felony, past statute of limitations, wrong venue, etc; while ignoring the fact there is no justice for Democrat criminals: J. Biden, H. Biden, Sussman, McCabe, Clapper, Brennen, Clinesmith.
I want Trump to disappear – this appears designed to do the opposite
“This author seems not to understand many of the details about his subject matter”
He seems to understand nothing at all.
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment”?
Has he not noticed that the dictatorial lunatic Trudeau has all but destroyed Canada in recent years?
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law”.
Has he not noticed that this is the nth time the neo-Marxist lunatics, I mean ‘Democrats’, have tried to nail Trump on the most spurious of ‘trumped up’ charges?
Has he not noticed that no one has come close to impeaching Biden for corruption in Ukraine, stealing an election, waging an insane proxy war in Ukraine and looking as though he wants nothing more than to wage another one over Taiwan? Not to mention his possible (probable?) complicity in sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline? Should I go on?
And what about any attempt at some analysis of the internal social problems the US is currently facing? Reasons for the prevalence of drugs? The far-left riots of BLM? The unequal social and economic devastation of the lockdown madness? The incessant lies from the ‘public health’ activists?
The US, like the UK, is in deep trouble because the fruits of the Long March are coming home to roost and the entire article is nothing but a series of cherry-picked statistics, completely meaningless in the absence of any intelligent commentary to accompany them, by yet another fool with TDS.
Otherwise known as empty click-bait.
Matt, thank you so much for your response – I was thinking many of the same things. In fact, this article by McTague is so far off the mark, lacking even the most basic critical understanding of the culture and countless subcultures within our vast country, (not to mention his down-right laughable framing of Canada) that I now wonder about what I have believed from him when reading of the UK. Is he using an AI to create his articles? (that was a joke, but this article is so auto-tuned and tone deaf, it feels mechanical) This article is shallow at best. His perspective on the ‘dysfunction’ in the US is tiresome and predictable and off the mark in every media-fed, trite and hyperbolic way we would expect from an outsider. If he bothered to take a deeper dive outside of the old tropes and lenses, he would discover that the “progressive left” and “extreme right” in the US manifest the same baseline problem of centralized, elitist control and domination that expects all we ‘peasants’ submit to their ‘superior’ plans for our country. Thanks to the corrupt leverage of power for political purposes by bad players like Bragg- many of we centrists will not be swinging our votes to the left for many years to come, if not permanently- no matter who the right throws into the ring. I have confidence in our PEOPLE – we are far less personally divided than the incompetent and corrupt leaders and media elites broadcast that we are. This is what outsiders like McTague don’t see and are seemingly too lazy, or indifferent to figure out. Well, as he fishbowls us – he can brace himself, because what brings us together is much more powerful than what divides us in the United States of America. I have friends on the left and the right and we are all fed up with the divisive fear-mongering that is wholesale BS to wrangle control and $$$ for the establishment elites. So – I’m back in the Trump camp because of what I will be voting AGAINST in 2024. And at a local level – I will continue to love and care for my friends and neighbors from every persuasion, position, and perspective even when we do not at all agree on any given topic. Because I am an American and that is what we, who are living under this massive mess at the top, do. One thing McTague got partially-correct, “clinging to the belief that they are not bound by fate — but the actions of individuals.” While it’s true America is far from ideal, we aren’t “clinging to the belief” like some down-trodden desperado – We The People is a constitutionally protected right over here and we will overcome, self-correct, and remain a stronghold for individual freedom, full stop. In this article, McTague comes off like a brainless disciple of the maximalist, Kaplan. What, did he read the book and just buy into the whole narrative hook, line, and sinker? McTague clearly drank the propaganda Kool-Aid served up by the media talking-heads and simply regurgitated it. Gross treacle with no substance.
Thank you for providing a good response to McTague. Mr. McTague doesn’t really understand all the issues that are currently in play in the USA. He may have a very good grasp of the UK, but his article reads like some version of the CNN pro-Democrat Party propaganda posing as “news,” i.e., “fake news.”
Sorry I missed being here for this mess of an article. A Redneck from a small town in central Alabama, after a week in London, could write a better article on the UK, than this agenda blinded hack can on USA.
Blinded by the TDS, and in fact, by reality, he writes of his biases thinking them truths.
Gang related murders in inner cities are still murders – and are just as relevant statistically as any other murders. They are purely another symptom and indication of USA’s problems. The stats are shocking to Europeans and Australians or any other western democracy with much smaller populations.
That says two worrying things to me: one, big is not necessarily beautiful, and two, that where the USA goes, our increasingly indulgent societies follow.
Yes, a statistic is still a statistic even when it measures gang related murders.
And what does this statistic tell me? At least two things. First, murders are disproportionately more likely to occur in certain spots of the city—yeah I’m looking at you North St. Louis—and that I had better stay away from them. Second, I can live essentially worry free—relative to murders at any rate—in 97% plus of the rest of the country.
So I went with the 97% because I prefer not to have to carry a gun and spend my whole day—well, night, at any rate, because most murders happen after dark—shooting first.
Yes, a statistic is still a statistic even when it measures gang related murders.
And what does this statistic tell me? At least two things. First, murders are disproportionately more likely to occur in certain spots of the city—yeah I’m looking at you North St. Louis—and that I had better stay away from them. Second, I can live essentially worry free—relative to murders at any rate—in 97% plus of the rest of the country.
So I went with the 97% because I prefer not to have to carry a gun and spend my whole day—well, night, at any rate, because most murders happen after dark—shooting first.
Oh gee, there were no school shootings in the US? No Black men killed by police? No fentanyl deaths promoted by large pharmaceutical companies? No attempts by Donald to stack the bureaucracy, the Supreme Court and to cozy to Putin?
While the points you make are perhaps technically relevant they barely make the cut. The points McTague makes remain far more valid and your protestations I suspect are falling largely on deaf ears, mine anyway.
The US is a basket case no matter how you cook the books. It is proof positive that absolute power (real or assumed) corrupts absolutely. Like big brother bully who forgot his siblings would grow up and be a match for him, not least by joining forces and/or by enlisting the services if the bully next door!
The sad thing is if the US had invested a fraction of it’s military budget in international diplomacy and cooperation.like China it wouldn’t be in the utterly screwed position it now finds itself in.
As you say, Trump is prosecuted for paying off some porn actress but Bill Clinton being accused by many women of rape or attempted rape is fake news. Never mind his association with Epstein and “Lolita express”.
Then we have Hilary Clinton use of private mail server while serving as Secretary of State.
What about source of Clinton’s wealth?
What about Biden laptop story and “10% for the big man”?
So Trump, and in uk Johnson drink parties, are main news stories but much bigger crimes and misdemeanours by illiberal left are ignored.
There is an obvious reason why crime in America is so high: black community and mass immigration of low IQ people from South America.
Europe has the same problem with mass immigration from Africa and Muslim countries.
By why to analyse real issues when you can blame Trump and Johnson.
I am no fan of Trump, however, Trump is anti globalist, anti empire. To him, America comes first, no more wars of empire by neocons that brings death and misery to millions of innocents around the globe, wars that are destroying the US economy, draining American’s wages and destroying the American dream, wars that are only benefiting and making richer the very small minority group of American oligarchy and their corrupt, spineless paid for politicians. This is why they are trying to do their very best to keep him from running. He already is the winning candidate, the overwhelming choice of the people and this is two years before the election. The American oligarchy knows if Trump gets in, the party will be over, they and their globalist agenda and their corrupt politicians will have to account for their ill gotten gains. Free Julian Assange!
Get over your narrow fixation with the moronic old draft dodger. The arrest etc is so advantageous for Trump that I’m beginning to wonder if the entire thing has been orchestrated by his supporters, so spare us your knee-jerk bleating outrage.
Exactly. The perception of political persecution and unfairness is very real. Hillary Clinton committed many so-called crimes – keeping a server in her basement without notifying State, her destroying evidence on cell phones and computers, the grift of the Clinton Foundation, etc. but she got off without even a haired being mussed. Similarly, it’s becoming clearer that Joe Biden, his son Hunter are grifting as well- payments from China, the Ukraine and elsewhere just because they are Bidens. Hunter lied on a gun application saying he never took drugs but he’s an addict but he never got arrested. Trumps house was raided by the FBI but when classified papers were found at SiX Biden locations nothing happened. And on and on. This is not sitting well with the American public. Christopher Wray the FBI is also a grifter – used federal planes to fly to his vacation home – and he’s the one perpetrating many of these injustices. The American leadership is corrupt & stinks. The people are suffering from Biden’s high inflation, overspending, wacky support of transgenderism, weirdo political appointees (the trans who worked as a nuclear expert but who also stole suitcases at airports? – Buttigieg the McKinsey Wonder Boy who heads up Transportation but can’t managed his way out of a paper bag). There’s a lot to be concerned and angry about.
You are bang on here, yet the columnist’s larger point holds, I think. Something is clearly wrong in America. What, exactly, is it? The use of the criminal law for political purposes (which some say is the essence of the “f” word)? But it’s liberals doing that, and the essence of liberalism is that every thing is permitted. What would drive a liberal to abandon, in such an obvious way, what he cherishes most of all? Is this the answer: Science, liberalism’s main weapon, provokes the fury to destroy its own liberal reason; it cannot endure science’s victory over morality, a victory sparked by the spirited self-pity of a nonexistent self, a self reduced to zero.”
McTague clearly has Trump Derangement Syndrome. He ignores the particulars of this supposed crime: not a crime a la Edwards, not a felony, past statute of limitations, wrong venue, etc; while ignoring the fact there is no justice for Democrat criminals: J. Biden, H. Biden, Sussman, McCabe, Clapper, Brennen, Clinesmith.
I want Trump to disappear – this appears designed to do the opposite
“This author seems not to understand many of the details about his subject matter”
He seems to understand nothing at all.
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment”?
Has he not noticed that the dictatorial lunatic Trudeau has all but destroyed Canada in recent years?
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law”.
Has he not noticed that this is the nth time the neo-Marxist lunatics, I mean ‘Democrats’, have tried to nail Trump on the most spurious of ‘trumped up’ charges?
Has he not noticed that no one has come close to impeaching Biden for corruption in Ukraine, stealing an election, waging an insane proxy war in Ukraine and looking as though he wants nothing more than to wage another one over Taiwan? Not to mention his possible (probable?) complicity in sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline? Should I go on?
And what about any attempt at some analysis of the internal social problems the US is currently facing? Reasons for the prevalence of drugs? The far-left riots of BLM? The unequal social and economic devastation of the lockdown madness? The incessant lies from the ‘public health’ activists?
The US, like the UK, is in deep trouble because the fruits of the Long March are coming home to roost and the entire article is nothing but a series of cherry-picked statistics, completely meaningless in the absence of any intelligent commentary to accompany them, by yet another fool with TDS.
Otherwise known as empty click-bait.
Matt, thank you so much for your response – I was thinking many of the same things. In fact, this article by McTague is so far off the mark, lacking even the most basic critical understanding of the culture and countless subcultures within our vast country, (not to mention his down-right laughable framing of Canada) that I now wonder about what I have believed from him when reading of the UK. Is he using an AI to create his articles? (that was a joke, but this article is so auto-tuned and tone deaf, it feels mechanical) This article is shallow at best. His perspective on the ‘dysfunction’ in the US is tiresome and predictable and off the mark in every media-fed, trite and hyperbolic way we would expect from an outsider. If he bothered to take a deeper dive outside of the old tropes and lenses, he would discover that the “progressive left” and “extreme right” in the US manifest the same baseline problem of centralized, elitist control and domination that expects all we ‘peasants’ submit to their ‘superior’ plans for our country. Thanks to the corrupt leverage of power for political purposes by bad players like Bragg- many of we centrists will not be swinging our votes to the left for many years to come, if not permanently- no matter who the right throws into the ring. I have confidence in our PEOPLE – we are far less personally divided than the incompetent and corrupt leaders and media elites broadcast that we are. This is what outsiders like McTague don’t see and are seemingly too lazy, or indifferent to figure out. Well, as he fishbowls us – he can brace himself, because what brings us together is much more powerful than what divides us in the United States of America. I have friends on the left and the right and we are all fed up with the divisive fear-mongering that is wholesale BS to wrangle control and $$$ for the establishment elites. So – I’m back in the Trump camp because of what I will be voting AGAINST in 2024. And at a local level – I will continue to love and care for my friends and neighbors from every persuasion, position, and perspective even when we do not at all agree on any given topic. Because I am an American and that is what we, who are living under this massive mess at the top, do. One thing McTague got partially-correct, “clinging to the belief that they are not bound by fate — but the actions of individuals.” While it’s true America is far from ideal, we aren’t “clinging to the belief” like some down-trodden desperado – We The People is a constitutionally protected right over here and we will overcome, self-correct, and remain a stronghold for individual freedom, full stop. In this article, McTague comes off like a brainless disciple of the maximalist, Kaplan. What, did he read the book and just buy into the whole narrative hook, line, and sinker? McTague clearly drank the propaganda Kool-Aid served up by the media talking-heads and simply regurgitated it. Gross treacle with no substance.
Thank you for providing a good response to McTague. Mr. McTague doesn’t really understand all the issues that are currently in play in the USA. He may have a very good grasp of the UK, but his article reads like some version of the CNN pro-Democrat Party propaganda posing as “news,” i.e., “fake news.”
Sorry I missed being here for this mess of an article. A Redneck from a small town in central Alabama, after a week in London, could write a better article on the UK, than this agenda blinded hack can on USA.
Blinded by the TDS, and in fact, by reality, he writes of his biases thinking them truths.
Gang related murders in inner cities are still murders – and are just as relevant statistically as any other murders. They are purely another symptom and indication of USA’s problems. The stats are shocking to Europeans and Australians or any other western democracy with much smaller populations.
That says two worrying things to me: one, big is not necessarily beautiful, and two, that where the USA goes, our increasingly indulgent societies follow.
Oh gee, there were no school shootings in the US? No Black men killed by police? No fentanyl deaths promoted by large pharmaceutical companies? No attempts by Donald to stack the bureaucracy, the Supreme Court and to cozy to Putin?
While the points you make are perhaps technically relevant they barely make the cut. The points McTague makes remain far more valid and your protestations I suspect are falling largely on deaf ears, mine anyway.
The US is a basket case no matter how you cook the books. It is proof positive that absolute power (real or assumed) corrupts absolutely. Like big brother bully who forgot his siblings would grow up and be a match for him, not least by joining forces and/or by enlisting the services if the bully next door!
The sad thing is if the US had invested a fraction of it’s military budget in international diplomacy and cooperation.like China it wouldn’t be in the utterly screwed position it now finds itself in.
As you say, Trump is prosecuted for paying off some porn actress but Bill Clinton being accused by many women of rape or attempted rape is fake news. Never mind his association with Epstein and “Lolita express”.
Then we have Hilary Clinton use of private mail server while serving as Secretary of State.
What about source of Clinton’s wealth?
What about Biden laptop story and “10% for the big man”?
So Trump, and in uk Johnson drink parties, are main news stories but much bigger crimes and misdemeanours by illiberal left are ignored.
There is an obvious reason why crime in America is so high: black community and mass immigration of low IQ people from South America.
Europe has the same problem with mass immigration from Africa and Muslim countries.
By why to analyse real issues when you can blame Trump and Johnson.
I am no fan of Trump, however, Trump is anti globalist, anti empire. To him, America comes first, no more wars of empire by neocons that brings death and misery to millions of innocents around the globe, wars that are destroying the US economy, draining American’s wages and destroying the American dream, wars that are only benefiting and making richer the very small minority group of American oligarchy and their corrupt, spineless paid for politicians. This is why they are trying to do their very best to keep him from running. He already is the winning candidate, the overwhelming choice of the people and this is two years before the election. The American oligarchy knows if Trump gets in, the party will be over, they and their globalist agenda and their corrupt politicians will have to account for their ill gotten gains. Free Julian Assange!
Matt Hindman
1 year ago
This author seems not to understand may of the details about his subject matter. For instance, the charges being brought against Trump. In the real world it is a misdemeanor at best with an already expired statute of limitations. Bragg is relying on a very creative interpretation of the law to make it a campaign finance charge. FYI paying off a porn star (who already lost a legal case against Trump and whose lawyer is now behind bars) to avoid embarrassment is not a campaign finance violation. A whiny little Manhattan prosecutor like Alvin Bragg does not even have the authority to go after Trump for campaign finance violations since they are federal crimes. Then again, I seriously doubt progressive New York juries give a damn about the law.
There is another major problem with the Trump prosecution. For the law to mean anything it not only has to be enforced, but the public must believe it is enforced impartially. Now factor in the unprecedented nature of trying to use the legal system to destroy the leading opposition party candidate over stupid crap by a prosecutor who literally campaigned on prosecuting said candidate. Finally, it’s not like Washington is not packed full of people who casually commit worse felonies and misdemeanors all the time simply because they are powerful enough to get away with it. If they American public ever stops believing in the legitimacy of the justice system, then the whole thing collapses as respect for its authority evaporates.
The mass shooting numbers were bumped up by grossly reinterpreting their definition under the Obama administration. That way they could include the local gangs settling their differences in the hood and scaring the American public more. You can see this in action through Mother Jones’ claiming there have been over a hundred mass shootings this year and then arguing that there have been 73 since 1983 by white people (who make up the majority on their chart). They also did this on the same day no less. So yeah… awkward. This is because extremely high levels of violence are situated in America’s large inner cities. You remove those from the equation and the statistics on American violence drop like a rock. Not just guns either. These places also have a good old-fashioned appreciation for the sharp edge and blunt force classic method of settling scores with the body count to show for it.
Finally, Robert Kaplan really? I have read more than a few articles from him in my time and they have aged about as well as week old sushi. I like McTague’s articles about the U.K. They get into many important details I do not understand as an outsider. Unfortunately, those kinds of details are just as critical when trying to understand other countries.
Last edited 1 year ago by Matt Hindman
Saul D
1 year ago
I remember growing up during the cold war, Greenham Common, nuclear bombers flying overhead, the constant feeling of threat. Then the Berlin Wall coming down created a moment of euphoria. 1991 onwards had a sense of hope as the thumb of communism was removed from the lives of millions. The Internet ushered in freedoms and connections – live anywhere, be friends with anyone, share and don’t hoard. All while the icky corporations were coming in, carving up space, but it was pretty much all still free, both in money and control. Trolls and flamewars happened, but online was a game, not to be taken too seriously.
The first sign of a turn was the Iraq War. Governments were lying to us, and we could see it and discuss it online, but we couldn’t do anything about it, except watch the armies roll into Baghdad. All that fraternity online and it turned out we could be ignored by the powers that be.
The second turn was climate change. Online discussion of the climate online was frothy and forthright. Online skeptics challenged tenured academics pushing the boundaries of public involvement in science. Then they got closed down. ‘Denier’ was the word. Science had become religious, and the believers would cast out anyone not conforming to the Word. Academia was walling itself in. A modus operandi that would repeat and repeat.
The third was the 2007/8 financial crash. Governments bailed out the big guys and corporations over the heads of voters. Opposition to ‘la casta’ built online, and new parties emerged. And in response government monitoring of online activity increased – no-one was safe, not journalists, not opposition politicians. Snowden, Assange and others had the documents, but the civil servants – the people we were supposed to control – lied to the committees and politicians, and didn’t bat an eye. They had the data and propaganda tools. They were in control now – ‘joined up government’, ‘the interagency’ – unsackable careerists. The internet – that great freedom and fraternity – in the hands of the spies had become the world’s greatest surveillance and propaganda network and they proved their capabilities with the Arab Spring.
The interagency blended into the corporations and financier bailout beneficiaries, connected politicians combined with government administration from secret services up, slowly building networks of well-placed supporters in media and academia. As the climate folk had discovered, when your academic grant and tenure rely on toeing a line, you toe that line or you get pushed out.
The reaction of people who had lost control of their government was to vote in new parties, new politicians, but the system defended itself. Leaks. Smears. Lies. Name calling like ‘populist’, ‘far-right’, ‘islamophobe’, ‘transphobe’, ‘racist’, following the climate change ‘denier’ model was used to close out and ‘other’ opposition. They would choose which laws to prosecute and which to ignore. They would choose which people to prosecute and who could go free. New laws meant you could be jailed for jokes online. Entire groups could be censored online, and chased out of jobs for wrong think. Enough clout that they could suppress news in order to control an election.
With such control and power they can ignore the homeless, the druggies, the violent cities. If you care about those things you are ‘far-left’ or ‘far-right’ or ‘racist’. They have their chorus tuned to chant the names at people they have been conditioned to hate. Even those with intellectual doubt, know they have to chant the mantras to keep their job and money safe – or face being called out by the DEI political officers.
I’d always wondered how in 1930s Germany, principled intelligent people let the country descend into hate, intolerance and murder. We are seeing how as we speak. You call other people names. You shut them up. You drive them out of jobs and make them ‘other’, and you use the tools of government and administration to spread the cancer. They claim to be anti-fascist, and yet can’t recognise how fascist they have become.
I remember growing up during the cold war, Greenham Common, nuclear bombers flying overhead, the constant feeling of threat. Then the Berlin Wall coming down created a moment of euphoria. 1991 onwards had a sense of hope as the thumb of communism was removed from the lives of millions. The Internet ushered in freedoms and connections – live anywhere, be friends with anyone, share and don’t hoard. All while the icky corporations were coming in, carving up space, but it was pretty much all still free, both in money and control. Trolls and flamewars happened, but online was a game, not to be taken too seriously.
The first sign of a turn was the Iraq War. Governments were lying to us, and we could see it and discuss it online, but we couldn’t do anything about it, except watch the armies roll into Baghdad. All that fraternity online and it turned out we could be ignored by the powers that be.
The second turn was climate change. Online discussion of the climate online was frothy and forthright. Online skeptics challenged tenured academics pushing the boundaries of public involvement in science. Then they got closed down. ‘Denier’ was the word. Science had become religious, and the believers would cast out anyone not conforming to the Word. Academia was walling itself in. A modus operandi that would repeat and repeat.
The third was the 2007/8 financial crash. Governments bailed out the big guys and corporations over the heads of voters. Opposition to ‘la casta’ built online, and new parties emerged. And in response government monitoring of online activity increased – no-one was safe, not journalists, not opposition politicians. Snowden, Assange and others had the documents, but the civil servants – the people we were supposed to control – lied to the committees and politicians, and didn’t bat an eye. They had the data and propaganda tools. They were in control now – ‘joined up government’, ‘the interagency’ – unsackable careerists. The internet – that great freedom and fraternity – in the hands of the spies had become the world’s greatest surveillance and propaganda network and they proved their capabilities with the Arab Spring.
The interagency blended into the corporations and financier bailout beneficiaries, connected politicians combined with government administration from secret services up, slowly building networks of well-placed supporters in media and academia. As the climate folk had discovered, when your academic grant and tenure rely on toeing a line, you toe that line or you get pushed out.
The reaction of people who had lost control of their government was to vote in new parties, new politicians, but the system defended itself. Leaks. Smears. Lies. Name calling like ‘populist’, ‘far-right’, ‘islamophobe’, ‘transphobe’, ‘racist’, following the climate change ‘denier’ model was used to close out and ‘other’ opposition. They would choose which laws to prosecute and which to ignore. They would choose which people to prosecute and who could go free. New laws meant you could be jailed for jokes online. Entire groups could be censored online, and chased out of jobs for wrong think. Enough clout that they could suppress news in order to control an election.
With such control and power they can ignore the homeless, the druggies, the violent cities. If you care about those things you are ‘far-left’ or ‘far-right’ or ‘racist’. They have their chorus tuned to chant the names at people they have been conditioned to hate. Even those with intellectual doubt, know they have to chant the mantras to keep their job and money safe – or face being called out by the DEI political officers.
I’d always wondered how in 1930s Germany, principled intelligent people let the country descend into hate, intolerance and murder. We are seeing how as we speak. You call other people names. You shut them up. You drive them out of jobs and make them ‘other’, and you use the tools of government and administration to spread the cancer. They claim to be anti-fascist, and yet can’t recognise how fascist they have become.
Good question. A lot of the things the author mentions like fentanyl deaths, homelessness and mass shootings have been going on long before Trump became President.
Ordinary Americans might be desperate for change. That change, according to the results of the last presidential election, is not called Trump. As for the unhinged Left, look at some (a lot) of the Repubs sitting in the House of Reps, and tell me who is unhinged.
The Establishment GOP is just the other side of the “uniparty” elites who are determined to destroy our country (USA) and our liberties in their quest for total power and absolute control.
The Establishment GOP is just the other side of the “uniparty” elites who are determined to destroy our country (USA) and our liberties in their quest for total power and absolute control.
All of them. American politics, government, media, CIA police state, military industrial complex, federal reserve, all of it is unhinged. We should leave them to it to sort their issues and give them some space.
All of them. American politics, government, media, CIA police state, military industrial complex, federal reserve, all of it is unhinged. We should leave them to it to sort their issues and give them some space.
Trump actually got quite a bit accomplished. He secured the southern border – there were far fewer migrants deaths whereas hundreds have died since Biden has taken over. Trump removed a lot of unnecessary regulations to get the economy moving again. Inflation was just 1.4% compared to Biden’s 6 to 10 percent (this is killing every household budget). Trump did not create the supply line problems of today, Biden did. Trump did not start any conflicts, but Biden jumped in Ukraine, caused a disastrous pullout of Afghanistan…..and there’s so much more Trump did that was positive as well. Read up.
By God, Sir, you would of course believe that the election was stolen! I was wondering how long it would take for 2020 election result deniers to creep out of their holes…
Did you follow the 2020 election – Biden stayed in his basement and his rallies were poor attended, so if Biden were as popular as his 81 million votes suggests why weren’t his rallies overflowing with pro-Biden supporters?
It is impossible to know whether the election was stolen or not. Remember the end result was a matter of only 30,000 votes in 3 states. But what is for sure is that there were plenty of irregularities and plenty of things that looked mighty suspicious even if they were completely innocent (like kicking out of observers in Georgia at midnight claiming a water leak, and then immediately start counting again once the observers had left, taking sack loads of votes from the under the table). What is also absolutely for sure is that the judiciary which should have heard the various cases brought dismissed them for lack of standing because they didn’t want to touch this with a barge poll. So we are left with half the country believing, not without reason, that some funny stuff was going on, and having to believe that the Department of Justice and the FBI are telling the truth when they claim that everything was above board. These are the same people who claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, etc…. and who mismanaged the Covid response completely, shutting down the economy, pushing people into bankruptcy and poverty, taking years off the future lives of children (who will be poorly educated, and therefore poorer and less healthy), etc…..
Was Trump duly elected president in 2016, according to the Constitution? If not, are you an election denier?
There’s less evidence of Russian hacking having any significant effect on the 2016 election than there is of vote fraud in 2020. The election deniers of 2016 have not been held to anything close to the same standards of evidence as those of 2020, and they should be. The Durham prosecutions proved in court that the the Russia Hoax, starting with the Alfa Bank and Steele Dossier, were fabricated lies by the Clinton Campaign. Sussmann and Danchenko were acquitted of lying to the FBI because both their lawyers successfully argued that the FBI knew they were lying.
Ignoring the debunking of the Russia Hoax is delusional. Assuming you can assert Russians hacked the 2016 election without offering any proof whatsoever insults at least half the country. We elected Trump in 2016 according to the Constitution. Stop denying it.
Did you follow the 2020 election – Biden stayed in his basement and his rallies were poor attended, so if Biden were as popular as his 81 million votes suggests why weren’t his rallies overflowing with pro-Biden supporters?
It is impossible to know whether the election was stolen or not. Remember the end result was a matter of only 30,000 votes in 3 states. But what is for sure is that there were plenty of irregularities and plenty of things that looked mighty suspicious even if they were completely innocent (like kicking out of observers in Georgia at midnight claiming a water leak, and then immediately start counting again once the observers had left, taking sack loads of votes from the under the table). What is also absolutely for sure is that the judiciary which should have heard the various cases brought dismissed them for lack of standing because they didn’t want to touch this with a barge poll. So we are left with half the country believing, not without reason, that some funny stuff was going on, and having to believe that the Department of Justice and the FBI are telling the truth when they claim that everything was above board. These are the same people who claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, etc…. and who mismanaged the Covid response completely, shutting down the economy, pushing people into bankruptcy and poverty, taking years off the future lives of children (who will be poorly educated, and therefore poorer and less healthy), etc…..
Was Trump duly elected president in 2016, according to the Constitution? If not, are you an election denier?
There’s less evidence of Russian hacking having any significant effect on the 2016 election than there is of vote fraud in 2020. The election deniers of 2016 have not been held to anything close to the same standards of evidence as those of 2020, and they should be. The Durham prosecutions proved in court that the the Russia Hoax, starting with the Alfa Bank and Steele Dossier, were fabricated lies by the Clinton Campaign. Sussmann and Danchenko were acquitted of lying to the FBI because both their lawyers successfully argued that the FBI knew they were lying.
Ignoring the debunking of the Russia Hoax is delusional. Assuming you can assert Russians hacked the 2016 election without offering any proof whatsoever insults at least half the country. We elected Trump in 2016 according to the Constitution. Stop denying it.
By God, Sir, you would of course believe that the election was stolen! I was wondering how long it would take for 2020 election result deniers to creep out of their holes…
Wrong. You should have phrased it this way: Few Republicans do. Most Repulsives don’t because they are either feeble-minded (“you know, people of the land, morons” Blazing Saddles) or sore losers.
But every high school student knows that to insult another person’s intelligence is to concede defeat. The debate is over. And yet we’ve got to the point where many reach for the insult as if it were the only option. Why do you think that is?
The issue is not what your opinion is or anybody else’s for that matter, but what are the actual facts. It doesn’t matter which side of the political divide one is on, there is no question that “funky” stuff went on with the 2020 election. Whether it was sufficient in the 3 key states to make any difference is another issue. But since nobody is willing to investigate properly we’ll never know and half the country will believe the election was stolen.
For sure it is mighty strange that somebody who couldn’t attract a crowd of more than 20 at any of the few rallies he did (and most of them were his entourage), and spent most of the election hiding in his basement, can garner the largest number of votes in history, vastly exceeding that of the superstar Obama. There is clearly some cognitive dissonance here.
But every high school student knows that to insult another person’s intelligence is to concede defeat. The debate is over. And yet we’ve got to the point where many reach for the insult as if it were the only option. Why do you think that is?
The issue is not what your opinion is or anybody else’s for that matter, but what are the actual facts. It doesn’t matter which side of the political divide one is on, there is no question that “funky” stuff went on with the 2020 election. Whether it was sufficient in the 3 key states to make any difference is another issue. But since nobody is willing to investigate properly we’ll never know and half the country will believe the election was stolen.
For sure it is mighty strange that somebody who couldn’t attract a crowd of more than 20 at any of the few rallies he did (and most of them were his entourage), and spent most of the election hiding in his basement, can garner the largest number of votes in history, vastly exceeding that of the superstar Obama. There is clearly some cognitive dissonance here.
Wrong. You should have phrased it this way: Few Republicans do. Most Repulsives don’t because they are either feeble-minded (“you know, people of the land, morons” Blazing Saddles) or sore losers.
Trump himself has no idea, still, on why he was elected. It wasn’t because of his policies, but rather that he was a wrecking ball to the clerisy that has taken over the nation, and is grinding it to ruin.
Bad wars, policies that remove jobs and industries, laws that spread violence, disregard of the laws that we do have a la the border, immigration, all of these things hurt the average person, the 70% who didn’t go to college and had falsities rammed down their throats, and they wanted to use the laws that are supposed to protect them to regain some modicum of control. But all we see is the whip effect of a slave questioning his master.
Trump resurrected the Tea Party movement calling it MAGA. The desire for effective government remains. Trump was not effective in trying to reform because of his own flaws and inexperience assisted by an army of people who hated any change to their sinecures – of both political parties. His loss in 2020 amplified by the failing winner has created even more frustration with an ineffective government. If anything, the stalemate in government has become even worse.
The handout era in the US must end facing a mountain of debt. The US exporting inflation has reached an end. But it’s productivity can be inspired by better leadership. Whether Trump or someone else, the spirit must be rekindled.
Ordinary Americans might be desperate for change. That change, according to the results of the last presidential election, is not called Trump. As for the unhinged Left, look at some (a lot) of the Repubs sitting in the House of Reps, and tell me who is unhinged.
Trump actually got quite a bit accomplished. He secured the southern border – there were far fewer migrants deaths whereas hundreds have died since Biden has taken over. Trump removed a lot of unnecessary regulations to get the economy moving again. Inflation was just 1.4% compared to Biden’s 6 to 10 percent (this is killing every household budget). Trump did not create the supply line problems of today, Biden did. Trump did not start any conflicts, but Biden jumped in Ukraine, caused a disastrous pullout of Afghanistan…..and there’s so much more Trump did that was positive as well. Read up.
Trump himself has no idea, still, on why he was elected. It wasn’t because of his policies, but rather that he was a wrecking ball to the clerisy that has taken over the nation, and is grinding it to ruin.
Bad wars, policies that remove jobs and industries, laws that spread violence, disregard of the laws that we do have a la the border, immigration, all of these things hurt the average person, the 70% who didn’t go to college and had falsities rammed down their throats, and they wanted to use the laws that are supposed to protect them to regain some modicum of control. But all we see is the whip effect of a slave questioning his master.
Trump resurrected the Tea Party movement calling it MAGA. The desire for effective government remains. Trump was not effective in trying to reform because of his own flaws and inexperience assisted by an army of people who hated any change to their sinecures – of both political parties. His loss in 2020 amplified by the failing winner has created even more frustration with an ineffective government. If anything, the stalemate in government has become even worse.
The handout era in the US must end facing a mountain of debt. The US exporting inflation has reached an end. But it’s productivity can be inspired by better leadership. Whether Trump or someone else, the spirit must be rekindled.
The author does not write that the opioid crisis in the US is another of Trump’s innumerable misdeeds… He points out it is yet another symptom of American decline.
The opioid crisis can be laid squarely at the feet of Big Pharma and milquetoast physicians who listened to them two decades ago when “Pain is the fifth vital sign” was the mantra at every CME conference one could attend. From there, the drumbeat from administrators who were absolutely starstruck by patient satisfactions scores, was to tell physicians to write for opioids as often as possible. And, well, we can see where that has led. I have spent most of my career on this roller coaster and I assure you that this was a problem while Trump was still donating to Democrats and being a TV star. To suggest our nation’s affinity to narcotics started with him in office is simply not true.
1.I never wrote the US’ affinity to narcotics started with Trump in office. 2. You’re right about Big Pharma. It’s happening again: turn the country into a nation of obese people by adding sugar to all the food, then develop and give them Ozempic. At roughly 900$/month, juicy business indeed.
1.I never wrote the US’ affinity to narcotics started with Trump in office. 2. You’re right about Big Pharma. It’s happening again: turn the country into a nation of obese people by adding sugar to all the food, then develop and give them Ozempic. At roughly 900$/month, juicy business indeed.
On parler francais ici. Tres faux intelligent! Even Montana Cowboys like me speak French. It ain’t that impressive. Manure in any language is still m*rde.
The opioid crisis can be laid squarely at the feet of Big Pharma and milquetoast physicians who listened to them two decades ago when “Pain is the fifth vital sign” was the mantra at every CME conference one could attend. From there, the drumbeat from administrators who were absolutely starstruck by patient satisfactions scores, was to tell physicians to write for opioids as often as possible. And, well, we can see where that has led. I have spent most of my career on this roller coaster and I assure you that this was a problem while Trump was still donating to Democrats and being a TV star. To suggest our nation’s affinity to narcotics started with him in office is simply not true.
On parler francais ici. Tres faux intelligent! Even Montana Cowboys like me speak French. It ain’t that impressive. Manure in any language is still m*rde.
The fact that the border with Mexico is wide open because Biden is not doing his Constitutional duty to see that immigration laws are faithfully executed seems to have escaped your notice. Similarly, the fact that the vast majority of fentanyl seems to be smuggled over the border seems to be unrecognized by both the author and you.
Recently, Democrats have found that their issues don’t sell very well. Voters aren’t thrilled to open our jails and borders, and close our schools. Voters don’t think their highest priority should be to protect pregnant men from climate change. Most voters even shokingly prefer police, no matter how excessively white, to street gangs, even if the street gangs are really, really diverse.
The fact that the border with Mexico is wide open because Biden is not doing his Constitutional duty to see that immigration laws are faithfully executed seems to have escaped your notice. Similarly, the fact that the vast majority of fentanyl seems to be smuggled over the border seems to be unrecognized by both the author and you.
Recently, Democrats have found that their issues don’t sell very well. Voters aren’t thrilled to open our jails and borders, and close our schools. Voters don’t think their highest priority should be to protect pregnant men from climate change. Most voters even shokingly prefer police, no matter how excessively white, to street gangs, even if the street gangs are really, really diverse.
Homelessness and drugs in the streets are mostly the faults of left wing Democratic politicians. Just looking at CA’s cities, where I spend lots of time, it is absolutely obvious, why this beautiful State is so mismanaged on all levels. Homelessness massivley increased under Newsom and the various left wing mayors and officials in CA. Homeless people got “invited” to spend their time here, free drugs for everybody and the cities tolerating their tents for the last 6 years. Major cities like LA and San Fran are so dangerous with drug addicts, that you don’t want to set a foot in the streets, but just drive quickly to your destination to avoid these poor staggering, drug filled human beings. Although in LA they seemed to have cleaned up some of the streets as local elections recently took place. An amazing transformation, since my last stay here and a happy new life for the local population, shop and restaurants owners.
Thousands of businesses are fleeing this State monthly as the local income taxes and red tapes are increasing, and new schemes are recently thought up by councillors in San Fran to give millions of Dollars to African Americans to compensate them for slavery.
So if a journalist wants to write an article about the decline of the U.S., he/she should just take a look at the extreme left wing Democrats, who run the big cities and States, where most of the problems and crimes are taking place.
The author does not write that the opioid crisis in the US is another of Trump’s innumerable misdeeds… He points out it is yet another symptom of American decline.
Homelessness and drugs in the streets are mostly the faults of left wing Democratic politicians. Just looking at CA’s cities, where I spend lots of time, it is absolutely obvious, why this beautiful State is so mismanaged on all levels. Homelessness massivley increased under Newsom and the various left wing mayors and officials in CA. Homeless people got “invited” to spend their time here, free drugs for everybody and the cities tolerating their tents for the last 6 years. Major cities like LA and San Fran are so dangerous with drug addicts, that you don’t want to set a foot in the streets, but just drive quickly to your destination to avoid these poor staggering, drug filled human beings. Although in LA they seemed to have cleaned up some of the streets as local elections recently took place. An amazing transformation, since my last stay here and a happy new life for the local population, shop and restaurants owners.
Thousands of businesses are fleeing this State monthly as the local income taxes and red tapes are increasing, and new schemes are recently thought up by councillors in San Fran to give millions of Dollars to African Americans to compensate them for slavery.
So if a journalist wants to write an article about the decline of the U.S., he/she should just take a look at the extreme left wing Democrats, who run the big cities and States, where most of the problems and crimes are taking place.
Exactly – most journalists (both sides of the Pond) invariably make a simple assumption: Trump.Is.Evil. I’ve yet to have explained to me why this is the case. Something of a buffoon, occasionally, yes; eccentric hand gestures, silly comb-over, whatever, sure; no doubt involved in questionable high-finance shenanigans in his day, yes; narcissistic, no doubt. But, er, how do these characteristics not apply to just about every politician of the last thirty-odd years – many of whom (including the absurdity currently in power) are guilty of far, far worse? I just don’t see the xenophobic, child-torturing war-mongerer that everone else does! I see a rather avuncular, likeable, family man who doesn’t drink, comes out with the occasional badly-worded tweet (which I quite agree puts him in a bad light but is in fact perfectly explainable). But what earnest lefties probably hate most about Trump is that he has a sense of humour!
McTague’s contention is that Trump is the “cause and symptom of US dysfuntion”. He then goes on to say precisely nothing to explain his statement. The Assumption continues. These are the references to Trump:
1. “The news that Donald Trump will be indicted for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star only adds to the mounting atmosphere of dysfunction.” Is this really what’s done the damage to the American system? For crying out loud, Clinton (him)? Clinton (her)? Nixon? Biden for God’s sake? Even Kennedy, if they’d had social media back then! It’s not difficult to name dozens guilty of far worse than hush money…
2. “Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.” Yep, fair enough, but so what?
3. “Trump’s indictment, though, plays into existing fears about the future of the Republic: of democratic norms no longer holding; taboos being broken; dangerous precedents being set; even of a late-stage imperial decline becoming entrenched.” Plays into whose “existing fears”? Yours, MrTague – yours! Name the “democratic norms” you refer to! The Democrat-favouring MMS are the ones doing such desperate damage to free speech – not Trump.
4. “After all, it doesn’t require an overly tragic mind to wonder what lessons Trump will take from this should he somehow take back the presidency.” I rather think it does, actually, Mr McTague. Feel like evidencing your views, perchance?
5. “And yet what is the grand jury in New York supposed to do if Trump has broken the law?” Well, if the trial is conducted fairly and he’s found guilty, hopefully the grand jury will just do its job! Where does this sort of gormless rhetoric get us?
6. “Trump, as ever, is both a cause and a symptom of America’s great national crisis.” There it is – don’t argue. This really is a facile and empty statement. Evidence please. As I’ve hinted before, it’s not difficult to point to far worse players than Trump.
7/8. “For Kaplan, who supported the Iraq war but came to bitterly regret his misjudgement, America then gave up any credibility to lecture the world by electing Trump. ‘Trump’s effect on our domestic politics laid bare the American system’s tenuousness,’ he writes.” So people were unhappy with the way things were going. They therefore elected someone a bit…different… who promised to shake things up. This is what politicians always say they’re going to do, and then don’t. Trump did. By the time he was outrageously forced out by the transparently rigged ‘election’ of a clownish, gibbering oaf (genuinely up to his neck in corrupt practices), Trump had fulfilled a far higher proportion of his campaign promises than any other president in history (without starting any overseas wars in doing so) and was likely on the way to fulfilling more. Mistakes, yes; offensive tweets, kind of (boo hoo); but oh boy, far more good than bad. When the present incumbent was elected, I heard the death knell good and proper. Evidence, Mr McTague – evidence!
Trump inherited a property company and expanded it in New York when much of it was run down due to poor leadership from the Democratic Party. Trump bought run down land and constructed valuable developments and made a profit. In doing so he had to develop a good rapport with blue collar workers. Trump is one of the few presidents who has actually undertaken beneficial construction. The corruption with the New York construction industry due to the mafia is immense. The mafia take $200M out of the concrete industry alone.
The practical and technical skills needed to demolish buildings, remove the material, import new materials and construct a new property in a city are immense.
I think much of the malice towards Trump from the Democrtaic Party was because he was successful when others failed in the New York property market. Also middle class left wingers utterly resent and are full of malice towards wealthy people who can earn the respect of blue collar workers when they are treated with contempt by them.
What is very revealing is that the Democratic Party is not investing in infrastructure which would benefit blue collar workers but Trump wanted to had massive plans to do so.
Trump’s experience of dealing with the New York mafia has stood him in good stead when dealing with third world politicians. After all, they have the same psychology, or at least very similar. He had Kim Jong-Il eating out of his hand. He was a brake on Putin and Xi.
Trump’s experience of dealing with the New York mafia has stood him in good stead when dealing with third world politicians. After all, they have the same psychology, or at least very similar. He had Kim Jong-Il eating out of his hand. He was a brake on Putin and Xi.
Trump inherited a property company and expanded it in New York when much of it was run down due to poor leadership from the Democratic Party. Trump bought run down land and constructed valuable developments and made a profit. In doing so he had to develop a good rapport with blue collar workers. Trump is one of the few presidents who has actually undertaken beneficial construction. The corruption with the New York construction industry due to the mafia is immense. The mafia take $200M out of the concrete industry alone.
The practical and technical skills needed to demolish buildings, remove the material, import new materials and construct a new property in a city are immense.
I think much of the malice towards Trump from the Democrtaic Party was because he was successful when others failed in the New York property market. Also middle class left wingers utterly resent and are full of malice towards wealthy people who can earn the respect of blue collar workers when they are treated with contempt by them.
What is very revealing is that the Democratic Party is not investing in infrastructure which would benefit blue collar workers but Trump wanted to had massive plans to do so.
He never did such a thing. Read his speech on Jan 6 about going forth ‘peacefully’ – the Democrats omitted that from the very political Jan 6 hearings as they did so many other details. Trump questioned the status quo of many things – he was ‘The Disrupter’ – which rattled many bureaucrats who were sitting pretty. Trump wanted to revisit the NATO pact which made sense after 70 years; Why should the USA keep defending Europe?! He questioned and changed trade rules with China, etc, etc – politician on the grift couldn’t stand it. Hence the resistance. Trump was very constructive for the American people.
Well let see there the move to politicize Twitter and Facebook that started the flowing day , then there was the concocted Russian dossier that was put in train even before he was elected and the protests on the day of his inauguration.
And you don’t think these people would rig an election
Well let see there the move to politicize Twitter and Facebook that started the flowing day , then there was the concocted Russian dossier that was put in train even before he was elected and the protests on the day of his inauguration.
And you don’t think these people would rig an election
He never did such a thing. Read his speech on Jan 6 about going forth ‘peacefully’ – the Democrats omitted that from the very political Jan 6 hearings as they did so many other details. Trump questioned the status quo of many things – he was ‘The Disrupter’ – which rattled many bureaucrats who were sitting pretty. Trump wanted to revisit the NATO pact which made sense after 70 years; Why should the USA keep defending Europe?! He questioned and changed trade rules with China, etc, etc – politician on the grift couldn’t stand it. Hence the resistance. Trump was very constructive for the American people.
He’s a symptom, like a fever attending an infection. For the Left (and to a large extent, the establishment elites of both major parties), he’s the standard bearer of that icky right wing populist movement that threatens leftist plans (and the established order). I’m not a fan of populism, either left-wing or right-wing, but it often arises when the established political order is itself dysfunctional, full of grifters, and failing in its responsibilities to the whole.
For someone who was not a professional politician he did amazingly in sorting out corruption. Alas the swamp was far deeper than anyone could have known.
For someone who was not a professional politician he did amazingly in sorting out corruption. Alas the swamp was far deeper than anyone could have known.
Trump is the left’s all purpose excuse for excess or failures.
Anything wrong with the country is Trump’s fault. Trump is 1984’s Emmanuel Goldstein on steroids. While Goldstein got only 2 minutes of hate, Trump gets close to 24×7 hours of hate on CNN and MSNBC. The indictment is just the latest excuse to talk about how bad Trump is.
To prevent Trump in 2016, the FBI pretended to believe the Steele Dossier and the Russia Hoax. The FBI alleged Carter Page was a Russian asset on 3 FISA warrant applications, without asking the CIA for their opinion. When the CIA finally said Carter Page is our asset, Clinesmith changed their response to say Page didn’t work for the CIA. All of this malfeasance was justified to prevent Trump, and to cripple him after he won.
When Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelensky about any criminal investigations of the Bidens, it was used as an excuse for impeachment. This is in spite of the fact that Joe Biden bragged in public on video that he threatened to withhold a $1 billion loan guarantee as VP, unless Ukraine fired the prosecutor investigating Burisma, the natural gas company Hunter Biden worked for. Ukraine fired the prosecutor in response to Joe’s threats, according to Joe.
I could go on about how, according to the left, government censorship is required to “save our democracy” from Trump, but you get the idea. There’s no part of the law or Constitution that won’t be sacrificed to save us from Trump.
It is difficult to hate that which one does not fear. Those who have conquered fear can walk with the wild animals.Monkey hate snakes because they fear them. Why do Democrats fear Trump?
It is difficult to hate that which one does not fear. Those who have conquered fear can walk with the wild animals.Monkey hate snakes because they fear them. Why do Democrats fear Trump?
Good question. A lot of the things the author mentions like fentanyl deaths, homelessness and mass shootings have been going on long before Trump became President.
Exactly – most journalists (both sides of the Pond) invariably make a simple assumption: Trump.Is.Evil. I’ve yet to have explained to me why this is the case. Something of a buffoon, occasionally, yes; eccentric hand gestures, silly comb-over, whatever, sure; no doubt involved in questionable high-finance shenanigans in his day, yes; narcissistic, no doubt. But, er, how do these characteristics not apply to just about every politician of the last thirty-odd years – many of whom (including the absurdity currently in power) are guilty of far, far worse? I just don’t see the xenophobic, child-torturing war-mongerer that everone else does! I see a rather avuncular, likeable, family man who doesn’t drink, comes out with the occasional badly-worded tweet (which I quite agree puts him in a bad light but is in fact perfectly explainable). But what earnest lefties probably hate most about Trump is that he has a sense of humour!
McTague’s contention is that Trump is the “cause and symptom of US dysfuntion”. He then goes on to say precisely nothing to explain his statement. The Assumption continues. These are the references to Trump:
1. “The news that Donald Trump will be indicted for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star only adds to the mounting atmosphere of dysfunction.” Is this really what’s done the damage to the American system? For crying out loud, Clinton (him)? Clinton (her)? Nixon? Biden for God’s sake? Even Kennedy, if they’d had social media back then! It’s not difficult to name dozens guilty of far worse than hush money…
2. “Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.” Yep, fair enough, but so what?
3. “Trump’s indictment, though, plays into existing fears about the future of the Republic: of democratic norms no longer holding; taboos being broken; dangerous precedents being set; even of a late-stage imperial decline becoming entrenched.” Plays into whose “existing fears”? Yours, MrTague – yours! Name the “democratic norms” you refer to! The Democrat-favouring MMS are the ones doing such desperate damage to free speech – not Trump.
4. “After all, it doesn’t require an overly tragic mind to wonder what lessons Trump will take from this should he somehow take back the presidency.” I rather think it does, actually, Mr McTague. Feel like evidencing your views, perchance?
5. “And yet what is the grand jury in New York supposed to do if Trump has broken the law?” Well, if the trial is conducted fairly and he’s found guilty, hopefully the grand jury will just do its job! Where does this sort of gormless rhetoric get us?
6. “Trump, as ever, is both a cause and a symptom of America’s great national crisis.” There it is – don’t argue. This really is a facile and empty statement. Evidence please. As I’ve hinted before, it’s not difficult to point to far worse players than Trump.
7/8. “For Kaplan, who supported the Iraq war but came to bitterly regret his misjudgement, America then gave up any credibility to lecture the world by electing Trump. ‘Trump’s effect on our domestic politics laid bare the American system’s tenuousness,’ he writes.” So people were unhappy with the way things were going. They therefore elected someone a bit…different… who promised to shake things up. This is what politicians always say they’re going to do, and then don’t. Trump did. By the time he was outrageously forced out by the transparently rigged ‘election’ of a clownish, gibbering oaf (genuinely up to his neck in corrupt practices), Trump had fulfilled a far higher proportion of his campaign promises than any other president in history (without starting any overseas wars in doing so) and was likely on the way to fulfilling more. Mistakes, yes; offensive tweets, kind of (boo hoo); but oh boy, far more good than bad. When the present incumbent was elected, I heard the death knell good and proper. Evidence, Mr McTague – evidence!
He’s a symptom, like a fever attending an infection. For the Left (and to a large extent, the establishment elites of both major parties), he’s the standard bearer of that icky right wing populist movement that threatens leftist plans (and the established order). I’m not a fan of populism, either left-wing or right-wing, but it often arises when the established political order is itself dysfunctional, full of grifters, and failing in its responsibilities to the whole.
Trump is the left’s all purpose excuse for excess or failures.
Anything wrong with the country is Trump’s fault. Trump is 1984’s Emmanuel Goldstein on steroids. While Goldstein got only 2 minutes of hate, Trump gets close to 24×7 hours of hate on CNN and MSNBC. The indictment is just the latest excuse to talk about how bad Trump is.
To prevent Trump in 2016, the FBI pretended to believe the Steele Dossier and the Russia Hoax. The FBI alleged Carter Page was a Russian asset on 3 FISA warrant applications, without asking the CIA for their opinion. When the CIA finally said Carter Page is our asset, Clinesmith changed their response to say Page didn’t work for the CIA. All of this malfeasance was justified to prevent Trump, and to cripple him after he won.
When Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelensky about any criminal investigations of the Bidens, it was used as an excuse for impeachment. This is in spite of the fact that Joe Biden bragged in public on video that he threatened to withhold a $1 billion loan guarantee as VP, unless Ukraine fired the prosecutor investigating Burisma, the natural gas company Hunter Biden worked for. Ukraine fired the prosecutor in response to Joe’s threats, according to Joe.
I could go on about how, according to the left, government censorship is required to “save our democracy” from Trump, but you get the idea. There’s no part of the law or Constitution that won’t be sacrificed to save us from Trump.
Lesley van Reenen
1 year ago
Why is Trump the ‘cause’ of US dysfunction?
Sue Ward
1 year ago
A president who jokes about ice cream and taking attractive kids upstairs on his first appearance after a trans gun woman kills 4 at a school and a White House press secretary who thinks the the real victims are the trans community are a bigger indicator of US dysfunction than Orangeman paying off a blackmailing gold digger – probably more to protect his marriage than his public persona.
After so many mass shootings in the US, maybe the time has come for more jokes about ice cream and less “thoughts and prayers”! These shootings, sadly and unbelievably, are now so run-of-the mill…
Danielle, i agree with you. The expression “thoughts and prayers” has the same meaningless cachet as “lessons will be learned”, to be uttered in order to appear on the side of “good” whilst breathing a sigh of relief and moving on swiftly.
That’s pretty much all we have since no one wants to talk about cause and motivation. More families had guns in the homes in the 60’s, yet we did not have this problem. What has changed?
That’s pretty much all we have since no one wants to talk about cause and motivation. More families had guns in the homes in the 60’s, yet we did not have this problem. What has changed?
Danielle, i agree with you. The expression “thoughts and prayers” has the same meaningless cachet as “lessons will be learned”, to be uttered in order to appear on the side of “good” whilst breathing a sigh of relief and moving on swiftly.
They are as bad as each other.. as most Americans probably believe that Superman, Yogi Bear, and Popeye, are real people why not put them up for election?… or indeed Lady Stormsworth Daniels? The American male vote would give her a landslide… just imagine what she could offer Chinese and Russian politicians in exchange with following US policy?… a no brainer ( excuse the irony)
And you complained somewhere that Unherd commenters had no sense of humour!
I never thought you were a male. But, given your formulaic comments and lack of self awareness (insulting millions of unknown people from the safety of your screen) I did wonder if you were an AI manifestation.
I was wrong. No AI creator would dial such vanity into the product.
And you complained somewhere that Unherd commenters had no sense of humour!
I never thought you were a male. But, given your formulaic comments and lack of self awareness (insulting millions of unknown people from the safety of your screen) I did wonder if you were an AI manifestation.
I was wrong. No AI creator would dial such vanity into the product.
Is the president himself a victim of the drug/opioid epidemic? Maybe that’s a contributor to his incoherence, with or without his age, and potential dementia? Just thinking out loud…
After so many mass shootings in the US, maybe the time has come for more jokes about ice cream and less “thoughts and prayers”! These shootings, sadly and unbelievably, are now so run-of-the mill…
They are as bad as each other.. as most Americans probably believe that Superman, Yogi Bear, and Popeye, are real people why not put them up for election?… or indeed Lady Stormsworth Daniels? The American male vote would give her a landslide… just imagine what she could offer Chinese and Russian politicians in exchange with following US policy?… a no brainer ( excuse the irony)
Is the president himself a victim of the drug/opioid epidemic? Maybe that’s a contributor to his incoherence, with or without his age, and potential dementia? Just thinking out loud…
Sue Ward
1 year ago
A president who jokes about ice cream and taking attractive kids upstairs on his first appearance after a trans gun woman kills 4 at a school and a White House press secretary who thinks the the real victims are the trans community are a bigger indicator of US dysfunction than Orangeman paying off a blackmailing gold digger – probably more to protect his marriage than his public persona.
CHARLES STANHOPE
1 year ago
The high murder rate of Chicago and St Louis which you mention is surely a case of “Black on Black”, to use a technical term?
It has been going on for eons and thus one must ask do “Black lives matter”? Or is thus just Woke cant?
Ssshhhh…. We can’t point out the truth in a America without being labeled a racist and cancelled. Discussing the reality of black on black inner city violence and it’s root causes is just one example of what cannot be acknowledged or spoken about if you value your career and social standing. Newspeak is here. George Orwell, please call your office.
The sad, truly pathetic truth is the political elite doesn’t actually care about crime in the inner city. They’ve never been and they never will – it all becomes nothing more than a political prop.
They always love black people until it is time to give them some real world help and by real world help I mean actual help not twitter hashtags and protecting violent criminals. Have you seen the infrastructure and schools in the inner cities? Apparently you can keep pretending to care decade after decade.
They always love black people until it is time to give them some real world help and by real world help I mean actual help not twitter hashtags and protecting violent criminals. Have you seen the infrastructure and schools in the inner cities? Apparently you can keep pretending to care decade after decade.
The sad, truly pathetic truth is the political elite doesn’t actually care about crime in the inner city. They’ve never been and they never will – it all becomes nothing more than a political prop.
Are you saying that because it’s “black-on-black” it doesn’t count? These are people (usually young men) who are dying in droves, they are part of America, American citizens, no society shouild sit idly by while young lives are wasted
For many white and black Americans, young male black lives do not matter. America is stained forever by slavery which it refuses to own up to. Racism is systemic, alive and well, producing generations of disaffected, hopeless, black youth. I feel for them.
no ” Go AND buy a dictionary”… or perhaps you should, if you wont answer?.. or maybe you actually do not know that the word has no definition, and in any case the word is ” racialism” not racism.
no ” Go AND buy a dictionary”… or perhaps you should, if you wont answer?.. or maybe you actually do not know that the word has no definition, and in any case the word is ” racialism” not racism.
Wow, a refreshing new view? how revolutionary? I love a fresh mind that does not follow the lemming internet mantra, like a blind follower of the pied piper of woke…
There are plenty of disaffected, hopeless white people out there as well, Latinos as well. Appalachia is a hell hole. We’ve got a class war going on here and race baiters are doing nothing but carrying water for the elite.
So that little thing called the US Civil War (600K dead, mostly white people) and the civil rights movement plus decades of desegregation mean nothing? Please read something other than the 1619 Project claptrap. America may continue to deal with its past but all nations do. And explain why so many nonwhite people continue to try to get into the USA if it’s such a racist sewer by your estimation.
America is the place where the streets are paved with gold in the minds of most immigrants but maybe they are thinking of a free home, free food, free education, and benefits galore. Who knows?
America is the place where the streets are paved with gold in the minds of most immigrants but maybe they are thinking of a free home, free food, free education, and benefits galore. Who knows?
Wow, a refreshing new view? how revolutionary? I love a fresh mind that does not follow the lemming internet mantra, like a blind follower of the pied piper of woke…
There are plenty of disaffected, hopeless white people out there as well, Latinos as well. Appalachia is a hell hole. We’ve got a class war going on here and race baiters are doing nothing but carrying water for the elite.
So that little thing called the US Civil War (600K dead, mostly white people) and the civil rights movement plus decades of desegregation mean nothing? Please read something other than the 1619 Project claptrap. America may continue to deal with its past but all nations do. And explain why so many nonwhite people continue to try to get into the USA if it’s such a racist sewer by your estimation.
The Democrat Party refuses to acknowledge that black inner city violence is a problem. They need blacks to vote for them – 90% do – and they don’t want to offend them. Just if you visit stay away from these areas. The same warning you’d get about the Muslim ghettos in Sweden.
What is the British equivalent then, because the readers of Unherd use it in spades when one has the the audacity to disagree with their right-wing views.
What is the British equivalent then, because the readers of Unherd use it in spades when one has the the audacity to disagree with their right-wing views.
Linda, I couldn’t agree with you more. Black lives matter. (I have adopted black children.) The problem is we cannot discuss the real reasons for the inner city collapse into violence and destruction–the disintegration of the black family. And there is a very good argument to be made that government policy has played a major role in that collapse. But in America we are simply never allowed to go there.
No, that’s too lazy an explanation akin to saying ‘the devil made me do it’. It’s also always been the go-to excuse for the US public education system in its colossal failure to properly educate African-American children. I say this as someone who has taught high school students in the US.
Can you explain as to why African and Caribbean nations prop up the league table of commercial, industrial, financial, construction output, as well as democratic government, culture, education, IT, medical and pharma output, and farming efficiency, and yet many have large mineral and mining resources?
If sytemic racism is causing the problems in inner cities, which party is responsible? In the US, almost all big cities have been run by Democrats for decades. In Chicago, Democrats have been in charge since 1931. So Democrats control the system, and any racism in the system is there because Democrats put it there.
No, that’s too lazy an explanation akin to saying ‘the devil made me do it’. It’s also always been the go-to excuse for the US public education system in its colossal failure to properly educate African-American children. I say this as someone who has taught high school students in the US.
Can you explain as to why African and Caribbean nations prop up the league table of commercial, industrial, financial, construction output, as well as democratic government, culture, education, IT, medical and pharma output, and farming efficiency, and yet many have large mineral and mining resources?
If sytemic racism is causing the problems in inner cities, which party is responsible? In the US, almost all big cities have been run by Democrats for decades. In Chicago, Democrats have been in charge since 1931. So Democrats control the system, and any racism in the system is there because Democrats put it there.
Most Catholic priests I’ve heard in urban parishes precisely “go there.” But they are invisible to those who have not eyes to see. (I don’t know what you would make of the sharp critiques of the statement “black lives matter” occasionally put forth by our priests.)
For example, I’ve never seen (non-Catholic) media coverage of any prayer walk, neighborhood clean-up, meal ministry or missionary activity in any blighted, violent neighborhood in the US.
(Of course the ideas underpinning these activities–say, the importance of sacrifice, or, to which you allude, the family as the basis for the common good–are widely ridiculed, or worse. In fact, crucial components of Christian faith in general are effectively outlawed or even criminalized in some places.)
Meanwhile every urban non-profit supposed to reduce violence–so many of which end up being scams, when not actually fronts for violent gangs–gets fawning media coverage at its inception.
America “goes there” plenty but that doesn’t constitute doing anything about the problem–and there’s no political incentive to, on either side. Those most affected by the issue have a healthy distrust of all American institutions and aren’t the rabid partisans that so many seem to think they are. They barely even vote because they don’t see the point. The same goes for residents of poor rural Appalachia and the Southern Black Belt. All of these folks checked out a long time ago, and partisans only bring up their issues as political fodder in discussions like these.
You’re not wrong. The Republican party as a whole does not care about them either or their own middle and working class white voters either. The party establishment has spent more time, effort, and money fighting the populists in their own ranks than they have Democrats. That is the main reason Trump is still popular. Most other Republican candidates are presenting themselves as a return to the neocon Bush legacy.
You’re not wrong. The Republican party as a whole does not care about them either or their own middle and working class white voters either. The party establishment has spent more time, effort, and money fighting the populists in their own ranks than they have Democrats. That is the main reason Trump is still popular. Most other Republican candidates are presenting themselves as a return to the neocon Bush legacy.
Most Catholic priests I’ve heard in urban parishes precisely “go there.” But they are invisible to those who have not eyes to see. (I don’t know what you would make of the sharp critiques of the statement “black lives matter” occasionally put forth by our priests.)
For example, I’ve never seen (non-Catholic) media coverage of any prayer walk, neighborhood clean-up, meal ministry or missionary activity in any blighted, violent neighborhood in the US.
(Of course the ideas underpinning these activities–say, the importance of sacrifice, or, to which you allude, the family as the basis for the common good–are widely ridiculed, or worse. In fact, crucial components of Christian faith in general are effectively outlawed or even criminalized in some places.)
Meanwhile every urban non-profit supposed to reduce violence–so many of which end up being scams, when not actually fronts for violent gangs–gets fawning media coverage at its inception.
America “goes there” plenty but that doesn’t constitute doing anything about the problem–and there’s no political incentive to, on either side. Those most affected by the issue have a healthy distrust of all American institutions and aren’t the rabid partisans that so many seem to think they are. They barely even vote because they don’t see the point. The same goes for residents of poor rural Appalachia and the Southern Black Belt. All of these folks checked out a long time ago, and partisans only bring up their issues as political fodder in discussions like these.
If I may speak for Mr Stanhope (something I never thought I’d do), you’re missing his use of irony here. He’s implying that for the ‘Woke’, however keen they are on supporting Black Lives Matter verbally and bemoaning the systemic racism mentioned by our current Wokist, Ms (Mlle?) Treille, they simply ignore the ugly truth.
I think you need to tune your irony/sarcasm meter. It very much matters that young black men kill other young black men in the numbers they do. Not to carry Charles’ water, but BLM is hypocritical in the extreme when it screams about George Floyd and ignores the self-inflicted carnage that has occurred and continues to occur in the black community.
For many white and black Americans, young male black lives do not matter. America is stained forever by slavery which it refuses to own up to. Racism is systemic, alive and well, producing generations of disaffected, hopeless, black youth. I feel for them.
The Democrat Party refuses to acknowledge that black inner city violence is a problem. They need blacks to vote for them – 90% do – and they don’t want to offend them. Just if you visit stay away from these areas. The same warning you’d get about the Muslim ghettos in Sweden.
Linda, I couldn’t agree with you more. Black lives matter. (I have adopted black children.) The problem is we cannot discuss the real reasons for the inner city collapse into violence and destruction–the disintegration of the black family. And there is a very good argument to be made that government policy has played a major role in that collapse. But in America we are simply never allowed to go there.
If I may speak for Mr Stanhope (something I never thought I’d do), you’re missing his use of irony here. He’s implying that for the ‘Woke’, however keen they are on supporting Black Lives Matter verbally and bemoaning the systemic racism mentioned by our current Wokist, Ms (Mlle?) Treille, they simply ignore the ugly truth.
I think you need to tune your irony/sarcasm meter. It very much matters that young black men kill other young black men in the numbers they do. Not to carry Charles’ water, but BLM is hypocritical in the extreme when it screams about George Floyd and ignores the self-inflicted carnage that has occurred and continues to occur in the black community.
That is the not-so-secret secret in looking at US murder rates. Take away the carnage that occurs in *Democrat-controlled* cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, and LA, and one would see per capita rates much closer to the rest of the OECD, I suspect. And BLM certainly doesn’t matter when it comes to rates of abortion. Planned Parenthood smiles.
Ssshhhh…. We can’t point out the truth in a America without being labeled a racist and cancelled. Discussing the reality of black on black inner city violence and it’s root causes is just one example of what cannot be acknowledged or spoken about if you value your career and social standing. Newspeak is here. George Orwell, please call your office.
Are you saying that because it’s “black-on-black” it doesn’t count? These are people (usually young men) who are dying in droves, they are part of America, American citizens, no society shouild sit idly by while young lives are wasted
That is the not-so-secret secret in looking at US murder rates. Take away the carnage that occurs in *Democrat-controlled* cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, and LA, and one would see per capita rates much closer to the rest of the OECD, I suspect. And BLM certainly doesn’t matter when it comes to rates of abortion. Planned Parenthood smiles.
CHARLES STANHOPE
1 year ago
The high murder rate of Chicago and St Louis which you mention is surely a case of “Black on Black”, to use a technical term?
It has been going on for eons and thus one must ask do “Black lives matter”? Or is thus just Woke cant?
Steven Campbell
1 year ago
Trump is not on trial alone. He is merely the representative of a huge number of Americans who are on trial every day. We are on trial for our parent’s victory in WWII and subsequent tremendous growth in wealth and power. We are being tried for Vietnam, a poorly executed bloodbath to save the world for freedom but now our greatest mistake. Despite all the rhetoric from the left about “the troops” vs the politicians, we troops were there and fought and suffered for what we were led to believe by our elites was a necessary war. This was repeated in our latest set of wars. Our soldiers were sent off to the sand to fight those who, we were told, would bring us to ruin. Although I think that might be right we are now told that our enemies were pretty benign and should be tolerated, even honored.
We are on trial for racism but my North Texas family, military, were the most egalitarian people I can imagine and I was raised the same way and have led my life the same way. I judge men and women by what they do, but today we are judged by what we say, and are well punished for it.
Trump represents an attempt by his deplorables, like myself and most of my remaining friends to stop the elites of D.C., the government functionaries who run things, although never elected, to tell us what is right and wrong, what we should believe and how we should live our lives.
Freedom is at risk. Our press,rather than calling truth to power is part of the power and goes after us rubes as the great unwashed know-nothings who need to be put in front of Grand Juries in NYC, D.C, Chicago, Los Angeles and indicted for our past sins.
Personally, I am ready to move on from Trump but these obviously frivolous and tawdry attempts of the left leave many sure that, they will next come for me, not for my deeds, but for my thoughts about everything the left proclaims as their new religion, statism and authoritarianism.
The testimony of Matt Taibbi and Michael Schnellenberger before Congress summed it up for me. These two journalists with different views were harrassed, pilloried and lectured to by venal, ignorant politicians who wouldn’t know the truth, nor care about it. It was all about the narrative. It’s all about the narrative today, not the truth in America.
The deplorable are on trial but the outcome may not be to the liking of our supposed betters.
Far better to be a Deplorable than a member of the woke clerisy. Deplorables, basically, give more than they take whereas their ‘betters’ take much and give less than nothing.
Far better to be a Deplorable than a member of the woke clerisy. Deplorables, basically, give more than they take whereas their ‘betters’ take much and give less than nothing.
At least you recognise you are deplorable led blindly by the most deplorable of the lot. For this, I commend you.
Steven Campbell
1 year ago
Trump is not on trial alone. He is merely the representative of a huge number of Americans who are on trial every day. We are on trial for our parent’s victory in WWII and subsequent tremendous growth in wealth and power. We are being tried for Vietnam, a poorly executed bloodbath to save the world for freedom but now our greatest mistake. Despite all the rhetoric from the left about “the troops” vs the politicians, we troops were there and fought and suffered for what we were led to believe by our elites was a necessary war. This was repeated in our latest set of wars. Our soldiers were sent off to the sand to fight those who, we were told, would bring us to ruin. Although I think that might be right we are now told that our enemies were pretty benign and should be tolerated, even honored.
We are on trial for racism but my North Texas family, military, were the most egalitarian people I can imagine and I was raised the same way and have led my life the same way. I judge men and women by what they do, but today we are judged by what we say, and are well punished for it.
Trump represents an attempt by his deplorables, like myself and most of my remaining friends to stop the elites of D.C., the government functionaries who run things, although never elected, to tell us what is right and wrong, what we should believe and how we should live our lives.
Freedom is at risk. Our press,rather than calling truth to power is part of the power and goes after us rubes as the great unwashed know-nothings who need to be put in front of Grand Juries in NYC, D.C, Chicago, Los Angeles and indicted for our past sins.
Personally, I am ready to move on from Trump but these obviously frivolous and tawdry attempts of the left leave many sure that, they will next come for me, not for my deeds, but for my thoughts about everything the left proclaims as their new religion, statism and authoritarianism.
The testimony of Matt Taibbi and Michael Schnellenberger before Congress summed it up for me. These two journalists with different views were harrassed, pilloried and lectured to by venal, ignorant politicians who wouldn’t know the truth, nor care about it. It was all about the narrative. It’s all about the narrative today, not the truth in America.
The deplorable are on trial but the outcome may not be to the liking of our supposed betters.
Allison Barrows
1 year ago
Mr McTague, do you actually know anything about American politics? Have you been paying attention to what’s been done to Donald Trump for seven years? Did the whole Clinton-concocted Steele Dossier/Russian Collusion thing escape your attention? Did you know this non-crime had been dismissed twice before?
”No one is above the law”? Laughable statement. This is where America is now, and it’s certainly not the fault of Donald Trump: if you’re in or support the correct party, or are a member of the right grievance group, you’re golden. You can fly to Pedophile Isle for kicks, or insider trade your way to massive wealth, or party with your buddies mask-free during a purported pandemic, or violently rampage through major cities, or murder innocent school children and be considered a victim. Laws don’t apply to you. That’s politics in America today. If you’re going to write about it, do us the courtesy of at least understanding it.
no one understands how he got out – he put up a couple million out of the $250 in the form of his parent’s house – and the $130,000,000.00 campaign contributions to the Democrats of course, but 1% of the actual amount of his bail – yet they let him out.
no one understands how he got out – he put up a couple million out of the $250 in the form of his parent’s house – and the $130,000,000.00 campaign contributions to the Democrats of course, but 1% of the actual amount of his bail – yet they let him out.
In other words, Sam Bankman-Fried. Who paid his $250 million bail after defrauding over one million clients and buying real estate in the Bahamas?
Allison Barrows
1 year ago
Mr McTague, do you actually know anything about American politics? Have you been paying attention to what’s been done to Donald Trump for seven years? Did the whole Clinton-concocted Steele Dossier/Russian Collusion thing escape your attention? Did you know this non-crime had been dismissed twice before?
”No one is above the law”? Laughable statement. This is where America is now, and it’s certainly not the fault of Donald Trump: if you’re in or support the correct party, or are a member of the right grievance group, you’re golden. You can fly to Pedophile Isle for kicks, or insider trade your way to massive wealth, or party with your buddies mask-free during a purported pandemic, or violently rampage through major cities, or murder innocent school children and be considered a victim. Laws don’t apply to you. That’s politics in America today. If you’re going to write about it, do us the courtesy of at least understanding it.
Fred Oldfield
1 year ago
Yes, Trump might have broken the law ….along with Biden, his son and countless other left wing political stooges who have lied under oath. How about prosecuting them? I have said on numerous occasions that whether you like him or loathe him, Trump’s policies while in office were good ones that served the American public well. Compare Biden and his assorted fellow lunatics….
Trump’s main problem is that he’s a bit thick. At college, he paid other people to do his exams. He’s too cretinous to be on a big stage. Of course, he’s a de facto Russian stooge (whether he even realises that is of course up for debate) who is de facto campaigning for the break-up of America (and whether he even realises that is of course up for debate also).
As someone who loves the US, I view its possible decline and break-up with foreboding (and personal sadness). It’s to me incomprehensible how, given the federal nature of the US, all the leftie crazies and all the right-wing crazies can’t organise themselves in different states and agree to differ. Learn how to cooperate at federal level and keep the show on the road.
Splitting up America is in the interests of nobody but the Chinese and Putain. But don’t think it can’t happen – it’s been on the cards for decades: https://www.newsweek.com/majority-trump-voters-want-split-nation-red-blue-halves-1634523
It’s called the Republic of Pacifica… Why indeed should rich coastal Democratic states continue funding rural states whose Republican legislatures impose right-wing, evangelical, human rights violating laws on the rest of the country?
Those “rich coastal Democratic states” aren’t going to be rich much longer if they continue following the lead of CA. And are heavily dependent on rural red states for food and energy. I suspect that a lot of red states would do quite nicely without the crazy coastal blue states imposing left ideology and culture on them.
I actually agree with you. We should live with those who share our values, work across the aisle when it’s an advantage. Not impossible but difficult. Anything to avoid violence.
Humans need basic foodstuffs which are grain, meat, basic vegetables and some fruit. People can survive without drinking wine and eating expensive nuts.Where does the water for irrigation come from? What about defence. An SAS Squadron Sergeant Major and Officer said ” A good soldier needs to be able to march long distances carrying his pack and rifle, acrosss all terrains, in all weathers and be fit to fight at the end of it “. Nowadays, they also need to be able to use advanced electronic equipment. Do Californian men provide the right stuff for producing Marines, Airborne and Special Forces which are increasing the most impportant aspect of land forces?
California could become independent but it would be like the end of the Roman Empire, some very wealthy people dependent upon foreigners to work to provide food,maintain infrastructure ( slaves ) and defence ( Goths). Could Californian men defend the country from Mexican drug gangs? The patina of civilisation is very thin as Europe found out after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and it took a thousand years to recover, from 410 AD to 1420 and Italian Renaissance.
I actually agree with you. We should live with those who share our values, work across the aisle when it’s an advantage. Not impossible but difficult. Anything to avoid violence.
Humans need basic foodstuffs which are grain, meat, basic vegetables and some fruit. People can survive without drinking wine and eating expensive nuts.Where does the water for irrigation come from? What about defence. An SAS Squadron Sergeant Major and Officer said ” A good soldier needs to be able to march long distances carrying his pack and rifle, acrosss all terrains, in all weathers and be fit to fight at the end of it “. Nowadays, they also need to be able to use advanced electronic equipment. Do Californian men provide the right stuff for producing Marines, Airborne and Special Forces which are increasing the most impportant aspect of land forces?
California could become independent but it would be like the end of the Roman Empire, some very wealthy people dependent upon foreigners to work to provide food,maintain infrastructure ( slaves ) and defence ( Goths). Could Californian men defend the country from Mexican drug gangs? The patina of civilisation is very thin as Europe found out after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and it took a thousand years to recover, from 410 AD to 1420 and Italian Renaissance.
Newsflash: The state of CA is the biggest agricultural producer in the US. It’s economy ranks No. 1 in the US, and No. 4 in the world. If I were you, I’d worry about CA choosing to turn the tap off…
Newsflash: The state of CA is the biggest agricultural producer in the US. It’s economy ranks No. 1 in the US, and No. 4 in the world. If I were you, I’d worry about CA choosing to turn the tap off…
Those “rich coastal Democratic states” aren’t going to be rich much longer if they continue following the lead of CA. And are heavily dependent on rural red states for food and energy. I suspect that a lot of red states would do quite nicely without the crazy coastal blue states imposing left ideology and culture on them.
Excluding the first paragraph I think I agree with you today Mr mcCusker. I’m not sure I love the us but I don’t hate it I’m just worried by its state of affairs. China and Russia would love it if the us tanked itself. They should bear that in mind before getting all revolutionary.
It’s called the Republic of Pacifica… Why indeed should rich coastal Democratic states continue funding rural states whose Republican legislatures impose right-wing, evangelical, human rights violating laws on the rest of the country?
Excluding the first paragraph I think I agree with you today Mr mcCusker. I’m not sure I love the us but I don’t hate it I’m just worried by its state of affairs. China and Russia would love it if the us tanked itself. They should bear that in mind before getting all revolutionary.
Trump’s main problem is that he’s a bit thick. At college, he paid other people to do his exams. He’s too cretinous to be on a big stage. Of course, he’s a de facto Russian stooge (whether he even realises that is of course up for debate) who is de facto campaigning for the break-up of America (and whether he even realises that is of course up for debate also).
As someone who loves the US, I view its possible decline and break-up with foreboding (and personal sadness). It’s to me incomprehensible how, given the federal nature of the US, all the leftie crazies and all the right-wing crazies can’t organise themselves in different states and agree to differ. Learn how to cooperate at federal level and keep the show on the road.
Splitting up America is in the interests of nobody but the Chinese and Putain. But don’t think it can’t happen – it’s been on the cards for decades: https://www.newsweek.com/majority-trump-voters-want-split-nation-red-blue-halves-1634523
Fred Oldfield
1 year ago
Yes, Trump might have broken the law ….along with Biden, his son and countless other left wing political stooges who have lied under oath. How about prosecuting them? I have said on numerous occasions that whether you like him or loathe him, Trump’s policies while in office were good ones that served the American public well. Compare Biden and his assorted fellow lunatics….
Saul D
1 year ago
The curse of well-intentioned people.
Everyone wants the world to be a better place, but on social issues, the activists who get through are those who are the most strident, single-minded and determined. Unfortunately, once they break-through, precisely those qualities are what push things too far in the other direction. They forget that ‘Enough’ is a valid state of affairs.
Saul D
1 year ago
The curse of well-intentioned people.
Everyone wants the world to be a better place, but on social issues, the activists who get through are those who are the most strident, single-minded and determined. Unfortunately, once they break-through, precisely those qualities are what push things too far in the other direction. They forget that ‘Enough’ is a valid state of affairs.
Neil Ross
1 year ago
Strange article. Trump was President for 4 years during which he was under constant attack from his opponents, but Biden, Pelosi, Bush, Clinton and Obama have nothing to do with the current state of the USA despite being in control for most of the last 30 years!
Last edited 1 year ago by Neil Ross
Neil Ross
1 year ago
Strange article. Trump was President for 4 years during which he was under constant attack from his opponents, but Biden, Pelosi, Bush, Clinton and Obama have nothing to do with the current state of the USA despite being in control for most of the last 30 years!
Last edited 1 year ago by Neil Ross
Charles Savage
1 year ago
Interesting. Virtually all today’s commentators on Tom McTague’s piece seem to think that it has to do with Donald Trump. It doesn’t. It has to do with the paradoxes within today’s America and, potentially, with the future of the USA. Read it again. Dwell on the final paragraph (omitting the third sentence if it offends you). And, well, hold your breath!
It’s annoyingly common for Comments to dwell on one aspect of a complex article, often not even a particularly relevant one, to the detriment of the wider argument.
It’s often the case this reduction of the discussion will amass the most upticks.
The sub-headline is Trump. The piece is published just as Trump is arraigned. Where do you expect peoples’ attention to go ?
You want a serious discussion don’t do clickbait like the grungier media.
It’s annoyingly common for Comments to dwell on one aspect of a complex article, often not even a particularly relevant one, to the detriment of the wider argument.
It’s often the case this reduction of the discussion will amass the most upticks.
The sub-headline is Trump. The piece is published just as Trump is arraigned. Where do you expect peoples’ attention to go ?
You want a serious discussion don’t do clickbait like the grungier media.
Charles Savage
1 year ago
Interesting. Virtually all today’s commentators on Tom McTague’s piece seem to think that it has to do with Donald Trump. It doesn’t. It has to do with the paradoxes within today’s America and, potentially, with the future of the USA. Read it again. Dwell on the final paragraph (omitting the third sentence if it offends you). And, well, hold your breath!
Sisyphus Jones
1 year ago
In America, every day some dull leftist pundit is writing a mindless, uninformative dirge about all that plagues America and they’ve been doing it for decades. Why would we import this crap? There’s a whole new genre of journalism that I like to call “Notes from the echo chamber” that should be 86ed in favor of record reviews or beef stew recipes.
Sisyphus Jones
1 year ago
In America, every day some dull leftist pundit is writing a mindless, uninformative dirge about all that plagues America and they’ve been doing it for decades. Why would we import this crap? There’s a whole new genre of journalism that I like to call “Notes from the echo chamber” that should be 86ed in favor of record reviews or beef stew recipes.
Critical Race Theorists see everything through the Lens of Racial Oppression. Critical Gender Theorists see everything through the Lens of the Patriatchal Gender Binary. Critical Trump Theorists see everything through the Lens of Orange Man Bad.
Most reasonable Progressives like McTague assert that any analysis that doesn’t partially blame Trump for the cause of say – the melting of the polar ice caps or social unrest in far away lands is unbalanced. This is understandable because most Progressives that identify as liberal are fundamentally non-confrontational and Trump’s mere existence provokes leftists into confrontation. In a holistic, Interconnected and Multicultural world view, confrontation has a Butterfly Effect.
Since polite society favors non-confrontation; only one Party is allowed to be confrontational. In this environment Herbert Marcuse’s Repressive Tolerance is a precondition for keeping the peace by suppressing one side and liberating the other to do anything it wants. If everyone conforms to this standard, the path to Utopia is in sight.
Some Aspect of Orange Man as a Causative Factor has to present in any Polite non-confrontational Liberal Analysis.
T Bone
1 year ago
Critical Race Theorists see everything through the Lens of Racial Oppression. Critical Gender Theorists see everything through the Lens of the Patriatchal Gender Binary. Critical Trump Theorists see everything through the Lens of Orange Man Bad.
Most reasonable Progressives like McTague assert that any analysis that doesn’t partially blame Trump for the cause of say – the melting of the polar ice caps or social unrest in far away lands is unbalanced. This is understandable because most Progressives that identify as liberal are fundamentally non-confrontational and Trump’s mere existence provokes leftists into confrontation. In a holistic, Interconnected and Multicultural world view, confrontation has a Butterfly Effect.
Since polite society favors non-confrontation; only one Party is allowed to be confrontational. In this environment Herbert Marcuse’s Repressive Tolerance is a precondition for keeping the peace by suppressing one side and liberating the other to do anything it wants. If everyone conforms to this standard, the path to Utopia is in sight.
Some Aspect of Orange Man as a Causative Factor has to present in any Polite non-confrontational Liberal Analysis.
Tony Conrad
1 year ago
We can all see the decline of America. I see it in the movies personally. Disney trangender and gay cartoons. Who would have thought it? America the porn capital of the world pushing out their corruption. Actually Britain is not far behind. LGBT and transgender and sexual corruption as part of lessons for our children. Woke government not doing much to deal with it. Judges watching porn in the trial breaks. We are all watching the breakdown of democracy and the rise in crime while the police are nowhere to be seen. Cancellation culture thriving in our midst. One could go on and on so when we look at America remember it is far more closer to home as well.
…Tory MPs watching porn on their smartphones in the Mother of Parliaments…
Tony Conrad
1 year ago
We can all see the decline of America. I see it in the movies personally. Disney trangender and gay cartoons. Who would have thought it? America the porn capital of the world pushing out their corruption. Actually Britain is not far behind. LGBT and transgender and sexual corruption as part of lessons for our children. Woke government not doing much to deal with it. Judges watching porn in the trial breaks. We are all watching the breakdown of democracy and the rise in crime while the police are nowhere to be seen. Cancellation culture thriving in our midst. One could go on and on so when we look at America remember it is far more closer to home as well.
james elliott
1 year ago
All Trump’s fault, hmm?
Has the writer failed to notice the trainwreck that is the Biden Administration?
Possibly, but 3.45 million American Muslims might have other ideas.
LCarey Rowland
1 year ago
Americans should turn to Jesus. This American did, in 1977, and has never regretted the salvatory effects.
Paul Hendricks
1 year ago
“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” one of Hemingway’s masterpieces, is presumably set in Spain during the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera, a rather interesting time in Spanish history in which Catholic policies prevailed, alongside modernization and economic expansion.
Tom McTague is more certain than I am that Hemingway’s old drunk “is rich.” The waiters say he is–but how do they know?
And McTague supposes that America must once have been like Hemingway’s “clean, well-lighted place,” but, this can hardly be so. For one thing, almost nobody apparently frequents this place, which this author supposes is some sort of haven (despite the fact that the young waiter is quite rude, even joking that it would better if the old drunk had succeeded in killing himself; and that lack of social cohesion is visible from within, in the form of a soldier, employed in the military dictatorship, walking with a prostitute, illegal in the heavily Catholic state.) Whereas America is perhaps quite popular and loud, “designed” in many ways for commerce and industry, and welcomes its arrivals (newly adult native citizens and immigrants alike) by putting them to work. Surely America is more like the noisy bar the older waiter visits after capitulating to the young waiter’s demand to throw out the old drunk and close up; at this bar, the older waiter is incomprehensible until he orders something. Otherwise no one is interested in him.
Hemingway, whatever the nature of his faith, obviously knew his King James Bible and alludes to it throughout his ouvre. So it is impossible for me to overlook the Christian aspect of this story. I would say in America we are moving beyond the older waiter’s version of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our nada who art in nada. . .” This older waiter has feeling for his fellow man; yet faith does not help him solve his loneliness, depression and insomnia.
He sees around him the soldier going off with the prostitute; the young waiter who has a family yet does not experience in this state increased sympathy for the lonely men around him; the reality that economic expansion does not alone cure social ills such as loneliness.
Now, in America, the young waiter would perhaps be praised for his practical good sense in getting home early, viewing his work as just that, a paycheck (if, that is, different generations even work together still, let alone engage in honest conversation). He must look out for himself. And anyway, money will solve everything. And if the guard catches you with a prostitute, “what does it matter if you get what [you’re] after.” Consequences are not viewed in terms of their effects on the common good, but rather trifling inconveniences.
The old drunk is tolerated to a degree that is by no means the norm in an America where, broadly speaking, so many people are treated as products, inferior versions of machines, or else inconveniences–witness the frequency of abortion, opiate addiction and assisted suicide; or the cruel lockdowns and school closures for that matter. (Though in many places I do find that America maintains its reputation for welcoming, open-hearted community; it’s just that this is not the elite or state prerogative.)
Our version of the older waiter today will have no knowledge of the Lord’s Prayer, or even of literature. (Presently, as I dash this comment off on my phone, I am surprised that McTeague’s analysis, even if used rather crudely in order to lend literary flair to an opinion piece, makes no mention of Christianity; nor does it consider basic details of the story that I have mentioned, which might alter his conclusions; finally, that it is rendered in the past tense, when literary convention dictates that discussion of a work of fiction’s events take place in the present tense.
Our older waiter today will perhaps lose his job when his sympathies interfere with his productivity; perhaps he will commit suicide or overdose on opiates, without even trying faith’s remedy, however “empty” it may seem. We are now in just the “nada,” in many ways.
(This is not to overlook the deep currents of faith still active, if in need of defense, in America today.)
Paul Hendricks
1 year ago
“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” one of Hemingway’s masterpieces, is presumably set in Spain during the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera, a rather interesting time in Spanish history in which Catholic policies prevailed, alongside modernization and economic expansion.
Tom McTague is more certain than I am that Hemingway’s old drunk “is rich.” The waiters say he is–but how do they know?
And McTague supposes that America must once have been like Hemingway’s “clean, well-lighted place,” but, this can hardly be so. For one thing, almost nobody apparently frequents this place, which this author supposes is some sort of haven (despite the fact that the young waiter is quite rude, even joking that it would better if the old drunk had succeeded in killing himself; and that lack of social cohesion is visible from within, in the form of a soldier, employed in the military dictatorship, walking with a prostitute, illegal in the heavily Catholic state.) Whereas America is perhaps quite popular and loud, “designed” in many ways for commerce and industry, and welcomes its arrivals (newly adult native citizens and immigrants alike) by putting them to work. Surely America is more like the noisy bar the older waiter visits after capitulating to the young waiter’s demand to throw out the old drunk and close up; at this bar, the older waiter is incomprehensible until he orders something. Otherwise no one is interested in him.
Hemingway, whatever the nature of his faith, obviously knew his King James Bible and alludes to it throughout his ouvre. So it is impossible for me to overlook the Christian aspect of this story. I would say in America we are moving beyond the older waiter’s version of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our nada who art in nada. . .” This older waiter has feeling for his fellow man; yet faith does not help him solve his loneliness, depression and insomnia.
He sees around him the soldier going off with the prostitute; the young waiter who has a family yet does not experience in this state increased sympathy for the lonely men around him; the reality that economic expansion does not alone cure social ills such as loneliness.
Now, in America, the young waiter would perhaps be praised for his practical good sense in getting home early, viewing his work as just that, a paycheck (if, that is, different generations even work together still, let alone engage in honest conversation). He must look out for himself. And anyway, money will solve everything. And if the guard catches you with a prostitute, “what does it matter if you get what [you’re] after.” Consequences are not viewed in terms of their effects on the common good, but rather trifling inconveniences.
The old drunk is tolerated to a degree that is by no means the norm in an America where, broadly speaking, so many people are treated as products, inferior versions of machines, or else inconveniences–witness the frequency of abortion, opiate addiction and assisted suicide; or the cruel lockdowns and school closures for that matter. (Though in many places I do find that America maintains its reputation for welcoming, open-hearted community; it’s just that this is not the elite or state prerogative.)
Our version of the older waiter today will have no knowledge of the Lord’s Prayer, or even of literature. (Presently, as I dash this comment off on my phone, I am surprised that McTeague’s analysis, even if used rather crudely in order to lend literary flair to an opinion piece, makes no mention of Christianity; nor does it consider basic details of the story that I have mentioned, which might alter his conclusions; finally, that it is rendered in the past tense, when literary convention dictates that discussion of a work of fiction’s events take place in the present tense.
Our older waiter today will perhaps lose his job when his sympathies interfere with his productivity; perhaps he will commit suicide or overdose on opiates, without even trying faith’s remedy, however “empty” it may seem. We are now in just the “nada,” in many ways.
(This is not to overlook the deep currents of faith still active, if in need of defense, in America today.)
Miriam Cotton
1 year ago
A somewhat superficial take on the world. The US has provoked a war with Russia. It ‘protects’ nothing but its own interests and is prepared to destroy other peaceful countries to that end. That’s the horrible truth in its heart and soul. Its wealth is concentrated in vanishingly few hands and it has abandoned all pretence at protecting the majority of its own citizens from the avarice of its elite capitalist class. It menaces other countries into adooting the same approach. It blew up Nordstream to ensure European dependence on its all and gas reserves. An act of war – not just against Russia but against its craven Eurooean ‘allies’. It bombs, invades, destroys and steals where China buys, bribes and builds. It has never reckoned with its own violent imperialism nor the enmity it so casually creates among what it regards as lesser peoples – every other nation on earth.
Last edited 1 year ago by Miriam Cotton
Miriam Cotton
1 year ago
A somewhat superficial take on the world. The US has provoked a war with Russia. It ‘protects’ nothing but its own interests and is prepared to destroy other peaceful countries to that end. That’s the horrible truth in its heart and soul. Its wealth is concentrated in vanishingly few hands and it has abandoned all pretence at protecting the majority of its own citizens from the avarice of its elite capitalist class. It menaces other countries into adooting the same approach. It blew up Nordstream to ensure European dependence on its all and gas reserves. An act of war – not just against Russia but against its craven Eurooean ‘allies’. It bombs, invades, destroys and steals where China buys, bribes and builds. It has never reckoned with its own violent imperialism nor the enmity it so casually creates among what it regards as lesser peoples – every other nation on earth.
Last edited 1 year ago by Miriam Cotton
si mclardy
1 year ago
I don’t like Trump, But I fail to see how Trump destroyed our place in the world? Surely Bush killing millions of Innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan had something to do with that? How about Obama’s drone program that had a 90% innocent murder rate? or the accidental torture? If it makes you feel better you can blame Trump, But what I believe will destroy America is when a majority of it’s citizens despise the leadership and no longer support it’s efforts. one small anecdote, there was a time when I pictured myself joining the military, that never happened, thank God, and I will use all my persuasive powers to ensure none of my 5 children get that crazy idea into their heads.Things have changed but this article somehow misses the essence
Get them to renounce their US citizenship and move out.
si mclardy
1 year ago
I don’t like Trump, But I fail to see how Trump destroyed our place in the world? Surely Bush killing millions of Innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan had something to do with that? How about Obama’s drone program that had a 90% innocent murder rate? or the accidental torture? If it makes you feel better you can blame Trump, But what I believe will destroy America is when a majority of it’s citizens despise the leadership and no longer support it’s efforts. one small anecdote, there was a time when I pictured myself joining the military, that never happened, thank God, and I will use all my persuasive powers to ensure none of my 5 children get that crazy idea into their heads.Things have changed but this article somehow misses the essence
Daniel P
1 year ago
I think the author misunderstands the issue around prosecuting Trump the way that they are.
It is less an issue of him being prosecuted. Nobody thinks that a former president that commits fraud or murder should not be prosecuted.
What has people upset is the WAY this has been done and who is doing it.
You have a highly progressive, Soros supported, DA who made a political commitment while running for office to prosecute Trump. Then, that DA takes two crimes that both the feds and the former Manhatten DA chose not to prosecute, links them through a quirk of NY law, converts a misdemeanor into a felony and circumvents the statute of limiations in order to find a way to get his man. Then, he can do this because he knows that the judges and the juries in Manhatten will convict Trump just for the satisfaction of it despite the law and the facts. This is the bluest of blue, most progressive cities in the country taking its shot at vengeance.
That is upsetting enough.
Now consider what that means. It means that almost any DA of any party in any state has the potential to go after any candidate or any former president at almost any time if they are willing to get creative. This is opening Pandora’s box.
What is also upsetting is the sense that the democrats are doing this in part to assure that Trump wins the republican nomination. They want republicans to rally to Trump so that someone like DeSantis or Youngkin cannot win the nomination because we all know that either of those two would decimate Biden and Biden is unquestionably going to run again.
So yes, we are fearful that our legal system and our federal law enforcement agencies are being weaponized and politicized to favor one party.
Daniel P
1 year ago
I think the author misunderstands the issue around prosecuting Trump the way that they are.
It is less an issue of him being prosecuted. Nobody thinks that a former president that commits fraud or murder should not be prosecuted.
What has people upset is the WAY this has been done and who is doing it.
You have a highly progressive, Soros supported, DA who made a political commitment while running for office to prosecute Trump. Then, that DA takes two crimes that both the feds and the former Manhatten DA chose not to prosecute, links them through a quirk of NY law, converts a misdemeanor into a felony and circumvents the statute of limiations in order to find a way to get his man. Then, he can do this because he knows that the judges and the juries in Manhatten will convict Trump just for the satisfaction of it despite the law and the facts. This is the bluest of blue, most progressive cities in the country taking its shot at vengeance.
That is upsetting enough.
Now consider what that means. It means that almost any DA of any party in any state has the potential to go after any candidate or any former president at almost any time if they are willing to get creative. This is opening Pandora’s box.
What is also upsetting is the sense that the democrats are doing this in part to assure that Trump wins the republican nomination. They want republicans to rally to Trump so that someone like DeSantis or Youngkin cannot win the nomination because we all know that either of those two would decimate Biden and Biden is unquestionably going to run again.
So yes, we are fearful that our legal system and our federal law enforcement agencies are being weaponized and politicized to favor one party.
Cho Jinn
1 year ago
An utter farce, legally and otherwise, the whole matter. The case is DOA, even with a ghoulish NY jury, but it’s all beside the point which is to corrode the United States generally. Ukraine? COVID? The southern border? Bank failures? Opioid epidemic? Old news?
Cho Jinn
1 year ago
An utter farce, legally and otherwise, the whole matter. The case is DOA, even with a ghoulish NY jury, but it’s all beside the point which is to corrode the United States generally. Ukraine? COVID? The southern border? Bank failures? Opioid epidemic? Old news?
Sandra Pinches
1 year ago
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment, but America is the party raging underneath.”
Unfortunately, Canada is suffering under an authoritarian regime for which woke cultist Justin Trudeau is the poster child.
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.”
Actually, the majority of voters in the city and the state of New York have repeatedly indicated that they support violent criminals and do not want them to be prosecuted. It is very odd that they would support prosecution for a minor non-violent crime that literally amounted to a private affair.
Apart from this, I think the author did a very good job describing how the fall of the Empire is experienced from the outside.
Sandra Pinches
1 year ago
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment, but America is the party raging underneath.”
Unfortunately, Canada is suffering under an authoritarian regime for which woke cultist Justin Trudeau is the poster child.
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.”
Actually, the majority of voters in the city and the state of New York have repeatedly indicated that they support violent criminals and do not want them to be prosecuted. It is very odd that they would support prosecution for a minor non-violent crime that literally amounted to a private affair.
Apart from this, I think the author did a very good job describing how the fall of the Empire is experienced from the outside.
Reginald Duquesnoy
1 year ago
A slightly warped perception of reality…this yankee stuff is highly contagious. Suus cuisque crepitus bene olet.
Or “Stercus cuique suum bene olet” (Michel de Montaigne)
Reginald Duquesnoy
1 year ago
A slightly warped perception of reality…this yankee stuff is highly contagious. Suus cuisque crepitus bene olet.
Charles Hedges
1 year ago
Jack Kennedy’s Inaugerations Speech Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 | JFK Library
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
Dr Mrtin Luther King said ” judge me on my character “.
Once a society’s only criteria for status is wealth no matter how obtained; the wealthy are not prepared to die for the country and abled bodied people in a free country do not make full use of the education on offer and have no shame in spending their lives on welfare; the spirit which founded the nation has declined; the the body politic has become rotten.
Charles Hedges
1 year ago
Jack Kennedy’s Inaugerations Speech Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 | JFK Library
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
Dr Mrtin Luther King said ” judge me on my character “.
Once a society’s only criteria for status is wealth no matter how obtained; the wealthy are not prepared to die for the country and abled bodied people in a free country do not make full use of the education on offer and have no shame in spending their lives on welfare; the spirit which founded the nation has declined; the the body politic has become rotten.
Bernard Hill
1 year ago
It’s Moloch’s work you know, this out of control, essentially fascist imperium. No use blaming individuals, or political groupings. And AI is just going to seal the deal.
Bernard Hill
1 year ago
It’s Moloch’s work you know, this out of control, essentially fascist imperium. No use blaming individuals, or political groupings. And AI is just going to seal the deal.
R Wright
1 year ago
Not a single mention of racial division in this essay. Utterly worthless.
R Wright
1 year ago
Not a single mention of racial division in this essay. Utterly worthless.
Walter Schwager
1 year ago
Discussants should be limited to three posts each. Too many repeats by a few people. Repeating an argument doesn’t strengthen it.
Walter Schwager
1 year ago
Discussants should be limited to three posts each. Too many repeats by a few people. Repeating an argument doesn’t strengthen it.
Ray Zacek
1 year ago
Well, actually, if you are going to use a Hemingway comparison, Che Ti DIce La Patria might be better.
Andrei Murgescu
1 year ago
First, of all, this is my first comment and please let me say how glad I am Unherd exists. In the past three years, it has been one of my primary sources of investigations and reports. This publication has the flavor of old journalism done right.
That said I wasn’t expecting to read such an article here. Not only does the author seem to not grasp political and historical reality, but the article itself looks like something penned by a high-schooler. In short, slapping a Hemingway reference on a piece of writing does not elevate that writing to good or even proper journalism.
On to my critique now:
The author seems perplexed that America is in turmoil not noticing that, indeed, the entire world is in turmoil. Some hide it better or pretend everything is fine (insert appropriate meme).
The absence of turmoil does not always equate with a “well-lighted place” but often it points to dirt being swept under the rug. This reminds me of an example from my home country, Romania when the former communist leader Ion Iliescu turned “democratic-socialist”. After manipulating the miners from the poor mining regions to come and beat up dissidents he insisted that “we must have tranquility”. Obviously, that tranquility was meant to not stir up matters related to the corruption of his regime.
This is what happens now in most countries and to give Canada, of all places, an example of a “well-lighted place” is indicative of either utter ignorance or sheer bad faith, considering the endless abuses visited by the Canadian federal government on the Canadian people.
On the other hand America, the American way, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been under assault for well over a century now. One of the reasons the American Republic is still around though is the stupendous political system imagined by the Founding Fathers and, perhaps more importantly, this American habit that seems to irk politicians and their minions of not taking any abuse lying down.
This is why, dear author, you get turmoil in America. Because Americans have been taught for generations to not abide abuse or to abide it less than their European counterparts. The seeds of this turmoil have been sown by decades of Marxist infiltration and indoctrination at the expense of tax-payers. It’s funny how you see Trump as a cause and you fail to see the destructive effects of the likes of FDR, LBJ, and the myriad of corrupt individuals who sought (and still seek) to destroy the greatest project in liberty in the history of humankind.
Everyone knows that Trump’s indictment is nothing short of political persecution in what is an unprecedented abuse in American history. The truth is evident for anyone to see. From Alvin Braggs’s ties to Soros to the stacking of counts in the hope that one of them will stick, from the DOJ’s passing on the case to issues concerning statutes of limitations, everything points not to Trump being a “cause” for turmoil but to yet another kangaroo court in defiance of the rule of law and democracy.
Last edited 1 year ago by Andrei Murgescu
Charles Hedges
1 year ago
The decline in the USA is due to the decline in spirit. The USA has benefitted from the following, The English language( developed by William Tyndall and made great by Shakespeare and KIng James Bible ) which is simple to learn and flexible; the Common Law, Representative Government, cheap land, cheap food, cheap clothes, cheap industrial raw materials , being able to use technology developed in Britain during Industial Revolution for example railways; the science developed by Newton, Hooke, Faraday , Clerke Maxwell, etc , the investment of the profits of Britain’s Industrial Revolution in post Civil War development; two world wars where vast funds were moved into the USA; vast brain drain into the country post WW2 (von Braun of NASA being an example), computing ( Turing et al ).
If necessity is the mother of invention the USA has had the good fortune to be able to buy in inventions developed elsewhere and enlarge and adapt them. However there is the problem. The spirit is not developed. Spirit is developed where perseverence is needed to overcome problems, when it is tempered and then tested by adversity. Spirit creates imagination, initiative , ingenuity which are the creative forces of Michelangelo and those of the Italian, largely Florentine Renaissance; Shakespeare, Newton, Mozart and long line of German speaking composers; The George and Robert Stephenson of the British Industrial Revolution and the massive burst of cultural creativity in France from 1870 to 1914. The USA is the wealthiest country in the World with a population of 330M; where is the Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Newton, Mozart, James Watt, George Stephenson, Monet? Florence with a population of about 80,000 had Raphael, da Vinci and Michelangelo working ther in about 1500 .
The weakness of the USA was that it did not need much perseverance and spirit to produce a materially comfortable and safe life.
What of the USA today? Booker T Washington, Jack Kennedy and Martin Luther King all spoke about education, entrepreneurship, duty to country, character; all aspects of spirit.
Yet what does the USA worship now ? Material success,comfort, security, size and strength. It has gone from producing the brilliance of jazz and the likes of Duke Ellington: Motown and the refined elegance of Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick to the coarse crudities of rap. The swear words of the USA have become more coarse, crude and vulgar and it would appear that that the more obscene the words, the tougher people consider themselves to be.
I would like people to listen to the words of Royal Marine Commandos of the Arctic and Mountaineering Warfare Cadre, some of the toughest men in NATO yet polite,thoughtful, well spoken. Royal Marines: Behind the Lines: Episode 7 – The End is Where We Start From – YouTube
Arnold Toynbee said civilisation occur, such as Sumer or Egypt where people come together and through creative works, overcome challenges. They end when the creative spirit runs out.
The USA is like someone who inherits a company and has little to do to enlarge it during the boom times. The question is whether that person has the spirit to keep the company going during a depression ?
Kat L
1 year ago
What no one ever seems to acknowledge is that we did have social cohesion back in the day and we were very successful. Immigrants came and had to assimilate. We had cultural traditions, values, and religion. We’ve grown too big and I haven’t seen any proof that multiculturalism is a strength. Once gay marriage was affirmed then everything was going to have to be affirmed. This is the end result.
TheElephant InTheRoom
1 year ago
The author has failed to highlight the root causes of all the symptoms he mentions – systemic government corruption, the unelected permanent administrative state, compromised leaders at every level in every sector of public and private institutions, speculative hyper-capitalism and naked corporate greed.
stephen archer
1 year ago
If anyone reads this far down the comments, then I’ll soon be at the very bottom accumulating downticks. For the last few months I’ve been despairing over the mentality of the Russian population. There is no hope for those deranged and brainwashed souls but they can’t be blamed for being subjected to incessant propaganda, lies and brainwashing. I had hoped our brothers and sisters across the pond were of a different nature but when I read the comments and see there is massive support for a sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm then I’d put the ca. 50% of US voters a bit below their Russian equivalents in terms of positive mentality. And this in a democratic society with reasonable balance between right and left.
“A sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm”. Although it is an accurate description, I think we should keep comments about the Clintons civil.
Yes, probably correct but Trump is the focus for this article and comments. By cheat I had his favourite pastime in mind and it wasn’t letchering. His achievements both on and off the course are legend. The alternative which is Biden is just as worthy of despair for the US voters for other obvious reasons. With a population of some 300 miljon is this the best you can do?
Yes, probably correct but Trump is the focus for this article and comments. By cheat I had his favourite pastime in mind and it wasn’t letchering. His achievements both on and off the course are legend. The alternative which is Biden is just as worthy of despair for the US voters for other obvious reasons. With a population of some 300 miljon is this the best you can do?
I loathe Trump with every atom of my being. But I’ve settled on the view that he is symptom more than cause and I’m angrier about the way Capital (The Held Wealth Organisation) has inexorably tightened its hands around our throats. That’s what’s going on and it suits their plan that we fight among ourselves. They are the real enemy.
“A sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm”. Although it is an accurate description, I think we should keep comments about the Clintons civil.
I loathe Trump with every atom of my being. But I’ve settled on the view that he is symptom more than cause and I’m angrier about the way Capital (The Held Wealth Organisation) has inexorably tightened its hands around our throats. That’s what’s going on and it suits their plan that we fight among ourselves. They are the real enemy.
You are an msnbc viewer and/or npr listener. No one could write that and be anything other.
stephen archer
1 year ago
If anyone reads this far down the comments, then I’ll soon be at the very bottom accumulating downticks. For the last few months I’ve been despairing over the mentality of the Russian population. There is no hope for those deranged and brainwashed souls but they can’t be blamed for being subjected to incessant propaganda, lies and brainwashing. I had hoped our brothers and sisters across the pond were of a different nature but when I read the comments and see there is massive support for a sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm then I’d put the ca. 50% of US voters a bit below their Russian equivalents in terms of positive mentality. And this in a democratic society with reasonable balance between right and left.
Just read re the Republican/Conservative outrage at Trump’s indictment: “… a whole load of Americans telling us how sacred the American constitution is, how unprecedented this kind of outrage is, as if they are all somehow living in a sober, upstanding, faultless, do-gooding utopia, when they have, in fact, the most arse-out, tits-obsessed, crime-ridden history of any nation.” QED
Danielle Treille
1 year ago
Just read re the Republican/Conservative outrage at Trump’s indictment: “… a whole load of Americans telling us how sacred the American constitution is, how unprecedented this kind of outrage is, as if they are all somehow living in a sober, upstanding, faultless, do-gooding utopia, when they have, in fact, the most arse-out, tits-obsessed, crime-ridden history of any nation.” QED
Walter Schwager
1 year ago
The USA has never been an unblemished Great Nation: slavery, racism, imperialism, foreign wars, gun violence, fuzz extreme poverty, contradictions (the best museums paid for by ill-begotten gains of rampant robbery capitalism), and so on. We have all been hoodwinked by PR coming out of Hollywood and other media. Even the current political corruption of the GOP is quite the same as that of the Southern Democrats. Democratic advances that occur without much fuss (medicare, social security, etc) are hailed here as heroic victoried. So there is no decline of the American empire: plus ça change, plus ça reste le même.
Thank you for the history lesson Old Communist Professor. Please alert me when the Dialectical officially resolves all of the Contradictions in the Global Bureacracy and finally Ends History returning us to our rightful place in the Garden as City Savages.
Only then will we understand how the Democratic Party was able to be both the Party of The Jim Crow South while simultaneously liberating it’s future citizens with a ponzi scheme of debt obligations at the same time in history.
No humans are unblemished but certain groups of humans are able to create societies which others humans find attractive. For many in the World the USA is attactive and for those born there, they are free to leave.
Thank you for the history lesson Old Communist Professor. Please alert me when the Dialectical officially resolves all of the Contradictions in the Global Bureacracy and finally Ends History returning us to our rightful place in the Garden as City Savages.
Only then will we understand how the Democratic Party was able to be both the Party of The Jim Crow South while simultaneously liberating it’s future citizens with a ponzi scheme of debt obligations at the same time in history.
No humans are unblemished but certain groups of humans are able to create societies which others humans find attractive. For many in the World the USA is attactive and for those born there, they are free to leave.
Walter Schwager
1 year ago
The USA has never been an unblemished Great Nation: slavery, racism, imperialism, foreign wars, gun violence, fuzz extreme poverty, contradictions (the best museums paid for by ill-begotten gains of rampant robbery capitalism), and so on. We have all been hoodwinked by PR coming out of Hollywood and other media. Even the current political corruption of the GOP is quite the same as that of the Southern Democrats. Democratic advances that occur without much fuss (medicare, social security, etc) are hailed here as heroic victoried. So there is no decline of the American empire: plus ça change, plus ça reste le même.
John Murray
1 year ago
If you’re wondering whether the article is right in its central thesis then you only need to read some of the comments below, with the full range of Trumpian white grievance, bile, self-pity, incoherence and whataboutery to realise…yes, it is.
Look at how the Race Mystic can find White Supremacy out of thin air. Point to an example of “white grievance” in the comments.
John Murray
1 year ago
If you’re wondering whether the article is right in its central thesis then you only need to read some of the comments below, with the full range of Trumpian white grievance, bile, self-pity, incoherence and whataboutery to realise…yes, it is.
Danielle Treille
1 year ago
Le mot de la fin: “This p***y grabbed back”! (Stormy Daniels)
This author seems not to understand may of the details about his subject matter. For instance, the charges being brought against Trump. In the real world it is a misdemeanor at best with an already expired statute of limitations. Bragg is relying on a very creative interpretation of the law to make it a campaign finance charge. FYI paying off a porn star (who already lost a legal case against Trump and whose lawyer is now behind bars) to avoid embarrassment is not a campaign finance violation. A whiny little Manhattan prosecutor like Alvin Bragg does not even have the authority to go after Trump for campaign finance violations since they are federal crimes. Then again, I seriously doubt progressive New York juries give a damn about the law.
There is another major problem with the Trump prosecution. For the law to mean anything it not only has to be enforced, but the public must believe it is enforced impartially. Now factor in the unprecedented nature of trying to use the legal system to destroy the leading opposition party candidate over stupid crap by a prosecutor who literally campaigned on prosecuting said candidate. Finally, it’s not like Washington is not packed full of people who casually commit worse felonies and misdemeanors all the time simply because they are powerful enough to get away with it. If they American public ever stops believing in the legitimacy of the justice system, then the whole thing collapses as respect for its authority evaporates.
The mass shooting numbers were bumped up by grossly reinterpreting their definition under the Obama administration. That way they could include the local gangs settling their differences in the hood and scaring the American public more. You can see this in action through Mother Jones’ claiming there have been over a hundred mass shootings this year and then arguing that there have been 73 since 1983 by white people (who make up the majority on their chart). They also did this on the same day no less. So yeah… awkward. This is because extremely high levels of violence are situated in America’s large inner cities. You remove those from the equation and the statistics on American violence drop like a rock. Not just guns either. These places also have a good old-fashioned appreciation for the sharp edge and blunt force classic method of settling scores with the body count to show for it.
Finally, Robert Kaplan really? I have read more than a few articles from him in my time and they have aged about as well as week old sushi. I like McTague’s articles about the U.K. They get into many important details I do not understand as an outsider. Unfortunately, those kinds of details are just as critical when trying to understand other countries.
Trump is being prosecuted for paying off a successful blackmail attempt. The blackmailer and accomplice, meanwhile, boast about the prosecution.
Furthermore the law could stretch (as it so often expands) to indicting D.A. Bragg for being an accomplice (after the event) to blackmail and certainly to covering it up.
Elsewhere I see that the blackmailer is selling ‘merchandise’, including selfies, online, All publicity is….
…indeed; funny old world ain’t it.. like Al Capone going to gaol for tax evasion!
Furthermore the law could stretch (as it so often expands) to indicting D.A. Bragg for being an accomplice (after the event) to blackmail and certainly to covering it up.
Elsewhere I see that the blackmailer is selling ‘merchandise’, including selfies, online, All publicity is….
…indeed; funny old world ain’t it.. like Al Capone going to gaol for tax evasion!
Get over your narrow fixation with the moronic old draft dodger. The arrest etc is so advantageous for Trump that I’m beginning to wonder if the entire thing has been orchestrated by his supporters, so spare us your knee-jerk bleating outrage.
Who the h*ll are you to tell anyone to “get over” anything? Where do you get the nerve?
The privilege comes free with UnHerd, surely? We’re all allowed to challenge opinion. G*t over it….
There’s a difference between challenging an opinion and demanding someone “get over” and “spare us” with dismissive hostility. This is UnHerd, not the Daily Mail.
Again, get over your fixation with the Orange Loser and stop whining.
I suggest you both get over it and refocus on the substantive issue.
Again, get over your fixation with the Orange Loser and stop whining.
I suggest you both get over it and refocus on the substantive issue.
There’s a difference between challenging an opinion and demanding someone “get over” and “spare us” with dismissive hostility. This is UnHerd, not the Daily Mail.
1st Amendment not relevant?
The privilege comes free with UnHerd, surely? We’re all allowed to challenge opinion. G*t over it….
1st Amendment not relevant?
You are wrong like many who suffer from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Trump did not wish this nor is this good for the American government and its people.
In fact, Trump is the crisis the American left is using a an excuse to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
We have the FBI paying private companies to censor news the FBI or CIA doesn’t like. Just to be clear, US courts have already ruled, in effect, that it’s unconstitutional for government to even suggest that private companies censor something, even if the company refuses to do it.
Norwood v. Harrison (1973) was about Mississippi supporting unconstiutional race discrimination by funding textbooks for private schools who discriminated by race. The ruling said it is an “axiomatic” principle of constitutional law that the government “may not induce, encourage or promote private persons to accomplish what it is constitutionally forbidden to accomplish.” What that means is that the Feds can’t encourage private companies to engage in censorship, because the federal government itself can’t engage in censorship.
The left’s argument is that it’s OK for the federal government to encourage private companies to censor, as long as the federal government does not directly censor things itself. Mississippi’s argument was it was OK for them to buy books for private schools that were discriminating, as long as the state wasn’t discriminating itself. Mississippi lost. So should the left, as the left’s argument is exactly the same as Mississippi’s. The only difference is that the left is arguing about the 1st Amendment instead of the 14th Amendment.
In fact, Trump is the crisis the American left is using a an excuse to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
We have the FBI paying private companies to censor news the FBI or CIA doesn’t like. Just to be clear, US courts have already ruled, in effect, that it’s unconstitutional for government to even suggest that private companies censor something, even if the company refuses to do it.
Norwood v. Harrison (1973) was about Mississippi supporting unconstiutional race discrimination by funding textbooks for private schools who discriminated by race. The ruling said it is an “axiomatic” principle of constitutional law that the government “may not induce, encourage or promote private persons to accomplish what it is constitutionally forbidden to accomplish.” What that means is that the Feds can’t encourage private companies to engage in censorship, because the federal government itself can’t engage in censorship.
The left’s argument is that it’s OK for the federal government to encourage private companies to censor, as long as the federal government does not directly censor things itself. Mississippi’s argument was it was OK for them to buy books for private schools that were discriminating, as long as the state wasn’t discriminating itself. Mississippi lost. So should the left, as the left’s argument is exactly the same as Mississippi’s. The only difference is that the left is arguing about the 1st Amendment instead of the 14th Amendment.
With the state of the electoral rolls and the overwhelming fraud in the US; I doubt that anything will make any difference to the result of the next election.
Another insurrection might..
Another insurrection might..
It has nothing to do with Trump, outside of him being the one persecuted. It, rather, has to do with the rule of law. Or, in this case, the lack thereof.
Or Biden law.
Or Biden law.
It also serves the Dems to be continually prosecuting him for crap that won’t possibly stand up. The truly frightening part is America is such a mess he might actually get convicted in New York. He will win on appeal of course.
Throwing mud at him is a way of getting ready for the election. They will be hoping that some of it will stick in the mind.
He’s doing a top-notch job of raking the mud on himself all by himself. That will indeed stick in voters’ minds come Nov. 24.
After what has happened since 2016, with impeachments and hoaxes, you have the gall to say something like that. Shame on you.
After what has happened since 2016, with impeachments and hoaxes, you have the gall to say something like that. Shame on you.
America is really good at regime change so I wouldn’t underestimate the CIA on this one!
He’s doing a top-notch job of raking the mud on himself all by himself. That will indeed stick in voters’ minds come Nov. 24.
America is really good at regime change so I wouldn’t underestimate the CIA on this one!
Throwing mud at him is a way of getting ready for the election. They will be hoping that some of it will stick in the mind.
I’m surprised your comments drew such a negative response.. the same thought also occurred to me..
Who the h*ll are you to tell anyone to “get over” anything? Where do you get the nerve?
You are wrong like many who suffer from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Trump did not wish this nor is this good for the American government and its people.
With the state of the electoral rolls and the overwhelming fraud in the US; I doubt that anything will make any difference to the result of the next election.
It has nothing to do with Trump, outside of him being the one persecuted. It, rather, has to do with the rule of law. Or, in this case, the lack thereof.
It also serves the Dems to be continually prosecuting him for crap that won’t possibly stand up. The truly frightening part is America is such a mess he might actually get convicted in New York. He will win on appeal of course.
I’m surprised your comments drew such a negative response.. the same thought also occurred to me..
Exactly. The perception of political persecution and unfairness is very real. Hillary Clinton committed many so-called crimes – keeping a server in her basement without notifying State, her destroying evidence on cell phones and computers, the grift of the Clinton Foundation, etc. but she got off without even a haired being mussed. Similarly, it’s becoming clearer that Joe Biden, his son Hunter are grifting as well- payments from China, the Ukraine and elsewhere just because they are Bidens. Hunter lied on a gun application saying he never took drugs but he’s an addict but he never got arrested. Trumps house was raided by the FBI but when classified papers were found at SiX Biden locations nothing happened. And on and on. This is not sitting well with the American public. Christopher Wray the FBI is also a grifter – used federal planes to fly to his vacation home – and he’s the one perpetrating many of these injustices. The American leadership is corrupt & stinks. The people are suffering from Biden’s high inflation, overspending, wacky support of transgenderism, weirdo political appointees (the trans who worked as a nuclear expert but who also stole suitcases at airports? – Buttigieg the McKinsey Wonder Boy who heads up Transportation but can’t managed his way out of a paper bag). There’s a lot to be concerned and angry about.
Don’t forget Clinton’s National Security Advisor Sandy Berger taking classified documents out of the national archives by stuffing them down his pants.
half of NYC Felonies arrested get sentenced – the rest downgraded to misdemeanor or just let go. These are violent criminals, and these are arrested – and it takes a lot to get arrested in NYC, not just some suspicion.
To me this idiotic phrase of this agenda writer filled me with disgust!
”On the one hand, it shows that no figure is above the law; proof, even, that America remains a great republic.”
Writer – I hope every last time you have speeded in your car, had a glass too much, what ever thing it was – Are you above the law? Or do you think all your old laws broken should be punished? Come ON – TELL US. Do you deserve that every time in your life you broke the law you deserve punishment. To make Britain a great Democracy?
Is it a requirement that you get that speeding ticket every time just as much that a rapist and violent robber gets punished? FFS….
Yes, and he was “punished” for it. Berger was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and probation and fined $50,000. He also also had to pay $6,905 for the administrative costs of his two-year probation. He also lost his security clearance and license to practice law. So why should Trump not get the same treatment?
I love how you try bring that up as a point against me without seriously thinking through the implications of it.
It is not a point against you… Poor Matt, such a fragile ego.
It is not a point against you… Poor Matt, such a fragile ego.
POTUS has original classification authority.
I love how you try bring that up as a point against me without seriously thinking through the implications of it.
POTUS has original classification authority.
half of NYC Felonies arrested get sentenced – the rest downgraded to misdemeanor or just let go. These are violent criminals, and these are arrested – and it takes a lot to get arrested in NYC, not just some suspicion.
To me this idiotic phrase of this agenda writer filled me with disgust!
”On the one hand, it shows that no figure is above the law; proof, even, that America remains a great republic.”
Writer – I hope every last time you have speeded in your car, had a glass too much, what ever thing it was – Are you above the law? Or do you think all your old laws broken should be punished? Come ON – TELL US. Do you deserve that every time in your life you broke the law you deserve punishment. To make Britain a great Democracy?
Is it a requirement that you get that speeding ticket every time just as much that a rapist and violent robber gets punished? FFS….
Yes, and he was “punished” for it. Berger was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and probation and fined $50,000. He also also had to pay $6,905 for the administrative costs of his two-year probation. He also lost his security clearance and license to practice law. So why should Trump not get the same treatment?
Laura Jedeed is a fake.
Talks about debate but then joins cancel culture.
“I” am louder than her & she is scared.
Comments
You are banned from commenting until 100 years from now.
Post
What have you been smoking? Whatever it is, I want some!
Don’t forget Clinton’s National Security Advisor Sandy Berger taking classified documents out of the national archives by stuffing them down his pants.
Laura Jedeed is a fake.
Talks about debate but then joins cancel culture.
“I” am louder than her & she is scared.
Comments
You are banned from commenting until 100 years from now.
Post
What have you been smoking? Whatever it is, I want some!
You are bang on here, yet the columnist’s larger point holds, I think. Something is clearly wrong in America. What, exactly, is it? The use of the criminal law for political purposes (which some say is the essence of the “f” word)? But it’s liberals doing that, and the essence of liberalism is that every thing is permitted. What would drive a liberal to abandon, in such an obvious way, what he cherishes most of all? Is this the answer: Science, liberalism’s main weapon, provokes the fury to destroy its own liberal reason; it cannot endure science’s victory over morality, a victory sparked by the spirited self-pity of a nonexistent self, a self reduced to zero.”
The left doesn’t believe in science. We’ve seen that with the climate change and covid hoaxes.
No to mention gender issues.
Unfortunately it is also affecting the so called right tories who seem to have turned left.
UK left has turned right, back towards the centre and the so-called right has turned left, back towards the centre. They are both wise to do so, since only centrist can achieve any sort of electoral consensus from our population.
UK left has turned right, back towards the centre and the so-called right has turned left, back towards the centre. They are both wise to do so, since only centrist can achieve any sort of electoral consensus from our population.
Unfortunately it is also affecting the so called right tories who seem to have turned left.
I would say it slightly differently. They believe in it, but they cannot abide that in which they believe.
Britain is using the climate deception to hit us over the head and control us. We have had climate scares by the experts for about 80 years and none of them ever came to pass. First the world was going to freeze over and at some stage this changed to global warming the current deception. Many were duped in the past and we are being duped now by the so called experts. The zero carbon policy is destroying our economy and our wellbeing. In the future people will laugh at us but then they will also be facing their mass deceptions and fear mongering.
It is very sad to see how the UK, a once shining symbol of liberty, democracy, and freedom, and a bulwark against tyranny that it was in two world wars, becoming a dystopian political morass just like the USA.
We’ve been just a few years behind the US for quite some time now.
Not living in UK anymore, this has come as a complete and unexpected surprise to me!
We’ve been just a few years behind the US for quite some time now.
Not living in UK anymore, this has come as a complete and unexpected surprise to me!
Are you sure? Based on what – the science? What about Russia”s warmongering effect on post Covid energy prices? For me, it’s not that I dispute that we need to tackle humankind’s effect on climate change, but that we should have effective transitional plans which don’t hit the world’s poorest hard or provoke wars.
I entirely agree with your second sentence. Simply screaming ‘Climate Crisis’ and ‘Stop Oil’ is pointless while China builds dozens of new airports, and poorer nations try to catch up with those who have already profited from fossil fuels. We need to manage the transition to other forms of energy and simply cope with the inevitable effects of climate change. Current plans for the use of ‘renewables’ are probably pie in the sky.
I entirely agree with your second sentence. Simply screaming ‘Climate Crisis’ and ‘Stop Oil’ is pointless while China builds dozens of new airports, and poorer nations try to catch up with those who have already profited from fossil fuels. We need to manage the transition to other forms of energy and simply cope with the inevitable effects of climate change. Current plans for the use of ‘renewables’ are probably pie in the sky.
It is very sad to see how the UK, a once shining symbol of liberty, democracy, and freedom, and a bulwark against tyranny that it was in two world wars, becoming a dystopian political morass just like the USA.
Are you sure? Based on what – the science? What about Russia”s warmongering effect on post Covid energy prices? For me, it’s not that I dispute that we need to tackle humankind’s effect on climate change, but that we should have effective transitional plans which don’t hit the world’s poorest hard or provoke wars.
No to mention gender issues.
I would say it slightly differently. They believe in it, but they cannot abide that in which they believe.
Britain is using the climate deception to hit us over the head and control us. We have had climate scares by the experts for about 80 years and none of them ever came to pass. First the world was going to freeze over and at some stage this changed to global warming the current deception. Many were duped in the past and we are being duped now by the so called experts. The zero carbon policy is destroying our economy and our wellbeing. In the future people will laugh at us but then they will also be facing their mass deceptions and fear mongering.
The democrats are not liberals and the American left are not liberal – not even close.
Your are right. But then no one can “be” liberal to the bitter end, because that end is nothingness. A person who says “everything is permitted” will the first person to repudiate that everything is permitted. No liberal can avoid bigotry. Liberalism is quite literally not survivable.
Your are right. But then no one can “be” liberal to the bitter end, because that end is nothingness. A person who says “everything is permitted” will the first person to repudiate that everything is permitted. No liberal can avoid bigotry. Liberalism is quite literally not survivable.
The Biden Administration’s open borders’ agenda is destroying the USA – some 5,000,000+ people have illegally entered the USA since Jan. 20, 2021, and in the last couple of months, illegal PRC immigration has increased by 900%! How many of these PRC illegal migrants are the “Manchurian Candidates” circa 2023 who will pose a potential terrorist threat to the USA in coming years? Donald Trump is being indicted because he tried to get a handle on illegal immigration, and the Deep State has tried every device, including this indictment, to stop him.
Liberalism as implemented by the Liberal Party of the 19 th century died in the 1920s. What we have is vast number of people who though have attended universities are not scholars, under achieving, effete impractical upper middle class people who are defined by their ill grace and are malicious of heart to those who have the grace they lack. Grace is a quality one rarely sees today.
The left doesn’t believe in science. We’ve seen that with the climate change and covid hoaxes.
The democrats are not liberals and the American left are not liberal – not even close.
The Biden Administration’s open borders’ agenda is destroying the USA – some 5,000,000+ people have illegally entered the USA since Jan. 20, 2021, and in the last couple of months, illegal PRC immigration has increased by 900%! How many of these PRC illegal migrants are the “Manchurian Candidates” circa 2023 who will pose a potential terrorist threat to the USA in coming years? Donald Trump is being indicted because he tried to get a handle on illegal immigration, and the Deep State has tried every device, including this indictment, to stop him.
Liberalism as implemented by the Liberal Party of the 19 th century died in the 1920s. What we have is vast number of people who though have attended universities are not scholars, under achieving, effete impractical upper middle class people who are defined by their ill grace and are malicious of heart to those who have the grace they lack. Grace is a quality one rarely sees today.
McTague clearly has Trump Derangement Syndrome. He ignores the particulars of this supposed crime: not a crime a la Edwards, not a felony, past statute of limitations, wrong venue, etc; while ignoring the fact there is no justice for Democrat criminals: J. Biden, H. Biden, Sussman, McCabe, Clapper, Brennen, Clinesmith.
I want Trump to disappear – this appears designed to do the opposite
“This author seems not to understand many of the details about his subject matter”
He seems to understand nothing at all.
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment”?
Has he not noticed that the dictatorial lunatic Trudeau has all but destroyed Canada in recent years?
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law”.
Has he not noticed that this is the nth time the
neo-Marxist lunatics, I mean ‘Democrats’, have tried to nail Trump on the most spurious of ‘trumped up’ charges?Has he not noticed that no one has come close to impeaching Biden for corruption in Ukraine, stealing an election, waging an insane proxy war in Ukraine and looking as though he wants nothing more than to wage another one over Taiwan? Not to mention his possible (probable?) complicity in sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline? Should I go on?
And what about any attempt at some analysis of the internal social problems the US is currently facing? Reasons for the prevalence of drugs? The far-left riots of BLM? The unequal social and economic devastation of the lockdown madness? The incessant lies from the ‘public health’ activists?
The US, like the UK, is in deep trouble because the fruits of the Long March are coming home to roost and the entire article is nothing but a series of cherry-picked statistics, completely meaningless in the absence of any intelligent commentary to accompany them, by yet another fool with TDS.
Otherwise known as empty click-bait.
Well said.
But… …but… …its all because of the gaudy suburbs!
Matt, thank you so much for your response – I was thinking many of the same things. In fact, this article by McTague is so far off the mark, lacking even the most basic critical understanding of the culture and countless subcultures within our vast country, (not to mention his down-right laughable framing of Canada) that I now wonder about what I have believed from him when reading of the UK. Is he using an AI to create his articles? (that was a joke, but this article is so auto-tuned and tone deaf, it feels mechanical) This article is shallow at best. His perspective on the ‘dysfunction’ in the US is tiresome and predictable and off the mark in every media-fed, trite and hyperbolic way we would expect from an outsider. If he bothered to take a deeper dive outside of the old tropes and lenses, he would discover that the “progressive left” and “extreme right” in the US manifest the same baseline problem of centralized, elitist control and domination that expects all we ‘peasants’ submit to their ‘superior’ plans for our country. Thanks to the corrupt leverage of power for political purposes by bad players like Bragg- many of we centrists will not be swinging our votes to the left for many years to come, if not permanently- no matter who the right throws into the ring. I have confidence in our PEOPLE – we are far less personally divided than the incompetent and corrupt leaders and media elites broadcast that we are. This is what outsiders like McTague don’t see and are seemingly too lazy, or indifferent to figure out. Well, as he fishbowls us – he can brace himself, because what brings us together is much more powerful than what divides us in the United States of America. I have friends on the left and the right and we are all fed up with the divisive fear-mongering that is wholesale BS to wrangle control and $$$ for the establishment elites. So – I’m back in the Trump camp because of what I will be voting AGAINST in 2024. And at a local level – I will continue to love and care for my friends and neighbors from every persuasion, position, and perspective even when we do not at all agree on any given topic. Because I am an American and that is what we, who are living under this massive mess at the top, do. One thing McTague got partially-correct, “clinging to the belief that they are not bound by fate — but the actions of individuals.” While it’s true America is far from ideal, we aren’t “clinging to the belief” like some down-trodden desperado – We The People is a constitutionally protected right over here and we will overcome, self-correct, and remain a stronghold for individual freedom, full stop. In this article, McTague comes off like a brainless disciple of the maximalist, Kaplan. What, did he read the book and just buy into the whole narrative hook, line, and sinker? McTague clearly drank the propaganda Kool-Aid served up by the media talking-heads and simply regurgitated it. Gross treacle with no substance.
Thank you for providing a good response to McTague. Mr. McTague doesn’t really understand all the issues that are currently in play in the USA. He may have a very good grasp of the UK, but his article reads like some version of the CNN pro-Democrat Party propaganda posing as “news,” i.e., “fake news.”
Sorry I missed being here for this mess of an article. A Redneck from a small town in central Alabama, after a week in London, could write a better article on the UK, than this agenda blinded hack can on USA.
Blinded by the TDS, and in fact, by reality, he writes of his biases thinking them truths.
Gang related murders in inner cities are still murders – and are just as relevant statistically as any other murders. They are purely another symptom and indication of USA’s problems. The stats are shocking to Europeans and Australians or any other western democracy with much smaller populations.
That says two worrying things to me: one, big is not necessarily beautiful, and two, that where the USA goes, our increasingly indulgent societies follow.
Yes, a statistic is still a statistic even when it measures gang related murders.
And what does this statistic tell me? At least two things. First, murders are disproportionately more likely to occur in certain spots of the city—yeah I’m looking at you North St. Louis—and that I had better stay away from them. Second, I can live essentially worry free—relative to murders at any rate—in 97% plus of the rest of the country.
So I went with the 97% because I prefer not to have to carry a gun and spend my whole day—well, night, at any rate, because most murders happen after dark—shooting first.
Yes, a statistic is still a statistic even when it measures gang related murders.
And what does this statistic tell me? At least two things. First, murders are disproportionately more likely to occur in certain spots of the city—yeah I’m looking at you North St. Louis—and that I had better stay away from them. Second, I can live essentially worry free—relative to murders at any rate—in 97% plus of the rest of the country.
So I went with the 97% because I prefer not to have to carry a gun and spend my whole day—well, night, at any rate, because most murders happen after dark—shooting first.
Oh gee, there were no school shootings in the US? No Black men killed by police? No fentanyl deaths promoted by large pharmaceutical companies? No attempts by Donald to stack the bureaucracy, the Supreme Court and to cozy to Putin?
While the points you make are perhaps technically relevant they barely make the cut. The points McTague makes remain far more valid and your protestations I suspect are falling largely on deaf ears, mine anyway.
The US is a basket case no matter how you cook the books. It is proof positive that absolute power (real or assumed) corrupts absolutely. Like big brother bully who forgot his siblings would grow up and be a match for him, not least by joining forces and/or by enlisting the services if the bully next door!
The sad thing is if the US had invested a fraction of it’s military budget in international diplomacy and cooperation.like China it wouldn’t be in the utterly screwed position it now finds itself in.
As you say, Trump is prosecuted for paying off some porn actress but Bill Clinton being accused by many women of rape or attempted rape is fake news. Never mind his association with Epstein and “Lolita express”.
Then we have Hilary Clinton use of private mail server while serving as Secretary of State.
What about source of Clinton’s wealth?
What about Biden laptop story and “10% for the big man”?
So Trump, and in uk Johnson drink parties, are main news stories but much bigger crimes and misdemeanours by illiberal left are ignored.
There is an obvious reason why crime in America is so high: black community and mass immigration of low IQ people from South America.
Europe has the same problem with mass immigration from Africa and Muslim countries.
By why to analyse real issues when you can blame Trump and Johnson.
I think a better article than the one you are replying to.
I am no fan of Trump, however, Trump is anti globalist, anti empire. To him, America comes first, no more wars of empire by neocons that brings death and misery to millions of innocents around the globe, wars that are destroying the US economy, draining American’s wages and destroying the American dream, wars that are only benefiting and making richer the very small minority group of American oligarchy and their corrupt, spineless paid for politicians. This is why they are trying to do their very best to keep him from running. He already is the winning candidate, the overwhelming choice of the people and this is two years before the election. The American oligarchy knows if Trump gets in, the party will be over, they and their globalist agenda and their corrupt politicians will have to account for their ill gotten gains. Free Julian Assange!
Trump is being prosecuted for paying off a successful blackmail attempt. The blackmailer and accomplice, meanwhile, boast about the prosecution.
Get over your narrow fixation with the moronic old draft dodger. The arrest etc is so advantageous for Trump that I’m beginning to wonder if the entire thing has been orchestrated by his supporters, so spare us your knee-jerk bleating outrage.
Exactly. The perception of political persecution and unfairness is very real. Hillary Clinton committed many so-called crimes – keeping a server in her basement without notifying State, her destroying evidence on cell phones and computers, the grift of the Clinton Foundation, etc. but she got off without even a haired being mussed. Similarly, it’s becoming clearer that Joe Biden, his son Hunter are grifting as well- payments from China, the Ukraine and elsewhere just because they are Bidens. Hunter lied on a gun application saying he never took drugs but he’s an addict but he never got arrested. Trumps house was raided by the FBI but when classified papers were found at SiX Biden locations nothing happened. And on and on. This is not sitting well with the American public. Christopher Wray the FBI is also a grifter – used federal planes to fly to his vacation home – and he’s the one perpetrating many of these injustices. The American leadership is corrupt & stinks. The people are suffering from Biden’s high inflation, overspending, wacky support of transgenderism, weirdo political appointees (the trans who worked as a nuclear expert but who also stole suitcases at airports? – Buttigieg the McKinsey Wonder Boy who heads up Transportation but can’t managed his way out of a paper bag). There’s a lot to be concerned and angry about.
You are bang on here, yet the columnist’s larger point holds, I think. Something is clearly wrong in America. What, exactly, is it? The use of the criminal law for political purposes (which some say is the essence of the “f” word)? But it’s liberals doing that, and the essence of liberalism is that every thing is permitted. What would drive a liberal to abandon, in such an obvious way, what he cherishes most of all? Is this the answer: Science, liberalism’s main weapon, provokes the fury to destroy its own liberal reason; it cannot endure science’s victory over morality, a victory sparked by the spirited self-pity of a nonexistent self, a self reduced to zero.”
McTague clearly has Trump Derangement Syndrome. He ignores the particulars of this supposed crime: not a crime a la Edwards, not a felony, past statute of limitations, wrong venue, etc; while ignoring the fact there is no justice for Democrat criminals: J. Biden, H. Biden, Sussman, McCabe, Clapper, Brennen, Clinesmith.
I want Trump to disappear – this appears designed to do the opposite
“This author seems not to understand many of the details about his subject matter”
He seems to understand nothing at all.
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment”?
Has he not noticed that the dictatorial lunatic Trudeau has all but destroyed Canada in recent years?
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law”.
Has he not noticed that this is the nth time the
neo-Marxist lunatics, I mean ‘Democrats’, have tried to nail Trump on the most spurious of ‘trumped up’ charges?Has he not noticed that no one has come close to impeaching Biden for corruption in Ukraine, stealing an election, waging an insane proxy war in Ukraine and looking as though he wants nothing more than to wage another one over Taiwan? Not to mention his possible (probable?) complicity in sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline? Should I go on?
And what about any attempt at some analysis of the internal social problems the US is currently facing? Reasons for the prevalence of drugs? The far-left riots of BLM? The unequal social and economic devastation of the lockdown madness? The incessant lies from the ‘public health’ activists?
The US, like the UK, is in deep trouble because the fruits of the Long March are coming home to roost and the entire article is nothing but a series of cherry-picked statistics, completely meaningless in the absence of any intelligent commentary to accompany them, by yet another fool with TDS.
Otherwise known as empty click-bait.
Well said.
But… …but… …its all because of the gaudy suburbs!
Matt, thank you so much for your response – I was thinking many of the same things. In fact, this article by McTague is so far off the mark, lacking even the most basic critical understanding of the culture and countless subcultures within our vast country, (not to mention his down-right laughable framing of Canada) that I now wonder about what I have believed from him when reading of the UK. Is he using an AI to create his articles? (that was a joke, but this article is so auto-tuned and tone deaf, it feels mechanical) This article is shallow at best. His perspective on the ‘dysfunction’ in the US is tiresome and predictable and off the mark in every media-fed, trite and hyperbolic way we would expect from an outsider. If he bothered to take a deeper dive outside of the old tropes and lenses, he would discover that the “progressive left” and “extreme right” in the US manifest the same baseline problem of centralized, elitist control and domination that expects all we ‘peasants’ submit to their ‘superior’ plans for our country. Thanks to the corrupt leverage of power for political purposes by bad players like Bragg- many of we centrists will not be swinging our votes to the left for many years to come, if not permanently- no matter who the right throws into the ring. I have confidence in our PEOPLE – we are far less personally divided than the incompetent and corrupt leaders and media elites broadcast that we are. This is what outsiders like McTague don’t see and are seemingly too lazy, or indifferent to figure out. Well, as he fishbowls us – he can brace himself, because what brings us together is much more powerful than what divides us in the United States of America. I have friends on the left and the right and we are all fed up with the divisive fear-mongering that is wholesale BS to wrangle control and $$$ for the establishment elites. So – I’m back in the Trump camp because of what I will be voting AGAINST in 2024. And at a local level – I will continue to love and care for my friends and neighbors from every persuasion, position, and perspective even when we do not at all agree on any given topic. Because I am an American and that is what we, who are living under this massive mess at the top, do. One thing McTague got partially-correct, “clinging to the belief that they are not bound by fate — but the actions of individuals.” While it’s true America is far from ideal, we aren’t “clinging to the belief” like some down-trodden desperado – We The People is a constitutionally protected right over here and we will overcome, self-correct, and remain a stronghold for individual freedom, full stop. In this article, McTague comes off like a brainless disciple of the maximalist, Kaplan. What, did he read the book and just buy into the whole narrative hook, line, and sinker? McTague clearly drank the propaganda Kool-Aid served up by the media talking-heads and simply regurgitated it. Gross treacle with no substance.
Thank you for providing a good response to McTague. Mr. McTague doesn’t really understand all the issues that are currently in play in the USA. He may have a very good grasp of the UK, but his article reads like some version of the CNN pro-Democrat Party propaganda posing as “news,” i.e., “fake news.”
Sorry I missed being here for this mess of an article. A Redneck from a small town in central Alabama, after a week in London, could write a better article on the UK, than this agenda blinded hack can on USA.
Blinded by the TDS, and in fact, by reality, he writes of his biases thinking them truths.
Gang related murders in inner cities are still murders – and are just as relevant statistically as any other murders. They are purely another symptom and indication of USA’s problems. The stats are shocking to Europeans and Australians or any other western democracy with much smaller populations.
That says two worrying things to me: one, big is not necessarily beautiful, and two, that where the USA goes, our increasingly indulgent societies follow.
Oh gee, there were no school shootings in the US? No Black men killed by police? No fentanyl deaths promoted by large pharmaceutical companies? No attempts by Donald to stack the bureaucracy, the Supreme Court and to cozy to Putin?
While the points you make are perhaps technically relevant they barely make the cut. The points McTague makes remain far more valid and your protestations I suspect are falling largely on deaf ears, mine anyway.
The US is a basket case no matter how you cook the books. It is proof positive that absolute power (real or assumed) corrupts absolutely. Like big brother bully who forgot his siblings would grow up and be a match for him, not least by joining forces and/or by enlisting the services if the bully next door!
The sad thing is if the US had invested a fraction of it’s military budget in international diplomacy and cooperation.like China it wouldn’t be in the utterly screwed position it now finds itself in.
As you say, Trump is prosecuted for paying off some porn actress but Bill Clinton being accused by many women of rape or attempted rape is fake news. Never mind his association with Epstein and “Lolita express”.
Then we have Hilary Clinton use of private mail server while serving as Secretary of State.
What about source of Clinton’s wealth?
What about Biden laptop story and “10% for the big man”?
So Trump, and in uk Johnson drink parties, are main news stories but much bigger crimes and misdemeanours by illiberal left are ignored.
There is an obvious reason why crime in America is so high: black community and mass immigration of low IQ people from South America.
Europe has the same problem with mass immigration from Africa and Muslim countries.
By why to analyse real issues when you can blame Trump and Johnson.
I think a better article than the one you are replying to.
I am no fan of Trump, however, Trump is anti globalist, anti empire. To him, America comes first, no more wars of empire by neocons that brings death and misery to millions of innocents around the globe, wars that are destroying the US economy, draining American’s wages and destroying the American dream, wars that are only benefiting and making richer the very small minority group of American oligarchy and their corrupt, spineless paid for politicians. This is why they are trying to do their very best to keep him from running. He already is the winning candidate, the overwhelming choice of the people and this is two years before the election. The American oligarchy knows if Trump gets in, the party will be over, they and their globalist agenda and their corrupt politicians will have to account for their ill gotten gains. Free Julian Assange!
This author seems not to understand may of the details about his subject matter. For instance, the charges being brought against Trump. In the real world it is a misdemeanor at best with an already expired statute of limitations. Bragg is relying on a very creative interpretation of the law to make it a campaign finance charge. FYI paying off a porn star (who already lost a legal case against Trump and whose lawyer is now behind bars) to avoid embarrassment is not a campaign finance violation. A whiny little Manhattan prosecutor like Alvin Bragg does not even have the authority to go after Trump for campaign finance violations since they are federal crimes. Then again, I seriously doubt progressive New York juries give a damn about the law.
There is another major problem with the Trump prosecution. For the law to mean anything it not only has to be enforced, but the public must believe it is enforced impartially. Now factor in the unprecedented nature of trying to use the legal system to destroy the leading opposition party candidate over stupid crap by a prosecutor who literally campaigned on prosecuting said candidate. Finally, it’s not like Washington is not packed full of people who casually commit worse felonies and misdemeanors all the time simply because they are powerful enough to get away with it. If they American public ever stops believing in the legitimacy of the justice system, then the whole thing collapses as respect for its authority evaporates.
The mass shooting numbers were bumped up by grossly reinterpreting their definition under the Obama administration. That way they could include the local gangs settling their differences in the hood and scaring the American public more. You can see this in action through Mother Jones’ claiming there have been over a hundred mass shootings this year and then arguing that there have been 73 since 1983 by white people (who make up the majority on their chart). They also did this on the same day no less. So yeah… awkward. This is because extremely high levels of violence are situated in America’s large inner cities. You remove those from the equation and the statistics on American violence drop like a rock. Not just guns either. These places also have a good old-fashioned appreciation for the sharp edge and blunt force classic method of settling scores with the body count to show for it.
Finally, Robert Kaplan really? I have read more than a few articles from him in my time and they have aged about as well as week old sushi. I like McTague’s articles about the U.K. They get into many important details I do not understand as an outsider. Unfortunately, those kinds of details are just as critical when trying to understand other countries.
I remember growing up during the cold war, Greenham Common, nuclear bombers flying overhead, the constant feeling of threat. Then the Berlin Wall coming down created a moment of euphoria. 1991 onwards had a sense of hope as the thumb of communism was removed from the lives of millions. The Internet ushered in freedoms and connections – live anywhere, be friends with anyone, share and don’t hoard. All while the icky corporations were coming in, carving up space, but it was pretty much all still free, both in money and control. Trolls and flamewars happened, but online was a game, not to be taken too seriously.
The first sign of a turn was the Iraq War. Governments were lying to us, and we could see it and discuss it online, but we couldn’t do anything about it, except watch the armies roll into Baghdad. All that fraternity online and it turned out we could be ignored by the powers that be.
The second turn was climate change. Online discussion of the climate online was frothy and forthright. Online skeptics challenged tenured academics pushing the boundaries of public involvement in science. Then they got closed down. ‘Denier’ was the word. Science had become religious, and the believers would cast out anyone not conforming to the Word. Academia was walling itself in. A modus operandi that would repeat and repeat.
The third was the 2007/8 financial crash. Governments bailed out the big guys and corporations over the heads of voters. Opposition to ‘la casta’ built online, and new parties emerged. And in response government monitoring of online activity increased – no-one was safe, not journalists, not opposition politicians. Snowden, Assange and others had the documents, but the civil servants – the people we were supposed to control – lied to the committees and politicians, and didn’t bat an eye. They had the data and propaganda tools. They were in control now – ‘joined up government’, ‘the interagency’ – unsackable careerists. The internet – that great freedom and fraternity – in the hands of the spies had become the world’s greatest surveillance and propaganda network and they proved their capabilities with the Arab Spring.
The interagency blended into the corporations and financier bailout beneficiaries, connected politicians combined with government administration from secret services up, slowly building networks of well-placed supporters in media and academia. As the climate folk had discovered, when your academic grant and tenure rely on toeing a line, you toe that line or you get pushed out.
The reaction of people who had lost control of their government was to vote in new parties, new politicians, but the system defended itself. Leaks. Smears. Lies. Name calling like ‘populist’, ‘far-right’, ‘islamophobe’, ‘transphobe’, ‘racist’, following the climate change ‘denier’ model was used to close out and ‘other’ opposition. They would choose which laws to prosecute and which to ignore. They would choose which people to prosecute and who could go free. New laws meant you could be jailed for jokes online. Entire groups could be censored online, and chased out of jobs for wrong think. Enough clout that they could suppress news in order to control an election.
With such control and power they can ignore the homeless, the druggies, the violent cities. If you care about those things you are ‘far-left’ or ‘far-right’ or ‘racist’. They have their chorus tuned to chant the names at people they have been conditioned to hate. Even those with intellectual doubt, know they have to chant the mantras to keep their job and money safe – or face being called out by the DEI political officers.
I’d always wondered how in 1930s Germany, principled intelligent people let the country descend into hate, intolerance and murder. We are seeing how as we speak. You call other people names. You shut them up. You drive them out of jobs and make them ‘other’, and you use the tools of government and administration to spread the cancer. They claim to be anti-fascist, and yet can’t recognise how fascist they have become.
Excellent. thanks
Worth a longer essay. Quite a good analysis. Many have become “good Germans” particularly in the pandemic. But truth arrives slowly.
Climate denier, Vaccines work denier, sex change denier. All the same thing in a way.
They don’t care how fascist they’ve become.
Excellent. thanks
Worth a longer essay. Quite a good analysis. Many have become “good Germans” particularly in the pandemic. But truth arrives slowly.
Climate denier, Vaccines work denier, sex change denier. All the same thing in a way.
They don’t care how fascist they’ve become.
I remember growing up during the cold war, Greenham Common, nuclear bombers flying overhead, the constant feeling of threat. Then the Berlin Wall coming down created a moment of euphoria. 1991 onwards had a sense of hope as the thumb of communism was removed from the lives of millions. The Internet ushered in freedoms and connections – live anywhere, be friends with anyone, share and don’t hoard. All while the icky corporations were coming in, carving up space, but it was pretty much all still free, both in money and control. Trolls and flamewars happened, but online was a game, not to be taken too seriously.
The first sign of a turn was the Iraq War. Governments were lying to us, and we could see it and discuss it online, but we couldn’t do anything about it, except watch the armies roll into Baghdad. All that fraternity online and it turned out we could be ignored by the powers that be.
The second turn was climate change. Online discussion of the climate online was frothy and forthright. Online skeptics challenged tenured academics pushing the boundaries of public involvement in science. Then they got closed down. ‘Denier’ was the word. Science had become religious, and the believers would cast out anyone not conforming to the Word. Academia was walling itself in. A modus operandi that would repeat and repeat.
The third was the 2007/8 financial crash. Governments bailed out the big guys and corporations over the heads of voters. Opposition to ‘la casta’ built online, and new parties emerged. And in response government monitoring of online activity increased – no-one was safe, not journalists, not opposition politicians. Snowden, Assange and others had the documents, but the civil servants – the people we were supposed to control – lied to the committees and politicians, and didn’t bat an eye. They had the data and propaganda tools. They were in control now – ‘joined up government’, ‘the interagency’ – unsackable careerists. The internet – that great freedom and fraternity – in the hands of the spies had become the world’s greatest surveillance and propaganda network and they proved their capabilities with the Arab Spring.
The interagency blended into the corporations and financier bailout beneficiaries, connected politicians combined with government administration from secret services up, slowly building networks of well-placed supporters in media and academia. As the climate folk had discovered, when your academic grant and tenure rely on toeing a line, you toe that line or you get pushed out.
The reaction of people who had lost control of their government was to vote in new parties, new politicians, but the system defended itself. Leaks. Smears. Lies. Name calling like ‘populist’, ‘far-right’, ‘islamophobe’, ‘transphobe’, ‘racist’, following the climate change ‘denier’ model was used to close out and ‘other’ opposition. They would choose which laws to prosecute and which to ignore. They would choose which people to prosecute and who could go free. New laws meant you could be jailed for jokes online. Entire groups could be censored online, and chased out of jobs for wrong think. Enough clout that they could suppress news in order to control an election.
With such control and power they can ignore the homeless, the druggies, the violent cities. If you care about those things you are ‘far-left’ or ‘far-right’ or ‘racist’. They have their chorus tuned to chant the names at people they have been conditioned to hate. Even those with intellectual doubt, know they have to chant the mantras to keep their job and money safe – or face being called out by the DEI political officers.
I’d always wondered how in 1930s Germany, principled intelligent people let the country descend into hate, intolerance and murder. We are seeing how as we speak. You call other people names. You shut them up. You drive them out of jobs and make them ‘other’, and you use the tools of government and administration to spread the cancer. They claim to be anti-fascist, and yet can’t recognise how fascist they have become.
Why is Trump the ‘cause’ of US dysfunction?
Good question. A lot of the things the author mentions like fentanyl deaths, homelessness and mass shootings have been going on long before Trump became President.
Quite right. I can’t think of much that Trump actually changed, for better or for worse.
His main accomplishment was to highlight how unhinged the leftist Establishment has become, and how desperate ordinary Americans are for real change.
Yes – he stuck his hand in the hornet’s nest and revealed it to be full of hornets.
The hornet’s nest which Trump runs from MAL…
And now they want to sting him.
The hornet’s nest which Trump runs from MAL…
And now they want to sting him.
Ordinary Americans might be desperate for change. That change, according to the results of the last presidential election, is not called Trump. As for the unhinged Left, look at some (a lot) of the Repubs sitting in the House of Reps, and tell me who is unhinged.
Agreed, the republicans are almost as bad as the democrats – almost.
Not almost. Perhaps 5% as bad?
The Establishment GOP is just the other side of the “uniparty” elites who are determined to destroy our country (USA) and our liberties in their quest for total power and absolute control.
Not almost. Perhaps 5% as bad?
The Establishment GOP is just the other side of the “uniparty” elites who are determined to destroy our country (USA) and our liberties in their quest for total power and absolute control.
All of them. American politics, government, media, CIA police state, military industrial complex, federal reserve, all of it is unhinged. We should leave them to it to sort their issues and give them some space.
Agreed, the republicans are almost as bad as the democrats – almost.
All of them. American politics, government, media, CIA police state, military industrial complex, federal reserve, all of it is unhinged. We should leave them to it to sort their issues and give them some space.
Trump actually got quite a bit accomplished. He secured the southern border – there were far fewer migrants deaths whereas hundreds have died since Biden has taken over. Trump removed a lot of unnecessary regulations to get the economy moving again. Inflation was just 1.4% compared to Biden’s 6 to 10 percent (this is killing every household budget). Trump did not create the supply line problems of today, Biden did. Trump did not start any conflicts, but Biden jumped in Ukraine, caused a disastrous pullout of Afghanistan…..and there’s so much more Trump did that was positive as well. Read up.
Is that why more than 81 million Americans voted to kick Trump out of office? Because of his amaaaazing accomplishments?!
81 million Americans voted to kick Trump out? In the words of the Duke of Wellington: ‘By God, sir, if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!’
By God, Sir, you would of course believe that the election was stolen! I was wondering how long it would take for 2020 election result deniers to creep out of their holes…
Did you follow the 2020 election – Biden stayed in his basement and his rallies were poor attended, so if Biden were as popular as his 81 million votes suggests why weren’t his rallies overflowing with pro-Biden supporters?
I think you’re the one who stayed in his/her basement and missed the election. In fact, maybe you’re still there…
I think you’re the one who stayed in his/her basement and missed the election. In fact, maybe you’re still there…
It is impossible to know whether the election was stolen or not. Remember the end result was a matter of only 30,000 votes in 3 states. But what is for sure is that there were plenty of irregularities and plenty of things that looked mighty suspicious even if they were completely innocent (like kicking out of observers in Georgia at midnight claiming a water leak, and then immediately start counting again once the observers had left, taking sack loads of votes from the under the table). What is also absolutely for sure is that the judiciary which should have heard the various cases brought dismissed them for lack of standing because they didn’t want to touch this with a barge poll. So we are left with half the country believing, not without reason, that some funny stuff was going on, and having to believe that the Department of Justice and the FBI are telling the truth when they claim that everything was above board. These are the same people who claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, etc…. and who mismanaged the Covid response completely, shutting down the economy, pushing people into bankruptcy and poverty, taking years off the future lives of children (who will be poorly educated, and therefore poorer and less healthy), etc…..
Was Trump duly elected president in 2016, according to the Constitution? If not, are you an election denier?
There’s less evidence of Russian hacking having any significant effect on the 2016 election than there is of vote fraud in 2020. The election deniers of 2016 have not been held to anything close to the same standards of evidence as those of 2020, and they should be. The Durham prosecutions proved in court that the the Russia Hoax, starting with the Alfa Bank and Steele Dossier, were fabricated lies by the Clinton Campaign. Sussmann and Danchenko were acquitted of lying to the FBI because both their lawyers successfully argued that the FBI knew they were lying.
Ignoring the debunking of the Russia Hoax is delusional. Assuming you can assert Russians hacked the 2016 election without offering any proof whatsoever insults at least half the country. We elected Trump in 2016 according to the Constitution. Stop denying it.
Did you follow the 2020 election – Biden stayed in his basement and his rallies were poor attended, so if Biden were as popular as his 81 million votes suggests why weren’t his rallies overflowing with pro-Biden supporters?
It is impossible to know whether the election was stolen or not. Remember the end result was a matter of only 30,000 votes in 3 states. But what is for sure is that there were plenty of irregularities and plenty of things that looked mighty suspicious even if they were completely innocent (like kicking out of observers in Georgia at midnight claiming a water leak, and then immediately start counting again once the observers had left, taking sack loads of votes from the under the table). What is also absolutely for sure is that the judiciary which should have heard the various cases brought dismissed them for lack of standing because they didn’t want to touch this with a barge poll. So we are left with half the country believing, not without reason, that some funny stuff was going on, and having to believe that the Department of Justice and the FBI are telling the truth when they claim that everything was above board. These are the same people who claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, etc…. and who mismanaged the Covid response completely, shutting down the economy, pushing people into bankruptcy and poverty, taking years off the future lives of children (who will be poorly educated, and therefore poorer and less healthy), etc…..
Was Trump duly elected president in 2016, according to the Constitution? If not, are you an election denier?
There’s less evidence of Russian hacking having any significant effect on the 2016 election than there is of vote fraud in 2020. The election deniers of 2016 have not been held to anything close to the same standards of evidence as those of 2020, and they should be. The Durham prosecutions proved in court that the the Russia Hoax, starting with the Alfa Bank and Steele Dossier, were fabricated lies by the Clinton Campaign. Sussmann and Danchenko were acquitted of lying to the FBI because both their lawyers successfully argued that the FBI knew they were lying.
Ignoring the debunking of the Russia Hoax is delusional. Assuming you can assert Russians hacked the 2016 election without offering any proof whatsoever insults at least half the country. We elected Trump in 2016 according to the Constitution. Stop denying it.
By God, Sir, you would of course believe that the election was stolen! I was wondering how long it would take for 2020 election result deniers to creep out of their holes…
Few think the election was properly done. Too many anomalies.
Wrong. You should have phrased it this way: Few Republicans do. Most Repulsives don’t because they are either feeble-minded (“you know, people of the land, morons” Blazing Saddles) or sore losers.
But every high school student knows that to insult another person’s intelligence is to concede defeat. The debate is over. And yet we’ve got to the point where many reach for the insult as if it were the only option. Why do you think that is?
But Monsieur, I was insulting no-one. Just quoting from an excellent and very funny film. As for defeat, who is waging a war? Not I, Leclerc!
If your life was at risk, would you want it saved by a Trump supporter?
If your life was at risk, would you want it saved by a Trump supporter?
But Monsieur, I was insulting no-one. Just quoting from an excellent and very funny film. As for defeat, who is waging a war? Not I, Leclerc!
The issue is not what your opinion is or anybody else’s for that matter, but what are the actual facts. It doesn’t matter which side of the political divide one is on, there is no question that “funky” stuff went on with the 2020 election. Whether it was sufficient in the 3 key states to make any difference is another issue. But since nobody is willing to investigate properly we’ll never know and half the country will believe the election was stolen.
For sure it is mighty strange that somebody who couldn’t attract a crowd of more than 20 at any of the few rallies he did (and most of them were his entourage), and spent most of the election hiding in his basement, can garner the largest number of votes in history, vastly exceeding that of the superstar Obama. There is clearly some cognitive dissonance here.
But every high school student knows that to insult another person’s intelligence is to concede defeat. The debate is over. And yet we’ve got to the point where many reach for the insult as if it were the only option. Why do you think that is?
The issue is not what your opinion is or anybody else’s for that matter, but what are the actual facts. It doesn’t matter which side of the political divide one is on, there is no question that “funky” stuff went on with the 2020 election. Whether it was sufficient in the 3 key states to make any difference is another issue. But since nobody is willing to investigate properly we’ll never know and half the country will believe the election was stolen.
For sure it is mighty strange that somebody who couldn’t attract a crowd of more than 20 at any of the few rallies he did (and most of them were his entourage), and spent most of the election hiding in his basement, can garner the largest number of votes in history, vastly exceeding that of the superstar Obama. There is clearly some cognitive dissonance here.
Wrong. You should have phrased it this way: Few Republicans do. Most Repulsives don’t because they are either feeble-minded (“you know, people of the land, morons” Blazing Saddles) or sore losers.
81 million Americans voted to kick Trump out? In the words of the Duke of Wellington: ‘By God, sir, if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!’
Few think the election was properly done. Too many anomalies.
Ukraine would not have happened under Trump. He knew how to deal with Russia and China both of whom are now detecting America’s weakness.
Is that why more than 81 million Americans voted to kick Trump out of office? Because of his amaaaazing accomplishments?!
Ukraine would not have happened under Trump. He knew how to deal with Russia and China both of whom are now detecting America’s weakness.
Trump himself has no idea, still, on why he was elected. It wasn’t because of his policies, but rather that he was a wrecking ball to the clerisy that has taken over the nation, and is grinding it to ruin.
Bad wars, policies that remove jobs and industries, laws that spread violence, disregard of the laws that we do have a la the border, immigration, all of these things hurt the average person, the 70% who didn’t go to college and had falsities rammed down their throats, and they wanted to use the laws that are supposed to protect them to regain some modicum of control. But all we see is the whip effect of a slave questioning his master.
Trump is a populist – a crappy one – and people are fed up with the pathetic elites running the show.
Trump is a populist – a crappy one – and people are fed up with the pathetic elites running the show.
Trump resurrected the Tea Party movement calling it MAGA. The desire for effective government remains. Trump was not effective in trying to reform because of his own flaws and inexperience assisted by an army of people who hated any change to their sinecures – of both political parties. His loss in 2020 amplified by the failing winner has created even more frustration with an ineffective government. If anything, the stalemate in government has become even worse.
The handout era in the US must end facing a mountain of debt. The US exporting inflation has reached an end. But it’s productivity can be inspired by better leadership. Whether Trump or someone else, the spirit must be rekindled.
From my observation all the criminality is coming from the Dems.
Yes – he stuck his hand in the hornet’s nest and revealed it to be full of hornets.
Ordinary Americans might be desperate for change. That change, according to the results of the last presidential election, is not called Trump. As for the unhinged Left, look at some (a lot) of the Repubs sitting in the House of Reps, and tell me who is unhinged.
Trump actually got quite a bit accomplished. He secured the southern border – there were far fewer migrants deaths whereas hundreds have died since Biden has taken over. Trump removed a lot of unnecessary regulations to get the economy moving again. Inflation was just 1.4% compared to Biden’s 6 to 10 percent (this is killing every household budget). Trump did not create the supply line problems of today, Biden did. Trump did not start any conflicts, but Biden jumped in Ukraine, caused a disastrous pullout of Afghanistan…..and there’s so much more Trump did that was positive as well. Read up.
Trump himself has no idea, still, on why he was elected. It wasn’t because of his policies, but rather that he was a wrecking ball to the clerisy that has taken over the nation, and is grinding it to ruin.
Bad wars, policies that remove jobs and industries, laws that spread violence, disregard of the laws that we do have a la the border, immigration, all of these things hurt the average person, the 70% who didn’t go to college and had falsities rammed down their throats, and they wanted to use the laws that are supposed to protect them to regain some modicum of control. But all we see is the whip effect of a slave questioning his master.
Trump resurrected the Tea Party movement calling it MAGA. The desire for effective government remains. Trump was not effective in trying to reform because of his own flaws and inexperience assisted by an army of people who hated any change to their sinecures – of both political parties. His loss in 2020 amplified by the failing winner has created even more frustration with an ineffective government. If anything, the stalemate in government has become even worse.
The handout era in the US must end facing a mountain of debt. The US exporting inflation has reached an end. But it’s productivity can be inspired by better leadership. Whether Trump or someone else, the spirit must be rekindled.
From my observation all the criminality is coming from the Dems.
The author does not write that the opioid crisis in the US is another of Trump’s innumerable misdeeds… He points out it is yet another symptom of American decline.
Wrong. Entirely wrong. It’s hard to know where to begin with your comment because you don’t seem to understand what is going on at all.
Such an elightened/enlightening comment… Mais encore?
The opioid crisis can be laid squarely at the feet of Big Pharma and milquetoast physicians who listened to them two decades ago when “Pain is the fifth vital sign” was the mantra at every CME conference one could attend. From there, the drumbeat from administrators who were absolutely starstruck by patient satisfactions scores, was to tell physicians to write for opioids as often as possible. And, well, we can see where that has led. I have spent most of my career on this roller coaster and I assure you that this was a problem while Trump was still donating to Democrats and being a TV star. To suggest our nation’s affinity to narcotics started with him in office is simply not true.
1.I never wrote the US’ affinity to narcotics started with Trump in office. 2. You’re right about Big Pharma. It’s happening again: turn the country into a nation of obese people by adding sugar to all the food, then develop and give them Ozempic. At roughly 900$/month, juicy business indeed.
;
1.I never wrote the US’ affinity to narcotics started with Trump in office. 2. You’re right about Big Pharma. It’s happening again: turn the country into a nation of obese people by adding sugar to all the food, then develop and give them Ozempic. At roughly 900$/month, juicy business indeed.
;
On parler francais ici. Tres faux intelligent! Even Montana Cowboys like me speak French. It ain’t that impressive. Manure in any language is still m*rde.
The opioid crisis can be laid squarely at the feet of Big Pharma and milquetoast physicians who listened to them two decades ago when “Pain is the fifth vital sign” was the mantra at every CME conference one could attend. From there, the drumbeat from administrators who were absolutely starstruck by patient satisfactions scores, was to tell physicians to write for opioids as often as possible. And, well, we can see where that has led. I have spent most of my career on this roller coaster and I assure you that this was a problem while Trump was still donating to Democrats and being a TV star. To suggest our nation’s affinity to narcotics started with him in office is simply not true.
On parler francais ici. Tres faux intelligent! Even Montana Cowboys like me speak French. It ain’t that impressive. Manure in any language is still m*rde.
Such an elightened/enlightening comment… Mais encore?
The fact that the border with Mexico is wide open because Biden is not doing his Constitutional duty to see that immigration laws are faithfully executed seems to have escaped your notice. Similarly, the fact that the vast majority of fentanyl seems to be smuggled over the border seems to be unrecognized by both the author and you.
Recently, Democrats have found that their issues don’t sell very well. Voters aren’t thrilled to open our jails and borders, and close our schools. Voters don’t think their highest priority should be to protect pregnant men from climate change. Most voters even shokingly prefer police, no matter how excessively white, to street gangs, even if the street gangs are really, really diverse.
So Democrats would rather talk about Trump,
Wrong. Entirely wrong. It’s hard to know where to begin with your comment because you don’t seem to understand what is going on at all.
The fact that the border with Mexico is wide open because Biden is not doing his Constitutional duty to see that immigration laws are faithfully executed seems to have escaped your notice. Similarly, the fact that the vast majority of fentanyl seems to be smuggled over the border seems to be unrecognized by both the author and you.
Recently, Democrats have found that their issues don’t sell very well. Voters aren’t thrilled to open our jails and borders, and close our schools. Voters don’t think their highest priority should be to protect pregnant men from climate change. Most voters even shokingly prefer police, no matter how excessively white, to street gangs, even if the street gangs are really, really diverse.
So Democrats would rather talk about Trump,
Black carnage in the inner cities has been going on since the 1960’s.
In Democrat cities.
In Democrat cities.
The worse cities in the USA (high crime rate, poverty etc) are those run by Democrats, and have been so for years
That’s not saying much since Democrats pretty much run all major U.S. cities these days.
The best performing places in America tend to be suburbs and they are roughly split between being Dem-run and GOP-run.
That’s not saying much since Democrats pretty much run all major U.S. cities these days.
The best performing places in America tend to be suburbs and they are roughly split between being Dem-run and GOP-run.
Homelessness and drugs in the streets are mostly the faults of left wing Democratic politicians. Just looking at CA’s cities, where I spend lots of time, it is absolutely obvious, why this beautiful State is so mismanaged on all levels. Homelessness massivley increased under Newsom and the various left wing mayors and officials in CA. Homeless people got “invited” to spend their time here, free drugs for everybody and the cities tolerating their tents for the last 6 years. Major cities like LA and San Fran are so dangerous with drug addicts, that you don’t want to set a foot in the streets, but just drive quickly to your destination to avoid these poor staggering, drug filled human beings. Although in LA they seemed to have cleaned up some of the streets as local elections recently took place. An amazing transformation, since my last stay here and a happy new life for the local population, shop and restaurants owners.
Thousands of businesses are fleeing this State monthly as the local income taxes and red tapes are increasing, and new schemes are recently thought up by councillors in San Fran to give millions of Dollars to African Americans to compensate them for slavery.
So if a journalist wants to write an article about the decline of the U.S., he/she should just take a look at the extreme left wing Democrats, who run the big cities and States, where most of the problems and crimes are taking place.
Quite right. I can’t think of much that Trump actually changed, for better or for worse.
His main accomplishment was to highlight how unhinged the leftist Establishment has become, and how desperate ordinary Americans are for real change.
The author does not write that the opioid crisis in the US is another of Trump’s innumerable misdeeds… He points out it is yet another symptom of American decline.
Black carnage in the inner cities has been going on since the 1960’s.
The worse cities in the USA (high crime rate, poverty etc) are those run by Democrats, and have been so for years
Homelessness and drugs in the streets are mostly the faults of left wing Democratic politicians. Just looking at CA’s cities, where I spend lots of time, it is absolutely obvious, why this beautiful State is so mismanaged on all levels. Homelessness massivley increased under Newsom and the various left wing mayors and officials in CA. Homeless people got “invited” to spend their time here, free drugs for everybody and the cities tolerating their tents for the last 6 years. Major cities like LA and San Fran are so dangerous with drug addicts, that you don’t want to set a foot in the streets, but just drive quickly to your destination to avoid these poor staggering, drug filled human beings. Although in LA they seemed to have cleaned up some of the streets as local elections recently took place. An amazing transformation, since my last stay here and a happy new life for the local population, shop and restaurants owners.
Thousands of businesses are fleeing this State monthly as the local income taxes and red tapes are increasing, and new schemes are recently thought up by councillors in San Fran to give millions of Dollars to African Americans to compensate them for slavery.
So if a journalist wants to write an article about the decline of the U.S., he/she should just take a look at the extreme left wing Democrats, who run the big cities and States, where most of the problems and crimes are taking place.
Exactly – most journalists (both sides of the Pond) invariably make a simple assumption: Trump.Is.Evil. I’ve yet to have explained to me why this is the case. Something of a buffoon, occasionally, yes; eccentric hand gestures, silly comb-over, whatever, sure; no doubt involved in questionable high-finance shenanigans in his day, yes; narcissistic, no doubt. But, er, how do these characteristics not apply to just about every politician of the last thirty-odd years – many of whom (including the absurdity currently in power) are guilty of far, far worse? I just don’t see the xenophobic, child-torturing war-mongerer that everone else does! I see a rather avuncular, likeable, family man who doesn’t drink, comes out with the occasional badly-worded tweet (which I quite agree puts him in a bad light but is in fact perfectly explainable). But what earnest lefties probably hate most about Trump is that he has a sense of humour!
McTague’s contention is that Trump is the “cause and symptom of US dysfuntion”. He then goes on to say precisely nothing to explain his statement. The Assumption continues. These are the references to Trump:
1. “The news that Donald Trump will be indicted for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star only adds to the mounting atmosphere of dysfunction.” Is this really what’s done the damage to the American system? For crying out loud, Clinton (him)? Clinton (her)? Nixon? Biden for God’s sake? Even Kennedy, if they’d had social media back then! It’s not difficult to name dozens guilty of far worse than hush money…
2. “Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.” Yep, fair enough, but so what?
3. “Trump’s indictment, though, plays into existing fears about the future of the Republic: of democratic norms no longer holding; taboos being broken; dangerous precedents being set; even of a late-stage imperial decline becoming entrenched.” Plays into whose “existing fears”? Yours, MrTague – yours! Name the “democratic norms” you refer to! The Democrat-favouring MMS are the ones doing such desperate damage to free speech – not Trump.
4. “After all, it doesn’t require an overly tragic mind to wonder what lessons Trump will take from this should he somehow take back the presidency.” I rather think it does, actually, Mr McTague. Feel like evidencing your views, perchance?
5. “And yet what is the grand jury in New York supposed to do if Trump has broken the law?” Well, if the trial is conducted fairly and he’s found guilty, hopefully the grand jury will just do its job! Where does this sort of gormless rhetoric get us?
6. “Trump, as ever, is both a cause and a symptom of America’s great national crisis.” There it is – don’t argue. This really is a facile and empty statement. Evidence please. As I’ve hinted before, it’s not difficult to point to far worse players than Trump.
7/8. “For Kaplan, who supported the Iraq war but came to bitterly regret his misjudgement, America then gave up any credibility to lecture the world by electing Trump. ‘Trump’s effect on our domestic politics laid bare the American system’s tenuousness,’ he writes.” So people were unhappy with the way things were going. They therefore elected someone a bit…different… who promised to shake things up. This is what politicians always say they’re going to do, and then don’t. Trump did. By the time he was outrageously forced out by the transparently rigged ‘election’ of a clownish, gibbering oaf (genuinely up to his neck in corrupt practices), Trump had fulfilled a far higher proportion of his campaign promises than any other president in history (without starting any overseas wars in doing so) and was likely on the way to fulfilling more. Mistakes, yes; offensive tweets, kind of (boo hoo); but oh boy, far more good than bad. When the present incumbent was elected, I heard the death knell good and proper. Evidence, Mr McTague – evidence!
” Something of a buffoon”? a bit like a Putin is ” something of a control freak?” The man is an embarrasing, dim witted imbecile.
And yet was the most effective president of the 21st century.
That point of view just proves exactly what I have said!
That point of view just proves exactly what I have said!
Embarrassing, not embarrasing. Dim-witted, not dim witted. You’re something of a poor speller.
Trump inherited a property company and expanded it in New York when much of it was run down due to poor leadership from the Democratic Party. Trump bought run down land and constructed valuable developments and made a profit. In doing so he had to develop a good rapport with blue collar workers. Trump is one of the few presidents who has actually undertaken beneficial construction. The corruption with the New York construction industry due to the mafia is immense. The mafia take $200M out of the concrete industry alone.
The practical and technical skills needed to demolish buildings, remove the material, import new materials and construct a new property in a city are immense.
I think much of the malice towards Trump from the Democrtaic Party was because he was successful when others failed in the New York property market. Also middle class left wingers utterly resent and are full of malice towards wealthy people who can earn the respect of blue collar workers when they are treated with contempt by them.
What is very revealing is that the Democratic Party is not investing in infrastructure which would benefit blue collar workers but Trump wanted to had massive plans to do so.
Trump’s experience of dealing with the New York mafia has stood him in good stead when dealing with third world politicians. After all, they have the same psychology, or at least very similar. He had Kim Jong-Il eating out of his hand. He was a brake on Putin and Xi.
Trump’s experience of dealing with the New York mafia has stood him in good stead when dealing with third world politicians. After all, they have the same psychology, or at least very similar. He had Kim Jong-Il eating out of his hand. He was a brake on Putin and Xi.
And yet was the most effective president of the 21st century.
Embarrassing, not embarrasing. Dim-witted, not dim witted. You’re something of a poor speller.
Trump inherited a property company and expanded it in New York when much of it was run down due to poor leadership from the Democratic Party. Trump bought run down land and constructed valuable developments and made a profit. In doing so he had to develop a good rapport with blue collar workers. Trump is one of the few presidents who has actually undertaken beneficial construction. The corruption with the New York construction industry due to the mafia is immense. The mafia take $200M out of the concrete industry alone.
The practical and technical skills needed to demolish buildings, remove the material, import new materials and construct a new property in a city are immense.
I think much of the malice towards Trump from the Democrtaic Party was because he was successful when others failed in the New York property market. Also middle class left wingers utterly resent and are full of malice towards wealthy people who can earn the respect of blue collar workers when they are treated with contempt by them.
What is very revealing is that the Democratic Party is not investing in infrastructure which would benefit blue collar workers but Trump wanted to had massive plans to do so.
” Something of a buffoon”? a bit like a Putin is ” something of a control freak?” The man is an embarrasing, dim witted imbecile.
Because orange man bad
Yep, orange, Bill Maher did say he was the issue of an orang-outang!
Yep, orange, Bill Maher did say he was the issue of an orang-outang!
He has normalised the idea of a coup.
He never did such a thing. Read his speech on Jan 6 about going forth ‘peacefully’ – the Democrats omitted that from the very political Jan 6 hearings as they did so many other details. Trump questioned the status quo of many things – he was ‘The Disrupter’ – which rattled many bureaucrats who were sitting pretty. Trump wanted to revisit the NATO pact which made sense after 70 years; Why should the USA keep defending Europe?! He questioned and changed trade rules with China, etc, etc – politician on the grift couldn’t stand it. Hence the resistance. Trump was very constructive for the American people.
What was done to him was a coup that was set in train the moment he won the election.
Probably when they designed their phony election plans.
Well let see there the move to politicize Twitter and Facebook that started the flowing day , then there was the concocted Russian dossier that was put in train even before he was elected and the protests on the day of his inauguration.
And you don’t think these people would rig an election
Well let see there the move to politicize Twitter and Facebook that started the flowing day , then there was the concocted Russian dossier that was put in train even before he was elected and the protests on the day of his inauguration.
And you don’t think these people would rig an election
Probably when they designed their phony election plans.
He never did such a thing. Read his speech on Jan 6 about going forth ‘peacefully’ – the Democrats omitted that from the very political Jan 6 hearings as they did so many other details. Trump questioned the status quo of many things – he was ‘The Disrupter’ – which rattled many bureaucrats who were sitting pretty. Trump wanted to revisit the NATO pact which made sense after 70 years; Why should the USA keep defending Europe?! He questioned and changed trade rules with China, etc, etc – politician on the grift couldn’t stand it. Hence the resistance. Trump was very constructive for the American people.
What was done to him was a coup that was set in train the moment he won the election.
Good point, to me, he’s a by product of what went on before him.
He’s a symptom, like a fever attending an infection. For the Left (and to a large extent, the establishment elites of both major parties), he’s the standard bearer of that icky right wing populist movement that threatens leftist plans (and the established order). I’m not a fan of populism, either left-wing or right-wing, but it often arises when the established political order is itself dysfunctional, full of grifters, and failing in its responsibilities to the whole.
For someone who was not a professional politician he did amazingly in sorting out corruption. Alas the swamp was far deeper than anyone could have known.
For someone who was not a professional politician he did amazingly in sorting out corruption. Alas the swamp was far deeper than anyone could have known.
Because he doesn’t like lies and makes the dems uncomfortable?
Trump is the left’s all purpose excuse for excess or failures.
Anything wrong with the country is Trump’s fault. Trump is 1984’s Emmanuel Goldstein on steroids. While Goldstein got only 2 minutes of hate, Trump gets close to 24×7 hours of hate on CNN and MSNBC. The indictment is just the latest excuse to talk about how bad Trump is.
To prevent Trump in 2016, the FBI pretended to believe the Steele Dossier and the Russia Hoax. The FBI alleged Carter Page was a Russian asset on 3 FISA warrant applications, without asking the CIA for their opinion. When the CIA finally said Carter Page is our asset, Clinesmith changed their response to say Page didn’t work for the CIA. All of this malfeasance was justified to prevent Trump, and to cripple him after he won.
When Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelensky about any criminal investigations of the Bidens, it was used as an excuse for impeachment. This is in spite of the fact that Joe Biden bragged in public on video that he threatened to withhold a $1 billion loan guarantee as VP, unless Ukraine fired the prosecutor investigating Burisma, the natural gas company Hunter Biden worked for. Ukraine fired the prosecutor in response to Joe’s threats, according to Joe.
I could go on about how, according to the left, government censorship is required to “save our democracy” from Trump, but you get the idea. There’s no part of the law or Constitution that won’t be sacrificed to save us from Trump.
It is difficult to hate that which one does not fear. Those who have conquered fear can walk with the wild animals.Monkey hate snakes because they fear them. Why do Democrats fear Trump?
It is difficult to hate that which one does not fear. Those who have conquered fear can walk with the wild animals.Monkey hate snakes because they fear them. Why do Democrats fear Trump?
Good question. A lot of the things the author mentions like fentanyl deaths, homelessness and mass shootings have been going on long before Trump became President.
Exactly – most journalists (both sides of the Pond) invariably make a simple assumption: Trump.Is.Evil. I’ve yet to have explained to me why this is the case. Something of a buffoon, occasionally, yes; eccentric hand gestures, silly comb-over, whatever, sure; no doubt involved in questionable high-finance shenanigans in his day, yes; narcissistic, no doubt. But, er, how do these characteristics not apply to just about every politician of the last thirty-odd years – many of whom (including the absurdity currently in power) are guilty of far, far worse? I just don’t see the xenophobic, child-torturing war-mongerer that everone else does! I see a rather avuncular, likeable, family man who doesn’t drink, comes out with the occasional badly-worded tweet (which I quite agree puts him in a bad light but is in fact perfectly explainable). But what earnest lefties probably hate most about Trump is that he has a sense of humour!
McTague’s contention is that Trump is the “cause and symptom of US dysfuntion”. He then goes on to say precisely nothing to explain his statement. The Assumption continues. These are the references to Trump:
1. “The news that Donald Trump will be indicted for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star only adds to the mounting atmosphere of dysfunction.” Is this really what’s done the damage to the American system? For crying out loud, Clinton (him)? Clinton (her)? Nixon? Biden for God’s sake? Even Kennedy, if they’d had social media back then! It’s not difficult to name dozens guilty of far worse than hush money…
2. “Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.” Yep, fair enough, but so what?
3. “Trump’s indictment, though, plays into existing fears about the future of the Republic: of democratic norms no longer holding; taboos being broken; dangerous precedents being set; even of a late-stage imperial decline becoming entrenched.” Plays into whose “existing fears”? Yours, MrTague – yours! Name the “democratic norms” you refer to! The Democrat-favouring MMS are the ones doing such desperate damage to free speech – not Trump.
4. “After all, it doesn’t require an overly tragic mind to wonder what lessons Trump will take from this should he somehow take back the presidency.” I rather think it does, actually, Mr McTague. Feel like evidencing your views, perchance?
5. “And yet what is the grand jury in New York supposed to do if Trump has broken the law?” Well, if the trial is conducted fairly and he’s found guilty, hopefully the grand jury will just do its job! Where does this sort of gormless rhetoric get us?
6. “Trump, as ever, is both a cause and a symptom of America’s great national crisis.” There it is – don’t argue. This really is a facile and empty statement. Evidence please. As I’ve hinted before, it’s not difficult to point to far worse players than Trump.
7/8. “For Kaplan, who supported the Iraq war but came to bitterly regret his misjudgement, America then gave up any credibility to lecture the world by electing Trump. ‘Trump’s effect on our domestic politics laid bare the American system’s tenuousness,’ he writes.” So people were unhappy with the way things were going. They therefore elected someone a bit…different… who promised to shake things up. This is what politicians always say they’re going to do, and then don’t. Trump did. By the time he was outrageously forced out by the transparently rigged ‘election’ of a clownish, gibbering oaf (genuinely up to his neck in corrupt practices), Trump had fulfilled a far higher proportion of his campaign promises than any other president in history (without starting any overseas wars in doing so) and was likely on the way to fulfilling more. Mistakes, yes; offensive tweets, kind of (boo hoo); but oh boy, far more good than bad. When the present incumbent was elected, I heard the death knell good and proper. Evidence, Mr McTague – evidence!
Because orange man bad
He has normalised the idea of a coup.
Good point, to me, he’s a by product of what went on before him.
He’s a symptom, like a fever attending an infection. For the Left (and to a large extent, the establishment elites of both major parties), he’s the standard bearer of that icky right wing populist movement that threatens leftist plans (and the established order). I’m not a fan of populism, either left-wing or right-wing, but it often arises when the established political order is itself dysfunctional, full of grifters, and failing in its responsibilities to the whole.
Because he doesn’t like lies and makes the dems uncomfortable?
Trump is the left’s all purpose excuse for excess or failures.
Anything wrong with the country is Trump’s fault. Trump is 1984’s Emmanuel Goldstein on steroids. While Goldstein got only 2 minutes of hate, Trump gets close to 24×7 hours of hate on CNN and MSNBC. The indictment is just the latest excuse to talk about how bad Trump is.
To prevent Trump in 2016, the FBI pretended to believe the Steele Dossier and the Russia Hoax. The FBI alleged Carter Page was a Russian asset on 3 FISA warrant applications, without asking the CIA for their opinion. When the CIA finally said Carter Page is our asset, Clinesmith changed their response to say Page didn’t work for the CIA. All of this malfeasance was justified to prevent Trump, and to cripple him after he won.
When Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelensky about any criminal investigations of the Bidens, it was used as an excuse for impeachment. This is in spite of the fact that Joe Biden bragged in public on video that he threatened to withhold a $1 billion loan guarantee as VP, unless Ukraine fired the prosecutor investigating Burisma, the natural gas company Hunter Biden worked for. Ukraine fired the prosecutor in response to Joe’s threats, according to Joe.
I could go on about how, according to the left, government censorship is required to “save our democracy” from Trump, but you get the idea. There’s no part of the law or Constitution that won’t be sacrificed to save us from Trump.
Why is Trump the ‘cause’ of US dysfunction?
A president who jokes about ice cream and taking attractive kids upstairs on his first appearance after a trans gun woman kills 4 at a school and a White House press secretary who thinks the the real victims are the trans community are a bigger indicator of US dysfunction than Orangeman paying off a blackmailing gold digger – probably more to protect his marriage than his public persona.
After so many mass shootings in the US, maybe the time has come for more jokes about ice cream and less “thoughts and prayers”! These shootings, sadly and unbelievably, are now so run-of-the mill…
Danielle, i agree with you. The expression “thoughts and prayers” has the same meaningless cachet as “lessons will be learned”, to be uttered in order to appear on the side of “good” whilst breathing a sigh of relief and moving on swiftly.
That’s pretty much all we have since no one wants to talk about cause and motivation. More families had guns in the homes in the 60’s, yet we did not have this problem. What has changed?
That’s pretty much all we have since no one wants to talk about cause and motivation. More families had guns in the homes in the 60’s, yet we did not have this problem. What has changed?
Danielle, i agree with you. The expression “thoughts and prayers” has the same meaningless cachet as “lessons will be learned”, to be uttered in order to appear on the side of “good” whilst breathing a sigh of relief and moving on swiftly.
They are as bad as each other.. as most Americans probably believe that Superman, Yogi Bear, and Popeye, are real people why not put them up for election?… or indeed Lady Stormsworth Daniels? The American male vote would give her a landslide… just imagine what she could offer Chinese and Russian politicians in exchange with following US policy?… a no brainer ( excuse the irony)
Yes, white Republican males would indeed vote for her: they love big breasts!
And yours are?
I’ll let you know after you have given me the dimensions of your “package”…
Perhaps the same as yours, sir.
It’s DanielLE, laddy!
And you complained somewhere that Unherd commenters had no sense of humour!
I never thought you were a male. But, given your formulaic comments and lack of self awareness (insulting millions of unknown people from the safety of your screen) I did wonder if you were an AI manifestation.
I was wrong. No AI creator would dial such vanity into the product.
And you complained somewhere that Unherd commenters had no sense of humour!
I never thought you were a male. But, given your formulaic comments and lack of self awareness (insulting millions of unknown people from the safety of your screen) I did wonder if you were an AI manifestation.
I was wrong. No AI creator would dial such vanity into the product.
It’s DanielLE, laddy!
Perhaps the same as yours, sir.
I’ll let you know after you have given me the dimensions of your “package”…
And yours are?
Yes, white Republican males would indeed vote for her: they love big breasts!
You mean Biden?
Is the president himself a victim of the drug/opioid epidemic? Maybe that’s a contributor to his incoherence, with or without his age, and potential dementia? Just thinking out loud…
After so many mass shootings in the US, maybe the time has come for more jokes about ice cream and less “thoughts and prayers”! These shootings, sadly and unbelievably, are now so run-of-the mill…
They are as bad as each other.. as most Americans probably believe that Superman, Yogi Bear, and Popeye, are real people why not put them up for election?… or indeed Lady Stormsworth Daniels? The American male vote would give her a landslide… just imagine what she could offer Chinese and Russian politicians in exchange with following US policy?… a no brainer ( excuse the irony)
You mean Biden?
Is the president himself a victim of the drug/opioid epidemic? Maybe that’s a contributor to his incoherence, with or without his age, and potential dementia? Just thinking out loud…
A president who jokes about ice cream and taking attractive kids upstairs on his first appearance after a trans gun woman kills 4 at a school and a White House press secretary who thinks the the real victims are the trans community are a bigger indicator of US dysfunction than Orangeman paying off a blackmailing gold digger – probably more to protect his marriage than his public persona.
The high murder rate of Chicago and St Louis which you mention is surely a case of “Black on Black”, to use a technical term?
It has been going on for eons and thus one must ask do “Black lives matter”? Or is thus just Woke cant?
And who controls California ?
Lets blame Trump and the Republicans
I take it you mean the Dems control California.
I take it you mean the Dems control California.
Ssshhhh…. We can’t point out the truth in a America without being labeled a racist and cancelled. Discussing the reality of black on black inner city violence and it’s root causes is just one example of what cannot be acknowledged or spoken about if you value your career and social standing. Newspeak is here. George Orwell, please call your office.
The sad, truly pathetic truth is the political elite doesn’t actually care about crime in the inner city. They’ve never been and they never will – it all becomes nothing more than a political prop.
They always love black people until it is time to give them some real world help and by real world help I mean actual help not twitter hashtags and protecting violent criminals. Have you seen the infrastructure and schools in the inner cities? Apparently you can keep pretending to care decade after decade.
They always love black people until it is time to give them some real world help and by real world help I mean actual help not twitter hashtags and protecting violent criminals. Have you seen the infrastructure and schools in the inner cities? Apparently you can keep pretending to care decade after decade.
The sad, truly pathetic truth is the political elite doesn’t actually care about crime in the inner city. They’ve never been and they never will – it all becomes nothing more than a political prop.
Are you saying that because it’s “black-on-black” it doesn’t count? These are people (usually young men) who are dying in droves, they are part of America, American citizens, no society shouild sit idly by while young lives are wasted
For many white and black Americans, young male black lives do not matter. America is stained forever by slavery which it refuses to own up to. Racism is systemic, alive and well, producing generations of disaffected, hopeless, black youth. I feel for them.
define racism?
Go buy a dictionary.
no ” Go AND buy a dictionary”… or perhaps you should, if you wont answer?.. or maybe you actually do not know that the word has no definition, and in any case the word is ” racialism” not racism.
BS (and no, that does not stand for bland statement!).
BS (and no, that does not stand for bland statement!).
no ” Go AND buy a dictionary”… or perhaps you should, if you wont answer?.. or maybe you actually do not know that the word has no definition, and in any case the word is ” racialism” not racism.
Out of genuine interest, how would you define racism?
Go buy a dictionary.
Out of genuine interest, how would you define racism?
Wow, a refreshing new view? how revolutionary? I love a fresh mind that does not follow the lemming internet mantra, like a blind follower of the pied piper of woke…
Like the mantra of the MAGA lot, blind six-pack wielding followers of the pied piper of deplorability?
How much are you getting paid?
By the word, or hour?
How much are you getting paid?
By the word, or hour?
Like the mantra of the MAGA lot, blind six-pack wielding followers of the pied piper of deplorability?
There are plenty of disaffected, hopeless white people out there as well, Latinos as well. Appalachia is a hell hole. We’ve got a class war going on here and race baiters are doing nothing but carrying water for the elite.
So that little thing called the US Civil War (600K dead, mostly white people) and the civil rights movement plus decades of desegregation mean nothing? Please read something other than the 1619 Project claptrap. America may continue to deal with its past but all nations do. And explain why so many nonwhite people continue to try to get into the USA if it’s such a racist sewer by your estimation.
America is the place where the streets are paved with gold in the minds of most immigrants but maybe they are thinking of a free home, free food, free education, and benefits galore. Who knows?
America is the place where the streets are paved with gold in the minds of most immigrants but maybe they are thinking of a free home, free food, free education, and benefits galore. Who knows?
Whatever are you blathering about? It’s being ‘owned up to’ every day, nothing good is ever highlighted. Do you live here?
define racism?
Wow, a refreshing new view? how revolutionary? I love a fresh mind that does not follow the lemming internet mantra, like a blind follower of the pied piper of woke…
There are plenty of disaffected, hopeless white people out there as well, Latinos as well. Appalachia is a hell hole. We’ve got a class war going on here and race baiters are doing nothing but carrying water for the elite.
So that little thing called the US Civil War (600K dead, mostly white people) and the civil rights movement plus decades of desegregation mean nothing? Please read something other than the 1619 Project claptrap. America may continue to deal with its past but all nations do. And explain why so many nonwhite people continue to try to get into the USA if it’s such a racist sewer by your estimation.
Whatever are you blathering about? It’s being ‘owned up to’ every day, nothing good is ever highlighted. Do you live here?
The Democrat Party refuses to acknowledge that black inner city violence is a problem. They need blacks to vote for them – 90% do – and they don’t want to offend them. Just if you visit stay away from these areas. The same warning you’d get about the Muslim ghettos in Sweden.
That comparison underlines your ignorance on the subject. And it’s Democratic Party…
ignorance.. American term for ” I do not agree with you”!
What is the British equivalent then, because the readers of Unherd use it in spades when one has the the audacity to disagree with their right-wing views.
What is the British equivalent then, because the readers of Unherd use it in spades when one has the the audacity to disagree with their right-wing views.
ignorance.. American term for ” I do not agree with you”!
Where the rape statistics have exploded. Silly Swedes. What did they expect?
That comparison underlines your ignorance on the subject. And it’s Democratic Party…
Where the rape statistics have exploded. Silly Swedes. What did they expect?
Linda, I couldn’t agree with you more. Black lives matter. (I have adopted black children.) The problem is we cannot discuss the real reasons for the inner city collapse into violence and destruction–the disintegration of the black family. And there is a very good argument to be made that government policy has played a major role in that collapse. But in America we are simply never allowed to go there.
As I said, systemic racism at play.
No, that’s too lazy an explanation akin to saying ‘the devil made me do it’. It’s also always been the go-to excuse for the US public education system in its colossal failure to properly educate African-American children. I say this as someone who has taught high school students in the US.
define ” systemic” racialism?… go on…
Oh, it’s racialism, is it? So why don’t you define the word as opposed to racism? You can’t, it’s the same thing!
Oh, it’s racialism, is it? So why don’t you define the word as opposed to racism? You can’t, it’s the same thing!
Can you explain as to why African and Caribbean nations prop up the league table of commercial, industrial, financial, construction output, as well as democratic government, culture, education, IT, medical and pharma output, and farming efficiency, and yet many have large mineral and mining resources?
If sytemic racism is causing the problems in inner cities, which party is responsible? In the US, almost all big cities have been run by Democrats for decades. In Chicago, Democrats have been in charge since 1931. So Democrats control the system, and any racism in the system is there because Democrats put it there.
No, that’s too lazy an explanation akin to saying ‘the devil made me do it’. It’s also always been the go-to excuse for the US public education system in its colossal failure to properly educate African-American children. I say this as someone who has taught high school students in the US.
define ” systemic” racialism?… go on…
Can you explain as to why African and Caribbean nations prop up the league table of commercial, industrial, financial, construction output, as well as democratic government, culture, education, IT, medical and pharma output, and farming efficiency, and yet many have large mineral and mining resources?
If sytemic racism is causing the problems in inner cities, which party is responsible? In the US, almost all big cities have been run by Democrats for decades. In Chicago, Democrats have been in charge since 1931. So Democrats control the system, and any racism in the system is there because Democrats put it there.
Most Catholic priests I’ve heard in urban parishes precisely “go there.” But they are invisible to those who have not eyes to see. (I don’t know what you would make of the sharp critiques of the statement “black lives matter” occasionally put forth by our priests.)
For example, I’ve never seen (non-Catholic) media coverage of any prayer walk, neighborhood clean-up, meal ministry or missionary activity in any blighted, violent neighborhood in the US.
(Of course the ideas underpinning these activities–say, the importance of sacrifice, or, to which you allude, the family as the basis for the common good–are widely ridiculed, or worse. In fact, crucial components of Christian faith in general are effectively outlawed or even criminalized in some places.)
Meanwhile every urban non-profit supposed to reduce violence–so many of which end up being scams, when not actually fronts for violent gangs–gets fawning media coverage at its inception.
America “goes there” plenty but that doesn’t constitute doing anything about the problem–and there’s no political incentive to, on either side. Those most affected by the issue have a healthy distrust of all American institutions and aren’t the rabid partisans that so many seem to think they are. They barely even vote because they don’t see the point. The same goes for residents of poor rural Appalachia and the Southern Black Belt. All of these folks checked out a long time ago, and partisans only bring up their issues as political fodder in discussions like these.
You’re not wrong. The Republican party as a whole does not care about them either or their own middle and working class white voters either. The party establishment has spent more time, effort, and money fighting the populists in their own ranks than they have Democrats. That is the main reason Trump is still popular. Most other Republican candidates are presenting themselves as a return to the neocon Bush legacy.
You’re not wrong. The Republican party as a whole does not care about them either or their own middle and working class white voters either. The party establishment has spent more time, effort, and money fighting the populists in their own ranks than they have Democrats. That is the main reason Trump is still popular. Most other Republican candidates are presenting themselves as a return to the neocon Bush legacy.
As I said, systemic racism at play.
Most Catholic priests I’ve heard in urban parishes precisely “go there.” But they are invisible to those who have not eyes to see. (I don’t know what you would make of the sharp critiques of the statement “black lives matter” occasionally put forth by our priests.)
For example, I’ve never seen (non-Catholic) media coverage of any prayer walk, neighborhood clean-up, meal ministry or missionary activity in any blighted, violent neighborhood in the US.
(Of course the ideas underpinning these activities–say, the importance of sacrifice, or, to which you allude, the family as the basis for the common good–are widely ridiculed, or worse. In fact, crucial components of Christian faith in general are effectively outlawed or even criminalized in some places.)
Meanwhile every urban non-profit supposed to reduce violence–so many of which end up being scams, when not actually fronts for violent gangs–gets fawning media coverage at its inception.
America “goes there” plenty but that doesn’t constitute doing anything about the problem–and there’s no political incentive to, on either side. Those most affected by the issue have a healthy distrust of all American institutions and aren’t the rabid partisans that so many seem to think they are. They barely even vote because they don’t see the point. The same goes for residents of poor rural Appalachia and the Southern Black Belt. All of these folks checked out a long time ago, and partisans only bring up their issues as political fodder in discussions like these.
But seemingly they would not have it any other way which is why it continues
If I may speak for Mr Stanhope (something I never thought I’d do), you’re missing his use of irony here. He’s implying that for the ‘Woke’, however keen they are on supporting Black Lives Matter verbally and bemoaning the systemic racism mentioned by our current Wokist, Ms (Mlle?) Treille, they simply ignore the ugly truth.
I think you need to tune your irony/sarcasm meter. It very much matters that young black men kill other young black men in the numbers they do. Not to carry Charles’ water, but BLM is hypocritical in the extreme when it screams about George Floyd and ignores the self-inflicted carnage that has occurred and continues to occur in the black community.
BLM was in it for the money, dummy. They got piles of cash out of it.
BLM was in it for the money, dummy. They got piles of cash out of it.
Of cours it counts but some responsibility is on the blacks as well surely?
For many white and black Americans, young male black lives do not matter. America is stained forever by slavery which it refuses to own up to. Racism is systemic, alive and well, producing generations of disaffected, hopeless, black youth. I feel for them.
The Democrat Party refuses to acknowledge that black inner city violence is a problem. They need blacks to vote for them – 90% do – and they don’t want to offend them. Just if you visit stay away from these areas. The same warning you’d get about the Muslim ghettos in Sweden.
Linda, I couldn’t agree with you more. Black lives matter. (I have adopted black children.) The problem is we cannot discuss the real reasons for the inner city collapse into violence and destruction–the disintegration of the black family. And there is a very good argument to be made that government policy has played a major role in that collapse. But in America we are simply never allowed to go there.
But seemingly they would not have it any other way which is why it continues
If I may speak for Mr Stanhope (something I never thought I’d do), you’re missing his use of irony here. He’s implying that for the ‘Woke’, however keen they are on supporting Black Lives Matter verbally and bemoaning the systemic racism mentioned by our current Wokist, Ms (Mlle?) Treille, they simply ignore the ugly truth.
I think you need to tune your irony/sarcasm meter. It very much matters that young black men kill other young black men in the numbers they do. Not to carry Charles’ water, but BLM is hypocritical in the extreme when it screams about George Floyd and ignores the self-inflicted carnage that has occurred and continues to occur in the black community.
Of cours it counts but some responsibility is on the blacks as well surely?
That is the not-so-secret secret in looking at US murder rates. Take away the carnage that occurs in *Democrat-controlled* cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, and LA, and one would see per capita rates much closer to the rest of the OECD, I suspect. And BLM certainly doesn’t matter when it comes to rates of abortion. Planned Parenthood smiles.
And who controls California ?
Lets blame Trump and the Republicans
Ssshhhh…. We can’t point out the truth in a America without being labeled a racist and cancelled. Discussing the reality of black on black inner city violence and it’s root causes is just one example of what cannot be acknowledged or spoken about if you value your career and social standing. Newspeak is here. George Orwell, please call your office.
Are you saying that because it’s “black-on-black” it doesn’t count? These are people (usually young men) who are dying in droves, they are part of America, American citizens, no society shouild sit idly by while young lives are wasted
That is the not-so-secret secret in looking at US murder rates. Take away the carnage that occurs in *Democrat-controlled* cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, and LA, and one would see per capita rates much closer to the rest of the OECD, I suspect. And BLM certainly doesn’t matter when it comes to rates of abortion. Planned Parenthood smiles.
The high murder rate of Chicago and St Louis which you mention is surely a case of “Black on Black”, to use a technical term?
It has been going on for eons and thus one must ask do “Black lives matter”? Or is thus just Woke cant?
Trump is not on trial alone. He is merely the representative of a huge number of Americans who are on trial every day. We are on trial for our parent’s victory in WWII and subsequent tremendous growth in wealth and power. We are being tried for Vietnam, a poorly executed bloodbath to save the world for freedom but now our greatest mistake. Despite all the rhetoric from the left about “the troops” vs the politicians, we troops were there and fought and suffered for what we were led to believe by our elites was a necessary war. This was repeated in our latest set of wars. Our soldiers were sent off to the sand to fight those who, we were told, would bring us to ruin. Although I think that might be right we are now told that our enemies were pretty benign and should be tolerated, even honored.
We are on trial for racism but my North Texas family, military, were the most egalitarian people I can imagine and I was raised the same way and have led my life the same way. I judge men and women by what they do, but today we are judged by what we say, and are well punished for it.
Trump represents an attempt by his deplorables, like myself and most of my remaining friends to stop the elites of D.C., the government functionaries who run things, although never elected, to tell us what is right and wrong, what we should believe and how we should live our lives.
Freedom is at risk. Our press,rather than calling truth to power is part of the power and goes after us rubes as the great unwashed know-nothings who need to be put in front of Grand Juries in NYC, D.C, Chicago, Los Angeles and indicted for our past sins.
Personally, I am ready to move on from Trump but these obviously frivolous and tawdry attempts of the left leave many sure that, they will next come for me, not for my deeds, but for my thoughts about everything the left proclaims as their new religion, statism and authoritarianism.
The testimony of Matt Taibbi and Michael Schnellenberger before Congress summed it up for me. These two journalists with different views were harrassed, pilloried and lectured to by venal, ignorant politicians who wouldn’t know the truth, nor care about it. It was all about the narrative. It’s all about the narrative today, not the truth in America.
The deplorable are on trial but the outcome may not be to the liking of our supposed betters.
At least you recognise you are deplorable led blindly by the most deplorable of the lot. For this, I commend you.
Far better to be a Deplorable than a member of the woke clerisy. Deplorables, basically, give more than they take whereas their ‘betters’ take much and give less than nothing.
Far better to be a Deplorable than a member of the woke clerisy. Deplorables, basically, give more than they take whereas their ‘betters’ take much and give less than nothing.
At least you recognise you are deplorable led blindly by the most deplorable of the lot. For this, I commend you.
Trump is not on trial alone. He is merely the representative of a huge number of Americans who are on trial every day. We are on trial for our parent’s victory in WWII and subsequent tremendous growth in wealth and power. We are being tried for Vietnam, a poorly executed bloodbath to save the world for freedom but now our greatest mistake. Despite all the rhetoric from the left about “the troops” vs the politicians, we troops were there and fought and suffered for what we were led to believe by our elites was a necessary war. This was repeated in our latest set of wars. Our soldiers were sent off to the sand to fight those who, we were told, would bring us to ruin. Although I think that might be right we are now told that our enemies were pretty benign and should be tolerated, even honored.
We are on trial for racism but my North Texas family, military, were the most egalitarian people I can imagine and I was raised the same way and have led my life the same way. I judge men and women by what they do, but today we are judged by what we say, and are well punished for it.
Trump represents an attempt by his deplorables, like myself and most of my remaining friends to stop the elites of D.C., the government functionaries who run things, although never elected, to tell us what is right and wrong, what we should believe and how we should live our lives.
Freedom is at risk. Our press,rather than calling truth to power is part of the power and goes after us rubes as the great unwashed know-nothings who need to be put in front of Grand Juries in NYC, D.C, Chicago, Los Angeles and indicted for our past sins.
Personally, I am ready to move on from Trump but these obviously frivolous and tawdry attempts of the left leave many sure that, they will next come for me, not for my deeds, but for my thoughts about everything the left proclaims as their new religion, statism and authoritarianism.
The testimony of Matt Taibbi and Michael Schnellenberger before Congress summed it up for me. These two journalists with different views were harrassed, pilloried and lectured to by venal, ignorant politicians who wouldn’t know the truth, nor care about it. It was all about the narrative. It’s all about the narrative today, not the truth in America.
The deplorable are on trial but the outcome may not be to the liking of our supposed betters.
Mr McTague, do you actually know anything about American politics? Have you been paying attention to what’s been done to Donald Trump for seven years? Did the whole Clinton-concocted Steele Dossier/Russian Collusion thing escape your attention? Did you know this non-crime had been dismissed twice before?
”No one is above the law”? Laughable statement. This is where America is now, and it’s certainly not the fault of Donald Trump: if you’re in or support the correct party, or are a member of the right grievance group, you’re golden. You can fly to Pedophile Isle for kicks, or insider trade your way to massive wealth, or party with your buddies mask-free during a purported pandemic, or violently rampage through major cities, or murder innocent school children and be considered a victim. Laws don’t apply to you.
That’s politics in America today. If you’re going to write about it, do us the courtesy of at least understanding it.
In other words, Sam Bankman-Fried. Who paid his $250 million bail after defrauding over one million clients and buying real estate in the Bahamas?
no one understands how he got out – he put up a couple million out of the $250 in the form of his parent’s house – and the $130,000,000.00 campaign contributions to the Democrats of course, but 1% of the actual amount of his bail – yet they let him out.
no one understands how he got out – he put up a couple million out of the $250 in the form of his parent’s house – and the $130,000,000.00 campaign contributions to the Democrats of course, but 1% of the actual amount of his bail – yet they let him out.
In other words, Sam Bankman-Fried. Who paid his $250 million bail after defrauding over one million clients and buying real estate in the Bahamas?
Mr McTague, do you actually know anything about American politics? Have you been paying attention to what’s been done to Donald Trump for seven years? Did the whole Clinton-concocted Steele Dossier/Russian Collusion thing escape your attention? Did you know this non-crime had been dismissed twice before?
”No one is above the law”? Laughable statement. This is where America is now, and it’s certainly not the fault of Donald Trump: if you’re in or support the correct party, or are a member of the right grievance group, you’re golden. You can fly to Pedophile Isle for kicks, or insider trade your way to massive wealth, or party with your buddies mask-free during a purported pandemic, or violently rampage through major cities, or murder innocent school children and be considered a victim. Laws don’t apply to you.
That’s politics in America today. If you’re going to write about it, do us the courtesy of at least understanding it.
Yes, Trump might have broken the law ….along with Biden, his son and countless other left wing political stooges who have lied under oath. How about prosecuting them? I have said on numerous occasions that whether you like him or loathe him, Trump’s policies while in office were good ones that served the American public well. Compare Biden and his assorted fellow lunatics….
Trump’s main problem is that he’s a bit thick. At college, he paid other people to do his exams. He’s too cretinous to be on a big stage. Of course, he’s a de facto Russian stooge (whether he even realises that is of course up for debate) who is de facto campaigning for the break-up of America (and whether he even realises that is of course up for debate also).
As someone who loves the US, I view its possible decline and break-up with foreboding (and personal sadness). It’s to me incomprehensible how, given the federal nature of the US, all the leftie crazies and all the right-wing crazies can’t organise themselves in different states and agree to differ. Learn how to cooperate at federal level and keep the show on the road.
Splitting up America is in the interests of nobody but the Chinese and Putain. But don’t think it can’t happen – it’s been on the cards for decades:
https://www.newsweek.com/majority-trump-voters-want-split-nation-red-blue-halves-1634523
It’s called the Republic of Pacifica… Why indeed should rich coastal Democratic states continue funding rural states whose Republican legislatures impose right-wing, evangelical, human rights violating laws on the rest of the country?
Those “rich coastal Democratic states” aren’t going to be rich much longer if they continue following the lead of CA. And are heavily dependent on rural red states for food and energy. I suspect that a lot of red states would do quite nicely without the crazy coastal blue states imposing left ideology and culture on them.
Energy, yes. Food, no. I repeat: time for secession.
I actually agree with you. We should live with those who share our values, work across the aisle when it’s an advantage. Not impossible but difficult. Anything to avoid violence.
Humans need basic foodstuffs which are grain, meat, basic vegetables and some fruit. People can survive without drinking wine and eating expensive nuts.Where does the water for irrigation come from? What about defence. An SAS Squadron Sergeant Major and Officer said ” A good soldier needs to be able to march long distances carrying his pack and rifle, acrosss all terrains, in all weathers and be fit to fight at the end of it “. Nowadays, they also need to be able to use advanced electronic equipment. Do Californian men provide the right stuff for producing Marines, Airborne and Special Forces which are increasing the most impportant aspect of land forces?
California could become independent but it would be like the end of the Roman Empire, some very wealthy people dependent upon foreigners to work to provide food,maintain infrastructure ( slaves ) and defence ( Goths). Could Californian men defend the country from Mexican drug gangs? The patina of civilisation is very thin as Europe found out after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and it took a thousand years to recover, from 410 AD to 1420 and Italian Renaissance.
I actually agree with you. We should live with those who share our values, work across the aisle when it’s an advantage. Not impossible but difficult. Anything to avoid violence.
Humans need basic foodstuffs which are grain, meat, basic vegetables and some fruit. People can survive without drinking wine and eating expensive nuts.Where does the water for irrigation come from? What about defence. An SAS Squadron Sergeant Major and Officer said ” A good soldier needs to be able to march long distances carrying his pack and rifle, acrosss all terrains, in all weathers and be fit to fight at the end of it “. Nowadays, they also need to be able to use advanced electronic equipment. Do Californian men provide the right stuff for producing Marines, Airborne and Special Forces which are increasing the most impportant aspect of land forces?
California could become independent but it would be like the end of the Roman Empire, some very wealthy people dependent upon foreigners to work to provide food,maintain infrastructure ( slaves ) and defence ( Goths). Could Californian men defend the country from Mexican drug gangs? The patina of civilisation is very thin as Europe found out after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and it took a thousand years to recover, from 410 AD to 1420 and Italian Renaissance.
Energy, yes. Food, no. I repeat: time for secession.
Rich coastal areas sell their goods to the rest of the country? The declines in CA and NY spell doom at some point.
Newsflash: The state of CA is the biggest agricultural producer in the US. It’s economy ranks No. 1 in the US, and No. 4 in the world. If I were you, I’d worry about CA choosing to turn the tap off…
How long can that agriculture compete with cities and snail darters for water when California refuses to billed more dams?
How long can that agriculture compete with cities and snail darters for water when California refuses to billed more dams?
Newsflash: The state of CA is the biggest agricultural producer in the US. It’s economy ranks No. 1 in the US, and No. 4 in the world. If I were you, I’d worry about CA choosing to turn the tap off…
Those “rich coastal Democratic states” aren’t going to be rich much longer if they continue following the lead of CA. And are heavily dependent on rural red states for food and energy. I suspect that a lot of red states would do quite nicely without the crazy coastal blue states imposing left ideology and culture on them.
Rich coastal areas sell their goods to the rest of the country? The declines in CA and NY spell doom at some point.
Excluding the first paragraph I think I agree with you today Mr mcCusker. I’m not sure I love the us but I don’t hate it I’m just worried by its state of affairs. China and Russia would love it if the us tanked itself. They should bear that in mind before getting all revolutionary.
a ” bit” thick? Like the Pope is a ” bit” religious?!!!
It’s called the Republic of Pacifica… Why indeed should rich coastal Democratic states continue funding rural states whose Republican legislatures impose right-wing, evangelical, human rights violating laws on the rest of the country?
Excluding the first paragraph I think I agree with you today Mr mcCusker. I’m not sure I love the us but I don’t hate it I’m just worried by its state of affairs. China and Russia would love it if the us tanked itself. They should bear that in mind before getting all revolutionary.
a ” bit” thick? Like the Pope is a ” bit” religious?!!!
Trump’s main problem is that he’s a bit thick. At college, he paid other people to do his exams. He’s too cretinous to be on a big stage. Of course, he’s a de facto Russian stooge (whether he even realises that is of course up for debate) who is de facto campaigning for the break-up of America (and whether he even realises that is of course up for debate also).
As someone who loves the US, I view its possible decline and break-up with foreboding (and personal sadness). It’s to me incomprehensible how, given the federal nature of the US, all the leftie crazies and all the right-wing crazies can’t organise themselves in different states and agree to differ. Learn how to cooperate at federal level and keep the show on the road.
Splitting up America is in the interests of nobody but the Chinese and Putain. But don’t think it can’t happen – it’s been on the cards for decades:
https://www.newsweek.com/majority-trump-voters-want-split-nation-red-blue-halves-1634523
Yes, Trump might have broken the law ….along with Biden, his son and countless other left wing political stooges who have lied under oath. How about prosecuting them? I have said on numerous occasions that whether you like him or loathe him, Trump’s policies while in office were good ones that served the American public well. Compare Biden and his assorted fellow lunatics….
The curse of well-intentioned people.
Everyone wants the world to be a better place, but on social issues, the activists who get through are those who are the most strident, single-minded and determined. Unfortunately, once they break-through, precisely those qualities are what push things too far in the other direction. They forget that ‘Enough’ is a valid state of affairs.
The curse of well-intentioned people.
Everyone wants the world to be a better place, but on social issues, the activists who get through are those who are the most strident, single-minded and determined. Unfortunately, once they break-through, precisely those qualities are what push things too far in the other direction. They forget that ‘Enough’ is a valid state of affairs.
Strange article. Trump was President for 4 years during which he was under constant attack from his opponents, but Biden, Pelosi, Bush, Clinton and Obama have nothing to do with the current state of the USA despite being in control for most of the last 30 years!
Strange article. Trump was President for 4 years during which he was under constant attack from his opponents, but Biden, Pelosi, Bush, Clinton and Obama have nothing to do with the current state of the USA despite being in control for most of the last 30 years!
Interesting. Virtually all today’s commentators on Tom McTague’s piece seem to think that it has to do with Donald Trump. It doesn’t. It has to do with the paradoxes within today’s America and, potentially, with the future of the USA. Read it again. Dwell on the final paragraph (omitting the third sentence if it offends you). And, well, hold your breath!
It’s annoyingly common for Comments to dwell on one aspect of a complex article, often not even a particularly relevant one, to the detriment of the wider argument.
It’s often the case this reduction of the discussion will amass the most upticks.
The sub-headline is Trump. The piece is published just as Trump is arraigned. Where do you expect peoples’ attention to go ?
You want a serious discussion don’t do clickbait like the grungier media.
It’s annoyingly common for Comments to dwell on one aspect of a complex article, often not even a particularly relevant one, to the detriment of the wider argument.
It’s often the case this reduction of the discussion will amass the most upticks.
The sub-headline is Trump. The piece is published just as Trump is arraigned. Where do you expect peoples’ attention to go ?
You want a serious discussion don’t do clickbait like the grungier media.
Interesting. Virtually all today’s commentators on Tom McTague’s piece seem to think that it has to do with Donald Trump. It doesn’t. It has to do with the paradoxes within today’s America and, potentially, with the future of the USA. Read it again. Dwell on the final paragraph (omitting the third sentence if it offends you). And, well, hold your breath!
In America, every day some dull leftist pundit is writing a mindless, uninformative dirge about all that plagues America and they’ve been doing it for decades. Why would we import this crap? There’s a whole new genre of journalism that I like to call “Notes from the echo chamber” that should be 86ed in favor of record reviews or beef stew recipes.
In America, every day some dull leftist pundit is writing a mindless, uninformative dirge about all that plagues America and they’ve been doing it for decades. Why would we import this crap? There’s a whole new genre of journalism that I like to call “Notes from the echo chamber” that should be 86ed in favor of record reviews or beef stew recipes.
Not convinced!
Good argument Peter.
Its a ‘comment’
Its a ‘comment’
Good argument Peter.
Not convinced!
Critical Race Theorists see everything through the Lens of Racial Oppression. Critical Gender Theorists see everything through the Lens of the Patriatchal Gender Binary. Critical Trump Theorists see everything through the Lens of Orange Man Bad.
Most reasonable Progressives like McTague assert that any analysis that doesn’t partially blame Trump for the cause of say – the melting of the polar ice caps or social unrest in far away lands is unbalanced. This is understandable because most Progressives that identify as liberal are fundamentally non-confrontational and Trump’s mere existence provokes leftists into confrontation. In a holistic, Interconnected and Multicultural world view, confrontation has a Butterfly Effect.
Since polite society favors non-confrontation; only one Party is allowed to be confrontational. In this environment Herbert Marcuse’s Repressive Tolerance is a precondition for keeping the peace by suppressing one side and liberating the other to do anything it wants. If everyone conforms to this standard, the path to Utopia is in sight.
Some Aspect of Orange Man as a Causative Factor has to present in any Polite non-confrontational Liberal Analysis.
Critical Race Theorists see everything through the Lens of Racial Oppression. Critical Gender Theorists see everything through the Lens of the Patriatchal Gender Binary. Critical Trump Theorists see everything through the Lens of Orange Man Bad.
Most reasonable Progressives like McTague assert that any analysis that doesn’t partially blame Trump for the cause of say – the melting of the polar ice caps or social unrest in far away lands is unbalanced. This is understandable because most Progressives that identify as liberal are fundamentally non-confrontational and Trump’s mere existence provokes leftists into confrontation. In a holistic, Interconnected and Multicultural world view, confrontation has a Butterfly Effect.
Since polite society favors non-confrontation; only one Party is allowed to be confrontational. In this environment Herbert Marcuse’s Repressive Tolerance is a precondition for keeping the peace by suppressing one side and liberating the other to do anything it wants. If everyone conforms to this standard, the path to Utopia is in sight.
Some Aspect of Orange Man as a Causative Factor has to present in any Polite non-confrontational Liberal Analysis.
We can all see the decline of America. I see it in the movies personally. Disney trangender and gay cartoons. Who would have thought it? America the porn capital of the world pushing out their corruption. Actually Britain is not far behind. LGBT and transgender and sexual corruption as part of lessons for our children. Woke government not doing much to deal with it. Judges watching porn in the trial breaks. We are all watching the breakdown of democracy and the rise in crime while the police are nowhere to be seen. Cancellation culture thriving in our midst. One could go on and on so when we look at America remember it is far more closer to home as well.
…Tory MPs watching porn on their smartphones in the Mother of Parliaments…
…Tory MPs watching porn on their smartphones in the Mother of Parliaments…
We can all see the decline of America. I see it in the movies personally. Disney trangender and gay cartoons. Who would have thought it? America the porn capital of the world pushing out their corruption. Actually Britain is not far behind. LGBT and transgender and sexual corruption as part of lessons for our children. Woke government not doing much to deal with it. Judges watching porn in the trial breaks. We are all watching the breakdown of democracy and the rise in crime while the police are nowhere to be seen. Cancellation culture thriving in our midst. One could go on and on so when we look at America remember it is far more closer to home as well.
All Trump’s fault, hmm?
Has the writer failed to notice the trainwreck that is the Biden Administration?
he thinks them ‘The Good Guys’
I thought the train wreck was Norfolk Southern…
he thinks them ‘The Good Guys’
I thought the train wreck was Norfolk Southern…
All Trump’s fault, hmm?
Has the writer failed to notice the trainwreck that is the Biden Administration?
In future, people will assume that the phrase “Trumped up charges” is named after the Donald.
In future, people will assume that the phrase “Trumped up charges” is named after the Donald.
Americans should turn to Jesus. This American did, in 1977, and has never regretted the salvatory effects.
Possibly, but 3.45 million American Muslims might have other ideas.
Possibly, but 3.45 million American Muslims might have other ideas.
Americans should turn to Jesus. This American did, in 1977, and has never regretted the salvatory effects.
“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” one of Hemingway’s masterpieces, is presumably set in Spain during the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera, a rather interesting time in Spanish history in which Catholic policies prevailed, alongside modernization and economic expansion.
Tom McTague is more certain than I am that Hemingway’s old drunk “is rich.” The waiters say he is–but how do they know?
And McTague supposes that America must once have been like Hemingway’s “clean, well-lighted place,” but, this can hardly be so. For one thing, almost nobody apparently frequents this place, which this author supposes is some sort of haven (despite the fact that the young waiter is quite rude, even joking that it would better if the old drunk had succeeded in killing himself; and that lack of social cohesion is visible from within, in the form of a soldier, employed in the military dictatorship, walking with a prostitute, illegal in the heavily Catholic state.) Whereas America is perhaps quite popular and loud, “designed” in many ways for commerce and industry, and welcomes its arrivals (newly adult native citizens and immigrants alike) by putting them to work. Surely America is more like the noisy bar the older waiter visits after capitulating to the young waiter’s demand to throw out the old drunk and close up; at this bar, the older waiter is incomprehensible until he orders something. Otherwise no one is interested in him.
Hemingway, whatever the nature of his faith, obviously knew his King James Bible and alludes to it throughout his ouvre. So it is impossible for me to overlook the Christian aspect of this story. I would say in America we are moving beyond the older waiter’s version of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our nada who art in nada. . .” This older waiter has feeling for his fellow man; yet faith does not help him solve his loneliness, depression and insomnia.
He sees around him the soldier going off with the prostitute; the young waiter who has a family yet does not experience in this state increased sympathy for the lonely men around him; the reality that economic expansion does not alone cure social ills such as loneliness.
Now, in America, the young waiter would perhaps be praised for his practical good sense in getting home early, viewing his work as just that, a paycheck (if, that is, different generations even work together still, let alone engage in honest conversation). He must look out for himself. And anyway, money will solve everything. And if the guard catches you with a prostitute, “what does it matter if you get what [you’re] after.” Consequences are not viewed in terms of their effects on the common good, but rather trifling inconveniences.
The old drunk is tolerated to a degree that is by no means the norm in an America where, broadly speaking, so many people are treated as products, inferior versions of machines, or else inconveniences–witness the frequency of abortion, opiate addiction and assisted suicide; or the cruel lockdowns and school closures for that matter. (Though in many places I do find that America maintains its reputation for welcoming, open-hearted community; it’s just that this is not the elite or state prerogative.)
Our version of the older waiter today will have no knowledge of the Lord’s Prayer, or even of literature. (Presently, as I dash this comment off on my phone, I am surprised that McTeague’s analysis, even if used rather crudely in order to lend literary flair to an opinion piece, makes no mention of Christianity; nor does it consider basic details of the story that I have mentioned, which might alter his conclusions; finally, that it is rendered in the past tense, when literary convention dictates that discussion of a work of fiction’s events take place in the present tense.
Our older waiter today will perhaps lose his job when his sympathies interfere with his productivity; perhaps he will commit suicide or overdose on opiates, without even trying faith’s remedy, however “empty” it may seem. We are now in just the “nada,” in many ways.
(This is not to overlook the deep currents of faith still active, if in need of defense, in America today.)
“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” one of Hemingway’s masterpieces, is presumably set in Spain during the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera, a rather interesting time in Spanish history in which Catholic policies prevailed, alongside modernization and economic expansion.
Tom McTague is more certain than I am that Hemingway’s old drunk “is rich.” The waiters say he is–but how do they know?
And McTague supposes that America must once have been like Hemingway’s “clean, well-lighted place,” but, this can hardly be so. For one thing, almost nobody apparently frequents this place, which this author supposes is some sort of haven (despite the fact that the young waiter is quite rude, even joking that it would better if the old drunk had succeeded in killing himself; and that lack of social cohesion is visible from within, in the form of a soldier, employed in the military dictatorship, walking with a prostitute, illegal in the heavily Catholic state.) Whereas America is perhaps quite popular and loud, “designed” in many ways for commerce and industry, and welcomes its arrivals (newly adult native citizens and immigrants alike) by putting them to work. Surely America is more like the noisy bar the older waiter visits after capitulating to the young waiter’s demand to throw out the old drunk and close up; at this bar, the older waiter is incomprehensible until he orders something. Otherwise no one is interested in him.
Hemingway, whatever the nature of his faith, obviously knew his King James Bible and alludes to it throughout his ouvre. So it is impossible for me to overlook the Christian aspect of this story. I would say in America we are moving beyond the older waiter’s version of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our nada who art in nada. . .” This older waiter has feeling for his fellow man; yet faith does not help him solve his loneliness, depression and insomnia.
He sees around him the soldier going off with the prostitute; the young waiter who has a family yet does not experience in this state increased sympathy for the lonely men around him; the reality that economic expansion does not alone cure social ills such as loneliness.
Now, in America, the young waiter would perhaps be praised for his practical good sense in getting home early, viewing his work as just that, a paycheck (if, that is, different generations even work together still, let alone engage in honest conversation). He must look out for himself. And anyway, money will solve everything. And if the guard catches you with a prostitute, “what does it matter if you get what [you’re] after.” Consequences are not viewed in terms of their effects on the common good, but rather trifling inconveniences.
The old drunk is tolerated to a degree that is by no means the norm in an America where, broadly speaking, so many people are treated as products, inferior versions of machines, or else inconveniences–witness the frequency of abortion, opiate addiction and assisted suicide; or the cruel lockdowns and school closures for that matter. (Though in many places I do find that America maintains its reputation for welcoming, open-hearted community; it’s just that this is not the elite or state prerogative.)
Our version of the older waiter today will have no knowledge of the Lord’s Prayer, or even of literature. (Presently, as I dash this comment off on my phone, I am surprised that McTeague’s analysis, even if used rather crudely in order to lend literary flair to an opinion piece, makes no mention of Christianity; nor does it consider basic details of the story that I have mentioned, which might alter his conclusions; finally, that it is rendered in the past tense, when literary convention dictates that discussion of a work of fiction’s events take place in the present tense.
Our older waiter today will perhaps lose his job when his sympathies interfere with his productivity; perhaps he will commit suicide or overdose on opiates, without even trying faith’s remedy, however “empty” it may seem. We are now in just the “nada,” in many ways.
(This is not to overlook the deep currents of faith still active, if in need of defense, in America today.)
A somewhat superficial take on the world. The US has provoked a war with Russia. It ‘protects’ nothing but its own interests and is prepared to destroy other peaceful countries to that end. That’s the horrible truth in its heart and soul. Its wealth is concentrated in vanishingly few hands and it has abandoned all pretence at protecting the majority of its own citizens from the avarice of its elite capitalist class. It menaces other countries into adooting the same approach. It blew up Nordstream to ensure European dependence on its all and gas reserves. An act of war – not just against Russia but against its craven Eurooean ‘allies’. It bombs, invades, destroys and steals where China buys, bribes and builds. It has never reckoned with its own violent imperialism nor the enmity it so casually creates among what it regards as lesser peoples – every other nation on earth.
A somewhat superficial take on the world. The US has provoked a war with Russia. It ‘protects’ nothing but its own interests and is prepared to destroy other peaceful countries to that end. That’s the horrible truth in its heart and soul. Its wealth is concentrated in vanishingly few hands and it has abandoned all pretence at protecting the majority of its own citizens from the avarice of its elite capitalist class. It menaces other countries into adooting the same approach. It blew up Nordstream to ensure European dependence on its all and gas reserves. An act of war – not just against Russia but against its craven Eurooean ‘allies’. It bombs, invades, destroys and steals where China buys, bribes and builds. It has never reckoned with its own violent imperialism nor the enmity it so casually creates among what it regards as lesser peoples – every other nation on earth.
I don’t like Trump, But I fail to see how Trump destroyed our place in the world? Surely Bush killing millions of Innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan had something to do with that? How about Obama’s drone program that had a 90% innocent murder rate? or the accidental torture? If it makes you feel better you can blame Trump, But what I believe will destroy America is when a majority of it’s citizens despise the leadership and no longer support it’s efforts. one small anecdote, there was a time when I pictured myself joining the military, that never happened, thank God, and I will use all my persuasive powers to ensure none of my 5 children get that crazy idea into their heads.Things have changed but this article somehow misses the essence
Get them to renounce their US citizenship and move out.
I have been looking at leaving the US for about 5 yrs. Just waiting for my kids to graduate college.
My stomach turns every time I watch the news.
I have been looking at leaving the US for about 5 yrs. Just waiting for my kids to graduate college.
My stomach turns every time I watch the news.
Get them to renounce their US citizenship and move out.
I don’t like Trump, But I fail to see how Trump destroyed our place in the world? Surely Bush killing millions of Innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan had something to do with that? How about Obama’s drone program that had a 90% innocent murder rate? or the accidental torture? If it makes you feel better you can blame Trump, But what I believe will destroy America is when a majority of it’s citizens despise the leadership and no longer support it’s efforts. one small anecdote, there was a time when I pictured myself joining the military, that never happened, thank God, and I will use all my persuasive powers to ensure none of my 5 children get that crazy idea into their heads.Things have changed but this article somehow misses the essence
I think the author misunderstands the issue around prosecuting Trump the way that they are.
It is less an issue of him being prosecuted. Nobody thinks that a former president that commits fraud or murder should not be prosecuted.
What has people upset is the WAY this has been done and who is doing it.
You have a highly progressive, Soros supported, DA who made a political commitment while running for office to prosecute Trump. Then, that DA takes two crimes that both the feds and the former Manhatten DA chose not to prosecute, links them through a quirk of NY law, converts a misdemeanor into a felony and circumvents the statute of limiations in order to find a way to get his man. Then, he can do this because he knows that the judges and the juries in Manhatten will convict Trump just for the satisfaction of it despite the law and the facts. This is the bluest of blue, most progressive cities in the country taking its shot at vengeance.
That is upsetting enough.
Now consider what that means. It means that almost any DA of any party in any state has the potential to go after any candidate or any former president at almost any time if they are willing to get creative. This is opening Pandora’s box.
What is also upsetting is the sense that the democrats are doing this in part to assure that Trump wins the republican nomination. They want republicans to rally to Trump so that someone like DeSantis or Youngkin cannot win the nomination because we all know that either of those two would decimate Biden and Biden is unquestionably going to run again.
So yes, we are fearful that our legal system and our federal law enforcement agencies are being weaponized and politicized to favor one party.
I think the author misunderstands the issue around prosecuting Trump the way that they are.
It is less an issue of him being prosecuted. Nobody thinks that a former president that commits fraud or murder should not be prosecuted.
What has people upset is the WAY this has been done and who is doing it.
You have a highly progressive, Soros supported, DA who made a political commitment while running for office to prosecute Trump. Then, that DA takes two crimes that both the feds and the former Manhatten DA chose not to prosecute, links them through a quirk of NY law, converts a misdemeanor into a felony and circumvents the statute of limiations in order to find a way to get his man. Then, he can do this because he knows that the judges and the juries in Manhatten will convict Trump just for the satisfaction of it despite the law and the facts. This is the bluest of blue, most progressive cities in the country taking its shot at vengeance.
That is upsetting enough.
Now consider what that means. It means that almost any DA of any party in any state has the potential to go after any candidate or any former president at almost any time if they are willing to get creative. This is opening Pandora’s box.
What is also upsetting is the sense that the democrats are doing this in part to assure that Trump wins the republican nomination. They want republicans to rally to Trump so that someone like DeSantis or Youngkin cannot win the nomination because we all know that either of those two would decimate Biden and Biden is unquestionably going to run again.
So yes, we are fearful that our legal system and our federal law enforcement agencies are being weaponized and politicized to favor one party.
An utter farce, legally and otherwise, the whole matter. The case is DOA, even with a ghoulish NY jury, but it’s all beside the point which is to corrode the United States generally. Ukraine? COVID? The southern border? Bank failures? Opioid epidemic? Old news?
An utter farce, legally and otherwise, the whole matter. The case is DOA, even with a ghoulish NY jury, but it’s all beside the point which is to corrode the United States generally. Ukraine? COVID? The southern border? Bank failures? Opioid epidemic? Old news?
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment, but America is the party raging underneath.”
Unfortunately, Canada is suffering under an authoritarian regime for which woke cultist Justin Trudeau is the poster child.
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.”
Actually, the majority of voters in the city and the state of New York have repeatedly indicated that they support violent criminals and do not want them to be prosecuted. It is very odd that they would support prosecution for a minor non-violent crime that literally amounted to a private affair.
Apart from this, I think the author did a very good job describing how the fall of the Empire is experienced from the outside.
“Canada is like a nice loft apartment, but America is the party raging underneath.”
Unfortunately, Canada is suffering under an authoritarian regime for which woke cultist Justin Trudeau is the poster child.
“Why shouldn’t Trump be indicted, after all? If he broke the law, he broke the law.”
Actually, the majority of voters in the city and the state of New York have repeatedly indicated that they support violent criminals and do not want them to be prosecuted. It is very odd that they would support prosecution for a minor non-violent crime that literally amounted to a private affair.
Apart from this, I think the author did a very good job describing how the fall of the Empire is experienced from the outside.
A slightly warped perception of reality…this yankee stuff is highly contagious. Suus cuisque crepitus bene olet.
Or “Stercus cuique suum bene olet” (Michel de Montaigne)
Or “Stercus cuique suum bene olet” (Michel de Montaigne)
A slightly warped perception of reality…this yankee stuff is highly contagious. Suus cuisque crepitus bene olet.
Jack Kennedy’s Inaugerations Speech
Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 | JFK Library
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
Dr Mrtin Luther King said ” judge me on my character “.
Once a society’s only criteria for status is wealth no matter how obtained; the wealthy are not prepared to die for the country and abled bodied people in a free country do not make full use of the education on offer and have no shame in spending their lives on welfare; the spirit which founded the nation has declined; the the body politic has become rotten.
Jack Kennedy’s Inaugerations Speech
Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 | JFK Library
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
Dr Mrtin Luther King said ” judge me on my character “.
Once a society’s only criteria for status is wealth no matter how obtained; the wealthy are not prepared to die for the country and abled bodied people in a free country do not make full use of the education on offer and have no shame in spending their lives on welfare; the spirit which founded the nation has declined; the the body politic has become rotten.
It’s Moloch’s work you know, this out of control, essentially fascist imperium. No use blaming individuals, or political groupings. And AI is just going to seal the deal.
It’s Moloch’s work you know, this out of control, essentially fascist imperium. No use blaming individuals, or political groupings. And AI is just going to seal the deal.
Not a single mention of racial division in this essay. Utterly worthless.
Not a single mention of racial division in this essay. Utterly worthless.
Discussants should be limited to three posts each. Too many repeats by a few people. Repeating an argument doesn’t strengthen it.
Discussants should be limited to three posts each. Too many repeats by a few people. Repeating an argument doesn’t strengthen it.
Well, actually, if you are going to use a Hemingway comparison, Che Ti DIce La Patria might be better.
First, of all, this is my first comment and please let me say how glad I am Unherd exists. In the past three years, it has been one of my primary sources of investigations and reports. This publication has the flavor of old journalism done right.
That said I wasn’t expecting to read such an article here. Not only does the author seem to not grasp political and historical reality, but the article itself looks like something penned by a high-schooler. In short, slapping a Hemingway reference on a piece of writing does not elevate that writing to good or even proper journalism.
On to my critique now:
The author seems perplexed that America is in turmoil not noticing that, indeed, the entire world is in turmoil. Some hide it better or pretend everything is fine (insert appropriate meme).
The absence of turmoil does not always equate with a “well-lighted place” but often it points to dirt being swept under the rug. This reminds me of an example from my home country, Romania when the former communist leader Ion Iliescu turned “democratic-socialist”. After manipulating the miners from the poor mining regions to come and beat up dissidents he insisted that “we must have tranquility”. Obviously, that tranquility was meant to not stir up matters related to the corruption of his regime.
This is what happens now in most countries and to give Canada, of all places, an example of a “well-lighted place” is indicative of either utter ignorance or sheer bad faith, considering the endless abuses visited by the Canadian federal government on the Canadian people.
On the other hand America, the American way, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been under assault for well over a century now. One of the reasons the American Republic is still around though is the stupendous political system imagined by the Founding Fathers and, perhaps more importantly, this American habit that seems to irk politicians and their minions of not taking any abuse lying down.
This is why, dear author, you get turmoil in America. Because Americans have been taught for generations to not abide abuse or to abide it less than their European counterparts. The seeds of this turmoil have been sown by decades of Marxist infiltration and indoctrination at the expense of tax-payers. It’s funny how you see Trump as a cause and you fail to see the destructive effects of the likes of FDR, LBJ, and the myriad of corrupt individuals who sought (and still seek) to destroy the greatest project in liberty in the history of humankind.
Everyone knows that Trump’s indictment is nothing short of political persecution in what is an unprecedented abuse in American history. The truth is evident for anyone to see. From Alvin Braggs’s ties to Soros to the stacking of counts in the hope that one of them will stick, from the DOJ’s passing on the case to issues concerning statutes of limitations, everything points not to Trump being a “cause” for turmoil but to yet another kangaroo court in defiance of the rule of law and democracy.
The decline in the USA is due to the decline in spirit. The USA has benefitted from the following, The English language( developed by William Tyndall and made great by Shakespeare and KIng James Bible ) which is simple to learn and flexible; the Common Law, Representative Government, cheap land, cheap food, cheap clothes, cheap industrial raw materials , being able to use technology developed in Britain during Industial Revolution for example railways; the science developed by Newton, Hooke, Faraday , Clerke Maxwell, etc , the investment of the profits of Britain’s Industrial Revolution in post Civil War development; two world wars where vast funds were moved into the USA; vast brain drain into the country post WW2 (von Braun of NASA being an example), computing ( Turing et al ).
If necessity is the mother of invention the USA has had the good fortune to be able to buy in inventions developed elsewhere and enlarge and adapt them. However there is the problem. The spirit is not developed. Spirit is developed where perseverence is needed to overcome problems, when it is tempered and then tested by adversity. Spirit creates imagination, initiative , ingenuity which are the creative forces of Michelangelo and those of the Italian, largely Florentine Renaissance; Shakespeare, Newton, Mozart and long line of German speaking composers; The George and Robert Stephenson of the British Industrial Revolution and the massive burst of cultural creativity in France from 1870 to 1914. The USA is the wealthiest country in the World with a population of 330M; where is the Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Newton, Mozart, James Watt, George Stephenson, Monet? Florence with a population of about 80,000 had Raphael, da Vinci and Michelangelo working ther in about 1500 .
The weakness of the USA was that it did not need much perseverance and spirit to produce a materially comfortable and safe life.
What of the USA today? Booker T Washington, Jack Kennedy and Martin Luther King all spoke about education, entrepreneurship, duty to country, character; all aspects of spirit.
Yet what does the USA worship now ? Material success,comfort, security, size and strength. It has gone from producing the brilliance of jazz and the likes of Duke Ellington: Motown and the refined elegance of Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick to the coarse crudities of rap. The swear words of the USA have become more coarse, crude and vulgar and it would appear that that the more obscene the words, the tougher people consider themselves to be.
I would like people to listen to the words of Royal Marine Commandos of the Arctic and Mountaineering Warfare Cadre, some of the toughest men in NATO yet polite,thoughtful, well spoken.
Royal Marines: Behind the Lines: Episode 7 – The End is Where We Start From – YouTube
Arnold Toynbee said civilisation occur, such as Sumer or Egypt where people come together and through creative works, overcome challenges. They end when the creative spirit runs out.
The USA is like someone who inherits a company and has little to do to enlarge it during the boom times. The question is whether that person has the spirit to keep the company going during a depression ?
What no one ever seems to acknowledge is that we did have social cohesion back in the day and we were very successful. Immigrants came and had to assimilate. We had cultural traditions, values, and religion. We’ve grown too big and I haven’t seen any proof that multiculturalism is a strength. Once gay marriage was affirmed then everything was going to have to be affirmed. This is the end result.
The author has failed to highlight the root causes of all the symptoms he mentions – systemic government corruption, the unelected permanent administrative state, compromised leaders at every level in every sector of public and private institutions, speculative hyper-capitalism and naked corporate greed.
If anyone reads this far down the comments, then I’ll soon be at the very bottom accumulating downticks. For the last few months I’ve been despairing over the mentality of the Russian population. There is no hope for those deranged and brainwashed souls but they can’t be blamed for being subjected to incessant propaganda, lies and brainwashing. I had hoped our brothers and sisters across the pond were of a different nature but when I read the comments and see there is massive support for a sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm then I’d put the ca. 50% of US voters a bit below their Russian equivalents in terms of positive mentality. And this in a democratic society with reasonable balance between right and left.
Here’s a quote from Nancy Pelosi two days ago.
“The Grand Jury has acted upon the facts and the law. No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial TO PROVE INNOCENCE.”
Interesting because I was under the impression in an impartial system of laws, a Defendant was PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Then again…for the Tyranny of Progressivism “The Ends Justify the Means.”
“A sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm”. Although it is an accurate description, I think we should keep comments about the Clintons civil.
Yes, probably correct but Trump is the focus for this article and comments. By cheat I had his favourite pastime in mind and it wasn’t letchering. His achievements both on and off the course are legend. The alternative which is Biden is just as worthy of despair for the US voters for other obvious reasons. With a population of some 300 miljon is this the best you can do?
Yes, probably correct but Trump is the focus for this article and comments. By cheat I had his favourite pastime in mind and it wasn’t letchering. His achievements both on and off the course are legend. The alternative which is Biden is just as worthy of despair for the US voters for other obvious reasons. With a population of some 300 miljon is this the best you can do?
I loathe Trump with every atom of my being. But I’ve settled on the view that he is symptom more than cause and I’m angrier about the way Capital (The Held Wealth Organisation) has inexorably tightened its hands around our throats. That’s what’s going on and it suits their plan that we fight among ourselves. They are the real enemy.
You are an msnbc viewer and/or npr listener. No one could write that and be anything other.
Here’s a quote from Nancy Pelosi two days ago.
“The Grand Jury has acted upon the facts and the law. No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial TO PROVE INNOCENCE.”
Interesting because I was under the impression in an impartial system of laws, a Defendant was PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Then again…for the Tyranny of Progressivism “The Ends Justify the Means.”
“A sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm”. Although it is an accurate description, I think we should keep comments about the Clintons civil.
I loathe Trump with every atom of my being. But I’ve settled on the view that he is symptom more than cause and I’m angrier about the way Capital (The Held Wealth Organisation) has inexorably tightened its hands around our throats. That’s what’s going on and it suits their plan that we fight among ourselves. They are the real enemy.
You are an msnbc viewer and/or npr listener. No one could write that and be anything other.
If anyone reads this far down the comments, then I’ll soon be at the very bottom accumulating downticks. For the last few months I’ve been despairing over the mentality of the Russian population. There is no hope for those deranged and brainwashed souls but they can’t be blamed for being subjected to incessant propaganda, lies and brainwashing. I had hoped our brothers and sisters across the pond were of a different nature but when I read the comments and see there is massive support for a sleazeball, cheat, probable criminal, person of zero integrity and full of narcissm then I’d put the ca. 50% of US voters a bit below their Russian equivalents in terms of positive mentality. And this in a democratic society with reasonable balance between right and left.
Donild iz veri klever
Can we all write like that now? My spelling is better suited to that version of inglish.
I see Melania has joined the conversation…
Hi then. Melania lived in the white house. Have you? Who is smarter then?
Don’t be silly…
Don’t be silly…
I’ve really enjoyed your comments 🙂 even though we’re are probably not entirely aligned, politically.
Merci and tant mieux! Most Unherders definitely lack a sense of humour.
Yes and with an accumulated total of 430+ downticks – not to be scoffed at..
Merci and tant mieux! Most Unherders definitely lack a sense of humour.
Yes and with an accumulated total of 430+ downticks – not to be scoffed at..
big Melon ia..
Hi then. Melania lived in the white house. Have you? Who is smarter then?
I’ve really enjoyed your comments 🙂 even though we’re are probably not entirely aligned, politically.
big Melon ia..
Can we all write like that now? My spelling is better suited to that version of inglish.
I see Melania has joined the conversation…
Donild iz veri klever
Just read re the Republican/Conservative outrage at Trump’s indictment: “… a whole load of Americans telling us how sacred the American constitution is, how unprecedented this kind of outrage is, as if they are all somehow living in a sober, upstanding, faultless, do-gooding utopia, when they have, in fact, the most arse-out, tits-obsessed, crime-ridden history of any nation.” QED
Just read re the Republican/Conservative outrage at Trump’s indictment: “… a whole load of Americans telling us how sacred the American constitution is, how unprecedented this kind of outrage is, as if they are all somehow living in a sober, upstanding, faultless, do-gooding utopia, when they have, in fact, the most arse-out, tits-obsessed, crime-ridden history of any nation.” QED
The USA has never been an unblemished Great Nation: slavery, racism, imperialism, foreign wars, gun violence, fuzz extreme poverty, contradictions (the best museums paid for by ill-begotten gains of rampant robbery capitalism), and so on. We have all been hoodwinked by PR coming out of Hollywood and other media. Even the current political corruption of the GOP is quite the same as that of the Southern Democrats. Democratic advances that occur without much fuss (medicare, social security, etc) are hailed here as heroic victoried. So there is no decline of the American empire: plus ça change, plus ça reste le même.
Better than the Nazis or the Communists though. That is very painful corruption.
Thank you for the history lesson Old Communist Professor. Please alert me when the Dialectical officially resolves all of the Contradictions in the Global Bureacracy and finally Ends History returning us to our rightful place in the Garden as City Savages.
Only then will we understand how the Democratic Party was able to be both the Party of The Jim Crow South while simultaneously liberating it’s future citizens with a ponzi scheme of debt obligations at the same time in history.
No humans are unblemished but certain groups of humans are able to create societies which others humans find attractive. For many in the World the USA is attactive and for those born there, they are free to leave.
Better than the Nazis or the Communists though. That is very painful corruption.
Thank you for the history lesson Old Communist Professor. Please alert me when the Dialectical officially resolves all of the Contradictions in the Global Bureacracy and finally Ends History returning us to our rightful place in the Garden as City Savages.
Only then will we understand how the Democratic Party was able to be both the Party of The Jim Crow South while simultaneously liberating it’s future citizens with a ponzi scheme of debt obligations at the same time in history.
No humans are unblemished but certain groups of humans are able to create societies which others humans find attractive. For many in the World the USA is attactive and for those born there, they are free to leave.
The USA has never been an unblemished Great Nation: slavery, racism, imperialism, foreign wars, gun violence, fuzz extreme poverty, contradictions (the best museums paid for by ill-begotten gains of rampant robbery capitalism), and so on. We have all been hoodwinked by PR coming out of Hollywood and other media. Even the current political corruption of the GOP is quite the same as that of the Southern Democrats. Democratic advances that occur without much fuss (medicare, social security, etc) are hailed here as heroic victoried. So there is no decline of the American empire: plus ça change, plus ça reste le même.
If you’re wondering whether the article is right in its central thesis then you only need to read some of the comments below, with the full range of Trumpian white grievance, bile, self-pity, incoherence and whataboutery to realise…yes, it is.
Look at how the Race Mystic can find White Supremacy out of thin air. Point to an example of “white grievance” in the comments.
Suggest you actually read them before commenting.
Mr Murray,
I suggest you read them because according to you black is white, white is black and 2+2 = 5. You are living in la la land mired by TDS.
Mr Murray,
I suggest you read them because according to you black is white, white is black and 2+2 = 5. You are living in la la land mired by TDS.
Suggest you actually read them before commenting.
Look at how the Race Mystic can find White Supremacy out of thin air. Point to an example of “white grievance” in the comments.
If you’re wondering whether the article is right in its central thesis then you only need to read some of the comments below, with the full range of Trumpian white grievance, bile, self-pity, incoherence and whataboutery to realise…yes, it is.
Le mot de la fin: “This p***y grabbed back”! (Stormy Daniels)
Low energy. SAD
Low energy. SAD
Le mot de la fin: “This p***y grabbed back”! (Stormy Daniels)