Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The Real Threat of the Melania Moment



I got back home just in time to watch the New York delegation push Donald Trump over the top.

And make him officially the Republican party's candidate for President.

And while it was no surprise, and it was some consolation to know that everybody was talking about this.



It was still a scary moment, for that plagiarism only underlines how unprepared Trump is to be President.

It must raise questions about how he can run a country, when he can't even manage a campaign properly.

But what worries me the most, is that all the media coverage the Melania moment is receiving, can only help obscure the dark message of the convention's first day.  

If Donald Trump is elected president, it’s not going to matter whether, or why, Melania Trump’s 2016 Republican National Convention speech lifted a paragraph from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Convention speech. 

But what is going to last beyond Election Day — whether Trump wins or loses — is the conviction, shared by a deep swath of the American population, that all unauthorized immigrants are (potentially dangerous) criminals; that Muslims, no matter where they were born, are not to be trusted; that it is important to declare that the lives of police officers matter but that to declare that the lives of the African-Americans those officers stop matter is an unacceptably radical and potentially terroristic act.




It was an incredibly dark, even apocalyptic message: that America is under constant attack from enemies within and without, it’s losing, and soon it will be too late to rescue at all.

As well as take the focus off the most extreme Republican platform in living memory. 

Tailored to Mr. Trump’s impulsive bluster, this document lays bare just how much the G.O.P. is driven by a regressive, extremist inner core. 

For beyond the racism and the xenophobia there is also this:

This majority has triumphed in securing retrograde positions that include making no exceptions for rape or women’s health in cases of abortion; requiring the Bible to be taught in public high schools; selling coal as a “clean” energy source; demanding a return of federal lands to the states; insisting that legislators use religion as a guide in lawmaking; appointing “family values” judges; barring female soldiers from combat; and rejecting the need for stronger gun controls — despite the mass shootings afflicting the nation every week.

An all-out assault on secular values, the planet, and the rights of women and gay Americans. 

The platform also makes homophobia and the denial of basic civil rights to gays, lesbians and transgender people a centerpiece. It repudiates same-sex marriage, despite strong support for this constitutional right in the nation at large. The party invokes “natural marriage” and states’ rights for determining which bathrooms transgender people may use, and it defends merchants who would deny service to gay customers.

So who cares about the Melania moment? When we're facing this fascist moment...



You know, I'm still hearing some progressives talking about voting for anyone but Hillary Clinton, even if it ensures a Trump victory.

And I can't imagine a worst mistake.

For Trump is a fascist, he threatens the future of millions of Americans and the very survival of the planet.

And he must be stopped, by whatever democratic means necessary...

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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Cleveland PD are doing a great job securing the area. The Trump Train has no brakes. Protestors are quiet and nothing making the news. Time for the Silent Majority to make it's collective voice heard. Trump for President.

-MC

e.a.f. said...

The U.S.A. is already beyond hope. The only point up for discussion is how fast it will deteriorate.

The "speech" by the "model" wife, was not an accident. I am sure it was "lifted' with intent. One hoping she would be compared as another Michelle Obama. Two, that old show business saying: "I don't care what you say about me as long as you spell my name right". The "back lash" on the speech has been epic. Just think of all the publicity it got, more than money could buy. It has worked.

The Republican platform, just had me rolling around the floor in laughter. Looks like another Taliban successful moment. Just switch a few names around here and there and you have the same attitude as the Taliban. That is all the Republicans are, a "Christian" version of the "Taliban". the picture of the other woman just about says it all about the Republicans.

There may be Democrats and progressives who hate Clinton, but there are most likely just as many old Republicans who will go and vote for her just to ensure Trump isn't elected. they all know a President can't do much without a majority in Congress or the Senate.

Besides the first day and the walk outs the convention is a non event. its just the Trumps having a little get together with their "brethren".

jrkrideau said...

I just had a very cursory look at the GOP Platform. Other than looking like it was written by a bunch of bats...-crazy ultra-right-wing nut cases who seem to have no idea of history, the Bible, or the US constitution (or much of anything else that reflects reality) it's not bad.

It reminds me of the 2014 Texas Republican policy document.

I think one of the interesting (terrifying ?) is that I doubt that Trump would endorse most of the platform but then he probably has not read or understood it.

One can only hope that as it hopefully is correctly reported to American voters that it alienates most of them.

Anonymous said...

The authoritarian driven band wagon Trump and followers are joy riding on does not recognize the difference between socially motivated issues related to inequality and lack of support versus true Bin Laden type of terrorism. They try and fit it all into a "us vs them" punitive frame work.Like a person suffering from an autoimmune disease where the body destroys itself because everything resembles a foreign invader it is more likely they will destroy their own country rather than by some nasty ISIS inspired ebola type of virus.For a nation that is the most technically advanced in the world they sure have a lot of people that are not long out of the trees.Their real enemies must dance with glee when they see the Trumpster at his best because they intuitively know the aftermath will be easy pickings.
Rt

Steve said...

If elected I bet Trump makes goverment a reality show produced by him. Okay a need a new sec of state, China needs to leave pee pee island. You can not use nukes everything else is available. Nucular brinksmanship will be the last episode.

Steve said...

they were going for the Brony vote.

Marmalade said...

IF(a mighty big one)the Election even takes place......I have doubts!

e.a.f. said...

one anyalist on last evening's news pointed out that as issues come up which are in a "platform" the members of the Congress and Senate vote for these items according to their "platform" by approx. 80%. That is very scary, when you come to think of it and see what is written in the "platform". As to Trump reading it, most likely not. But the people who will run for congress and the Senate will and will adhere to the policies.

Simon said...

hi MC...Trump and his campaign manager were counting on a riot outside the convention hall. But since the protests have so far been peaceful it seems that is not going to happen. So just like the Orlando massacre didn't give him a boost, Trump will be riding on a cloud of hot air....

Simon said...

hi e.a.f....I don't think the U.S. is beyond hope. I believe a new generation is rising, and it will make things better, if not in this election certainly in the next one. Bernie Sanders has lit the fuse, and in 2020 the political revolution he has started will finish off the Republicans...

Simon said...

hi jrk...the Republican platform is probably more extreme than Trump. But he will wear it like a shroud. It will alienate even more women, LGBT people, environmentalists, and those who believe in the separation of church and state. And the Democratic attack machine will have a field day with it....

Simon said...

hi RT...yes, Trump is trying to play on the fears and worst instincts of Americans. And your description of this tactic as an auto-immune disease is a good one. As Stephen Harper found out, fear has its limitations, and will always surrender to hope. People want a positive message and Trump isn't giving them one...

Simon said...

hi Steve...look for the Democrats to start associating Trump with nuclear war, just like they did to Barry Goldwater with the famous daisy ad. And when added to the racism, the xenophobia, should be enough to finish him off...

Simon said...

hi Kathleen... I think this election will take place. But I think it's fair to ask whether another one would take place in the unlikely event that Donald Trump wins...

e.a.f. said...

I don't think another one will take place if Trump wins. I think the first time he thinks about starting a war, there will be something we have not seen in the U.S.A., the rise of the Generals. A coup led by Generals and some members of the senate and congress. Trump could be removed and the office given to the V.P. or if he is removed it goes to the Majority leader of the Senate.

With all the bullets flying around the U.S.A. one could also hit Trump. It won't come from the opposition but rather his own "faithful" followers who may feel betrayed by him when he doesn't deliver on his promises.

Have a really good look at some of Trump's supporters and then think, how will they react if they think he sold them out. he promised them jobs, but really, how will they produce those? If he does provide jobs and they pay $5 an hour how will his followers react? The American electorate might not be the brightest bunch in the world, but they are a very well armed electorate and we and Mexico have every right to be concerned.