Trump + Putin + Helsinki Press Conference = More Hysteria

[_Some Schmo]

Reading Ceeboo post on this subject is like watching a guy bang his head against the wall and freak out about the head trauma. When you bring up that the repetitive impact of his head hitting the wall is to blame, he says, "I think there are enough threads about that. Don't you?"

[_Ceeboo]

Reading Ceeboo post ................

Reading posts by Some Schmo is like eating an infant's boogers at the bottom of a toxic waste dump.

[_Some Schmo]

Reading posts by Some Schmo is like eating an infant's boogers at the bottom of a toxic waste dump.

That's an interesting experience you have there.

Eating an infant's boogers at the bottom of a toxic waste dump might partly explain why you behave the way you do. I'd recommend altering your diet.

[_Some Schmo]

Some Schmo The Middle School Bully

Awww... that's right, I forgot. You're MDB's resident victim.

Boo hoo. Poor, poor Ceeboo. What did he ever do to deserve all the crap he brings on himself?

[_Chap]

...
I'm worried but I'm not worried about Trump or some nefarious plot with Russia or some journalist. I'm worried about the unbridgeable political divide that this country finds itself in.

You think this is really about Trump? What happens in 2020? 2024? 2030? 2037?

I do wish I had the gift of prophecy stretching as far as two decades ahead as, or that you had. But neither of us does. So apart from noting that I hope that whatever damage Trump has done will have been partly repaired by then, I just can't say. Let's stick to the present, and the little bit of the future that it is worth making bets about.

Trump will be long gone (perhaps as soon as 2020?) but you know who will remain? The millions and millions of American citizens who are now being labeled as a Nazi or a racist or a fascist - And why are these millions upon millions on American citizens being labeled these disgusting and horrific things? Because they exercised their constitutional right to cast a vote - nothing more.

So when I see someone equating Trump/Putin/Helsinki with 911, Pearl Harbor or the Holocaust I find it more than just a little troubling. I find it to be hysterical - And given that I personally believe America currently finds itself in the very unstable position of an unbridgeable political divide, the last thing it needs at the moment is unbalanced hysteria, irresponsible accusations and/or unreasonable comparisons to such horrific and dreadful events.

Yup, less hysteria would be a good thing. Why not start by setting us an example and calming down a bit?

Look the facts in the eye calmly: in Trump you have a President who does his level best to demonise his opponents and uses his position to whip up hatred against them as 'enemies of the people', to a degree not seen with any president of recent times. He does not listen to advice, nor care to study difficult and complex issues. He tells lies whenever he thinks it will make him look better. Those are simply notorious facts, and I doubt that you will want to dispute them.

A substantial minority of US voters chose this man. To anyone willing to pay serious attention, it was no secret what kind of a man he was. And many of those voters still adore him, even now they have seen him in action for a year and a half. They love what he does, and scream hatred at the press at his rallies. These people aren't babies, and and the majority seem to be proud of the way they voted. They don't need you to shield them from criticism on the grounds that 'all they did was cast a vote'.

[_subgenius]

I'm worried about the unbridgeable political divide that this country finds itself in.

Our country has "found" this, and many other, political divides throughout its history - don't be arrogant about it, this is not unique to our system, nor should it be....arguably, it is silly to believe that political divides can be politically bridged. Politics require divides..

[_Chap]

Politics require divides.

Only in the same way that boots require feet, and stony ground to walk on.

it is silly to believe that political divides can be politically bridged.

Uh-huh. And how, in your version of the world, is the resolution of political conflicts to be done?

To be specific, do you not think that the elaborate system of checks and balances in the political institutions set up by the Founding Fathers of the US constitution was intended to enable the citizens of the US to resolve their political conflicts peacefully?

[_moksha]

What Trump did was inappropriate - It was odd - It was a huge blunder - It is worthy of unified condemnation from all Americans.

But - A reaction like this (vastly overstated in my opinion) is way over the top - It's hysteria!

Excellent point. Most Republicans wished this could be over the day after it happened and Trump wasn't forced into giving that ridiculous would/wouldn't excuse by the enormity of his blunder. Unfortunately, the next day his tweets changed back to exonerating Putin.

And it's very detrimental to all Americans and America.

It's like a national allergic reaction to Trumpistry. Perhaps the immune response of the body politic was overwhelmed by the exhaust fumes from Fox. Of course, this diagnosis might need a consultation from Doctor CamNC4Me and Dr. Scratch.

[_moksha]

Politics require divides...

It certainly seems to be the Russian strategy and they found the man to accomplish that task.

[_Ceeboo]

A substantial minority of US voters chose this man.

Yeah - Thankfully it was just enough or we would have had the only other option.

To anyone willing to pay serious attention, it was no secret what kind of a man he was.

Yup, I agree.

Just like anyone willing to pay serious attention would clearly see what kind of woman the only other choice was (Rock and a hard place for certain)

And many of those voters still adore him,

I think you're flat wrong. I think there is a small minority (radical in my opinion) that "adore" him. I would say the great majority of the folks who voted for him wish he would stop tweeting and stop talking about nonsense so damn much.

even now they have seen him in action for a year and a half. They love what he does

Many approve of the actions he has taken (not his personal behavior or who he slept with 29 years ago or what he said in a bus 33 years ago - to some these things are much much much less important. Me included)

and scream hatred at the press at his rallies.

Small radical fringe, yes. (Just like the small radical fringe on the other side)
But as you suggest it above - Nonsense!

These people aren't babies, and and the majority seem to be proud of the way they voted.

Not sure I would choose the word "proud" (Especially given the only two choices available) but yes, many many were (and in my opinion still are) not regretting the choice they made.

They don't need you to shield them from criticism on the grounds that 'all they did was cast a vote'.

I wasn't shielding anyone. I was stating a fact. You need not like or accept the fact, but it is fact all the same.