What it Means to Call Yourself Republican

[_Gunnar]

So, if a Democrat says antisemitic things....?

If anyone, Democrat or not, says anti-Semitic things, they deserve to be called out and exposed as bigots. However, not every criticism of Israel or Israeli policy qualifies as anti-Semitism. Response To Common Inaccuracy: Israel Critics are Anti-Semites:

Response
Certainly the sovereign State of Israel and its government can be legitimately criticized just like any other country or government in the world. Criticism of particular Israeli actions or policies – even harsh and strident criticism and advocacy - in and of itself does not constitute anti-Semitism.

However, it is undeniable that there are those whose criticism of Israel crosses the line into anti-Semitism. It is also undeniable that criticism of Israel is considered socially acceptable, thereby providing a pretext for some whose criticism masks deeper anti-Jewish attitudes.

I don't think it is anti-Semitic to criticize Israel and Jewish officials for corruption, human rights violations, cruel treatment and even torture against Palestinians, unfair discrimination against Palestinians and blocking of legitimate humanitarian aid to impoverished Palestinians, etc. There is too much of this type of thing going on, and even fair minded, compassionate Israeli citizens are justly and outspokenly critical of it. Palestinians are people too and should be entitled to the same rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness claimed in our Declaration of Independence as anyone else.

[_EAllusion]

If Trump goes down, the number of people claiming to have always been an anti-Trump Republican is going to skyrocket, though.

Well. If it's any small consolation, my TBM brother in-law and his wife talked openly about their disgusted with Trump and didn't vote for him (at least that's what they said since I wasn't in the voting booth with them).

- Doc

LDS are more lukewarm on Trump than other Republican demographics. I wonder how much of that is Trump's feuding with Romney and how much of it is Trump being a moral trainwreck.

[_Jersey Girl]

I don't know who Fugazy is. I've been gone too long.

You can't be expected to remember every crooked businessman/convicted felon that ever came out of this city. That list is far too long

Clinton pardoned him later, at the urging of John Catsimatidis- a prominent NY GOP donor.

I tend to remember the Mafia connected crooks. Those, I read about all the time. Or went to school with.

[_moksha]

I doubt, very much, that many on the Right view Trump's remarks as racist ...

- Doc

Sort of like those living in an outhouse are unable to detect the smell of excrement and therefore believe the poo smell is a false charge by the liberal democrats?

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

I doubt, very much, that many on the Right view Trump's remarks as racist ...

- Doc

Sort of like those living in an outhouse are unable to detect the smell of excrement and therefore believe the poo smell is a false charge by the liberal democrats?

Are you suggesting, in context to this thread, the majority of Republicans are racist and therefore can't detect racism?

- Doc

[_Jersey Girl]

You're a registered Republican going through identity crisis.

Maybe. Then again what's important to my TBM inlaws are lower taxes, not killing future humans, religious deference, Conservative judges, legal immigration, etc. I will tell you that word on the street is that the ballooning national debt is freaking them out, but I have no idea how that'll play out in 2020 since both sides are just going for it with regard to the debt.

- Doc

What would you be called if you think you are a fiscal conservative but very likely Democrat in your soul?

I don't think I have a political identity at all. I've been cynical about politics for all of my adult life. I think it's all a game. It's like the cheerleaders and jocks from high school all got promoted and it's more about who looks better or who blows who (I just said that) to gain more prominence, adoration, power, status, control, and money.

I think the 2 party system is a giant and corrupted greed machine that happens to have two parts and totally sucks.

But I guess we have to organize our corruption some how and now we're stuck with it.

Or something like that.

Can we talk about chickens and nature and crap instead of this?

I trust those things. It's humans I have problems with.

[_moksha]

Are you suggesting, in context to this thread, the majority of Republicans are racist and therefore can't detect racism?

- Doc

Either that or they have no moral center and wish only to support that which is immediately expedient to them.

If Republicans do turn the other cheek, it is only in the hope that Trump will kiss them on it one more time.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Are you suggesting, in context to this thread, the majority of Republicans are racist and therefore can't detect racism?

- Doc

Either that or they have no moral center and wish only to support that which is immediately expedient to them.

Well, thank god we've narrowed it down to two options.

- Doc

[_Dr Exiled]

Being a Republican is like being someone asking their billionaire boss for a raise. The boss comes up with any and every reason for why you can't have more money. He/she has the govt. in their pocket so you are regulatorily barred from competing against their monopoly. He/she blames you for not working hard enough while he/she plans their next trip to the Bahamas or wherever. He/she appeals to "religious" values and immigration issues to divert your attention from the raise you want and then stokes the war card that he/she benefits from to divert your attention further. It's being duped and defending it because secretly, one day, you think you'll get to go to their clubs and live their lifestyle.

[_Kevin Graham]

In the age of Trump, to call yourself Republican means.... pretty much...