Gailee, you’re right. Our world came terrifyingly close to ending because of complacency and still could because of disinformation. People believed a demagogue because he talked like a buddy rather than talking like a teacher.
https://youtu.be/phsU1vVHOQI
He gave them (and gives them) an example of someone who sounds like them who appea…
Gailee, you’re right. Our world came terrifyingly close to ending because of complacency and still could because of disinformation. People believed a demagogue because he talked like a buddy rather than talking like a teacher.
He gave them (and gives them) an example of someone who sounds like them who appears to be very successful in the business world. He addresses their concerns about a shifting social culture. He gives them a number of groups of “others” to fear or blame for their woes and warns them that only he can fix it (he only needs more time).
Mary, anyone who believed him because he "talks like a buddy" or because he appeared to be successful apparently didn't have access to a newspaper for the last 40 years. He had been fodder for news reports that spelled out his numerous bankruptcies; his base lack of character was evident when he evicted elderly tenants from his properties; his many divorces were examples of his total lack of morals; his lack of intellect was obvious because he was unable to string together a coherent sentence. The idea that anyone thought he could be successful as the most powerful man in the world is ludicrous. Those who voted for him, deserved him. The rest of us are suffering from this debacle, and his sycophants are allowing it to continue.
Nancy, same here -- never watched a single episode. A small fragment from time to time, but not by choice. Other people's homes, waiting rooms, etc. Growing up across the river from him, I could easily see the difference between the actual man and the script-reading character.
I was blindsided. I visited Germany during the campaign in 2016, and someone in Munich commented that he thought Trump would win. I laughed, and said "not a chance." I've been depressed and outraged ever since. Of course, initially I thought there would be guardrails . . . . wrong on all of it.🤢
There’s a great New Yorker article by Dorothy Wickendon from 2019 about Mark Burnett. One reveal: He entered the US illegally when, as a British merchant marine, he jumped ship in LA and then worked as a nanny. Doesn’t tfg just hate illegal immigrants? Oh yeah, only if they’re brown.
Most people don’t read the New York Times, the New York Post or the Washington Post. Trump was pilloried in these papers and the criticism deepened his inferiority complex. But he has explained to his minions that the press is elitist and they believe him. I don’t know if it’s stupidity so much as poor education lacking in critical thinking skills.
Barbara, I read about most of it in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, so hooray that Atlanta at least has that source. It also was on television. He's crafty, but I don't think that can be counted as intelligence. I'm also convinced that he was supported by Putin and our own oligarchs, who pointed him in the direction of the "elites." Lack of critical thinking skills is, indeed, an affliction that affects many.
Nancy and Barbara, I agree. Feral cunning not directly related to or indicative of higher reasoning. I also believe that poor or no critical reasoning skills are a significant factor in the pliable gullibility of the republican base. How on earth do we fight against that?
We lead with logic and reason, they lead with needs and emotion, impossible to have a productive discussion between the two.
I believe the only course left is to stop trying to change closed minds, and concentrate on activating democrats and independents to overwhelm at the polls; and fight in D.C. with legislation and DOJ -- and the states with litigation. Put all of our energies into strategies that are working, instead of base arguing with base.
Gus, I agree totally. I avoid those who are clearly in the GOP camp, and will not debate them. I've been accosted by some of them in the pharmacy and grocery store, when I hadn't uttered a word, telling me what a "loser" Biden is, and that he's responsible for inflation, the "bad economy," and that he's senile. Finally, the dam burst last week, and I retorted that I love Biden, and all of his "facts" were completely inaccurate. His response was that he "researched constantly," but perhaps I did not. I commented that his research must be limited to Fox and OANN, and perhaps he should branch out, but lacking that, I'd be working feverishly to see that the GOP can never dominate again, as there are more Democrats than the cheating Republicans. I received several cheers and thumbs up from observers. Let's hope they all vote.
I'm also holding out hope that Merrick Garland is crafting his case against the conspirators in the legislature and WH, and perhaps tossing in a Thomas or two.
Fanni and the Grand Jury - LOVE IT! She's great, and no nonsense. I know that history teaches that we're destined to lose the mid-terms, but hopeful that the January 6 Committee public hearings will open any eyes willing to watch, and that Garland is as good a craftsman as many say and is building a solid case against all of the elite criminals who tried to wreck our country. I also hope that David Shafer and every other "alternate elector" find a nice, uncomfortable jail cell with their careers in tatters! It galls me that the AJC's coverage of that aspect has been so scant.
Nancy, I don’t recall reading about anything other than gossip and ridicule about trump before 2015. I doubt the San Francisco Chronicle, my regional paper, covered him.
It might have been that the East Coast is far from SF, and I doubt that anyone ever envisioned what his future would be. I'm originally from Boston, and probably became aware of him there, many years ago. Before he bought the Atlantic City casinos, I read about his abuse of tenants in apartments that his father had developed and was appalled at his disgusting behavior. There were always rumors of his refusing to pay contractors and unethical political scheming. After that, then the bankruptcies of the casinos, his comment about Marla Maples getting only $1 million in their divorce because she came from "a backwater in Georgia, and had never seen that much money," cemented my disgust. I cannot think of one redeeming quality that he possesses.
Nancy, In 2015, there were only 35 million newspapers sold daily and The Apprentice audiences were 7 million per week. I can attest to the fact that there was very little about Donald Trump in our local newspaper other than the success of The Apprentice until he ran for office. There has never been anything about his evicting people or his bankruptcies. There was no coverage of his marriages or Stormy Daniels in the paper until 2018. I understand that people in the New York City area were aware of his shortcomings, but not in Texas.
Mary, I'm probably a good bit older than you, and the tales of his evicting elderly and his many bankruptcies took place in the '70s and '80s, so I understand that many are not aware of his antics (as a Democrat, by the way). Stormy Daniels' story never was revealed until 2018. Still, his behavior during the 2015 campaign should have given a whiff of the stench surrounding him and his total lack of character and intelligence. Hillary was correct about The Deplorables.
Mary, I agree with your analysis. When young Donald accompanied his father to construction sites, he learned how those guys talk and think. Many people deeply disliked school and teachers (mostly women, right?). The Apprentice did wonders for him. New Yorkers knew his history of stiffing contractors, etc., but people wouldn’t trust their advice because “coastal elites” became a group to despise along with the rest of the “others.”
Gailee, you’re right. Our world came terrifyingly close to ending because of complacency and still could because of disinformation. People believed a demagogue because he talked like a buddy rather than talking like a teacher.
https://youtu.be/phsU1vVHOQI
He gave them (and gives them) an example of someone who sounds like them who appears to be very successful in the business world. He addresses their concerns about a shifting social culture. He gives them a number of groups of “others” to fear or blame for their woes and warns them that only he can fix it (he only needs more time).
Mary, anyone who believed him because he "talks like a buddy" or because he appeared to be successful apparently didn't have access to a newspaper for the last 40 years. He had been fodder for news reports that spelled out his numerous bankruptcies; his base lack of character was evident when he evicted elderly tenants from his properties; his many divorces were examples of his total lack of morals; his lack of intellect was obvious because he was unable to string together a coherent sentence. The idea that anyone thought he could be successful as the most powerful man in the world is ludicrous. Those who voted for him, deserved him. The rest of us are suffering from this debacle, and his sycophants are allowing it to continue.
We have Mark Burnett and The Apprentice to thank for creating the “successful businessman” false narrative.
I never watched a single episode of The Apprentice. I knew what he was, although I was stunned by his winning the election, even with Putin's help.
Nancy, same here -- never watched a single episode. A small fragment from time to time, but not by choice. Other people's homes, waiting rooms, etc. Growing up across the river from him, I could easily see the difference between the actual man and the script-reading character.
Once a wretch, always a wretch, Gus.
Yes Nancy. It's a lonely life, I can tell you. 🤭
Nor did I. How could so many have been sucked into his world of make believe? The damage done...
I was blindsided. I visited Germany during the campaign in 2016, and someone in Munich commented that he thought Trump would win. I laughed, and said "not a chance." I've been depressed and outraged ever since. Of course, initially I thought there would be guardrails . . . . wrong on all of it.🤢
There’s a great New Yorker article by Dorothy Wickendon from 2019 about Mark Burnett. One reveal: He entered the US illegally when, as a British merchant marine, he jumped ship in LA and then worked as a nanny. Doesn’t tfg just hate illegal immigrants? Oh yeah, only if they’re brown.
Most people don’t read the New York Times, the New York Post or the Washington Post. Trump was pilloried in these papers and the criticism deepened his inferiority complex. But he has explained to his minions that the press is elitist and they believe him. I don’t know if it’s stupidity so much as poor education lacking in critical thinking skills.
Barbara, I read about most of it in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, so hooray that Atlanta at least has that source. It also was on television. He's crafty, but I don't think that can be counted as intelligence. I'm also convinced that he was supported by Putin and our own oligarchs, who pointed him in the direction of the "elites." Lack of critical thinking skills is, indeed, an affliction that affects many.
Nancy and Barbara, I agree. Feral cunning not directly related to or indicative of higher reasoning. I also believe that poor or no critical reasoning skills are a significant factor in the pliable gullibility of the republican base. How on earth do we fight against that?
We lead with logic and reason, they lead with needs and emotion, impossible to have a productive discussion between the two.
I believe the only course left is to stop trying to change closed minds, and concentrate on activating democrats and independents to overwhelm at the polls; and fight in D.C. with legislation and DOJ -- and the states with litigation. Put all of our energies into strategies that are working, instead of base arguing with base.
Gus, I agree totally. I avoid those who are clearly in the GOP camp, and will not debate them. I've been accosted by some of them in the pharmacy and grocery store, when I hadn't uttered a word, telling me what a "loser" Biden is, and that he's responsible for inflation, the "bad economy," and that he's senile. Finally, the dam burst last week, and I retorted that I love Biden, and all of his "facts" were completely inaccurate. His response was that he "researched constantly," but perhaps I did not. I commented that his research must be limited to Fox and OANN, and perhaps he should branch out, but lacking that, I'd be working feverishly to see that the GOP can never dominate again, as there are more Democrats than the cheating Republicans. I received several cheers and thumbs up from observers. Let's hope they all vote.
I'm also holding out hope that Merrick Garland is crafting his case against the conspirators in the legislature and WH, and perhaps tossing in a Thomas or two.
Outstanding Nancy! 👍👍👍
My hope is in Garland as well. And the special grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia. Against all odds.
Fanni and the Grand Jury -- sounds like a band....
Fanni and the Grand Jury - LOVE IT! She's great, and no nonsense. I know that history teaches that we're destined to lose the mid-terms, but hopeful that the January 6 Committee public hearings will open any eyes willing to watch, and that Garland is as good a craftsman as many say and is building a solid case against all of the elite criminals who tried to wreck our country. I also hope that David Shafer and every other "alternate elector" find a nice, uncomfortable jail cell with their careers in tatters! It galls me that the AJC's coverage of that aspect has been so scant.
Nancy, 100%.
Nancy, I don’t recall reading about anything other than gossip and ridicule about trump before 2015. I doubt the San Francisco Chronicle, my regional paper, covered him.
It might have been that the East Coast is far from SF, and I doubt that anyone ever envisioned what his future would be. I'm originally from Boston, and probably became aware of him there, many years ago. Before he bought the Atlantic City casinos, I read about his abuse of tenants in apartments that his father had developed and was appalled at his disgusting behavior. There were always rumors of his refusing to pay contractors and unethical political scheming. After that, then the bankruptcies of the casinos, his comment about Marla Maples getting only $1 million in their divorce because she came from "a backwater in Georgia, and had never seen that much money," cemented my disgust. I cannot think of one redeeming quality that he possesses.
Yes, TFG was and is the perfect tool.
“I don’t know if it’s stupidity so much as poor education lacking in critical thinking skills.”
All of that.
Nancy, In 2015, there were only 35 million newspapers sold daily and The Apprentice audiences were 7 million per week. I can attest to the fact that there was very little about Donald Trump in our local newspaper other than the success of The Apprentice until he ran for office. There has never been anything about his evicting people or his bankruptcies. There was no coverage of his marriages or Stormy Daniels in the paper until 2018. I understand that people in the New York City area were aware of his shortcomings, but not in Texas.
Mary, I'm probably a good bit older than you, and the tales of his evicting elderly and his many bankruptcies took place in the '70s and '80s, so I understand that many are not aware of his antics (as a Democrat, by the way). Stormy Daniels' story never was revealed until 2018. Still, his behavior during the 2015 campaign should have given a whiff of the stench surrounding him and his total lack of character and intelligence. Hillary was correct about The Deplorables.
Yes, and I heard about them in Texas.
Mary, I agree with your analysis. When young Donald accompanied his father to construction sites, he learned how those guys talk and think. Many people deeply disliked school and teachers (mostly women, right?). The Apprentice did wonders for him. New Yorkers knew his history of stiffing contractors, etc., but people wouldn’t trust their advice because “coastal elites” became a group to despise along with the rest of the “others.”
"Very successful in the business world"??
"who appears to be"...