Notes On a Press Conference

So much to say about yesterday's first press conference and first in 167 days, from the new President-elect.

The first thing that occurs to me today, after yesterday's press conference from Mr. Trump is that it is going to be an extremely casual 4 years, beginning January 20, if he stays for the entire term, that is. If you read a transcript of the conference or see videotape of it, he uses a lot of "gonna" and "lemme" and at one point, even said "crap."  I tell you, folks, this is "a man of the people." Sure, he was given one million dollars once, by and from his father but he's a man of the people.

Second thing that occurs to me after yesterday is that clearly, we, we Americans, you and I, the US, owe Mr. Trump a lot. And I mean A LOT. Check this out:

Over the weekend, I was offered $2 billion to do a deal in Dubai with a very, very, very amazing man, a great, great developer from the Middle East, Hussein Damack, a friend of mine, great guy. And I was offered $2 billion to do a deal in Dubai — a number of deals and I turned it down.

I didn’t have to turn it down, because as you know, I have a no-conflict situation because I’m president, which is — I didn’t know about that until about three months ago, but it’s a nice thing to have.

He turned down A 2 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL just to be our President. So yeah, clearly we owe Mr. Trump. Already. At least in his opinion. And he's not even in office yet.

This next, third point made me nearly angry. Here's what Mr. Trump said:

I have a no conflict of interest provision as president. It was many, many years old, this is for presidents. Because they don’t want presidents getting — I understand they don’t want presidents getting tangled up in minutia; they want a president to run the country.

Wait. Wait right there.

It isn't that we Americans "...don't want presidents getting tangled up in minutia.." Not at all. It's that WE DON'T WANT OUR PRESIDENTS TO BE BOUGHT. We don't want them to be influenced by a money deal or by any billionaires across the planet who would want their buddy, the President, to do them a favor. We'd like very much to not be a banana republic, so to speak.

What's scary about this is that HE DOESN'T GET THAT. 

He then goes on to say:

I don’t like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to. I would be the only one to be able to do that. You can’t do that in any other capacity. But as president, I could run the Trump organization, great, great company, and I could run the company — the country. I’d do a very good job, but I don’t want to do that.

He only thinks we don't want him "getting tangled up in minutia."  Oh, hell, no. Everything, we know, with this guy, from his childhood, is about money. From birth to now, at his age of 70 years, has always been about money. Having lived a life like that, who thinks he wouldn't or couldn't be bought? 

Next note and this is important. Mr. Trump still thinks no one out here in the nation cares about or wants to see his tax returns.

You know, the only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters, OK? They’re the only who ask.

Well, he's not just wrong on this point but very much so. We'd like to know a few things about him and his tax returns:

--We'd like to know he paid taxes
--We'd like to know he paid a reasonably fair share of taxes
--We'd like to know he's not in debt--deeply or otherwise--to even one, let along many people or organizations or, heaven forbid, governments in and of other nations

He goes on to admit he's got lots of foreign interests:

...my company is much bigger, much more powerful than they ever thought. We’re in many, many countries, and I’m very proud of it.
And that's just for starters. So yes, Mr. President-elect, we'd very, very much like to see your tax returns and know what's in them. You said you'd release them if you became president, anyway, not that truth or commitments mean anything to you.

He then brought out an attorney, one Sheri Dillon, to explain how Mr. Trump is going to handle business in the next four years and how he's not actually going to put all that business in a true "blind trust" while he serves as president because, hey, screw you, America. This is Donald Trump.  She also went on to defend Mr. Trump's keeping his hotels while serving in the White House. Or Trump Tower, he hasn't said completely yet where he'll be operating from. The White House is so dowdy, you know?

He seemed to knock BBC news. A reporter from the BBC introduced himself for a question and this was Mr. Trump's response:

BBC news. That’s another beauty.

The BBC? You knock the BBC?

He was asked what he'd do to reform the media. He said he'd recommend people that "that have some moral compass."

Really. That's rich. (no pun intended).

In fairness, not all of the press conference was bad. It seems Mr. Trump is speaking out for the people and against his own political party on at least one subject and that is on our nation's ability to negotiate lower drug costs from the pharmaceutical companies. Here's a bit of what he said:

We’ve got to get our drug industry back. Our drug industry has been disastrous. They’re leaving left and right. They supply our drugs, but they don’t make them here, to a large extent. And the other thing we have to do is create new bidding procedures for the drug industry because they’re getting away with murder.

Pharma, pharma has a lot of lobbies and a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power and there’s very little bidding on drugs. We’re the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we don’t bid properly and we’re going to start bidding and we’re going to save billions of dollars over a period of time.
Of course, he and the Republicans want to do away with the Affordable Care Act, the ACA, "Obamacare" and have no replacement for it or replacement plan but at least Mr. Trump has this one issue correct for us. It pales, in comparison, to doing away with Obamacare, but at least he has this right.

Final note:  In the next four years, if Mr. Trump lasts that long as President (shudder), get used to hearing the following words out of the White House. Oh, and out of New York City, apparently:

"..the best..."
disastrous
fantastic
great, greatest
gonna'
disgrace (and this will be used both by the President, in that time frame, as well as by others, describing him)
phony
crap
Putin, Vladimir Putin, Mr. Putin, President Putin
totally (sometimes I think I'm listening to an 80's or 90's "valley girl)
horrible (again, this will be used both by and about the President)
yeah (only used by the President)
The entire phrase: "Give me a break" (this will be used by both the President and teenagers, exclusively)
"Lemme" (as a substitute for "let me." Again, only used by the President)
brilliant
phenomenal
terrific
outstanding

We are in for a rough, rough four years, ladies and gentlemen. God and the heavens help us.

Links:

Trump, Sex and Lots of Whining

Trump's ethics lawyers won award for work in Russia

Fact Check: Trump's First News Conference Since the Election

Donald Trump's colossal error on jobs 

during his press conference

Paid staffers were on hand to cheer for Trump 

at his press conference

Tonight's Very Shrill GOP Debate

I can barely believe what I just heard.

I listened to a good deal of the Republican gubernatorial candidates debate on KCUR-FM radio (89.3 FM).

It was the most shrill, lopsided, emotional, inflamed, disconnected excuse for a responsible, adult debate and conversation I can imagine. Their responses to the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion in Texas alone shows it, too.  The Court pointed out, rightly, how completely unnecessary the Texas requirements of hospitals being no more than 30 miles away, as just one example, was trampled on by these demagoguing

I don't know what's worse, too. I'm not sure if it's Catherine "I'm Bought and Paid For By Rex Singquefield" Hanaway or the shrill, scary Eric "I'm Wearing My Military Service and Religion On My Sleeve" Greitens.

All of their descriptions of Hillary Clinton were outrageous and, again, emotional. If you listened to them, you'd think Mrs. Clinton was the devil incarnate.

The one thing I could agree with, from what I heard this evening, was that, so far, in this campaign, anyway, they say they'll support campaign finance legislation and ending people going straight from a government job to lobbying.  The real proof will be shown when/if any of them are elected, of course, and get in government.

The conclusion I've come to is that today's debates have absolutely been heavily, greatly influenced by the elimination of the Fairness Doctrine and so, the creation of especially the Fox Network.  It's what has given us these, again, shrill, emotional ranters, using fear or trying to, to get attention and votes. It's shameful.  It's also no way to run campaigns, elections or, especially, government.

We should all be smarter than this.

We need to demand more.  And better.

Quote of the day

"Why do you grant a BULLY special status upon his death?" --Andrew Brietbart

Andrew Breitbart, 1969-2012

With conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart's sudden, surprising death last evening of a heart attack, I think two things need to be noted. First is that it's a bit surprising--not tremendously but somewhat--that the idea is already "out there" that this President's Administration was "no doubt" responsible for it is sad, a bit scary and extremely unfortunate. Hopefully that will end soon but I don't look for that. The idea that the Clinton Administration had their attorney assassinated is still, to this day, floating around out there, crazy as that is. I look for this to have a similar, disappointingly long lifespan. The second thing to note on this event is that divisive, ugly, angry, emotional discord in any country--this or any other--is not healthy or productive, period, and that goes for any political camp or viewpoint. Discussions and facts and statistics and data and reasoned, calm, intelligent debate naturally makes sense and needs to be promoted. People that take this route do their country no good service. This nation sorely needs the day back of calm, quiet, reasoned but still passionate conservatives of the likes of William F. Buckley, not what we're given to today. Links: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/andrew_breitbart/index.html; http://www.bradblog.com/?p=9156

Back to reality--and the 2012 election grind

Yes, unfortunately, the holidays had to come to an end, as if we didn't know it. At least it's still mild and sunny and beautiful here in the heartland, eh? In the meantime, a friend sent this advertisment to me today. I think it a rather revolutionary ad--no pun intended, you'll see: While he's right, of course, about some other nation being here on our soil, etc., it's an old point, however true. That he chose to put this fictitious "occupying country" in Texas makes it far more emotional and even vitriolic, I think, and dilutes his point. Dilutes his point unless, of course, you're from Texas. I think we all just need to calm down. Let's not make sure it's "The end of the world as we know it", you know? It doesn't have to be yet too many people are overwhelmed either by the 2008 financial collapse or weather catastrophes and tragedies or by the fact that the nation has a black president as its leader. Everyone needs to calm down and just chill. In the meantime, welcome to the new year.

As though he knew him...

"Now there's a man with an open mind - you can feel the breeze from here."  --Groucho Marx

For more, great but true humor, go here:   http://www.dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=Glenn_Beck

You may thank me later.

Have a great week, y'all.

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!!

Glenn Beck ending his daily Fox News show

Of course, we won't truly be rid of this idiot/demagogue/mental midget but maybe, just maybe this is the beginning of his decline and downfall.

Here's hoping.

Now, with this good news and fantastic weather, folks, go out and enjoy one beautiful day!

Link:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thecutline/20110406/ts_yblog_thecutline/glenn-beck-ending-his-daily-fox-news-show

On fear as a tool in America

“It’s not hard to bring out the worst in large numbers of citizens by constantly pressing their buttons; fear, hate, greed, false pride and blind loyalty are the main emotions used to manipulate people so much these last years. Reversing this process and empowering people through courage, love, generosity, humility and critical thinking is harder but it can and must be done.” -- Coleen Rowley for RootsAction; FBI whistle blower


Link:  http://rootsaction.org/

Network, then and now

Look how much is just the same then as it is now, with "Network" having been made so long ago in 1976.

The precursor, I think, to Fox "News". 

And the Tea Party.

And "birthers".

Americans seem to learn very little, if anything at all.

R.E.M.--Losing our religion (and 2 other things)

No, not the band, though they're terrific, of course. I put this up because Glenn Beck represents three things we owe it to ourselves to get out of our politics. To wit:

The first is religion. We need to get it--all religion and religions--out of our politics and government. Before anyone gets started, I want to make perfectly clear that this absolutely doesn't mean morals. It just means everyone's "god" or "God" needs to be extracted. If you let one in, you have to let them all in and that's just not workable. We have to disconnect these two--organized religions and government--so we don't have theocracies and so we can get to defining and solving our problems without fighting, in the meantime, about whose god is correct and all that other nonsense.

The second thing we have to get out of politics and government is emotionalism. (See above). We need to logically, clearly and calmly, again, define our problems, prioritize them and then define and select solutions. If tears and crying and whining and other obfuscating emotions get thrown into the mix, we lose sight of where we are and what needs to be done. It's only an ugly distraction, at least. The one who is most sincere (e.g., crying or wailing, etc.) is not necessarily correct.

Finally, the last thing we need to get out of our government and politics is money, for sure. And we can do this, too, for those who don't think we can. Here's how it could happen: 1) Get true, stringent campaign finance reform so lobbyists, corporations and other "fat cats" can't give money to our politicians to run for office. We need to make this illegal, not condone it with laws giving ways it can be done; 2) Shorten the campaign season by law, as Britain did long ago (can we learn nothing?) so the big money isn't needed by politicians for these absurdly long, annoying and ridiculous campaigns that annoy the daylights out of us anyway.

It just wouldn't be that difficult. We'd have to demand that our representatives do this. It's possible. We can do this. But it will take work.

It likely won't happen but we could do this.

Quote of the day--from Glenn Beck

Prior to his Beckapalooza rally in Washington, Beck declared, "I'm only writing a few bullet points. And I am doing that so I don't get in the way of the spirit, in case he wants to talk...if you would just pray that I would be able to hear because sometimes -- sometimes he's screaming at me and I still can't hear it.'' Link to original post: http://politicalhumor.about.com/b/2010/08/31/is-glenn-beck-insane-you-be-the-judge.htm Glen Beck Quote Generator: http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bl-glenn-beck-quotes.htm

Emotionalism in politics: One of America's biggest problems

After reading the news this week, and watching the Sunday morning news programs, it occurred to me, once again, that we have far too much emotion and emotionalism in our politics today in America, it's getting worse--much more so--and that we need to rid ourselves of it.

Proof:

No. 1--Last Saturday, protesters in Washington, outside Congress, yelled "nigger" at Representative John Lewis, a highly respected--and elderly, if that means anything, African-American leader from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's;

No. 2--A man was arrested--and later released-- for having spat on our own House of Representative Congressman Emanuel Cleaver at this same rally.

What good purpose could that have possibly served?

No. 3--On ABC"s program "This Week", Karl Rove continually and repeatedly rudely interrupted Presidential Adviser David Plouffe when answering questions directed at Mr. Plouffe, when Mr. Plouffe did no such thing to Mr. Rove. He ran right over Mr. Plouffe's answers and discussions, allowing for little reply to any questions directed specifically at him (Mr. Plouffe);

No. 4--Routinely, on American news programs, especially and specifically the Fox Network "News", people will shout over one another (e.g., Bill O'Reilly) or turn to tears, for effect, while reporting the "news" (e.g., Glenn Beck), etc., apparently so their shows have more impact;

No. 5--If we can't discuss the salient points of an issue, we yell names: Representative Barney Frank was referred to as a "homo"--as though that has anything to do with anything--during that same demonstration in Washington last Saturday;

No. 6--One Mike Vanderboegh of the "Alabama Constitutional Militia" "...put out a call on Friday for modern 'Sons of Liberty' to break the windows of Democratic Party offices nationwide"--because that's a good idea, right?--"in opposition to health care reform." Windows ended up broken in Wichita, Kansas, Tucson, Arizona, Rochester, New York and several other places.

These are just a few recent examples, too. This isn't nearly everything I could list as examples.

It is my contention that all of these above episodes are mighty indicators of what is going wrong in American media, American political discussions and so, finally and sadly, negatively, in our government.

We have stopped calmly reasoning with one another and we merely shout at one another.

We need William F. Buckley, his reasoning and his speaking style, back again. (Even if he was wrong, at least part of the time).

We don't want discourse from one another any longer, it seems. All we want is for the "other side" to come over to our "correct" way of thinking, so we just shout at one another. And worse.

Frankly, I think the Fox Network seems to lead the way in this by only espousing one viewpoint--the Conservative one--and by allowing commentary to get emotional and vitriolic. We end up with no patience for PBS discussions where a Conservative and a Liberal or a Democrat and a Republican and other political groups calmly, cooly and logically lay out their points and the data that supports them.

So the electorate knows little, rarely, of hard statistics and facts that should rule the commentary and discussions.

Our sincerity, however mistaken, rules the day through emotional rants.

Again, as I've said before, this is no way to run a country.

And we seem to be getting worse.

A lot worse.

Quickly.