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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKareem Abdul-Jabbar: This is the difference between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders
By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar September 2 at 7:45 AM
Ernest Hemingway once said that courage was grace under pressure. Two presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, have recently tested this proposition. And how each man responded revealed the type of person he is and the type of president he would make: Trump authored his own doom, and Sanders opened immense new possibilities as a compassionate person and serious candidate for president.
Heres where it went fatally wrong for Trump. During the GOP debate on Fox, when Megyn Kelly famously queried him about his attitude toward women (whom he has called fat pigs, dogs, slobs and animals) he hit back by threatening the questioner: Ive been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldnt do that.
Bad enough to alienate women in this way, but theres even more insidious political crime here: attacking the First Amendments protection of a free press by menacing journalists. I wouldnt do that, he said coyly. If you wouldnt do it, why bring up that you could? For no other reason than to stifle other journalists who might want to ask tough but reasonable questions. If Americans learned that a leader in another country was threatening reporters, we would be outraged. Yet here it is. Right here. Right now.
Later, after Trump had blamed her attitude on her menstrual cycle, Kelly went on what Fox says was a planned vacation. Nevertheless, Trump suggested he may have been the cause. What kind of candidate takes credit for bullying the media? And last week, Trump allowed Univision reporter Jorge Ramos to be ejected from a press conference for asking questions about immigration without being called upon. Ramos was later readmitted and permitted to ask about immigration, during which he said Trump could still deport immigrants compassionately. I have a bigger heart than you do, Trump replied. Trumps non-specific answer to the question ended with a personal insult directed at the reporter....
Full editorial:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/09/02/kareem-abdul-jabbar-this-is-the-difference-between-donald-trump-and-bernie-sanders/
A very good read. There is a discrepancy in the discussion in regards to the venues that Bernie attended but overall a well reasoned discussion on a major difference in the character of two candidates.
PatrickforO
(14,576 posts)tecelote
(5,122 posts)retrowire
(10,345 posts)that man has thinner skin than a tomato.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)The Oligarchs like H. Clinton a lot and they like Bush a lot, just as Goldman-Sachs. They will not allow Trump to be president. Trump even though he doesn't know it, is giving cover to Bush. Bush can hid, like Clinton, until the election then come forward. Karl Rove will "convince" Trump to stand down. We live in an Oligarchy controlled government. Sen Sanders is defying that Oligarchy at his personal risk. I hope he remains safe.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I think you are underestimating him. Trump is twisted and demented much like George W. He had us in two wars only 26 months into his term in office.
pampango
(24,692 posts)The two approaches reveal the difference between a mature, thoughtful and intelligent man, and a man whose money has made him arrogant to criticism and impervious to feeling the need to have any actual policies. Trump threatens to run an independent campaign (he wont; thats a negotiating ploy). Trump is a last-call candidate who looks good in the boozy dark of political inebriation.
Theres a lot of complaining about the lengthy process in the United States of winnowing candidates, but this year has shown its great strength. It gives a wide variety of people the chance to have their voices heard, and it gives voters a chance to see the candidates over a period of time when their political masks slip. Some rise to the challenge, others deflate under the pressure of nothing to say.
Two roads diverged in a political wood, and one man took the road of assaulting the Constitution and soon will be lost forever. The other will be a viable candidate who, regardless of whether he wins the nomination, will elevate the political process into something our Founding Fathers would be proud of.
I did not know that Abdul-Jabbar was such a good writer.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I have nothing but respect for that man.
Snotcicles
(9,089 posts)Chef Eric
(1,024 posts)My favorite is "A Season on the Reservation." It's about his experience as a high school basketball coach on an Apache Reservation.
ladyVet
(1,587 posts)I can't remember what the book was, but a search on Amazon would find it. Apparently the man is much more than a talented athlete, and a fine Democrat as well.
eridani
(51,907 posts)--are blocking direct access to info about a book. If you hear the title, please post.
Chitown Kev
(2,197 posts)Sherlock's brother.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is a Baker Street Irregular and has been a Sherlock Holmes fan for a loooong time.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/02/elementary
jalan48
(13,870 posts)Snotcicles
(9,089 posts)I find it troubling that there are so many people in this country that desire to be governed in the ways the Republican candidates have promised.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)not pertain to them. Only to "others".
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)Just as the German people who supported Hitler thought it didn't apply until they came for them.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)If our messaging were working, Dems would be winning there as well. Te Repubs want to deflect legitimate anger toward the "different," and not toward those who make the rules that are fucking us all over.
mak3cats
(1,573 posts)Although each absurd, uninformed or just plain incorrect statement seems to give Trump a bump in the polls, there are only so many times supporters can defend his outrageous assault on decency, truth and civility. Yes, a few will remain no matter what. (One 63-year-old woman told CNN that the Republicans were out to discredit Trump: They twisted what the words were, because theyre trying to destroy him. No one has to twist his words because what he says is twisted enough. He speaks fluent pretzel.) But voters will eventually see the light.
"Fluent pretzel." What a wonderful phrase!! I'll be watching for more of this man's opinion pieces - I had no idea.
navarth
(5,927 posts)...an athlete intellectual. Right up there with an intellectual policeman/woman, soldier...anybody with talent below the neck that concentrates on developing it above the neck. It's all too rare.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)ashling
(25,771 posts)Nothing that Trumpty Dumpty or Megan Kelly said at the debate was an attack on the First Amendment. The First Amendment only prohibits government from inhibiting speech. The Donald is not now - nor will he ever be - a part of the government. ... let alone master of the words that he projectile vomits onto the masses
WillyT
(72,631 posts)Old Crow
(2,212 posts)I didn't know Abdul-Jabbar was such a good writer!
jwirr
(39,215 posts)for posting.
Matariki
(18,775 posts)great stuff:
Trumps rationale for avoiding Kellys debate question that neither he nor America has time for political correctness taps into a popular boogeyman. The term political correctness is so general that to most people it simply means a discomfort with changing times and attitudes, an attack on the traditions of how we were raised. (Its an emotional challenge every generation has had to go through.) What it really means is nothing more than sensitizing people to the fact that some old-fashioned words, attitudes and actions may be harmful or insulting to others. Naturally, people are angry about that because it makes them feel stupid or mean when they really arent. But when times change, we need to change with them in areas that strengthen our society.
Its no longer politically correct to call African Americans coloreds. Or to pat a woman on the butt at work and say, Nice job, honey. Or to ask people their religion during a job interview. Or to deny a woman a job because shes not attractive enough to you. Or to assume a persons opinion is worth less because she is elderly. Or that physically challenged individuals shouldnt have easy access to buildings. If you dont have time for political correctness, you dont have time to be the caretaker of our rights under the Constitution.
malaise
(269,047 posts)will be a guest on Rachel Maddow tomorrow night n/t
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)malaise
(269,047 posts)and you're welcome
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)I love your name too.
malaise
(269,047 posts)Damn - I'm almost 11 years.
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)I took a long break from posting, so I pretty much dropped off the radar, which is why my post count isn't higher.
noiretextatique
(27,275 posts)ejbr
(5,856 posts)"Rick Perry appears to be out of money; Jindal out of breath; Huckabee out of touch."
Excellent read! Thanks for posting!
DAngelo136
(265 posts)Watch the documentary: "Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL"
Even if you're not a sports fan, the documentary gives an insight to Trump the businessman and Trump the man himself.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)The first time I saw Steve Young play.
I read that Herschel Walker is supporting Trump despite his USFL debacle.
Stellar
(5,644 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)Kareem 2020?