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kpete

(71,997 posts)
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 11:41 AM Jul 2016

Charles P Pierce: Anyone who supports Donald Trump is a traitor to the American idea

This Isn't Funny Anymore. American Democracy Is at Stake.
Anyone who supports Donald Trump is a traitor to the American idea.


CLEVELAND, OHIO—A while back, we here at the shebeen decided that Donald J. Trump's act was no longer funny. That he no longer was a goofy guy with three wives and a ferret on his head, a freak candidate who devoured an incredible passel of unpopular lightweights on his way to a freak nomination. That he was more than just a vessel for the barely camouflaged rage and fear of an aging white American majority terrified of so many barbarians at so many gates. But not until Wednesday did we realize the true magnitude of the threat that this reckless clown poses to American democracy. Not until Wednesday did we hear clearly the echoes of shiny black boots on German cobblestones.

On Wednesday, in several venues, He, Trump accused "some people"—he never said who they were, nor will he, ever—of calling for a moment of silence for Micah Johnson, the mass murderer of police in Dallas, Texas. We have had some experience with this. Back when he was still considered something of a sideshow attraction, He, Trump said that he's "seen" Muslim-Americans in New Jersey celebrating as the World Trade Center towers burned on September 11, 2001. He never said who they were, nor will he, ever. But at least there was a level of detail to the lie. There is in fact a state called New Jersey. There are in fact Muslim-Americans living there. And the attacks of 9/11 did in fact happen.

.............


Nobody can find anyone who called for a moment of silence. Nobody can list the 11 cities. On Wednesday, Sam Clovis, a fringe character from Iowa who has been elevated to co-chairman of He, Trump's campaign, was put on a spit by CNN's Chris Cuomo and turned, slowly, over an open flame. Via Tiger Beat On The Potomac:

Cuomo preceded his line of questioning by remarking that Trump's claim was similar to one he made months ago when he said he had seen seen Muslims celebrating in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Cuomo asked Clovis whether he could elucidate what Trump was referring to Tuesday night in Westfield, Indiana. "But calling for a moment of silence?" Cuomo said. "Well, it depends on the context, I guess, Chris," Clovis responded. "And frankly, I've had my nose buried in other issues. I'm not dodging your question." Cuomo was not buying it. "Sam, you're dodging it. You're dodging it. You're doing it artfully, but you're dodging it," the anchor remarked, as Clovis denied that he was doing so. "Context, my eye. Either you've seen they were calling for a moment of silence or you haven't."



http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a46695/donald-trump-candidacy-american-democracy/
17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Charles P Pierce: Anyone who supports Donald Trump is a traitor to the American idea (Original Post) kpete Jul 2016 OP
Wow rjsquirrel Jul 2016 #1
BARF BAG ALERT Sam Clovis BARF BAG ALERT DinahMoeHum Jul 2016 #2
"Traitor" is a bit strong for my taste, but this article is spot-on in every KingCharlemagne Jul 2016 #3
"traitor to the American idea" Fast Walker 52 Jul 2016 #13
Yeah, I take your point. Trump has inspired a degree of revulsion in me KingCharlemagne Jul 2016 #14
About Right colsohlibgal Jul 2016 #4
Good on you, Charley Pierce. As usual. Paladin Jul 2016 #5
K&R... spanone Jul 2016 #6
STOP THE PRESSES, an american politician lied..... embellished... exaggerated.... frankieallen Jul 2016 #7
Did you bother to read the Pierce essay in its entirety? Your dismissive KingCharlemagne Jul 2016 #8
No I didnt frankieallen Jul 2016 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author WhollyHeretic Jul 2016 #10
The tRump quote reminds me of Joe McCarthy Wednesdays Jul 2016 #9
"I hold in my hands a list . . . ," a scurrilous attack on the State Department KingCharlemagne Jul 2016 #16
"Context, my eye. Either you've seen they were calling for a moment of silence or you haven't." muriel_volestrangler Jul 2016 #11
damn, that's fucking powerful and do we need a wake-up call or what? Fast Walker 52 Jul 2016 #12
Charles Pierce is correct. Hear, hear! nt DLevine Jul 2016 #15
 

KingCharlemagne

(7,908 posts)
3. "Traitor" is a bit strong for my taste, but this article is spot-on in every
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 02:30 PM
Jul 2016

other respect.

Pierce is one of the best commentators on American politics currently.

 

KingCharlemagne

(7,908 posts)
14. Yeah, I take your point. Trump has inspired a degree of revulsion in me
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 05:17 PM
Jul 2016

that I have never before experienced for any politician, going back to Nixon and Reagan.

 

KingCharlemagne

(7,908 posts)
8. Did you bother to read the Pierce essay in its entirety? Your dismissive
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 03:09 PM
Jul 2016

attitude suggests you have missed Pierce's larger point entirely.

Response to frankieallen (Reply #7)

Wednesdays

(17,381 posts)
9. The tRump quote reminds me of Joe McCarthy
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 03:26 PM
Jul 2016

Didn't McCarthy go on TV waving a document, claiming it was a long list of Communists secretly working in the US government? In the end, no names were ever named.

 

KingCharlemagne

(7,908 posts)
16. "I hold in my hands a list . . . ," a scurrilous attack on the State Department
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 05:24 PM
Jul 2016

Last edited Fri Jul 15, 2016, 02:12 PM - Edit history (1)

and Foreign Service:

muriel_volestrangler

(101,322 posts)
11. "Context, my eye. Either you've seen they were calling for a moment of silence or you haven't."
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 04:23 PM
Jul 2016

I like that. It's a polite way of saying "context, my arse. Put up or shut up. You're talking bullshit".

Clovis had to admit "I personally have not". He then went on to claim, without evidence (and presumably he hasn't seen this either, since it came with a complete lack of specific detail) that there is 'startling' reverence paid to shooters in marches.

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