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When are Donald Trump's supporters going to realize...that the guy they voted for...is nothing more than "a snake-oil salesman?"
In his first address to a joint session of Congress...Trump reiterated - on Tuesday night, February 28th, 2017 - his campaign promise to "drain the swamp." Yet he put "creatures from the Black Lagoon" in his cabinet.
In recent weeks, Trump declared war on the media...the free press. He has declared war on the Democrats and anyone who doesn't agree with him. Trump has declared war on the courts. He has even declared war on his own intelligence community. And in his nationally televised speech to Congress and the country... Trump declared war on immigrants.
In what caused a..."What did he just say?" moment...I cringed as Donald Trump informed Americans that he instructed the Department of Homeland Security to establish an office, which basically attacks immigrants as being violent, vicious and vulgar people. The acronym...V-O-I-C-E...stands for Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement...which horrendously depicts immigrants as criminals. But isn't that what Trump said in his June 16th, 2015 speech when he announced his candidacy for President? I will remind you of his exact reprehensible words. "When Mexico sends its people...they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending YOU. They're sending people...that have lots of problems. And they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs...they're bringing crime... they're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
But what irked me the most about Trump's address to Congress was his use - and I do say "use"....of Mrs. Carryn Owens...the wife of slain U.S. Navy SEAL, William "Ryan" Owens. Senior Chief Petty Officer Owens was killed on January 29th, 2017 during a raid in Yemen. The decorated sailor was involved in a military operation that reportedly was not approved by President Barack Obama when the Pentagon approached him prior to leaving office. Yet Donald Trump authorized the raid. And when it went bad - causing the death of Ryan Owens...Trump pointed the finger at "the generals."
As I have written in past columns, Donald Trump is a narcissist who can never take responsibility for anything he has done wrong. To blame "the generals"...(Secretary of Defense James Mattis, a retired Marine Corps General...and Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, Jr. who serves as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)...is not only shameful...but cowardly. After all...the buck stops with the President. The buck stops with the Commander-In-Chief. But Trump is too spineless...and too gutless...to admit fault at anything. How does he continue to not claim ownership of the Yemen raid when he was the one who gave it the green light?
But then...Trump paid tribute to Ryan Owens. However, by doing so, he showcased Mrs. Owens...in front of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives plus every American who watched on television. The spotlight was on a grieving widow...who is still in mourning over the death of her G.I. husband.
It was a sentimental and touching few minutes when Carryn Owens looked up towards heaven and talked to Ryan...as those in the U.S. Capitol Building applauded in sympathy and expressed their love for a fallen hero. But Trump turned a heartfelt moment in to a marketing tool...as if Mrs. Owens was a product he needed to rave about on The Celebrity Apprentice. I go back to what I have called Donald Trump in earlier commentaries...Captain Queeg from the book and motion picture, The Caine Mutiny. Let's remember...like Captain Queeg counting the strawberries...Trump counted the people in the crowds at his campaign rallies. He counted the votes of the Presidential election...and as someone paranoid - he claimed there were millions of ballots cast that were illegal. Trump counted the people who attended his Inauguration. And at his speech to Congress...he counted the amount of minutes that Mrs. Owens received applause. It's mind-boggling.
What is it going to take for Donald Trump voters to be fed up with him? When will each Republican in the United States...put his or her foot down...that Trump is a fraud and not at all sincere or good for our country? I can only hope it's before a major crisis erupts and we need a real President to lead us. Because now...we don't have one.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
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Maybe you were watching TV from an alternative universe because what you saw isn’t what I saw. First off when you and the left realize that “drain the swamp” means Washington insiders. His cabinet is mostly of business men and Generals not Washington insiders. I must disagree with you that President Trump has “declared war on the Democrats”, it is the Democrats that have declared war on him, as for the press he is a counter puncher, the so called “Free” press better defined as the attack dog of the DNC declared war on him from the day he announced. As for you saying he “declared war on immigrants” once again one of your lies, he is following US immigration law and pushing to remove ILLEGAL ALIENS from our Country. You twist the truth when you claim that the new DHS office V-O-I-C-E is being set up to basically attacks immigrants as being violent, vicious and vulgar people. The program is to help those AMERICANS that have been VICTIMS of CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALEINS, once again you try to put your spin on things and disregard the facts. When Candidate Trump made his statement about Mexico he was talking about ILLEGAL ALEINS not legal immigrants. Let’s remember illegal aliens are criminals just by the FACT they broke our laws coming here! You claiming President Trump “used” Carryn Owens is disgraceful, I felt his tribute to Ryan Owens and his recognition of Carryn Owens was one of the most heartfelt moments in any Presidential speech in many, many years, but your hatred for our President clouds everything else. His plans for repeal and replace the ACA, to fund school choice, to help our military and our Vets and much more are all great things to get done. You ask when we are going to be fed up with him, after last night’s Presidential speech, where he reached out to all Americans, both sides of the aisle in Congress to unite and work together to get things done for all Americans, we are more sure now that we did the right thing voting for him! Please stop the hate and help get all Americans to join together and work with President Trump and help “Make America Great Again”!
ReplyDeleteNo I was not watching Donald Trump's speech "from an alternative universe." My column speaks for itself and I hold firm to my words.
DeleteA Presidential cabinet should not be filled with billionaires and generals. They have no idea how to run a country. And don't tell me about President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as some people will say. IKE was a war hero and beloved. That is why he was elected for his first term.
There is nothing more to say about Trump and the media or Trump and the Democrats. Again, my column is right on target.
V-O-I-C-E is an insult to all immigrants.
Trump's comments on June 16, 2015 remain disgraceful and the reason why his immigration plans are horrendous.
No undocumented immigrants will ever be deported from our country. All 10, 12 or 20 million undocumented immigrants will remain. Their children who were born in the United States (and are American citizens) will remain. And they all SHOULD remain and be given a path to U.S. citizenship. And THAT IS exactly what WILL happen.
I had no problem with the tribute to Ryan Owens. Trump would have been wrong if he hadn't mentioned this fallen hero. But he should have noted that he took responsibility for the botched raid in Yemen. He should not blame "the generals." And if Mrs. Owens wanted to accept the invitation to be at the Capitol last night so that her slain, beloved husband would be recognized, I can partly understand. And I wrote in my column, it was a "sentimental and touching few minutes when Carryn Owens looked up towards heaven and talked to Ryan." But Trump ruined the "heartfelt moment" by talking about breaking a record for the longest applause. Again...Captain Queeg is always counting the strawberries. That is NOT hatred for Trump. As I have written for nearly two years, I think the man is mentally ill and needs help. I wish him well and I sincerely hope he gets the medical help he needs.
If you really think that Trump's speech "reached out to all Americans" and "both sides of the aisle in Congress" then you're dreaming.
And each time Trump or any Republican uses the words "Make America Great Again"...he, you and they are insulting the United States of America...because our nation has always been great. By Trump, you and others saying you want to "Make America Great Again" indicates that you don't think it's great. Shame on you.
GBD
Gary! Great work! I thought Comey was a disgrace to NHRHS and if I met him I'd tell him so. He needs to go back to high school. Hillary lost due to him (and the Russians of course). We've got a bunch of crooks in the White House BUT... hopefully with the truth leaking out about Sessions now, we can clean up the swamp monsters who have taken over our democracy!! Nina Polizzano
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Nina, for your kind words about my column. I agree with you 100 percent. Thanks for reading The Controversy. I do appreciate it. GBD
DeleteI think you might be from an alternative universe. So you think we should have career politicians in the cabinet, who are more concerned with keeping their jobs and setting up their lobbying jobs for when the leave the government then doing their jobs. Just look at the last eight years. Billionaires don’t get bought as easily as politicians and most Generals have more integrity then every politician today put together. Trump’s comments on illegal aliens were right on target and had NOTHING TO DO WITH LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, the dishonest media made it into something it wasn’t. Every illegal alien that commits a crime should do the time and once released be immediately deported and forbidden ever to return to the USA. The bulk of the illegal aliens, those without a criminal record should be given the opportunity to become legal residents of our Country but if you came here illegally you should never get citizenship without returning to their home country and getting online. There should be exclusion for young children brought here; older children or young adults can upgrade their status and be eligible for citizenship by enlisting in the US armed services, other than that NO CITIZENSHIP! Yes, I do believe President Trump reached out to both sides of the aisle and to all Americans in his speech with a very optimistic message of better health care, better education with school choice, safer inner cities, safer southern border, less drugs, fix our infrastructure. The list goes on and on. Do I think the left will work with him, not a chance in hell, President Trump could bring world peace, end hunger, end all racial tension, bring great prosperity and more, the left has such hate for him and that he beat Clinton you and the left would let the world burn before you would back him or even just work with him. How can you criticize anyone for saying “Make America Great Again" when you say that America is a racist, anti-Semitic, bigoted Country, so what you are saying is being anti-Semitic, a bigot and a racist is “Great”. That says a lot about you. To me and most conservatives that’s far from great.
ReplyDeleteAre you the same reader who responded above or are you just using that person's line? If you're the same reader then you need to get another line. As I stated above, I'm not from "an alternative universe."
DeleteBillionaires are going to help themselves and their friends to save money on taxes. They're not going to support reducing taxes on the middle-class and poor since by doing so will raise their taxes. As for generals, they are usually hawkish and will support Donald Trump when he wants to go to war with anybody.
My column above stands for itself on the V-O-I-C-E office...and it's an insult to all immigrants.
The media is NOT dishonest and when the 2017 version of Woodward and Bernstein come up with the dirt that either causes Trump to resign or to be impeached, convicted and removed from office, then you will finally see the light and realize the truth.
All undocumented immigrants should be and will be allowed to stay in the United States and they should be and will be given a path to American citizenship. Plus, they're not illegal aliens, as they're not from some faraway planet in another galaxy. They are simply undocumented immigrants.
Trump reaches out to nobody but himself.
It amazes me that you would say something like "Trump could bring world peace, end hunger, end all racial tension, bring great prosperity and more, the left has such hate for him and that he beat Clinton you and the left would let the world burn before you would back him or even just work with him." Republicans did exactly that to both President Obama and Hillary Clinton. Now he and all Republicans are getting a taste of their own medicine.
As for the second part of your statement above, I have stated to numerous readers and in specific columns time and time again that Democrats do not "hate" Trump because he beat Mrs. Clinton in the electoral vote. You and other Republicans just don't want to accept the fact that it has nothing to do with the former Secretary of State. It all has to do with Trump himself and his offensive, rude, disrespectful behavior over the last 21 months and throughout his life. And it has to do with the fact of his Russian connection and the lies he has told and continues to tell. General Michael Flynn is gone as National Security Adviser...Attorney General Jeff Sessions will be next to go because of his ties with Russia. Then the new Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will be out on his ear because of his links with Russia. And senior adviser Stephen Bannon will be taking a hike because he's a racist and anti-Semitic Ku Klux Klan lover.
I NEVER said "America is a racist, anti-Semitic, bigoted country." And there's no place in the above column - or in any column - that I have ever used those words.
If you're going to put your own spin on my commentaries - and lie - then do me a favor...don't read my columns.
GBD
Yes I am the same reader. Your characterization about the rich is way off. The rich are some of the most charitable people; would you say Bill Gates is only going to help himself? Most generals (if you knew any) hate war, they believe in peace through strength. The media is dishonest. As for me calling people “illegal aliens”, I do it because that is what they are. Dictionary.com defines illegal alien as “a foreign national who is living without authorization in a country of which they are not a citizen”. You comment “now he and all Republicans are getting a taste of their own medicine” is proof that the democrats are doing things for revenge without regard for what is best for the country. You can tell all the lies you want that it’s not about Clinton but we all know it is. You lies about the cabinet are just as disgusting. On February 22 in a response to “WHY IS IT NEVER DONALD TRUMP'S FAULT” you said “A large amount...a significant amount of Americans...are racists. They are bigoted against blacks...against Latinos...against Asians...against Muslims...and against Jews - not to mention certain people are prejudiced against everyone from poor people to gays.” That sir is you saying "America is a racist, anti-Semitic, bigoted country." I did spin anything, you said it!
ReplyDeleteThe response to the above reader will be in two parts.
DeletePART ONE OF TWO
Once again you try to put a spin on my words and change the meaning.
I can honestly say that I have met at least one billionaire, although I can't say that I know him. But I have worked with and know many multi-millionaires. And yes, most of the very or super rich in our country are philanthropic and wonderfully charitable people. With some, their generosity is endless. That wasn't my point, however. Giving to charities and to people in need is a whole different ballgame than having to pay high taxes - albeit the fact that such contributions are tax deductible. And it's only human nature that billionaires who are given political power will do what they can to reduce their taxes. If Donald Trump wanted one billionaire in his cabinet, so be it. But for Trump himself - an alleged billionaire (we've never seen his tax returns) - to jam-pack his cabinet with billionaires and Wall Street insiders...doesn't represent the average person in America. As for the generals...most are naturally hawkish. Say what you want, but that is the truth. You stated that generals "believe in peace through strength." Well, strength in their eyes mean war. I prefer the diplomatic means of peace through negotiations and discussion...not by bullets, missiles and other forms of barbaric killing.
A dictionary's definition of a word (or words) is not necessarily the best way...or the proper way...to describe a human being. There are no "illegal aliens." They are undocumented immigrants...and that is what they should be called.
My statement about Trump and the Republicans "getting a taste of their own medicine" was purely a response to your remarks in your earlier reply to my column. Democrats would like very much to work with Republicans - and have in decades past - but facts are facts...and Republicans deliberately did not work with President Obama just so he would not accomplish some of the plans he had during his time in The White House. And as long as Trump and the Republicans in Congress won't compromise and properly deal with the Democrats, it's going to be a bumpy ride for Trump and his gang over the next three-and-a-half years or so. It is not revenge. Clearly not. How dare you say that Democrats don't have "regard for what is best for the country." That is exactly what Republicans did while Barack Obama was President. If Republicans had any regard for President Obama, they would have at least given Judge Merrick Garland a hearing.
GBD
END OF PART ONE OF TWO
PART TWO OF TWO
DeleteIf you write again on my column - and I can tell your style of writing so I will know - and you accuse me - and all Democrats - as you said "You can tell all the lies you want that it's not about (Hillary) Clinton, but we all know it is"...I will delete your entire response and it will, therefore, not be published. This has NOTHING to do with Mrs. Clinton not being President. It's all about Trump and his offensive, rude, disrespectful behavior, his mentally unfit temperament and his disgraceful demeanor towards women, towards a Gold Star family, towards a disabled reporter, towards Latinos, towards Muslims, towards a Vietnam War hero (today's REPUBLICAN Senator John McCain) and towards many other people. I've written in the past that when Trump belittled Senator McCain during the campaign, and said he was "not a hero"...I thought for sure that those remarks would have destroyed Trump. I highlighted Senator McCain as a REPUBLICAN because Trump has no loyalty for anyone who disagrees with him...whether Democrat, Republican or anybody else. How anyone voted for Trump after his comments about McCain...after all the other items I mentioned above...and after the Access Hollywood video...then our country is filled with people who just don't care about their fellow man and fellow woman. It is despicable that people - including women - would vote for someone like Trump after he talked about "grabbing pus--." But then...Trump bragged during the campaign that he could "shoot somebody on 5th Avenue" and he "wouldn't lose any votes." This is not a man who should NOT be sitting behind The Oval Office desk.
There are no lies about Trump's cabinet. I speak the truth.
Yes. I do believe that "a large amount...a significant amount of Americans...are racists." I did not, however, say that "America is a racist, anti-Semitic, bigoted country" - which is what you accused me of writing. There is a large amount of people in the United States who are racists and bigots of all kinds. You can try to deny that, but if you do, then you must not have been around our nation too much. It is a terrible shame, but there is a significant amount of Americans who are "bigoted against blacks, against Latinos, against Asians, against Muslims and against Jews - not to mention certain people are against everyone from poor people to gays." I stick to my words because I have witnessed all of what I wrote. That does not in any way mean - as you have stated - that "America is a racist, anti-Semitic, bigoted country." But unfortunately, many people in America fit that bill. Again, you did the spinning. And - as usual - it's not at all accurate.
We are done here.
GBD
END OF PART TWO OF TWO