Resist and Persist
The View from the Middle
Hillary Clinton recently went on TV and suggested that the Democrat Party should engage in “resistance and persistence”. That may be a cute slogan. It does rhyme, and it may even be a strategy to insure that Donald Trump fails (and America with him) but it is hardly a platform. The Democrat Party seems to be hoping desperately for a disaster and doing everything they can to deliver one. Doesn’t that just make you want to vote for them?
They are also manically employing the “sticks and stones” strategy that they used during the general election. They miss no opportunity to call President Trump and anyone who dared vote for him misogynists, xenophobes, racists, bigots, homophobes and Islamophobes. Remember Hillary’s basket of deplorables? Now they have added an accusation of anti Semitism to their diatribe despite the fact that it is difficult to be anti Semitic and an Islamophobe at the same time. But the beauty of their insults is that they don’t depend on any proof or any connection to the truth to make them.
I guess calling half of America a basket of deplorable bigots just doesn’t cut it anymore, however. It is clear to me that the DNC is offering bonuses to any lame stream media commentator who can connect Donald Trump to the most heinous people in world history. I heard liberal talking head Bernard Whitman do a particularly good job of this the other day as he compared Trump to Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong in the same sentence.
Don’t get hung up on the fact that these three sociopaths killed between 75 and 100 MILLION people. And if they can’t make any ridiculous personal comparisons, they just exaggerate events. The other day, I heard General Flynn’s conversation with the Russian Ambassador compared to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. Now those are comparisons that only the most loyal liberal fanatics can embrace.
My point is, what’s lacking in the Democrat Party right now is an actual platform. What do they actually stand for? Are they for open borders? Make your case. Are you for amnesty and citizenship for law abiding illegals? (Wow, is that an oxymoron or what) Are you for legalization, which is a very different proposal? Make your case. Do you want more regulations and higher taxes? Make your case.
Despite how much the American people may not like Donald Trump’s behavior, if his platform starts to deliver positive results, the Democrat Party may be in for a series of long hot summers. I still think, however, they would be better off to share and explain their platform than being the party of “If you don’t think like me, you disgust me” or “I’m really hoping for a disaster for American so I can get my power back”.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Gorsuch, A Glimmer of Hope
Gorsuch, A Glimmer of Hope
The View from the Middle
Well, it’s official. We have an entirely dysfunctional government. Let’s start at the top. We have a president whose policies I support, but whose behavior I don’t. I do want border security and tax reform. I want school choice and regulatory reform. I’m for the rule of law and for creating good paying American jobs, etc. I’m not for ridiculing the opposition just for thinking differently than I do. That’s a Saul Alinsky strategy to create division, anger and even hatred. It’s a tactic that may work in the short term to move power from one place to another, but in the long term it will destroy what is great about America. I would encourage our President to pursue his agenda, that’s what he was elected to do, but to do it with respect for his opponents.
Then we have the Democrat Party who is redefining the role of the loyal opposition. Its tactics of suppressing free speech and encouraging violence by not denouncing it are repulsive. They have even created a literal playbook on how to block Donald Trump at every turn. And their goal is not simply to hinder Trump, but it is to make him unsuccessful. What they don’t realize is that the real loser of that type of strategy is the American people. The Democrats are crossing the line between reasonable argument and treachery. The good news is that I have noticed a few Democrats suggesting that this strategy is unwise. They may yet save the Democrat party from devolving into the party of hatred, prejudice and chaos.
And while all this partisan brinkmanship has been playing out in Washington, the press has perverted its intended role as watchdog to being an attack-dog on Trump and a lapdog for the DNC. Trump deserves some of the negative coverage he has received, and many would argue that he is his own worst enemy for making some of his comments. But shouldn’t there be some balance. He HAS been extremely active. He has met with big business, unions, black leaders and today he is meeting to explore how to encourage women entrepreneurs. Is it no wonder that the approval of the Press is even lower than Trump’s?
And just when you think the courts could play their intended role and bring some sanity to the situation, they stooped to the same political hackery that Washington is famous for. I thought the justices were just supposed to interpret the law, but in every story about Trump’s travel delay executive order, all the talking heads could discuss was the political ideology of each judge. And the decisions came down just as expected based on those beliefs. The first judge never even made a legal argument for his decision and the three-judge panel from the 9th circuit never even sited the law that gives the President broad powers to control immigration. And don’t take my word for it. Just ask Alan Dershowitz or Jonathon Turley, two (hardly conservative) constitutional experts.
What virtually every American wants to see is civility in Washington, truth being reported by the media and politicians working together to make things better for the country. Maybe they should all take a hint from Dwight Eisenhower, who may have been our least partisan President who also delivered possibly the most peaceful, productive and successful eight years in office.
There is one glimmer of hope on the horizon, which could speak well of the President, Congress and the Courts at the same time, and that glimmer is spelled - NEIL GORSUCH. By almost all thoughtful opinions on both sides of the aisle, he is eminently qualified to be the Supreme Court Justice to replace the legendary Antonin Scalia. His nomination speaks very positively of Donald Trump’s judgment. IF the Senate can confirm him with more than 60 votes (avoiding the nuclear option) it would suggest that some of the partisan politics have been tamped down and some progress could be made in the future. And of course, Neil Gorsuch would be a great addition to the Supreme Court. Neil Gorsuch would be a big win for everyone, including the American people.
Now, someone needs to throw some cold water on the press!
The View from the Middle
Well, it’s official. We have an entirely dysfunctional government. Let’s start at the top. We have a president whose policies I support, but whose behavior I don’t. I do want border security and tax reform. I want school choice and regulatory reform. I’m for the rule of law and for creating good paying American jobs, etc. I’m not for ridiculing the opposition just for thinking differently than I do. That’s a Saul Alinsky strategy to create division, anger and even hatred. It’s a tactic that may work in the short term to move power from one place to another, but in the long term it will destroy what is great about America. I would encourage our President to pursue his agenda, that’s what he was elected to do, but to do it with respect for his opponents.
Then we have the Democrat Party who is redefining the role of the loyal opposition. Its tactics of suppressing free speech and encouraging violence by not denouncing it are repulsive. They have even created a literal playbook on how to block Donald Trump at every turn. And their goal is not simply to hinder Trump, but it is to make him unsuccessful. What they don’t realize is that the real loser of that type of strategy is the American people. The Democrats are crossing the line between reasonable argument and treachery. The good news is that I have noticed a few Democrats suggesting that this strategy is unwise. They may yet save the Democrat party from devolving into the party of hatred, prejudice and chaos.
And while all this partisan brinkmanship has been playing out in Washington, the press has perverted its intended role as watchdog to being an attack-dog on Trump and a lapdog for the DNC. Trump deserves some of the negative coverage he has received, and many would argue that he is his own worst enemy for making some of his comments. But shouldn’t there be some balance. He HAS been extremely active. He has met with big business, unions, black leaders and today he is meeting to explore how to encourage women entrepreneurs. Is it no wonder that the approval of the Press is even lower than Trump’s?
And just when you think the courts could play their intended role and bring some sanity to the situation, they stooped to the same political hackery that Washington is famous for. I thought the justices were just supposed to interpret the law, but in every story about Trump’s travel delay executive order, all the talking heads could discuss was the political ideology of each judge. And the decisions came down just as expected based on those beliefs. The first judge never even made a legal argument for his decision and the three-judge panel from the 9th circuit never even sited the law that gives the President broad powers to control immigration. And don’t take my word for it. Just ask Alan Dershowitz or Jonathon Turley, two (hardly conservative) constitutional experts.
What virtually every American wants to see is civility in Washington, truth being reported by the media and politicians working together to make things better for the country. Maybe they should all take a hint from Dwight Eisenhower, who may have been our least partisan President who also delivered possibly the most peaceful, productive and successful eight years in office.
There is one glimmer of hope on the horizon, which could speak well of the President, Congress and the Courts at the same time, and that glimmer is spelled - NEIL GORSUCH. By almost all thoughtful opinions on both sides of the aisle, he is eminently qualified to be the Supreme Court Justice to replace the legendary Antonin Scalia. His nomination speaks very positively of Donald Trump’s judgment. IF the Senate can confirm him with more than 60 votes (avoiding the nuclear option) it would suggest that some of the partisan politics have been tamped down and some progress could be made in the future. And of course, Neil Gorsuch would be a great addition to the Supreme Court. Neil Gorsuch would be a big win for everyone, including the American people.
Now, someone needs to throw some cold water on the press!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
A Prayerful President
A Prayerful President
The View from the Middle
As is appropriate, I think, this morning I was praying for President Trump as he prepared to deliver his remarks at the prayer breakfast. I wasn’t praying for a delivery like John Kennedy or Ronald Reagan or even a Barack Obama. I think I know Trump’s strengths and weaknesses well enough to accept that he is not as articulate as those great communicators. I was praying for wise and uniting words, and my prayers were answered.
He was actually humorous and gracious. He started by saying how wonderful this tradition is and was looking forward to coming back for seven more years, which brought laughter from the crowd. And for you “never Trumpers”, come on. If that had come from Obama, you would be falling all over yourselves with praise. Then he patted VP, Pence on the back by rating him a 12 on a scale of 1-10. He said that whenever people question him, they always look at his choice of Mike Pence and say, “He (Trump) must know what he’s doing.”
He showed his passion and respect for the military. He compared our soldiers to Christ when he quoted John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Powerful! He said the American soldier has no party or specific creed or ideology, but only embraces the bond of loyalty that links us all together as a nation of believers.
He defended religious freedom for all faiths that accept our values of liberty and equal opportunity for all. And probably his greatest line came as he talked about our great country’s connection and reliance on God. Specifically, he said, “As long as we have God, we are never alone. Whether it’s the soldier on the night watch, or the single parent on the night shift, God will always give us solace and strength and comfort.” Sorry to the atheists out there, but this is utterly appropriate for the prayer breakfast.
It was exactly what I had hoped for. It was positive. It was uniting and it was appropriate. Yet, at one point he slipped off the path for a few seconds as he took a little shot at Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ratings on The Apprentice. It was just a few seconds and may have been an inside joke with Arnold (Trump did say that we should pray for his ratings), but what was the headlines from CNN et al? “Trump takes shot at Arnold Schwarzenegger”. If these reports had been around in 1863 and heard Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, their headline would have been, “Lincoln doesn’t have much to say at Gettysburg”.
I didn’t like the “Lyin’ Ted” comments back during the campaign, and I didn’t like the “Cryin’ Chuck” comment the other day, but when Trump does something well, I will continue to point it out.
The View from the Middle
As is appropriate, I think, this morning I was praying for President Trump as he prepared to deliver his remarks at the prayer breakfast. I wasn’t praying for a delivery like John Kennedy or Ronald Reagan or even a Barack Obama. I think I know Trump’s strengths and weaknesses well enough to accept that he is not as articulate as those great communicators. I was praying for wise and uniting words, and my prayers were answered.
He was actually humorous and gracious. He started by saying how wonderful this tradition is and was looking forward to coming back for seven more years, which brought laughter from the crowd. And for you “never Trumpers”, come on. If that had come from Obama, you would be falling all over yourselves with praise. Then he patted VP, Pence on the back by rating him a 12 on a scale of 1-10. He said that whenever people question him, they always look at his choice of Mike Pence and say, “He (Trump) must know what he’s doing.”
He showed his passion and respect for the military. He compared our soldiers to Christ when he quoted John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Powerful! He said the American soldier has no party or specific creed or ideology, but only embraces the bond of loyalty that links us all together as a nation of believers.
He defended religious freedom for all faiths that accept our values of liberty and equal opportunity for all. And probably his greatest line came as he talked about our great country’s connection and reliance on God. Specifically, he said, “As long as we have God, we are never alone. Whether it’s the soldier on the night watch, or the single parent on the night shift, God will always give us solace and strength and comfort.” Sorry to the atheists out there, but this is utterly appropriate for the prayer breakfast.
It was exactly what I had hoped for. It was positive. It was uniting and it was appropriate. Yet, at one point he slipped off the path for a few seconds as he took a little shot at Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ratings on The Apprentice. It was just a few seconds and may have been an inside joke with Arnold (Trump did say that we should pray for his ratings), but what was the headlines from CNN et al? “Trump takes shot at Arnold Schwarzenegger”. If these reports had been around in 1863 and heard Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, their headline would have been, “Lincoln doesn’t have much to say at Gettysburg”.
I didn’t like the “Lyin’ Ted” comments back during the campaign, and I didn’t like the “Cryin’ Chuck” comment the other day, but when Trump does something well, I will continue to point it out.
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