I was going to write a piece about how disturbing it is that now it seems to be OK to follow a politician blindly, no matter what. I was going to write that until I watched the President of the United States this afternoon spew vitriol from the White House lawn. So, here are my views, the views of not a Republican, not a Democrat but the views of an American. So here goes…
Some of what he said out there made sense, most of what he said was bigoted and hateful. It was like a Hollywood production and he played the part masterfully. He defended and doubled down on his tweet telling Congresswomen to go back where they came from. Even though 3 of the 4 women he was talking about are from the US so (and I hope you’re sitting down) these statement are also inaccurate.
This concept he’s professing is simply a political strategy. Racist, bigoted, xenophobic, sexist and politically measured and targeted at a specific subset of people. Another term for all of this is Demagoguery. The people who back him or back away from commenting will be the ones who rise up to support him instead of condemn this sort of divisive action. The Republicans who choose not to speak out and say enough is enough, let’s talk about our policies and plans but not name calling and putting others in peril. If you’re a Democrat or an Independent it’s easy to see and SPEAK OUT about how autocratic this is becoming. If you’re a Republican it’s also easy to see how autocratic this is becoming but speaking out? “Naw…our base would never forgive me. Why would I stand up?”
The followers who refuse to see the danger here and say he went too far are much more dangerous than he is. All those who just love to post those pictures and memes will sit back and either back him or do nothing! It’s almost like I want to remind them of when we were kids and our parents would say “Well if Jimmy jumped off a cliff would you follow him?!?” Only this time it’s about the future of our country! Oh, and no, it’s not about conservative values vs liberal values. It’s not about Christian values vs those of any number of other religions in this country. It IS about not having the spine to stand up and say I will not support a hateful or bigoted statement or thought or demagogic action in the United States of America!
There are three ways you’ll hear these tweets combated…
What-About-ism
You know this one… they’ll bring up the past and insert names like Obama, Hillary, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Etc… and draw a comparison. Problem is it’s not then, it’s now and this argument is like saying “Well, lots of others in the past have gotten away with bank robbery so it’s ok for me to as well.”
Deflection
Don’t answer the question at all! The answer will have nothing to do with the subject, it’s just going to try and focus fear and hate somewhere else or on someone else.
I’m-Hateful-and-Racist-too-ism
“I agree with the hate and bigotry and xenophobia and sexism. Let’s go grab the torches like they did in Charlottesville!” You might think this is unlikely, sadly it wasn’t in Charlottesville was it?
There’s no church that would condone this kind of language or actions. How many of them will speak up? How many of you will call your priest or padre and ask why they haven’t? How many of you would allow your kids to say these things or act in this manner? Hell, how many of you even made it this far into my blog because you think I’m some liberal “snowflake?”
What season is it where you are? Here, it’s IF YOU’RE WITH ME THEN I CAN DO MO WRONG season. With the President in the White House, God help you if you’re a Democrat, Independent or moderate Republican who is willing to remember what this country is really all about and will speak out in support when it’s right and will speak out in opposition when it is right to do do.
These are my thoughts. Im not going to argue with you about whether the President of the United States of America is spouting Hateful, Racist, Xenophobic and Bigoted statements as a Demagog would do on Twitter then backed them up on the lawn of the White House. THE LAWN OF THE WHITE HOUSE. There is no arguing that. Policy, personality, ideas and plans can all be discussed and at times argued. These vile beliefs cannot.
dem·a·gogue also dem·a·gog (dĕm′ə-gôg′, -gŏg′)
n.
1. A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.
rac·ism (rā′sĭz′əm)
n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race
big•ot•ry (ˈbɪg ə tri)
n.
1. extreme intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own
sex·ism (sĕk′sĭz′əm)
n.
1. Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against women.
2. The belief that one gender is superior to the other, especially that men are superior to women.
sex′istadj. & n
hate (heɪt)
v. hat•ed, hat•ing,
n. v.t.
1. to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest.
2. to be unwilling; dislike: I hate to accept it.
v.i.
3. to feel hatred.
n.
4. intense dislike; extreme aversion or hostility.
5. the object of extreme aversion or hostility
We better begin to come together! We better begin to put more stock into Country over party that visa-Versa.
The time has come to stop normalizing hatred and divisiveness or else this country that so many have fought for, worked for, died for… won’t be anymore.
Now, it’s totally up to you.
Peace
…..Gregg
(If you disagree, post your views on what’s happening on your own page, blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
