Did The Media Boost Trump To The Top Of The Heap?

From day one of Donald J. Trump’s campaign the real estate mogul has been manipulating political news cycles.  His bombastic shocking rhetoric still leads the headlines daily and often from hour to hour.  Because of all the media attention Trump has overshadowed not only his Republican competitors but the Democratic candidates as well.  As he continues to get the most coverage, he mocks, insults and accuses the media of lying about him, drilling the Trump mantra into his followers that the media isn’t to be trusted when they criticize the self proclaimed “greatest deal maker” on earth.  The media and the political “establishment” are complicit in using the people and making America weak and no longer great.

In the beginning of this ludicrous 2016 Presidential campaign no one, not one pundit, not one reporter, not one sitting or retired Senator or House member believed this crude, loud, insulting style would appeal to many people across the country.  They’ve acquiesced apparently and are starting to believe that this narcissistic egotist has a shot at being the most powerful man in the world.

Various political shows interrupt their programming and show entire Trump press conferences and a good portion of his rallies.  At one point earlier in his campaign Bernie Sanders compared Trump’s coverage of 81 minutes to 20 seconds for Sanders.  So then, is the media not aiding Mr. Trump in his quest for the White House?  Are they treating him as a celebrity and giving him preferential treatment for his ability to boost their ratings?  His extemporaneous speeches are filled with mean spirited yelling and rudeness about others. His diatribe against Mexicans, his proposals about building a beautiful wall, his proclamation about refusing entry to the United States for a whole religious faith and just bombing the hell out of ISIS as a cure for terrorism has mesmerized a portion of the Republican electorate.  Many pundits call Trump brilliant due to his mastery of reading the crowds and apparently skipping the learning curve on the art of “the campaign” while he often spends the most time on nothing but selective poll numbers that always show him leading even when he isn’t, never talking about substance, issues and few even mention in passing that most of time what he shouts to his fans isn’t possible or even true.

He gets credit for using social media as well as tv and radio to his advantage. His xenophobic inflammatory language doesn’t seem to bother his supporters and, in fact, it’s a media magnet so no wonder then that it seems to raise his voter numbers. That certainly begs the question of exactly who are these people who believe in him so strongly.

Trumpians aren’t just angry, they’re damned mad at the party that’s lied to them for 35 years, beginning with Reagan and his trickle-down theory.  They’ve been promised jobs, repeal of Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act.  They’re terrified that the government is going to take their guns.   They’re angry because they’re mostly white and Christian and feel a threat from “the others.”  It’s the fault of the Mexicans, the Muslims, the Chinese and on and on for the sad weak state of the country.   After all, the Republican Party still today tells them all these things. 

Analysts are now saying that people who support Trump have authoritarian personalities meaning they want someone them what to do, a strong father figure. Others tell us that a majority of Trumpians are blue collar non-college educated hard working people.  That seems to be code for lower income less educated and less informed voters.  The two characteristics couple nicely and are a lethal combination when choosing leaders.  It might very well explain Bush’s second term.  In 2016 it’s magnified.  They want prosperity, the world to be in fear of our military and they want the country to adhere to their Christian values forgetting that America is the melting pot of the world and forgetting the welcoming beauty of the Statue of Liberty.   It’s threatening to them to think that the country is changing, becoming more liberal and view equality stealing their rights.  They’re free to live as they like, worship as they please, legally buy all the guns that give them peace of mind but aren’t others who disagree with their ideology also free to live as they like and worship or not worship as they please and to feel safe not with a personal arsenal but because we have people working to keep us safe.

In this politically frenzied frantic time one can only hope that people find information themselves rather than believing in slogans, blame throwing and bloviated promises from any candidate.  If an issue is that important to someone then it’s important enough to find the truth using many non-partisan sources.  No one has to tell you what’s true.  It’s just a Google away.

Welcome Back - I've Missed You.

I, for some odd reason, checked this old blog and it's been 4 years since my last post.  Where have I been?  Retired mostly and doing absolutely nothing, at least in the way of writeful thought.  Since 2011 none of my thoughts on the Supreme Court have changed apparently.  Unfortunately today's culture encourages 140 words or less.  I used to rattle off whole paragraphs with nary a pause in keystrokes yet now to write more than one or two sentences is a struggle. 

So then:
 The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the validity of the Affordable Care Act yesterday and again today in favor of same sex marriage.  I picture Antonin Scalia rolling around on his velour chaise lounge all tangled up in his XXL black robe writhing with bulging eyes in conservative agony.  His hard right fearful cheerleaders so upset that 6.5 million red state residents will continue to be able to afford health insurance and/or be able to marry whomever they love.  And I smile a really huge smile.

Why do people call anyone who looks mid-eastern a terrorist if they kill anyone and they call white people who massacre many just mentally ill?

Why does a racist hate crime cause a national discussion about flags and no one wants to discuss racism?

Why did Fox news spend 30 minutes talking about Bengazi, Bill Clinton's affair and how untrustworthy Hillary is while everyone else is talking about the Supreme Court's decision on same sex marriage today?  (I switched to Fox earlier just to see what they were saying about the ruling.)  It was a show with four women, in tight short dresses and 4 inch heels, one lone male.  Outnumbered?

(This was exhausting....)

If I didn't laugh, I'd cry.

Every morning I check the news, paying particular attention to the political happenings and brewing scandals since yesterday.  Clarence (Mr. UnEthical) Thomas

Then I browse comedy so I can laugh/smile/smirk.

It's a simple recipe for keeping my sanity in a really screwed up world and if I didn't laugh I'd cry.

I Disagree

After reading "10 Things You Really, Really Don't Need" I felt I had to add my thoughts on this.  #1, Don't tell me what I need.  Number 2 -11:

2)  Microwave oven - For those of us who work, a microwave is invaluable.  There's nothing like a microwave that gets a vegetable from oven to table in its own serving dish in 10 minutes or less....and what would you do with that stuff that says, "Microwave Only?"
3)  Electric wine bottle openers - What else would you buy the wine lover who has EVERYTHING except an electric wine bottle opener?
4) Bread machines - Don't you just throw everything into this little marvel and let it do it's thing? "Nuff said.
5)  Neck creams -One question: How old is Katherine Butler's neck?
6)  Hand sanitizers - It's extremely difficult to wash your hands with no water. 
7)  The latest product from Apple - In this uncertain world can't you just let us have our little happiness toys?
8)  Automatic toilet flushers - I don't want to touch any part of the toilet, thanks.
9)  Throw pillows - Has Ms. Butler ever heard of accent color?  It's a lot cheaper than buying say, a whole new comforter.

Ok, I feel better.... : )

"One man's junk is another man's treasure."  Unknown

The Political Carnival: Video- Hannity's Bigoted Pal Says He's Changing The Name Of The White House To "Big Mama House"

One of my favorite blogs:

The Political Carnival: Video- Hannity's Bigoted Pal Says He's Changing The Name Of The White House To "Big Mama House"

Hypocrisy is a kind description...

You LIE!!
Or in other words:

The Right Wing Literally Makes Me Sick

I just read the  9/11 denial by Perino and Hannity and it makes me furious.  This is just one raving example of the right wing's constant revision of history.  Why aren't more people angered by this garbage?  There have been no terrorist attacks during Bush's presidency?   Do these two clowns expect people to believe that 9/11/01 doesn't count?  Ask the widows and widowers, the brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, and friends of those still grieving over the loss of their loved ones.

How can Sean Hannity and his guest(s) get away with saying ridiculous statements such as this?  They do it and this is how The Media Can Legally Lie.  It infuriates me.  It really does.  Why isn't there a law to put a stop to this kind of blatant lying? 

There are people who watch nothing else but Fox.  This is where they get their information and the information that they're fed is purely self serving idiology.  It sways votes during elections.  It cultivates fear filled victims who often protest and vote against their own best interests as shown by the slew of tea parties promoted by Conservative and Republican leaders and especially Fox.

So the right continually lies about everything from no terrorist attacks on Bush's watch, the stimulus NOT working, the health care bill killing grandma and on and on and on.  Their followers believe them.  If the silent majority continues to let it happen it could eventually kill this great nation.  They must pay attention and  muster enough intellectual strength to change the channel.