Trump General Discusion II

[Moonlit_Angel]

I think this article taps right into it. A deeply entrenched belief system that doesn't allow for any alternative explanations: The dark rigidity of fundamentalist rural America: a view from the inside

Holy shit, that article is ridiculously spot on. THANK. YOU. FINALLY, somebody said it.

The best hope, unfortunately, can only be that Trump is going to so blatantly fail to deliver that it's shock therapy to those who fell for the demagoguery.

I've already heard stories about Trump supporters getting upset with him after he recently discussed backing off his vow to jail Hillary Clinton. I honestly don't know at this point if many of his supporters can even wake up and realize just how conned they were...

...but if Trump continues to fail on, like, nearly every single big promise he made to them, I won't deny getting some sort of smug satisfaction out of it. Course, at the same time, I'll also be nervous, because if his supporters get angry because Trump didn't do what they wanted, they'll likely just find somebody else to pin all their hopes and dreams on, somebody who might actually not be afraid to go that far with the sort of craziness Trump promised. And that would be terrifying.

Re: the whole thing about Trump turning away intelligence briefings and whatnot, it's stuff like this, along with him picking some of the most absurd choices for his cabinet, that make me wonder if he's purposefully trying to sabotage his opportunity to become president somehow. He's clearly aware he's in way over his head here, and we've talked before about how he really doesn't seem to have much interest in actually being president. So maybe this is his chance to fuck things up so badly that he kind of has to be "forced" out, so to speak. That way he can get out without having to actually quit, and can still spin his being "let go" to his advantage somehow.

I dunno. Total pipe dream fantasy hope, I suppose. But it really is just very strange the way he's handling his transition.

As for all this talk of recounts on Clinton's behalf and the faithless electors changing their minds and so forth, I'm not putting down any money on any of that actually going anywhere...but I certainly won't complain if, by some miracle, something good DOES unexpectedly happen with that. 2016's been such a crap year, it'd be nice to believe 2017 could actually be a turning point for the better.

 

[Oregoropa]

That article is Hogwash. Paints with an incredibly broad brush. Make it seem like rural Americans live like the Amish. Rural Americans have Facebook, Twitter, and watch the Walking Dead on Sunday nights.

Seems like the author had a bad experience in the heartland growing up and is lashing out in the article.

If it makes you feel better reading it. Cool . . . I guess


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[BoMac]

[tweet]801842106285203456[/tweet]

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

That article is Hogwash. Paints with an incredibly broad brush. Make it seem like rural Americans live like the Amish. Rural Americans have Facebook, Twitter, and watch the Walking Dead on Sunday nights.

Did you completely miss these parts of the article?

They complain about globalization but line up like everyone else to get the latest Apple product. They have no problem buying foreign-made guns, scopes, and hunting equipment. They don’t think twice about driving trucks whose engine was made in Canada, tires made in Japan, radio made in Korea, computer parts made in Malaysia.

They complain about “the little man being run out of business” then turn around and shop at big box stores.

Doesn't exactly imply living an Amish-like existence to me, but okay.

Seems like the author had a bad experience in the heartland growing up and is lashing out in the article.

If it makes you feel better reading it. Cool . . . I guess

You'll remember that I live in the heartland, too. I've spent my entire life living in this part of the country. The author's exactly right. I know TONS of people who fit all the descriptions and attitudes mentioned in that article. My relatives alone are a perfect example of what he's talking about.

 

[BVS]

That article is Hogwash. Paints with an incredibly broad brush. Make it seem like rural Americans live like the Amish. Rural Americans have Facebook, Twitter, and watch the Walking Dead on Sunday nights.

Seems like the author had a bad experience in the heartland growing up and is lashing out in the article.

If it makes you feel better reading it. Cool . . . I guess


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It was actually pretty spot on, I know the heartland, and your post kind of proves their point. Facebook and Twitter are cesspools for information, you have got to understand that this is about info, and where you choose to find it. Did you even read beyond the headline?


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[anitram]

That article is Hogwash. Paints with an incredibly broad brush. Make it seem like rural Americans live like the Amish. Rural Americans have Facebook, Twitter, and watch the Walking Dead on Sunday nights.

What in the hell are you even talking about? The article expressly discusses how these people spend their $ at big box stores and race out to get the newest Apple products. Sounds Amish.

 

[Irvine511]

I feel great. I'm sleeping better. Hit the gym Five days last week.

Happy Thanksgiving

(My buddy who was neverTrump made the biff comparison last year. He decided in the final week to vote for Trump to deny the Clintons another inch closer to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.)


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How do you reconcile the whole white supremacy thing and inexperience/indifference to foreign policy? The conflicts of interest? Ivanka sitting in on meetings? The plan for dynastic wealth? The lack of any plans to actually help the people who voted for him?

I mean all this honestly.

 

[Irvine511]

What in the hell are you even talking about? The article expressly discusses how these people spend their $ at big box stores and race out to get the newest Apple products. Sounds Amish.

I'm in rural America right now.

The rise in shootings in the closest major city was discussed right after talking about buying the children guns for Christmas.

These are kind people, too.

 

[Mack_Again]

Burn me

 

[iron yuppie]

Holy shit, that article is ridiculously spot on. THANK. YOU. FINALLY, somebody said it.

Honestly I find the comment about middle Americans "not wanting to find out" about their predicaments to be disingenuous. What are these people supposed to do, take a community college course on global macroeconomics in their downtime? How many of us supposed enlightened people on here are fully aware of all the economic forces that contribute to our prosperity or lack thereof, or of our behaviors that may or may not contribute to all the shit we complain about?

 

[Oregoropa]

It was actually pretty spot on, I know the heartland, and your post kind of proves their point. Facebook and Twitter are cesspools for information, you have got to understand that this is about info, and where you choose to find it. Did you even read beyond the headline?


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

My speed-reading skills aren't what they used to be. Guilty as charged.

Still the author comes across as a spurned lover.

 

[deep]

No way
Don't work that way, you said Amish go to Walmart, you lose
Now Hillary is the honest, majority elected President of the United States, this is trendy, just wait till Dec 19

 

[Vlad n U 2]

How are any of his voters -- the sentient, aware ones -- still feeling good about their choices since his election?

I'm watching Back to the Future.

The Biff = Trump observation is unbelievably accurate.

I remember one of the film's writers had stated that Biff Tannen was based somewhat on Trump - about a year ago I think. So it's pretty true.

 

[BEAL]

So anyone else kinda tired of Standing Rock?

I guess I just don't know that much about it. What is going on? Is it social media Faux Outrage? Or something actually sinister ?


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[mama cass]

(My buddy who was neverTrump made the biff comparison last year. He decided in the final week to vote for Trump to deny the Clintons another inch closer to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.)


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and that's supposed to make sense? how?

 

[mama cass]

I remember one of the film's writers had stated that Biff Tannen was based somewhat on Trump - about a year ago I think. So it's pretty true.

omg i knew it!

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

I feel great. I'm sleeping better. Hit the gym Five days last week.

Happy Thanksgiving

(My buddy who was neverTrump made the biff comparison last year. He decided in the final week to vote for Trump to deny the Clintons another inch closer to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.)


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Well fuck him too then

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

That article is Hogwash. Paints with an incredibly broad brush. Make it seem like rural Americans live like the Amish. Rural Americans have Facebook, Twitter, and watch the Walking Dead on Sunday nights.

Seems like the author had a bad experience in the heartland growing up and is lashing out in the article.

If it makes you feel better reading it. Cool . . . I guess


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

Rural America is backwards bullshit.

It's not the "real America" even though they like to play themselves off as that. It's white people who don't realize that the rest of the world has moved on without them.

America was built as a land of religious freedom, a land of immigrants. Not a land for pissed off white Christians who can't figure out why things are different.

The real America respects all religions, separates church from state, and is a melting pot of all people. A place where your tired, poor and huddled masses yearning to be free can all live together.

Fuck middle America.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

So anyone else kinda tired of Standing Rock?

I guess I just don't know that much about it. What is going on? Is it social media Faux Outrage? Or something actually sinister ?


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'Tired' of Standing Rock? It's indigenous people standing up for their rights to water.

It's no 'social media Faux Outrage', that's a ridiculous claim.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Rural America is backwards bullshit.

It's not the "real America" even though they like to play themselves off as that. It's white people who don't realize that the rest of the world has moved on without them.

America was built as a land of religious freedom, a land of immigrants. Not a land for pissed off white Christians who can't figure out why things are different.

The real America respects all religions, separates church from state, and is a melting pot of all people. A place where your tired, poor and huddled masses yearning to be free can all live together.

Fuck middle America.

What is this mythical 'real' America you speak of? This is an awfully rosy view for a country built on colonialism (and Australia is much the same).

 

[DaveC]

yea, i think the native americans might disagree with that definition of "the real america".

 

[LuckyNumber7]

The animals who ruled before them might take exception to their views.

 

[DaveC]

that's a pretty shitty joke.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

That wasn't your best moment, LN7. And I usually respect your contributions.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

that's a pretty shitty joke.

It wasn't supposed to be "ha ha" funny. I think it's silly to believe one group of humans over another own an identity to a land.

How they were treated was atrocious. But to think natives of this land are even forced to own the title of native "American" speaks enough of a point. Europeans called this America. But that's just semantics. What it means to be American is just semantics. Native Americans shouldn't and wouldn't have a definition of "the real America."

 

[Irvine511]

Rural America is backwards bullshit.

It's not the "real America" even though they like to play themselves off as that. It's white people who don't realize that the rest of the world has moved on without them.

America was built as a land of religious freedom, a land of immigrants. Not a land for pissed off white Christians who can't figure out why things are different.

The real America respects all religions, separates church from state, and is a melting pot of all people. A place where your tired, poor and huddled masses yearning to be free can all live together.

Fuck middle America.

Socialism would honestly do a lot of good. And it's actually what people want.

Yet some weird political voodoo has been going on for 30 years. It's like, "everything is terrible, let's keep voting for the same people who have made everything terrible because abortion and health care premiums."

 

[LuckyNumber7]

That wasn't your best moment, LN7. And I usually respect your contributions.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but there was nothing disrespectful implied. But I stand by my point. The namesake of the land belongs to an interval of time, and America didn't exist until Europeans came and populated it.

 

[Bluer White]

Rural America is backwards bullshit.

It's not the "real America" even though they like to play themselves off as that. It's white people who don't realize that the rest of the world has moved on without them.

America was built as a land of religious freedom, a land of immigrants. Not a land for pissed off white Christians who can't figure out why things are different.

The real America respects all religions, separates church from state, and is a melting pot of all people. A place where your tired, poor and huddled masses yearning to be free can all live together.

Fuck middle America.

Happy Thanksgiving !

 

[deep]

All these rust belt working class Americans that all the lefties and non-American are bashing in here were just fine when they were part of your winning coalition for Clinton in 92, 96 and Obama 08,12. I have a feeling if Hillary and Podesta were smart enough to keep them in the fold ths time aligned against the elitists, GOP nobody would be complaining about them.

 

[Irvine511]

All these rust belt working class Americans that all the lefties and non-American are bashing in here were just fine when they were part of your winning coalition for Clinton in 92, 96 and Obama 08,12. I have a feeling if Hillary and Podesta were smart enough to keep them in the fold ths time aligned against the elitists, GOP

No, most of us think that the white working class has been culturally regressive for quite some time. Now they are in the midst of committing suicide -- and obviously if they had, you know, *voted in their best interests* everyone would have been "fine" with them because they wouldn't have elected the worst possible American to the Oval Office. The issues they face will have to be confronted no matter who was elected, and the person elected played them for fools.

Can we also stop with the word "elites." It's a bullshit term, and as Gore Vidal once said, "used to describe anyone who reads the New York Times without mouthing the words."