Donald John Trump gets “a little political” on Fox and Friends.

[Hypatia]

New York Post Editorial Board 02/07/22
The Daily Advance | Elizabeth City, NC
The CDC | Press Release 11/17/21

Very glad that Trump was invited to speak over at Fox and Friends, and happy that he used his platform to draw attention towards the border crisis, which is affecting Southern States and spreading to the Midwest and New England.

One of the most worrisome issues is the influx of highly dangerous opioids, predominantly fentanyl, an extremely addictive, lethal, synthetic opioid. Fentanyl is now being trafficked across the border in record numbers, worsening the national opioid crisis. Fentanyl, which is 50x as strong as heroin and 100x of morphine, is now responsible for 2/3rds of all cases of opioid overdoses in the United States.

To put this number into perspective, COVID-19 has killed 61,885 people ages 0-49 years in the United States since the pandemic began. By contrast, fentanyl overdoses numbered around 65,000 between May 2020 and April 2021.

The opioid crisis is putting a strain on local law enforcement, who have to deal with the pressures of increased drug and crime activity at their borders. This increase in activity is also affecting Border Patrol Agents, who, unlike CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Officers, must apprehend smugglers in large areas with little security between ports of entry, while possessing few implements to conduct any checks.

 

[ceecee]

lol

 

[Kephalos]

It's all about what one is willing to spend resources on. It is all about that.

The reallocation of resources in healthcare into COVID-19 and away from everything else is a real problem. Naturally, if there were no pandemic, no resources would have had or would have to be spent in stopping it and in dealing with the fallout. Naturally, if we had been able to stop the initial outbreak of the pandemic, or if we had been able to immunize all/most of the population before the newer, more contagious variants had emerged, against which the vaccines are not as effective, we would, have less resources to spend on treating opioid addiction temporarily, but only temporarily. Quarantines that were really quarantines, comprehensive, effectove, universal testing and contact tracing, mask and vaccine mandates that were really complied with, and really enforced when they were not complied with. Public health directives that were follwed, evaluated by experts, discarded and replaced when they proved ineffective, maintained and reinforced when they did. All the while it would have been great if people did all of it willingly, of their own free will.

BUT...was not to be and now the problem of COVID-19 we have now is different from the COVID-19 we had in 2020 and even in 2021. Whenever resources are diverted away from COVID-19, COVID-19 is going to get worse; whenever resources are diverted from all the rest of healthcare, all other health problems that are not COVID-19 are going to get worse. The problem we are facing now is that there is no question of eliminating COVID-19, but there is also no doubt that if people (societies, governments, businesses, etc.) do not deal with it, IT IS going to get worse. If we want to deal with both opioid addiction and with COVID-19, then what is needed is that more resources need to go to health care as a whole.

The same thing with the immigration issue. The United States required Mexico to handle a large part of America's immigration enforcement. And Mexico did just that. BUT, that meant that the security agencies and the military that were used to fight drug cartels (not that it was working, but anyway) was used to stop immigrants and to enforce Stay In Mexico for people who have pending asylum claims in the United States. Resources were taken away from stopping drugs from getting to the United States and applied to stopping immigrants from getting to the United States: immigrants or drugs, unless more resources are available for both, the less immigrants, the more drugs, and the less drugs, more immigrants. And the Mexican government, much like a lot of Mexican people, is not awfully rich, and much like the American government, has other, competing priorities for the resources it does have.

In short, the pandemic has made the entire world poorer.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

this guy largely contributed to the current shit state of things. I have absolutely zero interest in any insights or whining (and to be fair, the majority of what comes from his mouth is whining about the shitty state of things yet offering no workable solutions) he has to offer at this point. He had his chance to make a difference and many things got worse. Can we move along now?

 

[Hypatia]

this guy largely contributed to the current shit state of things. I have absolutely zero interest in any insights or whining (and to be fair, the majority of what comes from his mouth is whining about the shitty state of things yet offering no workable solutions) he has to offer at this point. He had his chance to make a difference and many things got worse. Can we move along now?

Then, in July, activists with Black Lives Matter, a movement that had gained national attention after Brown’s death, disrupted speeches by two Democratic presidential candidates in Phoenix, Arizona. As former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley fidgeted onstage, protesters chanted, “If I die in police custody, avenge my death! By any means necessary!” and “If I die in police custody, burn everything down!” When O’Malley responded, “Black lives matter, white lives matter, all lives matter,” the crowd booed loudly. Later that day, O’Malley apologized. Donald Trump, who had ascended to first place in the race for the Republican presidential nomination while promising to represent the “silent majority,” called O’Malley “a disgusting little weak, pathetic baby.”

source: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/01/why-america-is-moving-left/419112/

I don't understand why any of those protestors weren't arrested and charged with incitement.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

I don't understand why any of those protestors weren't arrested and charged with incitement.

I have been wondering the same thing about Trump

 

[Hypatia]

I have been wondering the same thing about Trump

You go first.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

this guy largely contributed to the current shit state of things. I have absolutely zero interest in any insights or whining (and to be fair, the majority of what comes from his mouth is whining about the shitty state of things yet offering no workable solutions) he has to offer at this point. He had his chance to make a difference and many things got worse. Can we move along now?

Seriously. He had his chance. Now we're number one in Covid deaths!

"Oh, but he means well in his heart or some nonsense because thinking about the Apprentice gives me warm fuzzy feelings of when Americans all respected the flag (even gay Democrats) and wanted to bomb Muslims to free women in the Middle East from burkas. It's important that I "feel" he made American great rather than having it actually be great at anything by any measurable metrics. I mean there were parades! But I'm just the brave speaker who likes to say truths even though they are unpopular."

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

You go first.

follow an off-topic tangent you began in your own thread? Nah, I'm good, but you go right ahead with that if it makes you feel better

 

[Hypatia]

follow an off-topic tangent you began in your own thread? Nah, I'm good, but you go right ahead with that if it makes you feel better

Even if you consider this an ancillary topic-- I admit, I am quite curious about the Trump enmity. I know some ancillary information, although I don't agree with it, and I thought it best to dive right into the topic while it bears a good resemblance to the title. This thread was meant to encapsulate most Trump-related topics, provided that the exchanges are civil, which I have tried my best to do, while stymied with derisive and defensive maneuvers. I am sorry, I never intended for this thread to solely be about what was brought up in that one episode of Fox and Friends.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Even if you consider this an ancillary topic-- I admit, I am quite curious about the Trump enmity. I know some ancillary information, although I don't agree with it, and I thought it best to dive right into the topic while it bears a good resemblance to the title. This thread was meant to encapsulate most Trump-related topics, provided that the exchanges are civil, which I have tried my best to do, while stymied with derisive and defensive maneuvers. I am sorry, I never intended for this thread to solely be about what was brought up in that one episode of Fox and Friends.

Are you actually interested in learning why people don't like Trump (which has been explained by many individuals here before), or are you more interested in defending your preferred High Priest of American civil religion from apostates? I suspect it's the latter.

 

[Hypatia]

Yes, I am actually interested. That is why I asked a question with reference to a specific instance which can be discussed. As a newbie to such a heated discussion that requires such a gratuitous display of vulgar imagery in a thread which is clearly intended to be less disapproving (though as stated, of course I am open to having my opinion swayed), I thought it best to create a thread to convey my tentative, open neutrality.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Yes, I am actually interested. That is why I asked a question with reference to a specific instance which can be discussed. As a newbie to such a heated discussion that requires such a gratuitous display of vulgar imagery in a thread which is clearly intended to be less disapproving (though as stated, of course I am open to having my opinion swayed), I thought it best to create a thread to convey my tentative, open neutrality.

This thread is for Trump stuff, as you stated. This is an artistic depiction of Trump. Apologies for troubling you with profane images.

He has a certain skill at public relations but I don't really think he's competent at anything else, he just knows how to convince a lot of people that he is. I suppose that is a valuable skill in our society but not something I feel inclined to praise him for. He acts the way a lot of dumb people expect a capable and competent (like an "alpha") person to act, and he has money (which proves his virtue according to a certain interpretation of the Protestant ethic), so a lot of people conclude that he is strong, smart, and virtuous.

I think in fact that he's a pathetic figure and he makes America look like a pathetic country. Most of the people that like him are just easily frightened rabbits afraid of change and people they see as different from them. I don't see any virtue of fortitude or courage in that, regardless of how many guns they might own. Being ruled by fear isn't being brave or strong.

I have my own criticisms of Biden... again it's not great for our country that last time we had to choose between these two people who should probably both have retired. In his own way he too represents Americans being unwilling to accept change and reality and letting fear guide their actions. I have fear but I've noticed that things usually don't turn out well when I let it rule me.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Even if you consider this an ancillary topic-- I admit, I am quite curious about the Trump enmity. I know some ancillary information, although I don't agree with it, and I thought it best to dive right into the topic while it bears a good resemblance to the title. This thread was meant to encapsulate most Trump-related topics, provided that the exchanges are civil, which I have tried my best to do, while stymied with derisive and defensive maneuvers. I am sorry, I never intended for this thread to solely be about what was brought up in that one episode of Fox and Friends.

you responded to something i wrote with a completely off-topic rant to complain about black lives matter protesters. I am not really convinced you are interested in good-faith debates so much as you may be interested in shouting from a soapboax about your frustrations with BLM and mexicans. That's cool, you have every right and I support your free speech, I just have absolutely zero interest in holding a discussion if every other thing I say is going to be responded too with complaints about something different. It's exhausting. Have a nice day!

 

[Hypatia]

this guy largely contributed to the current shit state of things. I have absolutely zero interest in any insights or whining (and to be fair, the majority of what comes from his mouth is whining about the shitty state of things yet offering no workable solutions) he has to offer at this point. He had his chance to make a difference and many things got worse. Can we move along now?

Then, in July, activists with Black Lives Matter, a movement that had gained national attention after Brown’s death, disrupted speeches by two Democratic presidential candidates in Phoenix, Arizona. As former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley fidgeted onstage, protesters chanted, “If I die in police custody, avenge my death! By any means necessary!” and “If I die in police custody, burn everything down!” When O’Malley responded, “Black lives matter, white lives matter, all lives matter,” the crowd booed loudly. Later that day, O’Malley apologized. Donald Trump, who had ascended to first place in the race for the Republican presidential nomination while promising to represent the “silent majority,” called O’Malley “a disgusting little weak, pathetic baby.”

source: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/01/why-america-is-moving-left/419112/

I don't understand why any of those protestors weren't arrested and charged with incitement.

I have been wondering the same thing about Trump

You go first.

follow an off-topic tangent you began in your own thread? Nah, I'm good, but you go right ahead with that if it makes you feel better

Even if you consider this an ancillary topic-- I admit, I am quite curious about the Trump enmity. I know some ancillary information, although I don't agree with it, and I thought it best to dive right into the topic while it bears a good resemblance to the title. This thread was meant to encapsulate most Trump-related topics, provided that the exchanges are civil, which I have tried my best to do, while stymied with derisive and defensive maneuvers. I am sorry, I never intended for this thread to solely be about what was brought up in that one episode of Fox and Friends.

you responded to something i wrote with a completely off-topic rant to complain about black lives matter protesters. I am not really convinced you are interested in good-faith debates so much as you may be interested in shouting from a soapboax about your frustrations with BLM and mexicans. That's cool, you have every right and I support your free speech, I just have absolutely zero interest in holding a discussion if every other thing I say is going to be responded too with complaints about something different. It's exhausting. Have a nice day!

I have already explained this thread was created to embolden a more initially neutral picture of Trump, at least from the outset, so I don't agree with your conclusion that my post in my own thread is off-topic. Since you made a general statement about how he offers "no workable solutions" and "many things got worse," I was curious how you felt about that specific situation. I, once again, apologize if something I said rubbed you the wrong way. I also disagree with you that I am shouting or complaining in any way.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

How are Black LIves Matter protesters at a Democratic event relevant to Trump? Just because you mentioned Trump once?

I think in that post you give away that your initial position isn't as neutral as you claim.

 

[Hypatia]

How are Black LIves Matter protesters at a Democratic event relevant to Trump? Just because you mention Trump once?

I think in that post you give away that your initial position isn't as neutral as you claim.

Trump was at the event. I had already queried Doctor Anaximander that my query had no hostile intent as he had... feared? I wasn't sure exactly how to take his accusation that he felt sure simply answering or discussing my question might lead to racist shouting, as my question had nothing to do with race. Once again, I was simply curious what he would have done if he were Trump, as he had made a general statement that Trump offered "no workable solutions", I was curious what he would have done in that situation. Nothing more, nothing less. I think it would make it easier to respond to questions from the both of you if you could quote the history of the exchange. It would make it easier to point out that I don't bear your accusations any hostile intent.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Trump was at the event. I had already queried Doctor Anaximander that my query had no hostile intent as he had... feared? I wasn't sure exactly how to take his accusation that he felt sure simply answering or discussing my question might lead to racist shouting, as my question had nothing to do with race. Once again, I was simply curious what he would have done if he were Trump, as he had made a general statement that Trump offered "no workable solutions", I was curious what he would have done in that situation. Nothing more, nothing less. I think it would make it easier to respond to questions from the both of you if you could quote the history of the exchange. It would make it easier to point out that I don't bear your accusations any hostile intent.

Ah, but your final sentence is
"I don't understand why any of those protestors weren't arrested and charged with incitement."

The fact that this is your concluding sentence and not something about Trump or how you think Trump responded means that the post was really more about how you felt about Black Lives Matter protestors. Thus I think he is correct that it was off-topic.

 

[Hypatia]

Ah, but your final sentence is
"I don't understand why any of those protestors weren't arrested and charged with incitement."

The fact that this is your concluding sentence and not something about Trump or how you think Trump responded means that the post was really more about how you felt about Black Lives Matter protestors.

No, like I had explained previously, if you had understood my response was in response to Dr. Anaximander's general complaint, and the specific situation was in regards to protestors (and not focused on BLM protestors, as my question specifically was about this one specific instance of protesting), you would understand why it was a question as to what Trump did wrong in that situation, or more specifically, what Dr. Anaximander would suggest that he do as a "workable solution." I think there's nearly 10 responses in this exchange now. I would just quote all of them, even if it's slightly inconvenient.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

No, like I had explained previously, if you had understood my response was in response to Dr. Anaximander's general complaint, and the specific situation was in regards to protestors (and not focused on BLM protestors, as my question specifically was about this one specific instance of protesting), you would understand why it was a question as to what Trump did wrong in that situation, or more specifically, what Dr. Anaximander would suggest that he do as a "workable solution." I think there's nearly 10 responses in this exchange now. I would just quote all of them, even if it's slightly inconvenient.

I don't see any mention of protestors until you brought them up. Perhaps you interpreted his comment of "making things worse" to mean the BLM protests? But he might have different definitions of what is meant by "making things worse". He wonders, as I am starting to wonder, why you are now making the conversation about protestors in a thread that you said was about Trump.

You were the one who started talking about protestors. I don't see him or anyone else in this thread mention BLM, January 6th, or any other kind of protest. Perhaps you meant to ask how he felt Trump made things worse, and which things were worse? I don't see you doing that, just going on about BLM for some reason.