Friday, August 18, 2017

A 10-letter word for "deserving strong condemnation"

Boy,there must be a word to describe unabashed white supremacists and Nazis. What would you call people who would protest the removal of a statue armed with semi-automatic rifles, carrying shields and shouting anti-Semitic and racist slogans? How about a name for someone who would drive a car into a crowd of peaceful protesters, with the intent of killing and injuring them. I don't know, but Hillary Clinton does. The word is "deplorable." (Although the grammarian in me protests the use of an adjective as a noun, I'm willing to let her slide.) Here, from the New York Times, September 10, 2016:
"You know, just to be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right?" she said to applause and laughter. "The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic - you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up."
Well, she left out "anti-Semitic," and she forgot to mention that Trump himself wove the basket and carries it like Little Red Riding Hood. But really, wasn't she right? She took a lot of heat for that remark, but honestly... And she even gave the other fifty percent the benefit of the doubt! (Although I suspect she was being generous.) Yep. Deplorable. It's the right word for anyone still backing this guy after all we've seen since the inauguration.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Ball-free zone

I know, I know. The Republicans in Congress are supposed to look out for their own. But come on! Is there not one with the cojones to stand up for what's right in our country? They all hate him, but they support him up and down the line, while taking copious abuse. To wit:

* * * * *

Paul Ryan: 

  • "I applaud President Trump for keeping his promise to make this a national priority.” - 01/25/2017, on the executive order initiating Trump's promised wall
 @realDonaldTrump: "Our very weak and ineffective leader, Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty."

 * * * * *

Reince Priebus:  

  • "On behalf of the entire senior staff around you, Mr. President, we thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you've given us to serve your agenda." - 06/12/2017 
Scaramucci: "...a fucking paranoid schizophrenic!"

* * * * *

Jeff Sessions:

  •   "It's so great to be here." - 06/12/2017, at the first Cabinet meeting
@realDonaldTrump: "Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC leaks) & Intel leakers!"

* * * * *

Mitch McConnell:

  •   "Donald Trump delivered an "inspirational" speech to Congress...for people not committed to Donald Trump already, he did become presidential tonight." - 02/28/2017
@realDonaldTrump: "Can you believe that Mitch McConnell, who has screamed Repeal & Replace for 7 years, couldn't get it done. Must Repeal & Replace ObamaCare!"

Enough already. Where is the backbone, the intestinal fortitude - all right, I'll say it - THE BALLS - of our elected representatives? Not one real patriot in the bunch. Not even those mealy-mouthed Senators who voted against repeal of Obamacare. Not Jeff Flake, who can badmouth his party in a book, but not stand up in Congress. Rather than Jefferson Sessions, we need a Jefferson Smith, Jimmy Stewart's character in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," someone who will stand up for what's right, party-be-damned. Someone to save us from President Crazypants and his weakling sycophants. If someone doesn't step up, we'll lose our rights, our healthcare and our freedoms. Maybe even our lives, as Trump seems intent on starting a war with North Korea. Anyone got the stuff?