Posted on 07/10/2015 2:03:15 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
As I protested Thursday afternoon in front of the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Ave in Washington D.C.—the building Donald Trump is turning into a hotel a few blocks away from another historical building he wants to take over, the White House—I thought about a meeting I had with Trump at his headquarters in New York two years ago to discuss my organization’s programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Awards.
Once the meeting was set, I called immigration activists Estuardo Rodriguez and Gaby Pacheco to gather some young DREAMers to crash the meeting and try and change The Donald’s mind on immigration reform and the DREAM Act. I didn’t mention the tactic to his assistant coordinating the meeting, and figured I’d simply sneak the DREAMers in as my associates. We were met with bewildered and not-so-happy faces at the top floor of Trump Tower, but to his credit, Trump waved off his concerned staff and graciously got up from his desk, welcomed us individually, and proceeded to have a civil dialogue about immigration reform and the important role immigrants have historically played in the United States.
For over an hour, Trump listened intently, asked thoughtful questions, and gave us examples of Latino employees he held in high regard. He then asked each of the DREAMers to describe their journeys, which were compelling and mirrored every value each American shares: education, work ethic, community, faith and family. After I summed up the conversation with “immigrants are a value proposition to America,” he stood up, waved his hands in dramatic Donald fashion and exclaimed, “You’ve convinced me!”
It was a great moment, but that’s what entertainers do. They know their audience and give them what they want.
And now, this shameless opportunist is giving a very different audience what they want to hear—hate speech. An audience that has made him a cultural icon, a viable candidate for president and what is most worrisome, an audience that is responding favorably to his message. The no-filter, in-your-face, celebrity billionaire is now in second place behind Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in Iowa according to a Quinnipiac University survey and in New Hampshire according to a CNN-WMUR poll. Apology from Trump? No way.
Yesterday, in defense of his now-infamous statement on Mexicans, Trump said he was simply “defending the people of the United States.” I applaud Univision for being the first to send a message to Trump by breaking off their relationship with the Miss Universe Organization. Then NBC, Macy’s, NASCAR and others including this afternoon my friend Chef Jose Andres sent a message. But the loudest message is being sent by many Americans who have supported Trump’s xenophobic diatribe. And that’s my biggest concern - he continues to pander to an audience that can potentially take his hateful words and turn them into hateful action.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” That was Trump talking about Mexicans (let’s face it, Latinos) taking over the country.
“You are raping our women and taking over the country.” That was Dylann Storm Roof, the 21 year-old racist who murdered nine worshippers in cold blood at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Sound familiar?
Hate speech is the gateway to hate action and at some point in his life, Roof heard hate talk. Did he take it seriously? Sounds like he did. His words nourish myths of brown invaders crossing the border with hopes of ruining America like an updated Orson Wells prank. Or in Roof’s case, Black villains. This isn’t simply a case of the PC police attacking a spirited American as Trump-backers Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, and, yes, Rep. Steve King of Iowa say. (Let’s not forget that King was the reigning champion of ludicrous remarks about immigrants way before Trump when in 2013 he blustered, “They weigh 130 pounds and with calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.” King is still a Congressman representing a district in America where the majority supports his stances about immigrants.)
Attacks against Hispanics have more than tripled in a year, according to an official report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, The Hate Crime Victimization report. The Census-driven study shows an alarming rise in violent anti-Hispanic crime with anti-Hispanic crimes more likely in regions with higher immigration populations and new arrivals. Trump’s words are dangerous not simply offensive and should be treated that way.
I think he’s working with Cruz and if he wins Cruz will be his VP choice. If he falters early he will endorse Cruz. I’ve not yet heard him speak positively about any of the other Republicans in the race.
Would not surprise me one bit if this were true. It’s what Trump does - he is very good at telling whatever audience he is in front of what they want to hear. It gets him attention. Fame. Money. An ego-boost.
Right now, his audience is conservatives. So, he’s saying things that conservatives want to hear. Doesn’t mean that he is one, or believes a word of what he’s saying.
Just Donald being Donald.
No, Trump does not get the benefit of the doubt. He is a Hilary donor who believes in no ideology...just in his own ego. If he were in WWE he would be eager to be the bad guy, or the good guy, just whoever got the money and TV time.
A Trump like character could be our next ‘Hitler’. Our economy and the world economy are fragile. ISIS is a problem. An emotional downturn in the US or world and we could find ourselves with an ego maniac.
Wake up, useful idiots. It could happen here.
You are making a valiant effort on your anti-Trump tirade! But Trump continues to climb in polls as more voters learn about his agenda and priorities. I feel your pain FRiend!
I agree, I don’t know why but I got this strong feeling that he is working along with Cruz. Both knowing very well they are going against the establishment in both parties. They believe by coming together they can go over the heads of these elite establishment of the Democrats and Rhinos.
Why I have this feeling is when I recall that before Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president. He met with Donald Trump way before that. So that tells me something is going on behind the scene that the good old boys from the country club don’t know.
Umm, I’m not on an anti-Trump tirade. Read my comment at post #1.
You are right, I went by the article you posted. Did not read your post. Sorry.
If Ted Cruz were to drop out today my next pick would be....
You are lying, Antonio Tijerino.
How do you explain that every large business contributes to politicians of both parties? It is cost of doing business to avoid slings and arrows directed at your business. I worked part time once for an outfit in Chicago with just 50 employees. I got to know the owner really well, we used to meet regularly for lunch on Saturdays. He donated regularly to the Daley machine even though he was a life long Republican. In return, he received contracts from the city.
The WWE may be the best analogy to Trump's "campaign" that I've ever seen....All show. Playing to his audience. And 100% fake....
Except that, until ~2009-2010, Trump wasn’t “contributing to politicians of both parties” - he was donating overwhelmingly to Democrats, with a Republican thrown in the mix every now and then.
Well then:(Harumph) It must be true! After all, it was on the internet.
Ill point out Trump is still to the right of Trey Gowdy’s pandering.
Hispanic activists are claiming they are harder working than the “lazy blacks”. Mexican illegals work as hard as they have to stay afloat and retire into a crime off defrauding social security. If they were hard working they’d stay in Mexico for lesser conditions and work.
They have brown pride tattoos and they chase and murder the blacks in LA.
Duh...his main business is in NY city. Besides Bill Clinton has a likable personality and has tons of rich friends.
Ah, Jeb is the answer? Tee-hee.
Some Hispanics would get beat up because Aryan gang member George Zimmerman killed 1 year old Trayvon Martin.
Wow, just keep on moving those goalposts to defend the egotistical clown-boy.
Again, though, your point about him living in NYC doesn’t really hold up, considering that he wasn’t just donating to NYC-area Dems. Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd, John Kerry - it’s a veritable who’s who of everyone’s favorite Dems.
I didn’t mention the tactic to his assistant coordinating the meeting, and figured I’d simply sneak the DREAMers in as my associates.
And this guy has the temerity to accuse Trump of dishonesty? LOLOL
There is no doubt Cruz and Trump on a ticket would be unbeatable. They could even run third party and win.
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