There is a huge difference between trolling and exposing facts that are not being accepted by others on a thread.
But I do understand why many Trump supporters feel they can use tactics that used to be the domain of leftists and propagandists only. Trump himself has shown them that others are now allowed to do that, IF they are supporting him.
It’s much more like this bro... I’ve learned a very long time ago that when I and someone else have political differences, there’s not much point in arguing. I won’t convince them, and they won’t convince me. Nuances and personal perceptions of events will always triumph, on both sides.
I don’t bother arguing with liberals. No point. I just yell EFF YOU and move on, with them. With people who are closer to my political stances, but have different candidates — I won’t argue with them either. I won’t yell EFF YOU with those folk because they are closer to my stance, no point in truly alienating one of those. I might play with them a little, as I did with you, but in most cases, when the candidate is voted upon, we will likely realign. (There is one Freeper who has been so evil in his declarations, that I will not ever realign with him, but that is a very severe exception).
My main contribution to the debate is to write and post editorials. I might refuse, in most cases, to get involved in arguments... .for the reasons I posted above.
There’s a slight change in my usual, this particular time, for I was unaware of Trump’s rather aggressive comments. Those need to be addressed in a coming rewrite that will appear on this thread. I also need to correct several grammar and sentence-construction issues. So, for the fellow Gondring, who called me on it privately and politely, he made a small difference. The other fellow, DrewsDad (certainly aligned with DrewsMom), started out okay then got rude. I ain’t screwin with him for that alone, but there is also the fact that he and Mom are extreme TDS’ers. No point in engaging them whatsoever.
To your point about the use of ‘but’, in standard grammar, you are correct. In politics, however, ‘but’ is often used to use the first clause as a deceitful cover for advancing the true message in the second clause. It’s something I’ve observed in politics for decades and certainly is not particular to Cruz. Most everyone does it. Yes, even Trump.
I’m co-pinging Gondring for a tip-of-the-hat for his polite engagement and to inform him that his approach made a difference in the rewrite of this editorial, and I’m pinging DrewsDad because I mentioned him. In the latter ping, I’m not terribly interested in engaging with him, and will likely ignore his comments. Not much point, with that one.