I caught a few minutes of Rush today, and he reported that Trump was actually off camera for about 20 minutes at the rally. That’s more than I had expected, and I thought surely Albion that you would call me out on that. But I guess everyone could see that Trump kept his name front and center on the podium. Well, I’m sure Diamond and Silk re-focused the event, given their celebrated advocacy of veterans’ philanthropy going back so many years.
Rush also reported that Trump had been in discussions with Fox until the last minute about appearing at the debate, but that Trump had again demanded a $5 million donation to veterans’ charities, and Fox refused. Now maybe Rush heard wrong and that never happened, but here is at least a bit of evidence that there is no impediment to such a donation. Again, Did Trump require that of the media at his rally?
Still there were actually $6 million collected, and my distrust of Trump’s motives will not diminish the good that money will do.
Albion you are arguing that all Rs must close ranks, and criticism of Trump is now harmful to the party’s chances in the fall. Yet Trump pointedly refused a loyalty pledge, then later said he would take it, and has suggested a non-committal position since then. And it is laughable that you criticize others for an insulting tone in their statements about Trump. You’re right that his imperfections just make him human, and I give him all the credit for putting the spotlight on illegal immigration as the key issue. But after effectively focusing the nation on that issue, he plans to put “a big, beautiful door” in the wall, and after deporting all illegals immediately turn around and let “the good ones” back in. His positions are directly and fearlessly stated, and completely unreliable. So Albion I don’t accuse you of worship, I accuse you of delusion.
Hostage I don’t spend time reading things that are irrelevant. News accounts of Trump’s prior philanthropy are not relevant to the argument I’m making. The affection veterans feel for Trump is not relevant to the argument I’m making. I freely admit that those accounts are true and he has done far more for veterans than I ever will, and that reveals nothing about the intent of last night’s rally. Placing a big “Trump” placard on the podium while he’s campaigning and inviting his YouTube fans is revealing.
Frankly Hostage your respect is of no concern to me. But if it makes you feel any better I don’t like Trump. I started out liking him, and I wanted to continue, but just as Trump doesn’t like veterans who get captured, I don’t like a man who behaves like an ass. I can recognize things he’s done which are positive, and positions he’s taken which I supported (until he changed them), without liking him or supporting his candidacy or trusting his motives on any specific action. If you are unable to draw those distinctions then get Albion to explain to you the difference between civil gratitude and worship.
I’m sure my reading habits won’t interest you Hostage, but if you want some insight into the root causes of the problems in this country, and why Trump is not their antidote but merely their next chapter, try Richard Weaver’s “Ideas Have Consequences.” To understand what happens in campaigns like Obama’s and Trump’s I recommend Eric Hoffer’s “The True Believer : Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements.”
I don’t think the three of us can accomplish anything by continuing this discussion. Still I suspect there are many things we would agree on other than Trump’s virtues as a President, and I bear neither of you ill will.
Upon review I see that Albion in fact did not state that criticisms of Trump had been delivered in an insulting tone. He demonstrates no inconsistency on that point.
I withdraw that item from my remarks, with apologies to Albion and the forum at large
I don't think the three of us can accomplish anything by continuing this discussion...
If you don't want to continue the discussion, don't post falsehoods about me such as "Albion you are arguing that ...criticism of Trump is now harmful to the party's chances...." What I actually said was,
Everyone on FR must be prepared to support whomever is the R nominee against the D's in November. We are out of time to hope allowing them to win rather than selecting an imperfect R will work as a strategy or survival mechanism.No mention of Trump whatsoever. So there is no point in attempting to have a conversation with you, since you are so willing to see what you want to see and state a self-serving distortion connected to my name.
Kindly do not post to me any more. Thank you very much.