Luke Spencer's Hate Blog

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Trump Wins?

WAM-20160724.

If you haven't read Michael Moore's recent op-ed you should. He lays out his reasons why Trump will win the election. I agree with Moore's reasons and as much as the idea disgusts me, I think Trump can/will win the election. I will get no satisfaction out of saying I told you so. I have watched Americans vote for bigots, racists, crooks, liars, and worse for president. A Trump win will not surprise me, just depress me.

I can think of worse people who have already been president, of course, we don't know just how bad Trump could get. There are worse things than being a racist, vulgar, tyrant, and leader of the United States.

Trump has gotten his way in everything in life. It will be interesting to watch him be told no by Congress, just like every other president. And like other presidents, he will just blame Congress and then go golfing.

Every president has his character tested when making decisions for the country. Trump's test will be how much patience he has.

It will be interesting and fun to watch a president Trump get the obstructionist treatment Obama has been getting from Congress.

I will be waiting to see if Congress will pass spending for his multi-trillion dollar plans. I certainly can't wait to hear what the president of Mexico says when Trump asks him for 10's of billions of dollars to build a wall.

If the founding fathers showed us anything, it's that one can be a vulgar racist and still do good things. Of course the founders were truly geniuses; I'm afraid Mr. Trump is handicapped in that area.

The simple answer to Mr. Moore's reason for a Trump win, is a large Democratic voter turnout. During the primaries Democratic voter turnout was down, even with Bernie getting millions of voters out to vote.

Anyone can make a mistake that might endanger their chances at the voting booth. I think Trump is much more apt to do that. Hillary dodged the bullet when no charges were filed against her on the email investigation.

It's depressing that Trump is even this close to the White House. I'm not a Hillary fan, but with Trump as the other choice, I will be voting for Hillary. I would hope most Americans would think the same, but past votes by Americans gives me no confidence.

I like reading people who have far better knowledge on these issues than myself. I can learn much from reading you, but expect my John Doe opinions.

3 Responses.

01. July 24, 2016 at 11:51 AM.

ModeratePoli: @Luke, I've seen so many predictions not based on hard polling that were wrong, wrong, wrong. Also, this isn't a good time to poll yet. That said, some of Moore's thinking is sound. Trump has appeal on levels that Hillary won't. The Dems registration drives and GOTV operations will be very important. It might be a nail-biter. Or Trump may finally say something that's so clearly crazy that he'll lose big. Or maybe Hillary will sink and founder. It's hard to say with two such unpopular candidates.

02. July 24, 2016 at 1:08 PM.

Luke: ModeratePoli,
Thanks for stopping by.
Anyone can make a mistake that might endanger their chances at the voting booth. I think Trump is much more apt to do that. Hillary dodged the bullet when no charges were filed against her on the email investigation.
It's depressing that Trump is even this close to the White House. I'm not a Hillary fan, but with Trump as the other choice, I will be voting for Hillary. I would hope most Americans would think the same, but past votes by Americans gives me no confidence. I like reading people who have far better knowledge on these issues than myself. I can learn much from reading you, but expect my John Doe opinions. Thanks for commenting.

03. July 27, 2016 at 9:36 PM.

ModeratePoli: Don't worry about John Doe opinion--I like them! I like any opinions that are heart-felt and not just a rehash of talking points... except maybe for paranoid fantasies. Those are kind of unsettling.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Trump Is Their Nominee

WAM-20160718.

People who write and say hate about Trump are playing in to Trump's hands. He wants division. He wants you to enhance the message he has. Trump and Clinton are tied in the national polls.

If Trump is so bad, where is the condemnation for the American people who voted for him? It seems those who hate Trump so much are too cowardly to call American voters the same scum like words they use about Trump.

Trump is the choice of 40% of the American people, not just 45% of Republicans. Clinton is the choice of 55% of Democrats, but still only 40% of Americans nationally. These haters on the left even attacked Sanders whose only crime was to try and win the nomination of the Democratic party. Seems the Clinton supporters use hate against anyone challenging their candidate. But it's the American people casting the votes to make Trump a front runner.

It's not the Trump supporters who started the violence in the streets. It's not Trump supporters who are killing our cops. That violence is being done by forces on the left. So who are the scum that earn our condemnation? Those whose ideas are repugnant, or those whose ideas drive people to violence? Either way it's hate driving this election and our decision on who to vote for.

I'm not joining that hate. I don't write hate about either Trump, or Clinton. I don't post silly pictures, cartoons, or videos that cast candidates as Hitler, or other evil killers. I do write about what I think is a good, or bad course for America and its politics. And hate is not a basis for voting, or not voting for anyone. But you go ahead and try to convince people who to vote for based on hate and just add to the already vitriolic atmosphere. That will help. That will solve our problems. NOT.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Lessons From Movies

WAM-20160715.

Republicans think the government should be run as a business, but their business policies do not include reinvestment for the future health of the country.

Businesses have been keeping the warmongers busy, while making billions in profit. And if you are vice-president you can make sure your old company Halliburton gets most of those government contracts.

Republicans would like to see prisons privatized (like they would like to see most government programs privatized) and that would be another impediment to prison and justice system reform.

2 Responses.

01. July 16, 2016 at 1:27 PM.

Tom Harper: If our government was being run like a business, the warmongers wouldn't be able to afford the trillions of dollars we've spent on invading and controlling the rest of the world. The Prison Industrial Complex wouldn't have the billions of dollars they need for constructing new prisons and passing more and more laws so we can keep imprisoning more people than any other country.

02. July 24, 2016 at 1:08 AM.

Luke: Tom, thanks for stopping by.
Businesses have been keeping the warmongers busy, while making billions in profit. And if you are vice-president you can make sure your old company Halliburton gets most of those government contracts.
Republicans would like to see prisons privatized (like they would like to see most government programs privatized) and that would be another impediment to prison and justice system reform.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Police Chief David Brown

WAM-20160712.

Dallas police chief David Brown. A thirty year veteran of the Dallas police department. A man who worked his way up from the bottom. A black man who grew up in Texas. A man whose son was killed by the police, after his son (with mental problems) killed a police officer. Here are a few words from chief Brown on guns and protesters:

"It's challenging when people have AR-15s slung over and shootings occur and crime and they begin running, and we don’t know if they're going to shoot or not. It's been the presumption that a good guy with a gun is the best way to resolve some of these things. Well, we don't know who the good guy is or the bad guy is if everybody starts shooting".

"I'm the kind of person that I probably wouldn't protest or complain", he said. "I get involved and do something about it by becoming part of the solution".

"Get off that protest line and put an application in, and we'll put you in your neighborhood and we will help you resolve some of the problems you're protesting about".

Friday, July 8, 2016

American Streets Running Red With Blood

WAM-20160708.

Violence has always been a part of the American character. Thanks to technology, now we can kill dozens in seconds. We don't even have time to morn the dead from one incident, before another incident happens.

I know, guns don't kill people, people kill people. That's wrong, simplistic thinking and an insult to those trying to stop the massacres. No other weapon can kill so many, in such little time. It is the killer's choice of weapon, so please no dumb ice pick, baseball bat, or knife comparisons.

Cops killing citizens, citizens killing cops. Everyone armed to the teeth and angry as hell. Deadly force use to be the last resort. Now guns are the first thing everyone grabs. A fist fight ends in gun shot deaths. Children killing, or getting killed with a gun they should not have had. Our Congress can't even vote to stop suspected terrorists from buying a gun, or reenact a ban on these weapons, which used to be the law of the land. Inaction costs lives, so this do nothing Congress has to take its part of the blame.

These killers come from our ranks. There are many different recipes that make murder and Americans seem to have found all of those recipes.

Our right is killing us; and we are just going to let that happen? The stat, that some 33,000 people a year die by gunshot, is proof enough.

By the way, the dead and injured in Dallas were taken to Parkland hospital for care. Which reminded me of the first time I thought the second amendment needed a rewrite. The day president Kennedy was assassinated just blocks away from where these shootings took place tonight in Dallas.

My post doesn't offer some secret solution. The enlightened men who started our government and country, were violent bigots, who revolted against even worse violent bigots. This is our character. To those who say we have come a long way from them, you must be one of those highly educated, who just don't get it.

After only blogging for 48 hours I was attacked by the most hate filled scum imaginable. It's not hard to imagine, that given a real motivation to be mad, they would be totally capable of killing. If there is a secret to stopping all this it has to be getting rid of the hate towards each other.

Sorry for the rant. The words just spew out, even though they don't make sense, or offer solutions.

3 Responses.

01. July 8, 2016 at 2:08 PM.

Luke: Additionally, I left this comment at SQUATLO RANT:

Curious that a highly educated society like ours can't figure this out. No amount of book learning can take the bigotry and stupidity out of people. How do we end up with a person smart enough to be a pediatric neurosurgeon, yet, believes the world is only 6,000 years old? How do we end up with cops who shoot first and ask questions later, with the best training from the so called brightest minds? How can our best and brightest run this country in to the ground? How can a generation who started out chanting peace, love, stop war, end up being the most selfish generation and produce the hate filled, deadly society we have now? How can a society drenched in the so called secrets of peaceful living (from religion to cults to health advise) be so violent?
Like most bloggers I wrote a post, you can read it. It doesn't offer some secret solution. The enlightened men who started our government and country, were violent bigots, who revolted against even worse violent bigots. This is our character. To those who say we have come a long way from them, you must be one of those highly educated, who just don't get it.
After only blogging for 48 hours I was attacked by the most hate filled scum imaginable. It's not hard to imagine, that given a real motivation to be mad, they would be totally capable of killing. If there is a secret to stopping all this it has to be getting rid of the hate towards each other.
Sorry for the rant. The words just spew out, even though they don't make sense, or offer solutions.

02. July 8, 2016 at 2:22 PM.

Squatlo: Well written, Luke. Sorry if you've attracted the attention of some trolls, but that's part of the deal, I'm afraid.

03. July 8, 2016 at 2:50 PM.

Luke: Thanks for stopping by squatlo. One comment from you is worth the 100 I get from the trolls. At least they are not shooting at me, but if they knew where I live, I'd probably have to duck a lot.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Quit Bernie Quit

WAM-20160707.

Democrats are upset with Bernie. Maybe they aren't used to a person standing up for their convictions, in the face of party criticism. He's an FDR democratic socialist, with the passion and energy of a young political activist. He grew up knowing that communal taxation was the way to build public services; and for his ideology, the public should be paying for more services.

Bernie knew the only way he could beat Clinton was to build a revolution, a movement. He understands that whether he is president, or not, the country would have to take a sharp turn to the left. Something that hasn't happened for over 50 years. He had to change the thinking of Americans about what their government should be doing. He has succeeded, but not won.

But a seed planted well, grows.

For many different economic reasons it seems people are looking to government for help. Since capitalism isn't meeting the needs of the people, the people ask government to help make up the difference. The American people supported the ACA, but I'm not sure they knew what they were getting. That means higher taxes; which few want to pay and fear it could cause employment and financial recessions. Although, history shows us that's simply not true. Taxes (up to an 80% rate) were highest during the greatest growth in American/human history.

Like all politicians, Bernie made a lot of promises. One of those promises was every vote would count and he would fight on to the convention no matter what. Which is exactly what a person in his position and with his convictions should do, even in the face of having lost. Bernie is not hurting Hillary against Trump by staying until the convention. Hillary is hurting Hillary against Trump. And Berni still has work to do to push the Democratic party to the left. Platform changes, rules changes, party position on issues, primary procedure changes and a possible debate on super delegates. Winning isn't the only thing to Bernie.

I think Bernie has handled himself very well during this whole process. From "I'm tired of hearing about your damn emails" to standing tough on his issues. Certainly a gentleman in the midst of Republican schoolyard bullies. Yes, I heard the Democrats booed him the other day, Like it's his fault Hillary is only 3 points ahead of Trump nationally? And he's holding tough on making sure his supporters views are heard (as promised) even if he doesn't win. Did you feel the BERN?

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Hillary Clinton's Emails

WAM-20160705.

It was amazing to watch Mr. Comey say that Mrs. Clinton did do what her critics said she did, but there will be no charges. Mr. Comey confirmed Mrs, Clinton did wrong and in another case would face discipline actions, but, he said, that's not what this investigation was about.

If this went to a grand jury, would there be no charges?

Mr. Comey also confirmed that hostile actors could get access to her server and emails. That is dangerous, especially since she was the Secretary of State for the United States.

This will not help Mrs. Clinton's negative ratings, which are driven by a lack of trust.

Prosecutors make these kind of decisions everyday and guilty people do go free. Elected officials should be held to a higher standard, especially officials as high up as Mrs. Clinton.

The public perception will be that Mrs. Clinton did nothing wrong, which Mr. Comey himself said was not true, she did, but perception is everything. I get tired of people doing whatever they want, legal, or not, and just saying, I'm sorry. That's letting them off to easy, and to many elected officials seem to be saying, I'm sorry, to often.

If Mrs. Clinton becomes president I expect some scandal. Her tendencies to bend the law is part of her working character.

Respect for the law just took another hit.

Monday, July 4, 2016

If We Can Keep It

WAM-20160704.

Because of the 4th of July, there has been a lot of talk and blogging about the Constitution. "If We Can Keep It" was the famous phrase quoted after the signing of the Constitution. Few thought the Constitution would survive to set up a working government, much less, still be the guiding document for a society some 250 years later.

Even with the Constitution still intact, we can lose our Democracy, or freedom, and our independent lifestyle. "Opportunity" can only be assured in a thriving economy. Class divisions in America means class division according to how much money one has. Laws eliminate the class differences of race, religion and other groups that defined class differences centuries ago.

If our country splits to sharply between those who have and those who have not, America will not work. That split is sharper now than in decades. Those who have will not tax themselves to help those who have not. Although, in a past generation, that's exactly what the people who had, did.

We all know the secret to America and its promise lies in our small businesses. Yet we seem to have a climate in national politics of large corporate leanings and financial interests.

These corporations have been given financial help by the people (our tax dollar bailouts) in the hope that would preserve opportunity for the individual. The corporations were saved from going under, but these corporations have not spread the good fortune to the individual. Why should they? They regained their losses. Do we expect them to care about individuals?

In order for these corporate interests to thrive and make huge profits, they support the conservative (Republican) agenda of small government and less taxes. In time of national need for individuals, they make it sound anti-American for the government to aid its citizens.

Individuals suffering is not something corporations add to their profit equation. All the talk about good, happy employees makes a better company, is hogwash! It might, but corporations could care less about the happiness of their employees. During times of high unemployment, is their best situation. Worker complaints diminish during times of high unemployment. In fact, this is the time corporations take the most advantage of workers. Americans seem to think it's a good thing to have fewer union workers. Really? Wait until they have no say in what the company they work for does to them, or for them.

As baby boomers are retiring, corporations are planning for the slim down. They are not about to have old people (with lots of health problems) and high pensions. Government and corporations being frugal, cutting services, pay, and benefits will have a new and colder definition in the future for individuals.

These earnings splits can ruin a society, thus a country and the government. The Constitution cannot stop the mean, selfish nature of capitalist, or profiteers. If we neglect and abuse the individual, we die. The country was set up for people, individuals. If we forget that and allow our legislators to make laws favoring corporations, we give up our freedom and liberty. The Constitution will still be intact, but the country will be lost and broke.

Stay A While Version (An earlier version of this post from 7/8/2010).

SAW-20100708

If our country splits to sharply between those who have and those who have not, America will not work. That split is sharper now than in decades. Those who have will not tax themselves to help those who have not. although, in past generations, that’s exactly what the people who had, did.

We all know the secret to America and its promise lies in our small businesses. Yet we seem to have a climate in national politics of large corporate leanings and financial interests.

These corporations have been given financial help by the people (our tax dollar bailouts) in the hope that would preserve opportunity for the individuals. The corporations were saved from going under, but these corporations have not spread the good fortune to the individuals. Why should they. They regained their losses. Do we expect them to care about individuals?

Individuals suffering is not something corporations add to their profit equation. All the talk about good, happy employees makes a better company, is hogwash! It might, but corporations could care less about the happiness of their employees. During times of high unemployment, is their best situation. Worker complaints diminish during times of high unemployment. In fact, this is the time corporations take the most advantage of workers. Americans seem to think it’s a good thing to have fewer union workers. Really? Wait until they have no say in what the company they work for does to them, or for them.

As baby boomers are retiring, corporations are planning for the slim down. They are not about to have old people (with lots of health problems) and high pensions. Being frugal and cutting services will have a new and colder definition in the future for corporations.

These splits can ruin a society, thus a country and the government. The Constitution cannot stop the mean, selfish nature of capitalist, or profiteers. If we neglect and abuse the individual, we die. The country was set up for people, individuals. If we forget that and allow our legislators to make laws favoring corporations, we die.

The Constitution will still be intact, but the country will be lost and dead.

2 Responses (this commentary received 2 comments when published on Stay A While).

01. July 8, 2010 at 6:38 pm.

Sue: Tom I've told this story before and I'm not sure you read it... My husband worked for a manufacturing company that is family owned and now across the globe selling flooring. He worked for them for 15 years, one night was called in at 2 am to do a job, the company actually refused to pay the guys overtime pay so he argued and argued til he was fired for insubordination! AND they claimed he was trying to form a union which he was not! SO, he went to the Labor Relations Board in Philly and they settled out of court for a modest amout that was nothing really once we HAD to pay back unemployment from the money!! This company, Mannington Flooring, claims to be family oriented, small town caring for the employees, and it could not be farther from the truth! My husband actually Begged for his job back from the company owner who he went to church with and played basketball with!!! No job is safe today, there is no consideration for time put in a company, you are just a number, not a human being...

02. July 11, 2010 at 10:46 am.

TomCat: Tom, I personally thing our Constitution is one of the greatest documents in human history. So few Americans know what it says that they are too ignorant to object when it is violated.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Americans are Wrong Sometimes

WAM-20160702.

We were wrong not to outlaw slavery in the original Constitution. We were wrong to keep women as second class citizens for 150 years. We were wrong on so many issues of individual rights and freedoms.

We still try and progress today. It's a slow process, both in law, and of people's beliefs. The law can say it's wrong to discriminate, or break the law, but that doesn't protect people from being discriminated against, or becoming the victims of a crime. The law just allows for justice to be sought.

Those who say the Constitution must be read and applied as the founding fathers originally intended, must be pro slavery, anti-women, and believe we should not, or cannot progress our law, or mature as a country.

The harm done to those minorities while we wait for "the majority" of Americans to embrace inclusion, is outrageous.

It is a lesson we must learn again and again. Every ethnic group to come to America was at one time discriminated against. Like a rite of passage, or a frat house initiation, it always gets ugly. Japanese AMERICANS were imprisoned during WW II.

The enemy, as usual, is within us.

It is not the Muslim who seeks to be a good American while keeping their faith and culture (as all immigrants have done for centuries) but the fear. An irrational fear enhanced by the forces who seek political power. That is evil.

Stay A While Version (An earlier version of this post from 8/19/2010).

SAW-20100819.

We still try and progress today. It's a slow process, not of law, but of people's beliefs. The law can say it's wrong to discriminate, but that doesn't protect people from being discriminated against, it just allows for justice to be sought.

The harm done to those minorities while we wait for "the majority" of Americans to embrace inclusion, is outrageous.

It is a lesson we must learn again and again. Japanese were interned during WW II. Nearly every ethnic group to come to America was at one time discriminated against. Like a rite of passage, or a frat house initiation, it always gets ugly.

The enemy, as usual, is within us.

It is not the Muslim who seeks to be a good American while keeping their faith and culture (as all immigrants have done for centuries) but the fear. An irrational fear enhanced be the forces who seek political power. That is evil.

Most disturbing, are my fellow countrymen who would discard the Constitution in favor of their own hate and prejudices.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Quotes Do Highlight Reality

WAM-20160701.

"We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom - and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside".

President Kennedy - January 20, 1961.

This quote from President Kennedy reminds me of what's going on in this election. Trump is surely riding the back of the tiger and the Republican party is not supporting American freedoms.