I think Peggy Noonan put her finger on the reason for Trump’s victory.
….Those who come to this space know why I think what happened, happened. The unprotected people of America, who have to live with Washington’s policies, rebelled against the protected, who make and defend those policies and who care little if at all about the unprotected. That broke bonds of loyalty and allegiance. Tuesday was in effect an uprising of the unprotected. It was part of the push-back against detached elites that is sweeping the West and was seen most recently in the Brexit vote…..
Tychicus, I wonder if those are all new—surely they can’t be new. I see even Bush’s total was 72,000+. I believe we need some basic regulations to protect the water, air, environment, the workers and consumer protections. But after Obama’s ridiculous edict about restroom use in each and every public school, it’s hard to believe that he knows what he’s doing or really cares.
lol. That was papa Bush. Dubya was 79000 +. I wonder if anyone ever goes through those and removes the obsolete. We could have regulations protecting the dodo bird…. :–)
The problem is that there are agencies for everything. During the days when Goldwater was running for president, there was an agency called HEW. That is, Health, Education, and Welfare. Now each of those is it’s own agency. Each issues regulations and distributes money. And Republican presidents were part of the problem.
People want the heavy hand of Washington off their backs.
Unfortunately, that heavy hand also hands out money.
That’s the main problem.
Robert P. George: “If you haven’t been to the Black Lives Matter website and looked at its set of guiding principles, it’s worth doing. BLM has mounted a fundamental challenge to the African-American church. It is attempting to displace the church as what Rev. Eugene Rivers calls “the sovereign institution of black America.” In the place of Christian religious belief and moral teaching, it proposes what have become the conventional doctrines of academic left-liberal secularism. Have a look, and see for yourself:”
I’m a graduate-educated, millennial generation, urban-dwelling white woman. Not just that, I’m also a women’s health nurse practitioner and I’ve cared for women of many different religions, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.
I’m also a silent Donald Trump supporter.
I admit, I have enjoyed indulging in some schadenfreude as I watched the aftermath of the presidential election implode on social media. But that wore off quickly. Now, the fearmongering and widespread terror plaguing my Facebook news feed just makes me sad.
I haven’t posted a thing on social media. For that matter, I don’t intend on disclosing my vote to others anytime soon—first and foremost because I think it might jeopardize my career, and I sincerely fear people would not listen or seek to understand my rationale. I hope I’m proven wrong. …
… To quote William Buckley Jr., “Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
So I hope you will be so kind as to allow me to keep my anonymity while trying to shed light on some of the questions and claims made by adamant anti-Trumpers that have populated my news feed for the last few days. …
_____________________________________
A colleague said the other day that he’s ashamed to be an American — and anticipates becoming more ashamed under the new president. People in my neck of the woods are vacillating between rage and despondency.
There was another march in our community Friday for those who “resented” (their words on the flier, I think it was used out of an unfamiliarity with the English language most likely) the recent election.
People are coming undone.
As our pastor put it last week in his sermon, they’ve lost their king (and I do believe the idolization and almost near worship of Obama since ’08 has played a roll in the overwrought emotions in this election aftermath). The king is gone.
Rather than mocking them we should understand it from that perspective. Who is in power politically is fiercely and ultimately all-important to them, it dictates their very sense of well being — or not, in this case.
But all the gnashing of teeth is still hard to be around. 😦
I haven’t looked at Michelle’s link yet, but it fits in with my observations & the scenario above, I suspect.
Liberal/left-wing secular politics has become a religion for many, an idol, a virtual golden calf in our time.
There is nothing higher for them to appeal to other than cultural and political power to stamp out and silence the beliefs and ideas that they perceive as the nation’s and the world’s “enemy.”
From Michelle’s BLM link, under “Black Villages”: Notice that they avoid even using the term “father”: “We are committed to disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, and especially “our” children to the degree that mothers, parents and children are comfortable.”
And then BLACK FAMILIES: “We are committed to making our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We are committed to dismantling the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” that require them to mother in private even as they participate in justice work.” Um . . . what part of “fathers are optional” allows mothers not to “work double shifts”?
Perhaps not, but it often seems that way. Vice President-Elect Mike Pence is in New York, working with Donald Trump on staffing their new administration. He took last night off to see the popular Broadway musical “Hamilton.” When he and his family took their seats, some in the crowd booed–although, to be fair, it sounds to me as though more applauded …
The real outrage came at the end. As Pence got up to leave, one of the “Hamilton” cast members read a deeply offensive statement attacking the Trump administration on behalf of the play’s supposedly “diverse” cast. I doubt, of course, that the cast has any diversity at all. If it includes any conservative members, they remained silent. As the actor delivered his smug, superior attack on the incoming Trump administration, most of those in the audience applauded and cheered enthusiastically …
_____________________________
Donna, I’ve listened to the statement made by the actor and I’ve read it. I don’t see what is offensive about it. That actor’s statement is pretty mild in comparison to what I’ve seen coming from both sides in both the pre and post election furor.
I think I would have asked for my money back–those are expensive tickets and the audience should not be held captive to someone else’s politics.
But that’s just me.
We live in a liberal bubble in California, which is why so many people remain so upset. We have to remember that out here. My county’s participation in the election was somewhere close to 90% of the voters voted and most of them went to the Democratic party candidates. It’s nearly impossible for them to hear they might not be in sync with others in the country. For that reason, everyone between here and New York, with a few exceptions, are being dismissed.
It’s a tragedy and is only dividing and making things worse.
But remember, most of these individuals are not churchgoers. They are not used to admitting they need a Savior. Their political beliefs are their tribe, just as for church goers, our church body is our tribe, our family. They have turned political parties into a form of doctrine and can’t understand why we aren’t all believers.
I’ve been responding to things on FB and then deleting them. I get it off my chest and then remove it. My role as a Christian is to bind up the wounds and listen. It’s not to provoke or ostracize. I can’t hear how to pray for people if I’m too busy justifying myself or arguing.
So, I listen.
We need a spiritual revival in the US, but you all know that. That’s where my prayers are aimed, along with a request for truth to be revealed–not just to me, but also to those walking in whatever darkness, no matter their party.
Ricky, frankly, that is a bit petty of most folks. If the actor had spoken to President Obama about one of his unpopular policies, the conservative right would be cheering right now. You Americans pride yourself on not only your freedom of speech but also your free speaking. Actors do sometimes make speeches at the end of performances, and sometimes those speeches take note of notable members of the audience. Furthermore, Americans also think companies also have free speech and since the actor is employed in a very successful theatre production, he answers to that theatre company for what he does on stage. I find it much more concerning that Trump demanded that the actor apologize: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/19/mike-pence-booed-at-hamilton-performance-then-hears-diversity-plea. A President-elect has much more power than a theatre actor, and demanding that the actor apologize is the surest way of sending the message that people’s free speech will be curtailed by the coming administration.
“Who is your king?” is the question that best clarifies and gets to the bottom of what we see going on.
I’ve been consciously quiet about politics at work for some time now (and I’m avoiding FB more these days), though my (secular conservative) editor and I will exchange links from time to time.
The mood is grim.
And yet, interestingly, even in my very liberal part of L.A., 1/3 of those who voted in my particular precinct voted for Trump.
I recall feeling not terrific about Obama winning (it was even harder in ’12 since I thought Romney might win). But I never felt despondent, like the world or the country was going to come to an end (and even if the nation did collapse, my God was still on the throne either way).
Political loss is/was discouraging, but hardly crushing.
Ricky, an actor is as much a human, made in the image of God, as any other person that practices any other profession. Does he not have as much right to exercise his freedom of speech? As for nagging, the speech lasted barely a minute. That is hardly nagging.
And remember, the entertainment industry is largely controlled (and often used) by liberals. Movie & television plots more often than not reflect this, sometimes in heavy-handed ways.
So maybe there’s just a weariness of all the lecturing that has set in on the part of some who are more conservative and not as loudly pushy about their views? It makes one just want to say “stop already.” This may be something of a final straw for some, at least that’s my guess.
I’ve learned to smile and nod when regaled by liberals, I do it well. I’m not easily offended and realize everyone where I live “assumes” I’m liberal, too. Or they don’t care and just want to “share” their views, uninvited.
Roscuro, Nagging at strangers is rude. When the Obamas went to a NASCAR race, some fans cheered and some booed. However, at the end of the race the winning driver didn’t get out of his car and nag Obama about raising his taxes or healthcare costs. That would have been rude. Obama was there to watch the rednecks race (and maybe crash) not to be nagged at by one of them.
The whole issue of nagging reminds me of my son’s reaction to the O. J. Simpson trial. Travis was 6 and it was his first exposure to a major criminal case. He was visiting my parents when the subject of an appropriate punishment for O. J. arose. Travis told my mother that he thought O. J. should be placed in a room and nagged at 24 hours a day. Dad was amused.
Ricky, so as not to nag – a word which means “to irritate a person with persistent fault finding or continuous urging”, I would simply note that the actor’s words were in the form of an appeal, and neither persistent nor continuous. I have my doubts that speaking on a public matter to a public figure in a public space is rude.
Donna, if the entertainment industry is controlled by liberals, then it is because the public buys what liberals produce. ‘Hamilton’ started as an off-Broadway show, but it was moved onto Broadway when the tickets kept selling.
The whole ‘booing at Mike Pence’ thing has been a little blown out of proportion I think. And there would have been nothing wrong with Mr. Pence giving a polite gesture and leaving in the middle of it if he wished. No need to be held captive. But the actor seemed polite and not really offensive.
It was not like the occasion when Pres Obama was giving the State of the Union speech, and one congressman (don’t remember who just now) shouted out “You lie!” . That dubious interruption was an atrocity or an act or courage depending on who you talked to afterwards. Anyway, I’m pretty sure Pence is mature enough to weather petty indignities or inconveniences.
Now this is interesting, all the more so because it’s from the very unlikely state of Connecticut.
Inspectors from the chief state’s attorney’s office have charged three men who are in the country illegally with fraudulently obtaining more than $120,000 in unemployment benefits.
The men had fake resident alien cards and had given social security numbers belonging to other people to their employer, Bestech Inc., an asbestos abatement company in Ellington……
The county voting map Ricky posted is interesting. To find a major city in the USA just look for islands of blue, the red is mostly empty space and small towns. The interesting parts are the areas that do not conform to the rule. You can locate Indian Reservations by finding blue in what should be red (the Dakotas, etc) Along the Mississippi and then horizontally through Alabama and Mississippi is a patch of blue counties — the black belt. Wyoming features one blue country — Jackson Hole/Yellowstone. In northern Minnesota, the Iron Range, we see the long term effects of allowing Swedish immigration.
Yes, Pence was booed at the theatre — could be worse as Lincoln would say. Honestly, what did he expect from New Yorkers? Those are incredibly hard tickets to get and for an out of towner to just waltz in and grab prime seats, you can see why they booed. As for the short speech after wards…..If Trump/Pence don’t develop a thicker skin, we’re in for a long ride.
What I expect when I go to a theater, or performance is simple.
I expect the show to be conducted professionally.
I expect the audience to act as though they are watching a serious presentation.
If I want a conservative lecture I go to FoxNews.
If I want a liberal view of things, I would go to MSNBC, CNN, etc..
Rush says part of the NFL viewing downturn is the liberal political commentary of the sports announcers. I wouldn’t know. I don’t watch professional sports. But I have absolutely no interest on the political views of a sports announcer and respect him less for stating them.
Just do your job.
HRW got me looking at that map a little more closely. Like he said, Houston (Harris County),
Dallas (Dallas County), San Antonio (Bexar County) are blue as are Travis County (Austin) and El Paso County (El Paso). That makes Tarrant County (my home which contains most of Fort Worth) the most populous Republican county in the state with 1,850,000 residents. We have to be one of the most populous Republican counties in the nation. I need to check on my Okie friends.
Wow. When I went to the most recent data, Tarrant County now has 1,982,000 residents. Oklahoma County (Oklahoma City) is Republican and has 700,000+ residents. HRW, Southern suburban counties are very red and they are growing fast. My son lives in Denton County (now 800,000 people) and just to the east is Collin County (now 900,000). Those two counties are almost as white as Iceland and much more Republican than Kansas.
Here are the largest metropolitan areas listed in order of population. It looks to me like you have to get to Phoenix at #12 before you find a metropolitan area that doesn’t have at least one Democratic County.
DJ, My feeling about Trump’s reaction and Pence’s reaction (to the nagging) was the same as yours. However, I am finally figuring out that most conservatives and ALL Trumpkins like it when Trump fires back. It doesn’t really matter if it is Hillary, the New Yotk Times, the once-chubby Miss Universe or the Gold Star parents, many Americans are ready for a Republican who will always fight back.
One of my liberal friends shared an article that said something like “those who say that the coastal elite are in a bubble & need to understand the rest of the country have it backward; it is rural America that is in a bubble.”
The comments on my friend’s Facebook post were about how ignorant & racist rural & middle America are. Although they had a point in saying that much of that area of the country is not as ethnically diverse as the big cities & coasts, they were still saying exactly the kinds of things that so many essays & blog posts are saying got them into trouble in the first place.
They seem to be tone deaf. They are not listening to the voices crying out for understanding, crying out to not be labeled racist & ignorant.
That same friend shared this thing (she didn’t write it) that tells me we are in for more contention. . .
“I listened as they called my President a Muslim.
I listened as they called him and his family a pack of monkeys.
I listened as they said he wasn’t born here.
I watched as they blocked every single path to progress that they could.
I saw the pictures of him as Hitler.
I watched them shut down the government and hurt the entire nation twice.
I watched them turn their backs on every opportunity to open worthwhile dialog.
I watched them say that they would not even listen to any choice for Supreme Court no matter who the nominee was.
I listened as they openly said that they will oppose him at every turn.
I watched as they did just that.
I listened.
I watched.
I paid attention.
Now, I’m being called on to be tolerant.
To move forward.
To denounce protesters.
To “Get over it.”
To accept this…
I will not.
I will do my part to make sure this great American mistake becomes the embarrassing footnote of our history that it deserves to be.
I will do this as quickly as possible every chance I get.
I will do my part to limit the damage that this man can do to my country.
I will watch his every move and point out every single mistake and misdeed in a loud and proud voice.
I will let you know in a loud voice every time this man backs away from a promise he made to them.
Them. The people who voted for him.
The ones who sold their souls and prayed for him to win.
I will do this so that they never forget.
And they will hear me.
They will see it in my eyes when I look at them.
They will hear it in my voice when I talk to them.
They will know that I know who they are.
They will know that I know what they are.
Do not call for my tolerance. I’ve tolerated all I can.
Now it’s their turn to tolerate ridicule.
Be aware, make no mistake about it, every single thing that goes wrong in our country from this day forward is now Trump’s fault just as much as they thought it was Obama’s.
I find it unreasonable for them to expect from me what they were entirely unwilling to give.”
#TheResistance”
Oh, yes. Blame others for your actions. It seems the thing to do these days. So much for the golden rule.
Not sure what to make of the comment about the Iron Range and the long term effect of allowing Swedish immigration. Perhaps you could enlighten this Iron Ranger.
If you look at a “purple America map” its even more interesting. Most places in America are a shade of purple not red or blue but a winner takes all system doesn’t allow for nuance. In a purple map of the 2012 election the most contrast occurs between a sold blue large city and a solid red exurbs/suburban ring around it. Atlanta is particularly good for that contrast.
The Iron Range is north eastern Minnesota along Lake Superior which has a large Swedish immigrant population from 100 years ago and large union/Democratic tradition. Sweden is famous for its social democratic traditions hence the reference to the effects of Swedish immigration.
The left makes a good case that Republicans never accepted Obama as the president hence why should they accept Trump (who has less legitimacy given his lack of popular vote)? Given the Republican behaviour for the last eight years, it was almost a given that many Democrats would see no reason to cooperate with a republican president.
Trump HAS always had a good relationship with Chuck Schumer, one of the most liberal members of the Senate.
Schumer IS much smarter than Harry Reid – smart enough to wrap Trump around his finger and get Trump that favorable coverage in the New York media that Trump craves (by doing liberal things).
This is NOT good news. Anything Schumer “gets done” will make things worse.
First, members of the audience booed Pence when he and his family took their seats. Then, when the performance was over and the Pences were exiting, a member of the cast read a harangue against Donald Trump, on behalf of the cast, that was addressed to the vice president-elect.
In response, Trump went on Twitter to denounce the cast’s partisan ambush. He wrote:
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing. This should not happen!
I agree with Trump, and may have more to say on the subject.
To me, however, Pence’s response on Twitter was more impressive.
“I nudged my kids and reminded them, ‘That’s what freedom sounds like.’ ”
Well played, Mr. Pence. …
___________________________________
To the many things the Trump administration in waiting has made cool again, add private businesses refusing service to customers based on moral objections.
Wandering Views 
Here is one of the reasons why Dems are scratching their heads wondering how they lost the election:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-sets-new-record-for-regulations-527-pages-in-just-one-day/article/2607677#!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Peggy Noonan put her finger on the reason for Trump’s victory.
http://www.peggynoonan.com/
LikeLiked by 3 people
Tychicus, I wonder if those are all new—surely they can’t be new. I see even Bush’s total was 72,000+. I believe we need some basic regulations to protect the water, air, environment, the workers and consumer protections. But after Obama’s ridiculous edict about restroom use in each and every public school, it’s hard to believe that he knows what he’s doing or really cares.
LikeLike
lol. That was papa Bush. Dubya was 79000 +. I wonder if anyone ever goes through those and removes the obsolete. We could have regulations protecting the dodo bird…. :–)
LikeLike
Debra: You’re right – it seems that the 572 figure is somewhat misleading…
http://www.snopes.com/obama-sets-record-with-572-pages-of-new-regulations-in-one-day/
LikeLike
The problem is that there are agencies for everything. During the days when Goldwater was running for president, there was an agency called HEW. That is, Health, Education, and Welfare. Now each of those is it’s own agency. Each issues regulations and distributes money. And Republican presidents were part of the problem.
People want the heavy hand of Washington off their backs.
Unfortunately, that heavy hand also hands out money.
That’s the main problem.
LikeLike
Robert P. George: “If you haven’t been to the Black Lives Matter website and looked at its set of guiding principles, it’s worth doing. BLM has mounted a fundamental challenge to the African-American church. It is attempting to displace the church as what Rev. Eugene Rivers calls “the sovereign institution of black America.” In the place of Christian religious belief and moral teaching, it proposes what have become the conventional doctrines of academic left-liberal secularism. Have a look, and see for yourself:”
Here’s the link. I have to say, I couldn’t stomach it for more than about 20 seconds; http://blacklivesmatter.com/guiding-principles/
LikeLike
I couldn’t get past the categories, Michelle. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a good read.
http://thefederalist.com/2016/11/18/liberals-should-stop-ranting-and-seek-out-silent-trump-voters-like-me/
_________________________
I’m a graduate-educated, millennial generation, urban-dwelling white woman. Not just that, I’m also a women’s health nurse practitioner and I’ve cared for women of many different religions, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.
I’m also a silent Donald Trump supporter.
I admit, I have enjoyed indulging in some schadenfreude as I watched the aftermath of the presidential election implode on social media. But that wore off quickly. Now, the fearmongering and widespread terror plaguing my Facebook news feed just makes me sad.
I haven’t posted a thing on social media. For that matter, I don’t intend on disclosing my vote to others anytime soon—first and foremost because I think it might jeopardize my career, and I sincerely fear people would not listen or seek to understand my rationale. I hope I’m proven wrong. …
… To quote William Buckley Jr., “Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
So I hope you will be so kind as to allow me to keep my anonymity while trying to shed light on some of the questions and claims made by adamant anti-Trumpers that have populated my news feed for the last few days. …
_____________________________________
LikeLiked by 2 people
A colleague said the other day that he’s ashamed to be an American — and anticipates becoming more ashamed under the new president. People in my neck of the woods are vacillating between rage and despondency.
There was another march in our community Friday for those who “resented” (their words on the flier, I think it was used out of an unfamiliarity with the English language most likely) the recent election.
People are coming undone.
As our pastor put it last week in his sermon, they’ve lost their king (and I do believe the idolization and almost near worship of Obama since ’08 has played a roll in the overwrought emotions in this election aftermath). The king is gone.
Rather than mocking them we should understand it from that perspective. Who is in power politically is fiercely and ultimately all-important to them, it dictates their very sense of well being — or not, in this case.
But all the gnashing of teeth is still hard to be around. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is unlikely to interest men (first ladies’ clothing), but I imagine some of you women will find it laugh-out-loud funny, as I did: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/11/18/new-york-times-in-tizzy-over-melania-trumps-fashion-choices-seriously.html
LikeLiked by 3 people
I haven’t looked at Michelle’s link yet, but it fits in with my observations & the scenario above, I suspect.
Liberal/left-wing secular politics has become a religion for many, an idol, a virtual golden calf in our time.
There is nothing higher for them to appeal to other than cultural and political power to stamp out and silence the beliefs and ideas that they perceive as the nation’s and the world’s “enemy.”
So these are very hard times for them.
LikeLike
I saw that, Cheryl. I mean, really? (Although heaven forbid that jumpsuits are making a fashion comeback).
LikeLike
From Michelle’s BLM link, under “Black Villages”: Notice that they avoid even using the term “father”: “We are committed to disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, and especially “our” children to the degree that mothers, parents and children are comfortable.”
And then BLACK FAMILIES: “We are committed to making our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We are committed to dismantling the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” that require them to mother in private even as they participate in justice work.” Um . . . what part of “fathers are optional” allows mothers not to “work double shifts”?
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was disturbing
http://nypost.com/2016/11/19/vp-elect-mike-pence-booed-at-hamilton/
___________________________
Vice President-elect Mike Pence was booed Friday night at a performance of the Broadway hit “Hamilton.”
Pence was walking to his seat at the Richard Rodgers Theatre when a few scattered claps turned into a thundering chorus of boos.
The crowd continued to mock Pence throughout the performance …
_________________________
LikeLike
More on the liberal arrogance that’s quickly becoming quite tiresome:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/11/are-all-liberals-rude-and-arrogant.php
____________________________
ARE ALL LIBERALS RUDE AND ARROGANT?
Perhaps not, but it often seems that way. Vice President-Elect Mike Pence is in New York, working with Donald Trump on staffing their new administration. He took last night off to see the popular Broadway musical “Hamilton.” When he and his family took their seats, some in the crowd booed–although, to be fair, it sounds to me as though more applauded …
The real outrage came at the end. As Pence got up to leave, one of the “Hamilton” cast members read a deeply offensive statement attacking the Trump administration on behalf of the play’s supposedly “diverse” cast. I doubt, of course, that the cast has any diversity at all. If it includes any conservative members, they remained silent. As the actor delivered his smug, superior attack on the incoming Trump administration, most of those in the audience applauded and cheered enthusiastically …
_____________________________
LikeLike
Liberals are the most illiberal people around.
LikeLike
Donna, I’ve listened to the statement made by the actor and I’ve read it. I don’t see what is offensive about it. That actor’s statement is pretty mild in comparison to what I’ve seen coming from both sides in both the pre and post election furor.
LikeLike
Roscuro, I think the problem most folks had with the actor is that he is being paid to act, not to nag at Mr. Pence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Next time, Pence should go see a high school football playoff game.
https://twitter.com/collinsdw/status/799993804849876993
LikeLike
Actor was a little full of himself, perhaps? Very ungracious in that kind of social setting where Pence was, in essence, a paying guest. Sigh.
LikeLike
And combined with the audience boos, of course. Must have been a lovely evening for Pence and his family.
“Elite” Broadway bitterness I suppose.
It was all pretty offensive, I’d say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liberals do, however, enjoy lecturing the rest of us whenever they get a chance, so maybe it’s just all part of that. 🙂
LikeLike
I think I would have asked for my money back–those are expensive tickets and the audience should not be held captive to someone else’s politics.
But that’s just me.
We live in a liberal bubble in California, which is why so many people remain so upset. We have to remember that out here. My county’s participation in the election was somewhere close to 90% of the voters voted and most of them went to the Democratic party candidates. It’s nearly impossible for them to hear they might not be in sync with others in the country. For that reason, everyone between here and New York, with a few exceptions, are being dismissed.
It’s a tragedy and is only dividing and making things worse.
But remember, most of these individuals are not churchgoers. They are not used to admitting they need a Savior. Their political beliefs are their tribe, just as for church goers, our church body is our tribe, our family. They have turned political parties into a form of doctrine and can’t understand why we aren’t all believers.
I’ve been responding to things on FB and then deleting them. I get it off my chest and then remove it. My role as a Christian is to bind up the wounds and listen. It’s not to provoke or ostracize. I can’t hear how to pray for people if I’m too busy justifying myself or arguing.
So, I listen.
We need a spiritual revival in the US, but you all know that. That’s where my prayers are aimed, along with a request for truth to be revealed–not just to me, but also to those walking in whatever darkness, no matter their party.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Ricky, frankly, that is a bit petty of most folks. If the actor had spoken to President Obama about one of his unpopular policies, the conservative right would be cheering right now. You Americans pride yourself on not only your freedom of speech but also your free speaking. Actors do sometimes make speeches at the end of performances, and sometimes those speeches take note of notable members of the audience. Furthermore, Americans also think companies also have free speech and since the actor is employed in a very successful theatre production, he answers to that theatre company for what he does on stage. I find it much more concerning that Trump demanded that the actor apologize: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/19/mike-pence-booed-at-hamilton-performance-then-hears-diversity-plea. A President-elect has much more power than a theatre actor, and demanding that the actor apologize is the surest way of sending the message that people’s free speech will be curtailed by the coming administration.
LikeLike
Donna, I’m pretty good at picking up on tone. I hear no arrogance in the man’s voice. He even told the crowd not to boo at Pence.
LikeLike
This looks like good news on the Supreme Court pick.
LikeLike
Roscuro, Texans do not like to be nagged. Some will accept a little from an extremely pretty woman. None will put up with any from an actor.
LikeLike
Michelle, indeed.
“Who is your king?” is the question that best clarifies and gets to the bottom of what we see going on.
I’ve been consciously quiet about politics at work for some time now (and I’m avoiding FB more these days), though my (secular conservative) editor and I will exchange links from time to time.
The mood is grim.
And yet, interestingly, even in my very liberal part of L.A., 1/3 of those who voted in my particular precinct voted for Trump.
I recall feeling not terrific about Obama winning (it was even harder in ’12 since I thought Romney might win). But I never felt despondent, like the world or the country was going to come to an end (and even if the nation did collapse, my God was still on the throne either way).
Political loss is/was discouraging, but hardly crushing.
LikeLike
OK, so it was nagging. 🙂 Just as inappropriate and ungracious in that setting, sorry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ricky, an actor is as much a human, made in the image of God, as any other person that practices any other profession. Does he not have as much right to exercise his freedom of speech? As for nagging, the speech lasted barely a minute. That is hardly nagging.
LikeLike
Sure he had the right. Yet we don’t always need to exercise our rights. Sorry, I just saw that as inappropriate in the setting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And remember, the entertainment industry is largely controlled (and often used) by liberals. Movie & television plots more often than not reflect this, sometimes in heavy-handed ways.
So maybe there’s just a weariness of all the lecturing that has set in on the part of some who are more conservative and not as loudly pushy about their views? It makes one just want to say “stop already.” This may be something of a final straw for some, at least that’s my guess.
I’ve learned to smile and nod when regaled by liberals, I do it well. I’m not easily offended and realize everyone where I live “assumes” I’m liberal, too. Or they don’t care and just want to “share” their views, uninvited.
LikeLike
Roscuro, Nagging at strangers is rude. When the Obamas went to a NASCAR race, some fans cheered and some booed. However, at the end of the race the winning driver didn’t get out of his car and nag Obama about raising his taxes or healthcare costs. That would have been rude. Obama was there to watch the rednecks race (and maybe crash) not to be nagged at by one of them.
LikeLike
The whole issue of nagging reminds me of my son’s reaction to the O. J. Simpson trial. Travis was 6 and it was his first exposure to a major criminal case. He was visiting my parents when the subject of an appropriate punishment for O. J. arose. Travis told my mother that he thought O. J. should be placed in a room and nagged at 24 hours a day. Dad was amused.
LikeLike
Ricky, so as not to nag – a word which means “to irritate a person with persistent fault finding or continuous urging”, I would simply note that the actor’s words were in the form of an appeal, and neither persistent nor continuous. I have my doubts that speaking on a public matter to a public figure in a public space is rude.
Donna, if the entertainment industry is controlled by liberals, then it is because the public buys what liberals produce. ‘Hamilton’ started as an off-Broadway show, but it was moved onto Broadway when the tickets kept selling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
@ 1:56. Interesting map.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chas, This is at least the second Presidential election in a row where every single county in Oklahoma voted Republican.
LikeLike
The whole ‘booing at Mike Pence’ thing has been a little blown out of proportion I think. And there would have been nothing wrong with Mr. Pence giving a polite gesture and leaving in the middle of it if he wished. No need to be held captive. But the actor seemed polite and not really offensive.
It was not like the occasion when Pres Obama was giving the State of the Union speech, and one congressman (don’t remember who just now) shouted out “You lie!” . That dubious interruption was an atrocity or an act or courage depending on who you talked to afterwards. Anyway, I’m pretty sure Pence is mature enough to weather petty indignities or inconveniences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Umm Ricky, about that map you posted….the boot toe of Texas looks bluer than New England! What’s up with that??? :–?
LikeLike
Now this is interesting, all the more so because it’s from the very unlikely state of Connecticut.
http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-elllington-unemployment-fraud-arrests-1119-20161118-story.html
LikeLike
Debra, I don’t think our Mexicans like Trump.
LikeLike
LikeLike
Another piece on the federal regulations:
http://dailysignal.com/2016/05/23/20642-new-regulations-added-in-the-obama-presidency/
LikeLike
The county voting map Ricky posted is interesting. To find a major city in the USA just look for islands of blue, the red is mostly empty space and small towns. The interesting parts are the areas that do not conform to the rule. You can locate Indian Reservations by finding blue in what should be red (the Dakotas, etc) Along the Mississippi and then horizontally through Alabama and Mississippi is a patch of blue counties — the black belt. Wyoming features one blue country — Jackson Hole/Yellowstone. In northern Minnesota, the Iron Range, we see the long term effects of allowing Swedish immigration.
Yes, Pence was booed at the theatre — could be worse as Lincoln would say. Honestly, what did he expect from New Yorkers? Those are incredibly hard tickets to get and for an out of towner to just waltz in and grab prime seats, you can see why they booed. As for the short speech after wards…..If Trump/Pence don’t develop a thicker skin, we’re in for a long ride.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What I expect when I go to a theater, or performance is simple.
I expect the show to be conducted professionally.
I expect the audience to act as though they are watching a serious presentation.
If I want a conservative lecture I go to FoxNews.
If I want a liberal view of things, I would go to MSNBC, CNN, etc..
Rush says part of the NFL viewing downturn is the liberal political commentary of the sports announcers. I wouldn’t know. I don’t watch professional sports. But I have absolutely no interest on the political views of a sports announcer and respect him less for stating them.
Just do your job.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a simplistic view of the US. But I’ll bet Hillary thought the same thing.
LikeLike
HRW got me looking at that map a little more closely. Like he said, Houston (Harris County),
Dallas (Dallas County), San Antonio (Bexar County) are blue as are Travis County (Austin) and El Paso County (El Paso). That makes Tarrant County (my home which contains most of Fort Worth) the most populous Republican county in the state with 1,850,000 residents. We have to be one of the most populous Republican counties in the nation. I need to check on my Okie friends.
LikeLike
Wow. When I went to the most recent data, Tarrant County now has 1,982,000 residents. Oklahoma County (Oklahoma City) is Republican and has 700,000+ residents. HRW, Southern suburban counties are very red and they are growing fast. My son lives in Denton County (now 800,000 people) and just to the east is Collin County (now 900,000). Those two counties are almost as white as Iceland and much more Republican than Kansas.
LikeLike
HRW, You nailed it.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas
Here are the largest metropolitan areas listed in order of population. It looks to me like you have to get to Phoenix at #12 before you find a metropolitan area that doesn’t have at least one Democratic County.
LikeLike
Pence responded the “lecture” well in remarks later. Trump, who re-discovered Twitter, did not.
Take the high road. It won’t be the first time they’ll be in for that kind of public calling out, if you will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DJ, My feeling about Trump’s reaction and Pence’s reaction (to the nagging) was the same as yours. However, I am finally figuring out that most conservatives and ALL Trumpkins like it when Trump fires back. It doesn’t really matter if it is Hillary, the New Yotk Times, the once-chubby Miss Universe or the Gold Star parents, many Americans are ready for a Republican who will always fight back.
LikeLike
One of my liberal friends shared an article that said something like “those who say that the coastal elite are in a bubble & need to understand the rest of the country have it backward; it is rural America that is in a bubble.”
The comments on my friend’s Facebook post were about how ignorant & racist rural & middle America are. Although they had a point in saying that much of that area of the country is not as ethnically diverse as the big cities & coasts, they were still saying exactly the kinds of things that so many essays & blog posts are saying got them into trouble in the first place.
They seem to be tone deaf. They are not listening to the voices crying out for understanding, crying out to not be labeled racist & ignorant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That same friend shared this thing (she didn’t write it) that tells me we are in for more contention. . .
“I listened as they called my President a Muslim.
I listened as they called him and his family a pack of monkeys.
I listened as they said he wasn’t born here.
I watched as they blocked every single path to progress that they could.
I saw the pictures of him as Hitler.
I watched them shut down the government and hurt the entire nation twice.
I watched them turn their backs on every opportunity to open worthwhile dialog.
I watched them say that they would not even listen to any choice for Supreme Court no matter who the nominee was.
I listened as they openly said that they will oppose him at every turn.
I watched as they did just that.
I listened.
I watched.
I paid attention.
Now, I’m being called on to be tolerant.
To move forward.
To denounce protesters.
To “Get over it.”
To accept this…
I will not.
I will do my part to make sure this great American mistake becomes the embarrassing footnote of our history that it deserves to be.
I will do this as quickly as possible every chance I get.
I will do my part to limit the damage that this man can do to my country.
I will watch his every move and point out every single mistake and misdeed in a loud and proud voice.
I will let you know in a loud voice every time this man backs away from a promise he made to them.
Them. The people who voted for him.
The ones who sold their souls and prayed for him to win.
I will do this so that they never forget.
And they will hear me.
They will see it in my eyes when I look at them.
They will hear it in my voice when I talk to them.
They will know that I know who they are.
They will know that I know what they are.
Do not call for my tolerance. I’ve tolerated all I can.
Now it’s their turn to tolerate ridicule.
Be aware, make no mistake about it, every single thing that goes wrong in our country from this day forward is now Trump’s fault just as much as they thought it was Obama’s.
I find it unreasonable for them to expect from me what they were entirely unwilling to give.”
#TheResistance”
LikeLike
Oh, yes. Blame others for your actions. It seems the thing to do these days. So much for the golden rule.
Not sure what to make of the comment about the Iron Range and the long term effect of allowing Swedish immigration. Perhaps you could enlighten this Iron Ranger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An interesting case study;
If you look at a “purple America map” its even more interesting. Most places in America are a shade of purple not red or blue but a winner takes all system doesn’t allow for nuance. In a purple map of the 2012 election the most contrast occurs between a sold blue large city and a solid red exurbs/suburban ring around it. Atlanta is particularly good for that contrast.
The Iron Range is north eastern Minnesota along Lake Superior which has a large Swedish immigrant population from 100 years ago and large union/Democratic tradition. Sweden is famous for its social democratic traditions hence the reference to the effects of Swedish immigration.
The left makes a good case that Republicans never accepted Obama as the president hence why should they accept Trump (who has less legitimacy given his lack of popular vote)? Given the Republican behaviour for the last eight years, it was almost a given that many Democrats would see no reason to cooperate with a republican president.
LikeLike
If the liberals could stop whining and nagging, there is good news for them in this tweet.
Trump HAS always had a good relationship with Chuck Schumer, one of the most liberal members of the Senate.
Schumer IS much smarter than Harry Reid – smart enough to wrap Trump around his finger and get Trump that favorable coverage in the New York media that Trump craves (by doing liberal things).
This is NOT good news. Anything Schumer “gets done” will make things worse.
LikeLike
Ah, and someone agrees with me.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/11/mike-pence-takes-the-high-road.php
_________________________________
First, members of the audience booed Pence when he and his family took their seats. Then, when the performance was over and the Pences were exiting, a member of the cast read a harangue against Donald Trump, on behalf of the cast, that was addressed to the vice president-elect.
In response, Trump went on Twitter to denounce the cast’s partisan ambush. He wrote:
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing. This should not happen!
I agree with Trump, and may have more to say on the subject.
To me, however, Pence’s response on Twitter was more impressive.
“I nudged my kids and reminded them, ‘That’s what freedom sounds like.’ ”
Well played, Mr. Pence. …
___________________________________
LikeLiked by 4 people
To the many things the Trump administration in waiting has made cool again, add private businesses refusing service to customers based on moral objections.
http://thefederalist.com/2016/11/18/refusing-serve-customers-dont-agree-suddenly-cool/
LikeLiked by 1 person