There’s a lot to discuss about last night. The “new” Republican Party certainly had a new style of convention, that’s for sure.
I was most touched by President Trump’s honoring of the other victims of his assassination attempt. I was also a little shocked to hear that they have already raised over 6 million for the victims families. I hadn’t heard that reported in the news up until now. It’s little consolation for those grieving at this point, but it should make things better for the survivors and the the dead man’s families in the future.
Say what you will about him, but the man cares about people. He showed that last night.
“BREAKING: The largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children engaged in sexual abuse and harassment of children in its care, the Justice Department says.”
“I’m hearing reports all over social media that the woman behind Trump on Saturday who pulled out her phone instead of taking cover is Assistant FBI Director Janeen DiGuiseppi.If this is true, I have many more questions!”
“Chaos in Leeds as migrants set the city ablaze. Is this what open borders look like?”
—–
“War-like scenes tonight in Harehills, Leeds, England as migrant rioters carried out hours of attacks as retribution for child protection social workers and police responding to a home.”
Trumps speech was way too long, IMO. Like many sermons in church, it could have been shortened and tightened up. It probably was in the written speech and without his many adlibs. Often succinct speech is better remembered in the long run. There is also less for your opponent to use as ammunition.
2 CARRY OUT THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY
3 END INFLATION, AND MAKE AMERICA AFFORDABLE AGAIN
4 MAKE AMERICA THE DOMINANT ENERGY PRODUCER IN THE WORLD, BY FAR!
5 STOP OUTSOURCING, AND TURN THE UNITED STATES INTO MANUFACTURING SUPERPOWER
6 LARGE TAX CUTS FOR WORKERS, AND NO TAX ON TIPS!
7 DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR BILL OF RIGHTS, AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
8 PREVENT WORLD WAR THREE, RESTORE PEACE IN EUROPE AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND BUILD A GREAT IRON DOME MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD OVER OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY — ALL MADE IN AMERICA
9 END THE WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
10 STOP THE MIGRANT CRIME EPIDEMIC, DEMOLISH THE FOREIGN DRUG CARTELS, CRUSH GANG VIOLENCE, AND LOCK UP VIOLENT OFFENDERS
11 REBUILD OUR CITIES, INCLUDING WASHINGTON DC, MAKING THEM SAFE, CLEAN, AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN.
12 STRENGTHEN AND MODERNIZE OUR MILITARY, MAKING IT, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE STRONGEST AND MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD
13 KEEP THE U.S. DOLLAR AS THE WORLD’S RESERVE CURRENCY
14 FIGHT FOR AND PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WITH NO CUTS, INCLUDING NO CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT AGE
15 CANCEL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE AND CUT COSTLY AND BURDENSOME REGULATIONS
16 CUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPRORIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN
17 KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS
18 DEPORT PRO-HAMAS RADICALS AND MAKE OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES SAFE AND PATRIOTIC AGAIN
19 SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SAME DAY VOTING, VOTER IDENTIFICATION, PAPER BALLOTS, AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
20 UNITE OUR COUNTRY BY BRINGING IT TO NEW AND RECORD LEVELS OF SUCCESS”
——–
The Republican Party’s new detailed platform is available at the link as well.
“Whistleblowers tell me that MOST of Trump’s security detail working the event last Saturday were not even Secret Service. DHS assigned unprepared and inexperienced personnel”
“BREAKING: Senator Josh Hawley says whistleblowers have come forward, alleges the Biden DHS assigned “unprepared and inexperienced personnel” to Trump who weren’t even Secret Service.
“Whistleblowers who have direct knowledge of the event have approached my office. According to the allegations, the July 13 rally was considered to be a loose’ security event,” Hawley said in a letter to Mayorkas.
“For example, detection canines were not used to monitor entry and detect threats in the usual manner. Individuals without proper designations were able to gain access to backstage areas.”
“Department personnel did not appropriately police the security buffer around the podium and were also not stationed at regular intervals around the event’s security perimeter.”
“In addition, whistleblower allegations suggest the majority of DHS officials were not in fact USSS agents but instead drawn from the department’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).”
“This is especially concerning given that HSI agents were unfamiliar with standard protocols typically used at these types of events, according to the allegations.”
“Regarding Trump’s speech, I I think the hyper-critical need to settle down a little bit. Trump’s post-trauma testimony was that he changed. Those closest to him corroborated it. His supporters believed it. And it is real. But transformative incidents aren’t personality-snatchers.
A further consensus is that the first part, maybe the first half of Trump’s speech was moving, profound, reflective and might signal a different Trump altogether. But as he continued I would suspect few present at the convention were annoyed that he kept going.
I also sense that many of his supporters watching on TV were very pleased but at a certain point, even though we were forewarned of the possible length, started to get a little nervous for him — not annoyance with him, but rooting for him to wrap it up reasonably soon to ensure that he wouldn’t lose the magic. But they were mostly still riveted by the substance, which in my opinion was specific and powerful, even if sometimes rambling.
This man is manifestly in command of the facts and the issues and when he went off prompter you could tell that he truly gets it — the damage Joe Biden and his handlers have done to America, and his genuine patriotic grief over this destruction. And Trump couldn’t resist telling us how he was going to dismantle this metastatic government and drain the poison from our system.
To assure the nervous well-wishers, let me say that Trump did show he had changed. His description of the life-changing, near death experience could not be faked, and people intrinsically know it was sincere and that it has changed Trump — all for the better.
But we have to understand something else. Trump is irrepressible and that will never change. It’s part of his DNA that no divine transformation will turn him into an entirely different human being. God is not going to gut him of his uniqueness.
If we’ve learned anything about Trump over the last near-decade it’s that his lifeblood is the country he loves and the people who support him. There is a mutual love bond. He feels it; he’s energized by it; it is contagious and it trickles down into the entire party and into the American body politic at large. Without it, the incredibly explosive convention the entire four days leading up to Trump’s culminating speech would not have been infused with the positive energy it was. The convention might have been a dud.
Some understandably hoped that Trump would shock everyone by issuing a profound sober address that would leave people reeling with awe and that he might then leave the stage and take the win — that would have been an easy one to knock out of the park and with little risk. But, again, Trump is Trump.
And what I think happened is that despite plans he might have had to follow probably advice that he do just that, he started feeling that energy from people who love him — and who love him now even more than they did before the shooting. He was pulsating with this energy, it radiated to the audience and it came right back to him tenfold.
At that point Trump couldn’t resist reverting to self — his humor and his entertainment mode — and a detailed explanation — a laundry list, if you will — of what Biden has done to this country, specifically, and how he panned to fix it — specifically.
What I think you saw last night was a love-fest and Donald Trump, precisely because he was genuinely affected from the assassination attempt and the outpouring of love from his supporters — genuine American patriots, not kooks, not cult members, not idolators — was compelled to continue because he simply couldn’t get enough of the intoxicating experience. It was an orgy of optimism.
I think some of the critics might be projecting a bit, thinking their annoyance at the length of the speech was shared by way more people than it actually was. People might have preferred that it end before it did, but they were not annoyed and I truly don’t believe he lost many votes, if any, because of it.
In fact, considering the feelings of the audience, I think it might be a good thing in part that he continued and showed his personal side even more, validating what his family, friends, and others had said about him throughout this week.
We saw an intimately personal and lovable Trump last night. He wasn’t shrieking or bitter even as he described the disgusting, deliberate damage Biden has done to America. He was personally likable throughout. And I, for one, hope millions of Americans watching on TV saw the real human side of Trump, his humor, his charm, and his genuine love for America and absolute determination to fix it and the indomitable optimism he has that he is up to the job.
People who watched this might have heard for the first time, in graphic detail, a bill of particulars of the “crimes” Biden and his handlers have visited on America. Those in a news void might have been blown away by what they heard.
Because of my own optimism and my starvation for a monumental corrective and rebirth for America, I may be wrong about all of this but I sincerely doubt it. If Trump could ever get a pass, if there were ever an opportunity for grace being extended to him, it was last night, following the shooting.
The country is desperately sick of the assault on our nation. Americans are crying out for relief from the left’s internal revolution against our founding ideals and our Constitution and rule of law. Trump signaled in spades that he was up to the task of answering that call and he intended to implement revolutionary-level remedies — albeit lawful and constitutional ones, to right the ship of state.
So supporters who are worried that Trump may have squandered his good will and lost a golden opportunity, don’t let your hearts be troubled because he didn’t. (Again, sorry this post is as long as Trump’s speech).
Was the speech long? Yes. Let’s just extend grace to a man who almost lost his life! Sheesh…he was in a room filled with supporters. He processed his experience with them…and us. I am blessed to have close friends who love and accept me even when I ramble on and on about such and such…😊
I had eaten hamburger for dinner that acted like a sleeping pill and so as much as I had hoped to watch all of Trump’s speech, I missed probably half of it. I agree that it was too long, but I thought maybe he planned for that as a show of stamina in comparison to Biden as his opponent for the moment. And also in remembrance of the other presidential candidate in the past who continued speaking for a long time after being shot in the past. At the rally, Trump was whisked away and did not get opportunity to continue speaking so he made up for it last night, lol
Typically the acceptance speech offers party nominees a chance to reach out beyond one’s base, but I felt the sheer length and “rally-like” tone of this one didn’t accomplish that.
A lot of the audience that wasn’t all-in and already supporting him probably drifted off at some point. Just a missed opportunity in my view. A tight, disciplined speech that was 40-50 minutes would have served him better, in my view.
Not meant to be a criticism so much as a political critique from the back bench. 🙂
I just hung up on my liberal friend. A first. A discussion of Jan6 was what it was about. I can’t do these discussions. It breaks my heart. Why did we even go these? Silly us. We know better.
Yes, agree it was relevant and hopeful. I especially appreciated his mention of the ladies and girl who have died at the hands of the violent illegals.
As a long time Trump supporter, and one who noticed his compassion for the people years ago, the speech was long. A lot of unneeded repetition. A lot of good stuff and a lot of good humor. It all could have been said in under an hour, complete with emotion and humor and plan for the future.
But he was dealing with his own stuff and is over sixty so prone to meandering.
is it any wonder that he appeared a bit battered, like the Velvateen Rabbit? All the trials, gag orders, assassination attempt, trying to play catch up on lost campaign time, etc. You are so right to give him grace, Mumsee. I agree with what you said.
dj, I read your take on the speech, but I must say that it seems that quite a number of undecided folks have now committed to support Pres. Trump (though I suspect that it was a result of not only the speech, but also DJT’s immediate response after having experienced what he did on Saturday evening).
I keep hearing on the news how unified the party has shown to be but I’m not convinced. We saw Trump delegates appearing very unified and the convention was positive and upbeat, but in the general Republican population there are still a lot of NTers. We’ll have to see if Trump can win over the independents.
Ty, my sense is that a good number of those who were not big supporters of Trump or his ‘brand’ have decided to support the ticket — now that the general election is a done deal on the GOP side — but are holding it “loosely,” unlike the true believers who have loved Trump and were all in from the start.
There were a good number who cast votes for Haley in the primaries (even after she’d resigned) so the question being raised there is what about that group of voters and how will (or even will he) Trump try to reach out to that voting block.
A lot we don’t know — including who the Democrat nominee will even be, frankly — but it could (again) shake out to be a very close race in November.
I must be the only one who didn’t watch any of the convention live, just clips of Vance, his wife and Tucker—who were all very good. Trump is a decent speaker but I don’t have patience or time for the meandering. It sounds like the convention was much more unified and unifying than the 2016 convention. That’s a good direction. They will not be able to satisfy the people who want funding of endless wars, and they didn’t try. But I think they will energize the next generation of voters.
But I do think foreign policy needs a robust discussion and I’ve not heard that happen, there have been blinders on for that entire issue in Trump’s Republican Party (though Trump doesn’t seem to have an actual strong position from what I can tell). Foreign policy can’t (and shouldn’t) be ignored.
So the time will come for that, one hopes.
Going from one perceived extreme to another extreme isn’t a thoughtful response to what is a real-world challenge.
The new generation is, I believe, more realistic in that they can see they need jobs and they are less inclined to view foreign wars through the romantic lense of Reaganism. And I’m hopeful that God will have mercy on them and send revival for their souls .
Debra – You’re not alone. I didn’t watch it, either. 🙂
Re: Trump’s extemporaneous speaking – A Facebook friend (one of the more intelligent and thoughtful ones) insists that Trump’s streams of consciousness are a sign of dementia, but I don’t think so.
This FB friend has shared posts with chunks of Trump’s speeches typed out, and they do sound random and off-the-wall that way. But if you read them with his voice in your head, using inflections where he might, they make more sense, like someone just speaking off the top of his head, making it up as he goes along. Like chatting with someone, and the focus of what one was saying gets lost for a while.
Debra – (Forgot to include this above.) – In a couple or so pieces, I have read about young people in Gen Z (my grandson’s generation) being drawn to Bible-believing churches, wanting something different than what the world is throwing at them. I pray that this will indeed be a true move of God among the young, and that the generations before them will be caught up in that, too.
Kizzie, I hope and pray to live to see our young return to the Lord in large numbers. And our country (and the world) needs the resurgence that would bring. Can you imagine righteousness being exhalted rather than perversion or corruption or greed? I can. But I know that politics follows that movement rather than leads it. I’m hopeful we are seeing the nascent beginnings.
Like I said,some people will never be happy with Trump, no matter how well he represents the party.
Dj,
Those topics are typically discussed at debates, but I don’t think we’ll see another of those this cycle, and Tapper and Bash didn’t bring it up much in the first. But you can read more on what they plan in the new party platform in the link I posted above at 10:23, which goes into much more detail.
There seems to be this assumption out there that Trump will abandon Ukraine. I think that’s premature. Trump and Zelensky have a scheduled phone call in the coming days where Zelensky will be able to make his case.
I would prefer a president who negotiates a peace between the parties, and not one who abandons Ukraine or continues to just send them money and weaponry we don’t have to spare.
Peace isn’t hard. Biden egged Russia on by talking about adding Ukraine to NATO, something Russia was never gonna allow on their borders. Negotiating peace is as simple as assuring Russia they won’t do so. Russia is looking for an out at this point too. Then we can spend money helping Ukraine rebuild instead of ensuring further destruction, which is what our money and Involvement is doing now. Trump has said this is part of his plan.
Among other things, my “friend” blamed the assassination attempt on Trump’s rhetoric. She is back to spouting the typical Dem statements. I just feel done at this point. It was the regular old situation of asking about who might replace Biden from her perspective and it got turned around into a Trump and me bashing. A couple of days ago she sounded like she was giving Trump grace, but that did not last very long. Thankful God has provided other friends for me. Sad thing is that she has no other close friends. Politics helps one know who true friends are. And it does not have to be people on the same side of the fence. It just has to be people who don’t act like they have all the truth all the time and feel superior and bully the other person into a corner to take a beating for who they support. She needs to have some Dem friends, but they would not be there for someone who has many afflictions as she does. It is a sad, sad situation.
Now as important as that stuff is, it’s honestly a secondary concern to most Americans. We have so much to fix at home first. Crime, illegals invading, runaway inflation, the horrible state and results of our education system, jobs, taxes, insurance costs, and infrastructure.
That’s where Trump’s focus is, and should be. America first. Let’s clean up our own house first before we dictate to the world how they should clean up theirs. That’s what voters want to hear about, that’s where his focus is, and he told them his plan for a lot of it.
I saw kids, rock stars, the Hulkster, men, women, black, white, Asian, Indian, Ukrainian, you name it.
That’s big tent.
The only ones missing were the RINOs, who were sitting down the street complaining instead of joining the party. That’s there loss. They should realize the Rs could take back the Senate, keep the House, and get the presidency. Both Trump and Vance talked about disagreeing, but working to get things done with both sides contributing. There’s a real opportunity for that, and do a lot to fix America.
But for that to happen, Never Trumpers and RINOs need to swallow their pride and come into the tent too.
I’m not in favor of rebuilding Ukraine. American students cannot even discharge their loans in bankruptcy when they are down and out. Why should we bail strangers out when we resent bailing our own out? Fiscal hawks remind us endlessly how many trillions of dollars we are in debt.
How can we rebuild our own industrial base, fix our border and all of the other legitimate expenditures if we’re going into debt to send other countries money.
Now Debra I’m not saying the US alone should do it. It should be a worldwide effort. This type of foreign aid, help rebuilding a war torn area and refugees is legitimate type of aid in my opinion.
It also helps keep those who end up as refugees to, well let’s be honest, mostly America, remain at home.
This could also benefit the many US companies that do that kind of work as well.
A ‘big tent’ takes cooperation and building a coalition and has better chances to win elections. Practical.
Not seeing a lot of interest in that; for now, the Trump contingent sounds like it doesn’t need anyone, thank you, thinking it will rule forevermore.
It’s all temporary, smart to build alliances within parties. Everyone needs to give a little.
It’s kind of the way it all works here in the US. It also helps to avoid extremism. I’ve seen the New Left and now the New Right. Both leave out a whole lot of average folks.
Meanwhile, many of us (and there are a lot, trust me) continue to be politically homeless. So it is.
Now if we want to cut foreign aid, we should start with Israel. While they deserve our support of weaponry to defend themselves from the barbarians at the gates, they should be buying them from us. They’re a very rich country that can afford to do so. All cash aid should end as well.
Same goes for the outrageous amounts we give to the UN and NATO. We should pay what the rest of the world pays, no more.
Also end all useless DEI aid and other such useless types of funding to promote it in other areas. Same for funding that aids foreign countries with population control.
” … some people will never be happy with Trump … ” @5:25
I’d suggest we all have our “never (fill in the blank)” candidate. True? Singling out those opposed to Trump via our own convictions and principles is a wide miss of political reality.
It’s a campaign slogan (“never trumpers”) but it’s not approaching the issue (of choosing one candidate over another) logically or fairly, it’s a convenient slogan akin to name calling. Hoping we can do better than that?
From where I stand over here in the “new” right, which I feel a little old to be part of, the door is open.
Trump is an idea guy, he like’s to hear what others think. His first presidency showed he could work with the establishment types like McConnell and Graham. We have a conservative Supreme Court as a result. There is so much that’s agreed on in the party that’s there’s no reason we can’t get a lot done.
Vance is now the VP nominee. He’s a guy who has been critical of Trump the past. If you remember, Ricky was a fan of his book I believe. Vance was not a fan. But then he watched the first Trump presidency, saw his principles and beliefs pushed, his preferred version of economic policies, his foreign policy as well. He looked beyond the personality flaws of the man and saw a leader who got things done. Things he wanted done. That’s, I hate to use this lest some think I’m putting Trump I to God like status, but he was converted.
Trump’s got some rough edges, and some mean tweets, he is after all a filthy sinner like the rest of us. Eventually we have to forgive each other for the bad things we’ve done or none of us is safe from ridicule and scorn for the evils we’ve done. Grace, without it, we’d all be in a worse way. I think he’s earned it, and think some need to give him more.
He’s grown I think. Less name calling, no cross shouting out of turn at the debate. While his past personal indiscretions are well known and documented, those things are in the past. He isn’t the womanizing hound he once was, he’s a loving husband, good father, his kids are the stand up variety as well and love him dearly. Same goes for his grandkids. His family has given him grace and forgiveness for his past, we must too.
He recently had a near death experience as well. He was nearly assasinated Saturday and is in the crowd for the convention Monday. The man loves this country.
I also love this country. It’s the best place in the world to live. But things have been eroding quickly. Change is needed. I’m not projecting Obama either. 🙂 I and Trump know we need those NTers and RINOS to win and lock down the House and Senate. It’s time we put aside the differences we have and do what’s best for our country. We have way more in common with each other than we do with the values and policies of the current Democrat party. That’s a reality we share.
I think we’re all better off working together. No leader will please us all. We had 4 years of Trump in the past, we know things were much better with him in charge. Weak, feckless men make lousey leaders. He’s not one of them. I view him as America’s best chance at a comeback. That’s why I’m voting for him and hope everyone does.
If unity is to happen, moderates, NTers, RINOs are the ones who need to open the door of the tent and come on in. We welcome you, let’s get this guy and govt working for the betterment of us all.
Thank you @7:35, I appreciate that, I really do. I understand where that comes from and I know some trust and admire him.
I’m just not one of them and my sense about Trump goes deeper than the idea that he’s just done and said some sinful things, as we all have. I wish it were that simple (and that superficial).
I may be wrong, but what I perceive is something deeper.
It’s not just that Trump did some “sinful” things in his life. It feels more to the core than that to me, something that appears to go to his underlying character, a word that keeps coming up. I don’t trust him and I’m not sure what it would take to change that. I can’t see into his heart.
He strikes me, as my cousin once said, as not “a good man.” I realize that sounds judgmental. And I’m obviously making those judgements from afar, so I get that it is an imperfect conclusion and one that could be wrong.
But … I’m just left with that conviction (or at the very least, that strong suspicion) and it’s not one that allows me to support him.
I’ve voted for men who are questionable — politicians all, right? — but this situation has given me more of a “stop” than before with others. For now, it’s just a “here I stand” position that I can’t betray.
As for issues, I’m not at all comfortable with Trump’s affinity for Putin and what seems like a lack of foreign policy ideas (in lieu of making freelance ‘deals’ with those leaders as he’s moved, dictators or not, he ‘likes’).
He’s apparently said he will bring peace “to the world.” Well, I amazed at his self-confidence — but it’s classic Trump. It’s among any number of red flags I’ve heard and seen.
We all can take a swing and a miss (and a risk) in voting for these candidates. We can’t see into another person’s soul.
AJ, the multinational corporations that benefit from nation building and rebuilding are, in my opinion, a big part of the problem. It’s why we have so many wars. I don’t think we or NATO nations need to be responsible for rebuilding Ukraine. Russia has a built in incentive to rebuild it themselves as Russians are the largest minority in Ukraine and they share a border. And Ukraine was once a part of Russia. It is a normal and natural relationship, and I suspect it is one reason Russia has shown restraint and not used tactical nukes. Yes, Ukraine would no longer be on the table for NATO membership, but they never should have been in the first place, imo.
Don’t believe what others who hate him tell you about a man. Believe what his wife, children, and grandkids say. Believe what the people he’s helped without having to tell you. Ask the 3 families he’s just raised 6 million plus to help. He’s not the man the media protrays him to be. Does he have flaws? Certainly. We all do.
I don’t believe what others tell me about Trump. I’ve observed, I’ve read, and I have my own views — as much as is possible for someone I don’t know or can observe personally (and, btw, neither can you). We do not have “all knowledge” about another and politicians are especially wily creatures.
This election year will be extremely stressful for the nation and for all of us. I don’t think many are looking forward to it.
So my advice back to you supporters:
Keep your trust our God, don’t get carried away by the political hype and emotionalism. Stay grounded in what we know is the Truth. (Not politics, not Trump, not any other politician.) Retain a skepticism about all politicians, there is a method to their madness (that isn’t always hard to see). They all have ulterior motives, they are all ambitious to gain power. So beware of it all, don’t buy into the campaign speeches and promises, the rallies that carry so many away; know that this world is deeply flawed and always will be until Christ’s return.
But on an earthly plane we will be living in a nation that is divided, and an election won’t change that from the appearances now.
And that comes with the very real temptation to trust in chariots and horses and in our earthly ‘kings.’ I can see strong evidence now of that growing sentiment, including among believers. Just a caution that it will be part of the spirit of the age we all live in.
It’s evident on the blog, this earthly division; and it has gone so far as to impact our fellowship here on occasion.
Perhaps a carefulness with words, a more openness to other views without ridicule, questions and not angry comebacks would help going forward, but that’s up to each of us to keep in mind as we interact.
Dj perhaps it’s just me but I sense you tend to have little trust in the walk some of us have with the Lord. It is as though you look at us as non critical thinkers and extremely vulnerable to fall away from the calling of which our Lord has placed upon our lives. Just because we happen to view a candidate differently it does not call for a charge that we worship him nor that we place our hope in him and not in the Lord. . That has been spoken here by most of us but it doesn’t seem you believe it . I don’t need anyone’s approval and am not easily offended by someone’s judgement. It would be nice to not be viewed as a misguided non thinker but that’s ok if that is how you view me. Just an observation.
Well also, some personalities are more prone to worry and stress —even strong believers can fall prey to those things Some of the people I love and admire most are that way. So I know that sometimes we say things to remind and encourage ourselves more than anything.
I also think where you live makes a difference. If you are in an area where people are prone to violence when they don’t get their way, it is natural to deal with the temptation to worry and the natural stress that goes with.
Almost four years of failure. Whoever stands as the Dem nominee will have to answer to socialist policies which are being rejected in the USA and around the world.
Pres. Trump will end up defeating a sitting President and another Dem candidate in a single election cycle. Historically epic.
NJ, I’m sorry if I’ve come off that way. It wasn’t what I was implying, but please accept my apology.
We’re going through what is obviously an unprecedented and highly emotional election — and I do sense some strong enthusiasms for some candidates, so my words are only meant as a general caution that we all check ourselves and our tendency (and we all have this) to defend “our candidate” at all costs and to vilify the “other candidate” no matter what.
The truth isn’t usually that cut and dried.
Well, I’m not too long home from church but did hear Biden dropped out. This is an absolutely unprecedented campaign in my lifetime — and it’s not over yet.
And maybe I just have more of a skeptical outlook on politics generally, but I think there are nuances in all of this that make it all not always 100% black and white. I think it’s important to try to see and recognize that as believers while, of course, always knowing that God is sovereign over all of it — though we can’t see His reasons for many things that happen so we can’t presume those conclusions either.
Dj I do hope you do know my words were more of wonderment of what j perceived as my being uninformed. In no way was I attacking you just airing my thoughts kind of out loud. Thank you for your post. I do tend to over analyze at times but hold no ill will towards you. ❣️
Wandering Views 
There’s a lot to discuss about last night. The “new” Republican Party certainly had a new style of convention, that’s for sure.
I was most touched by President Trump’s honoring of the other victims of his assassination attempt. I was also a little shocked to hear that they have already raised over 6 million for the victims families. I hadn’t heard that reported in the news up until now. It’s little consolation for those grieving at this point, but it should make things better for the survivors and the the dead man’s families in the future.
Say what you will about him, but the man cares about people. He showed that last night.
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Indeed he does. I was struck by his noting that there was a lot of love in that room last night. It was so true!
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In other news, child trafficking ring gets exposed for what it is.
https://x.com/AP/status/1814011092491784525?t=D0jXfLpMJTMLInzwztO89w&s=19
“BREAKING: The largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children engaged in sexual abuse and harassment of children in its care, the Justice Department says.”
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Well that seems odd….
https://x.com/LangmanVince/status/1814277246334480627?t=tKLZfwtHoPjDwcZVV9LMIg&s=19
“I’m hearing reports all over social media that the woman behind Trump on Saturday who pulled out her phone instead of taking cover is Assistant FBI Director Janeen DiGuiseppi.If this is true, I have many more questions!”
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But muh democracy.. .
https://x.com/RichardGrenell/status/1814288607428874745?t=NkCNOhxf6v0LNN2PfzgGMg&s=19
“There was a primary election. Democrats voted. They picked Joe Biden.
The DC media must stop undermining democracy by giving aid and comfort to an elite switcheroo.”
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Meet Blue Anon, like Q Anon, only way bigger. I wonder if the people who wrung their hands about Q will do the same now?
https://x.com/AndrewKerrNC/status/1814063261555331236?t=u0mlblwI0tJnwHq-C72zHg&s=19
“NEW: 34 percent of registered Dems believe Trump staged his own assassination attempt on Saturday, according shock poll this week.
Democrats have a massive BlueAnon problem on their hands, and it’s far greater than QAnon ever was for the right.”
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Remember kids, diversity is our greatest strength. The UK is lost to the invading hordes.
https://x.com/ClownWorld_/status/1814111958280597694?t=xHjMILLyttmWeXE_cKCw0A&s=19
“Chaos in Leeds as migrants set the city ablaze. Is this what open borders look like?”
—–
“War-like scenes tonight in Harehills, Leeds, England as migrant rioters carried out hours of attacks as retribution for child protection social workers and police responding to a home.”
https://x.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1814071765183693024?t=YQcR_LcKWf5sqrfxyHdbhg&s=19
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Trumps speech was way too long, IMO. Like many sermons in church, it could have been shortened and tightened up. It probably was in the written speech and without his many adlibs. Often succinct speech is better remembered in the long run. There is also less for your opponent to use as ammunition.
These are interesting times, for sure.
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Don’t believe the media’s version of what Trump’s agenda will be. Get it from the source itself.
https://x.com/TeamTrump/status/1813693064436948995?t=KjSA1MiW9bb22PDXY0jBRw&s=19
“1 SEAL THE BORDER AND STOP THE MIGRANT INVASION
2 CARRY OUT THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY
3 END INFLATION, AND MAKE AMERICA AFFORDABLE AGAIN
4 MAKE AMERICA THE DOMINANT ENERGY PRODUCER IN THE WORLD, BY FAR!
5 STOP OUTSOURCING, AND TURN THE UNITED STATES INTO MANUFACTURING SUPERPOWER
6 LARGE TAX CUTS FOR WORKERS, AND NO TAX ON TIPS!
7 DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR BILL OF RIGHTS, AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
8 PREVENT WORLD WAR THREE, RESTORE PEACE IN EUROPE AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND BUILD A GREAT IRON DOME MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD OVER OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY — ALL MADE IN AMERICA
9 END THE WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
10 STOP THE MIGRANT CRIME EPIDEMIC, DEMOLISH THE FOREIGN DRUG CARTELS, CRUSH GANG VIOLENCE, AND LOCK UP VIOLENT OFFENDERS
11 REBUILD OUR CITIES, INCLUDING WASHINGTON DC, MAKING THEM SAFE, CLEAN, AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN.
12 STRENGTHEN AND MODERNIZE OUR MILITARY, MAKING IT, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE STRONGEST AND MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD
13 KEEP THE U.S. DOLLAR AS THE WORLD’S RESERVE CURRENCY
14 FIGHT FOR AND PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WITH NO CUTS, INCLUDING NO CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT AGE
15 CANCEL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE AND CUT COSTLY AND BURDENSOME REGULATIONS
16 CUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPRORIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN
17 KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS
18 DEPORT PRO-HAMAS RADICALS AND MAKE OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES SAFE AND PATRIOTIC AGAIN
19 SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SAME DAY VOTING, VOTER IDENTIFICATION, PAPER BALLOTS, AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
20 UNITE OUR COUNTRY BY BRINGING IT TO NEW AND RECORD LEVELS OF SUCCESS”
——–
The Republican Party’s new detailed platform is available at the link as well.
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“Whistleblowers tell me that MOST of Trump’s security detail working the event last Saturday were not even Secret Service. DHS assigned unprepared and inexperienced personnel”
https://x.com/HawleyMO/status/1814278991605350726?t=VsbZuzMdLF2Pbvt65l9AEQ&s=19
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More….
People need to be fired.
https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1814304000931758225?t=EEb91JA2x8av7cIxIsFnSA&s=19
“BREAKING: Senator Josh Hawley says whistleblowers have come forward, alleges the Biden DHS assigned “unprepared and inexperienced personnel” to Trump who weren’t even Secret Service.
“Whistleblowers who have direct knowledge of the event have approached my office. According to the allegations, the July 13 rally was considered to be a loose’ security event,” Hawley said in a letter to Mayorkas.
“For example, detection canines were not used to monitor entry and detect threats in the usual manner. Individuals without proper designations were able to gain access to backstage areas.”
“Department personnel did not appropriately police the security buffer around the podium and were also not stationed at regular intervals around the event’s security perimeter.”
“In addition, whistleblower allegations suggest the majority of DHS officials were not in fact USSS agents but instead drawn from the department’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).”
“This is especially concerning given that HSI agents were unfamiliar with standard protocols typically used at these types of events, according to the allegations.”
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Well said, even if it’s nearly as long as Trump’s speech. 😁
https://x.com/DavidLimbaugh/status/1814298928096883046?t=x6ZdJg-G9uYzGVefdPm3dQ&s=19
“Regarding Trump’s speech, I I think the hyper-critical need to settle down a little bit. Trump’s post-trauma testimony was that he changed. Those closest to him corroborated it. His supporters believed it. And it is real. But transformative incidents aren’t personality-snatchers.
A further consensus is that the first part, maybe the first half of Trump’s speech was moving, profound, reflective and might signal a different Trump altogether. But as he continued I would suspect few present at the convention were annoyed that he kept going.
I also sense that many of his supporters watching on TV were very pleased but at a certain point, even though we were forewarned of the possible length, started to get a little nervous for him — not annoyance with him, but rooting for him to wrap it up reasonably soon to ensure that he wouldn’t lose the magic. But they were mostly still riveted by the substance, which in my opinion was specific and powerful, even if sometimes rambling.
This man is manifestly in command of the facts and the issues and when he went off prompter you could tell that he truly gets it — the damage Joe Biden and his handlers have done to America, and his genuine patriotic grief over this destruction. And Trump couldn’t resist telling us how he was going to dismantle this metastatic government and drain the poison from our system.
To assure the nervous well-wishers, let me say that Trump did show he had changed. His description of the life-changing, near death experience could not be faked, and people intrinsically know it was sincere and that it has changed Trump — all for the better.
But we have to understand something else. Trump is irrepressible and that will never change. It’s part of his DNA that no divine transformation will turn him into an entirely different human being. God is not going to gut him of his uniqueness.
If we’ve learned anything about Trump over the last near-decade it’s that his lifeblood is the country he loves and the people who support him. There is a mutual love bond. He feels it; he’s energized by it; it is contagious and it trickles down into the entire party and into the American body politic at large. Without it, the incredibly explosive convention the entire four days leading up to Trump’s culminating speech would not have been infused with the positive energy it was. The convention might have been a dud.
Some understandably hoped that Trump would shock everyone by issuing a profound sober address that would leave people reeling with awe and that he might then leave the stage and take the win — that would have been an easy one to knock out of the park and with little risk. But, again, Trump is Trump.
And what I think happened is that despite plans he might have had to follow probably advice that he do just that, he started feeling that energy from people who love him — and who love him now even more than they did before the shooting. He was pulsating with this energy, it radiated to the audience and it came right back to him tenfold.
At that point Trump couldn’t resist reverting to self — his humor and his entertainment mode — and a detailed explanation — a laundry list, if you will — of what Biden has done to this country, specifically, and how he panned to fix it — specifically.
What I think you saw last night was a love-fest and Donald Trump, precisely because he was genuinely affected from the assassination attempt and the outpouring of love from his supporters — genuine American patriots, not kooks, not cult members, not idolators — was compelled to continue because he simply couldn’t get enough of the intoxicating experience. It was an orgy of optimism.
I think some of the critics might be projecting a bit, thinking their annoyance at the length of the speech was shared by way more people than it actually was. People might have preferred that it end before it did, but they were not annoyed and I truly don’t believe he lost many votes, if any, because of it.
In fact, considering the feelings of the audience, I think it might be a good thing in part that he continued and showed his personal side even more, validating what his family, friends, and others had said about him throughout this week.
We saw an intimately personal and lovable Trump last night. He wasn’t shrieking or bitter even as he described the disgusting, deliberate damage Biden has done to America. He was personally likable throughout. And I, for one, hope millions of Americans watching on TV saw the real human side of Trump, his humor, his charm, and his genuine love for America and absolute determination to fix it and the indomitable optimism he has that he is up to the job.
People who watched this might have heard for the first time, in graphic detail, a bill of particulars of the “crimes” Biden and his handlers have visited on America. Those in a news void might have been blown away by what they heard.
Because of my own optimism and my starvation for a monumental corrective and rebirth for America, I may be wrong about all of this but I sincerely doubt it. If Trump could ever get a pass, if there were ever an opportunity for grace being extended to him, it was last night, following the shooting.
The country is desperately sick of the assault on our nation. Americans are crying out for relief from the left’s internal revolution against our founding ideals and our Constitution and rule of law. Trump signaled in spades that he was up to the task of answering that call and he intended to implement revolutionary-level remedies — albeit lawful and constitutional ones, to right the ship of state.
So supporters who are worried that Trump may have squandered his good will and lost a golden opportunity, don’t let your hearts be troubled because he didn’t. (Again, sorry this post is as long as Trump’s speech).
God bless America.”
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One commentator said it was “the longest speech in the history of speeches” which made me laugh.
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(that was me, *dj)
First 30-40 minutes were fine, but then …
Campaigning goes better when some personal discipline can be applied. 🙂
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Well some people will be critical no matter what I guess….
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Was the speech long? Yes. Let’s just extend grace to a man who almost lost his life! Sheesh…he was in a room filled with supporters. He processed his experience with them…and us. I am blessed to have close friends who love and accept me even when I ramble on and on about such and such…😊
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Come on, @11:16 — you can say it — it was really, really long
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Oh it was, but if that’s the only complaint, I’d say he nailed it.
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I had eaten hamburger for dinner that acted like a sleeping pill and so as much as I had hoped to watch all of Trump’s speech, I missed probably half of it. I agree that it was too long, but I thought maybe he planned for that as a show of stamina in comparison to Biden as his opponent for the moment. And also in remembrance of the other presidential candidate in the past who continued speaking for a long time after being shot in the past. At the rally, Trump was whisked away and did not get opportunity to continue speaking so he made up for it last night, lol
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isn’t it fun that we all have different takes on it?
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Typically the acceptance speech offers party nominees a chance to reach out beyond one’s base, but I felt the sheer length and “rally-like” tone of this one didn’t accomplish that.
A lot of the audience that wasn’t all-in and already supporting him probably drifted off at some point. Just a missed opportunity in my view. A tight, disciplined speech that was 40-50 minutes would have served him better, in my view.
Not meant to be a criticism so much as a political critique from the back bench. 🙂
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Even though it was long the content was relevant and hopeful! 😊
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I just hung up on my liberal friend. A first. A discussion of Jan6 was what it was about. I can’t do these discussions. It breaks my heart. Why did we even go these? Silly us. We know better.
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Yes, agree it was relevant and hopeful. I especially appreciated his mention of the ladies and girl who have died at the hands of the violent illegals.
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Ty, if you’re here today, I answered your question on last night’s political thread.
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As a long time Trump supporter, and one who noticed his compassion for the people years ago, the speech was long. A lot of unneeded repetition. A lot of good stuff and a lot of good humor. It all could have been said in under an hour, complete with emotion and humor and plan for the future.
But he was dealing with his own stuff and is over sixty so prone to meandering.
Well done. I appreciated the fireman’s jacket.
mumsee
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is it any wonder that he appeared a bit battered, like the Velvateen Rabbit? All the trials, gag orders, assassination attempt, trying to play catch up on lost campaign time, etc. You are so right to give him grace, Mumsee. I agree with what you said.
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dj, I read your take on the speech, but I must say that it seems that quite a number of undecided folks have now committed to support Pres. Trump (though I suspect that it was a result of not only the speech, but also DJT’s immediate response after having experienced what he did on Saturday evening).
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In addition, so many people have said that this past week in Milwaukee was the best political convention they have ever attended.
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I keep hearing on the news how unified the party has shown to be but I’m not convinced. We saw Trump delegates appearing very unified and the convention was positive and upbeat, but in the general Republican population there are still a lot of NTers. We’ll have to see if Trump can win over the independents.
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Ty, my sense is that a good number of those who were not big supporters of Trump or his ‘brand’ have decided to support the ticket — now that the general election is a done deal on the GOP side — but are holding it “loosely,” unlike the true believers who have loved Trump and were all in from the start.
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Many of those are party people — they may not like the way this has gone, but they support the party in November come what may.
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There were a good number who cast votes for Haley in the primaries (even after she’d resigned) so the question being raised there is what about that group of voters and how will (or even will he) Trump try to reach out to that voting block.
A lot we don’t know — including who the Democrat nominee will even be, frankly — but it could (again) shake out to be a very close race in November.
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I must be the only one who didn’t watch any of the convention live, just clips of Vance, his wife and Tucker—who were all very good. Trump is a decent speaker but I don’t have patience or time for the meandering. It sounds like the convention was much more unified and unifying than the 2016 convention. That’s a good direction. They will not be able to satisfy the people who want funding of endless wars, and they didn’t try. But I think they will energize the next generation of voters.
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But I do think foreign policy needs a robust discussion and I’ve not heard that happen, there have been blinders on for that entire issue in Trump’s Republican Party (though Trump doesn’t seem to have an actual strong position from what I can tell). Foreign policy can’t (and shouldn’t) be ignored.
So the time will come for that, one hopes.
Going from one perceived extreme to another extreme isn’t a thoughtful response to what is a real-world challenge.
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A new generation of voters will quickly find they can’t escape dealing with those issues.
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The new generation is, I believe, more realistic in that they can see they need jobs and they are less inclined to view foreign wars through the romantic lense of Reaganism. And I’m hopeful that God will have mercy on them and send revival for their souls .
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Debra – You’re not alone. I didn’t watch it, either. 🙂
Re: Trump’s extemporaneous speaking – A Facebook friend (one of the more intelligent and thoughtful ones) insists that Trump’s streams of consciousness are a sign of dementia, but I don’t think so.
This FB friend has shared posts with chunks of Trump’s speeches typed out, and they do sound random and off-the-wall that way. But if you read them with his voice in your head, using inflections where he might, they make more sense, like someone just speaking off the top of his head, making it up as he goes along. Like chatting with someone, and the focus of what one was saying gets lost for a while.
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Debra – (Forgot to include this above.) – In a couple or so pieces, I have read about young people in Gen Z (my grandson’s generation) being drawn to Bible-believing churches, wanting something different than what the world is throwing at them. I pray that this will indeed be a true move of God among the young, and that the generations before them will be caught up in that, too.
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Kizzie, I hope and pray to live to see our young return to the Lord in large numbers. And our country (and the world) needs the resurgence that would bring. Can you imagine righteousness being exhalted rather than perversion or corruption or greed? I can. But I know that politics follows that movement rather than leads it. I’m hopeful we are seeing the nascent beginnings.
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“NEW: The FBI says the woman behind Trump during his PA rally is *not* FBI assistant director Janeen DiGuiseppi”
https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1814407048442139032?t=h2jCt3rWChfzNCYxf8qKlA&s=19
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Like I said,some people will never be happy with Trump, no matter how well he represents the party.
Dj,
Those topics are typically discussed at debates, but I don’t think we’ll see another of those this cycle, and Tapper and Bash didn’t bring it up much in the first. But you can read more on what they plan in the new party platform in the link I posted above at 10:23, which goes into much more detail.
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On that foreign policy issue…
There seems to be this assumption out there that Trump will abandon Ukraine. I think that’s premature. Trump and Zelensky have a scheduled phone call in the coming days where Zelensky will be able to make his case.
I would prefer a president who negotiates a peace between the parties, and not one who abandons Ukraine or continues to just send them money and weaponry we don’t have to spare.
Peace isn’t hard. Biden egged Russia on by talking about adding Ukraine to NATO, something Russia was never gonna allow on their borders. Negotiating peace is as simple as assuring Russia they won’t do so. Russia is looking for an out at this point too. Then we can spend money helping Ukraine rebuild instead of ensuring further destruction, which is what our money and Involvement is doing now. Trump has said this is part of his plan.
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Among other things, my “friend” blamed the assassination attempt on Trump’s rhetoric. She is back to spouting the typical Dem statements. I just feel done at this point. It was the regular old situation of asking about who might replace Biden from her perspective and it got turned around into a Trump and me bashing. A couple of days ago she sounded like she was giving Trump grace, but that did not last very long. Thankful God has provided other friends for me. Sad thing is that she has no other close friends. Politics helps one know who true friends are. And it does not have to be people on the same side of the fence. It just has to be people who don’t act like they have all the truth all the time and feel superior and bully the other person into a corner to take a beating for who they support. She needs to have some Dem friends, but they would not be there for someone who has many afflictions as she does. It is a sad, sad situation.
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Now as important as that stuff is, it’s honestly a secondary concern to most Americans. We have so much to fix at home first. Crime, illegals invading, runaway inflation, the horrible state and results of our education system, jobs, taxes, insurance costs, and infrastructure.
That’s where Trump’s focus is, and should be. America first. Let’s clean up our own house first before we dictate to the world how they should clean up theirs. That’s what voters want to hear about, that’s where his focus is, and he told them his plan for a lot of it.
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As for the “big tent” idea….
I saw kids, rock stars, the Hulkster, men, women, black, white, Asian, Indian, Ukrainian, you name it.
That’s big tent.
The only ones missing were the RINOs, who were sitting down the street complaining instead of joining the party. That’s there loss. They should realize the Rs could take back the Senate, keep the House, and get the presidency. Both Trump and Vance talked about disagreeing, but working to get things done with both sides contributing. There’s a real opportunity for that, and do a lot to fix America.
But for that to happen, Never Trumpers and RINOs need to swallow their pride and come into the tent too.
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I’m not in favor of rebuilding Ukraine. American students cannot even discharge their loans in bankruptcy when they are down and out. Why should we bail strangers out when we resent bailing our own out? Fiscal hawks remind us endlessly how many trillions of dollars we are in debt.
How can we rebuild our own industrial base, fix our border and all of the other legitimate expenditures if we’re going into debt to send other countries money.
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Now Debra I’m not saying the US alone should do it. It should be a worldwide effort. This type of foreign aid, help rebuilding a war torn area and refugees is legitimate type of aid in my opinion.
It also helps keep those who end up as refugees to, well let’s be honest, mostly America, remain at home.
This could also benefit the many US companies that do that kind of work as well.
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A ‘big tent’ takes cooperation and building a coalition and has better chances to win elections. Practical.
Not seeing a lot of interest in that; for now, the Trump contingent sounds like it doesn’t need anyone, thank you, thinking it will rule forevermore.
It’s all temporary, smart to build alliances within parties. Everyone needs to give a little.
It’s kind of the way it all works here in the US. It also helps to avoid extremism. I’ve seen the New Left and now the New Right. Both leave out a whole lot of average folks.
Meanwhile, many of us (and there are a lot, trust me) continue to be politically homeless. So it is.
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From where I stand, both the left and the right have gone overboard. But this, too, shall pass, if God be merciful.
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Now if we want to cut foreign aid, we should start with Israel. While they deserve our support of weaponry to defend themselves from the barbarians at the gates, they should be buying them from us. They’re a very rich country that can afford to do so. All cash aid should end as well.
Same goes for the outrageous amounts we give to the UN and NATO. We should pay what the rest of the world pays, no more.
Also end all useless DEI aid and other such useless types of funding to promote it in other areas. Same for funding that aids foreign countries with population control.
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” … some people will never be happy with Trump … ” @5:25
I’d suggest we all have our “never (fill in the blank)” candidate. True? Singling out those opposed to Trump via our own convictions and principles is a wide miss of political reality.
It’s a campaign slogan (“never trumpers”) but it’s not approaching the issue (of choosing one candidate over another) logically or fairly, it’s a convenient slogan akin to name calling. Hoping we can do better than that?
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Dj,
From where I stand over here in the “new” right, which I feel a little old to be part of, the door is open.
Trump is an idea guy, he like’s to hear what others think. His first presidency showed he could work with the establishment types like McConnell and Graham. We have a conservative Supreme Court as a result. There is so much that’s agreed on in the party that’s there’s no reason we can’t get a lot done.
Vance is now the VP nominee. He’s a guy who has been critical of Trump the past. If you remember, Ricky was a fan of his book I believe. Vance was not a fan. But then he watched the first Trump presidency, saw his principles and beliefs pushed, his preferred version of economic policies, his foreign policy as well. He looked beyond the personality flaws of the man and saw a leader who got things done. Things he wanted done. That’s, I hate to use this lest some think I’m putting Trump I to God like status, but he was converted.
Trump’s got some rough edges, and some mean tweets, he is after all a filthy sinner like the rest of us. Eventually we have to forgive each other for the bad things we’ve done or none of us is safe from ridicule and scorn for the evils we’ve done. Grace, without it, we’d all be in a worse way. I think he’s earned it, and think some need to give him more.
He’s grown I think. Less name calling, no cross shouting out of turn at the debate. While his past personal indiscretions are well known and documented, those things are in the past. He isn’t the womanizing hound he once was, he’s a loving husband, good father, his kids are the stand up variety as well and love him dearly. Same goes for his grandkids. His family has given him grace and forgiveness for his past, we must too.
He recently had a near death experience as well. He was nearly assasinated Saturday and is in the crowd for the convention Monday. The man loves this country.
I also love this country. It’s the best place in the world to live. But things have been eroding quickly. Change is needed. I’m not projecting Obama either. 🙂 I and Trump know we need those NTers and RINOS to win and lock down the House and Senate. It’s time we put aside the differences we have and do what’s best for our country. We have way more in common with each other than we do with the values and policies of the current Democrat party. That’s a reality we share.
I think we’re all better off working together. No leader will please us all. We had 4 years of Trump in the past, we know things were much better with him in charge. Weak, feckless men make lousey leaders. He’s not one of them. I view him as America’s best chance at a comeback. That’s why I’m voting for him and hope everyone does.
If unity is to happen, moderates, NTers, RINOs are the ones who need to open the door of the tent and come on in. We welcome you, let’s get this guy and govt working for the betterment of us all.
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And besides…..
I already have a master plan for the Vance/DeSantis 2028 campaign. We could roll this for a couple terms if you pull off an American comeback.
And who doesn’t love a comeback story?
Trump could be a good one too.
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Thank you @7:35, I appreciate that, I really do. I understand where that comes from and I know some trust and admire him.
I’m just not one of them and my sense about Trump goes deeper than the idea that he’s just done and said some sinful things, as we all have. I wish it were that simple (and that superficial).
I may be wrong, but what I perceive is something deeper.
It’s not just that Trump did some “sinful” things in his life. It feels more to the core than that to me, something that appears to go to his underlying character, a word that keeps coming up. I don’t trust him and I’m not sure what it would take to change that. I can’t see into his heart.
He strikes me, as my cousin once said, as not “a good man.” I realize that sounds judgmental. And I’m obviously making those judgements from afar, so I get that it is an imperfect conclusion and one that could be wrong.
But … I’m just left with that conviction (or at the very least, that strong suspicion) and it’s not one that allows me to support him.
I’ve voted for men who are questionable — politicians all, right? — but this situation has given me more of a “stop” than before with others. For now, it’s just a “here I stand” position that I can’t betray.
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As for issues, I’m not at all comfortable with Trump’s affinity for Putin and what seems like a lack of foreign policy ideas (in lieu of making freelance ‘deals’ with those leaders as he’s moved, dictators or not, he ‘likes’).
He’s apparently said he will bring peace “to the world.” Well, I amazed at his self-confidence — but it’s classic Trump. It’s among any number of red flags I’ve heard and seen.
We all can take a swing and a miss (and a risk) in voting for these candidates. We can’t see into another person’s soul.
I may be wrong about Trump and his character.
But you may be wrong also (@7:35).
It’s a risk I’m just not ready to take.
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AJ, the multinational corporations that benefit from nation building and rebuilding are, in my opinion, a big part of the problem. It’s why we have so many wars. I don’t think we or NATO nations need to be responsible for rebuilding Ukraine. Russia has a built in incentive to rebuild it themselves as Russians are the largest minority in Ukraine and they share a border. And Ukraine was once a part of Russia. It is a normal and natural relationship, and I suspect it is one reason Russia has shown restraint and not used tactical nukes. Yes, Ukraine would no longer be on the table for NATO membership, but they never should have been in the first place, imo.
PS: Vance & DeSantis sounds intriguing. :–)
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dj: In what ways has the “New Right” gone overboard?
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Dj,
Don’t believe what others who hate him tell you about a man. Believe what his wife, children, and grandkids say. Believe what the people he’s helped without having to tell you. Ask the 3 families he’s just raised 6 million plus to help. He’s not the man the media protrays him to be. Does he have flaws? Certainly. We all do.
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I don’t believe what others tell me about Trump. I’ve observed, I’ve read, and I have my own views — as much as is possible for someone I don’t know or can observe personally (and, btw, neither can you). We do not have “all knowledge” about another and politicians are especially wily creatures.
This election year will be extremely stressful for the nation and for all of us. I don’t think many are looking forward to it.
So my advice back to you supporters:
Peace.
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I don’t know why this election year should be extremely stressful for us as Christ followers, precisely b/c our trust is in our sovereign God.
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Indeed it is, Ty.
But on an earthly plane we will be living in a nation that is divided, and an election won’t change that from the appearances now.
And that comes with the very real temptation to trust in chariots and horses and in our earthly ‘kings.’ I can see strong evidence now of that growing sentiment, including among believers. Just a caution that it will be part of the spirit of the age we all live in.
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It’s evident on the blog, this earthly division; and it has gone so far as to impact our fellowship here on occasion.
Perhaps a carefulness with words, a more openness to other views without ridicule, questions and not angry comebacks would help going forward, but that’s up to each of us to keep in mind as we interact.
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And sometimes a vow of silence might be best lol
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Dj perhaps it’s just me but I sense you tend to have little trust in the walk some of us have with the Lord. It is as though you look at us as non critical thinkers and extremely vulnerable to fall away from the calling of which our Lord has placed upon our lives. Just because we happen to view a candidate differently it does not call for a charge that we worship him nor that we place our hope in him and not in the Lord. . That has been spoken here by most of us but it doesn’t seem you believe it . I don’t need anyone’s approval and am not easily offended by someone’s judgement. It would be nice to not be viewed as a misguided non thinker but that’s ok if that is how you view me. Just an observation.
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Well also, some personalities are more prone to worry and stress —even strong believers can fall prey to those things Some of the people I love and admire most are that way. So I know that sometimes we say things to remind and encourage ourselves more than anything.
I also think where you live makes a difference. If you are in an area where people are prone to violence when they don’t get their way, it is natural to deal with the temptation to worry and the natural stress that goes with.
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To no one’s surprise, Biden is now officially out of the presidential race.
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Almost four years of failure. Whoever stands as the Dem nominee will have to answer to socialist policies which are being rejected in the USA and around the world.
Pres. Trump will end up defeating a sitting President and another Dem candidate in a single election cycle. Historically epic.
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NJ, I’m sorry if I’ve come off that way. It wasn’t what I was implying, but please accept my apology.
We’re going through what is obviously an unprecedented and highly emotional election — and I do sense some strong enthusiasms for some candidates, so my words are only meant as a general caution that we all check ourselves and our tendency (and we all have this) to defend “our candidate” at all costs and to vilify the “other candidate” no matter what.
The truth isn’t usually that cut and dried.
Well, I’m not too long home from church but did hear Biden dropped out. This is an absolutely unprecedented campaign in my lifetime — and it’s not over yet.
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And maybe I just have more of a skeptical outlook on politics generally, but I think there are nuances in all of this that make it all not always 100% black and white. I think it’s important to try to see and recognize that as believers while, of course, always knowing that God is sovereign over all of it — though we can’t see His reasons for many things that happen so we can’t presume those conclusions either.
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Dj I do hope you do know my words were more of wonderment of what j perceived as my being uninformed. In no way was I attacking you just airing my thoughts kind of out loud. Thank you for your post. I do tend to over analyze at times but hold no ill will towards you. ❣️
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Thanks NJ.
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