WhoWhatWhy’s Post

In USA TODAY this morning, you’ll find my column on the assassination attempt. An excerpt: “That your fellow citizen can disagree with you on political matters, large and small, without necessarily being a liar, a villain, or a fool is a proposition you ought to accept because it is true. Even if you doubt its validity, however, you ought to accept it because our system of self-government requires it. “The structure of that system — elections, enumerated rights and powers, separation of powers, checks and balances, the dual sovereignty embedded in federalism — assumes good-faith, nonviolent disagreement. If it were already obvious whose ideas were correct, none of this rigamarole would be required. “Moreover, true self-government requires self-restraint. At this writing, we know the name of Trump’s would-be assassin but not enough information to know in detail why he did what he did and how he got close enough to wound our former president and to wound and kill others in the crowd. “I’m going to wait for more information before drawing conclusions about this incident. So should our leaders. They should say so, and why. At the same time, our leaders should continue to condemn political violence and advocate political civility. That’s not jumping the gun. That’s trying to make sure no one responds to the events of July 13 by leaping for their own guns.” https://lnkd.in/eTFZxa9N #FreeCon

Ezra Klein makes serious arguments for challenging Trump and Trumpism on 2 major fronts 1) just what is the meaning of America First vs Trump First 2) just what is going to make America safer? A prison who has made America unsafe in the four years he was prrsudentv( and as well before then) Whether it be his attempt to overthrow an election, inciting a mob to do it, creating uncertainty about America’s role in the world stage, uncertainty about vulnerablity in dealing with a pandemic during which over a million lives were list, or labeling America in the verge of total collapse if he doesn’t win - This is what the election campaign needs to be about. - how to keep America safe - not scared, fearful or angry - but rather inspired by goals, Opportunities l, confidence. and shared destinies.

Busy day for former-President Donald Trump. $83.3 million is a staggering number, though he will be appealing. Do yourself a favor. Ignore Trump's rhetoric, step back to examine how we got here, and review the evidence presented at both E Jean Carrol's trials. When you do so, you will see why the jury's verdict was a full-throated response to Trump's unwillingness to comport to the law and common decency. Simply, running your mouth has consequences. No matter how big you [think you] may be you can only avoid accountability for your malicious actions for so long. The verdict should remind the American people that no one can act with impunity. The rule of law still stands strong despite the former-President's efforts to denigrate and diminish one of the key pillars of our nation. Separately, maybe all of Trump's boasting about his net worth and the value of his assets in defense of the NYS Attorney General's civil suit bit him back. Afterall, to best ensure a person does not go on defaming another, the damages need to have enough heft to convince them to stop. I'm guessing, however, no such number could dissuade Trump even if this will punch him right in the gut. The hit below is from Meet the Press Now just as the verdict broke [as I was trying to read what was unfolding and rand down to my basement to find a quiet place to get online]. It was a balanced cap to the day that started off with a discussion about the anticipated closing statements from both Carroll and Trump's attorneys on CNN This Morning and sandwiched in a client's Title IX interview in between. Hit starts at approximately 45:00 and again at 52:00. #MeetThePress #CNN #DonaldTrump #PresidentTrump #Trump #EJeanCarroll #Defamation #TrumpVerdict #TrumpDefamation #Election2024 #Trump2024 #83Million https://lnkd.in/eJ2jqQRV

https://lnkd.in/gBPM9dtv It's not hate speech to make the point that Trump exhibits severe mental abbreviations . One dead giveaway. Trump has referred to an imaginary person Hannibal Lecter as being in a crowd of supporters. Hannibal Lecter is an imaginary cannibal. Second giveaway Trump talking about either being eaten by sharks or being electrocuted. This is only 1 % of rethoric from Trump which if said by any other potus candidate would lead to their immediate withdrawal. We have given Trump a pass on conduct which no other country ie even North Korea would tolerate. Even Kim Jon Un would demand an end to Trump dumpster rethoric but for some reason 1/3 the USA 🇺🇸 wants this even if Trump destroys the USA pact of government ie the Constitution 🇺🇸 . And why is this tolerated? Not one other nation would accept it in a leader.

The Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: A Turning Point in American Politics The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump by Thomas Matthew Crooks has dramatically altered the political landscape. This shocking event has galvanized Trump’s supporters, who will now turn out in even greater numbers, and might also sway independents and sidelined minorities who see this attempt as a desperate act after legal efforts failed. Trump's narrative of the "Deep State" out to get him has never been more compelling, especially with the glaring incompetence displayed at the rally. How could a man with a rifle, dressed in camouflage, set himself up on a rooftop surrounded by Secret Service snipers? This security failure is glaring. If the bullet had been one inch closer, it would have been a serious tragedy. Trump, in his defiant moment of life and death, raised his fist, bleeding but unbowed, reinforcing his image of invincibility. Tragically, others in the crowd were not so lucky, with one dead and two seriously injured. Crooks, a local from Pennsylvania, was also killed by Secret Service agents. Trump’s first comments paid respect to the victims, but the rhetoric in the crowd, shouting for civil war and revenge, is alarming. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for Trump to call for peace and unity and condemn violence. The presidency is his in all but name, and he must rise to the responsibility it entails. America stands at a crossroads, and how Trump navigates this moment could define the nation’s future. #Trump #AssassinationAttempt #PoliticalShift #DeepState #AmericanPolitics #PeaceAndUnity #SecurityFailure #Presidency

So now they are criticising Biden for saying that Trump is a threat to democracy in the wake of the assassination attempt. Lest we forget, Trump is the man who refused the peaceful transfer of power, presiding over the capital riot where five American citizens lost their lives, was buoyed by Nancy Pelosi's husband being bludgeoned with a hammer, engages in doxxing perceived enemies and had already started the legal process of turning over the results of the 2024 election if he didn't win. I guess it is be careful what you wish for - Trump has been leading the charge in a culture war focused on violence since descending the gold staircase to announce his candidacy in 2016. Since then there has been a marked uptick in gun violence, the legitimisation of shooting of black lives matter activists and threats to political opponents - encouraged and celebrated by Trump. Do I wish Trump dead? Not by violence no, but if he were to pass away from a heart attack, I wouldn't be sorry. I feel the same about Putin and Orban. Does that make me a bad person? Probably, and there would be those that would point to my faith and criticise me from being "unchristian" - for those who do I would suggest you read the Bible, it's not all church fetes. The reason for the antipathy is because I hate everything Trump stands for with every fibre of my being. The callous regard for civil society norms, the law breaking and the fact that he just keep getting away with being a plain bad'un. I hate liars, I hate that Trump has made it okay to lie and cheat and no one challenges on it. I abhor the fact that so called Christians are treating him like the Messiah - he's NOT. I fear what will happen to the world, and America when King Trump is elected, especially with everything in the balance regards Europe and Ukraine. With the presidential immunity ruling, he will be King Trump because everything he will do will be an "official act" - so America, you have a Republic and if Trump is elected you are choosing not to Keep it. I DON'T wish that the would-be assassin's bullet hit. It is the rise of political violence that most frustrates me about the rise of Trump. The irony that those actions have actually tipped the balance in Trump's favour when Biden's age and capability was already an issue, is not lost on me. The reality is, "if you are going to come for the King, you better not miss" is true - "that" photo, the animal political instincts of Trump to raise his fist and yell "fight" and last night, the crowning of the would be Imperial President at the Republican convention, has all but won the election. There's now an extremely narrow path now to stop the inevitable, Biden says he wants to stay in the race "for the country" - but if he really cared about America he would recognise his hubris and step down. He cannot beat Trump. The only alternative way out is Trump dies in his sleep. #Assassination #Trump #America #ImperialPresidencyIncoming

The thing about populism is that it's brilliant at turning truth on its head for its own purpose. Populist leaders present themselves as the mighty hammers (or chainsaws in some cases) of change, smashing the rotten status quo. All the checks and balances on power that democracy builds in -- like fair and transparent rule of law that applies equally to everyone, ex-president or not -- are seen as part of the rot which needs to be expunged. So instead of a guilty verdict being seen as an indication of something not being right in an individual, it's used as a demonstration that the system is wrong. We now see Republicans in the US calling for 'revenge prosecutions', arguing that the Democrats weaponised the legal system for political purposes, and that they should do the same. As the New York Times notes, "the intensity of anger and open desire to use the criminal justice system against Democrats after last week’s verdict surpasses anything seen before." Populists come to power because people are angry and disenfranchised, and don't trust the system anymore, so they're very open to these kinds of claims, it fits their worldviews and experiences. And so the cycle of mistrust and anger and shifts to the extremes will continue and deepen and become more and more polarising and debilitating. The upcoming US election is going to be extremely consequential, whichever way it goes, and not just for America. It will increase the already growing pressure on many aspects of the global system that businesses rely on to operate. Sometimes businesses ask me, what can we do about this fragmentation of the system? Well there are two areas for action. One is what you do to protect yourself -- understand, plan, etc. The other is what you do to protect the system -- if the root cause is mistrust in the status quo, how can you help rebuild trust in the system? #populism #democracy #trust #mistrust #polarisation #businessrisk #institutions #ruleoflaw https://lnkd.in/ghpcQwUm

President Biden Urges National Unity in Oval Office Address: 'We Are Not Enemies' - President Biden emphasizes the need to reduce political tensions in the U.S., urging Americans to recognize that despite disagreements, they are neighbors and fellow citizens. - He addresses a recent shooting incident involving a supporter at a Trump rally, expressing relief that the former president was unharmed and extending condolences to the victim's family. - Biden condemns political violence in all forms, referencing historical instances like the January 6th Capitol attack and stressing that violence should never be normalized in American democracy. - He calls for political debates to remain peaceful arenas of debate and decision-making, urging citizens to resolve differences through democratic processes, not violence. - Biden reaffirms America's values of unity, dignity, and respect, urging citizens to reject hate and misinformation and to stand together in upholding democracy and the rule of law. #ReducePoliticalTensions #UnityOverDivision #RejectPoliticalViolence #DemocracyNotViolence #StandTogetherUSA