Voter ID: Is it a poll tax?

[idhawkman]

Trump has probably surmised that Sanders and Warren were native born because they are white with Anglo names and no accent so he doesn't evoke what he perceives as their country of origin. It's when they have a Spanish name and a complexion that fits his preconceived image of a Hispanic immigrant as does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that triggers his bigoted mind into using his opponent's ancestory as a wedge.

This all goes back to his "shithole countries" and his more recent "rat infested" remarks about conditions in his adversary's home, or perceived home. He is linking them to a situation over which they had little if any control over so as to inflict as much psychological harm as possible and to discredit anything substantive that they may have to offer, in other words, to put them in their place as a 2nd class citizen not worthy of being on the same playing field with him. He's like the king telling the peons to just scurry away and not to bother him. Spoiled rich kid syndrome.

So in 1997 Cummings himself said he just left his infested neighborhood but I don't see you assuming he is racist. Do you only claim racism against white people?

[RiverDog]

No, he isn't.

He doesn't tell Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren to go back to their crappily run countries. If he were an equal opportunity offender, he wouldn't have included any reference to their ethnic backgrounds or assumed they came from other nations. That's what makes his comment stand out as racist and why he's getting properly drilled for it by all those who aren't his sycophants.

Why do you think he has to offend people with the same offense? I claimed him as an equal opportunity offender and you chose one comment that he then must use on everyone? Did he not call Bernie "Crazy Bernie?" Does he not call Warren "Pocahontas?" Is he not offending them when he does that?

Of course, he's offending them. But it's not the same as making racist statements.

Bernie's erratic behavior and Warren's silly claim of being a native American are controllable attributes they developed as adults. A person's skin color, religion (for the most part), and country of origin are predetermined at birth. Additionally, the latter is much more harmful as in addition to insulting the person, he's insulting an entire group of people...although I'll admit that the "Pocahontas"nickname could be construed as insulting native Americans.

Besides, two wrongs don't make a right. The fact that Trump, in your opinion, is an equal opportunity offender does not excuse him or make it right for him to make those kinds of remarks directed at "the squad".

[idhawkman]

Of course, he's offending them. But it's not the same as making racist statements.

So American Indians aren't another race in your book?

Bernie's erratic behavior and Warren's silly claim of being a native American are controllable attributes they developed as adults. A person's skin color, religion (for the most part), and country of origin are predetermined at birth. Additionally, the latter is much more harmful as in addition to insulting the person, he's insulting an entire group of people...although I'll admit that the "Pocahontas"nickname could be construed as insulting native Americans.

No, he didn't tell every person of color to go home, he only told a certain 4 and then told them to return when they had the answers to questions they have no idea about now which is obvious by their inane comments that they are making. (I see you did correct yourself about the American Indians in this para).

Besides, two wrongs don't make a right. The fact that Trump, in your opinion, is an equal opportunity offender does not excuse him or make it right for him to make those kinds of remarks directed at "the squad".

See, this is the dispute. You think he did something wrong because you interpret his comments differently than other people (like me). So YOU and a certain other set of folks think he did something wrong whereas not everyone does. By lumping everyone into your way of thinking, you are committing the infraction that you are charging him with. Don't you see that?

[RiverDog]

No, he didn't tell every person of color to go home, he only told a certain 4 and then told them to return when they had the answers to questions they have no idea about now which is obvious by their inane comments that they are making.

It doesn't matter how many people he told to "go back to where they came from". It was a racist/xenophobic statement and an insult to others in that he's suggesting that their immigrant status makes them a 2nd class citizen. And as I mentioned before, it doesn't matter what he subsequently said. It does not negate the statement. The only thing he could say that would even come close to rectifying it would be for him to say that he's sorry. But we all know those words are not in his vocabulary.

[Aseahawkfan]

It doesn't matter how many people he told to "go back to where they came from". It was a racist/xenophobic statement and an insult to others in that he's suggesting that their immigrant status makes them a 2nd class citizen. And as I mentioned before, it doesn't matter what he subsequently said. It does not negate the statement. The only thing he could say that would even come close to rectifying it would be for him to say that he's sorry. But we all know those words are not in his vocabulary.

The Trumpbots are never going to change how they see it. They're going to keep making excuses for his rotten behavior.

And the Democrats are surprisingly worse because their policies are so awful and not affordable. They have Joe Biden as the sensible candidate representing centrist Democrats, then a bunch of looney leftists. The Dems have dug themselves a liberal hole so deep, I can't see swing voters jumping in.

If the economy wasn't doing so well despite all of this, I'd say America was in a very bad spot right now. We might have to deal with 5 more years of crazy if the Dems don't solidify behind a centrist like Joe Biden. Even then I'm not sure Biden can swing given how fractured his party is, especially if Trump does work on lowering prescription prices and keeps the unemployment rate low.

[RiverDog]

It doesn't matter how many people he told to "go back to where they came from". It was a racist/xenophobic statement and an insult to others in that he's suggesting that their immigrant status makes them a 2nd class citizen. And as I mentioned before, it doesn't matter what he subsequently said. It does not negate the statement. The only thing he could say that would even come close to rectifying it would be for him to say that he's sorry. But we all know those words are not in his vocabulary.

The Trumpbots are never going to change how they see it. They're going to keep making excuses for his rotten behavior.

No kidding. I don't know what Trump could say or do to make the "Trumpbots" admit to the obvious. You're talking about a group of people that defended Trump when he mimicked a paraplegic, so if they can rationalize that kind of sick humor, they can rationalize anything.

And the Democrats are surprisingly worse because their policies are so awful and not affordable. They have Joe Biden as the sensible candidate representing centrist Democrats, then a bunch of looney leftists. The Dems have dug themselves a liberal hole so deep, I can't see swing voters jumping in.

Agreed again. I heard someone describe it as a circular firing squad. Obama is by far the most popular Democratic pol and they're trashing him simply to get at the front runner. This is as long of a nominating process as I've ever seen and the one with the most viable candidates. Who knows what things will look like a year from now.

If the economy wasn't doing so well despite all of this, I'd say America was in a very bad spot right now. We might have to deal with 5 more years of crazy if the Dems don't solidify behind a centrist like Joe Biden. Even then I'm not sure Biden can swing given how fractured his party is, especially if Trump does work on lowering prescription prices and keeps the unemployment rate low.

Agreed.

[Hawktawk]

There are a few out there democrats but NOBODY in the democratic field lacks on the balance sheet compared to trump when it comes to being a decent human being, sane , rational etc. As for the Trumpies hoping and praying that the "socialist" McCarthy esque label can be broadly painted across the entire party well good luck with that.It's the only chance numb nutz has because he's just that foul and obnoxious and incompetent and..... There are some seriously liberal/progressive whack jobs battling the centrists in the Democratic party but when Joe Biden is still running off and hiding from the rest of the field after one bad and one so so debate it tells me all I need to know about the democratic voters. And if Biden should fall there will be another moderate that will rise up becAuse the majority of the party wants to elect someone who can beat trump.
Country over party. Country over ideology. Impeach now

[idhawkman]

It doesn't matter how many people he told to "go back to where they came from". It was a racist/xenophobic statement and an insult to others in that he's suggesting that their immigrant status makes them a 2nd class citizen. And as I mentioned before, it doesn't matter what he subsequently said. It does not negate the statement. The only thing he could say that would even come close to rectifying it would be for him to say that he's sorry. But we all know those words are not in his vocabulary.

I know you can't believe what your writing, you're just trying to get me going. Just to be clear, to be racist, you have to hate a race not individuals of that race. Words mean things. You can keep repeating your position on this but it will still be wrong no matter how many times you state it. He has nothing to be sorry for.

[c_hawkbob]

It doesn't matter how many people he told to "go back to where they came from". It was a racist/xenophobic statement and an insult to others in that he's suggesting that their immigrant status makes them a 2nd class citizen. And as I mentioned before, it doesn't matter what he subsequently said. It does not negate the statement. The only thing he could say that would even come close to rectifying it would be for him to say that he's sorry. But we all know those words are not in his vocabulary.

I know you can't believe what your writing, you're just trying to get me going. Just to be clear, to be racist, you have to hate a race not individuals of that race. Words mean things. You can keep repeating your position on this but it will still be wrong no matter how many times you state it. He has nothing to be sorry for.

No. "Hate" is not necessarily a requirement of racism. Thinking there is a difference between what you are and what "they" are, being afraid of "them' thinking that they are less than you and not deserving of the same entitlements you are, anger that they are taking jobs, benefits, public attention, etc. that should be yours are all examples of racism that don't reqire hate.

Hate unfortunately is being fostered and encouraged by the current administration in the name of politics. Trumps divide and conquer, "us against them" tactics are fueling the fires of racial hatred. Not saying it's all on him but he deserves a large portion of the blame for a lot of this sh!tshow.

[idhawkman]

No. "Hate" is not necessarily a requirement of racism. Thinking there is a difference between what you are and what "they" are, being afraid of "them' thinking that they are less than you and not deserving of the same entitlements you are, anger that they are taking jobs, benefits, public attention, etc. that should be yours are all examples of racism that don't reqire hate.

Without hate, it is prejudice. Anger in the way you use it here is a synonym of hate.

Hate unfortunately is being fostered and encouraged by the current administration in the name of politics. Trumps divide and conquer, "us against them" tactics are fueling the fires of racial hatred. Not saying it's all on him but he deserves a large portion of the blame for a lot of this sh!tshow.

NO, the current administration is finally pushing back on the left's outrageous claims and they then turn that into hate. The sh!tshow started and grew significantly under Obama not Trump.

[idhawkman]

Synonyms for anger
acrimony
animosity
annoyance
antagonism
displeasure
enmity
exasperation
fury
hatred
impatience
indignation
ire
irritation
outrage
passion
rage
resentment
temper
violence
chagrin
choler
conniption
dander
disapprobation
distemper
gall
huff
infuriation
irascibility
irritability
miff
peevishness
petulance
pique
rankling
soreness
stew
storm
tantrum
tiff
umbrage
vexation
blow up
cat fit
hissy fit
ill humor
ill temper
mad
slow burn

[RiverDog]

Synonyms for anger
acrimony
animosity
annoyance
antagonism
displeasure
enmity
exasperation
fury
hatred
impatience
indignation
ire
irritation
outrage
passion
rage
resentment
temper
violence
chagrin
choler
conniption
dander
disapprobation
distemper
gall
huff
infuriation
irascibility
irritability
miff
peevishness
petulance
pique
rankling
soreness
stew
storm
tantrum
tiff
umbrage
vexation
blow up
cat fit
hissy fit
ill humor
ill temper
mad
slow burn

Ah, our snowflake strikes again! Still using legal/dictionary definitions to obscure and deflect criticism.

You do not need to copy and paste from a dictionary. I look at racism like SCOTUS Potter Stewart once said about pornography: I know it when I see it.

[RiverDog]

No. "Hate" is not necessarily a requirement of racism. Thinking there is a difference between what you are and what "they" are, being afraid of "them' thinking that they are less than you and not deserving of the same entitlements you are, anger that they are taking jobs, benefits, public attention, etc. that should be yours are all examples of racism that don't reqire hate.

Completely agree. Hate is a byproduct of racism.

Hate unfortunately is being fostered and encouraged by the current administration in the name of politics. Trumps divide and conquer, "us against them" tactics are fueling the fires of racial hatred. Not saying it's all on him but he deserves a large portion of the blame for a lot of this sh!tshow.

I agree, but let me add this: The left has characterized conservatives as "angry white males" for the past couple of decades, ever since the '94 mid term elections, to rationalize their failure. Now it's turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. You have Hillary Clinton out there calling Trump supporters "deplorables". They are not making any effort at all to find a common ground, indeed, with just one centrist in a field of 20 or so candidates for the Dem nomination, they don't want to hear the concerns of people like me that find themselves in the middle of the political spectrum.

The left/Dems are equally responsible for this "sh!t show" that started long before this current administration took office.

Having said that, Trump's style and tactics have poured fuel on the fire, the worst possible person we could have for these troubled times in which we live.

[idhawkman]

Ah, our snowflake strikes again! Still using legal/dictionary definitions to obscure and deflect criticism.

Well that's laughable - your shaming - ad hominem tactic falls on deaf ears here. He wanted to split hairs as to word's meaning and I rebutted it with what the meanings of the words he used.

You do not need to copy and paste from a dictionary. I look at racism like SCOTUS Potter Stewart once said about pornography: I know it when I see it.

Again, words a racist usually uses.

[idhawkman]

Having said that, Trump's style and tactics have poured fuel on the fire, the worst possible person we could have for these troubled times in which we live.

Agree with most of what you wrote in the second para except this comment. I think any other Republican apologist for being angry and white would have been much worse as it would have allowed the left to continue to demonize the right. Therefore, Trump, by putting an end to it, is the best possible solution to finally bring this to a head and deal with it. Passing it on and kicking the can down the road has led us to this point and the republicans have those moves down pat. The left is just reacting violently (Antifa and their hate claims of the right) to the push back against their decades of aggressive acts like what you pointed out.

[idhawkman]

More thoughts on this issue.

We are told that Facebook, Google and amazon know what you are going to buy before you do based on their profiles they have created. They then show you ads for those items prior to you buying.

So why can't they do this in regards to these shooters? A bigger question is what ads or articles were shown to these individuals leading up to their acts? Did their "Algorithms" lead these individuals to commit the acts in any way? They blame blocking, account bans and so much more on their alorithms, how are we to know those same algorithms aren't responsible for these acts? Do we need government oversight into these acts?

We know that the media (all media not left or right media) profits from these incidents through clicks and coverage, too. Do we need government looking into the reporting on the acts?

I'm probably over reacting on this but hey, so is everyone else to include govt, media et al.

[Aseahawkfan]

There are a few out there democrats but NOBODY in the democratic field lacks on the balance sheet compared to trump when it comes to being a decent human being, sane , rational etc. As for the Trumpies hoping and praying that the "socialist" McCarthy esque label can be broadly painted across the entire party well good luck with that.It's the only chance numb nutz has because he's just that foul and obnoxious and incompetent and..... There are some seriously liberal/progressive whack jobs battling the centrists in the Democratic party but when Joe Biden is still running off and hiding from the rest of the field after one bad and one so so debate it tells me all I need to know about the democratic voters. And if Biden should fall there will be another moderate that will rise up becAuse the majority of the party wants to elect someone who can beat trump.
Country over party. Country over ideology. Impeach now

Hawktawk, even you must have noticed that decent human being as a requirement for being a president left a long time ago and has reached its nadir as far as even bothering to create the illusion of decency with Trump.

[RiverDog]

Country over party. Country over ideology. Impeach now

I agree with you in many aspects of DJT, but you need to give up on this pipe dream of yours regarding removing him via the impeachment process. Even Chris Mathews, one of the liberalist of all the talking heads, said last week that it's foolhardy for the Dems to pursue impeachment.

Even after a significant uptick following the Mueller hearings, there's still just 118 House Democrats on record as favoring starting the impeachment process compared to the 218 that are required to forward the issue to the Senate where they'd need 20 Republican Senators to give up Trump and complete the enema.

Impeachment is going nowhere. Trump has run out the clock on it, at least for this term.