Trump, New Hampshire, Tigerblood and Winning!

by liberal japonicus

I can't be the only one who thought of this, but seeing the various manifestations of the internet stream by me screaming that Trump has won New Hampshire, I think of Charlie Sheen. I strongly suspect that whoever is creating the reality I inhabit is running out of ideas, and is just phoning it in. If you are not on the road to solipsism like me, this article and this article may be of interest, for what I hope is a tiny tiny minority who are thinking like me, video below the fold.

 

Comments

[Countme-In]

I don't understand why Charlie Sheen didn't finish at least third, maybe fourth in the New Hampshire Republican primary.

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/quote-evening-america-currently-suffering-worst-economic-catastrophe-recorded-his

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/obama-budget-snubbed-by-congress

[Countme-In]

Glenn Reynolds and great numbers of subhuman murderous conservative vermin yearn for a military coup in the United States of America.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2016/02/experience-0-percent-by-bloggersrus.html

There is going to be killing in this country unlike anyone has ever ... f*cking ... imagined.

Bring it the f&ck on.

[wj]

I think the important news from New Hampshire is that Kasich took second, substantially ahead of Bush, Christie, and Rubio.

If you add up the percentage of the vote for those four, they collectively come well ahead of Trump. Now all we need to Dump Trump is for a couple of them to drop out. Or at least for their supporters to rally around a single not-totally-crazy candidate. Which, for the moment, looks to be Kasich.

[hairshirthedonist]

It appears Christie is already out, or at least inevitably so in the very near future.

[bobbyp]

Which, for the moment, looks to be Kasich.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, w.j., but Kasich will die in South Carolina. His good showing in NH has only made things worse for finding the One True Anti-Trump.

And the guy is no moderate.

[wj]

Yeah, I expect that Kasich will fade some in South Carolina. Bush has made a huge effort there. But with Rubio imploding and Christie, as HSH says, quite possibly dropping out, he may be around well past there.

I know Kasich is not a moderate. But I would contend that he is more moderate than the rest of the GOP field -- admittedly a low bar.

Do you hear anybody else in the GOP field with anything at all good to say about the ACA? Yet Kasich implemented the Medicaid expansion, and stands by his decision to do so. Explicitly because it would be good for Ohio's poorest citizens.

How close is Kasich to moderate in any real sense? I have a friend who is a serious liberal. As in, she became a citizen after college (she was born in India, grew up in Indiana) just so she could join the Peace Corps, and is an active Democrtic Party stalward. The last time she voted for a Republican for President would be . . . never.

But she said yesterday, "If the election is between Sanders and Kasich, I might well vote for Kasich." Granted, Sanders is not a moderate either. But still....

[Hartmut]

I heard comments that Christie will likely not drop out before he has taken Rubio with him, i.e. he is not in for the win anymore but stll has goals that are achievable within the race only.

[cleek]

Christie is out.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-christie-ends-presidential-campaign/

his suicide bombing was a failure.

[Doctor Science]

Fiorina out.

[Doctor Science]

This election cycle, the person (I won't sully him with "pundit") I trust most is Sam Wang, DBA Princeton Election Consortium. He still predicts that even with Christie and Fiorina out, there are still too many candidates in the "GOP Establishment" lane for them to stop Trump. Or, for that matter, Cruz.

[bobbyp]

I have a friend who is a serious liberal.

If your friend would even consider voting for a repukelican, she is hardly "serious" in any meaningful sense.

In some actually pre-existing time, Sanders would be considered a standard issue New Deal Democrat, the self applied appellation of "socialist" notwithstanding.

[hairshirthedonist]

his suicide bombing was a failure.

How?

[cleek]

Rubio's still alive

[hairshirthedonist]

He may yet die as a result of his injuries.

[cleek]

In some actually pre-existing time, Sanders would be considered a standard issue New Deal Democrat

but, this is not that time. and until the last few months, Sanders wasn't even an official Democrat.

[Marty]

I love "GOP Establishment". It is pretty clear that there are two parties calling themselves GOP. Interesting that Trump has coopted the Tea Party Republicans forcing Rubio to look to mainstream Republicans and Cruz to look way out on the right for support. Meanwhile, the disenchanted got their day in NH.

I have said often in the last few years that the breakdown in simple respect in everyday life would bite us at some point. The lack of a filter in everyday speech, iconization of people like Louis CK, lack of manners by adults all in the name of being authentic. I can't tell you hoe many times in the last few years I have seen "authentic is the new black".

Authentic is an excuse for being completely self involved, it gives you Trump.

[novakant]

What really gets me is that a sizable chunk of the American public seems to have lost all humanity.

US governments have certainly been racist, militaristic and misogynist before, and they certainly practiced torture and collective punishment. But they were not openly advocating it and the public generally didn't know or didn't want to know about this seedy underbelly.

But now voters are rejoicing when a buffoon like Trump advocates the most outrageously cruel and degrading policies, they are cheering a moral monster, they have become monsters themselves .

What has become of the US in the past 15 years? I'm genuinely shocked.

[hairshirthedonist]

I blame Andrew Dice Clay. Maybe even Buddy Hackett.

[bobbyp]

but, this is not that time. and until the last few months, Sanders wasn't even an official Democrat.

So if it came down to a choice as between Sanders and Kasich you'd "seriously consider" pulling the lever for the GOP? I find that hard to believe. Or are you just trying to get some digs in against Sanders?

Tough to tell where you're coming from here.

[Marty]

hsh, they were funny but considered outside polite society. Even Carlin was titillating at the worst, a mirror at best. Louis CK has become the example of normal.

[hairshirthedonist]

I always thought Louis CK was supposed to be neurotically self-absorbed. He's sort of like Woody Allen, except with the ability to become angry and aggressive.

What has become of the US in the past 15 years? I'm genuinely shocked.

Bin Laden may have been more successful than was previously apparent.

[bobbyp]

I'm so self absorbed I don't even know who Louis CK is. As to Marty's point, I blame video image transmission, Lenny Bruce, fluoridation, and chemtrails.

But theories of social disintegration are not new. Even Marx had a theory of along similar lines.

I'll have to find out more about this CK guy, right after I find somebody to disrespect.

[Countme-In]

"I can't tell you 'hoe' many times in the last few years I have seen "authentic is the new black".

Maybe it's all in the spelling.

[Marty]

Just because theories of decline have been around a long time doesn't mean they haven't always been correct.

[Marty]

the most misspelled word on my phone is how, hoe. Second is is, I'd. People who text with me eventually just use those spellings. I just get tired of correcting them so I pretend to myself I didn't catch it.

[Tony P.]

Marty, I get the feeling you think humanity peaked in the Garden of Eden, and it's all been downhill from there.

--TP

[hairshirthedonist]

Rome declined for reasons that don't look entirely dissimilar to what's happening to the U.S. But, when it comes to lower-level cultural variations, it's hard to tell what is cause and what is effect.

I'm also not sure when the period of overall greater respect was. Sure, there were times when people had more respect for authority, as it was defined by those in power. But you could get away with a lot worse in the Good Ole Days if you were disrespecting someone who was a member of a less-favored class.

[wj]

Fiorina out

Fiorina was never in, except in her own mind. And rightly so, as she had nothing to offer -- no track record of accomplishment, no policy positions that numerous others have, no nothing. (Unless you want to count lack of a Y chromosome....)

[wj]

Rome declined for reasons that don't look entirely dissimilar to what's happening to the U.S.

I thought the root cause of Rome's decline was too much lead in the environment, especially the water supply. While we had lots of lead in our environment, too (especially paints and gasoline fumes), we got rid of those a few decades ago. Which may not save us from decline, although it does appear it might have contributed to a decline in our crime rates.

[bobbyp]

Basically, Rome just ran out of gas.....

[bobbyp]

Just because theories of decline have been around a long time doesn't mean they haven't always been correct.

And clocks tell the correct time twice a day!

[Countme-In]

Louie C.K.? He's a shlub with a potty mouth.

I blame Grover Norquist's standup routine while armed and drowning the baby.

Also, Lee Atwater's minstrel show to showcase 50 shades of the "N" word.

Carlin had seven words. Gingrich/Luntz have:

decay… failure (fail)… collapse(ing)… deeper… crisis… urgent(cy)… destructive… destroy… sick… pathetic… lie… liberal… they/them… unionized bureaucracy… “compassion” is not enough… betray… consequences… limit(s)… shallow… traitors… sensationalists…

endanger… coercion… hypocrisy… radical… threaten… devour… waste… corruption… incompetent… permissive attitudes… destructive… impose… self-serving… greed… ideological… insecure… anti-(issue): flag, family, child, jobs… pessimistic… excuses… intolerant…

stagnation… welfare… corrupt… selfish… insensitive… status quo… mandate(s)… taxes… spend(ing)… shame… disgrace… punish (poor…)… bizarre… cynicism… cheat… steal… abuse of power… machine… bosses… obsolete… criminal rights… red tape… patronage

Comedian Wayne LaPierre and his hand puppets have long cracked up their vermin, subhuman audiences:

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/12/29/the-12-worst-things-the-nra-and-its-media-allie/197315

D'you hear what Ted Nugent said the other day?

Sarah Death Panel is a regula one-joke Phyllis Diller. Hah, hah, hah!

Novakant is right. But there should be no shock that Trump, Cruz and company, supported by the murderous mob they feed the red meat of violent, hateful rhetoric are merely the apotheosis (worse is coming, much worse) of the last 40 years of conservative Republican hatred of EVERYTHING.

There should be no surprise that blacks, liberals, and Muslims have the sh*t beat of them at Trump's political rallies.

That behavior will become de rigueur for any Republican government, no matter which of their filth wins the election.

I don't know that lead can be blamed.

But there is a punchline coming.

As Republicans stockpile their military weaponry and organize their paramilitary forces, lead of a different form will play an extremely large role in their demise.

It will be sudden, spectacular, and final.

Also hilarious.

[Countme-In]

After Graham Greene published his novel "The Comedians" about Haiti's Papa Doc Duvalier and his deadly Tontons Macoute, sustained by dirty f*cking American dollars, Duvalier's Foreign Ministry issued this Luntzian/Trumpolean string of insults, describing Greene as "A liar, a cretin, a stool-pigeon... unbalanced, sadistic, perverted... a perfect ignoramus... lying to his heart's content... the shame of proud and noble England... a spy... a drug addict... a torturer."

I aspire to be the recipient of a such a tribute from the conservative, Republican monsters now vying to kill so many Americans.

[Ugh]

Wrapped in a flag, carrying a cross, and wearing a toupee.

[Donald Johnson]

"US governments have certainly been racist, militaristic and misogynist before, and they certainly practiced torture and collective punishment. But they were not openly advocating it and the public generally didn't know or didn't want to know about this seedy underbelly.

But now voters are rejoicing when a buffoon like Trump advocates the most outrageously cruel and degrading policies, they are cheering a moral monster, they have become monsters themselves .

What has become of the US in the past 15 years? I'm genuinely shocked."

It really brings out the truth in the saying that hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue. At least the hypocrite acknowledges a common moral standard. Now with many Republicans we're abandoning the hypocrisy and the standards.

Not that the past was all that great. There was a brief period when the Cold War seemed to have ended when America could have chosen to be honest about its past sins and resolve to do better, without any rival superpower around to justify our own crimes as a response. Didn't happen. People with power don't change unless they have to.

[russell]

Jefferson on Adams, during the 1800 election:

(a) hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman

Adams on Jefferson, same context:

a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father

Adams (fils) vs Jackson in 1828 may have been even uglier.

[Marty]

they are cheering a moral monster

Are we focused on waterboarding here? I am truly curious. The wall, while questionable, is in itself not particularly immoral. His views on health insurance are pretty focused on 100% coverage. His temporary ban on immigration from Syria etc. is problematic but, again, temporary while screening problems are resolved and his statements on illegal immigrants, while designed to be provocative, have not been untrue. Keeping in mind that I would never cast a vote for Trump, the depiction of him as a moral monster needs a basis. I am just wondering if the basis is torture.

[novakant]

It really brings out the truth in the saying that hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue. At least the hypocrite acknowledges a common moral standard. Now with many Republicans we're abandoning the hypocrisy and the standards.

This is crucial, thanks Donald.

Some context - and moral monster doesn't only apply to Trump or his supporters:

http://www.vox.com/2016/2/10/10961760/trump-rubio-torture

http://www.vox.com/2016/2/10/10956978/donald-trump-terrifying

Marty, Trump talked not only about torture, but also about punishing the families of terrorists, as well as banning Muslims from traveling to the US. He also made openly racist and misogynist comments and is courting the "White Pride"

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/08/31/the-fearful-and-the-frustrated

[Countme-In]

Are we focused on waterboarding here? (Let's do.)I am truly curious. (and curiouser) The wall, while questionable, is in itself not particularly immoral. (Which part of it is not immoral, not to mention stupid? The top three layers of bricks? Tear down that wall?) His views on health insurance are pretty focused on 100% coverage. (Yes, universal healthcare could be Trump's Louisiana Purchase) His temporary ban on immigration from Syria etc. is problematic but, again, temporary while screening problems are resolved and his statements on illegal immigrants, while designed to be provocative, have not been untrue. (Yeah, provocative. Of violence. That I could be so given the benefit of the doubt; there's always a smidgen of truth when calling down hatred on others) Keeping in mind that I would never cast a vote for Trump, (now you're changing my mind) the depiction of him as a moral monster needs a basis. (such consideration .. in the face of your utter disgust with Obama) I am just wondering if the basis is torture. (A good starting point. Why do you ask?)

[Countme-In]

Russell:

We've fallen far in the quality of insults since the Founders jumped into their britches two legs at a time every morning.

Trump's, et al's insults would benefit in the German translation, circa 1932.

[bobbyp]

Question for the peanut gallery: Who is the worst scoundrel like major (vain attempt to keep nominations under 1,000)candidate to ever run for the office?

Nominations:

Aaron Burr

The floor is open.

[Marty]

novakant,

in the heart of one of the VOX articles is this:

Trump answers America's rage with more rage. As the journalist Molly Ball observed, "All the other candidates say 'Americans are angry, and I understand.' Trump says, 'I’M angry.'"

While he has said some inflammatory things, lets make sure we have an even playing field. This week Hilary and Madeline Albright campaigned where Albright just came out and said "There is a special place in Hell for women who don't support women". 93%(IIRC) of black people voted for Obama. Yet, Trump is courting "White Pride"? and is a misogynist?

And I wont even start on Gloria Steinem undoing 50 years of feminism in 2 minutes on Bill Mahr.

Let me tell you the thing he does best, he gives voice to people who have been told all their life they are bad because they are white, or men, or American.

He is an ahole, self absorbed, narcissistic, unfiltered, born on third base, and completely in touch with the base of his support.

But he is not immoral.

People are afraid, he tells them they will be safe. People are struggling, he tells them they will be prosperous. People see the US in decline, losing jobs and influence, he tells them they will win.

Much like Obama did 8 years ago in a very different world. And more like Bernie Sanders than you might imagine.

[liberal japonicus]

I love the notion that because black voters didn't split their vote between Obama and McCain/Romney, they are in the tank. I guess they should decided who was going to vote for and figured out who should go for the white guy so that it would have been a more comfortable 60/40.

[wj]

his statements on illegal immigrants, while designed to be provocative, have not been untrue.

Or his claiming that the Mexican government was deliberately routing their worst people here?

[bobbyp]

Similarly, most millionaires are 'in the tank' for the GOP. How can that be explained? It's a mystery for sure!

[bobbyp]

As usual, Coates

Racial animus? Yikes! Nothing new here!

[bobbyp]

As usual, Coates

Racial animus? Yikes! Nothing new here!

[Countme-In]

"Let me tell you the thing he does best, he gives voice to people who have been told all their life they are bad because they are white, or men, or American."

Hey, that's me.

Well, when they start shooting me in the back during routine traffic stops, conniving to take away my voting franchise, telling me that my previous slavery was not such a bad thing, and the House of Representatives stops trying to quarter troops in my symbolic vagina, I'll know that I am free at last, free at last and true equality reigns.

"People are afraid. He tells them they will be safe"

No, he doesn't. Trump tells them they are NOT safe, and to be scared shitless so they will vote for him.

Especially the guys he orders beaten up at his pre-Kryssstalnacht rallies and the women he orders thrown out.

If the latter were Republican vermin, they would arrive with fully loaded automatic weapons to defend themselves.

In fact, any crowd of Republicans, given the number of them carrying weapons, is dangerous for anyone not like them.

Some conservative friends asked me the other week if I felt safe under Obama, meaning was I worried I was going to be scragged by Muslim terrorists on American soil.

I said, yes, I feel safe. Safer than I did after 9/11. Also safer than I did after filth invaded Iraq a second time.

I should have added that I felt a hell of a lot safer than a person with pre-existing conditions now on Obamacare, given the daily murderous threats against their lives from the Republican Party, including from Trump.

But these were former neighbors. We raised our kids together.

These people, who don't exist, except in their own minds, merely crave some political correctness turned in their direction.

[Countme-In]

"Let me tell you the thing he does best, he gives voice to people who have been told all their life they are bad because they are white, or men, or American."

Hey, that's me.

Well, when they start shooting me in the back during routine traffic stops, conniving to take away my voting franchise, telling me that my previous slavery was not such a bad thing, and the House of Representatives stops trying to quarter troops in my symbolic vagina, I'll know that I am free at last, free at last and true equality reigns.

"People are afraid. He tells them they will be safe"

No, he doesn't. Trump tells them they are NOT safe, and to be scared shitless so they will vote for him.

Especially the guys he orders beaten up at his pre-Kryssstalnacht rallies and the women he orders thrown out.

If the latter were Republican vermin, they would arrive with fully loaded automatic weapons to defend themselves.

In fact, any crowd of Republicans, given the number of them carrying weapons, is dangerous for anyone not like them.

Some conservative friends asked me the other week if I felt safe under Obama, meaning was I worried I was going to be scragged by Muslim terrorists on American soil.

I said, yes, I feel safe. Safer than I did after 9/11. Also safer than I did after filth invaded Iraq a second time.

I should have added that I felt a hell of a lot safer than a person with pre-existing conditions now on Obamacare, given the daily murderous threats against their lives from the Republican Party, including from Trump.

But these were former neighbors. We raised our kids together.

These people, who don't exist, except in their own minds, merely crave some political correctness turned in their direction.

[Countme-In]

My vote for craziest person ever to run for office:

Abraham Lincoln, second term.

[Countme-In]

By the way, speaking of the wall Trump wants, if indeed he forces Mexico to pay for its construction.

If I were Mexico and I owned that wall, the day after it was built I'd line up artillery along the length of it and blow it to smithereens.

[bobbyp]

If I were Mexico and I ownedpaid for that wall, the day after it was built I'd line up artillery along the length of it and blow it to smithereens.

After all, If I paid for it, it's mine, and I can do whatever the f#ck I want with it.

[wj]

He [Trump] is an ahole, self absorbed, narcissistic, unfiltered, born on third base, and completely in touch with the base of his support.

But he is not immoral.

I suppose a-moral would be a better fit. Morality: just one of the things that Trump is unfamiliar with. Not even familiar enough to be immoral.

[Nombrilisme Vide]

...was gonna say the same thing myself. The only reasonable argument I can see for non-immorality on the part of Trump is amorality - which if we accept (admittedly tempting) armchair diagnoses of narcissism makes perfect sense.

[Doctor Science]

Speaking of angry Americans -- shit's going down at Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Reporter JJ Macnab is doing great coverage on Twitter.

[Slartibartfast]

Glenn Reynolds and great numbers of subhuman murderous conservative vermin yearn for a military coup in the United States of America.

Digby didn't interpret Reynolds that way, or didn't overtly do so. To her credit.

Although "his own partisans" stakes a claim of ownership that Reynolds hasn't.