I admit at first I struggled with thinking this was a stunt, since Trump fakes so much.
The thought in my head is exactly what you just addressed. He is the root of the cause of this kind of violence. I started to write about it when your article splashed open in my feed.
:)
You address this eloquently and honestly.
And it bears repeating.
Excerpt:
“For a decade now, Donald Trump has exacerbated a climate of violence, demonizing perceived enemies and often using violent political rhetoric to build animosity, deepen divisions and reap the rewards of growing hatred.
“If you go after me, I’m coming after you,” he threatened a judge and potential witnesses in 2023. “If I don’t get elected … it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country,” he said in 2024.”
Another tragedy for this country is that previously level headed guys like myself don't believe what happened. This is how low confidence has sunk regarding this fraudulent administration, led by the world's greatest conman. Why shouldn't I think this event was scripted to promote a "big beautiful ballroom." And, of course, to pump up some sympathy for the liar in Chief, while distracting from the war and Epstein?
You are not alone in these thoughts. Something just doesn’t add up and I no longer trust this administration to tell the truth. How sad and disappointing is that?
In addition to all the finger pointing, the organization that planned the event should replace its officers, pronto. Bad decision to involve the president and allow all those cabinet members to attend. Postpone the event for a year, reevaluate its purpose, and make big changes.
I was going to make this same point. It now appears that the WHCA has ceded leadership to Trump in not responding to Trump’s assertion that he will determine when the next dinner will be held. The ballroom is a total fraud/con/scam. If a WHCA dinner were ever to be held at the White House it would tell the world that the attendees were indeed the White House’s correspondents.
Steven, thank you for clearly exposing the core malignancy in our culture so well. Donald Trump has sown the seeds of threats of political violence to perceived enemies for over ten years. The result has been near-constant fear, chaos, and distrust within our American society.
When Republican presidents demonized the "other" (Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Bush), Trump was the obvious result of that fear and loathing. Scapegoats are handy for demagogues. America wanted Trump to "be Trump". They want to be rid of the others. The violence that follows only feeds their wants.
thanks Steven: Well stated. The violence these days stems right out of the White House. A disenfranchised populace breeds nothing but despair and rage. The inaction of congress and the vile actions and words of men such as JD Vance, Russell Vought, Stephen Miller , Brendan Carr, Trump and others creates terror and rage in the soul a peaceful man.
Interesting, mass shootings with real victims hardly gets any attention in the media. anymore ...now the media and government are attacked by a shooter in another room with only one wounded, it is blasting all over the airwaves and will be for days to come.... i have stopped watching and reading any of it......
For a start, let’s apply some common sense to our insane situation here and severely limit the ownership of guns (banning automatic weapons altogether).
HA! Not going to happen when politicians believe they need to own guns for their protection. They are too foolish to understand the cause and effect of their thinking.
In this Petri dish of demonization, the bacteria of violent reaction keeps replicating. Until and unless we lay aside the methods of demonization first formulated by Newt Gingrich in his Gopac pamphlet distributed to all Republicans running for office in 1990 called Language: A Key Mechanism of Control, this toxic virus will continue to spread. To disagree without denigrating an opponent is essential in proper debate. Let us find a way to reward speech that does not demean, and to recognize demonization for what it truly is: the practice of evil.
This was a great opportunity for Trump to call for understanding of a troubled man and ask for unity in combating gun violence, better mental health facilities and moving toward peaceful coexistence in the United States. Yes, that is unrealistic for Trump or the majority of politicians to advocate gun control and money spent on health and anger management. America does not have the will to rid themselves of guns as long as politicians carry guns. America does not have the will to spend money on health when they would have to pay more taxes or tax the wealthy. We are in a circle of violence exacerbated by our leaders.
Let’s get real: Our country was built on violence and bloodshed. Just ask the average everyday Native American. Or ask Lincoln. JFK. Bobby K. Martin. Reagan. The unique difference at this point in time is that we have a so-called president who extols the virtues of violence. He goes “all John Wayne” at a moment’s notice. What I find interesting is the population popping up suggesting this latest event was staged. I won’t discount that. Think Butler PA
Bravo. I have to say that if this was "staged' as so many are claiming, it was pretty dumb to choose a white-bread American as the stooge. Why not an immigrant? The relentless stochastic terrorism of the right is a much better explanation.
Allen's political involvement seems to far to have consisted of donating $25 to the Harris campaign. He is undoubtedly as frustrated as all of us at the inability of the system to correct itself, particularly with a Congress filled with sycophants and an administration chosen for loyalty to one man, not the constitution. Combine that with constant trootheets that actually SAY that disloyal people or Others should be killed, and you get perhaps a guy who got his ideas of violence as solution from the "highest" level itself.
Sadly, Steven, your analysis is spot on, and the call for more reasonable voices to prevail excludes the entirety of the current Republican party. In such an environment, meaningful solutions to the hateful, violent rhetoric and the repeated episodes of politically-motivated violence will be all but impossible to enact without a complete transformation of the composition and mechanics of our system of government. I’ve stopped holding my breath.
I appreciate your point of view, Stephen, but given the Orange Fascist’s talent for staging threats to him (à la Butler and the tampon/ear bandage that magically disappeared with no scar on his ear). I wish there were fewer guns and fewer people allowed to own them, but Congress and the Supreme Court have twisted the language of the Second Amendment to our detriment and daily danger. How could we not put it past the man who staged a coup on January 6th 2021 - showman that he is - to stage threats on his life, as he continues to find ways to distract us from the Epstein files and new reasons for his ridiculous ballroom. I’m happy that no one was hurt and that the Secret Service person’s vest protected him from serious harm.
I admit at first I struggled with thinking this was a stunt, since Trump fakes so much.
The thought in my head is exactly what you just addressed. He is the root of the cause of this kind of violence. I started to write about it when your article splashed open in my feed.
:)
You address this eloquently and honestly.
And it bears repeating.
Excerpt:
“For a decade now, Donald Trump has exacerbated a climate of violence, demonizing perceived enemies and often using violent political rhetoric to build animosity, deepen divisions and reap the rewards of growing hatred.
“If you go after me, I’m coming after you,” he threatened a judge and potential witnesses in 2023. “If I don’t get elected … it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country,” he said in 2024.”
His hate stirs and ignited Hate.
Another tragedy for this country is that previously level headed guys like myself don't believe what happened. This is how low confidence has sunk regarding this fraudulent administration, led by the world's greatest conman. Why shouldn't I think this event was scripted to promote a "big beautiful ballroom." And, of course, to pump up some sympathy for the liar in Chief, while distracting from the war and Epstein?
An understandable question.
You are not alone in these thoughts. Something just doesn’t add up and I no longer trust this administration to tell the truth. How sad and disappointing is that?
In addition to all the finger pointing, the organization that planned the event should replace its officers, pronto. Bad decision to involve the president and allow all those cabinet members to attend. Postpone the event for a year, reevaluate its purpose, and make big changes.
Well said!
Hes using it to justify a ballroom. What protects average citizens from his lawless violent wrath.
I was going to make this same point. It now appears that the WHCA has ceded leadership to Trump in not responding to Trump’s assertion that he will determine when the next dinner will be held. The ballroom is a total fraud/con/scam. If a WHCA dinner were ever to be held at the White House it would tell the world that the attendees were indeed the White House’s correspondents.
Right. They're going to change nsme to pigmen associated in a muddy way
Steven, thank you for clearly exposing the core malignancy in our culture so well. Donald Trump has sown the seeds of threats of political violence to perceived enemies for over ten years. The result has been near-constant fear, chaos, and distrust within our American society.
When Republican presidents demonized the "other" (Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Bush), Trump was the obvious result of that fear and loathing. Scapegoats are handy for demagogues. America wanted Trump to "be Trump". They want to be rid of the others. The violence that follows only feeds their wants.
thanks Steven: Well stated. The violence these days stems right out of the White House. A disenfranchised populace breeds nothing but despair and rage. The inaction of congress and the vile actions and words of men such as JD Vance, Russell Vought, Stephen Miller , Brendan Carr, Trump and others creates terror and rage in the soul a peaceful man.
Interesting, mass shootings with real victims hardly gets any attention in the media. anymore ...now the media and government are attacked by a shooter in another room with only one wounded, it is blasting all over the airwaves and will be for days to come.... i have stopped watching and reading any of it......
The decline of attention toward mass shootiings is a terrible sign that many have given up. Right to flag this, Hans. Thx.
For a start, let’s apply some common sense to our insane situation here and severely limit the ownership of guns (banning automatic weapons altogether).
Citizens have been asking for gun control for decades. Nothing will happen because of the NRA and other gun supporters.
HA! Not going to happen when politicians believe they need to own guns for their protection. They are too foolish to understand the cause and effect of their thinking.
In this Petri dish of demonization, the bacteria of violent reaction keeps replicating. Until and unless we lay aside the methods of demonization first formulated by Newt Gingrich in his Gopac pamphlet distributed to all Republicans running for office in 1990 called Language: A Key Mechanism of Control, this toxic virus will continue to spread. To disagree without denigrating an opponent is essential in proper debate. Let us find a way to reward speech that does not demean, and to recognize demonization for what it truly is: the practice of evil.
Well said, Chris. Thx.
This was a great opportunity for Trump to call for understanding of a troubled man and ask for unity in combating gun violence, better mental health facilities and moving toward peaceful coexistence in the United States. Yes, that is unrealistic for Trump or the majority of politicians to advocate gun control and money spent on health and anger management. America does not have the will to rid themselves of guns as long as politicians carry guns. America does not have the will to spend money on health when they would have to pay more taxes or tax the wealthy. We are in a circle of violence exacerbated by our leaders.
Agree, Mary.
Let’s get real: Our country was built on violence and bloodshed. Just ask the average everyday Native American. Or ask Lincoln. JFK. Bobby K. Martin. Reagan. The unique difference at this point in time is that we have a so-called president who extols the virtues of violence. He goes “all John Wayne” at a moment’s notice. What I find interesting is the population popping up suggesting this latest event was staged. I won’t discount that. Think Butler PA
Bravo. I have to say that if this was "staged' as so many are claiming, it was pretty dumb to choose a white-bread American as the stooge. Why not an immigrant? The relentless stochastic terrorism of the right is a much better explanation.
Allen's political involvement seems to far to have consisted of donating $25 to the Harris campaign. He is undoubtedly as frustrated as all of us at the inability of the system to correct itself, particularly with a Congress filled with sycophants and an administration chosen for loyalty to one man, not the constitution. Combine that with constant trootheets that actually SAY that disloyal people or Others should be killed, and you get perhaps a guy who got his ideas of violence as solution from the "highest" level itself.
Sadly, Steven, your analysis is spot on, and the call for more reasonable voices to prevail excludes the entirety of the current Republican party. In such an environment, meaningful solutions to the hateful, violent rhetoric and the repeated episodes of politically-motivated violence will be all but impossible to enact without a complete transformation of the composition and mechanics of our system of government. I’ve stopped holding my breath.
The event was a metaphor for the press being at risk of bring killed.
True, JBR.
I appreciate your point of view, Stephen, but given the Orange Fascist’s talent for staging threats to him (à la Butler and the tampon/ear bandage that magically disappeared with no scar on his ear). I wish there were fewer guns and fewer people allowed to own them, but Congress and the Supreme Court have twisted the language of the Second Amendment to our detriment and daily danger. How could we not put it past the man who staged a coup on January 6th 2021 - showman that he is - to stage threats on his life, as he continues to find ways to distract us from the Epstein files and new reasons for his ridiculous ballroom. I’m happy that no one was hurt and that the Secret Service person’s vest protected him from serious harm.