To read John Pavlovitz’s blog post, you’d think the country was just fine and dandy, and the government generally respected the Constitution and tried to serve the people – until Trump came along!
He complains that his Trump supporting friends are “tone policing” him by asking him to be more constructive rather than just raging against Trump. He then seeks to justify his rage with a list of points, complaining that these Trump voters are giving Trump a free pass. I’m going to go through them piece by piece. He actually does have a few good points…a few.
Mr. Pavlovitz complained, “I haven’t heard a peep from them privately or publicly over the past eighteen months:” and then proceeded to his list. I’ll start with the ones we more or less agree upon, and then work my way down. (My comments are in direct response to Mr. Pavlovitz)
Not when he said protestors at his rallies should have been roughed up.
Fair enough, though I’d point out that many Trump supporters faced threats of violence entering those rallies, and when Trump cancelled one rally due to threats of violence, he was mocked. Trump’s opponents aren’t so innocent.
Not when Elizabeth Warren was silenced and persisted.
I’m with you on this one.
Not when kneeling black NFL players were called sons of bitches.
I’m with you here too! They are kneeling, not making some obscene gesture. I support Kaepernick and what he’s trying to do. And guess what? Trump is actually planning to meet with him and Kanye West to discuss race relations. Yes, Trump should’t call them “sons of bitches”, but at least he’s open to reconsidering his position after some reflection. Maybe Kanye’s gettin’ through to him?
Not when Evangelists offered public prayers for predatory Alabama senators.
That was a low point for the Evangelicals. I’m so glad Doug Jones won!
Not when the vile Access Hollywood video surfaced.
Right, the private conversation between Trump and two other people where Trump bragged about how because he was rich and famous, women LET HIM grab them. It’s disgusting, but it’s also his personal life.
Not when refugees were stranded at airports.
I’m sorry things are so tough for people on the other side of the world. But where were you when Obama was bombing the crap out of Libya?! Where were you when Sec. of State Hillary Clinton was sending weapons to dangerous rebel groups in Syria?! You know, the very place these refugees are coming from? Why do you think Syria has a refugee crisis in the first place? Because of Trump? (But there I go deflecting, right?)
Not when they were bulldozing Standing Rock burial grounds.
What did Trump do that was any different from what Obama was already doing? I realize the Republicans used to blame Obama for problems that began during the Bush era, but two wrongs don’t make a right. Or do they?
Not when Sally Yates was unceremoniously terminated.
Right, right, right. It’s fine to dig into every detail of Trump’s relations with Stormy Daniels 11 years ago, but looking into whether he was wiretapped by the FBI?!!!! A travesty of justice to even suggest such a thing! Gimme a break!
Not when Nazis and racists in Charlottesville were called “fine people.”
First off, Trump did not call “Nazis and racists” “very fine people”. All you have to do is listen to his entire statement. He said there were others there that were not involved with the white nationalists, who just wanted to support the statue of Robert E. Lee, and it was them that Trump called “very fine people.”
Not when tens of millions lost healthcare under the cover of night.
I’ll believe that you weren’t deliberately dishonest in the last one, but not this time. No, repealing the individual mandate is NOT “tens of millions” losing “healthcare under the cover of night.” He didn’t take away anyone’s healthcare. He took away a tax burden, a penalty for not buying healthcare. I, and tens of millions more, now have the freedom to choose whether or not to buy healthcare. My body my choice, right?
Not when he tweeted taunts at North Korea.
This is what you’re outraged about?
Not when the #MeToos were victimized a second time.
Not sure what you’re talking about here. I can only speak for myself, but I’m cautiously optimistic about #metoo. I don’t want it to turn into a witch hunt, but as the father of a daughter, I’d like her to grow up in a better world where women who are harassed or worse can stand up for themselves and get justice…so that this happens far less often.
We’re not as blind as Pavlovitz thinks
“Nothing moved them to say anything, nothing burdened them enough to rouse them from their silence, nothing offended their sensibilities significantly enough to merit even a whisper.”
Many of us do criticize Trump on issues when we think it’s called for. I was very critical of Trump for his tweet that he was banning transgender persons from serving in the military. We’re just taking Trump with a grain of salt, rather than being absolutely for him, or absolutely against him. I’m sure Pavlovitz knows some pro-Trump fanatics who really would support Trump if he killed a man in the street, but few of us fit into that category.
But we’re also weighing the alternative, and keeping things in perspective. The only thing unprecedented about Trump is his tweets and rhetoric. None of his actions are any more shocking than what you can find in previous administrations, except his trade policies, which are long overdue! (Thank you Trump for finally doing something about our crippling trade deficits!)
Many of us #eventrumpers, the kind of people who voted Obama and then Trump, we haven’t forgotten that it’s possible to disagree with good people. Having a different political view doesn’t make you the devil. Sadly, Trump Derangement Syndrome has the effect of making anyone who voted for Trump appear to be a demon from the 9th circle of hell.
politicallywag 