Double, double, toil and trouble

Hello, David

And the last shall be first...

I didn't get the wheels I wanted. Although the wheels I did get were not my first choice, now that I've settled in, I'm convinced it was the better choice.

I think saying people who vote for Trump prefer his flaws to Kamala's flaws is the most direct way of answering Mark's questions. However, some of my colleagues on the right side of the aisle articulated reasons beyond choosing a candidate based on which candidate's flaws are preferable... and you did the same when stating reasons folks on the left side of the aisle look beyond preferable flaws.

Mark's questions may seem at first blush to be questions with straightforward answers, but the topic is a little more complex. Which is why your question... "Why is it that a country, as full of talent and innovation as the U.S.A., cannot field better candidates for public office?" is the crucial question we might want to examine. Why should voters of any political stripe have to settle for candidates with flaws? You are absolutely correct when you posted that we deserve better.

It's just not gonna happen this year.

Mr. Kristofferson, it is quite amusing that you talk about “alternative facts” and yet you continue to cite a debunked “inciting a mob” narrative. Have you conveniently forgotten that our great President Trump tweeted on 1/6 to his millions of followers to stay and remain peaceful and respect the law? We haven’t. Have you conveniently memory-holed the fact that Pelosi accepted responsibility for her dereliction of duty in protecting the Capitol? We haven’t. Why aren’t you talking about Harris’s multiple, and debunked, lies? As to why America can’t come up with better candidates? I’m assuming you’re speaking about the Democrat side since Biden was tossed out with the trash. Who knows, maybe Democrats will toss Harris out and choose another candidate. Bernie? On the Republican side, we already have the best candidate in Trump who did, and can again, Make America Great Again. The choice for President is obvious and it’s not Commie Kamala.

Dear Reader (assuming there are any ;-): Please note the quotes from earlier comments above:

DK: “Inciting a mob on 1/6/21 to march on the Capitol and then doing nothing for hours to call them off despite pleas by many of his own staff and members of his own party who were trapped in the building are all conveniently forgotten. Even if Trump’s claim that he only gave a “speech” was true (which it isn’t), this does not excuse his doing nothing AFTER he plainly saw on TV that the march had turned violent.”

TY: “Mr. Kristofferson, it is quite amusing that you talk about “alternative facts” and yet you continue to cite a debunked “inciting a mob” narrative. Have you conveniently forgotten that our great President Trump tweeted on 1/6 to his millions of followers to stay and remain peaceful and respect the law? We haven’t.”

Dear Readers, note how TY conveniently only focuses on “inciting a mob” in my quote above and completely ignores the rest of my statement. I could also spend a considerable amount of time citing evidence from the Jan. 6th committee, but that would then be dismissed as a “kangaroo court”, etc. Everything that goes against the Trump side is always dismissed as coming from a loser, a disgruntled former staff member, a “weaponized” Justice Department, etc. One wonders after a while why Trump hired so many of these losers on his staff…

The Trump side’s strategy is typically to “flood the zone” with so many exaggerated claims, and in some cases outright lies, that no reasonable person can take the time to respond to them all, and when they try to reply to any of them, the Trump side will simply ignore a point that is inconvenient to them and change the topic to one of their other innumerable grievances. An example of this was an attempt I made months ago to discuss climate change denialism with TY in response to a grossly misinformed column by Matt Grocott about the causes of global warming.

This manner of “debate” is all classic propaganda strategy. I see absolutely no point in trying to have a conversation with “true believers” who are always right about everything. A real conversation involves give and take, an acknowledgment that neither side may possess the entire truth, and a **willingness** to seek the truth. Instead what I encounter in these pages is a desire to score debating points at any cost to promote one’s partisan side.

Of course, TY will always be sure that he has the final word, but I have to bring this waste of time to an end. I am at times tempted to respond to Ray and Dirk, but the presence of these other personalities in these pages quickly dissuades me from doing so. Let them continue to convince each other of their “truths” in their tiny echo chamber. If this is the kind of writer that the SMDJ wants in their Opinion Comments section, this is precisely what they are getting. Whether this enhances the reputation of their newspaper is another question.

Hey, David

I appreciate your commentary in the DJ.

The Capitol was still being cleaned up when I posted in these pages that anyone who trespassed, vandalized or committed assault on Jan. 6 should be held to answer. I have not altered that position. It looks like almost a thousand persons at the riot have been charged in federal court. While less than 20 have been charged with seditious conspiracy... no one has been charged with sedition, treason or insurrection. The actions of the rioters were wrong... no doubt. But was 1/6 the worst attack on our sovereignty since the Civil War? Everyone can answer that question for themselves, but following on the heels of last Wednesday, I say, "No."

On to more serious matters... with 4:39 left in the third quarter, the Vikings are leading the Niners 20-7.

David - as one who responded and one who certainly came out against Harris, I can answer why we did not have to explain why we prefer Trump. Trump has been on the front pages, in every news cycle on TV, and the Internet for over 7 years. He was our President for four years so we had ample opportunities to determine our preference. We know already who he is with all of his faults as well. He has it made quite clear what he is going to do. Sorry about your opinion, but it is actually your side of the isle that has already demonstrated its significant threat to our economy. And those have been described by many others besides myself. We don't know anything about Harris other than what her handlers are telling us. And clearly, you don't have a clue either. I agree with you one point, comparing either Trump or Harris with George Washington will make one burst out in tears.

Here we go again… Hey Mr. Kristofferson, in yet another instance of seeing only what you want to see and not what’s in front of you (a common theme)… I’m sure our dear readers will notice how you conveniently focus only on my debunking of your “inciting a mob” narrative but completely ignore the rest of my comment, you know, the part where Pelosi admitted her dereliction of duty in protecting the Capitol along with a question regarding Harris’s multiple, debunked, lies.

Instead of answering my question, we get another “lecture” from Mr. Kristofferson on the faults of the “other” side, basically the Democrat playbook in action - blame the other side for what the Democrat party practices. Sometimes there is no give and take – only the truth. Such as President Trump’s tweets and his authorization of National Guard troops – only for Pelosi and the DC Mayor to turn him down. Let’s give credit where credit is due - Pelosi failed in her responsibility.

As for man-made climate change denialism, I’m ready to pick up that discussion anytime you wish. But you’ll need to explain the multiple Ice Ages that Earth has encountered vs. none of the opposite. And if, as you assert, man-made global warming is real, who cares? It can’t be serious since nobody is willing to do anything, especially the folks taking 400+ private jets to attend a conference, to of all things, discuss global warming. These folks are likely burning more carbon than you and I would burn in our lifetimes. BTW, I didn’t realize global warming was a partisan issue. I know plenty of Democrats who burn fossil fuels to their hearts’ content. I guess they’re not too concerned about man-made global warming, either.

I will hazard a reply to Ray and Dirk, but TY will be wasting his time if he expects a response from me. If I want to hear about “our great president Trump,” the “Biden crime family,” etc., I’ll turn on Fox News and listen to Hannity instead of listening to these identical phrases and arguments recycled/rehashed through TY. One would think that he would tire of writing the same text day after day and week after week… Hannity, at least, is getting a massive paycheck to grind out this garbage; I have to assume that TY is not on the SMDJ payroll…

First, let me state that I am a centrist. Kamala Harris would not have been my first choice for the Democratic candidate. She has always been rated one of the more liberal senators and in that respect is less likely to appeal to swing voters even though she is trying hard to move to the center. The fact that she started her previous presidential bid as a front runner and then her campaign blew up so quickly was not a plus either. I was previously more inclined towards Amy Klobuchar or Michael Bloomberg, but neither of them gained much traction in 2020, particularly after Warren did a number on Bloomberg during the debates about his misogynistic behavior (which didn’t seem to come close to what Trump has been convicted of).

IMHO, we need candidates who will STOP “fighting for me” and instead roll up their sleeves and try to resolve the very serious problems facing both our nation and the world, particularly without the ridiculously stupid dramatics coming from Trump. I am particularly concerned that if Trump is elected, any further progress on climate change will come to a screeching halt, and, as a grandfather, that is not the legacy that I wish to leave to my grandkids. These other issues about who is better at handling the current economic upturn or downturn will, in the end, be sideshows by comparison.

I am **not** looking for a protracted and fruitless discussion again on climate change here; I am just stating a significant concern of mine.

I agree with Ray that a significant fraction of this country was let down by and suffered from the globalist agenda. Trump has definitely tapped in to that discontent although Biden has made a concerted effort to deal with that during his administration too.

As to the inflation/mishandling of the economy issue, it is true that Larry Summers warned Democrats that they were pumping too much money into the economy. His was a minority view among economists at the time, and it is unfortunate that he was not heeded. It has been said that Joe Manchin’s opposition to some of the proposed spending saved the Democrats from a worse record in this regards, but at the same time, we should realize that these same problems hit **many** countries around the world because, although some economists had been warning about inflationary policies for years, inflation simply did not appear until after Summer’s warnings. The economy during this prolonged period experienced what was termed “The Great Moderation,’ and my bet that this was due more to the policies of the central bankers than to the work of politicians. Thus, whether Summers was prescient with his forecast or just lucky, I don’t know for sure. Compared to many other countries, the US economy fared much better. Trump’s claim that inflation under Biden was the “worst we have ever seen” is also BS. News sources say that the peak annual rate of 9.1% in June 2022 was the highest in the last four decades, but inflation during several years in the 1970s and early 80s was over 10%, peaking at over 13%. The last four decades were highly unusual in having both very low inflation and interest rates. The Biden inflation period was also very brief by comparison to the 70s and 80s. Biden also passed several bills such as the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act that Trump talked about but never got through.

Let’s also think about Trump’s threats of “mass deportations” and how it will affect the economy. While I completely agree that the southern border situation is a mess, once again Trump comes up with a sound bite policy to please his base. My prediction is that we will see ***significant dislocations in the economy***, not to mention horrendous humanitarian issues, if he proceeds with this “tough guy” threat of deporting millions of people.

In summary, the Trump that you may get in the next administration is a man who is greatly and understandably embittered compared to the first Trump administration. The statement that you know what you are getting in the next Trump administration rests on tenuous assumptions IMHO. I expect he will be out for revenge.

Finally, as I stated previously, Trump’s behavior on January 6th has made a mockery of our country and its legal system in the eyes of the world. TY can repeat how “great” Trump is until the cows come home. He isn’t even going to be able to convince the cows on that point…

Mr. Kristofferson. I forgive you for not wanting to respond to me since our last discussions haven’t worked out so well for you. I’m surprised you made it this far but I know your emotions have a way of taking over. It is telling you still won’t talk about Harris’s multiple, and debunked, lies. But of course you’ll accuse Trump of a sound bite yet you’ll ignore Harris’s sound bites on well, just about everything except the policies she copies from Trump. The choice for President is obvious and it’s not Marxist Harris.

Finally, it is quite telling that you continue to blame Trump on January 6th yet you’re willing to forget that our great President Trump tweeted on 1/6 to his millions of followers to stay and remain peaceful and respect the law and you’re willing to memory-hole the fact that Pelosi accepted responsibility for her dereliction of duty in protecting the Capitol. Pelosi failed yet you see only what you want to see and not what’s in front of you (a common theme). You can attempt to blame Trump for the January 6th dereliction of duty by Pelosi until the cows come home. You won’t be able to convince the cows on that point… BTW, vote for our great President Trump to Make America Great Again.

Thank you very much for your forgiveness, Terrence, I feel so much better now. And, yes, I see that my emotions did get the better of me. I finally see the light after reading your excellent response and will Make America Great Again!

Not So Common, if you plan on taking consideration of some people’s sensitivities to your username (illogical since no usernames are verified and Mark Simon may not really be a Mark Simon while you really are not so common), might I suggest Knut Sokommen? Vito Sassoon? Frank N. Stine? John Reid? Pete Parker? Or, in honor of a new spin-off, Ozzie Cobblepot?

Mark, If I walked lock step with liberals, I could publish my name because liberals don't violently or maliciously attack those they disagree with. But since I am honest, and speak my mind, I know I would be attacked, canceled, or my place of employment would be picketed, targeted, and or canceled. Sorry, I can't take that chance. Vito Sassoon

A) I really am Mark Simon. Who else would want to be? I have been putting my real name on newspaper stories and columns for nearly 50 years, including the Social Media Era and seemed to have survived whatever tsuris that may have come with that. I am in love with a post that starts "I'll speak for myself" and is posted anonymously.

Does your reply indicate that you are a self-proclaimed clown?

Mr. Kristofferson, again, you are seeing what you want to see but are not seeing what’s in front of you – the same tired Democrat talking points and fake news and lies continually harped upon in tiresome, repetitive and name-calling LTE’s and in their comments. Basically, to quote DavidKristofferson, “Let me give you a clue … you are almost always talking only to yourselves.”

Maybe, Mr. Kristofferson, you can get them to stop talking to themselves and perhaps you’ll see what you hope for, “something intelligent, or at least new, has been written in response to an interesting article.” What you’re also choosing not to see is that when pressed, those same LTE and commenters ghost you. Akin to how you’ve ghosted me on several of our ongoing chats regarding global warming, HCTZ, and a COVID “vaccine” that doesn’t vaccinate. If you want to revisit those topics… Else, we’ll see you in 2-3 months, or longer. BTW, since you’re not contributing during “hiatus” does this mean you have nothing intelligent to say, or at least new, in response to an interesting article. I find that hard to believe since the SMDJ is full of interesting articles. I wish they added investigative reporting. There are plenty of issues to investigate even in our little corner of the Bay Area. Perhaps applying for donations/grants to defray costs? Hey, Mr. Kristofferson, how about a (another?) donation to the SMDJ?