Tag: #Trump

  • The Debate Happened: Yet Another Take

    I was all amped up for a dumpster fire of a shit show last night, but what I got was Trump trying to act like a grown up, and it was boring. Sure there were a few weird moments, espically the “I’m the least racist person you will ever meet,” moment. Like I joked last night, whenever a person uses that phrase, they are actually the most racist person you will ever meet.

    As is the game the next morning, we all ask, who won the debate?

    Well, I have to go with Biden, and to be honest, Biden wasn’t that good. He was playing not to lose, instead of trying to get a win. I can’t blame the guy, I would do the same thing if I was in his shoes.

    As for Trump, his “Bull in a China Shop” schtick from last time caused him to be pinned in and constrained due to the rule change. Hopefully this will be the last debate with the Trump Rule will be used; the mute button. Trump was forced to behave, which gave Biden the advantage because it turned into a real debate, or at least a half-assed policy discussion. In that situation, Trump is pretty boring.

    In the end, each camp will claim their guy won, so no real surprise at reading the news today.

    Will this debate cause people to change their minds? I doubt it. Most people are already locked in to who they support. I just hope people vote.

    What I would really like to see is a 64% voter turn out for this election. That would be the highest turn out in 100 years. That to me would say people are taking this serious.

  • Live Tweeting the Debate

    I am purposely taking today easy, and not doing anything other than the basics. That’s because there will a Rapture level dumpster fire trainwreck of a political debate tonight.

    Did you know that was happening tonight? We’re you aware?

    I’m going to make miso ramen for my family, buy a bottle of sake and bourbon, and yell at my tv for over an hour. You know, like our forefathers used to do.

    I will be on Twitter tonight (@mlgroff) making an occasional joke, and seeing what everyone else has to say.

    Most importantly, make your plan to vote.

  • What Have I Learned This Week?

    This has been a very political week for me, blog wise. I woke up this morning with the intention of not writing about anything political, and then I saw that Trump and the First Lady have tested positive for Covid.

    Proving that 2020 is the year when anything and everything will happen.

    But as it is Friday, maybe some self-reflection is needed.

    What have I learned this week?

    First, school teachers do not get the credit and pay that they deserve. I have said that many times before, but two weeks of home school/video chat has proved that to me, in a very crystal clear manner. I will commit now, and for the rest of my life, to ensure that teachers get the respect, pay and resources they need and deserve to do their jobs.

    Second, if doing the home school thing is my lot for the next eight months, then I have to come to terms that I will only have about an hour a day to write during the school week. And if I want more time, that will have to occur on nights and weekend. Just a fact.

    Third, as we enter October, I also have to come to terms that I will not being able to relax until the year 2020 is over. I thought 2016 was bad (except for the Cubs winning the World Series) and 2018 wasn’t a good year either. But, 2020 just won’t let up. The anxiety I have every day is relentless, and I don’t think I will be able to relax until the election is over, and a vaccine is out. I know there are a million other issues that 2020 has brought us, but I need those two things to happen.

    Here is to trying to have a good weekend…

  • A Crack in Trump’s Support?

    I am still having trouble coming to terms with how awful that debate was on Tuesday. I keep rereading articles, looking at polling data, and watching clips of the awful performance by Trump. Even on Wednesday, Trump still couldn’t find a way to come out and denounce white supremacist groups during “Chopper Talk.”

    I have observed that most hardcore Conservatives and Republicans have no issue with how Trump behaved, and even in some comments, they even have applauded it. That, I sort of expected. The other thing I noticed on social media, which might be more telling, was that my Conservative and Republican friends have gone silent about the debate. I would refer to them as moderate conservatives; taxes and abortion are their biggest issues but they don’t delve into conspiracy theories. They are posting about issues, and not posting about Trump as a leader. Such as, “We got to get people back to work to save the economy,” rather than, “Trump is the only person who can save this economy…”

    I admit that this observation is completely anecdotal, and not supported by scientific polling or any data. It’s just a feeling. And my gut tells me moderate conservatives are beginning to rethink Trump. Maybe not voting for Biden, but maybe thinking about not voting.

  • Post-Debate: This is bad…

    This is bad folks. Really bad. Such as, I am very nervous that the United States might not survive this election.

    It wasn’t just one moment of Trump’s shit show. And there were some really awful moments. The interrupting, the conspiracy theories, the environment forest management thing, the doubting of a fair election. Then Trump told his supporters that they should go to the polls and intimidate voters, and that the Proud Boys should stand by to be called into action. It is just horrifying that. I never thought that an American politician would behave like that, in public.

    But taken as a whole, what I was left feeling is that Trump doesn’t care who he has to hurt, or what he has to destroy, to win. For Trump, it’s win or nothing. And even if he does win, I don’t think that will be enough. I think he will go after his political opponents, and try to put them in jail.

    I joked after the Republican convention that I left feeling like I was a hunted creature for being liberal. After last night, I think Trump will call on his supporters and white supremacists to go and riot in the streets. That open conflict will follow on November 3rd.

    Even if Trump comes to his senses, and agrees to a peaceful transfer, he has already put the thought out there, and you cannot take it back.