Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

Dan Rather February 24, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/

The time for normalizing, dissembling, and explaining away Donald Trump has long since passed. The barring of respected journalistic outlets from the White House briefing is so far beyond the norms and traditions that have governed this republic for generations, that they must be seen as a real and present threat to our democracy. These are the dangers presidents are supposed to protect against, not create.

For all who excused Mr. Trump's rhetoric in the campaign as just talk, the reckoning has come. I hope it isn't true, but I fear Mr. Trump is nearing or perhaps already beyond any hope of redemption. And now the question is will enough pressure be turned to all those who enable his antics with their tacit encouragement. There has been a wall of unbending support from virtually every Republican in Congress, and even some Democrats. Among many people, this will be seen as anything approaching acceptable. And mind you, talk is cheap. No one needs to hear how you don't agree with the President. What are you going to do about it? Do you maintain that an Administration that seeks to subvert the protections of our Constitution is fit to rule unchecked? Or fit to rule at all?

This is an emergency that can no longer be placed solely at the feet of President Trump, or even the Trump Administration. This is a moment of judgement for everyone who willingly remains silent. It is gut check time, for those in a position of power, and for the nation.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

A friend of mine from the UK said that BBC reporter was excluded from white house briefings. She said all reporters should not go .... stand together. Only FAUX NEWS would show up. The Dictatorship has begun the purge of of news is one standard step in control of the people. I am amazed at the people, Trumpites, to whom I have spoken appear to want a dictatorship and if pushed would want a war.... no concept that the "shinning new nukes" that Trump wants could be the start of rusty ol nukes coming our way. Preemptive strikes are a Republican excuse for attacking a country. What comes around goes around. [“as you sow, so shall you reap” ]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/24/media-blocked-white-house-briefing-sean-spicer

From above article that Keenan presented: "they must be seen as a real and present threat to our democracy. These are the dangers presidents are supposed to protect against, not create."

Twardlow Loc: Arkansas

I agree completely. Consider. Is there one person in America who thinks Trump is intelligent, principled, or empathetic.

Anyone?

Is there anyone in America that admires and respects Trump's character or moral standing?

Anyone?

Is there anyone in America who considers Trump and Bannon as sane, sober and respectable?

Anyone?

Is there anyone in America who is proud of the integrity and understanding, or compassion or dignity of Donald J. Trump and Steve Bannon?

Anyone?

And if you say yes, if in the dark of the night you approve, when you look at your wife or your children or your grandchildren, you are proud...if you gave a portion of your life in defense of this country...or if you are prepared to...if you think civilisation--or mere civility--should be a nation's guiding principle...its foundation and justification...if you think t***h and honesty matter...Why The Hell Aren't You Standing Up!!!

You would salute the f**g as it marches past, but you accept this man?

Regurgitate this buffoon! Purge yourself and your nation of this vileness. Vomit forth this reeking illness. Place this affront to healthy thought, this carrier of disease and filth, this vulture of h**e and violence, this pussy-grabber and deligate to the Russian Nation, place him in the smallest room in your house, flush repeatedly, and lock the door behind you as you leave.

Stand Up For America, before it's too late.

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Where was Dan Rather when Obama announced that he was banning Fox News from all future White House Press Conferences in 2009?

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

Steve, Obama never banned Fox News from any White House Press Conferences.

Nice try with your "but but but Obama" diversion, but FAIL.


However, I will mark you down on the Gung-ho For F*****m list. Thanks for standing up to be f*****t!

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

My mistake! In 2009, Obama banned Fox News from interviewing Treasury Department Executive Pay Czar Kenneth Feinberg, while allowing the other major networks to interview him. The quote from White House Spokesman Josh Earnest "We’ve demonstrated our willingness and ability to exclude Fox News from significant interviews…”

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/documents-show-obama-white-house-attacked-excluded-fox-news-channel/

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

Steve, you try Oh So Hard with your "but but but Mommy, he did it first!", and all you ever come up with is false equivalencies - in this case an email that described something that never actually happened in the real world.

What's interesting, Steve, is that you right wingers NEVER take the high road. You guys ALWAYS take the low road of ethics and morals, and then when caught, you always trot out the "Mommy, he did it first!" excuse.

Not surprising that you see nothing wrong with Trump's dictator-like behavior. Not surprising in the least. Tell me, is there ANY f*****tic behavior that the Trump administration might do that would be over the line for you? Where is your line? Do you even have a line?

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Interesting that left wingers see Trump as a f*****t when most of his actions have been to "roll back" Federal Government power rather than to increase it. Contrast this with Obama who expanded Federal Government powers by revving up Federal regulations and writing executive orders rather than using the more democratic process of working with Congress to pass laws by consensus. Even his military offenses were done on his own without even asking for approval from Congress. Left-wing Congressman Dennis Kucinich even said that this behavior was an impeachable offense.

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

There you go again with your "Mommy, he did it first!" routine.

Steve, this thread has nothing to do with Obama. Try to stay on topic.


Even more astoundingly ironic is that you brought up Obama's use of EOs, complaining that he was avoiding the more democratic process of working with Congress...even while your Orange Hitler hero has been running the country with EOs like a dictator for his entire presidency so far!

Steve, your irony, hypocrisy, and double standards are showing again...


Since you refused to give me an answer regarding "Tell me, is there ANY f*****tic behavior that the Trump administration might do that would be over the line for you? Where is your line? Do you even have a line?"...I'll have to assume that the answer is 'no', you don't have a line that Trump can cross with his f*****tic behavior that you would object to.

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

I'll ignore your more lunatic rantings and give you an answer. First, the majority of Trump's executive orders were simply reversals or cancellations of orders that Obama put in place in lieu of passing real legislation through the consensual process. A line I would draw for Trump regarding f*****tic behavior would be if he attacked a foreign country that was not an immediate threat to the United States without getting approval from Congress. Now back to your rantings!

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

Hahahahaha! Nice Trumpsplaining, Steve. Of course, I guess you already forgot the the federal judiciary ruled some of his EOs unconstitutional.

By the way, it appears that you don't understand the definition of f*****m. Attacking a foreign country that was not an immediate threat, like your Bush/Chaney criminal duo did, is wrong and immoral, but is not the definition of f*****m. F*****m is when a leader acts like a dictator and ignores the law and disrespects checks and balances, and moves to suppress and repress dissent - such as attacking and attempting to destroy an independent media - or threatening to jail your political opposition...Ooops! Your Orange Hitler is trying to do both of these things!

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Okay, I'll accept your definition of F*****m. So tell me where Trump has ignored the law, disrespected checks and balances, or moved to suppress dissent, such as attacking and attempting to destroy an independent media, or threatened to jail his political opposition. Although Trump rails incessantly about the press and "f**e news," he has done nothing at all to destroy an independent media, such as when Obama secretly investigated phone records and E-mails of Associated Press members. Obama's administration also declared that it was not going to enforce the laws it didn't like. Does that fit your definition of F*****m?

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

OMG have you been living under a rock? Just read the past few weeks of posts on UHH and all of your questions have been answered regarding Trump's disregard for checks and balances, separation of powers, attacking the independence and the authority of the judiciary. Attempts to delegitimize the independent media have discussed for days and days. You don't remember Trump vowing to jail Hillary? "Lock her up!" doesn't ring a bell?

You're competing for the Queen of Denial Award, aren't you?

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

You haven't given me a single example except Hillary "lock her up!" Hillary, while actually being a political opponent, did in fact break the law -

18 USC §793. This statute explicitly states that whoever, “entrusted with or having lawful possession or control of any document…through gross negligence permits the same to removed from its proper place of custody…or having knowledge that the same has been illegally removed from its proper place of custody….shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

The F*****ts that you reference, lock people up for merely being political opponents, not for actually breaking the law. So Hillary is a bad example. Other than just giving me broad rhetoric, why don't you provide specific examples where Trump ignores checks and balances, separation of powers, or attacks the independent authority of the judiciary? And don't tell me that Trump has criticized judges and that this is somehow reprehensible behavior. He can badmouth judges all year long and it doesn't make a molehill's bit of difference unless he takes some sort of action against them.

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

Steve, if you haven't realized by now that the B-b-b-b-b-ben-benga-benghaz-b******i hairball and email bru ha ha was just a political stunt to hurt Hillary's prospects, then you are never going to get it.