Reviews

Two Years Ago, It Was Clear What Trump Was About

10/30/2018

The following is a contemporary version of the classic warning of the Holocaust, by the Rev. Martin Niemoeller. This was written by my friend, Arthur Dobrin, the Leader Emeritus, Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, and professor emeritus, Hofstra University.)

First they mocked the handicapped and then they boasted about assaulting women.
And I did nothing.
Then they called black people stupid and Muslims terrorists.
And I did nothing.
Then they called Mexicans rapists and the press the enemy of the people.
And I did nothing.
Then they called political opponents traitors and those who body-slam critics “my kind of people.”
And I did nothing.
Then they posted pictures of dollar bills over Stars of David and said transgendered people couldn’t serve in the military any longer.
And I did nothing.
Then two African Americans were shot dead in a supermarket, pipe bombs were sent to critics of the administration and eleven Jews were murdered in a synagogue.
And now the president laments the hate in the country and then tweets about baseball.
* * *
(The incident in the video has played out dozens of times, and the message continues: take matters into your own hands. Trump’s behavior, as he foists himself upon a grieving Pittsburgh, reminds me of George Orwell’s immortal warning in the novel, “1984:”

If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face, forever.

Trump’s impact on the U.S.A. and the world is more and more apparent.
Nearly half this country voted for this man.

At the same time, the pastor’s daughter, Angela Kasner Merkel, has announced she will leave the chancellor’s post of Germany in 2021. She witnessed two totalitarian regimes – Nazi and Communist – and became a beacon of humanity in a world growing darker by the day.

My thanks to Arthur Dobrin.

Randolph

10/30/2018 09:29:13 pm

George:
Thank you for sharing these thoughts from your friend.

Actions based on fear and anger result in such toxic outcomes. It reminds me of a song from one of my heroes, John Prine:

For a heart strained in anger grows weak and grows bitter.
You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there
Wrapped up in a trap of your very own
Chain of sorrow.…

We must keep our minds clean and face the reality that these actions are evil.
Make America kind again!
Randy

George Vecsey

10/30/2018 10:27:43 pm

Randolph: Just look at the faces behind Trump. They are loving it.
Forty-seven per cent of the country. With gerrymandering and vote suppression.
He's their kind of guy. Wants to punch people in the nose.
But is a coward who cannot fire/terminate people in real life.
GV

Gene Palumbo

10/31/2018 12:28:26 am

Randolph:
FYI: Last week Margaret Renkl had a lovely piece in the N.Y.Times about John Prine:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/opinion/john-prine-american-oracle.html

In included a song of his:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0&feature=youtu.be

Randolph

10/31/2018 10:06:16 am

George and Gene,

Yes the fact that 47% of the country supports a mean spirited, amoral, narcissistic human is quite frightening.I thank you for taking a position that is based on compassion and human kindness.

Gene thanks for the heads up on the John Prine article. The song and video are great.

As my Italian grandmother would say, “To polenta when your hungry, whiskey when you are dry, money when you need it and heaven when you die.
Randy

PS Did you know that Woody Guthrie wrote a song about Trump’s father?

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 10:15:38 am

Good God. What kind of venom can go through one's body to warp the brain so badly, and destroy common sense and moral bearings so totally? This is quite a remarkable, and very sad time, because it is pointing toward more needless, foolish violence.

Alan Rubin link

10/31/2018 02:51:55 pm

Brian. Who are you referring to? Trump happens to fit that description.

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 08:21:05 pm

Alain, I’m referring to George’s post and his quotation of his friend which are insane, inane, and dangerous because it is the kind of crap that insights violence. Where does such stupidity come from? Why do intelligent people cast aside judgement and restraint so readily? It is an embarrassment to the authors.

bruce

10/31/2018 09:11:21 pm

alan,

i've seen your comments many, many times so i'm guessing that's called a rhetorical question or you're tweaking this blog's inexplicable one.

cheers,

bruce

Alan Rubin link

10/31/2018 03:51:32 pm

I hope that whoever is elected president in 2020, regardless of party, is someone who can break bubbles. Too many politicians and people throughout the “United” States live in a bubble and are indifferent or oblivious to the needs of people outside of their community.

My first trip outside of the states other than Canada was on my honeymoon to Mexico in December 1961. Since then my wife and I have traveled to east and west Europe, several South American countries and Africa-Morocco and South Africa.

All of these countries were remarkable to visit, but meeting the people and learning about their lives has helped to look at the United States with a new perspective.

There are many reasons why our population is divided about fifty-fifty and many people have stopped talking to those who disagree with them, but I believe much of this divide is because too many individuals, including our elected officials, rarely if ever, think or move outside of their bubbles.

Empathy seems to be in short supply. The president and his rubber stamp congress should be encouraging American to put themselves in the shoes of others and be aware of their needs and desires. Instead, we are bombarded with lies and fear mongering.

I live in beautiful Berkshire County in western Mass. My home is in west Pittsfield less than a mile from Berkshire Community College. The center third of the three mile drive from downtown Pittsfield is a neighborhood that among the top three most dangerous in the entire state. This neighborhood has the highest murder rate in Mass which is related to a severe drug problem.

Fortunately, the local politicians and many community help organizations are very active in programs that address those in need. Their efforts include prevention, rehabilitation and are very big on empathy.

It will take a long time for the pendulum to swing back to the values that made the United States the world’s moral beacon. What is urgently needed is a push in the right direction.

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 08:59:34 pm

Alan, I don't think we need a cultural swing, simply a reality reset. We are going in the right direction, and President Trumo is bringing us there as hard is that is for some (you, apparently, along with George) to understand. Trump gets support because he cares about the poor. He cares about the millions of still unemployed. He cares about the families of opioid victims that the Obama Administration caused. The central issue is Trump cares about people that Obama wasn't involved with.. Trump cares about "us" and not the financial guys who put Obama up for office, gave him his Administration appointments, and then essentially cast him aside because he wasn't important to them after he bailed them out.

Best
Brian

Alan Rubin link

11/1/2018 03:35:36 pm

Brian. In response to George's request for civility, I will forgo what was to be have been a lengthy response.

However, I cannot consider a president who, along with many members of his administration and congress, have consistently undermined so many successful programs. Some of these programs impacted the health and safety of a significant segment of the electorate.

A few examples are:
1. Gutting the Consumer Protection agency, which was the only agency that serve the interests of the average American. Hundreds of millions of dollars that businesses, financial institutions and banks had deceptively obtained were returned to those who were cheated.
2. Measures to clean up the environment have either been curtailed or completely shut down. So what if poisonous materials are released into the air or waterways in the interest of corporate profits.
3. Cutting back on health care and doing away with pre-condition protection.
4. Under the guise of eliminating non-existent voter fraud, suppressing the vote in districts that might favor Democrats.
5. Early education programs that have proven successful.

This does not sound like a president who cares about helping people.

bruce

10/31/2018 09:06:21 pm

george,

i saw a bit the other night when trump something about being reasonable or words with a similar meaning.

then he asked his mob of fact free deplorables if they wanted that.

of course, they screamed their disapproval.

as i've said before, every time there's a mass shooting or some other madness or trump spews his hate somebody can be counted on to say, 'that's unamerican' or 'that's not who we are'.....rather difficult to justify those comments with the number of times it has to be said or when trump has over 40% approval.

as for you mr savin....you need help.

bruce

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 09:16:44 pm

George, I think it now time for you to stop coddling the paid troll -- the asshole who calls himself "Bruce" but refuses to identify himself. To our Dear Asshole, I dare you to identify yourself to me. I long ago authorized George to give you my personal coordinates to communicate with me. You refused. I want to know who you are. NOW.

bruce

10/31/2018 09:22:16 pm

brian,

I think you've misidentified the troll.

if you'd like to discover who it is, look in the closest mirror.

as for george, he knows who I am and it's 0 chance he'd give you my identity or email address.

same chance as it would be if I asked for your info.

bruce

Brian SAvin

10/31/2018 09:28:25 pm

Scardy cat, eh? What's so private? Why are you so embarrassed to be unmasked? What do you have to hide? I suspect you know I could find out whose paying you in a second. Maybe I couldn't. Prove to me I'm wrong. Tell me who you are. I dare you.

bruce

10/31/2018 09:29:12 pm

brian,

i'll be in DC next week.

why don't you hang out at the airports?

it should be easy to spot me; there can't be too many assholes arriving in the nation's capital. should be easy to spot me.

bruce

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 09:38:57 pm

Wear a T-Shirt that reads, " ' Bruce' the fucking asshole." And pay for my flight. Not Wednesday.

bruce

10/31/2018 09:38:40 pm

brian,

geez, EH?!

good god, you fooled the hell out of me.

you've, obviously unintentionally, revealed yourself as a citizen of the country north of the usa which is a mortal national security threat.

better do a little proof reading when you get your knickers in a twist.

scardy and whose?

calm down. you'll give yourself a stroke.

hope you've got a good medical plan and no pre-existing conditions.

bruce

bruce

10/31/2018 09:43:41 pm

brian,

now where I come from, calling somebody a 'fucking asshole' might be considered abusive by the bleeding hearts who read this blog.

of course, I assume i'm one of them to a calm, bright fellow like you.

bruce

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 09:50:19 pm

Fuck off until you identify yourself to me. Just authorize George to send me your coordinates. Very simple. I dare you. Come on....

bruce

10/31/2018 09:58:49 pm

brian,

well, now I feel guilty.

i had no idea you were in fifth grade.

bruce

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 10:03:39 pm

Just identify yourself. Come on, we're getting closer... Come on, asshole...

bruce

10/31/2018 10:12:31 pm

brian,

getting closer?!

sorry brian, i'm not that type of guy.

have to go for a bit.

my mom says I have to have my weekly bath.

bruce

Brian Savin

10/31/2018 10:17:22 pm

George,
You know and have met everyone who contributes to this blog except the "Bruce" troll who refuses to identify himself. I don't think you should allow his posts at this point. If you wish, I can explain more about trolls.
Best
Brian

bruce

11/1/2018 12:27:52 am

brian,

this is at least the second time you've told george not to 'allow' my posts.

it seems to me that it's not your decision.

now if you have your own site--and are prepared to post it--i'd be more than happy to stay off it.

and i say that, as always, with the utmost love and respect.

bruce

George Vecsey

11/1/2018 09:25:05 am

Boyz, boyz, boyz (and I do mean boyz):
We've had an F-bomb outbreak here.
I don't mind dripping patronization....the suggestion that if only I would listen to somebody truly enlightened, I would find wisdom.
But we got to draw the lines, boyz.
I have gotten two emails from other regulars saying I need to restore civility here.
Now, I am a reporter by training. I keep my sources. I remember who told me what. I don't blabber. So I am not divulging last names, home towns, occupations, etc.
I can attest that I have met Brian -- smart man, good host.
I have not met Bruce. (Life has gotten too busy.) I don't think he is a troll. (That is to say, he does not live under a bridge, in the Peer Gynt definition. Is there some other use of the word?)
I keep waiting for some hint of Russian sentence structure but instead I detect the odd "eh" or "colour." I have the feeling that if challenged, he would drop his gloves and try to pull my jersey over my head and pummel me for a game major penalty. That is to say, I am satisfied he is from the odd little place known as Canuckistan.
But look, boyz, we got to restore civility here.
I don't believe in censorship (not yet) but I do think it is time to ban the f-bomb.
(I have to confess, I have a foul mouth in real life....things I heard growing up in Queens, living only half a mile from that nasty little Trump boy. Many of us from Queens are yappy.)
But, I am conditioned by decades at the NYT, and I am fine with spewing stuff in real time but in print I think there are better ways than using the f-bomb, so that is from now on banished. And if you want to start a trend, the s-word and the a-word are on the edge. Come up with some obscure Shakespearean insult, make us consult the web to find out what we are being called.
But F-bomb is out.
Dripping patronization about my need to get wise, all good.
GV

bruce

11/1/2018 09:45:25 am

george,

sounds reasonable.

however, I would like to point out that I only used the F bomb once and that was quoting trump's only defender on this otherwise rational site after he called me a F A.

I think I was fairly restrained given the provocation.

i'll try to get in touch with my lawyer to stop the defamation suit.

and the EH was used not by me, but the American in our enlightened discussion.

my sky fairy!!.....brian ain't from the number one national security threat to the muscular republic to the south, is he!?

I do confess to spelling colour, ardour, flavour et al the proper way.

eh....

bruce (not a troll but enjoy chatting with the real one on the site)

John McDermott

11/1/2018 11:49:04 am

So, somebody called somebody else here an asshole and unleashed a series of F-bombs. Very rude and disrespectful, especially to George, whose guests we all are here. But guests can be disinvited. There’s only one real asshole who appears regularly here and it’s past time for George to put him on a permanent timeout. Good riddance.

Mendel

11/1/2018 01:17:17 pm

Entertainment for the winter, until spring training? I'm happy to sit by and listen.

And, if you can't say something nice, say it in Yiddish, you effin' meshugenners.

Joshua Rubin

11/1/2018 01:56:56 pm

George,
Your "therapy blog" seems in need of some therapy itself. I enjoy the thoughtful space you provide for contemplation and discussion of the things you choose to write about. I hope even your most disagreeable regulars can find a way to stay within the tone you set. After all, if the Broadway rendition is correct, even Hamilton and Burr signed their escalating correspondence "Your obedient servant," recognizing the civic value of manners. If they can do it, so can we all. And if not, two of your regulars are going to need seconds and a blindfolded doctor on site.

George Vecsey

11/1/2018 02:24:40 pm

Boyz (come to think of it, why are there no female regulars here? Maybe for the same reason I want to vote for Oprah after seeing her in Marietta today. The "sistahs" and "sisters" have more sense than we do.)
Where was I? Will my enthusiasm for Sistah Oprah touch off another lecture from on high?
It's true, Bruce didn't fire first. It's also true that I probably was using my inner Breslin in hearing "eh" where none was dropped. My apologies for hearing what probably was not said. .
Mendel, let's hear a good Yiddish expression for all this -- a tzimmes in a glass tea, maybe?
Anyway, boyz, I don't believe in fatwas.
It's a free world. This site is your site.
Civility? Never out of style.
GV

bruce

11/1/2018 03:24:28 pm

george,

you did see 'eh' from our resident trump fan.

I teased him of being, shockingly, from Canada.

again, I will say in my defence that the only naughty words I said were quoting mr savin.

it's not the first time he's accused me of being a troll.

first time that he was nasty, as I recall, came when he accused me of spewing propaganda when I pointed out the u.s.a. trade representative's own numbers about trade with Canada said Canuckistan had a trade deficit with the usa.

he went rather ballistic for some reason.

last night's first EH.

bruce

Brian SAvin
10/31/2018 09:28:25 pm

Scardy cat, eh?

Brian SAvin

11/4/2018 10:51:08 pm

Interesting. Let's go a bit further.

"Bruce the Troll" seems to be assigned to George's blog. He participates with such frequency and ferver -- on only certain subjects -- that, having never met George, or, I daresay, read him, that this should raise questions in any reasonable mind why he has devoted his attention and developed such attraction to George. I think the answer is self evident. He is paid (sorry, George, albeit your personality is attractive and magnificent).

I assume "Bruce the Troll" was an early entry to participation here but doubt he was a communicant with George before this website was announced by George to his colleagues.

Trolls are a big deal in social media these days, as everyone here ought to know. They are regularly engaged on a paid basis in an attempt to influence the attitudes of those who participate in blogs that have potential political leanings. B the T has obvious predilections in a certain direction. They are in agreement with many of the participants, However, many of those predilections need to be challenged in my opinion because they are mostly wrong, and dangerous, and oblivious to what is actually going on in our world, as I've often tried to show in hopefully documented ways.

Virtually every piece of proposed legislation introduced to regulate social media has required that the identity of participants be disclosed. I'm surprised that George's blog site allows participation to someone using a single name, because that does not allow for authentication.

Bruce the Troll is a distraction. He is also mysteriously and intentionally cloaked in an information vacuum. I think it appropriate to ask why he hides his identity? I also think it is appropriate for Bruce the Troll to allow George to give me his identity information in exchange for George giving him mine. My real suspicion is that George does not know who Bruce the Troll is, any more than we do. And that is why he should be banned.

Brian

PS to Alan: You are fervent, but respectfully, dead wrong -- factually -- in all your numbered points one through five. Not even close on any of them. I don't know how to even begin to deal with your views. Any suggestions on what approach might help your understanding? The issue is that your conclusions are based on multiple erroneous assumptions that are pretty basic. Before we could have any understanding, or useful discussion, you would have to be open to a lot of information you aren't recognizing. I'll try if you want, but let's do it off line for awhile.

bruce

11/4/2018 11:58:09 pm

brian,

I should've added a comment about your PS to alan.

as george noted your condescension is, shall we say, insulting? I believe he said condescension or something akin to it.

you've done it again with alan rubin,...'any suggestion on what approach might help your understanding'....

what a gobsmackingly strange comment.

maybe if the other people who post on this site wrote EVERYTHING IN CAPITAL LETTERS you'd understand just how weak your understanding is.

alan's response to you was a bullseye.

both rubins whom I've seen post here seem to be bright, thoughtful, well informed and respectful.

supermen to your bizarro version.

finally, since you get so obscene, insulting and upset maybe YOU should disappear and stop posting here.

maybe you're a Russian hacker trying to sew discord.

and, as always, I say this with the utmost love and respect.

bruce

Randolph

11/1/2018 02:42:57 pm

George,
Years ago, my wife left a Post-it note on the refrigerator that I found one morning at 5:30 AM .
It said :
“ It is never to late to be nice.”
Her simple advice has helped me a lot over the years.
It is worth considering ........

Randy

Mendel

11/1/2018 02:48:29 pm

"The wise man, even when he holds his tongue, says more than the fool when he speaks."

"It's easier to be a critic than an author."

Eugene Floyd

11/3/2018 11:53:47 am

Just discovered your blog. Love it. You get it. Have loved your writing over the years. Like you, I was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. Grew-up in Sheepshead Bay. I have Jackie's autograph. Got it from him personally at his store in Harlem. One of the great people.

bruce

11/4/2018 11:23:55 pm

brian,

when I saw your name, I was expecting an apology to george for spewing obscenities during your last appearances on this site.

apparently you are shameless--which actually makes sense.

I shouldn't engage since it'll only encourage you.

I first emailed george about 10 years ago while I was living in japan. I complimented him on his coverage of international events such as the world cup and tour de france.

I've read his columns and stories for years. I used to email him when you could click bylines and get the reporter's nyt email address.

liked him because he was evenhanded and respectful in his columns.

I also told him when he started this site that I enjoyed his stuff more now that he was unshackled in retirement.

another shameful comment--at least twice posted--was when you blatantly accused him of writing what he wrote so he wouldn't lose his nyt pension.

also enjoyed his work because he understood people in other lands could love their countries, excel at sports and show as much talent, skill and determination as americans.

and I didn't say this, but they seem to do it without a system that, too often, allows student ath a leets into university when they seem to be hired guns with no interest or ability academically.

we email regularly. he was one of five nyt reporters/columnists I emailed from japan when my wife died in 2011.

I was supposed to visit him in may, but managed to lose my passport a couple of days before my flight to LaGuardia. it turned up three months later.

there are other instances of george knowing my identity including my home address.

why don't you save your paranoia and irrationality for the next trump rally in Braunau am Inn.

and, as always, I say that with the utmost love and respect.

bruce

Brian Savin

11/5/2018 07:37:11 pm

Dear Bruce the Troll,
You are clearly desperate for your paycheck, which I assume you will pick up in Washington D.C. this week in your travels you disclosed, stupidly. I tell your employers that you are not worth it and let them decide what to do with you. You are the very problem with social media. I'll let George sort this out. He wants to move on. I do too, but you are a paid troll and I don't want that lost in the shuffle. George will still permit me to give you my designation of asshole, and I think it well deserved. May I say, "F" off? Disclose yourself if you want credibility, "buddy."

bruce

11/5/2018 07:55:44 pm

brian

as I said, I didn't want to encourage you.

seems I was right.

just watching a special I taped last night on pbs seattle with johnny mathis.

your screeching has spoiled it a bit.

it might've been stupid to disclose I was going to Washington tho i'm not sure why.

but why do you believe I am since i'm trolling away?

i'm doing this from memory, but I believe george discouraged the F bomb, A hole and S..T.

you're beyond control tho so I guess you don't give a rat's buttocks.

my only suggestion would be to seek professional help or go back on your meds since you seem fixated on this topic.

i'm sure george would rather you spare his site--and his other readers--from your irrational and obscene rants about my supposed trolling.

and your condescending/patronizing comments when you try to justify your love for the most revolting potus in the history of your country.

bruce

Brian Savin

11/5/2018 08:05:46 pm

Dear Troll
Say high in D.C. t the folks you meet with.. Tell them my name. Tell them they aren't getting their money's worth.
Best

bruce

11/5/2018 08:22:48 pm

brian,

no intention to get high or did you mean HI?

bruce

Brian Savin

11/5/2018 08:39:20 pm

I'll come to your meeting in D.C. if you pay for my flight. Not Wednesday. I'd love to meet with the folks you're meeting with. I would bet some of them might know me and I might like to see them again. What do you say, "pal"?

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Two Years Ago, It Was Clear What Trump Was About

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