The difficulty, as you've alluded to, is that Trump has been long and loud about his myriad hated, and his plans to exercise revenge. Win or lose, he will seek revenge on everyone and everything. That's his only reason for running.
Why don't Americans accept Trump at face value? He's not joking. He has no identifiable sense of humor.
At least we're not running out of news. You stole that first episode, 100%. The Joe Biden line was mean, but inspired comedy -- it seems like a perfect setting for you, congratulations.
Hey, I really enjoyed "Have I Got News For You"! I told my husband that I wasn't surprised Michael Ian Black is so well-informed, since I subscribe to his newsletter.
I hate to say it. But this feels contrived. Obviously I'd rather it be a feint than a man losing his life, even that man. But a second assassin, just a week after he flubbed a debate? That is quite a coinkydink.
Michael, let me remind you he says he’s headed to a “very safe” country called Venezuela if he loses. I have the perfect home for him there, which I learned about from Homeland, to-wit: The Tower of David, in Caracas…https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centro_Financiero_Confinanzas
I love this idea, especially all the BEST touches, such as : "the building lacks elevators, installed electricity, running water, balcony railing, windows, and even walls in many places."
thank you for this thoughtful piece! here are a few of the thoughtful pieces of it that i love specifically so much that i have cut and pasted them and shared here in this comment:
"First of all, it is entirely consistent to say that Trump is a threat to democracy while also being opposed to political violence. Why? Because political violence itself is a threat to democracy. The essential promise of democracy is that expressing one’s political voice in a peaceful manner obviates the need to do so with a rifle. Democracy is the solution to political violence."
"I’m not being judgy about their mindset, but black-and-white thinking is more prevalent among conservatives, and black-and-white thinking lends itself more readily to political violence."
"I’m not blind to my biases. If something were to happen to Harris or Walz, my instincts would almost certainly be to lay some of the blame at the feet of Donald Trump, regardless of the attacker’s stated motivations. So I do have sympathy for those on Trump’s side who regard any attack on their man as directed, at least in part, by those on left. The difference, obviously, is that Trump’s calls for political violence are long and extensively covered."
"Trump and Harris should use the moment to speak against political violence and to put out some sort of unity statement about confining our disagreements to ballots instead of bullets. Harris and Walz have already done so, but I have yet to see a statement from Trump or Vance saying the same."
"Let me be completely clear: I don’t want to see Donald Trump hurt. In fact, I think the safest thing to do would be for him to drop out and go live someplace safe. Preferably with thick walls and bars on the doors."
Donald Trump says, into a microphone at his massive rallies which are broadcast around the country on right-wing streaming platforms, that when he was younger the way to deal with a protester at a political rally was for the crowd to beat the crap out of him until he has to be “carried out on a stretcher”. That’s the nation he wants to create. Mob rule.
I look forward to hearing one day soon how loving father Donald Jr. will explain to his five children why their loving Grandfather is in jail. (Do we know how they were told about Granny being buried on his golf course?)
It's a bit of a stretch to call this an "assassination attempt"- the Secret Service caught the guy before he could get a decent shot at Donald. The fellow who shot at him in Pennsylvania had somewhat better aim, even if he missed.
The difficulty, as you've alluded to, is that Trump has been long and loud about his myriad hated, and his plans to exercise revenge. Win or lose, he will seek revenge on everyone and everything. That's his only reason for running.
Why don't Americans accept Trump at face value? He's not joking. He has no identifiable sense of humor.
He's also very likely to win.
Good luck with your democracy.
At least we're not running out of news. You stole that first episode, 100%. The Joe Biden line was mean, but inspired comedy -- it seems like a perfect setting for you, congratulations.
Excellent article. I especially like your closing line.
Someone needs to put up a gun bill called the "Donald Trump Protection Act"
Hey, I really enjoyed "Have I Got News For You"! I told my husband that I wasn't surprised Michael Ian Black is so well-informed, since I subscribe to his newsletter.
I hate to say it. But this feels contrived. Obviously I'd rather it be a feint than a man losing his life, even that man. But a second assassin, just a week after he flubbed a debate? That is quite a coinkydink.
Totally agree… but wouldn’t it be nice if he somehow disappeared forever? One can dream.
Michael, let me remind you he says he’s headed to a “very safe” country called Venezuela if he loses. I have the perfect home for him there, which I learned about from Homeland, to-wit: The Tower of David, in Caracas…https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centro_Financiero_Confinanzas
I love this idea, especially all the BEST touches, such as : "the building lacks elevators, installed electricity, running water, balcony railing, windows, and even walls in many places."
dear michael,
thank you for this thoughtful piece! here are a few of the thoughtful pieces of it that i love specifically so much that i have cut and pasted them and shared here in this comment:
"First of all, it is entirely consistent to say that Trump is a threat to democracy while also being opposed to political violence. Why? Because political violence itself is a threat to democracy. The essential promise of democracy is that expressing one’s political voice in a peaceful manner obviates the need to do so with a rifle. Democracy is the solution to political violence."
"I’m not being judgy about their mindset, but black-and-white thinking is more prevalent among conservatives, and black-and-white thinking lends itself more readily to political violence."
"I’m not blind to my biases. If something were to happen to Harris or Walz, my instincts would almost certainly be to lay some of the blame at the feet of Donald Trump, regardless of the attacker’s stated motivations. So I do have sympathy for those on Trump’s side who regard any attack on their man as directed, at least in part, by those on left. The difference, obviously, is that Trump’s calls for political violence are long and extensively covered."
"Trump and Harris should use the moment to speak against political violence and to put out some sort of unity statement about confining our disagreements to ballots instead of bullets. Harris and Walz have already done so, but I have yet to see a statement from Trump or Vance saying the same."
"Let me be completely clear: I don’t want to see Donald Trump hurt. In fact, I think the safest thing to do would be for him to drop out and go live someplace safe. Preferably with thick walls and bars on the doors."
thank you for sharing all of this!
love
myq
The confirmation bias and here is pretty strong Michael trying to disregard the assassination attempt Yes it is an assassination attempt.
The perp hasn't been charged with an assassination attempt at this time, only gun charges.
Technically, no shots were fired and Florida is an open carry state. I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to DT, that's all we can do, isn't it?
Yes, I agree that's probably what it was - as I said, until we know more, I think you have to call it "allegedly."
Donald Trump says, into a microphone at his massive rallies which are broadcast around the country on right-wing streaming platforms, that when he was younger the way to deal with a protester at a political rally was for the crowd to beat the crap out of him until he has to be “carried out on a stretcher”. That’s the nation he wants to create. Mob rule.
I look forward to hearing one day soon how loving father Donald Jr. will explain to his five children why their loving Grandfather is in jail. (Do we know how they were told about Granny being buried on his golf course?)
It's a bit of a stretch to call this an "assassination attempt"- the Secret Service caught the guy before he could get a decent shot at Donald. The fellow who shot at him in Pennsylvania had somewhat better aim, even if he missed.