Political division alive and well; voting is important
I had decided to run a social experiment, then blog about it and hopefully have it published in a prominent publication.
I would go into six businesses at random donning my Make America Great Again hat and recording the results — did they ask me to leave, did they put Ex-Lax in my food, did they throw profanities my way, or did they say “right on”?
The experiment had not even begun when I was sitting at my favorite fast-food establishment talking story and politics with none other than The Garden Island’s advocacy and watchdog columnist and good friend, Jerome Freitas, a.k.a., “Da Shadow.”
We were both talking local politics on how we both believe Mel Rapozo would be the best mayor for Kauai when the subject shifted to none other than 45, POTUS, “The Donald.” Shadow was saying unemployment is down, stock market is up. I’m saying, the market closed at a six-month high, unheard of 5 percent GDP being projected. Higher 18-month approval rating than any other president in history — along with an unheard of peace on the Korean Peninsula and the start of bringing home the remains of soldiers lost in battle from the Korean war… And out of nowhere some stranger sitting a few seats away starts a kerfuffle about how the Republican Party itself is not for the common people, only the rich, and how could we even like Trump. He began the rant, tirade and new mantra of the Left, “Shame on you.”
This left-winger did not know us from Adam, yet had the audacity to come into our conversation and start an altercation. He started downloading all kinds of fake news on his smart phone while using the free WiFi at this fast-food establishment, crying “you know Trump is going to take your Social Security and Medicaid.”
I thought to myself, I’m not even wearing my “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) hat and I had a total stranger going postal on us. Roseanne Barr refers to this as “Hatriotism” (sic). I also thought to myself, I sure wish I had a crystal ball to read into the future like this person with Trump Derangement Syndrome who never got over Hillary losing the election.
The Shadow’s advice to me in his island-style pidgin, “Bruddah, you need bodyguard and body-cam if you wear dat hat in dakine, otherwise you no safe.”
Da Shadow is a wise man and I am heeding his words not only about “Hatriotism” (sic) but to remember to get out and vote.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapaa
Got about 3 sentences into this letter and realized this is another pathetic cry for attention from chemo.
Bet gordon oswald makes a comment like “great letter chemo.”?
maybe your food stamps and subsidized housing too?
I’m curious, does TGI have a bag full of James “Fake News” Rosen ramblings and then, when it’s a slow news day, just reach in and pull one out?
But for all of Rosen’s pointless blah blah, this one did contain a gem — that Trump had a “. . . higher 18-month approval rating than any other president in history.”
WHAT?? Knock knock . . . Hello, is anybody home?
Plain and simply, that is hogwash. Trump’s approval rating is one of the lowest (if not THE lowest) on record, and currently stands at 42%. His disapproval rating is over 52%. In fact, Trump’s approval rating is the worst of ANY of the most recent seven presidents.
We all have opinions on trump. Most agree we are tired of being lied to. The economy though is doing well, however the national debt is on it’s fastest increase, ever. For many dems we find the Russian connections with trump’s cabinet and his campaign staff problematic. Of course there can be the occasional agreement with Russia but we are not interested in cozying up with an adversarial Putin or happy about trump’s private meeting with him or calling the Russian election hack a hoax, while alienating our allies. Especially Canada? Trump has left many family companies with pennies on the dollar with his numerous bankruptcies and some of these businesses did not recover. These were hard working people trying to make a living. He seems to be a misogynist and that is a big problem for many. His tax cut that he claimed was for the middle class and that he would not benefit him “believe me” was an obvious hoax from which he benefits magnificently.
Of course we need borders and migration according to the law but when he separated families with no plan for reunification many us were not only heart broken but any remaining patience with trump vanished. These things are wrong and cannot be condoned but I’m not in agreement with direct confrontation over it.
Special to “”Kimo”” quotes from P.T. Barnum:
“Nobody ever lost a dollar underestimating the taste of the American public.”
“There”s a sucker born every minute.”
Do yourself a favor, James Rosen. Do not wear pro-Trump MAGA paraphernalia in public on Kauai. Why do you feel the need to be a splinter in the side of those who overwhelmingly condemn the actions and policies of Trump?
Smart, reasoned people do not want to know that you’ve been hoodwinked by a racist, misogynistic, boastful stupid idiot real estate magnate who is “leading” our country. You can expect them to be sad, if not shocked, that you buy the nonsense that all is good with what is happening in our country.
Do you really believe that Trump is responsible for good economic numbers and he could possibly maintain the economy in the long run? At what price? Do you not think that Trump is determined to help himself and his (mostly all white) rich cronies at the expense of the average man? Do you think that Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin have not played Trump for a fool? Do you think it wise that Trump has angered our allies and promoted autocratic dictators? While he tolerates Jared and Ivanka and will use Jews when they can make him money or support his nefarious activities, he hate Jews, any-but-beautiful women, Muslims, Blacks, Hindus, Asians and anyone else who doesn’t look like him or is willing to kowtow to him.
Your attitude is comical, but sad. Please spare us your exercise in promoting Trump. If you do so as an honest approval of this man-child, God help you. If, on the other hand, you do so to create ripples in our community’s waters and the bolster your ego and cement your reputation as someone who loved to see his name in print, just go away and find something more meaningful to pursue. Just go away, please.
Yes, isn’t it the height of hypocrisy when the virulent left screams “fascist” and “Nazi” while their behavior reminds us of krystallnacht.
RG DeSoto
Kimo’s next social experiment should be to stop writing attention-craving letters to the editor.
Even if trump deserved the credit for a continued 8 year long improvement in the economy, it just means that a little money is all it takes for you to turn a blind eye towards his racism, sexism, and religious bigotry not to mention the stupendous demagoguery at these rallies and on Twitter!
It’s NOT your finest hour!
Really, RG? During Kristallnacht, Nazis torched synagogues, vandalized Jewish homes — as well as schools and businesses — then killed close to 100 Jews. Then the thugs arrested over 30,000 Jewish men and sent them to concentration camps. You’re actually comparing so-called “virulent” liberals to this? You have absolutely NO IDEA what you are talking about.
Wow… took 3 sentences more than usual to figure out who the author was
Kimo told us that Trump was strong, back when everyone else thought Trump’s candidacy was a joke. Kimo is not only a good writer, but his analysis is quite good.
I am skeptical about Trump’s 18-month approval being the highest, but it certainly was higher than Obama’s. But, Kimo didn’t say it was true, he said that he said it to see what would happen.
As was mentioned earlier, the left has clearly become fascist and “krystallnacht” is a pretty good description of how the left responds to Trump.
I think it is pretty clear to most that the left has become intolerant of Trump. Trump could easily be criticized for things like exaggeration and other more minor errors. However, it seems quite likely that the left’s unreasonable attacks are going to have the opposite effect that what they hoped.
A great many people like myself will see false attacks against a sitting President as attacks against our democracy, and will start supporting a President that they otherwise may not have supported.
Since James Rosen was so kind to share with us his version of Undah Covah Bruddah and enlighten us with his pearls of wisdom. I thought maybe I could return the favor.
1) Stay in your lane.
The Shadow’s advice to me in his island-style pidgin, “Bruddah, you need bodyguard and body-cam if you wear dat hat in dakine, otherwise you no safe.”
Where did you hear pidgin like that? Did you binge watch 1970s Hawaii Five-O TV shows and get inspired to document the language of the local peeps in your letter?
2) Don’t give yourself a nickname or Hawaiian name. It is only a legit name if your friends come up with it. Since you don’t have any friends, let me help you out. How about Jack Okole?
3) Don’t quote Roseanne Barr. Never do it, even when you may think it may be a good idea, it is always a bad idea. Ten years from now your imaginary friend will say, remember when you quoted Roseanne Barr? Wow, that was totally dumb and immature!
4) Crazy attracts crazy. Mark Beeksma quote: “A great many people like myself will see false attacks against a sitting President as attacks against our democracy, and will start supporting a President that they otherwise may not have supported.”
I guess Mark Beeksma still thinks Richard Nixon was not a crook or shouldn’t have resigned. Herbert Hoover anyone? Hoover was known as a poor communicator who fueled trade wars and exacerbated the Depression. Sound familiar?
“Kimo is not only a good writer, but his analysis is quite good??” NOT!!
“Trump’s 18-month approval being the highest??” NOT!!
“The left has clearly become fascist and “krystallnacht” is a pretty good description of how the left responds to Trump??” NOT!!
..”things like exaggeration and other more minor errors.” MINOR?? NOT!!
“…and will start supporting a President that they otherwise may not have supported.”” NOT!!
I would expound on all your suppositions, but someone whose mind is so convoluted would be unable to comprehend a reasoned argument. Thankfully you, and your bizarre opinions, are represent a tiny minority of Kauai residents who are equally tolerant of having the wool pulled over their eyes.
My retort is smart, reasoned, and obvious. And I am far from a fascist! Enuf Said!
Well, your comment shows that you know nothing about krystallnacht, so I’d be really careful about bandying about terms like that. Until they burn your house of worship, drag you and your family into the streets, beat you and send you to a concentration camp, you have no business making this facile comparison. It just shows how shallow your knowledge is. As for”exaggeration and minor errors,” I believe most intelligent people refer to these as “lies.”
Oh boy, former christian value guy Beeksma just loves the fat, orange, racist babysnatcher!
Pick up a History book. Fascism has been, is and always shall be a right wing phenomenon. That’s because right wingers want strongmen to “round up” or “take care of” all those people who aren’t behaving properly. You know, the ones having fun, having sex, dressing colorfully, thinking for themselves, driving too fast, watching R rated movies, playing their music too loud, surfing, and kicking their ball into Beeksma’s yard!
Wow Mark Beeksma, if only you could understand the profound ignorance that you expose in your comment you might take the time needed to not just regurgitate code words from your right wing sources but to also have some modest idea of what you are talking about.
Are you guys just pretending to oppose me? Your language is so hostile that you are only reinforcing my point.
btw, Hitler’s party was the National Socialist Party. Socialism is now what many Democrats are embracing.
Mark, the “Socialist” part of National Socialism was Hitler’s attempt to woo Germany’s Social Democrats. It had nothing to do with the Socialism that so terrifies you. When you consider how anti-Marxist he was, this perhaps will make more sense to you. I suggest you write LTEs less and read a LOT more. Something besides Breitbart.
Beeksma’s comments on History, Anthropology, or Sociology are just as unintentionally hysterical as trump’s. Has anyone seen these two in the same place at the same time?
Mark, it’s a good thing you are already in the United States because if you were trying to immigrate, Trump would not allow you in for NOT being the best and the brightest! Low IQ, low IQ…
Alan’s response was right on the money! Nazis were not socialist. So before you align liberals with Nazis, think long and hard about the current administration and the Nazi party of Hitler’s Germany… Nationalism, isolationism, blaming immigrants/non-Aryans for the problems of the country, us vs. them, hate, intolerance, lack of compassion, murder, violence, abuse of power, lies and propaganda, looting/stealing, the list goes on and on and on.
Alan,
My University major was Economics and I graduated at the top of my department, summa cum laude. What was your degree in? I would guess that you are not an Economics grad. Most economists are well aware of the benefits of free enterprise. Facts are stubborn things.
Fascism was invented by Mussolini who was a fan of Marx. He realized Italians would not want to give up all private property, so he invented fascism, which is a compromise with Marxism.
I personally believe in smaller government, especially in Washington D.C. The Democrats want bigger government, which is far closer to Hitler’s Socialist party than what I would like to see.
The Scandinavian countries are smaller than an average U.S. state. They are also far more homogeneous than we are. If a state wants to try Scandinavian-style socialism, they are free to do so, under our current system of government.
Setting up a massive socialist government based in Washington D.C. for over 325 million people across six time zones would be a bureaucratic disaster.
Bravo Mark,
I can see your fancy economics degree and right-wing nut views are being put to good use on rural Kauai writing angry letters to the local island paper. Give it a rest, so all of us can have some peace and quiet.
First, I am accused of being under-educated. Now, I am accused of being over-educated – that I am just wasting my education debating with local folks like you.
My first thought is, “Touche!”
My second thought is somewhat idealistic. That is, I believe that grass roots discussions between people with different views are important.
I will add that Obama had the worst average annual economic growth of any president in modern times. His average was 1.5%. His best year was 2.5%.
Trump’s first year was 2.5% and his second year is on track to be a lot higher. Obama’s best year cannot beat Trump’s worst year. There are reasons for this outcome.
Keep in mind that the Great Recession of 2008 gave Obama the opportunity to grow even faster. It is much easier to grow the economy when you are starting from a low position. In spite of this, Obama never got good growth.
The reason is quite clear, Obama’s administration was opposed to economic growth in a host of ways.
I guess on the day his college History course covered Mussolini’s denouncement of socialism and the violent clashes between his Fascist Blackshirts and Italian communists and socialists during the Fascist rise to power, Beeksma was out distributing “Nixon is Not a Crook” pamphlets!
I guess on the day they covered inflation in college, you know, that nasty thing negating the GDP gains even before the inflationary effects of the Trade War Tariffs every economics major loves (LOL) is known, Beeksma was out distributing “Nixon is Not a Crook” Pamphlets!
Mark
Matthew 7:1-2. Just to refresh your memory.
Regarding immigration, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of children. So how is that different from immigrants seeking asylum from violence in their native lands?
You may have graduated with honors but obviously not a lick of common sense.
One last fact for you Mark.
Heinrich Himmler was a chicken farmer too.
“George”,
I think Deut. 24:19-21 is more on track. If we follow the law of Moses, we are not only to welcome the foreigner, but also make it easier for them to provide for themselves.
Trump was not a big Bible fan.
I don’t back everything Trump promotes, but I do respect the President and I vote for the best candidate, sometimes it is the lesser of two evils.
I think we can use some common sense (as you say). There are 300 million people or more who would love to move to the U.S. A. I think it may be good to allow just a reasonable number each year, as we have been doing for years.
Also, I would ask you, would you welcome Neo-Nazis into the U.S.? Since we probably need to limit the number anyway, it seems like common sense to accept those who beliefs are more compatible with a peaceful society.
I am also curious what you think. Suppose it is 1918 and people are fleeing their countries to get away from the so-called Spanish Flu. They want to come to America, but we happen to know that most of them are already infected. Should we let them come?
This question has a long-term parallel to Syria. Syria has been a kind of hell because of the influence of a belief system. Most of those who want to come to the U.S. are infected with this belief.
Mark, please look up the definition of sarcasm. I assure you, folks on Kauai will never accuse or mistake you of being over-educated.
I hope you can change your ways… and by change, I don’t mean right to left. There are lots of good, decent, patriotic, kind, generous, smart republicans. Unfortunately, Trump is NOT one of them.
Here is why I give little credence to anything you post. Cant even meet the standard of being a Christian regardless of what you proselytize about.
In place of the Old Testament law, Christians are under the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), which is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). If we obey those two commands, we will be fulfilling all that Christ requires of us: “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:40). Now, this does not mean the Old Testament law is irrelevant today. Many of the commands in the Old Testament law fall into the categories of “loving God” and “loving your neighbor.” The Old Testament law can be a good guidepost for knowing how to love God and knowing what goes into loving your neighbor. At the same time, to say that the Old Testament law applies to Christians today is incorrect. The Old Testament law is a unit (James 2:10). Either all of it applies, or none of it applies. If Christ fulfilled some of it, such as the sacrificial system, He fulfilled all of it.
You’ve done it again, Beeksma! The origin of the so-called Spanish Flu Pandemic was Haskell County, Kansas and it first reached epidemic proportions in US military camps, and nearby towns, in the mid West and East Coast where soldiers were in close quarters and on the move to Europe.
But you go ahead and keep relying on your hysterical, historical memory!