"In the grand tradition of tweaking the executive in power, Democrats have filled the [State of the Union] invite list with some not-so-subtle rebukes to Trump."
What are these unsubtle rebukes? 2 women who were housekeepers at a Trump resort when they were not legally in the country, 2 mothers from Guatemala who were separated from their children while they were seeking asylum, and an independent contractor who lost work during the government shutdown. Is there some notion that the presence of these people in the audience could disturb Trump? I doubt it. But it does generate some news coverage, albeit not the kind of news coverage that impresses me — the kind of news coverage The Washington Post made a Super Bowl commercial about.
February 5, 2019
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Ah the Bezos Daily Bugle---blaring and bloviating and not adding much to the sum of human knowledge.
He is impervious to trolling.
So who are going to be in audience from the Republicans? Say families that lost loved ones to MS13 or other illegals? Would that make the Dems uncomfortable? I doubt it.
As usual, Trump is blessed by his enemies. I too don't believe Trump or his supporters will care much about such stunts. Of course he's bringing his own set of political props too, but his are probably a little more legal.
Why isn't Feinstein bringing CBF?
...2 women who were housekeepers at a Trump resort when they were not legally in the country...
Are they in the country legally now? I hope Trump sends someone to ask them for their papers during the SOTU.
Criticism of Trump organizations for firing illegals underscores the hypocrisy of the left: was it wrong to employ them in the first place, because they were being exploited, or was it wrong to fire them because now they must “live in the shadows”?
The left wants to say “both”.
After the revolution, the new constitution needs to specify that the "Annual Message to Congress" shall be a written message delivered in the same manner as all executive messages to Congress. No more of this stupid partisan grandstanding.
I've got my giant stash of Popcorn ready. I heard Anthony Cumia on The Sid and Bernie show this morning saying he can't wait to watch Nancy Pelosi "chewing her cud"!! I laughed out loud and realized he is right....she has quite the habit lately of doing that!!
The ghost of Kashoggi enters the House, now THAT would be disconcerting.
I hate the invitation wars, just one more aspect of the SOTU that I despise. The applause wars, the standing ovation wars, it's just sick, and has no place in a constitutional republic.
Trump missed a golden opportunity to submit the SOTU in writing from now on. I wish he hadn't.
As if anyone but the pundit class will watch SOTU!
I fully expect Trump to be interrupted with shouts and taunts.
my dyslexia always reads SOTU as STFU
What happens if he has ICE at the SOTU to arrest the illegals?
Variety should cover the SOTU. I'd like to take it all in (or at least the MSM spin) in a single pithy headline:
POTUS BOMBS IN SOTU.
Or during A Democrat Presidency:
POTUS KILLS IN SOTU
I'm not a pundit, and I am excited to watch it. I can't wait until President Trump puts Nancy and Chuckie in their places, and to watch Nancy roll her eyes, and play with her dentures. This is better than any comedy show on TV today!!
It's not to annoy Trump but to affirm a narrative to his soap opera based haters.
ELC said...
After the revolution, the new constitution needs to specify that the "Annual Message to Congress" shall be a written message delivered in the same manner as all executive messages to Congress. No more of this stupid partisan grandstanding.
Just so people won't think I pick on certain leftist commentators here. I will respond as I always do.
"So your new constitution will eliminate separation of powers? Free Speech?"
Again, this specific retort has little to do with any real disagreement, more of an educational tweak to all readers about our current constitutional form of govt, and what proposed fixes threaten in their implementation.
Nothing personal
@Browndog, they would be total hypocrites not to. Their rhetoric is that Trump is a genuine fascist dictatorial threat. If they believed a word of it, they would not only shout him down, they would meet him at the door with arms and arrest him or just straight up gun him down.
The answer, of course, is that they don't believe a word of it, and are just jerking the nation off with their insane bloviations.
The two illegal housekeepers don't speak English; they say as much in their interviews. I'm guessing the two prospective Guatemalan asylees also don't speak English.
It seems cruel to make these people sit through a long speech in a language they don't understand just to make a point.
Ocasio-Cortez invites activist who confronted Jeff Flake over Kavanaugh nomination as State of the Union guest.
Trump is supposed to be bothered by the presence of an obnoxious activist who confronted one of his harshest Republican critics projecting her anger at Trump's nominee Kavanaugh who has since taken a seat on the high court after surmounting one of the most unfair confirmation battles in history orchestrated by Democrats who are now ignoring the claim of a woman against the Democrat LG of Virginia?
"Variety should cover the SOTU. I'd like to take it all in (or at least the MSM spin) in a single pithy headline:"
Sticking with this post's theme, how about
STIX NIX DEM TRIKX
I remember when Democrats all brought out of work coal miners to Obama's SOTU speeches. Coal miners who were actually US citizens.
So Trump can use the Dem invitees to make the point that his policies are designed to help Americans, whereas Dem policies favor foreigners?
What do Politicians do for the SOTU Address? Almost all of them invite someone in an effort to make a political statement.
President Trump is not a politician. President Trump does not respond to political incentives or stimulus. I adore the Democrats have not learned this lesson.
Democrats are so busy with the 'RESIST' crap, they have totally pissed away their opportunity to work with the President, negotiate in good faith, and advance a lot of their preferred agenda. Stupidity on stilts
These sorts of stunts (engaged in by both sides) are just another reason why the SOTU should be eliminated as a public event.
Bring 4 illegal immigrants to underscore what a nothing-burger illegal immigration is.
Good thinking!
Trump will 'shut out' the left during this event. The Pats allowed 3 points.
How is it that illegal aliens get invited to the SOTU?
I've never been invited and I'm a citizen.
Are the Democrats working for American citizens or foreigners?
The only thing saving the Democrats is media censorship. As a prominent author observed, the party is comprised largely of idiots and evil people.
Illegals as poster people? I hope ICE takes them into custody at the door.
tim maguire said...
These sorts of stunts (engaged in by both sides) are just another reason why the SOTU should be eliminated as a public event.
Agreed. I'll also add televised congressional hearings to the list of pointless political theatrical events that need to be eliminated. I think I've heard enough Senators and Congress Creatures grandstanding, pointlessly droning, or otherwise wasting time to fill 10 lifetimes.
Seems kinda sexist to only bring women.
Don't they want to show some strong male manual laborers?
Or might that conflict with the contractor?
Is Kamala Harris having Willie Brown come?
Senator Gillibrand should invite that African-American woman who was forced to give a blow job to Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax.
Senator Gillibrand invited Mattress Girl to a previous State of the Union speech.
"How is it that illegal aliens get invited to the SOTU?"
Well, they are faithful Democrat voters.
Bobb,
Not likely.
Willie is not done commenting on her:
Six months ago, it would have been just a chuckle among us locals. Harris’ emergence at the front of the presidential pack turned it into something that pundits from here to the Beltway parsed from every angle.
Did I say that besides me helping her, she helped me? I honestly don’t think I would have made it through my first grueling run for mayor without her smarts and support.
She loved me, and I loved me. It was a perfect relationship.
Now she’s happily married to a great guy. And if she gets elected, I’ll probably have to leave the country.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/williesworld/article/Kamala-Harris-learns-the-perils-of-presidential-13582713.php
Kamala Harris has helped Willie Brown come enough already. Though that would also be a way to throw Trump off his delivery of the SOTU, as well as a way for her to showcase her main political talent.
The ghost of Kashoggi will write "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin" on the wall (and for doing so be banished from whatever Islamic afterlife he is in as a heretic, no doubt.)
What an incredibly politically stupid move. It is bizarre that the Democrats don't see that a lot of their economic/social policies are relatively popular within the US, but their immigration and identity politics aren't. If they would prioritize the former over the latter they would likely succeed. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is a perfect embodiment of their phenomenon. She says populist things about the nature of the economic system that I would say myself. And that a lot of Americans would nod their heads along to. But my eyes just automatically roll back into my head the second she starts using words like "cisgendered" and "intersectionality." There are millions of disaffected white people up for grabs for the Democrats, and they're talking about tranvestites.
Silly Democrats! They still think they've got the moral high-ground!
"Is Kamala Harris having Willie Brown come?"
Heh! I would die a laughing, happy man, if Trump would invite Willie Brown.
Cortez wants to tax rape America - until America is rich.
That never worked. But hey - lets try it again.
Yes Farmer,
Nod along
Follow Cortez' economic path straight to the drain.
How about the Democrats bringing illegal aliens into the House chamber and showcasing them for the SOTU, and the Executive is powerless to do anything about it?
So much for Trump's dictatorial presidency!
During the SOTU, Pence and Pelosi will sit behind the Prez, right?
And, Pence's job is to clap for everything and stand-up on the important stuff, right?
But Pelosi's gonna hear a lotta stuff she don't like, and will frown and sit on her hands, right?
I would like Pence to clap vigorously and then turn to stare down Pelosi on a few key items, such as the Wall. That would be funny.
It would be fascinating if one of the aliens were to take off her shoe and hurl it at the President and perhaps even hit him.
Could Trump call on the Bureau of Prisons to bring some illegal aliens into the House gallery, resplendent in MS13 tats and manacles, to display at key points in the SOTU? The prisoners might even appreciate the time out of Max.
Trump should invite some INS agents.
This won't phase Trump at all- he will then point out that Trump Inc. is using E-Verify to ensure such workers won't work for Trump Inc. again.
Trump should invite an aborted baby.
I think that it's the kind of ad that Gillette made a commercial about- The one showing a bunch of bullies chasing and harassing one kid, chasing him and attacking him down the street and right through his home trying to get him, knocking down everything in the path just to get the kid they're picking on.
Be Better, Democrat party members.
Farmer@10:53AM What are these millions of Americans disaffected about? The economy is doing better than ever, the standard of living here is higher than anywhere ever, our president is trying to bring home troops which members of both parties requested for years until Trump tried to. Socially, this country is swinging waaaay left, and the freaks, weirdos and Democrat party members can't complain about that. In my mind, the only disaffected Americans should be the ones who support the traditions of our country and respect for its institutions. In other words, Trump supporters.
To illustrate the importance of walls leave the doors open during the whole thing, with no security. At least disarm all security personnel to demonstrate the value of the Second Amendment and post large signs saying "gun free zone, including security personnel"
I’m truly shocked! Not mentioned by Fifth Avenue Trumplicans, the bullied Trump kid! Eleven years old! Maybe they will seat him next to the much bullied Melania! Who could possibly think this is a good idea?
I notice that our local do-nothing Rep. Mark Pocan has announced who he is taking to SOTU.
I'd be like "Thanks, but no thanks. I have to wash my hair"
But signalers gotta signal I guess.
Under Trump this is possibly the best economic period in the history of any nation, and people are talking about "disaffected" and income inequality, and other unthinking, unexamined mantras. So what would it take for those ideas to die? Those complaints mean nothing, becuase they are not related to facts.
When you ask Dems or Leftists (perhaps redundant now), ordinary big picture questions such as:
1. How's our current economic growth, as measured by GDP? If we have two quarters of negative growth, that's called a recession. You'da heard about that, if it were occurring.
2. How's our employment numbers? If unemployment is high, people get restless, lose their houses, and we get many claims for unemployment insurance. You'da heard about that, if it were occurring.
3. How's the stock market? If the stock market falls sharply, folks start talking about a "depression." It's pretty easy to buy stocks these days on the internet, if one is interested. You don't even need a stock broker.
4. Has Trump started any new wars? Most people are tired of endless wars in the Middle East, for no concrete US interest or objective. If Trump started a war, you'da heard about it.
I don't get many coherent answers to these questions, other than some variation of, "But Trump's tweets are obnoxious!"
@Michael Fitzgerald:
Farmer@10:53AM What are these millions of Americans disaffected about?
I am speaking about the people in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan who are not reflexively Republican but went for Trump in 2016 on the basis of his populist message. It is naive to think that these problems have been solved in two years because of current economic indicators. That's an incredibly reductionist view.
@Farmer,
I am speaking about the people in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan who are not reflexively Republican but went for Trump in 2016 on the basis of his populist message. It is naive to think that these problems have been solved in two years because of current economic indicators. That's an incredibly reductionist view.
That's true, but somewhat of a strawman. No sane person believes that all of America's problems are magically solved by one man in 2 years. Too high a standard.
The question is whether Trump has incrementally made the US a better place, than some hypothetical president (cough, Hillary). I would argue yes.
There's a big cultural and economic battle between Main Street & Wall Street. Somewhat surprisingly, Trump sides more with Main Street, while many Democrat elites side with Wall Street.
If the economy were bad, it would be splashed all over the headlines, and Trump would be toast. But instead, the economy is relatively sound, so the media diverts to Plan B, and focuses on all this silly stuff about blackface moonwalking by obscure governors and tweets.
I agree it's unorthodox, but here we are.
If I was Trump, I'd have ICE arrest the illegal aliens in the audience and then deport them.
Who do these people think they are? They have no legal right to be in this country much less at the SOTU.
Their attendance is a total affront to the Rule of Law.
I'm wondering if the Franks and Goths were invited to the Roman Senate Chamber when the Emperor gave his State of the Empire Address.
Have you noticed that Trump is content and relaxed lately. That is a bad sign for the Make America Destroyed Again Dems. The are acting very nervous.
@Dave Begley,
I'm wondering if the Franks and Goths were invited to the Roman Senate Chamber when the Emperor gave his State of the Empire Address.
As an aside, I'm reading a good book by historian, Rodney Stark , about how the West was won. I guess the Franks bested the Goths, way back when!
@Bay Area Guy:
No sane person believes that all of America's problems are magically solved by one man in 2 years. Too high a standard.
I agree. That was my point.
The question is whether Trump has incrementally made the US a better place, than some hypothetical president (cough, Hillary). I would argue yes.
I agree with that as well. My entire point was that the Democrats are foolish for not aping Trump's electoral strategy of adopting positions with broader, more populist appeal.
There's a big cultural and economic battle between Main Street & Wall Street. Somewhat surprisingly, Trump sides more with Main Street, while many Democrat elites side with Wall Street.
My point in mentioning AOC or for preferring Sanders as #2 to Trump in 2016 is precisely because for whatever particular policy faults they have, they are at least not beholden to the stifling, corporatist centrism that has dominated for the last several decades. The Establishment is the problem, and the DNC and GOP are beholden to both. Breaking the Establishment chokehold is always worth pursuing.
"Why isn't Feinstein bringing CBF?"
And make her confine herself in a tiny airplane cabin?! Monster!!
Well, Farmer, we agree on a lot, and thus should return to the circus after receiving our bread.
Let the wild rumpus continue!
sure..and if their "policy faults", if followed, tank the economy for all..that'll show those establishment corporate centrists!
Notice that Gillette never played that ad in the Super Bowl.
My point in mentioning AOC or for preferring Sanders as #2 to Trump in 2016 is precisely because for whatever particular policy faults they have, they are at least not beholden to the stifling, corporatist centrism that has dominated for the last several decades. .
I'm skeptical of the notion that wouldn't be beholden to the various "stifling, corporatist centrism" forces. While on the surface AOC and Sanders aren't traditional DC people, the various redistributive ideas and policies they're advocating would require increasing government power, further centralizing it, and punishing certain people and rewarding others.
For example, AOCs Green New Deal would almost certain entail a radical restructuring of entire industries. Such heavy handed restructuring would reward and enrich certain powerful people and groups that could be characterized as "corporatist". I imagine that such a scheme might lead to a rise of a new class of business oligarchs with close ties to the government in a similar vein to the ones that are seen in Russia and other countries. In short, I believe it would reward those who correctly play the game and punish those who fail to, in a complete subversion of the meritocratic free market.
J Farmer@12:35 I am wondering what the complaints are, specifically. The Trump presidency has provided increased opportunities for all Americans. His foreign policy has attempted and accomplished things sought by both parties. You identified yourself as one of the disaffected, what's your specific beef?
I can tell you why I feel disaffected. I see foreigners forming mobs to rush our borders, the only thing stopping them is teargas, armed guards, and walls. Yet, I have the politicians of this country tell me that walls don't work, and are immoral, and that I am an evil person for wanting to secure the border of my country. Trump is on my side there.
I am disaffected because after years of antiwar protests from the left, and scolding from Democrat party members for the endless wars, and pontificating from republican party members about how our nation does not appreciate our veterans and soldiers, president Trump tries to bring the boys back home, and both parties rise up to override the will of the Commander in Chief and vote to keep the boys at war. Trump is on my side there, too.
What is the issue that president Trump has not tried to affect in favor of America and all Americans?
Unclear writing. Is the WaPo ad about reporting you like or don’t like. It is ambiguous.
I have not watched a presidential address since Bush announced he was invading Iraq.
Just two weeks the major news networks were wringing their hands deliberating if they should give Trump prime time to address the nation. Yet, now they give dopey lazy commie Bernie Sanders time to give a rebuttal speech. What is the precedent for that when they have also given the major opposition party a chance to rebut and so the Dems are letting Fat Stacy debut to the nation.
Oh..that will be good. Bernie's style is getting better and better.
The Democratics now get TWO opposition speeches?
Why?
Because it's all about fairness..or something.
Probably will frame him as an "independent"
" It is naive to think that these problems have been solved in two years because of current economic indicators."
Of course, but to believe there will ever be an economic situation where there are no people missing the bus is ahistorical and naive. Even if the current very good economy was twice as good as anything ever recorded, there would still be people somewhere who made decisions or had luck so bad that they still missed out on the success. In fact, it is often the success of economic drivers that put some people out. The boom of the automobile era hurt buggy whip employees, but that's not something you can realistically expect to avoid, or even want to try to. It's called progress, and it has costs for those who do not adapt. In addition, some people are just too lazy, stubborn, or stupid to catch the waves, ever.
There is no reason to lament the current economy other than to score dishonest political points.
@Michael Fitzgerald:
What is the issue that president Trump has not tried to affect in favor of America and all Americans?
With all due respect, I think you have completely misread what I was saying. The entire point of my original comment was to criticize Democratic electioneering. I don't know why you insist on reading it as a criticism of Trump. I certainly have criticisms of Trump, but they don't have anything to do with what I wrote here.
Just ask yourself: how good would things need to be to get everyone to admit it? That ain't possible.
Let me get this straight. 4 of the 5 mentioned invitees are illegal aliens and we're supposed to believe that the Democrats are serious about border security?
Sounds dull. Here's a couple ideas to improve the situation.
In addition to the four undocumented immigrants, invite four coastal elites who hire yard workers and housekeepers under the table to act as translators.
Invite Brett Kavanaugh and that Northam guy, and sit them next to each other. This will present a video opportunity while the wise television gasbags discuss who is more deplorable.
Still a good political rule of thumb: James Carville's "It's the Economy, Stupid."
Carville made folks think the economy was bad under Bush to help Clinton win the White House.
That was 25+ years ago.
Today, the economy, on the whole, is thriving. So, whenever a Democrat politician speaks, the first thing outta their mouths ought to be how blue collar workers are also thriving. But Dems tend to ignore this, and skip to many other bullshit issues.
Blogger tim in vermont said...
Notice that Gillette never played that ad in the Super Bowl.
Even SNL mocked it:
hold the Kool-Aid man accountable
RBG could show up and play Banquo's Ghost to Trump's Macbeth.
When hired, did the maids identify as being here illegally and Trump specifically said, "No Problem"? Otherwise, their attendance makes me want to ask, "Did you lie about your citizenship to obtain a job?" Or "How did e-verify fail to catch them?"
He is this supposed to bother Trump?
How is this supposed to bother Trump supporters??
chicklit: they ain't playing to you and yourn because you already drunked the Kool-Aid
Here's the definition of Psychological imbalance:
1. Focus on 2 illegal immigrant maids at Trump Hotel -- invite to SOTU.
2. Ignore caravan of 10,000 illegal immigrants trying to cross border.
It's very hard to challenge documentation, in fact one can be sued for doing just that.
Bobb said...
Is Kamala Harris having Willie Brown come?
I imagine he must have, several times, probably
Is it just me, or is Trump the first president who has seemed to “youthen” in office?
Blogger Howard said...
chicklit: they ain't playing to you and yourn because you already drunked the Kool-Aid
Please explain how you know it’s not you who drank the Kool-Aid?
Tim: I'm not making excuses for any politicians using idiotology purification reasons like you people do for Trump. Like your lord and master said, he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and you people would still carry his water.
If I were Trump, I'd direct ICE to arrest his former housekeepers. After all, they are here illegally. Stick that up your ass, Pelosi and Schumer.
Farmer@2:34 I'm not due any respect, but appreciate it anyway. I may have misread you, but not as a criticism of the president. You talked about millions of disaffected Americans. I thought that you included yourself among the disaffected, but on rereading, I think you said that you could make populist arguments better than the socialist Jenny-from-the-block-in-Westchester. But I don't believe I read your words as a criticism of the president. I am asking sincerely, what could Americans of the left today possibly be disaffected about? Hate crimes and racism is so rare they have to make shit up. This administration has placed openly gay men and women to cabinet and ambassadorial positions. I mean, what is the problem with the Trump presidency that millions of people are so miserable?
JFC Farmer, I just read your post@12:59PM You don't think Bernie Sanders, socialist millionaire, and his wife the embezzler are not beholden to democrat party bagmen and donors? Dude, Sanders is For Sale, a Welter of fuming, spitting incoherent anger up for bid for any Democrat party interest that wants him.
Of all the looks on this thread, I consider Farmer one of the sober and reasonable minds. But the dude has a Bernie Sanders sized hole in his judgment. Bernie Sanders is nothing but a crook and a crank.
@Michael Fitzgerald:
I am asking sincerely, what could Americans of the left today possibly be disaffected about?
Again, I was not talking about "Americans on the left." I answered your question already when I said, :I am speaking about the people in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan who are not reflexively Republican but went for Trump in 2016 on the basis of his populist message."
I mean, what is the problem with the Trump presidency that millions of people are so miserable?
This has nothing to do with a "problem with the Trump presidency." The Trump presidency is not the cause, it is the result of the problems I've been talking about. The result of 40 years of neo-liberal policies that have advocated globalization, "free" trade, interventionist foreign policy, and massive immigration.
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