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| Michelle Obama in Philadelphia last night |
Lord knows what is going on in America. Republican and Democrat conventions used to appear like stage-managed jamborees of self-congratulation and flag waving but suddenly things have got serious. Eerie Republicans chant "Lock her up!" when Hillary Clinton's name is mentioned while Bernie Sanders supporting Democrats boo her. Trump arrives on the stage like a character from "Star Wars", ready to unleash spiteful and infantile remarks, still maintaining that he's going to build a massive wall right across the country's southern border while supporters cheer him - as if the idea was actually sane.
Last night in Philadelphia, Michelle Obama endorsed Hillary Clinton with a heartfelt speech woven with core Democrat principles . These were her own words, perhaps checked over by advisers, but essentially her own words - as in the Democratic National Convention of 2008 when she eloquently endorsed her husband's candidacy for president. You may remember that particular speech as it was plagiarised by Melania Trump just last week.
What a contrast! Intelligent, articulate and naturally beautiful Michelle Obama writes and delivers her own speeches but Melania Trump just reads out whatever she is told to say like an automaton. Why couldn't she write her own endorsement of "The Donald"? There's no substitute for authenticity.
The next bit of this blogpost is almost unbelievable but I swear I am not making it up. Amongst conspiracy theorists and vindictive Republican numbskulls, the notion has arisen that Michelle Obama is in fact a man! The story goes that the Obama daughters were adopted and there are photographs that attempt to demonstrate the crazy idea that Mrs Obama is male, including highlighted shots of her crotch. The claimants even focus upon the length of her fingers and the possible presence of an Adam's apple. The whole thing is absurd, astounding and horribly cruel. For example, go here.
How low can these people sink? The claims contain unpleasant whiffs of racism and sexism. Michelle Obama has been a breath of fresh air, supporting righteous causes, backing up her husband and frequently displaying a happy, fun-loving approach to life. How different she has been from other more stuffy first ladies like Laura and Barbara Bush or Nancy Reagan.
As I have said before in this blog, I am an Americophile and so of course I hate to see the political establishment of such a fabulous country tearing itself apart with lies, bitterness and misunderstanding. The prospect of giving Trump the keys to The White House makes me shudder with concern. As Michelle Obama said last night, it just has to be Hillary in November.
The art of tearing another person down has become an art nowadays. It's become a sport; and, in my opinion, not a pleasant one.
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of this animosity is fuelled by social media. In the past, there were more checks and balances.
DeleteAnd we thought our shenannikins were bad here.
ReplyDeleteMind you... Boris Johnson looks like he could be Trump's love child. Johnson was born in New York City - Trump's home town.
DeleteThe RNC last week was a disgrace and an embarrassment. I'm terrified of Trump and his supporters. I could barely watch; my blood would boil or else I'd nearly cry, it was so awful.
ReplyDeleteContrast that with the first night of the DNC....Michelle Obama is beautiful and eloquent and I'm proud of her. Cory Booker's speech was marvelous. Instead of screaming and hate-filled rhetoric among the crowd, you had people holding hands and singing along to Bridge Over Troubled Waters with Paul Simon. Elizabeth Warren is a common sense voice of reason that I had hoped might be the VP pick. And I adore Bernie Sanders, who has been a tireless advocate for equality and justice his whole life. I voted for him in the primaries, and wish he had gotten the nomination, but I won't let my disappointment keep me from voting for Clinton....because we MUST not let the orange cretin win this election. God help us all if he does.
Overall, I think the first night of the DNC was great and am proud to be a lifelong Democratic voter.
To all American visitors, be like Jennifer and please do not even think of voting for THE ORANGE CRETIN.
DeleteAmen to Jennifer! (And YP!)
DeleteWell said, YP!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading this post Mary.
DeleteAmericans are fine but so insular that they have now got themselves in the position of having until November to decide whether to be ruled by a crook or a clown. It matters little as the rulers of the Western world do not sit in government but in grandiose corporate edifices.
ReplyDeletePS. Michelle is a girls name, Hilary is a middlesex name and Trump is just a rather funny and smelly blast of warm gas.
You make a good point Adrian. Where does true power really reside? Probably, not in The Oval Office.
DeleteI too am a Sanders supporter. I had decided to write in his name rather than vote for Mrs Clinton, who really does not get my support after voting for the invasion of Iraq which started this mess we are all in.....even you guys. However, after last night, I feel we must somehow stop the insanity of the Trump campaign. So.......
ReplyDeleteBernie Sanders has successfully shaken The Democrats up. Hillary must take on board some of his thinking. Bernie is urging Democrat voters like yourself to vote for her. It is surely the wisest choice now.
DeleteOh the insanity they can conjure up on the internet knows no bounds at all, Mr. Pudding. As we all know, the moons landing was done on a back lot in Hollywood and Mr. Onbama has been personally responsibility for every heinous act committed over her in the last seven years. Hate is a national obsession.
ReplyDeleteNice post.
Thank you Reamus and thanks for calling by. We seem to be on the same wavelength with regard to this matter.
DeleteI am an Independent who registered Democrat so I could vote in the primaries. (long story ) I did that so I could vote against Hillary, for whoever was running against her. Which turned out to be Sanders. I like him, don't like all his ideas but he is a good person. I wish the DNC would have let it be a fair primary so he could have really had a run at Hillary. I would have voted for him over Trump with no misgivings.
ReplyDeleteI can not vote for Hillary but the other choice is Trump ? Oh Hell No. Oh Hell No To Both Of Them. She scares me as much as Trump.
Here was the time that the Republicans could have had a great candidate to run against Hillary who just assumed she would be on the top of the ticket because of the deal she made with Bill and then Obama.
They blew it, much of what Trump said spoke to a lot of the middle class, who have been talked over and thrown aside except to pay taxes. . It surprised so many that there are people out there who do not like what their parties were doing . Much like the Sanders backers.
To bad some of the concerns we have, had to come out of Trump's mouth in the most horrific way !
Misunderstanding, hate and sadness seems to be everywhere.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
side note: I liked Laura Bush very much. But liking someone like Michelle Obama against these older ladies is kind of like a matchup of Jacqueline Kennedy against Margaret Thatcher, different times. Each was their own person of their time. Just a thought.
Thank you for your thoughtful response from the inside AP. From the outside, Hillary Clinton seems like the only sensible choice. Sure she has some "baggage" because of her long time in politics but underneath it all she appears to be a warm, capable and experienced politician with true Democrat values who has become the victim of a concerted establishment campaign to undermine her. Bernie Sanders also recognises that she is the only choice.
DeleteThe thing is, it makes no sense to like Bernie and then NOT vote for Hillary. She and Trump are NOT the same and they are NOT equally scary. The prospect of a Trump presidency ought to terrify the world, because truly, the world's fate hangs in the balance. The worst that could be said about Clinton is that she'll bring more of the same -- insider DC politics and corporate connections. That is preferable to apocalypse. Even Bernie says so!
DeleteOh I understand what your saying but the X knew people in the White House that worked closely with the Clintons. Never would I vote for such awful condescending corrupt people. As for Sanders I liked him better that Clinton but he is not my choice. He was an "against" vote.
DeleteNever liked Trump and will not vote for him.
The Republican missed a big chance as they were poised to possibly win the election if they would have just listened to the middle class who are tired of the same old. We are talk over and talked to like naughty children. Which is why I said at the start Trump spoke to some major concern I even have but as I said in such a horrific way.
Possibly the first time I will not to vote for a president in 70 years of voting. As a tax playing, elderly, handicapped now single woman my hopes, needs, values and interest I support are never addressed. If I vote or not it is always with the same result. The middle class get run over again all we are good for in the eyes of congress is paying taxes. I am very concerned.
I agree with your take on the present political situation in our neighboring country. You wonder how adults could come up with such fantasy and why? My daughter is an American and so I talk with their friends. they are all concerned.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Obama is someone I admire, and her biography is a book still on my Amazon wish list. The idea that she could possibly be a man is so ridiculous one wonders anyone can seriously believe that!!
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I read Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope". The review is on my blog. Someone from the US left a very daft comment that goes in the same direction as what you have described is going on against Michelle.
I really am speechless in the face of such ignorance and malice.
It HAS to be Hillary. No question.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Michelle being terrific. From day one of her husband's presidency, she has been a tremendous role model and first lady. We couldn't ask for better in either of them.
I didn't click on your link, because I just couldn't go there, but it's interesting that that website is a domain registered in Kenya. Very strange!
I am curious, given your frequent posts/comments about United States politics during this year; why does it interest you this much?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your point of view on things, it being quite different from my own. Thank you for another thought-filled post!
It interests me because The United States remains the most powerful country on the planet - influencing world affairs in so many areas. Is the USA chooses to go this way or that it has a knock on effect for other countries - particularly close allies like Great Britain. Also, I have visited the USA several times and it feels like a second home - as if curiously I almost belong there.
DeleteThanks for the support. I shudder at the thought of Trump as the head of my country.
ReplyDeleteSarah in California