I’ve determined that the road to hell is not so much paved with good intentions as paved with a desire to go along to get along.
Earlier today, I saw a headline where a transwoman is upset because at the airport TSA hit “her testicles”. Actually written just like that. In itself, just another ridiculous part of modern life, but it made clear in my mind that our problem is that we’ve decided that going along with things – no matter how bizarre – is superior to holding fast to truth.
We’ve been doing it a long time, after all. Close to 40 years ago after a day at work the staff at the company I worked at, under the leadership of the company owner, broke out a bottle of whiskey and we all started having drinks to decompress from what had been a very long day. After a little while, someone broke out a book entitled something like “1,001 Worst Ethnic Jokes”. We all took turns reading from it, while continuing to drink, and it still stands in my mind as one of the funniest evenings I’ve ever had. Who was there? White people. Black people. Latinos. Jews. In other words: a very mixed ethnicity group and we all howled with laughter at the jokes. Jokes like: What’s the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish wake? One less drunk Also: what do you call a one legged woman? Ilene. What do you call a one legged Japanese woman? Irene.
You can’t do that these days. Can you imagine the outrage? And we got here not all at once, but by a series of surrenders. In my mind, it started with Elton John got all huffy at some award ceremony after Sam Kinison made a joke about homosexuality. Ol’ Elton – who was allegedly a rebel rock star – got all huffy over a joke…and just about right then and there, “PC” entered the cultural mainstream. And it did seem small, didn’t it? I mean, after all, the joke offended that guy…so, just don’t make the joke again. And then the next joke. And the next and the next and the next and here we were in 2023 where people risk social and economic ruin because 20 years previously they might have made an ethnic joke. This cowardice is simply killing civilization as, step by step, mere sanity is becoming socially unacceptable while the most lunatic are awarded the leadership role.
We’ve been so busy worrying about who we might offend that we’ve allowed bullies and liars to dictate our social actions. Whoever shouts gets deference. Whoever lie isn’t called out on them. All so we won’t cause offense. Even though we know they’re not really offended..but mostly just trying to get over on us. Secure some bit of unearned wealth or social credit by browbeating us. And it really has to stop: we have to stop being afraid. And then we have to start punishing them. It shouldn’t be the guy who told the off color joke or who chose his words poorly losing the job – it should be the person complaining about it. As soon as one of these bullies sticks their nose in and starts whining about it, whammo: you’re done. Out. Ridiculed and exiled from society.
It is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, for our own defense. We don’t want to lose our jobs over nothing. But the second reason is most crucial: by punishing the whiners, we’ll make whining unpopular. There will be an immediate increase in social courage if we start beating up the bullies rather than joining the bully in beating up the victim. It will get more people to speak what is really on their minds…and act upon their beliefs. A huge amount of leftwing success over the past 20 years, especially, has been simply because most people have been afraid to openly oppose it. Time to rebalance the books: to make them afraid to speak up while we say whatever we please.
Blogs For Victory 
Just the other day a couple of us were talking about how we could never make ethnic jokes any more. My best friend in high school was Polish (actually, still is) and my last name was German, and we mercilessly traded ethnic jokes remodeled to include whichever of our ethnicities was the target.
John Zeigler might be approaching another no-no by referring to a “hot chick” but she still has a good line:
Trump is like a hot chick who gives a normal guy (GOP base) the best screwing of his life 1 time (2016) & then that guy spends the next decade putting up with her high maintenance BS, thinking that’s [sic] she’s “the one,” & that any day now that 1 great moment will surely be repeated.
And Megyn Kelly responded: This is funny.
So DeSantis can’t woo w/his spreadsheet (see earlier tweet) & Trump is the hot chick u had a great romp w/but u can’t recapture the magic.
Meanwhile Biden may/may not be alive & Kamala is stuck on repeat in one long Kindergarten lecture flanked by cackles
From the comments section on Redstate:
On this broad point you are right Mike. I watched much of the Trumpapalooza speech (as you derisively call it . . . I know, can’t help yourself) last night in Waco. I didn’t like what I heard. It was full of “DeSanctimonius” this, and DeSanticmonius” that. And lots of rewriting of history on Covid and DeSantis’ success in Florida. I get it, he’s trying to win the primary. So you “dust up” your opponent. But, this hurts us tremendously in the general when all of Trump’s hits will be regurgitated by the media if DeSantis wins.
I will feel the exact same way if DeSantis goes after Trump with lies and personal attacks. They both need to keep it on policy. It’s counterproductive otherwise. It all reminds me of why I had to hold my nose when I voted for Trump in 2016. I enthusiastically voted for him in 2020. And, if necessary, I WILL be back to holding my nose again to vote for Trump in 2024 if he continues this and wins the nomination. But, MANY PEOPLE WILL NOT HOLD THEIR NOSE A SECOND TIME TO VOTE TRUMP AGAIN!! They just won’t. And if the Trump faithful . . . .”no matter what”. . . .can not get this one point, then you can forget 2024 and saving the country. It’s over.
Good summary, and what might sink Trump and by extension the election:
This campaign is not about the plight of the American people, but the plight of Donald Trump
I understand the commentators point. BUT Trump hasn’t changed. Trump is the same person he was in 2016, full of bluster and personal attacks. What has changed is the sensitivities of his constituents, due to the last 7 years of being berated by the Media and Democrats. That is what has changed. As has the sensitivities of all Americans. We have become a very emotional society.
OK, I’m still laughing out loud at “Irene.”
I’m sure it’s the Conservative, rural area in which I live, but I don’t know anyone, or maybe more accurately, I don’t associate with anyone who is offended by “offensive” jokes. Of course, I’m retired, so I’m not subject to a work environment where I have to watch EVERY word I say, so there’s that.
So I just saw a clip of the Pedophile’s SOTU speech where he said – “Billionaires should not pay less taxes than secretaries and fireman” …. and the seals clapped.
How many years has this line been repeated by Democrats? How many years have the seals clapped? How many years has nothing been done about it? How many more years will the ruling class repeat this line?
The Left Is The Left Is The Left
American Leftism, ideologically, has arisen from the same traditions and philosophies as Russian, Chinese, Cuban—any other Leftism in the world.
When I have pointed this out, American Leftists become enraged. That is, no doubt, partly because they are so profoundly ignorant of the history and structure of the political model they enable and support by doing things like coming here to try to spread the Leftist narrative, by attacking anything on the Right, etc. And some on the Left are furious because they don’t want the family relations revealed.
There is no question that the Democrat Party is becoming more and more communist by the day. And actually communism is the natural tendency of the weak. There is comfort in conformity and acceptance in the mob … and that is none more evident than the squeals from the mob in wanting the police state to punish their detractors. As as you said, we have seen this dynamic play out all throughout history.
Tyranny of the minority … we need to put an end to this
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11905683/Activist-BLOCKS-Texas-senates-sergeant-arms-trans-woman-compares-lawmakers-Nazis.html
Another celebrity visit to the war zone of Ukraine …. weird
Orlando Bloom tells President Zelensky ‘the strength of the Ukrainians is awe-inspiring’ as the actor and UN ambassador discusses Putin’s ‘horrific’ war crimes against children
Laugh for the day”
The American society is in a really weird place right now thanks to the Ruling Class pandering to, promoting and protecting the most extreme fringe elements of our culture. It is tyranny of the minority
“LGTBQ++ rights are core to our foreign policy” – John Kirby
LMAO
Kirby reminds me of Baghdad Bob.
Great analogy
A little NCAA tournament history. The seeding process started in 1979. This is the first year since then that the Final four has NO #1 seeds, NO #2 seeds, and NO #3 seeds. This was also only the second time that a #16 seed has beaten a #1 seed.
Good job Joe …
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/03/update-taliban-releases-video-of-fields-of-us-military-vehicles-piles-of-us-high-end-weapons-and-rooms-filled-with-stacks-of-100-dollar-bills-joe-biden-surrendered-by-joe-biden/
If Trump did that they’d call it treason.
Donald Trump is still Donald Trump. Instead of asking him to change to suits your needs, maybe you need to look inward and understand just what about the man that makes you feel icky.
Then you can look at what he did for this nation for two and a half years before the scamdemic was propagated to get rid of him.
If you still feel icky, I invite you to join the left. I have no need for you. That’s a pretty simple and finite statement. I am a pretty simple guy. This guy thinks you should choose a side. Nuance and policy are no longer a factor. They may have been in the 1960’s but now they are toast.
Choose a side.
That is all I have.
Well said, Tim. There have been two sides for a long time as evidenced by these two quote from Ulysses S. Grant over 150 years ago:
Well I am deeply disappointed in what Tim said and “well said” is nearly the last way I would describe it. My other ways can’t be printed.
There’s one thing that just doesn’t pass the smell test for me and that is the maniacal obsession of Trump by our Ruling Class and media. It’s truly bizarre how focused they are on one man and the perceived threats they face from him. This is not normal by any standard. And it leads me to believe that Trump is their kryptonite (doth complain too much) and if that is the case, I want to jam Trump so far down their throats they choke to death. How about that?
I agree. The only question is if Trump is up to it.
He’s got the support to just cruise for a while, not doing himself any harm while Joe self-destructs, letting his base develop some confidence in his self control. He doesn’t NEED to be doing what he is doing. For the next several months all he needs to do is make some well-crafted speeches, support some Republicans, keep a low profile and for the most part STFU.
He’s shadow boxing, campaigning furiously against invisible opponents, and he looks like a fool. If he would learn to act like a statesman, and tone down his bluster, he would do himself a lot of good. I doubt that anyone who voted against him last time will vote for him this time, which means he needs to keep every last 2020 voter, and I don’t see him bringing in new support with this infantile temper tantrum act of his.
You don’t have to be a DeSantis fan to find these cheap shots distasteful. And that is what they are—cheap shots and not even intelligent shots. We don’t need another Jerry Springer election cycle. We need, and deserve, an election cycle in which our candidate, at least, is rational and has a little dignity.
I agree … IF Trump could focus on policy and leave the school yard tactics at home, his chances would improve immensely. That’s not who he is unfortunately so … our hope is that someone in his inner circle can tone him down. Keep in mind, the media will amplify anything bad about Trump, even if it’s not true.
Wow. Nothing quite as impressive as “if you don’t like it get the hell out”. And what a feeble and dishonest effort to shift the blame for Trump onto those who find him “icky”.
Well, I’ll tell you what’s “icky”. It’s trying to destroy a man who has always supported you, just because he is popular and you’re so insecure you can’t tolerate the idea that someone else might get some attention. That reaction does not make ME “icky”. Nice try.
I’ll tell you what’s “icky”. It’s implying that this man is homosexual and a pedophile, just to try to harm him. That’s about as “icky” as you can get, and it’s not an indictment of me to notice it.
As far as “joining the Left” what a crock. I, at least, am not so deep into Identity Politics that I let emotion dictate my political philosophy, and I at least know what it means to be on the Left and it has nothing to do with objective analysis of problems with a potential candidate. When someone thinks that allegiance to Constitutional governance is tied to allegiance to a single man, that’s just plain goofy. Trump is NOT “the Right”.
But set aside your fanboi adoration for a moment and consider what I have said about Trump. He has become self-destructive. He has great power and influence and what is he doing? Obsessing over someone who hasn’t even come out as a potential opponent, and doing it in a crasss, low-class and infantile way.
I’ll say it again—-I think you are swooning over the Trump that WAS, and I’m worried about the Trump that IS. And that Trump is paranoid and spiteful, two characteristics I don’t want in another president. Not after four years of Joe Biden.
I just think it’s sad that passion for him as a person can lead to personal attacks on fellow conservatives. When blind allegiance to a person means his qualities as a leader can’t even be discussed, that’s just sad.
I invite you to join the left. I have no need for you. That’s a pretty simple and finite statement. I am a pretty simple guy. This guy thinks you should choose a side.
I have chosen a side, and it is the side of wanting the most capable and competent person to run for the presidency on the Republican ticket. Call that “nuance” if it comforts you. I call it common sense and also a deep concern for the future of the country. What saddens me that as Trump appears to go more and more off the rails, some of his supporters do the same thing.
Well, I obviously didn’t take what Tim said in the same way you did. I guess I was thinking more in the vein of if Trump gets the nomination. “Icky” things that he said and did during the primary campaign would not keep me from voting for him in the general. As Tim said, that’s just who he is, and you either feel that his policies in his first term and policies that he will likely implement in a second term just aren’t worth the “ick.” I don’t feel that way.
However, like you, I think there’s a pretty good chance that this time around Trump is going to trip over his own ego and implode, so we may not have to worry about the “ick” when it comes to the general election.
I thought the whole post was hyperbolic but what really ticked me off was the comment “I invite you to join the left. I have no need for you. “. I have zero tolerance for Leftist-style discourse and this was just stupid—if you don’t worship Trump you might as well just join the left. As if Trump is the definition of the Right, and it’s worship Him or move across the aisle.
Basically it’s Trump’s temper tantrums that turn me off and Tim’s post was as close to a temper tantrum as I have seen here except from the trolls.
It was just a pissy finger-wagging scolding totally unrelated to anything I have seen said here. For example: “asking him to change to suits your needs” Huh? What the hell do MY “needs” have to do with it? I’m talking about reading the room, or in this case the country, and realizing that accusing a man of being gay is a very very very stupid way to gain votes. I’m talking about understanding that there is no benefit to hurling infantile insults at someone who isn’t even an opponent, and looking petty and vindictive for absolutely no reason.
And then there was this gem: “maybe you need to look inward and understand just what about the man that makes you feel icky.” Not that he says “icky” things, but that he makes ME feel “icky”. What a bizarre thing to say, and so condescending. So now we’re doing psychoanalysis, and deciding that objecting to stupid self destructive behavior means there is something wrong with ME. (Too nuanced, or just too progressive?)
And your effort to excuse him by putting words in his mouth—–“you either feel that his policies in his first term and policies that he will likely implement in a second term just aren’t worth the “ick.” ” I didn’t get anything like that. He didn’t even get close to that.
It looks like this election cycle is already devolving into one where, instead of discussing policies and POLITICAL principles some people will just insult people who don’t share their exact precise level of blind passion. Great. Just what we need. Another chair-throwing Jerry Springer election cycle.
Instead of asking him to change to suits your needs,…
I think what is being asked of him is to understand how “some” of his actions negatively affect not only Trump himself, but the conservative movement as a whole.
If you still feel icky, I invite you to join the left.
So, if there are things that Trump does that someone finds problematic, you suggest their only other alternative is to join the left? Well, that’s a rather limited take on the options, either choose Trump or consider yourself a leftist. How about allowing people the right to voice their concerns about Trumps words & actions, as they would with any other politician. How about allowing people the right to suggest other potential conservative candidates who they might find more closely articulates with their own positions. Isn’t that the whole premises behind nominations and elections, the right to freely choose?
What you seem to miss is, there is a huge block of needed voters who will have a significant impact on the election, that are growing tired of what they see as unnecessary antics being played hurting the entire right. Does Trump really believe the pro-life group fouled up the 2022 election? Does Trump really think the jab is a good thing? Do people have a right to question these type of choices without being considered a leftist?
For all of the good things that Trump did during his tenure in the Whitehouse, and there are certainly many, there are without a doubt many areas that could still be better. Wouldn’t it be in Trump and the country’s best interest if those thoughts are brought forth? I think I understand your position, but trying to push everyone into a “this way or get lost” mindset will likely alienate the very people needed to get us conservatives where we ultimately want to go.
I am a pretty simple guy.
That’s good, someone straight to the point without all of the stuff in between point A to point B. That seems to make YOUR choice easy. Unfortunately for a great many others, the picture isn’t as clear. Rather than pushing people out the door because you see this as an “on or off” situation, perhaps you might consider the value in other people’s legitimate concerns being listened to.
How many of you think the deep state is going to roll over for DeSantis? How many of you think that DeSantis is going to usher in a thousand years of glorious conservatopia?
Next I’ll ask, how many of you think that DeSantis is already ownec by con.inc?
If Donald Trump makes you feel icky, In my opinion, you need to be on the other team. Fancy, well spoken, nuanced, words are not going to save you from progressivism.
Just ask those that are still in the garland gulags.
It is pretty simple. You have to choose a side. I have chosen my side. My side is Donald Trump.
If you do not like it you can have Mark pull my email off the comments list and send me a few choice words. Be advised, you will get some back in return.
Have a very pleasant evening.
I never said Trump makes me feel “icky” but nice job of trying to trivialize a serious and objective analysis of issues and problems.
I have no reason to think DeSantis is “owned” by anyone, but that sounds like a Leftist narrative. Why is it necessary to trash DeSantis? He’s just been minding his own business, which by the way has been doing a wonderful job for his state, but then he got some good press and all of a sudden the knives are out and it’s “gut DeSantis” time. Why can’t you deal with the legitimate concerns about Trump without setting up the straw man of DeSantis to swing at?
And the overwhelming paranoia that feels so threatened just by the fact that the guy is popular isn’t really what I look for in a president. Nixon’s toxic combination of paranoia and vindictiveness lost him the presidency, destroyed his legacy and damaged the country and set the stage for the Carter presidency
Sorry—is that too nuanced for you?
How many of you think the deep state is going to roll over for DeSantis? How many of you think that DeSantis is going to usher in a thousand years of glorious conservatopia? I don’t remember you being so shrill and hyperbolic. What utter nonsense.
The deep state isn’t going to roll over for anyone. It’s possible that Trump’s style might work, and it’s also possible that someone who knows the law and how to use it would be effective—but I guess anything short of a wrecking ball is now “nuanced”. Which now means progressive.
Go ahead and be a Trump guy. I was, till he started doing the political equivalent of running outside in his underwear yelling “Get off my lawn!” I’m not anti-Trump. I’m just not so dedicated to All That Is Or Was Trump that I can’t see the warning signs. And one of them is that he can’t win if he loses much of the base that voted for him, and it concerns me to see him alienating people for no reason.
It’s time we focus on winning and less on “muh principles” if those principles are not dedication to Constitutional governance but just the sense that sticking with Trump no matter what proves some kind of super-loyalty specialness.
So you condemn me as a closet progressive who will feel your wrath. Got it.
I understand where Tim is coming from … and it’s not too far off from where I am at either. I think all of us, and the vast majority of Americans honestly are so frustrated with the evil our kids are facing, with the lies surrounding nearly every issue, and the extreme political persecution of everything Trump that most of us don’t even recognize this country anymore and we are not going to put up with it anymore. I know I’m not. I fully expected that a Biden administration would be bad, but this has exceeded my worst expectations and because of that extreme offense I wake up to everyday, Trumps antics don’t offend me that much anymore … although like you, I do wish he would dial it down sometimes.
One thing I know about Trump is that he knows where the deep state bureaucratic bodies are, and he’s 100% committed to exposing those bodies and eliminating them. The other thing is that Xi, Kim Jung Un, Putin, etc., etc., are terrified of Trump and that’s a good thing. For all if his faults, and there are many, Trump is the force we need in my opinion.
I think RDS will make a great President one day and that day might be 2024. I would vote for him in a heartbeat if he is the nominee, but let Trump be Trump, we know he will never change but we also know what a force for good he was, and can be again. I thought it was interesting in Waco how silent the crowd was when Trump went on to criticize RDS. That was a clear signal to Trump that we don’t care for his scorched earth tactics on other conservatives … I hope he picks up on that.
And I agree with everything you say. (Brief pause while you recover from the shock.) Well, except for “where Tim is coming from”. I reject the attitude that there is no room on the Right for anyone straying from rigid Trump orthodoxy, and the peevish scolding, etc.
As for the Trump antics, my concern is that possibly the recklessness of plunging into self-destructive rhetoric due to emotional reaction to tweaked ego, paranoia, insecurity or whatever might—and this is a MIGHT—show itself in other, more important circumstances, in a President of the United States. Or even interfere with the ability to be elected President of the United States.
How often have we talked here, and had other pundits discuss, the need for the party to focus on winning elections? How often have we talked about the foolishness of nominating Bob Dole and John McCain because it was “their turn”, even though there were very strong indicators that neither would win? I fully understand, and to some extent share, the emotional component of wanting to vindicate Trump for all he has been put through, to stand by him and support him as he is hounded by the savage mob, even to (as you said) shove him down the throats of those who have tried to destroy him. It would be glorious to watch him dismantle the structures that have stood against him and dragged the nation down into Leftist hell.
But think of it as a horse race. One year a horse surprises everyone by coming from behind and blowing out the pack, taking the big prize, and becomes a national hero. For four years he wins every race. Then he runs into some problems and is knocked out of a race he could have won and would have won, and everyone is upset for him and wants to see a comeback.
But when the next race comes along, he’s older. He’s got some issues, he’s lost his edge, and there is a real concern he might break down (as Barbaro did) in the big race. In a horse race, you have to look at prior injuries, vulnerabilities, weaknesses that were not present years ago, and subtle signs of potential problems.
At that point, no matter how much you have admired him and respected him and wanted to see a big dramatic comeback, do you put all your money on him? How much will you risk to support him? Will you wager your house, your business—your country? And for that matter, how much will your support get him across the finish line strong and healthy? How much will loyalty and faith and even love go when it is faced with the natural decline of age?
We are not Tinkerbelle, able to work magic by just believing.
We are in a cold war in this country, and it could turn hot … soon
Wayne State University English professor is suspended and referred to police after saying Stanford students who abused conservative judge should have KILLED him
This current crop of Democrats really do HATE this country, they HATE their fellow citizens, and they are becoming more and more unhinged by the day. And conservatives better start paying attention to this. We are way beyond disagreements on tax policies. We are in a very dangerous place right now in this country
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11909613/Wayne-State-professor-suspended-saying-Stanford-students-KILLED-conservative-judge.html
A political model based on and historically operating on the principles of intimidation, brute force and violence celebrates its increase in power and influence by becoming more overt in its advocacy of violent suppression of the opposition, and some are surprised when it shows up in cases like this?
The mewling little weaklings like casper or the belligerent keyboard cowboys like forty and fielding like to sneer at the concept that there is very little space on the spectrum between silencing the opposition through censorship to sending the opposition to camps to just killing them. It’s exactly the same progression of tyranny that we have seen in every Leftist-controlled government.
The Left in the United States is giddy with its recent successes, and thinks it has won the battle and now just needs to go around finishing off the remaining combatants. Hopefully this hubris will finally sink in to the squishes, those smug “Independents” who find virtue in not being able to make up their minds, and to the Legacy Democrats who only vote D because Mommy and Daddy always did and they “know” Republicans are bad, and they realize this is not the way they want their country to be run.