Opinion and Commentary on state, regional and national news articles from a conservative feminist point of view expressed and written by conservative moderate: Tina Hemond
The agency went one step further citing the United States failure to protect its citizens from violent crime and racism as part of their statements. (Reuters) It boggles the mind that statements such as these are made in total sincerity by a nation that is ruled with an iron fist and anyone citizen that dares to disagree with the Chinese government is jailed. It is a far cry from the freedoms enjoyed within the boundaries of the United States, which is why millions are willing to break our laws in order to set foot on U.S. soil. One has to be grateful for the rights we, as American’s, take for granted: freedom of speech and freedom to practice a religion of choice, without fear of persecution are two that come to mind immediately. In nations in the Middle East, in Africa and China, those are freedoms that simply do not exist. As to racism, one cannot deny that racism exists in the United States, but it is the individual not the state, that is the culprit. Furthermore, to the extent that we, as a nation and as a people elect individuals of every racial and ethnic and religious background to represent us in our government, is proof of the greater good inherent in the individual who makes up the whole of the Democratic Republic of the United States of America.
To accuse those in the United States Government of exploiting human rights in order to gain some sort of advantage in another nation made by the Chinese government is ludicrous and highlights the fact that they obviously do not understand, or understand all to clearly perhaps, the way our nation views the importance of every individual. It is fear of their own people understanding our freedoms and the subsequent loss of power over the individual that prompts nations to cry foul when the U.S. government condemn actions that remove the slightest liberty that we enjoy.
NBC’s morning talk show, “The Today Show”, featured a two part interview with Donald Trump, the 2012 GOP “possible” Candidate – the big question, is he going to run and is he serious. In both segments it is obvious that Trump is serious about running for the highest office, and in addition, he feels that he has no choice but to run. It is, at times, while viewing the clips, almost as if Trump would rather not, and he appears somewhat saddened at the prospect, yet resolute that he should run for the job. It is specifically in the first part of the interview that one has the sense that Trump means “business”, and the fact that he must wait until his “Celebrity Apprentice” ends to declare his candidacy, is not out of the ordinary, considering the balance of the top GOP possible that have yet to enter are in a similar situation. Trump’s however is not contractual, as is Mike Huckabee, who is under contract with Fox, and currently touring with a new book to weigh polls and his options. The Celebrity Apprentice, which airs of NBC, on will end early June (if the program follows the previous season), is the main reason given by Trump for not declaring earlier. The program features celebrities competing in business projects with the goal of winning for a favorite charity. Apparently, Trump feels it would be a disservice to many to end the show early by declaring – and as he is known as a philanthropist, it makes sense. He gives one interested in a Trump presidency the sense that Trump will complete a project, that he is decisive, and additionally, not intimidated by any Today Show “journalist” (or anyone else for that matter.)(The Today Show is not necessarily hard news, rather a “talk show format”.)
Trump, to his credit, not only stands up to the show host, specifically regarding the subject of President Obama’s birth certificate, a topic that Trump notes is of concern, but overall, not of great import. He holds the believe that the President may not have been born in the United States, a believe held by a growing segment of the U.S. population. (Fox News Polls: 1 in 4 Americans do not believe that Obama was born in the United States). The fact that Trump, like Chris Matthews of MSNBC, has suggested the President show his actual birth certificate, appears to be a key issue for those interviewing Trump, apparently certain show hosts cannot get past the fact that he even questions Obama’s legitimacy to be President. Trump, on the other hand, had no problem pushing past the issue, and forced the host to continue – he can handle the press, a key ingredient for a Presidential candidate.
The key points of the interview in total: Trump wishes he didn’t have to run, but sees no other recourse in order to save the country, Trump wishes Obama had been a competent President (paraphrased), Trump understands business, and it is his brand of business (making deals and leadership) that would be the cornerstone of his presidency, America comes first, and he knows he can win (although in the second part of the video, he appears humble at the thought when saying, if I were to be elected – which, is somewhat refreshing. In addition, he debunks those who insist he will not disclose his “financials”, by talking about how proud he would be to do so, as his business model is extremely successful. The final point, the show’s hosts, after the interview, nervously (and this is the key), laugh off the fact that Trump is contemplating run, - he appears serious! Both hosts, specifically Meredith Vieira looks a little perplexed, given the fact that Trump basically ran her over in the interview (both segments).
It is suggested that the video is watched (both segments) as one gets a sense of who Trump is in the field of potential candidates, and how he would stack up – which is why, as more of these segments air, and Trump gives his direct and commanding answers to sometimes ridiculous questions, his poll numbers climb. How serious is the Trump candidacy? Trump is schedule to appear on CNN”s “State of the Nation” this Sunday because, as the clip previews, he “appears to be serious about running for President”.
Trump is no Ronald Reagan, there was only one Ronald Reagan, and in previous blog posts, it was noted that the 2008 clump of candidates all tried to “out-Reagan” one another – which made for a side show of sorts. Trump, in the final segment with Meredith Vieira, was asked about George Washington and he noted, Washington didn’t even know he was George Washington – Trump, will not be Ronald Reagan, Trump will not be George Washington, Trump will be Donald Trump, and a growing, cross-section of the voting public (despite his great showing in early polls on the GOP side, which is obviously of import, as he needs to get through the primary and nominated as the Republican Party’s candidate in order to run for President, try asking a cross section of neighbors how they feel about Trump for President: in Massachusetts, despite political ideology, despite race or ethnicity, despite being “non-scientific”, Trump is considered a “can do guy” who would lead this nation out of economic disaster. In other words, his appeal is broad-based, which is threatening to those “journalists” who are ideologically tied to a non-Trump political camp. Should Trump run, and he is obviously weighing this, seriously, in noting he would rather not, but sees no choice, as he finds no other competent candidate, (his assessment is most likely based on business acumen and leadership of all other potential candidates, and looking at the field, one might be tempted to agree with Trump – which may be why there has been no breakaway candidate from the crop of “potentials”.) In this scenario Trump takes the GOP nomination, and should he take the GOP nomination he will take the Presidency. To those who are on the left side ideologically, one finds a good deal of vitriol, not because the man is a “joke” as some might say, but because they are aware, he will, with the backing of a variety of the American public, be the next President of the United States. Who would not want to see the debates between Obama and Trump? The debate would feature Common Sense, Business Acumen and the “regular guy” against ideology, an elitist and a teleprompter gone bad – which one would Trump the other given a weary American public? Asked and answered.
CNN’s segment should be one of those “must watch” Trump Interviews (although pre-tapped, but must give that one a grain of salt – however, given the propensity of the press to “edit” pre-taped interviews, of which Trump is aware, one can be the House, should anything be changed or “enhanced”, he’ll come out swinging – with his own copy of the interview.)
Chris Christie, Defending Education - image New Jersey.com
Chris Christie, in an interview with Diane Sawyerof ABC News, covered a variety of topics, in a one-on-one interview (see video below). Christie, who is, perhaps, one of the most popular conservatives, spoke bluntly about the teachers union, calling them “political thugs”, while praising the good teachers of New Jersey. He hit the nail on the head when he referred to tenure and the inability to remove incompetent teachers due to tenure. The fact remains, that tenure in the nations lower education systems, allows incompetent teachers to remain on the job until they choose to retire. It is a “right” protected by teachers unions coast to coast, and Christie’s position is affirmed by a University of Washington Study revealing that teacher layoffs should be based on competency, not tenure.(Olympian)
The ends result one sees in the Globe article, students who, due to the support of incompetent teachers by a union that appears only to support keeping as many dues paying members on the rolls as possible, will lose the competitive edge that the public school system has given our students nationwide since its inception.
Chris Christie, who is a father of four, understands the public school system, and its obvious woes, like parents across the nation. The Governor also stated he would not be entering the 2012 GOP Presidential Race. Christie, a die hard Jersey man, will be keeping a watchful eye on what is perhaps the bluest state in the U.S. and should be applauded for his fight for the rights of the taxpayer supported schools hiring competent teachers over the union’s objections.
