Skip to main content

UNCLE WAYNE’S POST DEBATE THOUGHTS...

WAYNE JOHNSTON
October, 23, 2020

Ok the last debate in this interminable this USA Presidential election cycle is done. Of course, everyone is asking who won? Naturally the political spin doctors are weaving their various webs of obfuscation and deflection. (The former US Senator Rick Santorum, who seemed to have watched a debate in a different universe was working particularly hard on CNN.) But I suppose that the Republican spin specialists are breathing a sigh of relief. The Donald didn’t go his typical full-blown bat shit crazy, like in the last debate. That said, Trump’s bar was set pretty low. Ok he didn’t act too nutty but he basically said the same stuff as he does every day, just less angry and unhinged than the last debate or in some of his cult rallies. So, I guess he was better... However, his fib metre was through the roof. To quote one fact checker. “With Trump it’s like being Lucile Ball in the candy factory scenei”.

What lie to pick when there are so many? He didn’t offer any plans or policy. He did however leave no doubt in anyone’s mind he has no decency or empathy. That by the way, in Latin, means that he’s a horrible, soulless human being. His answer regarding the 500 plus children torn from their now lost parents was a lie, and jaw dropping. He said that the parents didn’t want them and then that, “They are so well cared for”. That certainly didn’t win him points with mother’s, fathers and grandparents or anyone with a sense of human compassion. His attacks on Biden’s family may have made his base happy, but it didn’t win any points with the few undecideds. Biden didn’t go down any rabbit holes and he basically ignored Trump’s slander. Smart move as it would have allowed Trump to pivot away from the important questions. Biden spoke directly to the people of the USA, in an understandable manner. Trump loves using political buzz and code words, rooted in conspiracy theories and the Fox gang of obsequious cheer leader that most folks don’t understand.

No one scored any knock out punches. The few undecideds (polls suggest about 5% of voters) really need to decide soon. I don’t see Trump picking up many of those however. Undecideds tend to watch, and pay more attention, to post debate commentary which of course had to notice his many lies (though Biden had a few also). I can’t see many buying into Trump’s malarkey. So, who did win? Even if it was a tie, Biden still won. When you’re the odds-on favourite, a tie is a win. Trump desperately needed to hit it out of the park tonight. But I don’t think he even scored a run. Sure, he did better and seemed to have listened to his people/handlers for once. But most normal, non cult followers can see through his toned-down act of see, the “I can be ‘normalish’” act. The Kool Ade drinkers would swallow it but, in the end, however the same old Trump talking points and personal attacks from the last debate, only less angry were on offer. That doesn’t constitute a win.

For God’s sake America, keep up the good work by your amazing voter turnout. Take nothing for granted, Trump needs to be decisively defeated. The best-case scenario Biden is ahead the evening of 3 Nov. So, in your own interests, get out and vote. I agree with many of the pundits that the outcome of this election will be a turning point for America. Will America rebuild and once again be a beacon to the world. Or will it continue into the abyss under Trump.

___________________________________

i Folks of a certain age will immediately understand my reference but for those youngish folks, Lucile Ball, who could excel at wacko slapstick humour had a much watched tv show in the 1950,s, into the 60’s




 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bleak Times for Trump’s USA? by Bill Lee

“If we don’t put a stake into the heart of this administration, there  may not be an election in 2028.” Gavin Newsom, Governor of California The news from the US of A about the wild and weird pronouncements and actions of the abhorrent individual sitting in the most powerful seat in the land, DJ Trump, is bleak. There is his destructive mania for imposing tariffs on every nation in the world: his corrupt attempt to block public knowledge of the truth of the sordid matter of the Epstein files; his racist hatred of Brown and Black people and his inhumane policy of arresting them willy nilly and illegally deporting many; his war on the hard won rights of women and other minorities; his ignoring of court orders (he owns a more or less corrupt Supreme Court); his impossible and unhinged comments on wanting Canada to become the 51st state of the USA; and his increasingly wacky and garbled speech, are only the most recent concerns. But probably the most dangerous of his right-wing campaig...
Post a Comment
Read more

ANY LEFT LEFT? OR WHY I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE NDP

 By Bil Lee Prior to announcing that they would not support the Liberal budget (thus triggering an election over what was really a pretty left friendly Liberal program) the NDP in Ontario has been wasting a great deal of breath on hammering the Liberals over the "gas plant" scandal. Of course the Libs have been their old tricky and disingenuous selves in many ways and did waste a pile of money (and try to cover up how much) attempting to score some bi-election wins by cancelling the damn things. But the fact is the PC's and the NDP had both made a promise to cancel them if they got into power, so the money ws going to be wasted in any event. So it was all game playing, and pretty boring game playing actually. I am not against a solid critique of the Libs (except I continue to disagree on the utility of playing at the gas thing). My concern with role back of corporate tax breaks that Horvath has muted about as an election promise is that though I clearly support the ide...
4 comments
Read more

RITUALS KEEP CHANGING by Tony Boonstra

It is interesting that since time immemorial people have developed rituals. Sometimes we forget the initial meaning of the ritual. Take Christmas. It was originally “the Mass being celebrated at the time of Christ's birth”. That is literally what the word means. What I found helpful is an idea I came across in my studies at McGill University years ago. One professor shared with us the difference between a sign and a symbol. A sign is literally what it says. So, when one comes to a stop sign there is only one meaning. Stop. No rolling stops allowed. The meaning of a symbol on the other hand, is the meaning that a community embraces. This can change over time as the community's values and belief systems undergo changes. In the Netherlands they celebrate Sinter Klaas-Santa Claus, on December 5. The celebration takes on much of the meaning of what Christmas is in Canada. There is goodwill, exchanges of gifts, celebrations, etc. Then Christmas is a quiet day for reflection and for C...
1 comment
Read more