Parroting the Durbin “Shithole” Spectacle

By Sam Frescoe

http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/

#SamFrescoe #Trump #Durbin #shithole #DACA #media #

Part-2 of the Durbin “Shithole” Spectacle – It’s time to unpack the “shithole” stack.

In politics, there is nothing new under the sun. This is a truism that reaches back through the centuries to a time before American politics. Now, as then, the common variant of mass media is being used to adjust the political landscape. Because the purpose of such an effort is to adjust the beliefs of others (including the citizenry, nationally and internationally), it’s in the interest of each citizen to see through the subterfuge.

WARNING: It’s going to get extremely dirty, shabby, or otherwise unpleasant.[1]

Getting Started – Background

On 12 Jan 2018, multiple news media outlets reported that President Trump made a “shithole countries” comment during a meeting at the White House on 11 Jan 2018. At first glance, those outlets claimed that Trump (in fact) made such a statement; and, Trump’s statement was further evidence that Trump is an open racist. That same day, Trump wrote on Twitter, “The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used.”^[1] Later, Sen. Durbin spoke at a press conference to confirm the Press.

“Shithole” #1 – Senator Durbin 

Bottom Line: Senator Durbin is a “hitter” on the political theater stage. – Regardless of opinions, thoughts, beliefs, or delusions, this was a strike at the President himself. Because there is no evidence to substantiate or refute the hearsay of Durbin, or the further separated hearsay of the news media, there can be no other explanation.

The motives of human action are emotions:
rivalry, envy, jealousy, revenge, pride,
and demand for recognition. [2]
– John Adams –

Q: Why would Durbin do such a thing?

A: If Durbin is to appear superior, then someone else must look inferior. In this case, that someone is President Trump.

What Durbin did was about revenge (reprisal for rejecting his proposal in a way that hurt Durbin’s feelings). It was not about Congressional power (there are not enough votes to defeat a veto); it was not about advancing the party platform (the platform advances ONLY when favorable legislation is enacted into law); it was not about his duty as a Senator (he aired dirty laundry from a private meeting…grossly unprofessional); it was not about building consensus (his actions created a poisonous, all-or-nothing landscape); it was not about showing strength (he clearly stated that he was going to “beg for votes”); it was not about countering racism (those that presuppose racism are still presupposing racism); and it was not about DACA-favorable messaging (CNN,[3] Time, and others went on a “Trump is a ‘shithole’” marathon, not a “let’s get behind DACA” marathon, for nearly 24-hours).

“Shithole” #2 – Politicians 

DACA is just not important.

While the date and agenda of the meeting seems to be well understood, the list of invited and actual attendees is not clear.  However, the mismatch between the reports of invitees and attendees seems obvious enough.

-       Invitations: Prior to the meeting on the 11th, the Washington Examiner reported that 23 Senators were expected to attend: 13 Republicans and 10 Democrats.[4] Specially, Sen. Feinstein (D-Ca), Sen. Bennett (D-Co), and several members of the Presidential staff were mentioned.

-       Attendance: According to multiple Press reports,[5] the attendees were President Trump, Sen. Durbin (D-Ill), Sen. Graham (R-SC), Rep. Diaz-Balart (R-Fla), Rep. Goodlatte (R-Va), Sen. Cotton (R-Ark), Sen. Perdue (R-Ga), and “other government officials.” That makes 5 Republicans and 1 Democrat in attendance.

Question: If this meeting was to address a national crisis (as claimed by Durbin), then where were the other 8 Republicans and 9 Democrats? And why?

This was a set ambush!

On 12 Jan 2018, multiple political actors responded to the reported “shithole countries” comment attributed to Trump.

• -       President Trump wrote on Twitter, “The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used.” – The President DID attend the meeting.
• -       Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla)[6] said, “Language like that shouldn't be heard in locker rooms and it shouldn't be heard in the White House.” – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Rep. Love (R-Ut)[7] [8] said the comments were “unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values.” – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Sen. Blumenthal (D-Ct)[9] said the comments “smacks of blatant racism…masquerading poorly as immigration policy.” – The Senator did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Rep. Rice (D-NY)[10] Tweeted, “Racist.” – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Sen. Durbin (D-Ill)[11]            said the President “said things that were hate-filled, vile and racist.” – The Senator DID attend the meeting.
• -       House Speaker Ryan (R-Wis)[12] criticized Trump’s remarks. – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Sen. Cotton (R-Ark) and Sen. Perdue (R-Ga)[13] said, “We do not recall the President saying these comments.” – The Senators DID attend the meeting.
• -       Former Vice President Biden[14] condemned the remark on Twitter. – The former VP did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Rep. Gutierrez (D-Ill)[15] said the comments “will shake the confidence that people have” in the ongoing immigration policy talks. “The answer is this racist outburst of the president.” “They (Republicans) don’t believe in immigration – it’s always been about people of color and keeping them out of this country.” – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Rep. Richmond (D-La), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus,[16] said on Twitter that Trump’s remarks “are further proof that his Make America Great Again agenda is really a Make America White Again agenda.” – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Rep. Espaillat (D-NY)[17] said, “If he’s walking around with white supremacists and supporting them, this kind of talk doesn’t surprise me.” – The Representative did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Haiti’s ambassador to the US, Paul G. Altidor[18] said, that “the President  was either misinformed or miseducated about Haiti and its people.” – the ambassador did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Alix Desulme, North Miami city council member,[19] said the president’s latest remarks were “disgusting.” “This is alarming. We know he’s not presidential.” The council member did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       The African Union continental body[20] told The Associated Press it was "frankly alarmed" by Trump's comments. – The body did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       South Africa's ruling African National Congress[21] called Trump's comments "extremely offensive." – The African National Congress did NOT attend the meeting.
• -       Rupert Colville, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,[22] said that if confirmed, "these are shocking and shameful comments from the president of the United States. Sorry, but there is no other word one can use but 'racist.'” – The UN did NOT attend the meeting.

Let’s tally it up! – Remember, the meeting was not recorded; more on this in the next section.

• -       25 condemnations (1 from an attendee, 24 from non-attendees)
• -       3 denials (3 from attendees, 0 from non-attendees)

“Shithole” #3 – News Media

Bottom Line: News media companies are just as they are, companies. Therefore, their first duty is to stay in business while maximizing revenues. In order to accomplish this, the company must provoke traffic across its modes of media (print, video, television, internet, etc.). In turn, this traffic prompts revenues via advertising and/or company market/exchange value.

If it bleeds, then it leads.

Fact-1: The DACA meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on 11 Jan 2018 was not recorded by stenography or the news media. Therefore, there is no direct, publicly-available evidence of the meeting. – Without direct evidence, it is impossible to substantiate information received from other persons. Taken together, the “shithole” statement is hearsay, a rumor.

Fact-2A: Because the news media went to press based on hearsay, the facts become open to question.

Example-1, Reuters:[23] Reuters reported that an immigration bill briefing took place in the White House to discuss the Temporary Protected Status program. During that discussion, Trump referred to some nations as “shithole countries”. This is according to two sources familiar with the comments and “asked not to be identified.”

Example-2, Associated Press via Yahoo News:[24] Yahoo News reported: As for Africa, he asked why more people from "shithole countries" should be allowed into the U.S., the sources said.

Example-3, Yahoo News embellishes:[25] Based on the prior AP release, Yahoo News posted, “Trump's contemptuous description of an entire continent startled lawmakers in the meeting and immediately revived charges that the president is racist according to people briefed on the conversation.”

Example-4, Washington Post presumes guilt:^[26] The Washington Post published, “The White House did not deny Thursday that Trump used the vulgarity confirmed by numerous other news outlets.”

Questions:

• -       Why did the sources request anonymity? Why was it granted?
• -       How do you know that the sources were in a position to know what they claimed? Did they witness the statement? Why is “familiar” objectively sufficient for this case?
• -       Who was invited to the meeting? Who attended? Who did not attend and why?
• -       What is the serial number of the bill discussed? Is it filed in the Library of Congress?
• -       When did the meeting adjourn? When did you (the Press) first learn of the statement?

Fact-3: The time span between the end of the meeting (let’s assume 1700 on the 11th) and when I first observed the Press reports (0400 on the 12^th)…is…11-hours. – This means that in less than 11-hours: the “shithole” comment was fed to the Press; Tweets were posted by actors not in attendance; and (tabloid) stories containing statements of American and foreign politicians were written, posted, and replicated throughout the internet and cable networks. – Let that sink in.

“Shithole” #4 – The “Sheepeople”  

Given the tenor, voice, and mass of comments, it was not a flock, it was a mob.

The problem isn't that citizens can't read.
The problem isn't even that citizens can't think.
The problem is that citizens don’t know what thinking is;
they confuse it with feeling.
– Thomas Sowell (amended) –

A person is smart.
People are dumb, panicky,
dangerous animals!
– Men In Black (paraphrased) –

Your View

Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you to tell me what you believe with the comment section.

© 2018 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com – All Rights Reserved

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[1] https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/shithole (180115)

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[1] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

[2] John Patrick Diggins, “John Adams”, Times Books, 2003, ISBN: 0-8050-6937-3 (paraphrased)

[3] http_www.thegatewaypundit.com_2018_01_cnn-goes-off-shthole-sh (180112)

[4] http_www.washingtonexaminer.com_daca-fate-hangs-in-the-balanc (180112)

[5] http://news.trust.org/item/20180112022611-rbq55 (180112); https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112); https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-attacks-protectio (180112); https_www.usatoday.com_story_news_politics_2018_01_12_senator (180112)

[6] http://news.trust.org/item/20180112022611-rbq55 (180112)

[7] http://news.trust.org/item/20180112022611-rbq55 (180112)

[8] https_www.yahoo.com_news_lawmakers-renew-immigration-effort-s (180112)

[9] http://news.trust.org/item/20180112022611-rbq55 (180112)

[10] https_www.yahoo.com_news_lawmakers-renew-immigration-effort-s (180112)

[11] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

[12] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

[13] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

[14] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

[15] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-attacks-protectio (180112)

[16] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-attacks-protectio (180112)

[17] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-attacks-protectio (180112)

[18] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-attacks-protectio (180112)

[19] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-attacks-protectio (180112)

[20] http_www.cbc.ca_news_world_trump-immigration-africans-reactio (180112)      

[21] http_www.cbc.ca_news_world_trump-immigration-africans-reactio (180112)      

[22] http_www.cbc.ca_news_world_trump-immigration-africans-reactio (180112)      

[23] http://news.trust.org/item/20180112022611-rbq55 (180112)

[24] https_www.yahoo.com_news_lawmakers-renew-immigration-effort-s (180112)

[25] https_www.yahoo.com_news_lawmakers-renew-immigration-effort-s (180112)

[26] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

Durbin’s “Shithole” Spectacle

By Sam Frescoe

http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/

#SamFrescoe #Trump #Durbin #shithole #DACA

Political theater and breakfast collided on the morning of 12 Jan 2018: headlines blazing with profanity. Trump! Shithole! Racist!  Hysteria, a dramatic frenzy, seemed to cover the internet. – Once again, the news media was asking us to believe that Trump is a root of evil in the United States.

The motives of human action are emotions:
rivalry, envy, jealousy, revenge, pride,
and demand for recognition. [1]
– John Adams –

While the breadth and depth of the “shithole” spectacle is worth unpacking, such a discussion is well beyond the scope of this article. As such, this article examines the video of Senator Durbin (D-Ill) speaking to the news media. A summary of the Senator’s comments, with views and commentary, are provided in upcoming sections.

“So What?”

In politics, there is nothing new under the sun. This is a truism that reaches back through the centuries to a time before American politics. Now, as then, the common variant of mass media is being used to adjust the political landscape. Because the purpose of such an effort is to adjust the beliefs of others (including the citizenry, nationally and internationally), it’s in the interest of each citizen to see through the subterfuge.

The “spectacle” makes much of life ceremony and ritual; and
what is seen more important than what is known; and
what can be written more important than what can be proven. [2]
– John Adams –

Getting Started – Consider the following spectacle

Suppose…

-       …a board member attended a private meeting with the CEO and others.

-       …the member presented an idea: a major policy change.

-       …the CEO became disagreeable and disruptive.

-       …the idea was rejected with commentary deemed offensive by the member.

-       …the member became upset and emotional.

-       …because it’s private, there are no minutes, notes, or transcripts of the meeting.

Suppose the snubbed board member engaged the court of public opinion, and…

-       …placed dirty laundry in the local paper and online.

-       …the CEO was named.

-       …the member was named.

-       …associates of both where named.

-       …and those associates provided commentary of their own.

Suppose the news media…

-       …repeated, embellished, and repeated again comments of their choice.

-       …repeated those comments until clients assumed they are objectively true.

Suppose…

-       …everyone scrambled to separate themselves from the CEO.

-       …the CEO was liabled, slandered, defamed, and adversely characterized.  

-       …the reputation of the board was smeared, nationally and internationally.

Suppose the snubbed board member continued to need the concurrence of all those impacted by his campaign, especially the CEO.

What do you think? How do you feel?

Are you offended? Are you entertained?

Would you do such a thing? Would you tolerate others doing such a thing?

Does circumstance matter? Should there be a pass for certain people (or roles)?

The Durbin “Shithole” Spectacle

Link to Video

In my view, the Senator Durbin’s comments are intended to communicate an issue and related sub-issue.

The Issue

       

Given the total of his comments, it seems Senator Durbin is driving an implied issue: The United States is facing an immigration crisis that will start with the expiration of DACA on 5 Mar 2018. Because DACA will expire, and remove legal protections for more than 700,000 “Dreamers” residing in the United States, a suitable replacement must be enacted. – It seems that this issue is the primary legislative concern for Durbin and others. He claims that the most recent proposal (a draft bill) represents four months of dedication.

Sam:

Give me a break! – First, the United States is NOT facing an impending immigration crisis. For more than two centuries, the United States successfully addressed the needs, wants, and desires of those concerned with accepting immigrants. Given the record, it seems reasonable that the United States is fully capable of addressing current needs, wants, and desires of same.

Second, on one hand, thank you for doing the job that you were elected to get done: negotiate the making of law. On the other hand, I don’t hand out trophies or favor for claiming to do your job. Get back to work.

On 11 Jan 2018, President Trump disapproved of the proposed DACA replacement in a manner deemed hateful by Durbin. Durbin supported his claim by saying that the President “said things which were hate-filled, vile, and racist.” “He said these hateful things; and he said them repeatedly.” Durbin warranted his claims by saying, “You’ve seen the comments in the Press. I've not read any of them that’s inaccurate.” In my view, Durbin used a combined empathy-credibility rhetorical style to single out and attack President Trump. “I cannot believe, that in the history of the White House, any President has spoken the words our President did yesterday.” “That was the nature of this conversation.”

Sam:

Grow up! – You voluntarily walked into the “authoritarian den” with a proposal that ran counter to the needs, wants, and desires of the Chief Executive. What did you expect would happen? If you can’t (or won’t) check your emotions long enough to hear past the words to the message, then take your ball and go home.

The Press, all of it, is accurate. Really? – Let me get this straight. You want me to believe or agree that the Press is 100% accurate because you (a four term idea broker) claim to have not read an inaccurate report? Really?

-       Question-1: Who made the decision to feed the originating narrative to the news media on the 11th?

Believe…just…stop. – To disrespect the President himself is bad enough; but, to smear the entire Office and its history in a bid to make you look righteous is magnitudes worse? Your behavior is unprofessional and unacceptable.

The Senator continued to comment and made the following claims: Trump said, “Haitians, do we need more Haitians?” – Trump called “the nations they come from shitholes.” (Nations refers to African nations.) – Trump “used (a) vile and vulgar comment…not just once, but repeatedly.” – Trump disregards the belief held by African-Americans “migrated to America in chains.” – They (includes Trump) “scoffed” at the notion of “family reunification.” The US is “a nation with values families, with the flag as the most important symbol of our future.” “It was a heartbreaking moment.”

Sam:

Haitians – Question: Given the education and industrial ability of the typical Haitian, how would such an addition improve the ability of America to create wealth?

Nations – Given the video evidence, the only person communicating the use of “vile and vulgar” language is you. However, while I’m on this point:

-       Question-1: How does removing the best and brightest of underdeveloped African nations benefit the development of those nations?

-       Question-2: How does removing the least and dullest of underdeveloped African nations benefit the best and brightest of United States?

-       Question-3: If we cannot trust you to maintain professional bearing in the face of troubling words, then why should anyone trust your troubling words regardless of your professional bearing?

Chains – Really? You want me to believe or agree that African-Americans believe they “migrated to America in chains” is a blanket truth (all or nothing)? – Question: How and why does anyone benefit from this belief?

Families – Do you hear yourself when you talk? Is there a coherent thought here?

The Sub-Issue

       

The sub-issue is also implied: addressing the immigration crisis by protecting “Dreamers” is virtuous, and he (Durbin) is their champion. – “I have a single mission. And the mission is this. To give these Dreamers, and as many members of their families as possible, I chance to be part of America's future in a legal status.”

Sam:

Give me a break! – As the second in command for the Democratic Party in the Senate, your single mission is to push and secure the party platform (virtue by championship). – In Illinois, per the 2016 census, there are 12.8 million citizens. Of those, 0.33% are “Dreamers” protected by DACA.[3] That means there are 42,200 voters that are absolutely dependent on the protection of the federal government.

Question: How does the current immigration system and criteria unjustly target, restrict and exclude “Dreamers?”

“I am convinced that there is a majority in both the House and the Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, who support that concept.” “We're going to prepare a bipartisan agreement for introduction into the Senate next week.”

Sam:

Okay. – You are in a position to know; and are empowered by the Constitution to act in your capacity. Please continue.

“I know there's an overwhelming majority of Americans who support that concept.”

Sam:

Give me a break! – There is no way you can know this to be true. You are either lying, delusional, or both.

“I'll be on the phone today with my Republican colleagues, and my Democratic colleagues, begging them to support this measure.” “Time is running out. We have to get this done.”

Sam:

Beg, boy. Beg! – You want me to believe or agree that the deal is worthy of support because you intend to beg for supporting votes?  Why should any other Senator accept your personal crisis as a mutual problem?

“I'll tell you that I'm not going to quit.”

Sam:

Dang.

Parting Thoughts

To the best of my research, the DACA related meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on 11 Jan 2018 was not recorded by stenography or the news media. Therefore, there is no direct, publicly-available evidence of the meeting.

The Washington Post claims to be the first to report Trump’s use of vulgarity during the meeting. – Given that the meeting was not attended by the Post, and the source is not identified, then report is hearsay.

Later, The Washington Post supported and warranted its original report with matching reports from “numerous other news outlets.”[4] – Given that the prior report is hearsay, as are all subsequent reports for the same reasons, then the entire line of reporting is hearsay (at best) or illegitimate (at worst).

Finally, consider this, for the news media to populate the internet as it did with nearly identical stories prior to Durbin’s appearance on the 12^th, those reporting outlets received that information after the meeting on the 11^th and well ahead of his appearance on the 12^th.

Bottom Line: Senator Durbin is a master “hitter” on the political theater stage.

Your View

Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you to tell me what you believe with the comment section.

© 2018 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com – All Rights Reserved

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[1] John Patrick Diggins, “John Adams”, Times Books, 2003, ISBN: 0-8050-6937-3 (paraphrased)

[2] John Patrick Diggins, “John Adams”, Times Books, 2003, ISBN: 0-8050-6937-3 (paraphrased)

[3] https://qz.com/1069844/who-are-the-dreamers-and-where-do-they-live/ (accessed 180114)

[4] https_www.washingtonpost.com_politics_trump-acknowledges-toug (180112)

Great Dates in American History – October

By Sam Frescoe

samfrescoe@gmail.com

http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/

#SamFrescoe #American #History

American history is important. In my view, by studying the past we may better understand who we are today and where we must go tomorrow. My purpose today is to review major events in American history.

In your view, what are the major events in your American history? 

“The supreme purpose of history is a better world.”
– Herbert Hoover, 31^st American President (1874-1964)

“No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.”
– Althea Gibson, an American tennis player and professional golfer (1927-2003)

1st Monday Annually

Columbus Day

                                          

9 Sep 1850	California joined the United States as a State
31 Oct 1864	Nevada joined the United States as a State

30 Oct 1735	John Adams was born
4 Oct 1822	Rutherford B. Hayes was born
5 Oct 1829	Chester A. Arthur was born
27 Oct 1858	Theodore Roosevelt was born
14 Oct 1890	Dwight D. Eisenhower was born
1 Oct 1924	Jimmy Carter was born

24 Oct 1929	Black Friday, Wall Street Crash
28 Oct 1962	Cuban Missile Crisis ends
7 Oct 2001	War in Afghanistan begins

Going Forward

“If we know where we came from, we may better know where to go. If we know who we came from, we may better understand who we are.” - Anonymous

“Preserve your memories, keep them well, what you forget you can never retell.” – Louisa May Alcott, an American novelist and poet (1832-1888)

“Maintaining one’s culture, values and traditions is beyond price.”
– Getano Lui, Council member for Iama

“Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, and poet (1803-1882)

– Sam Frescoe

© 2017 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com – All Rights Reserved

Dear NFL “Protesters” – Where do I even begin?

By Sam Frescoe

http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/

#SamFrescoe

Here we go again; righteousness done poorly is overcome by stupidity done well.

Over the prior weekend, the NFL went toe-to-toe with the American culture at large. Player after player, and team after team, condoned and encouraged the corruption of a pious gesture. Coach after coach, owner after owner, and the League itself openly cast their once proud “Super Bowl World Champion” heritage down to pettiness. Why? Because their hurt feelings were more important than their heritage and the foundation upon which that heritage rests.

That’s right! Grown men that handsomely profit from the promotion of a childhood game took it upon themselves to behave like brats in the name of righteousness. In doing so, they dishonored themselves, their teams, their League, their fans, and their sport; they dishonored their names, their families, and those that built the ivory tower upon which they sit; they dishonored a time American unity, symbols of that unity, and (by extension) Americans themselves. – It just goes to show that the saying is true, “Stupid is, as stupid does.”

Dear NFL Protesters – Even though you are formerly educated, in possession of extraordinary fitness, and are gainfully employed you still lack intelligence, mental capacity to think for yourself, and humility personifying gratitude. – The belief that you represent the voices of the oppressed because you feel that one man offended you is stupid. – The belief that your conduct couldn’t be understood in any other way than team cohesion is stupid. – The belief that the use of a rude and widely unpopular gesture makes you righteous champions of social justice is stupid.

Dear NFL Protesters – In a single weekend you successfully remade yourselves into the newest personification of the problems and attitudes that you claim to be resisting.

Here We Go Again

This past weekend, a number of NFL players, coaches, owners, etc. choose to “take a knee” or refused to take the field during the customary pre-game playing of the national anthem. This behavior was deemed to be fitting and acceptable in order to demonstrate integrity while drawing attention to social injustice.[1]

NOTE: POTUS Comments: While the comments of POTUS are part of the events of the weekend, those comments fall outside the scope and purpose of this article.

NOTE: Right to Speech: While speech is an American right, and an important factor of the events of the weekend, this line of discussion falls outside the scope and purpose of this article. [2]

Historical Framing – Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, started protests by sitting on the bench during the US national anthem. [3] At that time, it seemed clear that Kaepernick intended his gesture to be a mechanism for drawing attention to police brutality and social injustice. [4]

“People are dying in vain because this country isn't holding their end of the bargain up as far as, you know, giving freedom and justice and liberty to everybody.” ^[5]

“People don't realize what's really going on in this country. There are a lot things that are going on that are unjust. People aren't being held accountable for. And that's something that needs to change. That's something that this country stands for: freedom, liberty and justice for all.” ^[6]

“Once again, I’m not anti-American,” Kaepernick said. “I love America. I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better. I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.” [7]

Kaepernick, in a moment of clarity, rightfully broadened his message to include politics and challenged the integrity of the electorate. – Bravo!

“We have a presidential candidate who's deleted emails and done things illegally and is a presidential candidate. That doesn't make sense to me, because if that was any other person, you'd be in prison. So what is this country really standing for?” [8]

However, poor messaging choices made social-political space for his aims to be recast as malicious intent.

Beginning July 2015, Kaepernick began promoting Black Nationalist and Black Lives Matter material on his social media platform.[9]

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” [10]

One of his leading advocates, Nessa Daib (his girlfriend at that time) posted on Twitter, “Please take the time to UNDERSTAND what he is saying…” versus actually explaining what we were meant to understand.[11]

What Kaepernick likely intended for doing good (restoring freedom, liberty, and justice for all) was transformed into ridicule and mockery.

Weekend Framing – Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid

Now, more than a year later, the messaging has changed again. Now, “taking a knee” is a symbol of America-hating and gross disrespect to Americans at large, especially our warrior dead. However, there are some that disagree with this observation.

Let’s suppose that I’m off-base and out-of-touch. Let’s suppose that all of this messaging and behavior is actually a clear and defined protest against the treatment of black and non-white people. Now, with all of this in mind, let’s address some simple questions:

What’s changed?

• ·         Do black lives matter more than before?
• ·         Are black communities better off than before?
• ·         Are legal statues being rewritten to remove bad law?
• ·         Is unemployment any better?
• ·         Is black-on-black crime being reduced?
• ·         Is black crime (villain or victim) being reduced?
• ·         Is the black abortion rate declining?
• ·         Is the dropout rate of black students in decline?
• ·         Are more black entrepreneurs being underwritten and financed?

What’s being done to make things better?

• ·         Are blacks voting in greater numbers?
• ·         Are black business owners offering testimony and advice to lawmakers?
• ·         Are more blacks becoming police officers?
• ·         Are more blacks seeking elected office?
• ·         Are more blacks petitioning for legislation?

It’s been more than a year sense Kaepernick brought all of this to the forefront.

• ·         Where’s the message of unity?
• ·         Where’s the doctrine of virtue?

It’s been a year.

Hateful Righteousness – Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid

I'm not opposed to purposeful protesting. – Peaceful protesting for a good and grand purpose is an American thing to do.

I’m not opposed to identification of wrong-doing. – If rights are to be restored, then wrongs must be clearly identified.

I am opposed to the notion that the American way of life is inherently corrupt and fundamentally evil. – These “protesters” want all Americans, everywhere, to believe their entire heritage and living memory is inherently evil, wicked, immoral, foul, horrible, disgusting, and corrupt because they cannot bring themselves to stand for an oppressive nation. Really?

How am I supposed to take them seriously when their messaging is egregious and shamelessly vicious?

·         If racism is real, then fairness and tolerance must be equally real.

·         If white privilege is real, then black disadvantage must be equally real.

·         If oppression is real, then liberation must be equally real.

·         If fear is real, then confidence must be equally real.

·         If resistance is real, then assistance must be equally real.

How am I supposed to agree with them when their messaging is incomplete (at best) and dishonest (at worst)?

·         They are athletes. They are celebrities. And, they want me to believe or agree that they are experts on oppression because they are professional football players?

·         They are professional football players. They are exclusive members of a well equipped and empowered team. And, they want me to believe or agree that they are experts in systemic oppression that is America itself?

How am I supposed to accept their claims while disregarding their presentation: as if speaking something aloud makes it so for everyone?

·         How can they talk about the complexities of American society, but never acknowledge that the same society is complex enough that others can read the same evidence and arrive at a different conclusion?

·         How can they proclaim to find it hard to believe that others could honestly and intelligently come to a different conclusion than themselves?

How am I supposed to accept their morality and judgment as prudent and wise?

·         What is the source of their moral authority?

·         Who made them moral givers?

Bottom Line

Dear NFL Protesters – You cannot lift up America to new levels by tearing down all of America to your depths. You, and those around you, are the beneficiaries of those Americans that addressed segregation, civil rights, voting rights, and the nonsense of Jim Crow laws long before you were thought to be a good idea. In doing so, they did what they did, fought as they fought, and died as they died so that everyone could benefit in ways that they could never have foreseen. – It’s time for you to master your own nature and build on the hard fought virtues of our American past.

At some point each American, without exception, must choose to identify with what is graceful, virtuous, and good or with what is evil, vicious, and bad. You cannot be a righteous champion by having it both ways.

Viciousness is a human failing, but virtue is a human triumph. Both are ever-present simply because human beings exist. Both represent the desire of human nature to cultivate thoughts, make decisions, and take action on those decisions. But, it’s not human nature that puts failings and triumphs into the world; it’s individual human beings.

Your View

Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you to tell me what you believe with the comment section.

© 2017 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com – All Rights Reserved

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[1] AFP. “NFL controversy has 'nothing to do with race,' Trump says”. 25 Sep 2017. https://www.yahoo.com/news/nfl-controversy-nothing-race-trump-says-222330098_.html (accessed 170925)

[2] The Bill of Rights is clear on this matter. “In order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers,” the following “declaratory and restrictive” clause was added, “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.” (US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Preamble and First Amendment)

[3] AFP. “NFL controversy has 'nothing to do with race,' Trump says”. 25 Sep 2017. https://www.yahoo.com/news/nfl-controversy-nothing-race-trump-says-222330098_.html (accessed 170925)

[4] Billy Witz. “This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling”. 1 Sep 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-kneels-national-anthem-protest.html (accessed 170926)

[5] https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/colin_kaepernick (accessed 170926)

[6] https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/colin_kaepernick (accessed 170926)

[7] Billy Witz. “This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling”. 1 Sep 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-kneels-national-anthem-protest.html (accessed 170926)

[8] https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/colin_kaepernick (accessed 170926)

[9] Ford Springer. “Kaepernick’s Support Of Black Lives Matter Began After Dating Activist DJ”. 31 Aug 2016. http://dailycaller.com/2016/08/31/kaepernicks-support-of-black-lives-matter-began-after-dating-activist-dj/ (accessed 170926)

Black Nationalist: (n) a member of a group of militant blacks who advocate separatism from the whites and the formation of self-governing black communities https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20nationalist (accessed 170926)

Black Lives Matter: (n) a social-political organization advocating black supremacy; characterized by racism, sexism and transgenderism https://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/2016/07/sams-estimate-assessment-of-black-lives.html; http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/2016/07/sams-estimate-assessment-of-black-lives_20.html

[10] https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/colin_kaepernick (accessed 170926)

[11] Ford Springer. “Kaepernick’s Support Of Black Lives Matter Began After Dating Activist DJ”. 31 Aug 2016. http://dailycaller.com/2016/08/31/kaepernicks-support-of-black-lives-matter-began-after-dating-activist-dj/ (accessed 170926)