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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDan Rather perfectly explains why Trumps attacks on Mika are the symptom of a much larger problem
Speaking with CNNs Don Lemon, veteran broadcast journalist Dan Rather laid out the real reason why President Donald Trumps tweet-attacks against MSNBCs Mika Brzezinski are so damaging.
Rather, who worked with Brzezinski at CBS News, focused on the dangers this sort of behavior poses to the office of the presidency rather than the content of the tweets themselves.
This is unbecoming of the president, and I think even the most ardent Trump supporter has to somewhere deep in themselves realize that, Rather began.
Its not about policy, Rather continued. Its not even about politics. This is really about common decency.
(Includes CNN video - interview with Don Lemon): http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/dan-rather-perfectly-explains-why-trumps-attacks-on-mika-are-the-symptom-of-a-much-larger-problem/
TexasTowelie
(112,089 posts)since he wants nothing in common with the common.
RobinA
(9,888 posts)The common decency ship sailed for good when he mocked a disabled man from a podium on front of cameras. That, to me, was all anybody ever needed to know about Donald Trump.
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)as a POW, that said it all for me.
Even if you beleve, as I do, that McCain was executing a criminal policy in the skies over Vietnam, he was tortured while in captivty. And Trump mocked that. You cannot get any lower.
bresue
(1,007 posts)taking cheap shots to gain popular attention. How can we respect someone who cheats, lies, steals, bullies to win regardless of what damage he does on the way?
INdemo
(6,994 posts)McCain was following orders from his Commanders
Trump will say what pleases his Militia base.
Let me ask you something though...Are you a Vietnam Veteran?
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)a justifiable excuse since Nuremburg. However, I readily grant that McCain had nothing to do with the criminal policies in southeast Asia he executed.
Not a Vietnam Vet (too young by about 10 years), but have studied the period extensively, especially after 9-11, when it was clear we had not "kicked Vietnam" (to quote George H.W Bush) and were going to take sides in a long-running Afghan Civil War, the predictable outcome of which is now obvious for all with eyes to see.
INdemo
(6,994 posts)for the Vietnam War era.
There are many things that I have disagreed with John McCain on but his Vietnam service is not one of them.
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)industrial society bombing the shit out of an agrarian society? Well, OK then. Good to know and, truly, the Democratic Party is a mighty big tent.
In my opinion, McCain is damned lucky he wasn't put on public trial in Hanoi for war crimes.
karynnj
(59,501 posts)And Trump then added insult to injury when captured on old tape as speaking of a personal Vietnam.
tblue37
(65,290 posts)KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)And pass it off as its own reporting?
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)I really posted it for the video, thought it was a good analysis by Dan Rather, but I couldn't find it elsewhere so I used this source.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I just get annoyed with the way Raw Story operates sometimes.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)They usually include videos - like this one does - and if I can separate them from the article, I just post the video. But I couldn't manage it with this one and I thought Dan Rather's take on this was worth hearing.
Cha
(297,123 posts)don't have it, either.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)Cha
(297,123 posts)Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)I used to work with CBS and his publicist was my news contact. He takes his news seriously, when he was CBS anchor, he'd only do "hard news," no gossip or "infotainment" on his broadcasts. We lost an important voice when he was forced to resign, so I'm always glad to see and hear him again, that he's still being given a national platform.
TexasTowelie
(112,089 posts)There is also a Dan Rather Room off of the University Commons at my alma mater for private group meals. An endowed scholarship for Dan Rather was created at Southwestern by Red McCombs (businessman and former owner of the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Vikings). There is also a building dedicated in his honor at Sam Houston State University where Rather received a bachelors degree in journalism.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)He really is an American hero - and resource - besides occupying an important part of our history. He's the most serious news person around, but then he comes up with his "Ratherisms" which always make me laugh. Thanks for sharing this!
krakfiend
(202 posts)I'm not saying all, I know a lot of good willed people on the right. But a lot also will say that Trump was justified because of how Mika and Joe always attack him.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)Start speaking out - which is starting to happen, especially over this latest attack.
Cha
(297,123 posts)he's "attacked".
President Obama was too.. but he was Presidential material. He was able to go about helping the country nad the Planet..
Whereas trump has a Vicious Lying snizzy fit like someone who doesn't have control of his inferior anger issues.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)That was one of his best qualities. And that - and his intelligence - made him one of our very best presidents, IMO. He was opposed at every turn, but he never let that affect his temper or his vision. Trump is just the opposite - and I can't believe he's lasted as long as he has - or that anyone, anywhere can continue to support his recklessness and downright stupidity. It's wearing this country down, the opposite of what a president is supposed to do. Every time we think this has to be as bad as it gets, he manages to surpass himself...
FakeNoose
(32,620 posts)I love your compare/contrast of Trump to Obama.
Just brilliant. Thanks Rhiannon.
We can't get rid of Trump soon enough. He's already done major damage to our national psyche.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)And they still seem reluctant to do that despite the damage and embarrassment he manages to inflict on a daily basis. The way he's going, 2018 is shaping up to be an electoral bloodbath - if he lasts that long. I'd already had it during the campaign.
As for President Obama, we sure could use some of his a little of his humor and wisdom about now. I don't blame him for giving this clusterfuck a wide berth, he faced enough obstruction and undeserved attacks for the last eight years, but after it's over, I'm hoping he'll join with the cleanup crew in any capacity he chooses to get this country back on the right path.
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)when they began to screw over American democracy, and especially when they elected their freaking sad-ass republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief, Comrade Casino.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)There are no principles or issues that he supports or cares about. He has no knowledge of history and has no wish to learn. He just doesn't care. It's all about him and he can't see past that. He's in this or what he can get out of it. If he's not getting what he wants, he has a tantrum - which becomes world news now - or just blows it off and plays golf. And our position in the world - and the effect we have on the rest of the world - is at stake.
RKP5637
(67,102 posts)gain power, but he's not a republican anymore than a D or I. ... And he's likely to take the world down ... pure insanity at work!
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)And so far, they still seem reluctant to do that. I'm just wondering how much damage he'll manage to inflict before they've had enough.
FakeNoose
(32,620 posts)But they embraced him because they figured they could use him as deflection while they steal the country.
Didn't we already talk about this? I've only been on DU since after the election (fairly new here) but this has been brought up many times. The Cheeto has no political principles to follow, no guiding light. Nor does he have any morals for personal behavior.
Trump is the Rush Limbaugh for the 21st Century. Get it?
We can't get rid of this guy soon enough.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)They may have thought he would be their "stooge," but it turns out he's just a stooge - who is in everything he does just for himself.
wiggs
(7,811 posts)disease of a candidate and now president. There has been more than enough time to realize that this guy is making us sick. Not just dems or DUrs...he's making ill and dysfunctional the country, democracy, and our institutions that support us.
By now....our media, representatives, and public discourse should have been able to rally the 'antibodies' of logic, reason, morality, sense of decency, and justice to our defense. If our social and democratic institutions were healthy, he shouldn't have been elected in the first place, but even now there should be WAY more public discussion and movement toward limiting his power if not toward removal. That is, if we are even capable of it anymore.
I fear the longer this goes, the more obvious it is that we don't have what it takes to defend ourselves against this kind of invasion. As a nation, we lower the bar every single day this guy is allowed to use the power of the office the way he has been. And because of that, every day in office allows him to settle in and use more legal, illegal, immoral, and deceptive ways to do what he wants.
Trump has no mandate, little public support, no vision, no capability...and the GOP is ignoring it. Right now, they are the ones in position to defend us democratically and rationally and in a healthy democracy they would. But they aren't. The GOP stands in the way of our nation defending itself through expected channels of democracy, public opinion, election pressure, donations, etc.. They've built effective media empires, effective sociopathic funding mechanisms, voter suppression techniques, and gerrymandered districts so that they can operate with 17% approval to act against the best interests of most of the country.
How long do you live with a disease before you realize it's here to stay? Is our democracy getting stronger and more capable of defending itself as this goes on or are we getting weaker? 2016 was a big red flag. The way the media and GOP still talk about Trump the president 6 months in, after we know a lot more about him as the most powerful man in the world, is another huge red flag.
wiggs
(7,811 posts)Recent huge red flags include:
...a year long denial of a rightfully elected president his SCOTUS nomination, with no political, legal or electoral consequences
...the 2016 election of an immoral, incompetent, narcissitic, sociopathic fat cat for the purpose of 'draining the swamp'. something fundamentally wrong and alarming there
...the continued discussion by the majority party and much of media of our current unfit president as though he is legitimate and able to lead our country and world in an appropriate manner and should stay in office
Vinca
(50,255 posts)I can't imagine anyone not fleeing the cult after the pussy-grabbing video.
Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)How can any American accept anyone who is so horribly offensive as president?? When you think back to issues that got previous presidents in trouble - Jimmy Carter saying he had "lust in his heart," George HW Bush not knowing the price of a quart of milk, even Gerald Ford saying there was no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe - compared to Trump - boasting about his lust towards underage girls, costing the taxpayers thousands for protection for his adult extended family and (certainly the worst) his embrace and admiration for a Soviet-style dictator. Any one of these and dozens more statements and actions that would have sunk any previous POTUS just boggles the mind. Who would accept this behavior from anyone we know, let alone someone who holds the title of President??
discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,479 posts)The best that can be said about trump is...................
...when they write "How Not to be President for Dummies" book, he provides lots of fertile material and examples.
INdemo
(6,994 posts)the only thing deep within a Trump supporter is a high volume of PBR and hatred for liberals.
This hatred has been bred into these home schooled idiots that skipped most classes.
Hieronymus
(6,039 posts)Rhiannon12866
(205,159 posts)Not only is he the consummate newsman, but I enjoy his clever Ratherisms, too...