The Presidency of Donald J. Trump: No smocking guns.
06-25-2018
, 05:02 PM
Years from now, I will tell my great-grandchildren about The Great Ponying of 2018.
Also known in some circles as The Inponyception.
06-25-2018
, 05:04 PM
06-25-2018
, 05:06 PM
06-25-2018
, 05:18 PM
Devout white ex-Atlanta Braves baseball star with a surprising take.
https://dalemurphy.com/why-america-is-so-divided/
https://dalemurphy.com/why-america-is-so-divided/
Quote:
While I think there are many factors at play, one stands out in particular: There is a profound lack of empathy in our country, and this was never more apparent, at least to me, until our current administration instituted a zero-tolerance immigration policy that separated families at the southern border.
“The dilemma is that if you’re weak, if you’re weak, which some people would like you to be, if you’re really, really pathetically weak, the country’s going to be overrun with millions of people,” President Donald Trump said. “And if you’re strong, then you don’t have any heart. That’s a tough dilemma. Perhaps I would rather be strong, but that’s a tough dilemma.”
Somehow, being “weak” meant doing nothing, while being “strong” meant separating families. I couldn’t disagree more. Part of the reason we’re so divided is that so many people view things through an all-or-nothing lens. You either think this or you think that. You’re either with us or against us. There’s no middle ground.
That mindset is not healthy for our democracy.
“The dilemma is that if you’re weak, if you’re weak, which some people would like you to be, if you’re really, really pathetically weak, the country’s going to be overrun with millions of people,” President Donald Trump said. “And if you’re strong, then you don’t have any heart. That’s a tough dilemma. Perhaps I would rather be strong, but that’s a tough dilemma.”
Somehow, being “weak” meant doing nothing, while being “strong” meant separating families. I couldn’t disagree more. Part of the reason we’re so divided is that so many people view things through an all-or-nothing lens. You either think this or you think that. You’re either with us or against us. There’s no middle ground.
That mindset is not healthy for our democracy.
Quote:
To be clear, I am not advocating for open borders. I understand that there have to be laws. I also understand that not everyone attempting to enter this country is doing so in good faith or with the best interests of their loved ones at heart. Instead, they are entering for nefarious reasons. Drugs are being smuggled. Children are being trafficked. I am not oblivious to these realities.
But those people are the minority. Call me naive, but I believe that the vast majority of people seeking entry into this country are doing so because they are desperate for a better life.
No, America cannot solve everyone’s problem, but we can do a better job of assisting those who seek our help. Instead of spending tens of billions of dollars on a wall – which might not even be effective – what if we spent some of that money on more lawyers, judges, and courtrooms to hear immigration cases? What if we spent it on better immigration facilities? Or more resources for law enforcement to create better accountability and oversight at the border?
Wouldn’t that be better than a wall? Or separating families?
Some folks, I’m sure, will tell me this is all above my pay grade, that I should avoid politics and just stick to baseball. But that’s just it. To me, this is not a political post; it’s a moral one. It’s not about which side of the aisle you’re on. It’s about deciding between right and wrong. It’s about being a good person. There has to a better, more civil, more humane way to curb illegal immigration. There has to be a more responsible approach than separating families.
If you find yourself not having empathy for these people, if you find yourself not caring for them, I would invite you to pause and reflect. You can support tough immigration policies while still acknowledging someone’s humanity.
Open your mind. Open your heart. Read. Listen. Understand.
There are people in this world willing to put their children in a raft and venture across the open ocean without food or water or guarantee of survival. There are people willing to wade across the Rio Grande with a 3-year-old strapped to their back, knowing full well that, if caught, they could face severe consequences and be separated from their child.
These people think those options are better than remaining where they were born.
Can you say the same about living in America? Probably not.
I don’t know what the right immigration policy is. I just know that zero tolerance is the wrong one.
But those people are the minority. Call me naive, but I believe that the vast majority of people seeking entry into this country are doing so because they are desperate for a better life.
No, America cannot solve everyone’s problem, but we can do a better job of assisting those who seek our help. Instead of spending tens of billions of dollars on a wall – which might not even be effective – what if we spent some of that money on more lawyers, judges, and courtrooms to hear immigration cases? What if we spent it on better immigration facilities? Or more resources for law enforcement to create better accountability and oversight at the border?
Wouldn’t that be better than a wall? Or separating families?
Some folks, I’m sure, will tell me this is all above my pay grade, that I should avoid politics and just stick to baseball. But that’s just it. To me, this is not a political post; it’s a moral one. It’s not about which side of the aisle you’re on. It’s about deciding between right and wrong. It’s about being a good person. There has to a better, more civil, more humane way to curb illegal immigration. There has to be a more responsible approach than separating families.
If you find yourself not having empathy for these people, if you find yourself not caring for them, I would invite you to pause and reflect. You can support tough immigration policies while still acknowledging someone’s humanity.
Open your mind. Open your heart. Read. Listen. Understand.
There are people in this world willing to put their children in a raft and venture across the open ocean without food or water or guarantee of survival. There are people willing to wade across the Rio Grande with a 3-year-old strapped to their back, knowing full well that, if caught, they could face severe consequences and be separated from their child.
These people think those options are better than remaining where they were born.
Can you say the same about living in America? Probably not.
I don’t know what the right immigration policy is. I just know that zero tolerance is the wrong one.
06-25-2018
, 05:28 PM
06-25-2018
, 05:33 PM
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, 05:41 PM
06-25-2018
, 05:49 PM
06-25-2018
, 05:56 PM
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, 06:01 PM
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, 06:14 PM
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, 06:15 PM
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, 06:22 PM
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, 06:23 PM
06-25-2018
, 06:24 PM