Everybody knows how much Donald Trump absolutely hates the media. In fact, a recent poll saw 70% of respondents say that they think he hates the media more than white supremacists. Democrats and Republicans alike agreed with the statement by a majority.
I personally happen to get that impression too.
Which means it's really a wake-up call for Trump. It really is unbecoming of a president to hate the media more than people who actually threaten to tear the fabric of society apart.
You know, many people don't like the media, but The Donald is really too obsessed with it. Maybe he should just quit the presidency and start his own media. (It would be interesting to see if his new company will take much of Fox News's current audience or not.)
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Showing posts with label Donald Trump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Donald Trump. Show all posts
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Will Donald Trump finally listen to Jackie Evancho now? (It actually doesn't matter that much.)
Donald Trump's inauguration singer Jackie Evancho has been waiting to meet the president for some time, to talk about trans rights. (For those who haven't been following this story, Evancho's sister Juliet is trans.) So far, Trump has not yet answered her request.
Now Jackie Evancho will instead take her message to the platform of television. An TLC special about her family will air across the US on 9 August.
This means Donald Trump finally has a chance to listen. But will he? Perhaps it really is a bit too optimistic to even wish that he will.
But that won't matter too much, because millions of Americans will be listening. In the end, personal stories are what can change people's minds, not a president's actions.
Real change is always bottom-up, and change is always won by convincing real, everyday people out there. The politics is not unimportant, but way, way more secondary. Perhaps we should all remember this, especially in the face of politicians like Trump.
Now Jackie Evancho will instead take her message to the platform of television. An TLC special about her family will air across the US on 9 August.
This means Donald Trump finally has a chance to listen. But will he? Perhaps it really is a bit too optimistic to even wish that he will.
But that won't matter too much, because millions of Americans will be listening. In the end, personal stories are what can change people's minds, not a president's actions.
Real change is always bottom-up, and change is always won by convincing real, everyday people out there. The politics is not unimportant, but way, way more secondary. Perhaps we should all remember this, especially in the face of politicians like Trump.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Lady Gaga is Right About the Haters (and let's include Trump too)
Lady Gaga recently talked about seeing negative people on the internet, and concluded that 'I never have to meet any of these people'.
Yes, that's the right attitude to have about haters. You know, some people are just extreme, hateful, or downright weird.
We just have to ignore them.
p.s. With regard to these people to ignore, I do mean to include a certain high-profile American politician who regularly uses Twitter. If only the world would just ignore his tweets from his personal account from now on. I mean, they don't affect government policy, right?
Yes, that's the right attitude to have about haters. You know, some people are just extreme, hateful, or downright weird.
We just have to ignore them.
p.s. With regard to these people to ignore, I do mean to include a certain high-profile American politician who regularly uses Twitter. If only the world would just ignore his tweets from his personal account from now on. I mean, they don't affect government policy, right?
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Donald Trump has Proven Himself Unfit for Office. But we REALLY need to start Demanding More of our Leaders.
Donald Trump's recent horrible behaviour towards show hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough has, in the eyes of many (including myself), conclusively proven that he is indeed unfit for office. I have personally long suspected of his unfitness for office, but this really proves it beyond any doubt for me.
But how did we get here, a President who is effectively going out of his way to bully two of his citizens? Such behaviour was indeed unthinkable back in the 1950s, despite all the faults of that era.
The fact is that, we in the Western world have been demanding less and less of our leaders, and this trend has gotten us to where we are. We ought to start demanding more. Presidents are not just everyday citizens, they are our representatives, and we need to hold them to a higher level of accountability and decency. The non-judgemental stuff ought not to apply to our leaders. It is why I really think that Bill Clinton should have been impeached back in 1990s, despite the fact that I would have supported his administration otherwise. Fellow liberals clearly don't share my view there, but hey, if you let your side off the hook, the other side will do the same too, and we will end up in a downward spiral.
It's not too late to reverse this downward spiral, though. Next election, start demanding that candidates show some integrity before endorsing them, wherever you live in the world. We really cannot afford another Trump anywhere in the world.
But how did we get here, a President who is effectively going out of his way to bully two of his citizens? Such behaviour was indeed unthinkable back in the 1950s, despite all the faults of that era.
The fact is that, we in the Western world have been demanding less and less of our leaders, and this trend has gotten us to where we are. We ought to start demanding more. Presidents are not just everyday citizens, they are our representatives, and we need to hold them to a higher level of accountability and decency. The non-judgemental stuff ought not to apply to our leaders. It is why I really think that Bill Clinton should have been impeached back in 1990s, despite the fact that I would have supported his administration otherwise. Fellow liberals clearly don't share my view there, but hey, if you let your side off the hook, the other side will do the same too, and we will end up in a downward spiral.
It's not too late to reverse this downward spiral, though. Next election, start demanding that candidates show some integrity before endorsing them, wherever you live in the world. We really cannot afford another Trump anywhere in the world.
Friday, May 5, 2017
I Can't Trust Katy Perry Anymore. She just sounded like a Donald Trump Supporter. I can't be sure she isn't one, in fact.
I don't mind real Trump supporters at all. I just don't like fake people. Fake people have no Princess's Spirit.
Recently, Katy Perry has received a lot of backlash over a 'joke' involving former president Barack Obama. During an Instagram Live Exchange session, a fan said that they missed her old black hair. To which Katy replied, something like "miss Obama as well? Times change."
People are obviously upset. Some have even said that this was an act of microagression towards the former president. Which I don't agree - because I don't believe in microaggressions. I also think that Obama would be too worried about the state his country is in right now to have any time for Katy Perry. But what Katy said was really insensitive: not to the great man himself, but to the millions of people around the world who actually miss him. After all, many of us truly, truly don't like Trump very much, and wish that it was still the Obama era.
Some people have described Katy Perry simply as a celebrity who didn't know what to say. But that's really unconvincing. We're talking about a women in her 30s who has travelled the world and made lots of money.
Which brings me onto my next point: most of my friends are in the miss Obama, wish Hillary had won camp. If I said something like what Katy said, it wouldn't have been interpreted as a joke. They would think I was out of my mind. Anyone who truly understands the pain and fear many have suffered since November last year would know that this would not be an appropriate 'joke' to tell. Not that it sounded like a joke at all either: it sounds like something a die-hard Trump supporter would say to us to rub the salt in. I really cannot help but think that Katy Perry's support of the liberal side of politics was perhaps never sincere at all. How else could she be so thick?
I have long found Katy Perry's sincerity suspicious. After all, she started her career with the offensive anthem Ur So Gay, and followed it up with the equally offensive but dressed up as fun I Kissed A Girl. My gay friends didn't find these songs funny at all. It's hard not to take it personally when the lyrics say 'it's not what good girls do, not how they should behave'. You can't get any more explicitly homophobic than that. But then, Katy supported marriage equality and even challenged former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on this issue. So I tried to believe in her.
But I can't anymore. She's in my suspicious book again.
p.s. I don't mind real Trump supporters at all. Also, I'm a pro-liberty liberal.
Recently, Katy Perry has received a lot of backlash over a 'joke' involving former president Barack Obama. During an Instagram Live Exchange session, a fan said that they missed her old black hair. To which Katy replied, something like "miss Obama as well? Times change."
People are obviously upset. Some have even said that this was an act of microagression towards the former president. Which I don't agree - because I don't believe in microaggressions. I also think that Obama would be too worried about the state his country is in right now to have any time for Katy Perry. But what Katy said was really insensitive: not to the great man himself, but to the millions of people around the world who actually miss him. After all, many of us truly, truly don't like Trump very much, and wish that it was still the Obama era.
Some people have described Katy Perry simply as a celebrity who didn't know what to say. But that's really unconvincing. We're talking about a women in her 30s who has travelled the world and made lots of money.
Which brings me onto my next point: most of my friends are in the miss Obama, wish Hillary had won camp. If I said something like what Katy said, it wouldn't have been interpreted as a joke. They would think I was out of my mind. Anyone who truly understands the pain and fear many have suffered since November last year would know that this would not be an appropriate 'joke' to tell. Not that it sounded like a joke at all either: it sounds like something a die-hard Trump supporter would say to us to rub the salt in. I really cannot help but think that Katy Perry's support of the liberal side of politics was perhaps never sincere at all. How else could she be so thick?
I have long found Katy Perry's sincerity suspicious. After all, she started her career with the offensive anthem Ur So Gay, and followed it up with the equally offensive but dressed up as fun I Kissed A Girl. My gay friends didn't find these songs funny at all. It's hard not to take it personally when the lyrics say 'it's not what good girls do, not how they should behave'. You can't get any more explicitly homophobic than that. But then, Katy supported marriage equality and even challenged former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on this issue. So I tried to believe in her.
But I can't anymore. She's in my suspicious book again.
p.s. I don't mind real Trump supporters at all. Also, I'm a pro-liberty liberal.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Will Donald Trump Disappoint Inauguration Singer Jackie Evancho?
When Donald Trump was sworn in as US President in January, Jackie Evancho was there to perform the national anthem. She decided to perform despite calls for her to withdraw, and afterwards she received plenty of backlash. Even though she said she did not do it for Trump specifically, the fact is that she saved him from some embarrassment he didn't need. And for that, many anti-Trump people were more than disappointed.
Fast forward two months, and Miss Evancho is requesting to meet Donald Trump, and not for the first time either. The reason? She wants to talk about trans rights, in light of Trump's decision to cancel former President Obama's executive order requiring schools to let trans students use the appropriate bathroom. This is also personal for Miss Evancho, as her own sister is trans. So far, Donald Trump has not responded to the request.
Will Donald Trump end up disappointing Jackie Evancho? It may be too soon to tell. But if he does, what does this say about him? Especially given the fact that Jackie sang for him despite calls to pull out? This would be beyond any sense of humanity, right?
Fast forward two months, and Miss Evancho is requesting to meet Donald Trump, and not for the first time either. The reason? She wants to talk about trans rights, in light of Trump's decision to cancel former President Obama's executive order requiring schools to let trans students use the appropriate bathroom. This is also personal for Miss Evancho, as her own sister is trans. So far, Donald Trump has not responded to the request.
Will Donald Trump end up disappointing Jackie Evancho? It may be too soon to tell. But if he does, what does this say about him? Especially given the fact that Jackie sang for him despite calls to pull out? This would be beyond any sense of humanity, right?
Sunday, January 15, 2017
What Will Donald Trump be like as President? Let's Look At Some Australian Parallels
In just a few days, Donald Trump will become President of the USA. What will the next four years be like? There's lots of speculation, but nobody knows for certain yet. But here's an interesting take on it:
Donald Trump's election last year saw the despair of many young and self-described progressive people, not just in the US but also around the world. But as a keen observer of Australian politics, I felt a sense of deja vu. Just three years earlier, when former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was elected, the situation was very similar. Young intellectuals were crying, protesting, saying that he was not 'their Prime Minister', even thinking of leaving the country. After all, Abbott was elected on a platform of securing the borders, repealing environmental measures, and making the government work again, whatever that meant. Sounds familiar? Should I also mention that Abbott didn't have a good reputation among feminists, and was opposed to marriage equality? Sounds familiar again?
In office, Abbott not only maintained his platform, but became increasingly nationalistic too, using the national security agenda to boost his polls. For many Australians, it was a really horrible time indeed. Yet his popularity went south and never quite came back again, despite all this. It appeared that people were not buying the nationalistic message anymore. Instead, when he moved to weaken Australia's government-funded healthcare system (another Trump parallel here?), people just lost faith in him, perhaps permanently.
Nationalism and 'border security' can only get you so far, bread and butter issues will count for much more in the long run. If Trump behaves like Abbott did, his popularity will not last.
In the end, Abbott's reign came to an end when his communications minister Malcolm Turnbull challenged him for the leadership, just shy of two years of the day he was sworn in. Of course, this kind of leadership change cannot occur in the US context. But there will be a mid-term election in 2018, and if that goes badly for the Republicans, there won't be a lot that the Trump administration will be able to do from that point onwards. (Think Obama's or Bush's last two years.)
Donald Trump's election last year saw the despair of many young and self-described progressive people, not just in the US but also around the world. But as a keen observer of Australian politics, I felt a sense of deja vu. Just three years earlier, when former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was elected, the situation was very similar. Young intellectuals were crying, protesting, saying that he was not 'their Prime Minister', even thinking of leaving the country. After all, Abbott was elected on a platform of securing the borders, repealing environmental measures, and making the government work again, whatever that meant. Sounds familiar? Should I also mention that Abbott didn't have a good reputation among feminists, and was opposed to marriage equality? Sounds familiar again?
In office, Abbott not only maintained his platform, but became increasingly nationalistic too, using the national security agenda to boost his polls. For many Australians, it was a really horrible time indeed. Yet his popularity went south and never quite came back again, despite all this. It appeared that people were not buying the nationalistic message anymore. Instead, when he moved to weaken Australia's government-funded healthcare system (another Trump parallel here?), people just lost faith in him, perhaps permanently.
Nationalism and 'border security' can only get you so far, bread and butter issues will count for much more in the long run. If Trump behaves like Abbott did, his popularity will not last.
In the end, Abbott's reign came to an end when his communications minister Malcolm Turnbull challenged him for the leadership, just shy of two years of the day he was sworn in. Of course, this kind of leadership change cannot occur in the US context. But there will be a mid-term election in 2018, and if that goes badly for the Republicans, there won't be a lot that the Trump administration will be able to do from that point onwards. (Think Obama's or Bush's last two years.)
Monday, November 21, 2016
Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Moore are Right: Now's the Time to Work
For many people, right now is mourning time in America, because Donald Trump is set to become President come January next year, and nothing can change this.
But for some smarter heads, now's the time to get to work. Several celebrities, including most prominently Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Moore, have effectively said that now's the time to stand up for your values and make them work. And I couldn't agree more.
You know, as great a President Obama has been, relying on the government to stand against racism, bigotry and homophobia is not the way to go. It is neither a responsible or reliable way to improve society. A silver lining of Trump's election may just be that people will take responsibility for the world around them. People will have no choice but to stand up for their own values and be their champion. People will have no choice but to get politically involved, to campaign against unwanted policies.
And for that, America (and indeed the rest of the world) may emerge a better place in four years' time.
But for some smarter heads, now's the time to get to work. Several celebrities, including most prominently Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Moore, have effectively said that now's the time to stand up for your values and make them work. And I couldn't agree more.
You know, as great a President Obama has been, relying on the government to stand against racism, bigotry and homophobia is not the way to go. It is neither a responsible or reliable way to improve society. A silver lining of Trump's election may just be that people will take responsibility for the world around them. People will have no choice but to stand up for their own values and be their champion. People will have no choice but to get politically involved, to campaign against unwanted policies.
And for that, America (and indeed the rest of the world) may emerge a better place in four years' time.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Will Lena Dunham, Barbara Streisand and Miley Cyrus Move to Canada? Hopefully Not.
Donald Trump has won the US Presidential election, regretfully for many people.
Earlier this year, Lena Dunham said she would move to Canada if Trump became president. Several other celebrities, including Miley Cyrus and Barbara Streisand, also signalled their intention to leave the US.
Of course now, the question is will these celebrities flee from the US, as they said they would. It appears that Lena Dunham will not, at least.
I actually hope that nobody leaves the US because of Donald Trump. There are a few reasons why. Firstly, this would be surrender. It would also be what Trump supporters want to see. Secondly, there would be fewer pro-liberty and pro-equality people in the US fighting against the Trump agenda. Finally, there would be fewer votes to count on in 2020, when Trump can actually be defeated.
Moreover, leaving doesn't change the fact that your family and friends will still be living under Trump. You won't be able to escape this fact, even if you move halfway across the world.
So Americans, please, please stay and stand up for your values in these difficult times. Even as an individual you have a lot to contribute.
Earlier this year, Lena Dunham said she would move to Canada if Trump became president. Several other celebrities, including Miley Cyrus and Barbara Streisand, also signalled their intention to leave the US.
Of course now, the question is will these celebrities flee from the US, as they said they would. It appears that Lena Dunham will not, at least.
I actually hope that nobody leaves the US because of Donald Trump. There are a few reasons why. Firstly, this would be surrender. It would also be what Trump supporters want to see. Secondly, there would be fewer pro-liberty and pro-equality people in the US fighting against the Trump agenda. Finally, there would be fewer votes to count on in 2020, when Trump can actually be defeated.
Moreover, leaving doesn't change the fact that your family and friends will still be living under Trump. You won't be able to escape this fact, even if you move halfway across the world.
So Americans, please, please stay and stand up for your values in these difficult times. Even as an individual you have a lot to contribute.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Lessons for Social Justice: Political Correctness and the Rise of Donald Trump
Donald Trump may just be the most divisive presidential candidate in our times. Countless number of celebrities have spoken about him recently, some very strongly (Jennifer Lawrence comes to mind here). Whilst he would not have my vote if I could vote in the US, and many of my friends outrightly hate him (I would not go that far), I am indeed interested in his growing appeal to so many people out there.
And so I did my research. What I found was that a substantial portion of his supporters support him mainly because he is anti political correctness. Whilst I would think that's an inadequate reason to support someone to be the president, I understand their frustrations. I have personally had my fair share of frustrations with the increasing political correctness in our culture, for example as a staunch supporter of marriage equality who really couldn't agree with some of the ways fellow equality supporters have automatically labelled as homophobic those who don't agree with us (I believe they have an equal right of conscience), or as a dedicated feminist who nevertheless couldn't bring herself to agree with affirmative action. And it's not just conservatives who are concerned about political correctness anymore. Even Barack Obama, the most progressive US President in history, has spoken out against political correctness. The fact is that political correctness operates to deny people of their freedom of speech and conscience, and this is simply illiberal and unacceptable.
Real social justice is also harmed by political correctness. It means that we don't have the opportunity to discuss issues important to each of us. Free speech has always been the friend of the oppressed in history, from women denied even the right to vote, to LGBT people whose stories were shut out by the mainstream, to scientists whose new discoveries challenged the establishment at the time. History has shown clearly that we cannot give up, or compromise even a tiny bit, on the sanctity of free speech. So whether we like or hate Donald Trump, whether we are progressive, liberal, moderate or conservative, I believe we should all unite to defeat political correctness, once and for all.
And so I did my research. What I found was that a substantial portion of his supporters support him mainly because he is anti political correctness. Whilst I would think that's an inadequate reason to support someone to be the president, I understand their frustrations. I have personally had my fair share of frustrations with the increasing political correctness in our culture, for example as a staunch supporter of marriage equality who really couldn't agree with some of the ways fellow equality supporters have automatically labelled as homophobic those who don't agree with us (I believe they have an equal right of conscience), or as a dedicated feminist who nevertheless couldn't bring herself to agree with affirmative action. And it's not just conservatives who are concerned about political correctness anymore. Even Barack Obama, the most progressive US President in history, has spoken out against political correctness. The fact is that political correctness operates to deny people of their freedom of speech and conscience, and this is simply illiberal and unacceptable.
Real social justice is also harmed by political correctness. It means that we don't have the opportunity to discuss issues important to each of us. Free speech has always been the friend of the oppressed in history, from women denied even the right to vote, to LGBT people whose stories were shut out by the mainstream, to scientists whose new discoveries challenged the establishment at the time. History has shown clearly that we cannot give up, or compromise even a tiny bit, on the sanctity of free speech. So whether we like or hate Donald Trump, whether we are progressive, liberal, moderate or conservative, I believe we should all unite to defeat political correctness, once and for all.
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