Wednesday, August 30, 2017

The President as the Healer-in-Chief? No,Thanks

A quick one about a pet peeve of mine, to wit, putting politicians, especially the President, in the role of "healer" after a national disaster of some sort. I don't want it. Period.

I don't want or need the President to call for prayers and issue some platitudes about standing united, or depositing a teddy bear at some makeshift shrine, etc. I found it despicable, for example, when Queen Elizabeth II, a person of much class and dignity, got forced into participating in the over-the-top hype surrounding the death and funeral of Diana--a person of no real consequence except as a celebrity. I had my fill of Obama holding memorial services, e.g., Ft. Hood and Dallas massacres, and immediately turning them into "look at me" sessions with an adoring press heaping praise on him for his words and his graceful speaking style . . . . Empty calorie nonsense; I can drink beer or a sugary cola for that.

We see in the wake of the leftist-staged idiocy in Charlottesville, and the flooding in Texas, the lefties are deriding President Trump for his lack of skills as a "healer." They even generated a false "backlash" over FLOTUS wearing stylish heels as she was boarding the plane for Texas--crying about the "message" such foot gear sends (huh?) They also, of course, blasted Trump for going to Texas too early, and if he had waited a couple of days, of course, would have blasted him for going too late. They also blasted his speech in Texas for its "lack of empathy"and the Twitterverse is all atwitter with prog criticism of the President for his poor skills as a "healer."

All nonsense, of course.

I don't want a "healer" for President. I can go to a doctor or a priest for that. I want the President to be a hard-ass realist who does his or her duty in line with the Constitution, especially the requirement to protect the country from all threats. FDR was not a "healer"; after Pearl Harbor he promised the Imperial Japanese defeat and rallied the country to war. Lincoln? Churchill? Few statesmen in modern times have faced the number and strength of crises that faced them. They confronted those crises honestly, openly, did not sugar-coat the challenges facing their nations and called for victory. Even the much-maligned George W. Bush in the wake of 9/11 did a masterful job (on the whole) of committing the nation to bringing the scoundrels who murdered thousands of our citizens to heel, note, not to heal.

I had noted many times before that I have had enough of candle-light vigils, "we are not afraid" marches, teddy bears, and empty words. We need real leaders who will confront issues openly and view them without politically correct glasses.

46 comments:

  1. Listening to Rush today as he pointed out - using their own words - that the libprog Trump-complaint of the day was/is "no empathy". Every talking head quote he had used that term. Journolist is alive and well(and probably being funded by (spit) repukes.

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    1. Exactly what I was thinking.

      They think we don't realize that their game is rigged; thank God they're too dim to know the truth. Fun video showing the scripting:

      https://youtu.be/jH8dejYGa5A

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  2. People who want a Prez as "healer" are also the sort of despicables who voted for Hellary. Hellary as Healer: I can't picture that. Healery: nope, doesn't work.

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  3. Like most times, you are right on. But the game now is "thoughts and prayers" pronouncements and showing the flag. Yes, Trump is being pulled into this prog teddy-bear meme ... but some give just might make it a little easier for him to get the real hard stuff done. He can still try to rectify this namby pamby ethos ... but maybe not all at once. I think his head is a little sore from banging it up against our mighty media machine.

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    1. In addition, it is prayers TO the victim. That makes no sense. How about prayers FOR the person?

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  4. Scott Adams had a somewhat similar post recently:

    http://blog.dilbert.com/post/164370580166/do-we-really-need-moral-leadership-from-the

    I might also add here that complaints of a Trump failure of leadership vis-a-vis the Congressional Obamacare fiasco simply ignore the fact that a substantial number of Congressional Republicans (in both houses) are actively, in word and/or deed, anti-Trump. What delusion would lead anyone to assume that they, or any of them, would lend themselves to persuasion from Trump?
    Get real, people. Even Trump's putative allies are singular proof that in his particular case (with apologies), "The enemy of my enemy is my enemy."

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  5. I saw the video of Mrs Trump heading out to the helicopter in those stilettos -- my immediate response was "what a silly choice of footwear!"

    However, I never suspected that there was some sort of statement to be made by wearing them -- simply that her choice was different than mine would be.

    Classic mountain out of molehill thinking by the media.

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    1. How about "It is none of your business. Nobody asked you for a comment."?

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    2. Were still entitled to an opinion -- she is a public figure.
      And she and you are entitled to ignore me!

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    3. "You can just go ahead and try to ignore me... I'm going to stomp my feet, then roll on the floor, and scream, because NOBODY ignores me!"

      - the media (also my 4 yr old)

      - reader #1482

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    4. Maybe if everyone in Texas wore stilettos, they'd punch more holes in the ground and help drain the water.

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    5. @Anonymous at 1:39PM--Like the old joke about the Texan who became an oil millionaire because his wife took out the garbage wearing high heels?

      All kidding aside, as far as the liberal media is concerned, the Trumps can only do wrong. If Melania Trump put on fatigues and waded right into helping people in a flooded district or donated blood for an injured person, they'd say she looked like something the cat dragged in and was simply grand-standing.

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  6. I agree Mr. Diplomad. This present and part of the last generation are full of snowflakes who are so accustomed to praise and self-esteem buildups that they cannnot accept being told to buck up and do what is needed to be done with help from others. Lead by actions not words.

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  7. They Live!

    - reader #1482

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  8. I mean... why would he want to heal the devastation he CAUSED by leaving the Paris accord!!?!?!?!?!? (insert breathless anger!)

    I'm serious... this bunk meme is cropping up everywhere... nevermind the 12 year drought of cat3+ hurricanes making landfall in the US. Never mind that our hurricane loss increase over time *trails* our increase in areal wealth-density. (Yes, that means the global climate is becoming *more* suitable to humans and our wealth, one way or the other!)
    just insane

    - reader #1482

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  9. You apparently forgot! It is all about feeeelings. ::gag:::

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  10. Nailed it once again Sir!

    We want a leader, not a cheerleader.

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  11. I remember how the press was all over Bush II for not going straight into the mess of Katrina. Never mind that a Presidential visit is hugely disruptive and people had other things to do than look after him.

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  12. Agree almost completely with Diplomad. One small exception: I understand the flap over Melania's shoes. In fact, I was taken aback by both her outfits that day. Both were hugely fashionista: in DC the stilettos, bombardier jacket, huge sun glasses on rainy day, then in Texas unveiling of cute flotus hat, preppy crisp white shirt with turned up collar, again huge sun glasses, shoes matching shirt - all really cool for a picnic. And change of clothes - why did she need killer outfit to board helicopter on way to disaster, then have to change outfits? All out of keeping with mission of the day. Her other appearances have been appropriate as fashion show and she has looked great. This was not a fashion show. Imho, her instincts were way off that day. She should have looked good but without the fashionista effect. Fashionista does not scream substance, concern or empathy. Complete disconnect. Again, I support both Trumps, but like the liberal critics, I thought the optics were very bizarre. Only time I think Melania has goofed in appearance.

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    1. If you put a gun to my temple and threatened to shoot me if I failed to come up with something less ridiculous than Melania's outfits, I would have to say goodbye.

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    2. Syd B

      Optics are a big deal. For those who notice particulars of clothes, imho, there was a disconnect here. Look at photos of Diana in minefields. She looked great - but stopped just short of fashionista. There was criticism of Diana for getting involved in that cause, but no criticism I've seen of the photos. My comment was about the reaction. Given that I, a huge Trump supporter, had it too, you can't say it isn't real or fair. Maybe misguided, but still real. About the only time the "outrage" had any basis. And incidentally, I realize people of affected areas don't care, maybe only urban professionals who notice clothes noticed/care. I care because I want Trump to succeed and I hope for no unforced errors.

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    3. ..."I, a huge Trump supporter"... MsHer

      HaHaHa, Funny stuff Ms, your latest myopic leftish critique of Trump "optics", followed predictably, by a hollow profession of support for "Trump"... hehehe

      Down at the Barbershop, all the guys and gals are unanimous, "we love Melania's ankles, spikes, aviators, clam-diggers and bomber jacket too", moreover, we're simply delighted that Moochelle's derriere has finally fallen out of favor!
      The Donald continues to MAGA :)
      OW~~~

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    4. Ow

      Just saw pictures of Melania on 2nd visit to Texas. She heard the criticism, toned done the look. Now looks great - and appropriate. Wearing a "Texas" hat rather than "Flotus". So visit about Texas, not her. This is all I wanted.

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    5. MsherSeptember 2, 2017 at 3:57 PM
      Ow

      Just saw pictures of Melania on 2nd visit to Texas. She heard the criticism, Now looks great - and appropriate... So visit about Texas, not her. This is all I wanted.

      >>Got a link?
      Looks Like the same ol' Melania to me Ms, snake spikes and all! ;) OW~~~
      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4847008/Melania-sticks-sky-high-heels-second-visit-Texas.html

      OW~~~

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    6. Ow

      Look, I am female urban professional who lived for decades in Manhattan. So, yes, I speak the language of clothes. My comments are from the perspective of one who very much interprets messaging in clothes. Melania is a woman who clearly does also. So for those of us who are attuned to it, we do react to the messaging. Usually Melania has gotten it perfectly.

      First outing was "Vogue does Disaster" both in DC and Texas." 2nd time, not. I have no idea why she felt it necessary to wear killer outfit just to get on helicopter, but 2nd time at least it wasn't a fashionista version of a disaster outfit. In Texas 2nd time and LA, she wore a "Texas hat," then "LA" hat, not "FLOTUS" hat, "FLOTUS" hat about her, state hats about disaster. First trip: sparkling brand new white tennies matching crisp white shirt, upturned collar. Again, odd and conspicuous fashionista details for a disaster. Second trip, shoes and shirt toned down to grayish blue, jeans not fashion capris. Didn't make her stand out so glaringly.

      To people who don't message with their clothing choices, all this is indeed ridiculous. But celebrities and most high income urban women - and men - do. Melania certainly does - and her other choices/messaging have been absolutely perfect. She made choices the first trip that to anyone who is attuned to messaging in clothing seemed a disconnect. They seemed so to me, who is a supporter. She heard the criticism, and second time round she both said "F**k you" (Kept stilettos in DC), but also made enough changes so it no longer was about her and it wasn't Vogue parody of disaster gear.

      Given you aren't concerned with messaging in clothing, you can't comment or disagree as you oblivious to whole thing. You like she looked great, but you don't realize she could have looked great without disconnect messaging. And yes, most people in Texas may have been glad just to see her, and thought only important messaging was that she was there.

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    7. Msher September 5, 2017 at 10:46 AM
      Ow

      "Given you aren't concerned with messaging in clothing, you can't comment or disagree as you oblivious to whole thing... but you don't realize she could have looked great without disconnect messaging."

      Nice Try Ms,
      Especially as argued in your opening paragraphs. Tks tho, for the affable explanation of the Big Apple origins of your apparently inculcated sensitivity toward fashion faux pas, and your expectation that so-called"disconnect messaging" can only be 'commented on or disagreed' by pedigreed players, or face being accused of being "oblivious". Be advised though, that I was raised, at least partially, by a NYC Fashion House buyer who taught me at the basics of Manhattan style or perhaps we should call it imagery. In fact, I still have half a closet filled with neck ties and 3 piece suits, the Uniform of the Day during my tours in the Urban Jungles of the North East. Surprisingly, even Whoopi Goldberg got it right, and absolved Melania of any and all Fashion Crimes and shoe snafu's, as it was clear to her that FLOTUS went to Texas to HELP the Hurricane Harvey victims! See, even dummies like me and Whoopi can figure these things out, all it takes is some common sense, and the willingness to lasso the Left's sacred cows and brand them with a hot poker if that's what it takes! Tough <3 !
      On Watch~~~
      "Let's Roll"

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  13. I am sick to death of the tribute mindset here in Europe. Candles, soft toys, flowers, cards and cellos. Then the photos of all the pols backed by posters, We are not afraid, No to the violence etc etc.

    All to distract from the fact that they are incapable of addressing the problem in an effective manner

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  14. Thank you so much for this, Diplomad! With you 100%!

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  15. I am amazed that some apparently think that a First Lady should be dressed appropriately for a rescue worker, regardless that no one expects her to do any such thing. Maybe they want an actor instead- how about Jennifer Lawrence in her Hunger Games attire?

    Would any of these armchair critics have kept their silence if she'd been wearing holey jeans, a shapeless top and hiking boots instead? Probably not. They'd be shrieking that she should dress appropriately for a First Lady: which is what she did.

    She's sure a change for the better from the last First Lady, and whatever she wears is OK with me!

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    1. Eskyman

      As I wrote above. the problem is she was in complete fashionista mode. I support both Trumps but I found it off-putting. I wrote two posts above with explanation.

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    2. Well I finally did it! I looked up the term fashionista!

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    3. "As I wrote above. the problem is she was in complete fashionista mode." MsHer

      And implied, in reply above: Such 'optical' delusions are overwrought IMHO, to the point of hilarity, if not neurosis! Sadly, it remains a common affliction among many barristers, bureaucrats, bookworms & polcats too;)
      OW

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    4. whitewallAugust 31, 2017 at 8:15 PM

      Well I finally did it! I looked up the term fashionista!

      AND?! Please share your research! SPAM or NOT?
      OW~~~ l@^@in for the mustard~~~

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    5. "As I wrote above. the problem is she was in complete fashionista mode." MsHer

      And as I replied above, such 'optical delusions' are overwrought, to the point of hilarity, if not neurosis! Sadly, it remains a common affliction among many barristers, bureaucrats, and bookworms too;)
      OW

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  16. Mts Trump is tall, good looking and elegant. A credit to her husband and the people who voted for him. The democrats have Hilary, Nancy and Macine!

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  17. In the spirit of capitalism, if anyone wants a pair of the Adidas sneakers, there's a link at my blog.

    And, no, when I need healing I don't go to elected officials, thank you.

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    1. Hi Fausta! Read your Post A+, and many links too, saw Moochelles $540 sneaks, even found a link to "A Conservative Lesbian"! But could not find the Adidas connection, wanted a pair for my daughters birthday present! Guess I'll have to go over to Instapundit, he sells everything, including Amazon - smile!
      On Watch~~~

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  18. Unfortunately Dip, you and I are not the majority of Americans.

    In the TV age Americans generally expect the President to kiss us and make everything better.

    While I deplore the perceived need for healing, I'm glad that President Trump and our First Lady are as good at it as they appear to be.

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  19. I am comforted by a strong and competent leader so Trump as Healer-in-Chief works for me. Obama made me look around nervously for the adults...As for Melania, I loved her outfits, both of them, pre- and post-landing. Of course she looked like a runway model. She always does. The ONLY reason that her outfit was the center of attention is because the women of the Left hate her. She's too pretty and too smart for them.

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  20. "Even the much-maligned George W. Bush in the wake of 9/11 did a masterful job (on the whole) of committing the nation to bringing the scoundrels who murdered thousands of our citizens to heel, note, not to heal."

    I think Bush did a terrible job after 9/11. utterly terrible.

    Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to
    more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is also an occasion to
    remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that
    has benefited mankind. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to people.
    It inspires them to lead lives based on honesty, and justice, and
    compassion. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion people
    around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of
    every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate. Mohammad's word has guided billions of believers across the centuries, and those believers built a culture of learning and literature and science. All the world continues to benefit from this faith and its achievements. The Islam that we know is a faith devoted to the worship of one God, as revealed through The Holy Qur'an. It teaches the value and the importance of charity, mercy, and peace.
    - George W. Bush !!!

    Bush built his Iraq and Afcrapistan policies on his belief that “Islam is love, not hate” and "All the world continues to benefit from this faith and its achievement", and no sane foreign/military policy could ever be sired by such delusions.

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  21. The President did not offer to be the healer in chief. He did sign a national day of prayer for yesterday and so did our Governor or Texas. Both realize we need to hold on to God to get through this mess we are in. And I am not speaking singularly about Hurricane Harvey.
    You may think he has nominated himself but none of us in Texas believe that. I will say our church took extra time with us coming to the altar to plead with God for our country, and our fellow men and women in Houston area, who have lost everything.
    You are all enlightened men who write here. I am a simple Texas ranchers whose roots go back to 1836 Texas, where my family came to buy land and ranch many ranches these many years. You live in sophisticate places and are erudite.....my thinking heeds to cattle and keeping tight fences...but we here in Texas are thankful the Trumps came and hugged folks. That he visited the Guard sight in Austin where our "little son" handled all air evacuations and deployments, until he stepped down ten days later to take leave for cancer surgery tomorrow. At 38 he and others like him did some pretty great things....and they trained for this in July and little son told me he thought we in Texas would have a hurricane he trained for in weeks, not months. Turned out he was right.
    Now, I'd ask prayer for him. 38, more than a dozen tours as a sp forces pilot, four children and he has thyroid cancer with 30 nodules. He has a long surgery tomorrow with longer recuperation and the thought of his pain has his mama weak at the knees......and I've had 38 surgeries...yet his pain will be far more than all I have known, and no assurance this cancer will be cared for...
    Blessings..>East Texas Rancher

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    1. East Texas Rancher, I know all of us here send prayers of Hope your way. Thyroid cancer can be beaten!

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    2. dang... yes... it can be beaten... hit it with everything our great western medicine has to offer... leave no quarter to that cancer.
      prayers indeed. I cannot fathom my kids in that kind of jeopardy.

      - reader #1482

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  22. September 4, 2017 at 8:11 AM
    Now, I'd ask prayer for him....
    Blessings..>East Texas Rancher

    Prayers of intersession are humbly sent topside for your blessed and heroic son, and his loving family, ETR...
    On Watch,
    Battered but not broken by Hurricane Matthew 2017~~~
    "Let's Roll"

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