Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

~~~

~~~

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

"RECKLESS, OUTRAGEOUS, AND UNDIGNIFIED" -- Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) on Trump






DJT:  "Reckless, outrageous, and undignified."



Another Republican condemns #45, who is currently embarrassing America with his careless tweets, bellicose rhetoric, and childish attacks on Gold Star families and fellow Republicans. 

Will other GOPers of conscience follow or will they, like so many of #45's supporters, just shrug their shoulders and excuse #45's rotten character as nothing more than "speaking his mind?" 

The world knows that if a Democratic POTUS behaved as #45 does, the GOP would be calling for his/her head on a pike. The nauseating hypocrites on the right are willing to debase themselves and their party by keeping quiet and pretending that #45 is doing a great job because he's "pissing off the Left." 

We have news for the GOP and their junior high school mentality: "Pissing off" constituents is not an honorable governing principle, and it's not just the Left that is sickened by #45's unpresidential, abnormal behavior -- a majority of Americans and the rest of the civilized world is as well.





“We must never allow ourselves to lapse into thinking that is just the way things are now. If we simply become used to this condition . . . then heaven help us,” Flake said, his voice shaking. “Without fear of the consequences and without consideration of the rules of what is politically safe, we must stop pretending that the conduct of some in our executive branch are normal. They are not normal. Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has become excused as telling it like it is when it is actually reckless, outrageous and undignified.” -- Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)




^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^





Meanwhile, Goopers are salivating over an old Russian/uranium/Clinton/story while they ignore the corruption in their own party and State Dept. (h/t D/U):

https://www.rawstory.com/2017/10/busted-rachel-maddow-reports-that-state-dept-lied-and-faked-photo-of-tillerson-in-afghanistan/ 

On Tuesday, the State Department was forced to admit that it lied about Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meeting in Kabul, Afghanistan with that country’s president — and altered a photo as fake evidence of the visit.

Rachel Maddow opened her Tuesday show with the news, which was reported by the BBC after observers noticed discrepancies in different version of the photo — which was actually taken at a U.S. military installation.

...

The State Department issued a correction on Tuesday, admitting it had faked the photo and lied about the meeting’s location and about Kabul being safe enough for the U.S. Secretary of State to openly visit.

21 comments:

R.J. said...

Jeff Flake is a hero. Only the demented hardcore righties are blind to Trump's horrible presidency. Their weak minded hypocrites who voted for a liar and a sexual predator and assaulter and pretend his character doesn't matter, but it does, it reflects on them. What they did to themselves to get an "R" into the WH>

Dave Miller said...

Undignified, for me at this point point, is perhaps the hardest charge for the GOP to defend. Even some of the partisans who believe all elected members of the GOP have a duty to support their President, seem to be getting that message. Read below a pretty typical quote from a blogger I see as emblematic of Trump's base...

"All of you know I’m no big Trump fan, but for Flake to call himself “A true Conservative” conflicts with what he says.

Everybody knows Trump is losing support because of his personality and because of the constant media hate; there is no doubt about that, so please, don’t even bother to try to deny that, dear readers……But for Flake to say Trump is pandering to “populist appeal” is nuts. The PEOPLE, the POPULACE, need to stick to their guns.

If Donald Trump doesn’t STOP THE INSULTS, THE PUBLIC BICKERING WITH ASSOCIATES EVEN IN HIS PARTY!!, LET SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THE LAST WORD AND JUST SAY “I’M SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAY, I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY”, HE’LL BE TOAST. OR JUST SHUT UP, DONALD!!….things will get worse. Do it with DIGNITY. Don’t back off, just do it with DIGNITY!"


Here's a great summary of the Flake news from all viewpoints, left, right and even comedic.

The Daily 202

I'm not sure what to make of Flake's retirement, or of Corker continuing to hammer Trump. Are they angling for a presidential runs themselves? Are they laying the groundwork to try and be a 21st Century Howard Baker? Or are they just truly worried about the damage DJT is doing to our standing around the world?

As for the State Dept dust up... I read the RAW Story link, as well as the NY Times story. I searched the net and cannot find any link to where the State Dept admits lying. As to the photo, I saw the one the US released, showing the military clock, and the one the Afghan govt released, which was clearly doctored.

Is it possible the Afghan govt is the culprit here since they released the photoshopped version and had everything to gain from favorable press in their own country?

RAW provided no links which makes me suspicious.

In the end, I'm giving the US Govt the benefit of the doubt on this one. Absent links and actual statements from the State Dept, which do not seem to exist, perhaps Maddow once again overreacted. It wouldn't be the first time.

skudrunner said...

RJ, I thought you were referring to BJ (william jefferson) when you referred to a sexual predator and assaulter but when you left our serial rapist I knew you weren't.

DJT would much rather have be a democrat swith a majority where you vote how you are told to vote and don't question. As to flake, even chuckie didn't know who he was. He was a pure RINO and stood little chance of getting reelected. We need term limits on all forms of government to prevent the total abuse of power and ignorance that we see in the house and senate. It seems to work well for Governors in most states. Of course so does a balanced budget.

Trump should not be president. He has good ideas but is to caustic to get much done. Even with a majority he cannot get rid of obamacare and provide workable healthcare for the poor. The democrats are hiding their heads about reforming obamacare to be a workable program because if it is changed for the better DJT will take all the credit and they would rather see people suffer than give him a win.

The nature of politics is totally caustic and serves no one but the politicians who we consider royalty.

Jerry Critter said...

If Flake and Corker were really serious about their objections to Trump and the GOP, they would switch and support the Democrats. That would change the balance of power in the Senate and give the Dems the ability to block Trump. Until that happens, Flake and Corker are just blowing hot air.

Shaw Kenawe said...

Dave from your comment: "Everybody knows Trump is losing support because of his personality and because of the constant media hate;"

That comment from the Mother Ship illustrates why Trump will continue to keep his base. They are roiling in cognitive dissonance. They acknowledge that Trump has a "problem" personality, but when the media report on that "problem" by actally publishing his horrid, insulting and childish tweets or when they air videos where we can see his "personality" on tape, those poor dupes attribute the reality of what Trump is to "media hatred," instead of the reality: Trump is a mentally deformed human being.

They've made excuses to themselves about him since he maligned our Mexican neighbors during his entry into the campaign. They've remained silent when he trashed John McCain, Megyn Kelly, Gold Star families, and even excused his sexual predation brags caught on tape as "just locker room talk." I guess the women who have come forward with stories about his sexual predations and assaults are not credible, because they're talking about Trump, not Harvey Weinstein.

I could go on and on about how those people accept a moral pig (he bragged about his many adulteries with married women while he was married) but if trump had a "D" after his name they'd be harumfing about what a deplorable example he is to our young people and an embarrassment to our country.

They have no moral authority or ability to pass judgement on any politician so long as they continue to support trump. That they don't get that or see themselves for what they are is a tragedy.



Dave Miller said...

Skud... the Dems would love to work with Trump, or anyone else, to provide healthcare to the poor and actual access to everyone else. But we are still waiting to see his plan that he promised would provide great care, at a cheaper price, for everyone the "week, maybe even the day" Tom Price was confirmed.

Where is his plan? Can you tell us?

Was he lying when he said that? Is it possible there never was a plan and he was just making it up?

Sure he's caustic... but he's so much more.

Anonymous said...


Hmm... Flakes 18% approval rating in AZ may be the real reason he is packing it in.

Ducky's here said...

@skud -- Even with a majority he cannot get rid of obamacare and provide workable healthcare for the poor.
------------
When did he become concerned about medical insurance for the poor. skud?
If tRump had his way, American society would be something out of Dickens back in the days of libertarian paradise.

skudrunner said...

Ms Shaw,
I think he is accepted by his base because of the attacks against the middle class by the previous administration. People see DJT not as a special interest administration but as one who supports the middle class. The public accepted BJC's misgivings because he ran his administration by polls which included the majority of Americans.

There are some real positives he is trying to accomplish with his stance on class action lawsuits which only favor lawyers, trying to have a healthcare system that helps the poor, working to reform the tax code. He is not a politician so appearance does not matter. He can't be bought even with a makeshift foundation to pay for his trips or pay his children. Everyone wishes he would not attck or use twitter but that probably will not change.

Shaw Kenawe said...

skud: "People see DJT not as a special interest administration but as one who supports the middle class."

You really believe that?

Trump Tax Plan Benefits Wealthy, Including Trump

And we just found out that a huge multi-million dollar no-bid contract for P.R.'s electrical restoration was awarded to a big donor to trump's campaign. Very special interesty/swampy.

Special interest? How about Trump giving security clearance to his son-in-law who lied on his security clearance and then putting him in charge of securing the peace in the M.E., putting him in charge of solving the opiod crisis in America, putting him in charge of diplomacy in Mexico AND China, putting him in charge of reforming veterans' care and the criminal justice system, and reinventing the entire government and making it work like a business? His 30 something son-in-law who has absolutely no experience in diplomacy or solving drug addition problems or in government.

He has surrounded himself with Goldman Sachs people, so special interests are crawling all over trump's administration.

YOu're happy about trump's class action suit legislation?

For everyone who was screwed over by Wells Fargo opening bogus accounts in their name you can now hire your own lawyer and sue individually...because a law was just passed in favor of the likes of Wells Fargo to eliminate class action suits. So, I guess if you’re Wells Fargo you can screw over everyone and get away with it...that’s pretty much my takeaway from this. I think our government just gave the green light for financial institutions to unscrupulously take what they want from consumers without any repercussions....

Shaw Kenawe said...

Anonymous: " Hmm... Flakes 18% approval rating in AZ may be the real reason he is packing it in."

You're ignoring the forest and focusing on the trees. Everything Flake said about the odious trump was accurate. Trump has attacked people inl his own party, and people in his own party are against him. That's the important story, not Flake's poll numbers.

Anonymous said...


So Ms.Shaw, Flakes dismal poll numbers do not matter, but Trumps always do....interesting.

Shaw Kenawe said...

"Anonymous said...

So Ms.Shaw, Flakes dismal poll numbers do not matter, but Trumps always do....interesting."

It's interesting, Anon, that you think Flake, a senator from one state in the U.S., carries the same importance as trump, president of ALL the states.

Flake's poll numbers reflect his approval by the people of Arizona, a state of approximately 7 million people.

Trump's poll numbers reflect the approval of approximately 36% of the US population -- approximately 340 million.

So yes, trump's low approval numbers ALWAYS matter because they're a snap shot of how unpopular he is with the ENTIRE country, not just one state with a population of 7 million.

The important issue Flake's scathing assessment of the president from his own party. Everyone knows he wouldn't have said what he said if trump were a popular and well liked POTUS -- he isn't. More Americans despise him than like him -- even those of his own party.

Les Carpenter said...

Regardless of Flakes poll numbers in AZ Flake speaks the truth. It is highly probable the majority of America agrees with Flake. That anonymous is the story.

RJ said...

RJ, I thought you were referring to BJ (william jefferson) when you referred to a sexual predator and assaulter but when you left our serial rapist I knew you were

The Trumper has been accused of sexual assault by a number of women. Clinton was accused too but never convicted of anything. It nice to see you overlook Trumper's sexual crimes but never forget Clinton's, like Shaw says you guys are hypocrite big time.

Jerry Critter said...

Perhaps Flake, with an 18% approval, sees attacking Trump as a way to improve his ratings.

Jerry Critter said...

skud - “People see DJT not as a special interest administration but as one who supports the middle class.”

I sure wish you would provide some references to why you have such a ridiculous opinion. So far, he has shown just the absolute opposite.

skudrunner said...

Ms Shaw,
The leftists are all over tax breaks for the rich when the majority of tax breaks mentioned were for corporations which is a good thing. How do they give tax breaks to the poor because they do not pay FIT. Maybe increase the money they do not pay? Why would you not favor The Fair Tax system?

I favor people who know something running a program than just someone as a political favor. Those Goldman Sachs people have experience but I guess we should put rely on someone who has no knowledge. Maybe we could put a valerie jarrett in charge of something because she knew nothing and would fit perfectly.

Class action law suites make the attorneys rich and do little to nothing for the plaintiffs. If you have ever been involved in a class action lawsuit you will know it is a income generator for the law firms.

JC, Reinstating the coal industry as a viable industry, working to bring back manufacturing jobs, simplifying the tax filing. I guess I should have said DJT is a special interest administration but the special interest is the American working middle class.

Jerry Critter said...

The coal industry is the buggy whip industry of the energy business. Manufacturing jobs will come back as automated jobs. And simplifying tax filings does nothing for the middle class.

Les Carpenter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Les Carpenter said...

Actually Jerry, simplifying the tax code is needed, and, it will help the middle class. If dome properly. But everyone can forget about tRump and the GOP doing it properly. Ain't gonna happen.