On the EDge: Trumpitis: The next pandemic?

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, at the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 6, 2015 | AP file photo, St. George News

OPINION – Excuse me, but I’m a little cranky today.

Check that. I’m ticked off.

Majorly.

I’m about up to here with the crude and rude behavior I’ve seen exhibited lately, primarily by people who have embraced the Donald Trump campaign.

The only thing I can hang it on is a lot of people are suffering from Trumpitis.

You see, this blight on human dignity is spawning a whole group of people who see nothing wrong with disparaging remarks about women, specific races, ideologies, all in the name of “telling it like it is” and bashing “political correctness.”

There’s a problem here, a serious problem as the erstwhile supporters of this billionaire big-mouth adopt his coarse, intolerant behavior.

Telling it like it is? That’s honorable. We can all use a dose of truth. However, the only truth exhibited here is one of extreme misogyny, indigestible racism and a general dislike for humanity.

Political correctness?

It’s the new four-letter word of a group of people who hijacked the word “liberal” years ago and turned it into a pejorative, spitting it out as if liberalism was akin to mass murder.

You’re off your rocker if you think either adaptation of those words is accurate, appropriate or applicable.

There is nothing wrong with political correctness. It is the epitome of people who care about others and avoid, whenever possible, insulting or denigrating a faction of our society, whether male, female, black, white, brown or of a particular political, religious or societal bent.

Being politically correct does not mean you are lying, it means you are expressing an opinion without being insulting, rude or crude.

Telling it like it is?

It relates to the late Howard Cosell who was known for his lack of spin. Did it mean he was rude or crude? Nope, it meant he was a seeker of truth, not a proponent of promoting sick, twisted prejudices.

I shudder every time I hear somebody say presidential hopeful Donald Trump is simply “saying what everybody’s thinking.”

Sorry, there are many of us for whom Trump does not speak.

There are many of us who would never denigrate women the way he has. There are many of us who would never attack another race the way he has. There are many of us who would not speak with such arrogance and anger in our hearts.

I have seen, frequently in recent days, people who have been emboldened to the point of being insulting, disrespectful, unconcerned with their words and actions.

I have seen people dragged through the muck and mire repeatedly for their errors or frailties. I have seen people slandered by loose tongues and poorly wired brains who have giddily exploited others for their own self-serving purposes.

All it does is make them look stupid, petty, pathetic, and, quite frankly, I am sick of it.

No, I won’t listen to your sexist patter.

No, I don’t think your racial jokes or rants are funny or on the mark.

No, I will not succumb to the basest instincts of some who are, in reality, repulsive examples of how far humanity has sunk.

I also refuse to shrug it off in the interest of keeping the peace. It is not acceptable to hear somebody say, “Well, you know … that’s (so and so) and you know how he/she is …. Just take it with a grain of salt.”

No, I refuse.

I have too much respect for myself and humanity to do that.

You can have opposing views, can have your own opinions and express them without trying to devastate another human being. There is no call for that.

When this whole Trump thing began, there were many who took his campaign as a joke, saying he was just feeding his ego, and that he would disappear when he got bored. The Huffington Post even relegated coverage of his campaign to its entertainment section. It was a misguided decision because that joke has become a tragedy as more come under the influence of Trump’s insensitive intoxication.

Look, everybody who decides to run for the presidency is feeding their ego, that’s a given. We are long past the era of statesmen looking to improve the welfare of the nation. Now, we just hold our nose in the voting booth and hope whoever emerges the victor doesn’t screw things up beyond all repair.

But this Trump thing is dangerous.

When skinheads at a Trump rally start shouting “White power!” in support of his words, something is wrong.

When two brothers beat a homeless Mexican man with a pipe and urinate on him in a town as supposedly civilized as Boston, then tell the cops, as documented in the arrest report: “Donald Trump was right; all these illegals need to be deported,” something is wrong.

When you learn that a white supremacist, as reported in the Grand Forks Herald, wants to buy a chunk of land on the North Dakota-Manitoba border to build and name a community after Donald Trump, something is wrong.

When you learn that a guy with “Make America Great Again” emblazoned on a baseball cap and who talks about the ills of shipping jobs overseas has sought to import at least 1,100 foreign workers on temporary visas to work in his companies since 2000, including 70 he applied to import in August to work at his elite Mar-a-Lago Club resort in Florida to work as cooks, wait staff and cleaners, according to U.S. Department of Labor data analyzed by Reuters, something is wrong.

Not long ago, Matt Taibbi, the political analyst for “Rolling Stone” magazine, did a piece on Trump.

When the polls started showing a growing number of people supporting Trump, Taibbi wrote: “This is the moment when Donald Trump officially stopped being funny.”

But, to some of us, Donald Trump has never been funny because there is no humor in defamation, denigration or denying somebody their dignity.

Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

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Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews, @EdKociela

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

 

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75 Comments

  • Brian September 1, 2015 at 8:11 am

    Trump is the 2016 republican version of “hope and change”. In 2008 the left were justifiably ticked after 8 very long years of Bush and corrupt stupidity and cronyism, so they took obama at face value, checked their brains at the door, and believed the speeches without any regard to past statements or positions. Massive rotating and flashing warning signs were completely ignored. Anyone who didn’t fawn or faint before the obamessiah were labeled as racist. Now, preparing for 2016, the right are justifiably ticked after 7 years of obama, absolute radicals in the white house, massive redistribution of taxpayer money to cronies in the name of green jobs, utter lawlessness when it comes to immigration enforcement, the massive swelling of welfare ranks (AKA cloward and piven), the world apology tour, and horrible foreign policy. So what do they do? Make the exact same stupid mistake the left did by believing the trump speeches with zero regard for his past disrespect of women, the Constitution, civility, common sense, and decency. We don’t have a politician problem in the United States, we have a citizen problem. Uninformed and apathetic is a horrible recipe for freedom. We’re making all of the same mistakes the Romans did, at every level of society. We shouldn’t expect a different outcome.

    • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 12:44 pm

      we need to get rid of the illegals

    • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:43 am

      All the while, the Republicans ran the Congress. Go figure, Brian.

    • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:44 am

      Guess it’s called “checks and balances”?

  • sagemoon September 1, 2015 at 8:50 am

    “Being politically correct does not mean you are lying, it means you are expressing an opinion without being insulting, rude or crude.” I wish more people understood it the way you said it.

    • McMurphy September 2, 2015 at 12:13 pm

      Political correctness is tyranny with manners. If it were only true that it is merely expressing opinions. There have been a number of reported cases recently (e.g., U of Tennessee and Washington State U) where deviation from political correctness is punished.

  • Leo September 1, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Well I would agree with most of what you said BUT business as usual in Washington just ain’t getting it! So who’s going to stand up and be a HERO and take this country back and give it to the people? Scarey.

    • anybody home September 1, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      Take this country back from whom? And give it to what people? It’s comments like yours that make no sense and are simply intended to get the people you don’t like angrier than they are.

      • Leo September 1, 2015 at 12:36 pm

        You living in a cave? Nice name though “Anybody home” fits ya!

        • anybody home September 1, 2015 at 3:12 pm

          You didn’t answer my questions. Take this country back from whom? Who do you think has this country? I’m interested.

        • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 4:31 pm

          think LEO might have done a mormon-style hit’n’run

          • Leo September 1, 2015 at 9:17 pm

            Nope not a Mormon and who runs has this country, big Corporations. Who do think has this country?

    • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:45 am

      Bernie Sanders?

  • ladybugavenger September 1, 2015 at 9:40 am

    I don’t think it matters who’s President anymore…one world order is coming whether we like it or not, our country is broke. Which candidate do you support Brian?

    • native born new mexican September 1, 2015 at 10:29 am

      I agree with you ladybug. I want to see the day (sad day) when no one votes and the chosen candidate wins any way. Voting is just a bone the special ones throw to the masses to keep them quiet. Keep thinking your vote matters – Wizard of OZ pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. keep watching the show munchkins!

      • Simone September 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm

        Native, after reading what you post it’s pretty obvious that if “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest” was made today instead of in 1975 jack Nicholson would base his famous character, Randal P. McMurphy, on you.

    • Brian September 1, 2015 at 10:45 am

      I agree completely that it doesn’t really matter who becomes president, because what they campaign on and their past have so little to do with what actually happens once they’re in office. There is too much corruption and too many behind-the-scenes groups that are actually in control. I don’t belong to a party ( I left the R’s in 2003 and voted against Bush in 2004), so I don’t really have a candidate I support. I try to support conservative principles and the Constitution, and look for candidates with a very long track record of vigorously doing the same (in the private sector and public service, but not a long political career). I also look for someone who stands their ground firmly and fights when they’re right, but isn’t afraid to admit when they’re wrong. Of the conservative candidates on the radar right now I like Carson and Cruz (though I can’t get past his wife being a Goldman Sachs exec, former J.P. Morgan banker, and on the CFR). Ultimately the problem is the American people, though, and unless we change in a major way, for the better, it doesn’t matter who is president. The American sheeple are the problem, and the solution. Right now we’re choosing and active very, very wrong.

      • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 12:31 pm

        that Carson guy seems like a lunatic

      • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 12:42 pm

        and thats the problem with both obama and hilary. they are both full on Wallstreet backed by the financial elitists. i dont think we’ll get one who isn’t

        • Dexter September 1, 2015 at 8:21 pm

          Votes mean nothing FUN BAG its always the person with the money behind theme. and then all they do is pay off their IOU’s

      • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:47 am

        Write a letter to Senator Hatch. That will help you vent at least.

    • Dexter September 1, 2015 at 9:07 pm

      The only thing that changes is the name plate on the desktop

  • NotSoFast September 1, 2015 at 11:21 am

    All I got to say is;
    What About Me? Where in the heck is that free, new cell phone and the a baggie of weed I was promised? Relax! you’ll get it. I’m told the UN and lobbyist are working on a solution as we speak.
    Now suppose mean/ racist/ homophobic Trump get in there, he’s going to say– Are you kidding me? Security, get this clown out of here!

    • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      are that “Izzy” guy who used to post on here?

  • anybody home September 1, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    Sadly, Ed, Trump does say what a lot of people are thinking – and also saying. Hang around St. George awhile in the taverns and bars and other choice places (restaurants, grocery stores, ball parks) and you’ll hear everything Trump says and more. He not saying what other people are afraid to say…He’s saying what people in every conservative corner say loud and clear with all the same insults. Donald Trump is not an anomaly. He’s the voice of the narcissistic craziness that’s a big part of southern Utah.

    • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      If u don’t like it then leave. VOTE TRUMP 2016!!!

      • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:48 am

        Fun Bag – you r kidding. I like what Trump says, but wouldn’t vote for him. Maybe if you hang on, Kanye West will be a proper choice for you.

    • Leo September 1, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      Narcissistic craziness? You feeling ok?

    • anybody home September 1, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      OMG – It’s the love it or leave it brigade again…sorry fellas, but there are a lot of people who agree with me.

      • Simone September 1, 2015 at 4:10 pm

        I’m one of them.

        • anybody home September 2, 2015 at 11:23 am

          I knew you were there, Simone! Thanks…

  • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    “I’m about up to here with the crude and rude behavior I’ve seen exhibited lately, ”

    WHEN I READ THIS FIRST SENTENCE THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT COME TO MY MIND WAS– HE’S TALKING ABOUT ABBY!!!

  • Dexter September 1, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT.!

    • Real Life September 1, 2015 at 4:40 pm

      You are like the movie Groundhog Day, very predictable. The funny thing is your tiny little brain has to work overtime to come up with this.

  • Lastdays September 1, 2015 at 3:33 pm

    First let me pull my tinfoil hat down tight, ok, here we go.
    The Republican race for the presidency is quite comical because that actually think there will be a runoff in Nov. 2016.
    The Democrats are floundering, quite comical too, but mostly because they already know that Obama will be the LAST president.
    Many plans are already in the works and by next Spring or Summer for sure, some chaotic event will take place so Obama can cancel the election and he will be King. There will be huge resistance by those who know this isn’t right, but the group taking over is hedging their bet that they and the UN forces (OR ?) will prevail.
    Sad part is that many so-called Americans won’t really be aware or the change before, during or even after.

    • fun bag September 1, 2015 at 4:41 pm

      nice one, ABBY

      • Dexter September 1, 2015 at 8:17 pm

        Thanks ABBY

        • NotSoFast September 2, 2015 at 7:32 am

          Get a life ABBY. There’s more to life than arguing about politics.
          I wonder if the Romans had a network like this one to say how satisfied they were or not? Bet most of them kissed the rear end of the emperor to get free stuff. Vote for Trump!

          • Dexter September 2, 2015 at 8:18 am

            Shut up ABBY

          • Lastdays September 2, 2015 at 11:39 am

            Not ABBY, but maybe a little AbbyNormal for sure.
            I guess since the article is about politics, I assume the comments should be political in nature. Trump is a Chump. The most important thing right now is what Obama is doing everyday. He just got the votes he needed to cut this deal with Iran which will help them to wipe Israel off the map. That’s what Iran wants, that’s what our Muslim-Islam President wants and has just done whatever it takes to pull that off.
            The current campaign shenanigans by both parties are just a smoke screen to help other goals be accomplished by Obama and his Minions while we are not paying attention.
            Wake up people ! It’s the 1930’s all over again. We’re next whether you know it or not. History is like fashion. There’s only a few ideas out there and then they just repeat over and over because that’s all there is.

          • ladybugavenger September 2, 2015 at 12:21 pm

            Thank you for the “Trump is a chump” reference….I believe I created that for the democrats #fundraiser

          • ladybugavenger September 2, 2015 at 12:22 pm

            Trump for Preaident

    • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:50 am

      I think you meant to say, the Republicans are floundering. Join the GOP clown car.

  • zenzen September 1, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Wahhhhhh, give Zir Ed a ninth place ribbon and the purple penguin award, because ze is a winner and deserves to not have hirs feelings offended. Let’s rewrite and whitewash offensive zistory too, such as Confederate flags, Holocausts, Inquisitions, Columbus; but make sure not to offend the Islams. The Islams are allowed to be politically incorrect to the nth degree, kill gays, and “terrorize” women (that’s Hillary’s term for pro-life women). Let’s blame a gun, but do nothing about forceps and scalpels that kill more little humans than genocide of the 20th century. After all, being ‘progressive’ is ‘enlightened’.

  • ffwife September 1, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I read the first line – that was enough. Tired of playing footsies under the table – say it like it is. Ed why not go to DC or Cali to write where you would be appreciated.

    • mesaman September 1, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      I read the headline, saw the author’s name and asked myself; why would I expect a balanced examination of the current leader of the Republican pack? Not that Ed is a flaming liberal who hasn’t had an un-liberal idea in the past 50 years, nor that he is as opinionated as Archie Bunker and equally without factual support. I guess he is the token Hildebeast admirer in our midst. But then I didn’t read the entire article, it made me too nauseous.

      • 42214 September 1, 2015 at 10:37 pm

        Mesa, what’s a Bammie department?

    • NotSoFast September 1, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Ed’s appreciated here. I look forward to his thoughts.
      His opinion pieces remind me how much I miss going out to the outhouse on a winter like evening to take a healthy ____. Stay at it Ed. Your better than castor oil .
      And following the Trump Corporation bottom line yearly stats, makes one look forward to true hope and change.

  • old school September 1, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Archie Bunker for President!

    • Dexter September 1, 2015 at 9:03 pm

      AL BUNDY for VICE PRESIDENT

    • jaybird September 2, 2015 at 7:51 am

      D Trump IS the new Archie Bunker.

  • Dexter September 1, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Wow no comment from the village idiot.!

    • mesaman September 1, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      He wiped off his keyboard and climbed out of the sewer and went on to bigger and better challenges.

      • Dexter September 2, 2015 at 8:20 am

        Hey Nolan get your panty hose in a knot. eh.?

      • 42214 September 2, 2015 at 9:15 am

        Mesa, Dexter accused me of being you which is the meanest thing anybody could ever say.

  • anybody home September 2, 2015 at 11:27 am

    When is the St. George News going to start filtering comments? Is the editor out of jail now?

    • Simone September 2, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      lol. I love how The Spectrum, like a jealous ex, is bad mouthing her in their paper.

      • fun bag September 2, 2015 at 3:40 pm

        oh is that still going on?

        • fun bag September 2, 2015 at 4:02 pm

          BEST BET FOR THE EDITOR HANDLING A DUI IS TO BECOME A WORTHY MEMBER, ENROLL IN AN LDS AA PROGRAM, BEAR YOUR TESTIMONY OF “THE ONE TRUE CHURCH” TO THE JUDGE, AND YOU WILL BE LIKELY TO GET A LENIENT SENTENCE. TAKE IT TO TRIAL AND THEY’LL STACK UP SOME SCARY CHARGES AND LIKELY CONVICT WITH A FULL MORMON MAJORITY JURY… CHALLENGING THE MORMON-RULED COURTS IS A LOSING PROPOSITION ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME

    • BIG GUY September 2, 2015 at 1:01 pm

      Second the motion.

      • fun bag September 2, 2015 at 3:40 pm

        u and abby need to be filtered, oh and nolan too

    • Dexter September 2, 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Yeah and hopefully filter your useless rants eh.?

      • Real Life September 2, 2015 at 4:34 pm

        LOL! “Dexter” says somebody posts useless rants.

  • Dexter September 2, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Hiya ABBY

  • Dexter September 2, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Hiya DEXTER

  • Ladyk September 2, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    I am curious, what is it exactly that Mr. Trump is saying about what he would do if he was president that you have a problem with? The key word here is exaxtly. I don’t care if you like his hair or your feelings about how many people from somewhere other than the US he has working for him. Give us some facts and details rather than just a rambling of argumentative key phrases. Make your case for your editorial please.

  • Leo September 2, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    Wow, a few respectable comments but the rest are hilarious!

  • Dexter September 3, 2015 at 9:05 am

    I just come in and post just to see how long it takes the village idiot to show up and say something stupid like he always does…. LOL. it won’t be long. he doesn’t have a life.. But let me tell ya..! He’s entertainment considering how stupid he is

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