Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Donald Trump, the N-Word, and the GOP
It’s not okay for white people to use the N-word. I thought this was generally understood and widely accepted for … like a few decades now, but apparently I was wrong. (By the way, if you’re a white person, and you think you’re somehow a victim or being oppressed because you’re not allowed to use the N-word, I pity you.)
This has come up in discussion recently because word once again is circulating that there is a tape (or tapes, plural) of “Apprentice” outtakes that include Donald Trump (among other things) using the N-word.
This story isn’t new. It made the rounds in 2015 and 2016. (Anyone who is aware of Donald Trump’s history of overt racism wasn’t surprised.) I don’t know whether such a tape exists, but some are concerned about it because when Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked this week, she couldn’t guarantee it didn’t exist.
In anticipation of the existence of such a tape and its potential release, we’re already seeing rationalizations (including here on Ricochet) and explanations of how, if Donald Trump was caught on tape using the N-word, it’s either okay or it doesn’t matter.
Okay, so two things: First, it’s not okay. Second, it does matter.
If this tape does exist, and it comes out for all of us to hear, it’s going to do enormous damage to the Republican Party. Because what will certainly follow is legions of Trump apologists explaining how it’s okay.
At which point, the Republican Party will become the It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word Party. If you care about the electoral success of the Republican Party, you don’t want it to become the It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word Party.
Further, if you care about conservative governance in the future, to the extent that Donald Trump is associated with that conservative governance, it’s a big problem. If things like deregulation are associated with the Republican Party, and the Republican Party is the It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word Party, then deregulation becomes It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word-deregulation. All those conservative federal judges become It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word judges. Tax cuts become It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word tax cuts.
For Republicans, if you become the It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word Party, your brand will be irreparably damaged. For conservatives, if you become the philosophy of It’s-Okay-To-Say-The-N-Word, it will be the end of conservatism. Any claim of moral superiority will be gone. The decent people will have to separate themselves and find some other name to call themselves.
If a tape comes out, you don’t want to be trapped on the wrong side of things. Certain things are beyond the pale. This is one of them. If that tape comes out, don’t rationalize it, because what you hear will not be okay.
Published in General
Nope. Not a Republican anymore. I wrote a piece about it:
http://ricochet.com/archives/an-open-letter-to-republicans/
[I tried to paste the link here to a story about the (expletive)hole countries – from Fox News, no less – but it was automatically redacted because of the offending word. Remember – tt was from Fox News, so you can’t dismiss it as “fake news.”
So, “Absolutely false”…? Check those links.
“Ridiculous”…? Ok, I’ll play. Give me your most charitable explanation of those statements. I’ll wait.
I met with a democratic friend who holds a statewide office in the Arizona Democratic Party. He lowered his voice and told me that he was absolutely convinced that most Republicans opposed Obama based upon racism. He was absolutely serious, and saddened by that.
Moderator Note:
Redaction made on Hadra's original quote, not a redaction on Bob Thompson.Yes. You need to get specific and explain how any of the above, “Animals.” “Dogs.” “People from (expletive) hole countries.”, relates to skin color.
The Mueller Probe will not collapse. And stopping the Mueller Probe by firing Rosenstein, or pulling Mueller’s security clearance would be the crossing of a bright red line.
The primary ground under Nixon’s Article I was Obstruction of Justice.
Moderator Note:
Redaction made in Hadra's original quote.See my comment above.
“Animals” was in reference, specifically, to Guatemalans, El Salvadorans, people of Latin American countries. Not white, in other words.
“Dogs” – well, in this case he was talking about Omorosa. A black woman. Do you need a history lesson on the ways African Americans have been dehumanized for hundreds of years by calling them animals, dogs, etc. etc.?
“People from ****hole countries” – he was talking about Haiti, and certain African countries, if I’m not mistaken. And I don’t think I am.
Or maybe I am mistaken in thinking that you actually wanted me to go into detail on this, or are persuadable on this topic.
Silly me.
Trump is just waiting for the midterms. When my party (not yours) holds the House, he will clean house, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
What a great post. I totally understand and get it. But I see you as a Conservative, and I hope that after Trump you will return to the Republican Party.
I met with a republican friend. He lowered his voice and told me he was absolutely convinced that most Democrats were idiots. I still don’t know why he lowered his voice.
Well I’m a Republican, but to save my country and party it is essential to vote for Democrats for the House of Representatives this year. Thank you for the timely reminder that if we hold the House this November, our country will lose.
I can’t wait til November. I’m gonna enjoy your pain.
No whites in Latin America?
I’m someone who early on in the thread (way back when it was on the Main Feed) subjected the author to “shameful abuse” by daring to question the need and motive for the post. As such, I think you can put your mind at rest as to whether he’s paying much attention to the comments. Judging by the redactions, the pot was appropriately stirred.
Yeah, still ridiculous.
He was referring to MS13, not Guatemalans and Salvadorans. Do you think that all Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Latin Americans are criminals? Why else would you make that connection when President Trump didn’t?
He was referring to [expletive] countries. All of the countries he referenced actually are [expletives]. You’re the one making it racial. Are all predominantly black countries and [expletives] synonymous to you? Why else would you make that connection when President Trump didn’t?
He was using dog in the sense of failure as he is wont to do. Do you connect blackness to failure? Why else would you generalize like that when President Trump was very specific?
Gary you need to repent from this statement. Despair is never a good strategy. Tell me how voting for Democrats will achieve conservative goals. Could you ever imagine a liberal saying to vote for Republicans for similar reasons?
I’m sure there are – expats and such, their children. But we both know that’s not the point. And that’s not who Donald Trump was talking about. Or, rather I really want to believe that you know that, and that you’re not just asking the question to be cute or, heaven forbid, to avoid dealing with the actual issue. You wouldn’t do that. Right?
And pulled from the main feed because the OP is an embarrassment?
Now I remember why I wanted to take a Rico break. Let me get back to that.
I have two $10 bets with my fellow Ricochetti that we will lose the House this fall. I made those bets this last Spring. Would you like a piece of that action?
I have another bet which that Trump will not complete his first term, that by any means, including resignation, Impeachment, 25th Amendment, death or serious illness such as stroke, or heart attack, etc. $10. Resolved: Trump will not be President as of 11:59 on January 19, 2021. PM me if interested.
Oh, another “we all know” type argument. Great. You know that was a favorite propaganda tactic of the nazis and fascists, right? I mean, I would hope you know that and that you’re not just ginning up a connection when there’s really no good reason to make a connection.
I might start calling you Fred Hydra.
Moderator Note:
Redaction made on Hadra's original quote, not Bob Thompson's comment.One must infer conclusions from your accusations:
that you find MS-13 members praiseworthy,
that you find public verbal attacks on former benefactors acceptable even when prohibited by non-disclosure agreements,
and that you would encourage emigration to those countries mentioned.
Where is the racial component?
It was pulled from the main feed because several of the comments reflected poorly on Ricochet.
While Judges, taxes and regulations are great, I believe that Trump is contrary to the Rule of Law and is the most authoritarian Republican President in history. He ignores the guardrails of common decency. He incities violence against the press. He uses racialist dog whistles. A check on Trump is needed. The best and most likely check is a Democratic House of Representatives with subpoena power.
If a Democratic President started to act as Hugo Chavez, yes I could see the JFK/Scoop Jackson/Joe Lieberman branch of Democrats saying no. Remember, in 2004 Democrat Senator Zell Miller endorsed W, and in 2008 Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman endorsed and campaigned with McCain.
Oh, I’m interested.
It never should have been there.
With due respect, chicken or egg?
Well, Basil, I don’t think everyone got the memo that the word you used is simply a term of affection and totally different from the other one that is definitely offensive . ;D
EdG gave an excellent answer at #164 and I endorse it completely. And he is particularly spot-on regarding the “dog” comment. Now, as to the rest…
The animals referred to by Trump, MS-13, are, in fact, animals. As someone who had a rather unpleasant encounter with such narcotraficante scum years ago, I can confirm that. If anything, Trump is being too nice with his description.
As for s-hole countries. I’ve never been to Haiti, but I did grow up on the Texas-Mexico border and can confirm that the description also fits our neighbor to the south.
And by the way, I’m half-Hispanic, so you can knock it off with the cries of “racism.” ¿Comprende?
I could be wrong, but I believe whites arrived in Latin America starting around 1492. But don’t let that disabuse you of your racial stereotypes.
I doubt it. Because the OP deals with a delicate issue.
It appears to me that no female Ricochetti expressed any interest in the proposition that people have the right to use the “n” word. Where we are losing support is with the young, the suburbs, the educated, and above all, women. Republican women who see Trump as a boor will be in forefront of the wave to put a check on Trump.
We won the 2016 as a fluke. Not even Trump thought that he was going to win. The American people like divided government for the President and Congress to check each other. They voted for Republicans for Congress anticipating that Hillary was going to win.