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Ricochet’s Editor in Chief makes a visit to Radio Deplorable today, taking time to talk with Dave about everything from coffee cups to future ideas for Ricochet and an assessment of how things are going currently at our favorite website. Along the way, Jon and Dave touch on the Never Trump phenomenon, the fissure between various segments of the right, and some preliminary thoughts on Jonah Goldberg’s new book (which Jon and Dave are probably reading even now). As Dave writes us, ‘what a relaxing and fun conversation!’ We think you’ll agree.
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Good show, Dave.
I don’t agree with several things Jon said. It is not all “He is not our kind” when it comes to we Trump Skeptics (which I prefer to call myself), and I wish that people would stop saying that. I’m sure there is some of that snobbery, particularly on the Left. But I believe that we on the Right, who have our issues with Trump, consider them valid ones.
I do enjoy Jon, though, and am glad you had him on.
Great interview. I listen to Conservatarians all the time but this had new and interesting things about ricochet and the beltway mentality. Loved the admiral story.
Thanks, George. I can’t be sure that Jon (and I) were talking about you in this case. Our opinions differ, but you don’t strike me as the type to rule out any good thing the President has done or might do. At any rate, it’s obviously okay to see things from different perspectives and I enjoy hearing yours as well. Glad you enjoyed the show, though. Jon was tremendous fun to talk to.
I had not heard that story previous either. This was a fun podcast to record.
I just want to thank you for playing The Blues in your podcast. There is nothing more American than The Blues. I was never a big Keith Richards/Rolling Stones fan, but the fact that they paid homage to this genre makes me respect them.
My pleasure!! Nothing like it in the world, and it makes me feel at home.
You have me pegged about right. My problems with Donald Trump are more with his manner and behavior, and not his policies. Except for attitude on trade, I think his policies and appointments have been pretty good. And I wrote that in several posts. I view myself as an umpire with Trump, calling balls and strikes as need be.
Thanks again for the show.
Is his behavior any worse than many other Presidents? Media hid the foibles of those they approved of and highlighted Trump’s.
I think you need to track down this Admiral Bob guy Jon mentioned and get him on the show (if he still lives). I’m betting he had an interesting life.
I’ve answered this many, many times. I see no need to go through it again. I will just say this: Even if I agreed with you (and I don’t), excusing Trump because of the actions of previous Presidents is just Defining Deviancy Down. We don’t excuse Barack Obama his abuses because other Presidents may have engaged in similar abuses.
Yeah, like that Lincoln guy.
Sorry, Arahant. I may being dense again. I don’t get the message. Is Obama to be compared with Lincoln? Trump? I am unaware of abuses Lincoln may have committed. If I am not mistaken, I seem to have read in the Constitution that Habeas Corpus could be suspended in emergencies. We seemed to have a little thing called a war going on in those years.
In any case, I’ll concede this much about Trump: Other than being a surly creep, with no scruples, I don’t think he has committed any abuse as President.
I am not excusing anything. I am giving a perspective. I liked Cruz but noticed being clean cut and honest wasn’t rewarded by even those who attack Trump’s behavior. I also think Trump’s behavior is greatly exaggerated.
There is nothing more to say. Giving perspective, in cases like this, is a very nice, soothing way of excusing bad behavior. This is how civilizations end. As Jonah Goldberg would put it, I think, were he answering this, is that you are just excusing your tribe. Trump is a part of that tribe. So, to use your phrase, you give perspective to the fact that he is the loud-mouth at the bar, who is now our President. And, because of that, I am supposed to forgive his surliness. I will put up with, because I have no choice, as a loyal American; but forgive? Never. We will rue the day that we chose to not criticize this man-child!
Dave & Jon, I thoroughly enjoyed your conversation, especially learning more about Jon, his connection to Arizona, and his experience. He’s almost as diverse as you are . . . er, almost…
Now you’ve done it. Prepare for an extended “War of Northern Aggression” rant in 3…2..1…
Excellent show, Dave and Jon.
I go to war with the forces I have. You throw in the towel and let the enemy win if you don’t like the forces you have. I am as big a prude as you will find, but I fear something worse than bad behavior. I fear the left and the loss of liberty. Go moral preen all you want.
What you call throwing in the towel is just being prudent. Why argue with someone whose mind is made up? It is waste of time. And i dislike war metaphors. I dislike even more being told what kind of a person I am. You do not know me. And you do not know nor understand what it takes to truly win what is best for your country.
Please don’t take up my time again?
I so disagree with this. It’s critical to recognize the deficiencies on our own side. We go to the Presidency with the President we have, but that does not mean we don’t acknowledge that our President is extraordinarily crude. For the most part, his policies are good, and are better than what I expected when he was elected. Of the 17 Republican candidates, he was my last choice; but he is vastly better than Hillary.
It’s important to understand his faults so as to understand how he is the turnout engine for Democrats. His character generates hate among many voters who are normally only mildly interested in politics. They will come out to vote in off year and special elections, when in the past they stayed home.
I think rank’n’file voters are much more upset over Trump’s behavior than over his policies. Democrat leaders are more upset over his policies. His causal manner does help him with connecting with many voters, but not his extreme behavior. “[B]lood coming out of her wherever” harms Republicans up and down the ballot. Trump was lucky to have an extraordinarily corrupt and in incompetent opponent; otherwise he would have lost.
You do not speak for all conservatives, EHerring. “They” is not a term conservatives use. We look to people was individuals.
Fred is right. Many people do not vote over policy. Many vote on behavior. And Trump is turning aside the values most conservatives have, of decency and respect for others. He has done great harm to what means to be a conservatives, even though most of his policies are sound. They are the result of others’ thinking, not Trump’s.
I don’t care if I speak for all conservatives, no conservatives, or just myself. You can put a stake into conservatism. People waving that flag have destroyed its brand by giving others the impression they would prefer that Hillary and the Democrats win, no matter how imperfect they are, rather than win with their own imperfect candidate. They fear they are losing their country and their rights. They think you are enabling the Democrats by joining their attack on Trump. You offer nothing. What is your endgame? Who will redeem conservatism?
You are extremely ill-informed. And spreading a lot of ill will because of your lack of knowledge. Very few conservatives wanted Hillary to win. I can think of one or two. And they have their reasons. But the best conservatives – Jonah Goldberg, for one – realize how bad Hillary was, and acknowledge the good that Trump has done. However, you want to abandon conservatism. Speaking of offering nothing, what is your endgame? I am sick to death of being insulted by your kind. You are no better than a Leftie.
I am very well informed. I don’t spread ill will nor do I want to abandon conservatism. I just have a different opinion. My endgame is to defeat the left with whatever weapon I have. I don’t have my first choice, Cruz, so I will fight with the imperfect weapon I have. He is turning out to be a better fighter than many predicted. I am tired of folks on my side doing everything they can to tear him down and neuter him even as he fights to roll back the damage the other side has done. We must prevent the Dems from taking back the House and Senate and stopping Trump. I am not sure what “my kind” is and I disagree that I am no better than a leftie. You are terribly confused. I am pro-life, pro-gun, for shrinking government, pro-military, anti-Obamacare, for originalist judges, for religious freedom, against sexual promiscuity, for school choice, for voter ID, supporter of the flat tax (but prefer the government tax the states per capita and let states collect revenue as it wishes), against PC, and against efforts to eliminate the Electoral College. I oppose letting the Democrats use the judicial system to ruin lives and overturn an election. I am also against helping them do it.
If you want to defeat the left, get involved in local politics. Volunteer for candidates you like. Commenting on the internet is amateur punditry.
I dislike going back and forth with someone who refuses to understand. So I gave that up a while ago, and will no longer engage in it.
I will offer this: You are like a Lefty because you refuse to sit back and reflect on the things you say and believe. It is not that you believe in the policies of the Left. But it is reactionary thinking that is playing into the hands of the people you want to stop from achieving it. Donald Trump is not stopping this; he is hastening it. By not adhering to principles of conservation, which go beyond policy, and by being a bully, who only cares what others think of him, he is allowing people to define Conservatism as Trumpism. The people who refuse to see this, are the ones defeating conservatism. And if that gets defeated, what you write you fear most will come to pass.
I could say more, but it won’t help.
People who believe as you do should take Fred’s advice. Perhaps you are not as nasty and as unprincipled as Trump. We need reflective conservatism, not unhinged solipsism and narcissism.
I served my country for 20 years, have written letters to the editor, worked at phone banks, and helped deliver a Republican governor, a Republican congressman, 2 Republican senators, and a Republican president. I’m retired. I am content to spend my free time on ricochet. I earned my freedom. The younger folks can earn theirs.
No, you anti-Trump guys need some advice. You are pissing off the electorate you need just as some rabid pro-Trumpers are doing. We could very well lose to the Democrats because both groups don’t know how to talk to each other. Honestly, the longer we go, the more I sympathize with the Trump MAGA crowd. Quit weakening Trump and abetting the left.
You may answer this if you want, but be apprised that I will no longer participate. I will not ever read anything you have to say about anything. Life is too short. Enjoy your retirement. Go fishing. Maybe the fish will listen to someone who has nothing to say. I have better things to do with my time than to take advice from someone who actually thinks he has some to give.