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Bono: Trump Inimical to the American Idea

Charlie Rose talked to Bono about the American Presidential election this morning. I’m probably a socialist rat bastard for quoting some artsy-fartsy Irish dancy boy about American politics… but Bono gets America, and he gets what’s at stake for our ideals in this election:

“Look, America is like the best idea the world ever came up with. But Donald Trump is potentially the worst idea that ever happened to America, potentially,” Bono said. “It could destroy it, because of what we’re saying, because America’s not just a country. Ireland is a nice country. Great Britain is a great country — all the rest of it. It’s not an idea. America is an idea, and that idea is bound up in justice and equality for all — equality and justice for all, you know? I think he’s hijacked the party, and I think he’s trying to hijack the idea of America. And I think it’s bigger than all of us. I think it’s — this is really dangerous” [“U2’s Bono: Trump Is ‘Potentially the Worst Idea That Ever Happened to America’,” CBSNews.com, 2016.09.20].

America is an idea. Central to that idea is equality and justice for all. Donald Trump has no ideas, only self-absorption and hate.

Maybe write in Bono for President… or General Secretary of the United Nations.

33 Comments

  1. El Rayo X 2016-09-20 10:14

    Always worth repeating:
    Q – What’s the difference between God and Bono?
    A – God doesn’t walk around Dublin thinking he’s Bono.

  2. Steve Parson 2016-09-20 10:17

    I’m simply amazed in how many people come out and state Trump is such a bad idea for America but can then say they are voting for a corrupt politician in Hillary. I realize that Cory will vote for HRC no matter if she killed people, oh wait she did, but I digress.

    The Vote none of the above should be the mantra for intelligent Americans come November. But I know you Liberals aren’t smart enough for that. You drink blue kool aid so much you’d vote for Charles Manson if he was the Democratic nominee. Yep, you know it too.

  3. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-09-20 10:25

    (Steve, is it Parson or Parsons?)

    Note that Bono didn’t say he’s voting for Hillary. He notes elsewhere in the Rose interview that he doesn’t vote at all.

    You have not established that she has killed people. Neither has any formal hearing or court of law. I need more than Breitbart bushwah to sway my vote.

    You assert an overgeneralization that is not true. I will vote for Republicans who are superior to their opponents. I did so in 2014 when I voted for Attorney General Marty Jackley.

    Your post offers no substance to the discussion of Trump’s incompatibility with American ideals. You just come and shout tired old tripe about liberals being stupid, which (a) is not the point of the post and (b) has no refutatory value against Bono’s statement. Don’t come here to shout at your TV or talk radio. Come here to talk about what we actually talk about.

  4. mike from iowa 2016-09-20 11:10

    George Hitler Weasel Bush is voting for HRC. Bono can do and prolly has done a lot of good for a lot of humanity. unlike self absorbed Drumpf.

  5. jerry 2016-09-20 11:10

    Mr. Parson(s) proves the point of the greatest republican lie, the legitimacy of the President Obama. The racial hate perpetuated by Thune, NOem and Rounds against Obama is overwhelming. They knew full well that the president was born in the United States of America and yet they denied knowing what they knew, hence, inimical. Republican like our stooges are completely on board with the greatest liar since lying liars began. They only care about the money they will receive for the deceit. Here is Seth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sBhANSz–k

  6. bearcreekbat 2016-09-20 12:04

    Did you ever notice that folks like Parson who attack Hillary typically don’t mention or identify any objections to policies she advocates? Instead they simply call her a bunch of derogatory names and fall back on discredited Alex Jones type conspiracy claims.

    This seems to be strong evidence that their objection to Hillary is not based on any rational analysis or thoughtful rejection of what she advocates for America. Instead, this evidence suggests the objection is based on an emotional response to a repeated, but meaningless, Hillary smear campaign that has distracted them from even looking at her policy proposals or considering whether her policy ideas will benefit our country.

    I respect and defer to Hillary opponents who oppose her because they disagree with her policies. As for folks who can do nothing more than call her names and attach pernicious labels to her, not so much.

  7. mike from iowa 2016-09-20 13:14

    Warm good hearted Drumpf has been found to be paying personal bills from his Foundation’s monies. More evidence that Drumpf is an unindicted crook.

    OTOH-wingnuts favorite liberal punching bag- George Soros- heeded Obama’s calls to open their hearts and checkbooks to help immigrants and refugees. Soros has pledged half a billion bucks to help. Drumpf Jr compared Syrian kids to poison Skittles.

  8. Darin Larson 2016-09-20 13:15

    bcb, you took the words right out of my mouth, especially the lack of policy objections. I’ll add that some of them come up with some policy objections to policies that HRC has never backed like doing away with the 2nd Amendment. The effect is the same; they will not engage in serious policy discussions.

  9. jerry 2016-09-20 13:17

    Hillary Clinton was not my first choice for the presidency of the United States, but she was the second. She far outweighs all of the others combined for that job. I support her now, and will vote for her in a couple of days. I also will not ever support the racial hatred supplied by Thune, NOem, Rounds and whatever republican that did not come out to deny traction to the lies told by Trump and the rest of the republican party to de-legitimize our elected president Obama. For people like Mr. Parson to say that he is not a racial hater or woman hater, is the biggest lie yet. He proves that with his support for a man like Trump that degraded a female reporter about menstrual cycles. Mr. Parson can vote as he wishes. He implies that it is liberals that cannot see through his nonsense, but it is not so. Honest republicans cannot stomach the stench that comes from the thoughts and lips of Trump and his supporters either. Trump and those that support his way, are a clear and present danger to democracy. Bono is right on. We do not need a Bloody Sunday to know what is right and what is wrong.

  10. Dicta 2016-09-20 14:03

    1. Not a democrat
    2. Didn’t drink koolaid as a kid. Always got Red drink, purple drink, etc. from the grocery store, which was essentially water, sugar, and food coloring.
    3. I don’t know how else to respond, really. Clinton’s a lot more centrist than idiots want to admit. The Clintons were pretty pro-Wall Street. About as aggressive as I recall dirty Bill getting was on health care and line item vetos.

    The fact that people draw these weird equivalencies between Trump and Clinton bug the hell out of me.

  11. jerry 2016-09-20 14:20

    Not a Democrat either, am a lefty though that believes in social good. The only president that I really can remember historically that was not pro Wall Street was Thomas Jefferson. The irony of all of that is that he died so far in debt that there was no way he could have ever recovered from that in his lifetime. We need banks and we need them to function honestly that should not be a surprise to anyone. Wall Street needs to be regulated and here is the Democrat doing just that. Watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOBmn0xU7wY Ask John Thune what he thinks of some regulating stuff or Donald Trump

  12. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-09-20 14:36

    I agree with you, Bear. I’ve heard Democrats (especially Berniecrats) lodge more vigorous arguments against specific Clinton policies than Trump and the GOP have. If they aren’t going personal on Clinton, Republicans are usually just making vague swipes at socialism and not addressing her standard deduction for businesses of other specific policies.

    But note that Bono isn’t talking specific policies, either, at least not in the text from this morning. he’s talking about principles, the fundamental idea of America as a place offering liberty and justice for all. Clinton’s words have never brought that idea into question. Trump challenges that fundamental idea almost every time he opens his mouth.

  13. bearcreekbat 2016-09-20 16:43

    I went to school with a fellow name Rick Fliehr. We were in the same grades and competed in the same wrestling weight class before he transferred to a private school in 9th grade. We remained friends and he attended my wedding. Rick was enamored with professional wrestling and particularly loved the bad guys.

    He went into professional wrestling under the name Ric Flair and became extraordinarily popular and wealthy as a bad guy wrestler. Everyone paid attention to him and wanted to see and hear what outrageous things he would say and do next. He was voted most hated wrestler many times by fans.

    Lately I wonder if Trump learned and admired Ric’s skills during the time Trump became interested in professional wrestling. Here are some of Trump’s attention grabbing antics in that endeavor:

    http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/donald-trump-greatest-wwe-moments

    The more I think about Trump’s public comments in the presidential race the more I am reminded of the bad guy in wrestling that everyone loves to hate, but can’t wait to see or hear the next crazy behavior.

    Trump has developed a classic pro-wrestling style in trying to create drama, often relying on a bad guy persona, always bragging about how great he is while lying and projecting his own bad behavior on Hillary, even encouraging violence. Using these techniques Trump has created an image not before seen in a presidential race. As I reflect on this strange phenomenon I suspect more and more that Trump decided early on that what worked in pro-wrestling for Ric and others would work for him in the presidential contest.

  14. mike from iowa 2016-09-20 17:26

    I hated Flair then and I hate him now. Those older rasslers had to scarf down their share of “roids or PEDs and should have all died in their 40s.

    Now back on topic-whatever it was.

  15. Porter Lansing 2016-09-20 18:22

    Just another reason I like you BCB. Always have. PS … Ric’s daughter is a big WWE star now and uses the same schtick. Heels always are more popular than faces. Truth be known, so do I. VOTE BLUE … for me and you. #grins

  16. Michael Carlson 2016-09-21 00:28

    Bono has always had an eloquent way of talking about politics both world and American. And I sincerely believe he makes a difference and uses his fame for the benefit of the most needy in the world. Anyone who dismisses his words because he is a rock star needs to watch some of what he has said and done in the past. Too bad he wasn’t born in America! (or was he. . .could we start an anti-birther movement and claim that he was born in New Jersey? Everyone talks weird there.)

  17. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-09-21 05:41

    Bono has used his celebrity to promote good causes. Donald Trump has used his celebrity to increase his celebrity.

  18. mike from iowa 2016-09-21 07:17

    Bono was born near Dublin in 1960. Named Paul Hewson. Bono needs to go to New Jersey and condemn Fat and Furious Christie for lying about Bridge Gate. Prosecutors and defense lawyers for Christie’s aids on trial claim F & F lied.

  19. bearcreekbat 2016-09-21 11:21

    Thanks Porter and right back atcha!

  20. bearcreekbat 2016-09-22 13:36

    I just heard Trump’s policy proposal to address gun violence. He argues that police should be able to stop and frisk anyone they see, check them for a gun and if they have one the police should confiscate the gun.

    And I thought Obama and Hillary were after our guns. I wonder if the NRA supports the Trump plan to stop and frisk and then take away whatever guns they find. I bet the open carry fellows would be the easiest police targets.

    What say you Trump fans, do you support allowing the police to stop and frisk you and take your gun if you have one?

  21. bearcreekbat 2016-09-22 13:52

    Trump said he only meant Chicago. If you live in Chicago, then you lose your right to possess and carry a gun according to Trump:

    Trump shared his denotation of the term, first explaining that “there are different levels” to stop-and-frisk. “Basically, they will, if they see poss… — you know, they’re proactive, and if they see a person possibly with a gun or they think may have a gun, they will see the person, and they’ll look and they’ll take the gun away,” Trump said. “They’ll stop, they’ll frisk, and they’ll take the gun away, and they won’t have anything to shoot with. I mean, how it’s not being used in Chicago is, to be honest with you, it’s quite unbelievable. And, you know, the police, the local police, they know who has a gun, who shouldn’t be having a gun. They understand that.”

    http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/trump-stop-and-frisk-only-chicago-228516

    There goes the “good guy with a gun” argument right down the toilet.

  22. mike from iowa 2016-09-22 14:49

    NRA’s latest political, lie about HRC shows a woman being woke up by intruders and she grabs a phone and heads for the gun safe. Fades away and he NRS bitches it takes an average of 11 minutes for cops to respond. Then they say HRC will leave women w/o the means to defend themselves.

    Of course HRC has never said anything like that, but the NRA and wingnuts don’t G A S that they lie everytime their mouths flop open.

    As for Drumpf’s policy, by tomorrow it will be entirely different from what he says today and the media will get the blame for it. SOP.

  23. bearcreekbat 2016-09-22 15:55

    mfi – Wow, that’s weird. I have never had a problem accessing Digby’s articles. She is one of the more interesting commentators around IMO.

    And I expect that you are right about Trump following up with 100% inconsistent statements. But can you imagine the NRA and gun lovers reaction had Hillary made similar stop, frisk and seize all guns comment? Hillary would have been charged as a terrorist bomber by causing so many NRA heads to begin exploding around the country.

  24. mike from iowa 2016-09-22 16:30

    Cops in Tulsa were a gun short and the ones in Charlotte had one too many guns. Be nice if they frisked Black murder victims before they murdered them.

  25. bearcreekbat 2016-09-26 11:07

    Apparently Chauncey DeVega of Salon agrees with my analysis that Trump is using the villain persona of a professional wrestler. Vega observes:

    In this ring, he is playing the villain (or “heel”). He is a bully, a liar, a narcissist and a professional victim, who never fails because of his own shortcomings (the system is rigged!). He mocks and condescends to the public and his enemies, and he enjoys defying norms and expectations of civility and proper comportment. Trump used this professional wrestling heel persona to dominate the Republican primary field and to successfully manipulate a lazy (and complicit) corporate news media.

    http://www.salon.com/2016/09/26/the-cage-match-debate-why-donald-trump-will-defeat-hillary-clinton-tonight/?source=newsletter

  26. mike from iowa 2016-09-26 11:23

    The only chance Drumpf has at winning is to self-declare himself victor-prolly while the debate is going on.

  27. Porter Lansing 2016-09-26 11:28

    Don Trump doesn’t really have to stretch to play the heel. It’s what he is. But, he’s without the range to play a believable face.

  28. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-09-26 14:08

    Trump as pro wrestler—fascinating, Bear! Unfortunately, Hillary cannot assume that role. She’s standing there, expecting, as I would, to have a serious, genuine conversation about the practical policies that help determine the fate of the free world, not the antics that boost box office at Madison Square Garden.

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