http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:57:56 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1836/president-trump-has-opened-our-eyes http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1836
Before Donald Trump became President, I used to have a hard time figuring out how so many people could continue voting Republican, given their total corporate subservience and utter disregard for the American people.  A certain number is understandable.  A certain percentage could actually be fooled into thinking the Republican party is still viable, and of course,  a certain amount of people support them because of the southern strategy, because they are racists and bigots.  But surely these groups couldn't represent half the country, could they?  Enter President Trump.
Never mind the normal Republican dog whistling, Donald Trump has been using a foghorn.  This naturally pleases the far right.  What this President has shown us is that the percentage is NOT as small as we thought it was.  How can anyone in their right mind support Trump, who has planted himself staunchly against everything America stands for?  How can any American be ok siding with Putin over our own allies?  That Trump's the worst president America has ever seen is not even beginning to describe how totally horrific this guy is.  Incredibly, the President is a clear and present danger to America and the world.  
President Trump continues to serve only the far right fringe.  What he has taught us is that this 'fringe' is actually 40% of the country.  This horror show will end but that 40% isn't going anywhere.  What are we going to do AFTER Trump?  Make no mistake, President Trump has opened our eyes and they will remain open forevermore.  4 out of 10 Americans HATE America and everything she stands for.  
]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2019 20:52:29 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1814/centrists-in-the-age-of-trump http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1814
Even before Trump, it had been getting harder and harder to understand how centrists could remain in the center.  The Republican party slid farther and farther into the swamp, to the point that they were little more than a gang of corporate thugs.  How could ANYONE, save the most cultish of all right wingers, continue to support them?
The simplest explanation is that centrists simply don't understand what's going on around them.  The 'pledge' to corporate attack dog Norquist says it all about the utter corporate subservience of the Republican party; and the 47 who tried to undermine an important international peace treaty says it all about their rigid partisanship. Now they have actually withdrawn from the treaty for no other reason than irrational, partisan hatred of the president who signed it.  They threaten world peace because of partisanship and a total lack of integrity. And the centrists center on...
As Trump proved over and over again to be every bit as horrible a president as it looked like he might be, it seemed only a matter of time before centrists would finally realize just how debased and evil the Republican party had become.  Incredibly, even with staunch conservatives and lifelong Republicans leaving the party in droves, many centrists remain doggedly in the middle. 
Still, one has to admire sincere efforts to unite the country.  Centrists are kind hearted and well meaning people.  But being conciliatory is not always the right approach.  The correct response to the support of outrageous behavior by the President, is to show outrage.  The Republican party is completely and utterly void of not only integrity, but even basic human decency.  They don't WANT to do the right thing by the American people.  If Trump doesn't convince you of this, nothing ever will.

]]> Sat, 24 Nov 2018 12:22:45 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1808/the-unacceptable-support-of-president-trump http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1808
As the horror show in the White House churns on, the continued support of Donald Trump by such a large segment of American society becomes more and more outrageous.  How can any normal, reasonable person accept Trump support as a valid, respectable position?
The insane amount of corruption, obvious criminality, open and blatant obstruction of justice, constant lying, complete and utter disregard of basic human decency, disastrous and dangerous foreign policy, the sheer unfitness for office, has gone on for far too long.   Enough is enough already, Trump is a basket case and always will be.  There is nothing to talk about here, no chance of reconciliation.  If you support Trump, after all he has said and done, you are simply not a worthwhile human being.  Defenders of this dangerous buffoon are enemies of America.
Where does America go from here?  Some like to think that when everything finally comes to light, and Trump is exposed for the criminal he obviously is, everything will be ok.  Umm, no, I don't think so Tim.  Trump supporters already know he's guilty and corrupt as hell, they know he's inciting violence with his irresponsible speech, they know he doesn't have a clue what he's doing, and they know he's unhinged and dangerous.  The time has come to call these despicable traitors out for the damage they are doing to America's citizens and reputation around the world.  Trump turns his back on America's allies while praising and enabling the world's despots and brutal dictators, and these cretins stand right beside him. 
 Call me a partisan hack if it makes you feel better, but Trump's unfitness for office has nothing to do with left/right politics at all.  The Trump administration is a horror show by any reasonable point of view.  Every responsible CONSERVATIVE in America is strongly opposed to Trump, and there are millions of them.  No, Trump support is not reasonable, and not acceptable for anyone who tries to claim basic human decency.  The point of view of anyone who supports Trump, is utterly worthless.  It gives me no joy, taking this position on 40% of the country, but accepting the support of Trump is far too much to ask of any decent person.
]]> Thu, 15 Nov 2018 20:16:17 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1477/christmas-needs-a-remake http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1477
Who says discussion sites can't change opinions?  The recent talks about Christmas have shifted my position on the use of the word 'Christmas,' that does bother a certain group of secular thinkers.
While right wingers are being a little too dramatic about the term 'Christmas' being under assault, their fears are not completely unfounded.  There does exist a significant group of logical thinkers who are not so willing to accept the widespread use of the word, which characterizes the holiday as Christian.  I have rejected this concern up until now, and have openly used 'Merry Christmas' my entire life, but recently, have starting to question my judgement.
If the goal is one of 'peace on earth and good will to all men,'  is defining this magical time of year by one particular theology, which is not shared by huge swaths of humans, a good way to promote this?  Hardly, religion is divisive, it pits groups of people against each other.  If we want to spread good will to all, we must de-religionize this time of the year completely.  I'm afraid that I have gone full-blown 'snowflake' over this issue and now consider the word 'Christmas' to describe this time of year, as an anathema.
There are secular themes for this time of year, such as the solstice, which can be acceptable to all.  I would appreciate any suggestions as the theme to replace the offensive one we currently use.
]]> Tue, 26 Dec 2017 15:46:41 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1456/who-is-robert-mueller http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1456
The character and integrity of Robert Mueller has been under attack lately, from Republican politicians, talk show hosts, and even several of our own members here at Newstalkers.  I can't help but wonder if all of these people attacking him, are familiar with just who this man is.  The following is a brief rundown of his history.
Robert Mueller was born in New York City, August 7, 1944, the son of a WW2 Navy veteran.  In 1962, he graduated from St. Paul's school in Concord, New Hampshire where he captained the hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams. From there, he went on to continue study at Princeton where he earned an A.B. in politics.  One of his lacrosse teammates at Princeton, David Spencer Hackett, was killed in the Vietnam war, and this inspired Mueller to pursue military service.  Mueller earned an M.A. in international relations from New York University in 1967 before pursuing his Juris Doctor degree.
Mueller entered officer training in the United States Marine Corps in 1968, and was sent to South Vietnam in July of that year to serve as the rifle platoon leader with second platoon, H company, 2nd battalion, 4th marines, 3rd marine division.  In April 1969, he received a gunshot wound to the thigh, recovered, and returned to lead his platoon.  His service awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Parachutist Badge.
Mueller received his Law Degree in 1973 and served for 12 years in United States Attorney offices, first in San Francisco where he rose to be chief of the criminal division, then in Boston where he investigated and prosecuted major financial fraud, terrorism, public corruption cases, narcotics conspiracies, and international money laundering.  Mueller worked on international security matters and oversaw prosecutions including Manuel Noriega, the Lockerbie bombing case and the Gambino crime family boss John Gotti.
Mueller, was nominated for the position of FBI director by George W Bush on July 6, 2001 and was confirmed on August 2, 2001 by a 98-0 vote.  On September 4, 2013 Mueller was replaced by James Comey.
Robert Mueller is, without a doubt, one of the finest people this country has ever produced, a war hero, patriot, and public servant whose reputation is as stellar as they come.  We can never repay this man for what he has done for us, no accolades will ever suffice.  Until very recently his honesty and integrity had never been challenged in the slightest way.  Those who would impugn this man's character, especially in defense of a dangerous, lawless president like Donald Trump, bring great shame upon themselves, their families, and their country.  
]]> Tue, 19 Dec 2017 19:30:58 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1429/fake-news-donald-trump-and-the-left-right-debate http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1429
The left/right debate in this country is pretty much at an impasse these days.  As many have observed in recent years, the two sides can no longer agree on a basic set of facts to debate from.  Without this, of course, there can be no debate, it can't even get off the ground.  
Increasingly, the position taken by the right is that the free American press, mainstream news outlets, mostly owned by conservatives, are biased toward the left wing. Right wingers now flock to radical right wing sites for their information, believing they are no more biased in their favor, than mainstream media is in favor of the left.  Is there any way to foster honest debate when we aren't responding to common sources of information, to common facts?  Is there nothing we can agree on as a country, and work towards, together? 
Well, there is Donald J Trump.
60+% of America is united against this madman, and for obvious reasons.  Donald Trump represents the very worst of this country.  His words and deeds thus far as president have been nothing short of horrifying.  Conservatives in the mainstream [free and fair] media are all united with their more liberal colleagues in their opposition to this grotesque, lawless administration which we have stupidly chosen to represent us.  Donald Trump is a nightmarish president from ANY political point of view, from any human point of view.  If we can't stand as one against this ridiculous caricature of a president, what can we ever unite over?  
We need to be able to meet this low bar of standing together against Trump.  If we can't do this, we will never be able to have the meaningful dialogue we need to have in order to move this country forward.  Debating the merits of having Donald Trump for a president is pointless, there is no debate.  If you can't see this freak show for what it is, you can't be reached.  Donald Trump has united this country as much as it can be united.  Are you in or out?


]]> Sun, 03 Dec 2017 17:14:48 -0500 http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1427/trump-quotes-what-is-your-favorite http://thenewstalkers.com/lennylynx/blog/1427 Sat, 02 Dec 2017 06:59:07 -0500