1882

Of course in this case Trump actually answered the guy’s question, pretending he was talking about ISIL camps abroad as opposed to mythical Muslim militant camps in the US and the final solution to the American Muslim Problem. But the substance of the question was very clearly focused on America. Of course the ironic thing is that the only actual paramilitary camps in this country are white supremacist and anti-tax wingnut crazies, probably not one of whom is Muslim.

1883

Wow, that David French thing is really something. I had no idea the “racial purity” crowd was so boldly prominent in internal conservative thought.

1884

The sad thing is that apart from maybe some inbred Icelanders and few other isolated tribes, everyone is likely some kind of recent hybrid within the last thousand years, most of us a lot more recently than that. And absolutely everyone is a longer-term hybrid who all share a single common ancestor. Even fundamentalists can all trace a line back to Noah a mere four thousand years ago or so, so religious racial bigotry is even more bizarre than other forms. While there certainly are some characteristic traits and genetic markers that distinguish groups of people, the popular notion of race is essentially a fantasy.

1885

That’s what I found really striking. I’m used to seeing these creeps being small and number and hiding under rocks and in caves and behind hoods.

Not so much anymore, apparently.

1886

Well, in the US at least, it seems to be a general case of; “My opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s.” While this is sort of true in that the First Amendment allows everyone to speak their mind (within certain constraints). It’s not always factual. Just because you believe that the president is a Muslim, and have the right to say it, doesn’t make it right. And however you came by that belief, it remains a belief without substance.

In the past people with outre beliefs might have rarely met more than a handful of like minded persons. Today they can see literally tens of thousands of them. They don’t feel like the minority. They feel empowered. And this is sad.

1887

I read through it and the whole time I’m thinking, “Cuckservatives, WTF?”

1888

Yeah, I wish I hadn’t heard of that term before either. It really is emblematic of the aggressive ignorance and general assholishness that has gripped certain sectors of the political discourse. It’s political engagement by way of 4chan.

1889

I’m surprised you guys are so surprised. I see this all the time on Politico’s FB wall. People proudly put the most racist, hateful shit with their FB profile proudly showing their family pic online for the entire world to see. But French can kiss my ass with this line: Conservatives should reject those on both extremes of the spectrum. We defend a culture, not a race. The foundation of that culture is a faith that makes no distinction among races but rather declares, unequivocally, “All are one, in Christ Jesus.”

1890

While I can see being offended by this, I’m not sure if it was said in an exclusionary way (I have no idea of French’s beliefs, as this is the first I have heard of him). One possible interpretation of “All are one, in Christ Jesus.” is that we (Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Atheists etc.) truly are all one. The core of our beliefs are essentially the same. That is how I read it, but then I am part of a religion of inclusion.

1891

No one who’s not a Christian wants to hear “All are one, in Christ Jesus” no matter whether the intention was inclusionary or not. No more than you want to “All are one, in Lord Huitzilopochtli” as you are led up the steps of the pyramid to the sacrificial altar. I’d rather be excluded. The Inquisition was inclusionary when it forced all those Jewish and Muslim conversions in Spain, and probably they said just those words.

1892

Yeah, the whole ‘cuck’ thing is a really gross trend lately, took off with the (4chan /pol/ Vox Day / obssessed-with-masculinity / MRA / GamerGate) crowd where ‘cuck’ is the greatest of insults because only ‘beta males’ would adopt and raise children they didn’t father.

1893

All that crazy shit is just baggage you’re bringing to the party though. It’s not stuff implied by the statement.

If someone extends goodwill towards other people, and mentions their religion as a basis for goodwill, the reasonable response is to recognize their good intention and reciprocate inclusion. Not just shriek, “don’t push your religion on me!” Because in that case you’re just being a dick.

1894

Seriously, this kind of thing really triggers bad reactions in non-Christians who have experienced religious bigotry. It’s not welcoming, inclusive, or considerate at all. Do not invoke your god as a form of welcome to non-believers.

1895

I’m not a Christian. When religious people mention their religion, and wish you well, it’s not an attack against you.

Like I said, that’s just your own baggage, man. You’re the one with the problem, not the religious person trying to be nice to you.

1896

I seriously cannot believe that someone in the audience can quite literally advocate genocide to the front runner for the republican nomination, and the response is “we’re going to look into that”.

There is no nuance here. There is no media gotcha, “Obama can defend himself” is irrelevant. This isn’t a “politically correct” thing.

It’s simply unacceptable. It shouldn’t be the type of thing that should be twisted as a political statement with “two sides”. Every other republican candidate should be absolutely hammering him on this. The press should be hammering him on this. And no one should let up until he’s finally pressured into apologizing for this and correcting himself.

Not a wishy-washy “I’m sorry you were offended”. But directly addressing “It is unacceptable to say anything like this about the 5+ million Muslim Americans who just want to do the best they can for their friends and family, who are no different from you and me.”

But it’ll never happen. Not because Trump is a piece of shit, but because the other Republicans and the press are too fucking chickenshit to do what they need to do to make him do what he should do.

1897

Actually, most of the other Republicans actually are attacking him and condemning him for failing to shut down the crazy guy.

1898

Not to be pedantic but unless there was something else said that I missed, it sounded more like ethnic cleansing. But your point still stands.
What scares me most is that this was a nut from New Hampshire. If they’re like that in New Hampshire then what are they like in the really crazy parts of the US?

1899

Meh. There are loons everywhere and the scale of the US population is often tough to grasp. The US is not a super-populous country, and New Hampshire is not especially dense either.

But if only one out of every 10,000 people in New Hampshire is a nutcase anti-Muslim loon like that guy, there are still 133 guys just like him in the state.

1900

I just wanted to take a quick break from political discussion and let everyone know that:

All are one in Baphomet.

1901

That guy sounded so looney that I actually wondered if he was some kind of plant. Even his delivery sounded like something off of SNL.