I'm not at exactly the same place you are, but what you're saying makes a lot of sense.Robert wrote:I have my concerns too. I am not sold on him by any means. I like a lot of what has been getting done and I chuckle at some of the foreign policy actions. President Trump seems to feel that peace through strength is a real thing. I think it can work too, but the carrot is as important as the stick. I have no doubts other world leaders and US citizens are not sure how to take him. This will create unfavorable opinions. Any major change will often create unfavorable feelings. Fear if the unknown is a real struggle for humanity.PeterG wrote:By the way, there's a great deal of sane, carefully moderated yet unflinching criticism of President Trump from publications such as National Review, The American Conservative, and First Things. You don't have to be a liberal to be concerned about President Trump and his influence.
I often think of Nebuchadrezzar as I watch how President Trump acts and reacts. We will see if there is a fiery furnace that pops up somewhere.
My opinion. I do not think President Trump is the best statesman. I also do not think he is the worst. I like the direction the government is going. I like some of the policy developing. I do not like President Trump's style and ways of working. I do like his frankness. I laugh at his bombasity, but would not like to deal with it daily. I also know we will survive and live through his years of service, as we did through other presidents. I see no crisis. I think history will look back much differently then we see it daily. I am willing to put up with the negatives because I think the positives of the administration is well worth it, so far. That could change.
President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
That has nothing to do with the validity of the arguments found in National Review.Josh wrote:I’m not sure who reads National Review anymore - it seems like the kind of magazine you see a 3 year old copy of in a dentist’s office waiting room.
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
This is true regarding some types of regulation, but overall it's not clear to me that President Trump represents a small-government philosophy. His positions on trade, immigration, libel laws, and (sometimes) foreign policy imply a significantly expanded federal government role.Dan Z wrote:In conservative fashion, he has a small government bent, and has worked at decreasing government bureaucracy and over-reach.
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
The fiery furnace came right after the golden statue, and seeing one of those pop up in DC or Manhattan wouldn't really be all that surprising.Robert wrote:I often think of Nebuchadrezzar as I watch how President Trump acts and reacts. We will see if there is a fiery furnace that pops up somewhere.
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I am a Christian and my name is Pilgram; I'm on a journey, but I'm not alone -- NewSong, slightly edited
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
Interesting - thanks for all who participated in the Poll.
A couple of observations:
A couple of observations:
- 1) The response among the 32 poll participants is spread fairly evenly, with 11 leaning positive in their feelings about the president, 12 on the negative side, and 9 feeling ambivalent. Interestingly, these numbers mirror the general population of white voters who, according to recent polls, show support for the president in the low 40s.
2) Based on comments and the poll, it seems that those who feel positive about the president do so with mixed emotions, while those who feel negatively are more likely to feel strongly about their negativity.
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
it has been interesting, i wouldn’t have guessed the differences reflected as they are (so far.)Dan Z wrote:Interesting - thanks for all who participated in the Poll.
A couple of observations:
It continues to be interesting to me how people of like mind in so many ways can look at the same thing (e.g Trump), and come out in entirely different places. In this regard, it is a reminder to me that we benefit from each others perspectives if we really want to observe reality broadly. Thanks all for contributing to the discussion so far.
- 1) The response among the 32 poll participants is spread fairly evenly, with 11 leaning positive in their feelings about the president, 12 on the negative side, and 9 feeling ambivalent. Interestingly, these numbers mirror the general population of white voters who, according to recent polls, show support for the president in the low 40s.
2) Based on comments and the poll, it seems that those who feel positive about the president do so with mixed emotions, while those who feel negatively are more likely to feel strongly about their negativity.
as to your observation regarding strong negativity, i see it, it surprises me, such lack of grace (in this particular group.) generally speaking, on most topics, i wouldn’t expect that. i continue to appreciate jcm’s observation that folks are strongly impacted by what they are reading.
there is an abundance of negativity out there. so-much-negativity, that for many, the quantity, combined with the sources, are a red flag that things are worth questioning (for both truthfulness+motivation.)
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Most or all of this drama, humiliation, wasted taxpayer money could be spared -
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
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with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
ohio jones wrote: The fiery furnace came right after the golden statue, and seeing one of those pop up in DC or Manhattan wouldn't really be all that surprising.
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Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not after you.
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Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not after you.
I think I am funnier than I really am.
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
Speaking as a Canadian...
During the primary I was against Trump purely based on what his words and deportment suggested about his character. Not because I believed the allegation that he was racist or any of the other slurs made against him. I am used to hearing that from Democrats or Canadian Liberals so I tune it out.
By the time of the election I was highly ambivalent and if I had been qualified to vote might just have held my nose and voted for Trump as better than the alternative. Or not voted at all.
Based on what has happened since the election, I am provisionally glad that Trump got in. My assessment of his character has not changed, except that he seems to exercise better judgment in practice than what his words suggest. There have been a lot of positive changes made in US government and policy, there are no signs of an incipient dictatorship and no one has pressed the nuclear button....yet.
Why that would be, I don't know. But it may be as F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: the very rich are different from you and me. You don't get to be a billionaire without learning to delegate: finding and using good people to execute your plans and changing them out without remorse if they don't work out; knowing how to pay for, recognize and follow good advice. The gift of becoming that rich must lie in effectively using others' gifts rather than in relying on your own, and that may be the whole secret behind what has been an unexpectedly stable administration.
Anyway, it's as if there are two Trumps - the one who governs, and when he wants to, makes Presidential speeches, and the one who tweets and stirs things up. As long as the two don't cross their respective boundaries I think we'll be okay.
During the primary I was against Trump purely based on what his words and deportment suggested about his character. Not because I believed the allegation that he was racist or any of the other slurs made against him. I am used to hearing that from Democrats or Canadian Liberals so I tune it out.
By the time of the election I was highly ambivalent and if I had been qualified to vote might just have held my nose and voted for Trump as better than the alternative. Or not voted at all.
Based on what has happened since the election, I am provisionally glad that Trump got in. My assessment of his character has not changed, except that he seems to exercise better judgment in practice than what his words suggest. There have been a lot of positive changes made in US government and policy, there are no signs of an incipient dictatorship and no one has pressed the nuclear button....yet.
Why that would be, I don't know. But it may be as F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: the very rich are different from you and me. You don't get to be a billionaire without learning to delegate: finding and using good people to execute your plans and changing them out without remorse if they don't work out; knowing how to pay for, recognize and follow good advice. The gift of becoming that rich must lie in effectively using others' gifts rather than in relying on your own, and that may be the whole secret behind what has been an unexpectedly stable administration.
Anyway, it's as if there are two Trumps - the one who governs, and when he wants to, makes Presidential speeches, and the one who tweets and stirs things up. As long as the two don't cross their respective boundaries I think we'll be okay.
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
i wasn’t against Trump in the Primary, i just really-really did not believe he was seriously interested in being POTUS. this may sound odd, but, i wondered if he was present in order to stir up interest (in a “real” candidate?) why would he leave his ultra-wealthy life to be a public servant?Haithabu:
Speaking as a Canadian...
During the primary I was against Trump purely based on what his words and deportment suggested about his character.
Not because I believed the allegation that he was racist or any of the other slurs made against him.
I am used to hearing that from Democrats or Canadian Liberals so I tune it out.
i was wrong. as many were, for various reasons.
i would enjoy a discussion on PM Trudeau. and, maybe some on differences in U.S./Canada politics/government/media. i’m pretty sure many in the U.S. believe Canada to be a mirror image of the U.S. i do not believe that’s correct. comparisons cannot be apples to apples. (no apple pun intended.)
most in the U.S. do not vote. regardless of candidates/issues to be decided. politicians count on both ignorance and non-voters.Haithabu:
By the time of the election I was highly ambivalent and if I had been qualified to vote might just have held my nose and voted for Trump as better than the alternative. Or not voted at all.
sure. further, the surface does not have to be deeply scratched to find exact or similar words stated by his opposition - central difference being, what is chosen to be ignored/glossed over, and what is sounded loudly in mock horror over the internet megaphone.Haithabu:
Based on what has happened since the election, I am provisionally glad that Trump got in.
My assessment of his character has not changed, except that he seems to exercise better judgment in practice than what his words suggest. There have been a lot of positive changes made in US government and policy, there are no signs of an incipient dictatorship and no one has pressed the nuclear button....yet.
these men are not saints. none of them.
this somewhat aligns with my thoughts of Trump as a sort of snow-plow(?)Haithabu:
Why that would be, I don't know.
But it may be as F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: the very rich are different from you and me.
You don't get to be a billionaire without learning to delegate: finding and using good people to execute your plans and changing them out without remorse if they don't work out; knowing how to pay for, recognize and follow good advice.
The gift of becoming that rich must lie in effectively using others' gifts rather than in relying on your own, and that may be the whole secret behind what has been an unexpectedly stable administration.
he’s a big picture guy, relies on others for their excellent abilities to follow, to continue, to process. “it takes all kinds to make the world go round.” successful leaders know this very well.
his tweets don’t bother me. i don’t tweet, or listen to gossip/political theater about tweets.Haithabu:
Anyway, it's as if there are two Trumps - the one who governs, and when he wants to, makes Presidential speeches, and the one who tweets and stirs things up.
As long as the two don't cross their respective boundaries I think we'll be okay.
that helps!
we will be ok, because God promises!
Last edited by temporal1 on Wed Jan 24, 2018 10:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Most or all of this drama, humiliation, wasted taxpayer money could be spared -
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
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Re: President Trump: A MennoNet Poll
that building is reflecting the glory of God’s golden sunlight.Robert wrote:ohio jones wrote: The fiery furnace came right after the golden statue, and seeing one of those pop up in DC or Manhattan wouldn't really be all that surprising.
0 x
Most or all of this drama, humiliation, wasted taxpayer money could be spared -
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN