Play Your Cards Right - BBC Trumped? - Part 2
Trump v Truth: There is no doubt that Mr Trump tends to think a certain way. You get the impression he doesn't really like any criticism, constructive, or otherwise. For a start, it's all 'fake news', and he is quite happy to use the tools he does have at his disposal to try and counter it. Threats, litigation, removing those 'out of favour', who disagree, criticise, or speak out against him, by sacking, or bringing pressure to bear. He certainly gives the impression at times that he might be much more like Mr Putin, changing the rules to suit himself and ruling by threat and fear, if he could get away with it! It was mildly amusing listening to Mr Trump's reaction to the Panorama edit, which was actually shown a year earlier (and not shown in the States). Especially as I have a three-hour video from Channel 4 on my machine called Trump v the Truth. Showing over a hundred examples where Mr Trump has, quote... "said and written things which are untrue on a range of topics from international and domestic policy to his own political and career achievements." Did he apologise for any of them? Did he get sued for any of them? Perhaps the rest of the world is more tolerant and more forgiving than Mr Trump! Who despite having a website called Truth Social, is quite often not very truthful, or very social. Let's hope the world doesn't come to seriously regret Mr Trump in the same way as it has Mr Putin!
Yes, Perfect! As far as I know, Mr Trump has not had to explain himself, or indeed explain what on earth he was trying to achieve with his speech, on January 6th, 2021. What did he think was going to happen, as he issued those emotive and confrontational instructions, encouraging and directing such a mixed bunch of America's right wing, the 'Trump Army', with phrases like "We're gonna walk down to the Capitol, and I'll be there with you..." and "We fight, we fight like hell!" In fact, if you DO filter out all the rhetoric in between, these are key phrases that actually DID result in the assault on the Capitol. Fact! Subliminal insurrectionary instructions, orders to his army, disguised within his very lengthy "perfect" speech! And it didn't get lost on the crowd, as they did just as instructed. Some might say Mr Trump distanced himself, by distancing the instructions. Quite clever actually. Yes, perfect!
Folded! The undeniable truth is, Mr Trump's perfect speech did direct, inspire and cause an assault on the Capitol building. Trump supporters, who were involved in the assault, said afterwards they thought that's exactly what Mr Trump wanted them to do, after hearing his perfect speech! After all, he did say that, didn't he! But although Mr Trump did issue those (cleverly-disguised?) instructions (if that's what they were), we can't say he actually led his supporters anywhere, because he was nowhere to be seen. So, again, very clever, as he distanced himself from the actual events that he inspired with those actual key phrases, by not turning up. So, another lie, as he said he'd be there himself, and he wasn't. Is anyone suing him for lying, or for misleading? Well, he was impeached for 'incitement of insurrection', but was let off, when the Government folded!
Degree Of Hypocrisy! There is obviously a degree of hypocrisy here from a leader who does, intentionally or otherwise, openly lie and mislead the public, as he accuses the BBC of, "Defrauding the public." And also says of the BBC, "These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a presidential election" (remember that telephone call, to try and 'conjure up' more votes). Finally, he also said, "What a terrible thing for democracy" (but never mind Mr Putin. He's alright!). Yes, you have to laugh, but it is also very serious! These are our world leaders, that cause the ordinary people of this planet significant problems and unnecessarily degrade everybody's quality of life with their less-than-adequate behaviour! World leaders, who are responsible for the overall happiness, or misery, of the whole planet! It is time humanity started to wake up to this and take it seriously!
Fix It! Many people think Mr Trump is a bully, and from the playground upwards, there's a lot of it about. At such times, threatening behaviour, to get your own way, becomes the norm. Being a bully is not a nice quality. It's an animal trait, leftover from the jungle and our animal heritage; something that we would like to see diminish in this world. We must try and understand it's not appropriate behaviour and rise above it. Unfortunately, having leaders who behave like this, sets a bad example to everyone. Russia, Iran, China, etc., we could go on and on and on. Even in the UK we still have a problem with those in authority thinking it's appropriate to persecute and bully people for lifestyle choice, and others who like to stick it up people, with autocratically enforced rules and laws, not agreeable to the majority. Sticking it up people against their will, that is, without their permission, or consent, is a form of rape, so it is a big issue. If we ever want to reach civilisation in this world, we have to wake up to all of this and fix it!
Concept Confusion? Mr Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described the BBC as being 100% fake news and a leftist propaganda machine. Well, she may not be 'just another dumb blonde', but those who actually DO watch the BBC, and know exactly what the BBC does, may well consider it to be a pretty dumb thing to say. A bigoted, ignorant statement based on a wealth of inexperience and a complete lack of understanding. Some may even say it's fake news, a blatant lie and a deliberate slur. Is she being sued? Has she apologised? Well, never mind! Life's too short! Anyway, what does she know! What she calls leftist propaganda, others would simply call education, so perhaps she has a case of concept confusion. In actual fact, the BBC does a tremendous amount of good work to raise awareness and try and move the world in a more palatable and tasteful direction. Can we say the same about Karoline Leavitt, or Mr Trump - I wonder? We know we can always do better!
Stick, Twist, Bust, or Bluff? It is a fact that somebody in the Panorama editing department made an error of judgement that was naive, clumsy and foolish, but as the programme also presented a significant amount of pro-Trump voice, it could hardly be considered to be malicious, unbalanced, or a wholesale stick-the-boot-in job. The programme wasn't shown in America and didn't damage Mr Trump in any way, as he still won the election. Mr Trump only found out about the programme a year later, due to a leaked memo and subsequent newspaper article in The Telegraph, otherwise, he would have been none the wiser. So no harm done. If it had been causing ANY harm at the time of the election, he and his supporters would have been very aware of it, because somebody would have drawn attention to it. The fact is, it went completely unnoticed! Although no real harm was done, Mr Trump still wants to try and Trump the BBC, raising the stakes considerably and demanding payment for damages from the pot. Rightly, the BBC has said "See you (in court)". Now Mr Trump is threatening to up the ante once more and sue the BBC for up to five billion dollars. Stick, Twist, Bust, or Bluff?