Quote from: quiller on March 21, 2016, 07:58:08 PM
It was eighth grade at the two papers where I worked. You don't write down, you write for the broadest possible audience. Since the 1970s this expanded to include those who never learned proper reading skills in Democratic Party schools. In those cases, sixth grade is taxing their skill-set.

Now that sounds like TV 25 or 30 years ago.   

Quote from: walkstall on March 21, 2016, 08:05:29 PM
Now that sounds like TV 25 or 30 years ago.   

It sure was in 1970, in military journalism/TV writing classes I took, and it also held true for radio writing both in and out of service. Then I got into a news job working for a corporate paper and found that writing for eighth-grade adults was almost a luxury, until my editor asked me what the hell I meant with a word like syntax.

Sixth-grade text actually works for commercial TV. You edit and arrange and present and stand back, letting the image do the work. Anything more serious and adult, these days, good luck finding a market. NPR's a no-go zone for actual conservatives; same for the majors.

Trumps Language is appropriate for New York Construction crews who yell and scream at each other above the grinding machinery they use to build his buildings mixed in with a few insults and threats which is common place in NYC/New Jersey area culture.

Whenever I hear Trump I am reminded of dialogue between TV's Tony Soprano and one of his thugs like Paulie Walnuts or Silvio, come to think of it since Trump is hand in glove with a few REAL New York Gangsters this is most appropo.

Quote from: Billy's bayonet on March 22, 2016, 05:42:12 AM
Trumps Language is appropriate for New York Construction crews who yell and scream at each other above the grinding machinery they use to build his buildings mixed in with a few insults and threats which is common place in NYC/New Jersey area culture.

Whenever I hear Trump I am reminded of dialogue between TV's Tony Soprano and one of his thugs like Paulie Walnuts or Silvio, come to think of it since Trump is hand in glove with a few REAL New York Gangsters this is most appropo.

Aside from the communication gap, and the huge policy gap, credibility gap - there may be a honesty gap.  While Ted Cruz continues to push policy, Donald Trump's smoke-n-mirror sideshow has degenerated into name-calling.  The few issues that garnered national attention, the wall, for instance... are negotionable (surprise!).  What you thought you heard, was exactly what he wanted you to hear, but it wasn't what he actually planned on doing.

Speaking of communication gaps (in voter's heads)....

On Obama Care:

Trump says he will "Repeal and Replace with something better" - a single payer system, Obama's end goal.  Claims there are well run government healthcare agencies.

Cruz says he will "Repeal ever word of it" eliminate state borders for insurers, expand health savings accounts, and remove the government from the Patient / Doctor relationship.  (an immediate cost reduction & better care).

Quote from: Hoofer on March 19, 2016, 08:57:50 AM
Have we become a nation akin to a bird nest full of baby chicks - squawking with with our heads in the air, mouths wide open, hoping government will feed us and care for our every need?

Trump - a message of surrender to government, "your gonna love it"
Cruz - a message of independence & self-reliance, "abolish the IRS"

Abolish the IRS & simplify the tax code VS more progressive/regressive taxes. 
After 7 years of the latter, you'd think even the dumbest of the dumb could figure that out.

Trump - restrict the internet, curb freedom of speech, sue the media.
Cruz - the amendments are OUR natural rights, not governments permission to restrict our rights.

After 7 years of the least transparent government in history, you'd think the MEDIA would figure that out....  unless News is just Entertainment.

I believe that Trump said he was going to close every department except for the Veteran's Administration which he would clean up to provide decent service to our veterans.
Whether or not that could be done is another question altogether.  I wonder if that money he raised ever got to the veterans.

Quote from: Billy's bayonet on March 22, 2016, 05:42:12 AM
Whenever I hear Trump I am reminded of dialogue between TV's Tony Soprano and one of his thugs like Paulie Walnuts or Silvio, come to think of it since Trump is hand in glove with a few REAL New York Gangsters this is most appropo.

But... that kind of wordsmithing is what's needed for bills, tax-laws, government contracts, ballot-issues, etc.

Cruz's biggest applauses come after he says:  I'm going to reduce your tax-form to the size of a postcard. 

Quote from: Charliemyboy on March 25, 2016, 01:01:50 PM
I believe that Trump said he was going to close every department except for the Veteran's Administration which he would clean up to provide decent service to our veterans.
Whether or not that could be done is another question altogether.  I wonder if that money he raised ever got to the veterans.

Trump can't close any Departments.  The VA is part of the Department of Defense. 

Quote from: Dori on March 25, 2016, 04:13:34 PM
Trump can't close any Departments.  The VA is part of the Department of Defense.

Just throwing stuff out there, seeing what sticks - to get elected.  God help us as a nation.

Quote from: Hoofer on March 26, 2016, 08:14:54 AM
Just throwing stuff out there, seeing what sticks - to get elected.  God help us as a nation.

I know, but there is a lot of red meat Trump throws out there, that he can't do, without congress. Sadly, he doesn't even know what the limits are of the executive branch, and apparently his supporters don't either. 

Quote from: Dori on March 26, 2016, 08:26:29 AM
I know, but there is a lot of red meat Trump throws out there, that he can't do, without congress. Sadly, he doesn't even know what the limits are of the executive branch, and apparently his supporters don't either.

A constitutionally ignorant electorate would cheer on - or demand - Trump exercise powers he doesn't have.   So short sighted, they are willing to surrender the Bill of Rights for a loaf of bread.

Initially, Trump sounded good for me, but without any basis in constitutional law, and his outlandish statements on the 1st & 2nd Amendments, how could ANYONE on these forums possibly vote for him?  The same shrill voices who denounced the "Internet Kill Switch" Obama proposed, would actually support a guy who has openly called for restricting their Freedom of Speech?  Trump didn't couch his desire in carefully crafted words, he said it very directly.

Such a thinned skinned man will move quickly to shut down dissent. The first time one of these bloggers criticizes a pet Trump policy, they'll be effectively silenced.  Ignorantly they tossed aside the Bill of Rights for someone they thought would "get even" with the Washington establishment, not recognizing we are all protected by the same rights.

By contrast, Ted Cruz has stated the same laws that govern the rest of America will also govern those in Washington.   The healthcare they're currently exempt from, will apply to them (then, they'll move quickly to abolish it).  Once Ted takes away the Elitists' perks for working in Washington - many of these stupid laws that restrict us will begin falling away... and they will hesitate before saddling themselves with more stupid legislation.  I don't want to "get even" - I'd rather level the playing field, eliminate the elitism entirely, return this nation to a government of the people, by the people. Get rid of this current government elitism and class envy.  Doesn't it strike you as odd to address a letter to a Senator or Representative - people who are suppose to be serving YOU as, "The Honorable ......"?  And, the condescending reply is a form letter, 'you're an idiot, this is above your pay grade, we're running the show, take a hike.'   These guys just voted in taxation, and numerous government entanglements & programs without the money to pay for them!  "Honorable..." for what?!? 

This ought to be a no-brainer, Freedom vs Getting even.   
Thinking of the Future or thinking of Revenge.   
Ted Cruz or Donald Trump.


I get the impression...  Obama envies the government of Cuba and Argentina - like he's a king speaking to his subjects.   Funny.... I get the same impression from Donald Trump.

This article is a chilling example of Trump attempting to squelch Freedom of Speech.

http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-Editorials/232130/trumps-assault-on-freedom-of-speech

QuoteOne of the more disturbing pronouncements from Donald Trump recently - and there have been so many of them - was his assault on the First Amendment. As president, Trump would allow no dissent, he declared.

Trump has threatened to sue anyone he can't buy off who would otherwise be critical.  Let that sink in...  Palin... Carson... Christie... Fox News...

QuoteDonald Trump, oversensitive to criticism and to hearing his own words repeated back to him, doesn't get that.

As Walter Olsen noted: "Donald Trump has been filing and threatening lawsuits to shut up critics and adversaries over the whole course of his career. He dragged reporter Tim O'Brien through years of litigation over a relatively favorable Trump biography that assigned a lower valuation to his net worth than he thought it should have ... He used the threat of litigation to get an investment firm to fire an analyst who correctly predicted that the Taj Mahal casino would not be a financial success. He sued comedian Bill Maher over a joke."

Donald Trump is now threatening publications that editorialize against him. He said of the Washington Post, "If I become president, oh, do they have problems."

I recommend reading the article, it's short and to the point, and gives good insight into the mindset of Donald Trump's insistence that his "image" be not tarnished.  What is Donald Trump going to do with all these protesters, who's images have been caught on camera?  How about the guy or gal holding up a "Dump the Trump" sign?   When he backs away from the Mexico wall, and his current support turns "sour" - will they utter a word of dissent and face Trump's wrath?

QuoteHe dragged reporter Tim O'Brien through years of litigation over a relatively favorable Trump biography that assigned a lower valuation to his net worth than he thought it should have ...

Let that sink in...  he wants to be "President of the free world"...  do we really want this kind of man in such a powerful position?

Update:  Bill Maher Endorses Ted Cruz: "Better Ted Than Dead"
Even a comedian values his/her Free Speech...

Quote from: Hoofer on March 26, 2016, 09:48:49 AM
This article is a chilling example of Trump attempting to squelch Freedom of Speech.

http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-Editorials/232130/trumps-assault-on-freedom-of-speech

Trump has threatened to sue anyone he can't buy off who would otherwise be critical.  Let that sink in...  Palin... Carson... Christie... Fox News...

I recommend reading the article, it's short and to the point, and gives good insight into the mindset of Donald Trump's insistence that his "image" be not tarnished.  What is Donald Trump going to do with all these protesters, who's images have been caught on camera?  How about the guy or gal holding up a "Dump the Trump" sign?   When he backs away from the Mexico wall, and his current support turns "sour" - will they utter a word of dissent and face Trump's wrath?

Let that sink in...  he wants to be "President of the free world"...  do we really want this kind of man in such a powerful position?

Update:  Bill Maher Endorses Ted Cruz: "Better Ted Than Dead"
Even a comedian values his/her Free Speech...

Great stuff as aways Hoof

Quote from: Hoofer on March 26, 2016, 09:48:49 AM
This article is a chilling example of Trump attempting to squelch Freedom of Speech.

http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-Editorials/232130/trumps-assault-on-freedom-of-speech

Trump wants to squelch free speech and so do the Justice Warriors.  He thinks like a liberal.   

Quote from: Dori on March 26, 2016, 11:56:28 AM
Trump wants to squelch free speech and so do the Justice Warriors.  He thinks like a liberal.   

Bingo!!!