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Joseph Donahue

Look, I get it. President Trump has major character flaws that make him extremely difficult to like let alone respect. What I don’t get is why we as a nation are unwilling to celebrate the successes of the first year of his presidency. 

He changed the rules of engagement in the Middle East to the point that ISIS is on the run.  His deregulation of at last count 22 industries has in large part led to a 4.4% unemployment rate that is the lowest in many years.  Wages are up considerably and for the first time in a long time manufacturing jobs are on the rise. Black employment is at its highest level in over 17 years.  The stock market has roared to record levels even with the volatility of the last week which is as much a reaction to concerns that the new FED chief will raise rates  as it is to any underlying concern about our economy.  

Nothing is perfect and there is much to be done with immigration, including DACA, and medical care.  Why aren’t we calling out our senators and representatives from both parties who have dug in their heels and refuse to come to any consensus.  Today the senate voted to approve a budget for 2 years and Nancy Pelosi responded by saying no democrat will vote for it because it does not include an extension of DACA. No give and take - just no.  I doubt she even knew what was approved before she began her 8 hour speech on the floor of the house.  Still waiting to hear if Paul Ryan will allow debate on DACA before voting on the budget. So again we face a potential government shutdown for no reason other than political posturing. Of course they will be paid if the shutdown occurs. 

Fred Clem

Folks,

Back about 9 years ago in January 2009 the conservatives were upset with the person just inaugurated president.  However they did not riot in the streets of DC or have large scale anti Obama  demonstrations across this great country.  The snowflakes need to accept reality and be less disruptive.  We can be "Great Again!".

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

Wish this forum went back 4-5 years. It would give me great solace to find the same Trump voices shouting their indignation at the disrespect of Obama, at the sitting-on-their-hands Congressional members, at the “You lie” insult as the President spoke, at the failure to even bring Obama nominees to a vote.  But, of course, I wouldn’t find any such outrage then.  Only now, and not at the outrageous things our President does but at people who desire decency and fairness to all people of our great nation.  The term “political correctness” used to mean just being thoughtful of another’s situation in life.  It’s been hijacked to reflect some kind of weakness in a person’s character if they use it.  It should be something to be sought and to be proud of as part of who we are. 

Clare

Jeanine Eilers (Decker)

Can't just read and not respond any more.  I'm with Clare.

David Mitchell

So glad we all agree on everything.

David Mitchell

BTW - that kinda looked like me in the back row, left end. Don'cha just love those bubbles?

David Mitchell

Okay, here's an idea; we all sign a petition to Janie in Mexico to officially change the name of this from the

Class of '66 Forum to, 

The McLaughlin Group 

(then we could all get paid for trying to out-yell each other)

Frank Ganley

I have yet to yell. This disrespect for our president is really unbeleivable in the fact of all the hateful adjectives used to describe our President. What has he done to upset the left this much. And now let us ask each other which of you is with out sin or some semblance of a character flaw that you have and know casticate the Leader of the free world. Have none of you men out there in forum land never did what so eloquently was said by President Jimmy Carter , lusted in your mind for some woman you have just seen, hot mad at someone  and refered to them with sn ethnic slur. And i know all you good cathiluc boys snd gurls would never lie or cheat over anything. There is nothing that President Trymp has done that anyone have done. Maybe not all his sins but then we dont inow what he has ir has not done only what we read from the fourth estate who is supposed to report news not opine on the news . But when the news is slanted one way as it is the truth can hiden so deep you never find it.so here we are in the beginning of a great financial ride, one we all can rideespecially our retirement plans eg 401k or ira or pension. But he the dems are carping over Trump. The stock market up up up and the dems want whatever it is to fail. Now please tell me why you want him to fail so that this economic boom will go away. If he was the pilot of your plane you would be praying for it to crash so Trump could be successful. Now let me think on that. No one complained about oblabla until he was selling out america apologizing for america and trying to give it away

David Mitchell

Frank,

I wish you woiuld stop sugar-coating everything and come out and tell us how you really feel.

(X 3)

Michael Boulware

If you want to attack Obama; okay, he can take it. He is a strong man as well as a great husband and father.If you want to attack Trump; okay, but he may accuse you of having small hands or treason. If you want to attack Flippo, this is where we must draw the line.

Bob Marvin was one of the greatest Americans ever in the history of our country. Any verbal jabs at Flippo won't be tolerated.

Respectfully,

Mike Boulware

David Mitchell

Mike,

Now das whut I'm talkin 'bout !

James Hamilton, M. D.

John Maxwell

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Let us all now move on from hot button political topics to the red hot college basketball season.  As I am still celebrating the Buckeyes come from behind win last night against #3 Purdue, I decided to post this IC girtls' basketball photo from our 7th grade.  One might take note that I am curiously missing from this photo.  Could it be that my athletic ability,, much like my singing/dancing ability, was even then greatly underappreciated?  

This is a photo from 8th grade.....I must have practiced in the off season....it seems they let me on the team finally!!  

John Jackson

Dave F,

With an approval rating in the mid-30’s I seriously doubt we’ll have to put up with Trump for seven years.  But your post suggests that if we could just get beyond Trump’s obvious character flaws, we could focus on all the good he’s likely to do for the country.  Do you really think we’re likely to make progress on racial issues with a President who could not bring himself to condemn white supremacists in Charlottesville who ran over and killed an innocent woman?  Do you really think we’ll make progress in foreign relations when virtually all our friends and allies are repulsed by the leader of the world’s most powerful nation?  I’m tempted to say that Trump is a laughing-stock but in most nations (Russia and a few other authoritarian places excepted) people are aghast rather than laughing.

A couple of other random observations about Trump:

1.  If you have to constantly reassure everyone how smart you are, you’re not smart.

2. If you constantly tell lies that can easily be fact-checked and shown to be lies (biggest Inauguration crowd, biggest tax cut in history, and on and on), no one will believe you, even on those rare occasions it suits you to tell the truth.

3.  If you always get your way by bullying and threatening, the people you bully and threaten usually figure out a way to pay you back, and then some. It’s human nature.

Apologies to Jim and MM -  I know we're trying to change the subject, so I'll bite my lip after this...

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

As far  as politics,not many female classmates posting except Mary Clare, and I do appreciate and  agree with her well thought out comments. I am also beholden to John Jackson, one of the brightest in our class for his thoughts which I agree with. ( NO,I wasn’t in the top of the class! ) I commend Dave Mitchell for sharing his thoughts and raw personal details of his time in Vietnam Nam. I wish there more of our classmates contributing. 

Jodelle Sims

I am hoping the Trumpsters out there can explain some things to me.  First on my mind is Trumps relationship with Putin, he never has anything negative to say about him.   Second, Trumps refusal to enforce the sanctions against Russia.  Why don't you insist he release his tax returns which could show his involvement with Russia?  Why is it OK with you that 21 women are accusing him of abuse and you don' want to investigate?  How do you accept him making fun of the handicapped?  I could go on all day, but I'll wait for the answers to these questions!

Joseph D. McCarthy

Three of the most important lessons I learned in High School were taught at Aquinas; well I did spend a lot of time there.  Anyway here are the three in NO specific order.

1. Never wear a Clip-on-Tie.  At Aquinas we were required to wear a tie everday to school.  However, it was the "DUTY" of Seniors to tie you to the fence with your tie, or cut it in  half.  Loo behold the freshman who thought he would fool the seniors by wearing a Clip-On.  They would then do =, let's say "Something Worse to you".

2.  Mr. Mcleod with all respect and a little help from Dr. Hamilton to correct my Latin my next one is "the Raison de Entre for Literature" ( the reason for the Existence of Literature).

3. And Final, for now was the favorite saying of the priests:  

      "​IF YOU EXPECT TO RATE AROUND HERE, DON'T EXPECTORATE".

Joseph D. McCarthy

In our society if anything goes wrong there must be an entity other than us to blame.  We don't need to take responsibity because society will always take car of us.  Pitifully this is the American way.  Since it could not possibly be our fault who can we blame?  

What brings this thought to mind is the oncoming Winter.  It might be too dry in the West.  Or it might be too cold in the South.  There might be too much rain or too little rain somewhere in the country.  Time will tell us.  A lot of these weather conditions will be blamed on Ell Nino or La Nina.

I am waiting f9or some pundit to note that El Nino and La Nina names are religious in origin.  Therefore for reasons unknown to us there must be a (Da Vinci Co0de) conspiracy being Perpetrated upon us by either the  Knights Templar or the Catholic Church.;

This must be so because it IS NOT MY FAULT.

Michael McLeod

Seems as though more people actually are speaking up on here one way or the other, which is great. 

I have a question with a very narrow focus meaning I don't want it to be about the person whose idea it is: how do you feel about this "Let's have a big military parade" idea?

Something about it creeps me out, and would have creeped me out whoever the person was who proposed the idea.

My feeling is those kind of parades are for countries that have to prove they have  big bombs and shiny uniforms and lots of dudes who can march in time. And we are a country that doesn't have to do that. I'm reminded of the famous Vince Lombardi quote to a football player who was dancing around in the end zone after scoring a touchdown: "Act like you been there."

I am most touched by the small events that happen in communities across the country when we pay tribute to those who have fallen in combat to protect us.

 I was moved when they presented a flag to my mother and played taps at my father's funeral. 

And yes I tear up when we sing the SSBanner in the 'Shoe.

That's plenty for me.

David Mitchell

Jodelle,

Good point. I would personally love to see the money trail between Trump, and Putin's real estate development profits from the last Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. There is a very curious story behind all that. Apparently Putin had complete owenrship of every bit of that (through "strawmen" and "partners") and raked in billions while forcing out thousnads of property owners without compensation. The rumors - and I admit that is all they are - seem to lead back (indirectly) to Trump and some other NYC Mafiosa connections along with others in Russia. It's nothing more than "smoke", but maybe beneath it all is some real "fire" ????  And why on earth would a presidnetial canditate be afraid to reveal his tax returns? I have yet to hear a legitimate answer to that question. I mean hell, didn't we learned as kids to be suspicious of such behavior.

Mike,

I'm with you here. I love to see patriotic symbols and demonstrations a much as anybody. Our local annual air show at the Marine Air Station in Beaufort is great for that - we get the Blue Angels evey year!  But without a major event to celebrate this particualr kind of parade spooks me out. Seems like it belongs in North Korea or someplace like that. And besides, what's a (4 time) draft dodger trying to prove here anyway?  Is he trying to assuage (spelling Nina?) his guilt?   A little late for that isn't it?

Joe, 

A good point for the "Right" (sort of). We have made great progress against ISIS in Iraq. But why is he (and to be fair - why was Obama before him) afraid to put a "NO Fly Zone" over Syria? (My answer to both of those would not go well with either side so I'll skip it)  That should have been done 9 years ago. Even the "lady senator" from New York voted for it!  So we let Putin put his Air Force in there to mess with us - as well as strenthening Assad. Why?

David Mitchell

David Mitchell

Note: That's Jodelle's second time on here in a month. Somethin' must be up?

Frank Ganley

why are we all so convinced our great President, the President for the people, that he had to do something illegal to win the presidency? 

Why have the Clinton's been investigated since before he was governor,? Why has there been a long line of dead bodies of witnesses and of people who worked for the Clintons?  why as soon as a person becomes a person of interest in a Clinton investigation soon dead either by murder or suicide? Why did the FBI go out of its way to shield the Clinton's? Why is George Soros their hero and advisor?  Soros' grandson is married to the second ugliest child to live in the Whitehouse? Amy Carter poor thing holds the honor. She must be on some hippie commune where they all look and dress as she did. Where is the money paid for uranium, why over a year and nothing in Mueller's investigation, why no investigation into the Clintons dealing with Russia,? Bubba was there our President has never been. Why has no one raised an eyebrow over bubba's behavior and proof of his indiscretions on the marriage front? 

When President Trump is cleared will the left stop looking for anything more than the success of America.? Will they apologize for all of this wasted time and money and let President Trump get on with his agenda?When the Clinton's are convicted of all crimes against America will you aLL be rioting etc saying she didn't do it?  And why are illegal immigrants given more right and services than our military both active and inactive? Why are cities and states disobeying federal laws? why is the left trying to change or get rid of the constitution? 

Those of you who < thank you, served in the military is this what you fought for, making sure illegals stay and have more rights and benefits than you? answer these questions? 

Why is Trump nice to Putin? What do you want a fist fight at a summit meeting or a good atmosphere to discuss problems?" Let's picture this for diplomacy's sake, President Trump enters the conference and gives Putin the finger. NIce opening. Hell Killery almost gushed over him and might have gone further had it not been for cameras. 

Beth Broadhurst (Murray)

                I really have not followed the blog since it turned political. I generally avoid all political and religious debates. I especially wasn’t going to enter into any political discussion but the blog has become a toss up between CNN and FOX news. Before I start I want to make it perfectly clear. . I dislike intensely both President Trump and Hilary Clinton.  Suffice it to say neither scoundrel was as my choice leaving me with no vote.

          I’m not going to present my negative feelings on Trump. There is volume of negatives already stated in this blog. But comments on the blog about Trump’s alleged Russian involvement, sexual harassment and supremacist ties makes me want to say a few things in the attempt for some balance. My sons and I always talk about how many people who enter into contentious discussions often lack historical perspective.

            I am a moderate and closer to being a Libertarian. The majority of my family and friends are left wing Liberals. When I listen to their discussions it often bothers me that they seem to easily justify or overlook the wrong doings of Hilary while excoriating Trump for similar behavior. They go after Trump’s alleged (it may well be true) monetary involvement with Russia with a microscope while ignoring Hilary and President Bill’s “Pay to Play” Clinton Foundation during her tenure as Secretary of State and candidacy. There is outrage about Trump’s sexual harassment allegations but  conveniently absolved President Bill for sex with an intern in our Oval Office, his sexual harassment of many women and the J. Broaddrick rape case. It was excused back then as “His sex life is personal” after all this he was allowed to remain in office. There’s new information (alleged) that Hilary ignored sexual harassment allegations reported to her about her Faith campaign advisor, Burns Strider. While she is often touted as a champion of women, she certainly ignored the plight of the women involved with Bill.  On the white supremacist issue ---- Look it up---- Hilary and Bill’s Mentors (as avowed by them) Senator Byrd, Sen. Fullbright, and Sen. Gore Sr. See who started a KKK chapter and how their mentors voted on pro-segregation and against civil rights.  "Who will be the first to cast a stone?"

     I go crazy when things become unfair and unbalanced one way or the other.   In no way am I defending President Trump. Now that I just turned 70, while I’d like to, I really can’t wish his 3 remaining years go faster! Just wish I didn’t have to hear what insane remarks he makes on twitter, pray he does no serious harm, and Hilary does not run again. I live in hope. 

Now that turned 70 decided was tired of that 50 year old flip picture. Just got my New passport picture and this could be as good as it gets going forward!

Tim I think I read you're  going silent? Stay out of trouble! I’m still concerned about you owning a  log splitter!