Happy Independence Day, Donald! You know that day we celebrate our rejection of capricious and unfeeling tyrants not respecting our people or our institutions. It's a fine day — you should throw 1776 on the teevee and sing along.
Or, we can look at your tweets for the last 24 (or so) hours …
===
You retweeted Obvious Anagram Reince Priebus:
► With a strong candidate in @POTUS & @GOP revolutionary data program, Republicans carried WI for 1st time in 30 years [1P]
An interesting thing to tweet, Donald. Not so much the story — big data efforts and all that have been a growing part of both parties' arsenals (and, honestly, yet another reason why folk are a bit, um, apprehensive about your Voter Suppression Fraud Commission gathering the national voter roll info into one convenient database).
No, it's just that it's a tweet from you about the 2016 elections that doesn't (a) insult your opponent or (b) unequivocally praise you as the Comeback Kid, Beating the Bad Guys Against All Odds.
Well, at least Reince mentioned having a "strong candidate." Maybe that was enough to make it worth retweeting.
===
Speaking of credit, Donald, you seem to have decided that you aren't being properly adored in the public media sufficiently.
► Really great numbers on jobs & the economy! Things are starting to kick in now, and we have just begun! Don't like steel & aluminum dumping! [2]
Well, it's always good to hear that more people are employed. But, as we noted yesterday during the first part of this "pie in the sky, by and by" series of tweets, the job news wasn't "really great." [7]
I mean, during the last for months of the Obama Administration, 659K jobs were created. You accused that of being slow and weak and a sign of bad presidenting.
During your last four months, only 594K jobs were created.
Heck, even year-over-year, you number is still lower than the 658K in Feb-May 2016.
Why were those numbers so weak under Obama, but "really great" under you, Donald? That wouldn't be Fake News, would it?
► Dow hit a new intraday all-time high! I wonder whether or not the Fake News Media will so report? [3]
Well, to the extent they report the DJIA, or if it's a slow news day, they may or may not. I found some reference to it very easily in various places. [8] On the other hand, since this isn't a "business" day, there's probably less coverage of such things.
But what the heck, Donald — are you collecting gold stars every time the DJIA hits an all-time high? Will we start taking them back when it starts "correcting" downward? How exactly does this work? Are you expecting newspapers to have an "Up and up and up!" corner reserved on the front page so that people can ooh and aah about the stock market on a daily basis?
How much credit are you taking for the Dow, anyway? How much do you think you be taking?
You retweeted the CEO of Montgomery Assets:
► When Obama was President, the #MSM LOVED talking about stock market rallies! Now they barely mention new all-time-highs [4]
A "rally" is when things go down, but rally back upward. It's a change. That's what the media reports about. The DJIA has been overall rising since the end of the Great Recession (under Obama), including under you for the past months. That's not news.
Again, exactly how much credit do you want, and how do you want it expressed, Donald? Daily ticker-tape parades? A frenzied dance around a golden statue of you on the trading floor? An evangelical choir on the front lawn singing how you are "Making America Great Again" every time the closing bell sounds?
Do tell, Donald.
===
Meanwhile, back in the world of real problems …
► North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea………and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all! [5P]
Oh, Donald … so much to unpack there.
In answer to your question, it looks like Kim is an attention-hungry potentate who does outrageous things to garner world media attention and distract from his own internal problems. By the way, Donald, how are things going in your Twitter War with Joe and Mika?
More importantly, Donald, are you just trolling South Korea and Japan? What precisely do you expect them to "do" about this? What actions are they not taking that you think they should?
Or are you simply trying to shrug off the United States having any responsibility to do anything (because there's not much we can do, either) by saying that it's up to Japan and South Korea and China to fix the North Korea problem. What next, Donald? Subtly start removing US troops from the Korean peninsula?
Yeah, I know, that sounds zany — but what is the message here, Donald? What kind of a "heavy move" do you think China should take? Are you recommending they go to war with North Korea? Or just start bombing them? What options are on the table? How many human lives would you like to see sacrificed to see this all wrapped up, Donald?
Or are you poking other people — allies and adversaries alike — just because you like doing outrageous things to garner world media attention and distract from your own internal problems?
===
And, because it is in fact Independence Day, we get …
► #HappyIndependenceDay #July4 #USA . [6P]
This is linked to a video from the concert you were headlining at last week (which you've included numerous videos from recently). It's the World Premiere of the "Make America Great Again" song.
Yes, that's a thing.
And, wow. You (well, a composer you're touting) managed to come up with something so manufactured and saccharine that even Disney would blush.
I'm sure this song is going to get lots of play at Trump Rallies and Conservative Patriotic Gatherings across the land, Donald, at least as long as your popularity amongst certain folk remains high enough.
But that raises a question, Donald, which I'd love to hear you answer. We all know you have a trademark on the phrase "Make America Great Again" [9]. (Yes, that's right — it's not just a patriotic utterance, it's a Trump Brand. And that's what you're pushing on the American people on Independence Day.) So here's my question:
Do you get royalties for this song, Donald?
No, that is a completely honest question, and something I think the American people have a right to know before you start blaring out performances of it on your Twitter feed. Are you making money off of this?
Happy Independence Day, Donald.
—-
[1] https://twitter.com/Reince/status/881942467578400769, linked to an article at https://t.co/WUDvUZZ1n1
[2] https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/881979394373406720
[3] https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/881983493533822976
[4] https://twitter.com/JacobAWohl/status/882021780323311616
[5] https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/882061157900718081, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/882062572081512449
[6] https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/882186896285282304
[7] http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-trump-jobs-20170703-htmlstory.html
[8] http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/03/us-stocks-second-half-banks-tech.html, https://www.thestreet.com/story/14209267/1/dow-sputters-after-intraday-high-on-eve-of-independence-day.html;, http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-briefly-sets-intraday-record–joining-sp-500-and-nasdaq–in-choppy-trade-2017-06-02
[9] http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/08/investing/donald-trump-make-america-great-again-trademark/index.html
[P] So mind-numbingly special, they had to be retweeted on @POTUS.
Per this story (which includes the lyrics of the MAGA song), "The song was written by Gary Moore, former Minister of Music at First Baptist Dallas. The song is intended as a song of worship and has been made available under a Christian copyright license."
It's not clear (apparently "Christian copyright license" stuff is a thing) whether, outside the context of worship services, what licensing costs apply, or where those go to.
I did like this particular quote from Jonathan Aigner, Director of Music Ministries at a Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas:
“The problem is that it has been adopted by a significant portion of the evangelical church. It's their mantra, their creed, and their prayer, and they shout it out with nationalistic fervor. Pledging allegiance to God and to America in the same breath, melding together the kingdom of God and self, they pray a blasphemous prayer to a red, white, and blue Jesus.”
Yup. "My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36). Not even of Amurrica.
[h/t +Stan Pedzick]
http://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/trump-tweets-maga-choir-video-for-independence-day/#.WVumNsGmGSk.twitter
This nation was once under GOD just like Israel was once under GOD, when they rejected him and went after other gods, he rejected them and lost everything….this is why America is dying off and being handed to liberals/Babylonians…its punishment!
I don't believe God punishes us this way.. its human beings..we're doin to ourselves..I believe, surly our Lord has his reasons..there is so much evil in our world its up to us to approve of it or denie it!! Our hearts know the true..good always prevails.. have a blessed day…
+lora jackson Keep in mind, Jesus said very few would make it! If you reject GOD the devil will come into your lives in his place…look at what happened to the king line of Judah…the ones that fell away, fell into their own destruction!
You can find the curses in the old testament I think in Deuteronomy and Romans 1, from what I remember.
+Adventure Cat Do you believe you're among the chosen few?
+Linda Tewes Yes, I expect if Im alive when the anti-Christ reveals himself, ill be beaten, tortured, starved, dehydrated, publicly humiliated, accused of a number of things falsely and finally killed…to the tune of a cheering crowd calling me unfaithful to what they think is GOD…if they did that to my master, they will also do so to me during the tribulation. My Lord will keep me strong through the coming trials! I have faith in him.
+Adventure Cat That's called presumption and it's a sin.
More likely you'll cry Lord, Lord and he will reply get away from me. I do not know you.
Dying for Christ is easy. Living a life like His(I.e. The golden rule and the Beatitudes. ) now that's hard.
+Linda Tewes Im aware of what the bible says we will face. Have you not read the trials Jesus told us about??
+Adventure Cat Sure. And isn't it ironic that so many of those trials are being perpetrated by people who call themselves Christians.
+Linda Tewes They are loosing their lives around the world, its only a matter of time before the US turns on us too. Chapter 5 to 7 of Matthew shows the fruit of a Christian. But given your tone, I imagine you have been sent here to try my faith.
+Adventure Cat More like a call for you to remove the splinter from your own eye before you point out the splinter in someone else's.
You can't claim to love God whom you have not seen while hating your neighbor who you have seen. Do you remember who Jesus said is your neighbor? Everyone including Samaritans, Muslims, Buddhist and Hindus.
Oh. And what did he say about turning the other cheek.
Stop talking about Jesus and start imitating Him.
+Linda Tewes Wow, thats audacious…someone who is opposed to Christianity judging according to Christ. (shakes head)
Ive read a number of your posts, your a liberal, their agenda has always been to remove Jesus from society. I myself have repented and accepted Christ, now its my responsibility to share His good news, to be biblically correct and not politically correct! Whether you approve or not, it will be published in all nations.
+Adventure Cat So anyone who points out that you might be doing Christianity wrong is anti-Christian?
I'm anti-Hypochristian.
Jesus was a liberal! He hung out with tax collectors, lepers and prostitutes. Maybe you need to reread Jesus' words. My kingdom is not of this world. Pay your taxes. If you collect taxes don't collect more than is due. Give all that you own to the poor and follow him.
If your faith requires that an entire society be set up for the convenience of your religion, that's not faith. That's cowardice. It's a lack of trust in God.
This country is not a Christian nation and it never has been. But it doesn't need to be, for me to worship as I choose or to love my neighbor as myself. As long as Jesus is in my heart he will never be far from my country. I just don't need my religion codified into law. That way leads to corruption of both faith and the law.
Making America Great Again is the responsibility of ALL Americans! All the nasty hate comments is not where this country should be. Making America Great Again Starts With each and everyone of US.Extreme Liberalism. and the HATE SPEWING I see constantly going on on these posts is degrading and should stop. Take a good hard look at yourselves! STOP NOW take responsibility for what you say, what you do is what Counts…..Like Reagan said "PUT UP OR SHUT UP"
+Linda Tewes As I said, i ve seen your posts. You have mocked Christians and are now taking the bible out of context. Jesus did sit with tax collectors and sinners, to convert them. He was a healer for their illness. And Jesus was not a liberal, he said give to ceasar whats ceasars and to GOD whats GOD's. LIberals are opposed to Christianity, the ones who arent atheist are members of the occult.
But I do question you on this matter, your pulling this discussion all over the place and twisting scripture too, for the soul purpose of creating confusion, so Im forced to ask; Jesus is my Lord and my savior, the only begotten son of the living GOD, who died on the cross and arose again thereby defeating death…do you believe this? Did Jesus die for our sins and defeat death as written?
+Adventure Cat I'm a liberal. I have no interest in "removing Jesus from society." I just don't think he, or, more properly, his avowed followers, should consider themselves to have a monopoly on it.
Like Linda, I'm more impressed by deeds than words when it comes to people declaring their piety (of any brand). By their fruits will you know them.
+Adventure Cat
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
But I don't presume upon the mercy of God that the process of my salvation will be completed until I die. Unlike some folks who believe they can treat others like dirt and second class citizens because they don't believe the same as I do.
Based on your comments here, I've concluded that you are a first class Hypochristian and a white washed sepulcher.
+Dave Hill Going not so much off of social media but how liberals advertise themselves in media and public places, i cant say as the following has made much of an impression on me. And the push for political correctness and "change" was contrary to what this country stood for. But as Obama said, what ever this country was before it is no longer a Christian nation…I agree, and it was from a liberal agenda that Jesus was removed from schools and Darwinism was forced fed to us…i was also there when i was forbidden to have a bible in school or pray over my lunch! (Clinton years)
http://pre13.deviantart.net/e4a8/th/pre/f/2016/323/5/4/weapon_of_their_indignation_by_adventure_cat-daost5m.jpg
IM harder tbh on professed Christians that are more concerned in what GOD can do for them (Joel Olsteen/Matt Merdock types) rather what they can do to serve GOD. The bible warns those who know better, money is the root to all evil.
+Albert Einstein I have to say, Albert, you really don't sound like yourself.
+Dave Hill I would like to add something else, in politics both Dem and Rep tend to bandwagon and for left and right can get nuts often in their push for the home team (its why im independent!) …but I also understand not every person is the same, and dont want to categorize you with the radicals if you are not. So if ive misjudged you by a generalization I apologize.
+Adventure Cat The United States is NOT and NEVER has been a Christian nation. The founding fathers intended it to be a secular nation with religious freedom for all.
Jesus didn't belong in public schools to begin with. Because it is unconstitutional.
Evolution belongs in science class, creationism doesn't. Unless Creationism is used as an example of how it doesn't meet the standards of the scientific method.
+Linda Tewes They also wanted to make sure only GODly men where seated in said positions, to ensure those freedoms (Christian or not) would remain! This is why your oaths to office contain to GOD and country (GOD first, country second) because if you go back to many acceptance speeches "even JFK's" you will see the importance each of those men placed in how only through GOD one would be able to govern rightly! Each session of the house and congress also starts with prayer, each of these rights where endowed to us by our Creator!
But I also asked you an important question, are you not willing to answer it? There was a reason I asked it, it was important.
+Adventure Cat I could as easily give you a photomontage of Klan members, water hoses and dogs being used on Freedom Marchers, white power marchers, Sikhs beat up for being mistaken for Muslim, racist bumper stickers about Obama, the Westboro Baptists, etc., and claim that's what "conservatives" are like. Unfortunately for the conservative friends and family I have, those are the loudest images, and the loudest voices tend to be the Hannities and Limbaughs and Coulters that carry on that tradition of attack and deride.
'And the push for political correctness and "change" was contrary to what this country stood for.'
The push for not calling people names, being aware of and compassionate about how others might react to you, and all those other things my mom taught me was being "polite" — that's not what this country stood for?
'i was also there when i was forbidden to have a bible in school or pray over my lunch! (Clinton years)'
If so, you should have called the ACLU. They've made it exceedingly clear to school districts [1] that while school organized religious activities are improper under the First Amendment, personal expression of religion are completely protected by that same text.
—-[1] https://www.aclu.org/other/joint-statement-current-law-religion-public-schools
+Adventure Cat 'Evolution is a pseudo science, with no base.'
I believe you are deeply mistaken.
I would suggest a bit of reading on the subject:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIEoO5KdPvg
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/faq/
http://evolutionfaq.com/articles/five-proofs-evolution
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/15-answers-to-creationist/
http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence
+Adventure Cat 'But I also asked you an important question, are you not willing to answer it? There was a reason I asked it, it was important.'
I believe she gave you her creed (as formulated in Nicea in AD 325). I think that covered your question.
+Dave Hill The creed has too many big words. /s
+Linda Tewes I am (parenthetically) always fascinated by subtle differences in English translations of the Nicene Creed, esp. given the amount of fiery debate in Nicea about pretty much every single word. The one you pasted varies slightly in places from the one we recite at my church (though nothing to start flinging accusations of heresy about). Part of the panoply of richness regarding a faith tradition a couple of thousand years old.
+Linda Tewes ah, the Dunning-Kruger effect…it really took off when social media did.
+Dave Hill She was copping out of answering the question directly,…the reason I asked her was because I knew she couldnt admit to it, since she does not! But what you did, that was kind of an underhanded trick, I mean you bombarding me with a ton of text and posts while I was away. IM not going to answer all of that (which is why I think you guys do it, it keeps people tied up and gets them off topic) Lets just take your last post, since Im not going to waste scripture on people who would not appreciate it.
So what I gather from what you said is, shes toxic and uses an old cult as an excuse to berate people. Thankfully she has no authority over me, I serve my Creator, through Jesus…I guess you can say, I have "the kingdom of the most high-ground" lol
..and while Im sure you guys could talk over me, it doesnt make you right. Ive noticed a bad habit about the more far to one side someone goes, the louder and full of words they get. More interested in being the dominate voice rather then the moral/correct one. But it means little, I can say all that I need in one phrase, "I serve my Lord and savior, Jesus. Not men!"
+Adventure Cat So when I try to catch up on a number of items from when I was not at my own keyboard, that's "bombarding" you in some "underhanded" way. So it's just easier for you to skip past any of the responses, questions, or observations I made.
I'm happy for you that you have a mantra you can use to dismiss any arguments you find oppressive or talking-over, or too loud and wordy. I think, though, between that, your assumption that Scripture is something I don't appreciate, and your dismissal of someone else's faith as an "old cult" (an accusation I'm sure you'd either brindle at or just repeat your mantra more loudly if were it leveled at you), I think the prospects for a productive conversation here are over with.
+Dave Hill The hubris is strong with this one.
+Linda Tewes
Amen!!
She seems very sad… these days are hard on all of us..don't be angry at other's, pray for them… Adventure Cat you're in my prayer's… peace be with you..