I was brought up in Brooklyn, NY, not far from Trump’s nest in Queens. I left NYC in my teens to get away from that nasty, bigoted, small minded white culture he characterized.
He uses the same language used colloquially in the 50’s and 60’s. “Bigly” = Big League, a way of expressing major importance. “Like you’ve neva seen befaw” = you’ll be in awe.
He desperately wanted to fit in to the NYC social scene. He was almost uniformly rejected. His nascent unapologetic hate, crude manner, cynical attitude and narcissistic behavior emerged as a reaction to that rejection. And this is the kind of person with whom we are saddled.
I thought I left him behind… but, I underestimated the degree of his desperation turned into revenge.
Sorry to contact you this way but I could find no other way to do so, so I apologize in advance. I was friended tonight on TikTok by an account claiming to be you with lots of followers and other indicators such that it is hard to distinguish that it is a fake profile. Almost immediately, the account, which goes by “keds_ec0n0mist,” messaged me (and then took the conversation to What’s App…which has your name attached to it… to further apprise me of their scheme) about investing in cryptocurrency. The scheme involved a minimum of $300 investment (later reduced to $100 after I proved skeptical) in which he/she would take 15% for services rendered with guaranteed profits for all. This was a very high pressure sales tactic that was used replete with screen shots of successful investments done by others and with the scammer even sending me a short female voice recording claiming to be you to help assuage my caution! In short order, after such tactics I knew this was a total scam and firmly declined. (I was always skeptical). Coda: After I expressed a need to “think about it” after repeated hard sales tactics, I went back to the fake TikTok page and discovered I’d been blocked! I do hope you’ll be able to shut down the imposters using your likeness and bio to con people through this cryptocurrency con job.
You are clearly a thoughtful observer of what's going on in these turbulent times. I apologize if my response was a bit strident. I suggested you has some extraordinary sensitivities, but I'm learning so do I! Anyway, thanks for engaging, and thanks to our host for giving us the inspiration and the forum. Be well.
This definitely rings true. My concern is that the right wing propaganda machine (tv and social media) will largely shield Trump and the GOP from the blame for the issues that they are causing so future elections may not manifest the consequences they deserve and we may continue down the path they are setting much longer than we should.
Cleverly crafted and unfortunately true. I still struggle to reconcile views on motherhood, childcare and need for skilled workers (as moms are) to drive the economy. But again, this administration defies rational logic.
I have probably never changed a comment, but I am today since Dr. Edwards replied below to correct the error (below, April 18). Originally, I felt there was a certain demographic being unjustly called out, and that was not the case. Thank you for correcting the error, and my comment is no longer relevant.
I'm sorry: what demographic callout are you referring to? White men without a degree? Seriously? That one, very brief, reference in an otherwise reasonable takedown of Trump's return-to-the-50s fantasy platform? And do you really not think his rhetoric about bringing back manufacturing wasn't aimed at exactly that demographic, which is a sizable part of his base? You clearly have extremely sensitive triggers. I won't speculate what those are and where they come from, but I sincerely hope Kathrine continues to write so cogently about the world as she sees and understands it, without compromise to avoid stepping on someone's exotic toes. She's always edifying that way, whether one agrees 100% or not.
In the last election, President Trump made in-roads across many demographics. Can we try to understand why so many preferred President Trump over the outgoing administration? I think when we humbly and constructively figure that out and focus on real issues, then we can accomplish real change. Personally, I believe the last administration was "for everything and nothing" all at the same time. You cannot please everyone.
Also, I recommend taking the time to listen to other viewpoints. Here are some good ones I discovered this week:
Well! This is a very awkward way to discover a typo! It's supposed to say "white men with a high school degree," not "white men withOUT a high school degree." Risk of substack is that I don't have an editor here to catch things like that. I fixed it above but wanted to respond to you here.
If you want to see more about what I mean of the relative privilege of white high school educated males, you can read this article in the NYT about the earnings of race/gender/education groups. I didn't particularly like the article, but they show you what I was referring to.
Your observations are always welcome, Kathryn.
I was brought up in Brooklyn, NY, not far from Trump’s nest in Queens. I left NYC in my teens to get away from that nasty, bigoted, small minded white culture he characterized.
He uses the same language used colloquially in the 50’s and 60’s. “Bigly” = Big League, a way of expressing major importance. “Like you’ve neva seen befaw” = you’ll be in awe.
He desperately wanted to fit in to the NYC social scene. He was almost uniformly rejected. His nascent unapologetic hate, crude manner, cynical attitude and narcissistic behavior emerged as a reaction to that rejection. And this is the kind of person with whom we are saddled.
I thought I left him behind… but, I underestimated the degree of his desperation turned into revenge.
Thanks for your good work, Kathryn!
Well said and an accurate assessment of our current situation
Thank you!
Sorry to contact you this way but I could find no other way to do so, so I apologize in advance. I was friended tonight on TikTok by an account claiming to be you with lots of followers and other indicators such that it is hard to distinguish that it is a fake profile. Almost immediately, the account, which goes by “keds_ec0n0mist,” messaged me (and then took the conversation to What’s App…which has your name attached to it… to further apprise me of their scheme) about investing in cryptocurrency. The scheme involved a minimum of $300 investment (later reduced to $100 after I proved skeptical) in which he/she would take 15% for services rendered with guaranteed profits for all. This was a very high pressure sales tactic that was used replete with screen shots of successful investments done by others and with the scammer even sending me a short female voice recording claiming to be you to help assuage my caution! In short order, after such tactics I knew this was a total scam and firmly declined. (I was always skeptical). Coda: After I expressed a need to “think about it” after repeated hard sales tactics, I went back to the fake TikTok page and discovered I’d been blocked! I do hope you’ll be able to shut down the imposters using your likeness and bio to con people through this cryptocurrency con job.
Best of luck.
You are clearly a thoughtful observer of what's going on in these turbulent times. I apologize if my response was a bit strident. I suggested you has some extraordinary sensitivities, but I'm learning so do I! Anyway, thanks for engaging, and thanks to our host for giving us the inspiration and the forum. Be well.
This definitely rings true. My concern is that the right wing propaganda machine (tv and social media) will largely shield Trump and the GOP from the blame for the issues that they are causing so future elections may not manifest the consequences they deserve and we may continue down the path they are setting much longer than we should.
Cleverly crafted and unfortunately true. I still struggle to reconcile views on motherhood, childcare and need for skilled workers (as moms are) to drive the economy. But again, this administration defies rational logic.
Thank you for helping us understand it!
I have probably never changed a comment, but I am today since Dr. Edwards replied below to correct the error (below, April 18). Originally, I felt there was a certain demographic being unjustly called out, and that was not the case. Thank you for correcting the error, and my comment is no longer relevant.
I'm sorry: what demographic callout are you referring to? White men without a degree? Seriously? That one, very brief, reference in an otherwise reasonable takedown of Trump's return-to-the-50s fantasy platform? And do you really not think his rhetoric about bringing back manufacturing wasn't aimed at exactly that demographic, which is a sizable part of his base? You clearly have extremely sensitive triggers. I won't speculate what those are and where they come from, but I sincerely hope Kathrine continues to write so cogently about the world as she sees and understands it, without compromise to avoid stepping on someone's exotic toes. She's always edifying that way, whether one agrees 100% or not.
Sorry TD, I updated my response due to Dr. Edward's correction. Thanks for your reply.
Edit #2, still some relevant points.
In the last election, President Trump made in-roads across many demographics. Can we try to understand why so many preferred President Trump over the outgoing administration? I think when we humbly and constructively figure that out and focus on real issues, then we can accomplish real change. Personally, I believe the last administration was "for everything and nothing" all at the same time. You cannot please everyone.
Also, I recommend taking the time to listen to other viewpoints. Here are some good ones I discovered this week:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marco-rubio-on-iran-deportations-and-the-state-dept-shake-up/id1570872415?i=1000704576927
Check this one out starting at 11:10. Pay close attention to his statement starting at 12:25; objective and balanced!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-weight-loss-pill-plus-congress-and-the/id1504250328?i=1000704875641
I believe Dr. Edwards is at her best, actually amazing, when her message focuses on facts. They are indisputable and influential. This is also rare...
Well! This is a very awkward way to discover a typo! It's supposed to say "white men with a high school degree," not "white men withOUT a high school degree." Risk of substack is that I don't have an editor here to catch things like that. I fixed it above but wanted to respond to you here.
If you want to see more about what I mean of the relative privilege of white high school educated males, you can read this article in the NYT about the earnings of race/gender/education groups. I didn't particularly like the article, but they show you what I was referring to.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/10/26/upshot/census-relative-income.html
Oh my. Changed my thoughts as well. Thanks for the clarification. I’m honored you replied. I’d like to update my response when I get a minute.
Nailed it Kathryn, as usual. This will indeed regain an accurate read four years from now, ten years from now, 25 years from now.
I just hope the resistance and the courts can hold on until the'26 midterms. There will be a lot of rebuilding to do.
This made me feel a bit better. Thanks!
I love to hear that.