After reading the commentary below, please express your own opinions on the subject matter discussed. At the bottom of the editorial, please click on the word
"Comments" below the copyright
and type your personal thoughts in the
box. When you complete your statement, please be sure to click on the word "Publish." Please also share a link to this column with others
who possess a liberal and/or progressive
thinking...or with those who
take on a conservative point of view. Whatever your perspective...if you're a Democrat...a Republican...or an
Independent... thank you for reading The Controversy.
I'm
sure to hear responses from some of my readers...with criticisms of this commentary...for
name-calling. I don't express myself in this manner merely to be
harsh...or to be humorous. My
words are entirely applicable and - quite frankly - thoroughly
appropriate. The use of my language in this column is towards a man who
deserves no better.
Donald Trump is more of an idiot than I've thought for the last year and a half.
The United States Supreme Court has twice ruled that Americans have the lawful right to burn the treasured emblem of our country. Justices of the highest court in the land have affirmed that burning the American flag is a form of free speech and is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
But Trump - the bonehead cretin that he is - thinks he can make up laws as he sees fit. However, since he is categorically unfit to serve as our nation's President... Trump has no clue as to what it means to be the leader of our republic.
On Tuesday morning, November 29th, 2016...Trump tweeted..."Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag. If they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail."
Are you serious, Donald? Are you totally out of your mind?
I have written for about a year that Donald Trump is mentally unbalanced. And now...his deranged comment about flag burning proves it again. It's downright lunacy.
Trump may have ruled the roost and been in absolute control of The Trump Organization...but the President of the United States does not have the power to criminally charge Americans for an act that the U.S. Supreme Court has judged to be immune from prosecution and punishment. Trump's reckless remarks are not the way to unite our country.
I wholeheartedly honor and cherish the American flag...and I - as a patriotic citizen - strongly oppose the desecration of our precious "stars and stripes." But I do, however, support the right of any American who - for whatever the reason - decides to mutilate "Old Glory"...and that includes lighting the flag on fire.
For Trump to announce to our nation - and to the world - that he wants to impose stiff penalties...including the loss of citizenship and a term behind prison bars if anyone burns the American flag...well, that once again substantiates the views I have written throughout his political campaign...that Donald Trump lacks the credibility...the integrity...the dignity...and the temperament...to be President of the United States of America.
In two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court...Justices argued - in 1989 and 1990 - the issue of flag burning. Both times the Court determined that to charge someone with a crime is unconstitutional.
Why the hell is Donald Trump adding more..."fuel to the fire"...with an already contentious and controversial matter? Some have noted it's perhaps because of a flag burning at a post-election protest on November 10th at Hampshire College. The Amherst, Massachusetts university decided after the demonstration to stop flying the American flag on campus...which may have infuriated Trump, as it did a number of people who live in the local community. But why did Trump wait nearly three weeks before making his feelings known? Why is Trump always looking to pick a fight with some-body or about some-thing? Such irresponsibility is not Presidential.
Is Donald Trump completely crazy? Perhaps. But it astonishes me that Republicans - and others who cast their ballots for him on November 8th - continue to condone his demented actions. Do Trump's advocates truly believe that a President with dictatorial tendencies is better than the sanity of Hillary Clinton? I find that so hard to fathom...and I'm convinced that it won't be too long after January 20th, 2017...before a great many of those Americans who voted for Trump...will be calling for his impeachment or his resignation.
Even if flag burning was not constitutionally protected as a freedom of speech, an American could not be forced to renounce his or her U.S. citizenship. The Fourteenth Amendment states that no person who is born in the United States can ever be stripped of their American citizenship without the individual voluntarily wanting to do so.
"The Father Of Our Country" - President George Washington - proclaimed in 1783..."If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
And the late conservative jurist, Antonin Scalia - whom Donald Trump has claimed to idolize as "one of the best" Supreme Court Justices "of all time" - defended the right to burn the American flag when he was interviewed by CNN in 2012. "If I were king," Scalia told Piers Morgan..."I would not allow people to go about burning the American flag. However...we have a First Amendment, which says that the right of free speech shall not be abridged...and it is addressed in particular to speech critical of the government." Justice Scalia further told Piers Morgan on CNN..."Burning the flag is a form of expression. Speech doesn't just mean written words or oral words. Burning a flag is a symbol that expresses an idea."
Burning the American flag is not an exercise I personally would ever perform...nor would I ever participate in following such offensive and shameful behavior. But it IS legal. Just ask a 10-year old kid who learned that fact from his or her social studies school teacher. Perhaps somebody ought to send Donald Trump back to the 5th grade.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication of
GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B.
Duglin.
One of the chief goals of a blog...one of the major reasons to
publish a blog...is to entice others to express their opinions about the subject
for which the author is writing. The Controversy is being read by a tremendous
amount of people throughout the United States of America and all around the
world. If you agree or disagree with my commentary...your views are welcomed.
Tell me that you find pleasure in reading
what I write...or that it's not your
"cup of tea." Give your name...make up one...or remain anonymous if you
prefer. The Controversy is your outlet to speak your mind and to say what you
want about the topics discussed. Please share The Controversy with others by
posting it on Facebook, Twitter and on other social media forums. Please also
pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories. The Controversy wants to
know your thoughts on the column above or on any other editorial or essay
written on this blog.
Now, please express your opinions. Just click
on the word "Comments" below and write your remarks in the box that appears.
Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the
word "Publish."
Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The Controversy.
Copyright 2016 Gary B. Duglin and
TheControversy.net. All Rights
Reserved.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
A RIGHT TO CRY...OR NOT
After reading the commentary
below, please express your own thoughts. Instructions on how to do so are
written at the bottom of this column. Thank
you.
The Controversy turned four years old yesterday - November 22nd, 2016. And as I celebrate this 4-year anniversary...I want to thank all my readers whether you agree with my views or not. This last year has been - without question - filled with much "controversy." And I expect - as this forum begins its fifth year on-line - there will be even more issues of controversy facing the United States and our world. As always, I welcome everyone to express your own opinions at the conclusion of any of my editorials. Please click on the word "comments" below the copyright and type your remarks in the box. I ask that you please share links to my column with others who possess a liberal and/or progressive thinking, as I do, or with those who take on a conservative way of thought. But no matter how you "float your boat"...if you're a Democrat...a Republican...or an Independent...thank you for reading The Controversy.
I had hoped this Thanksgiving week to be thankful that my next President was going to be someone who I admire...respect...trust...and believe would continue to catapult the United States of America in to the forward direction that President Obama began eight years ago.
I had hoped this Thanksgiving week to be thankful that come January 20th, 2017...Hillary Clinton would be our President. Instead...I'm upset...disappointed... heartbroken...and angry. Furthermore, I'm fearful and worried that Donald Trump will take America back more than 50 years to an era when racism and bigotry was a horror...when women were wrongfully looked upon as just housewives, baby-makers and objects of beauty for men...when an African-American could never have imagined working behind The Oval Office desk...when prejudice against blacks, Latinos, Asians and Jews was more the norm than the exception...when gays were living in closets...and when an expectant mother was forced to have a child she did not want or else find a butcher with a wire coat hanger to end her pregnancy.
I put my heart and soul in to Election 2016. No, I wasn't able to go door to door canvassing for Mrs. Clinton...and I wasn't an official member of her campaign team. But...as regular readers of The Controversy are well aware...I have written column after column...for a year...doing all that I could...in my small way...to help the former Secretary of State...as she ran for President.
I'm a journalist...a writer...and I've spent a large part of my 43-year media career as a news broadcaster and radio talk show host. And yet...I have trouble now... watching...listening to...or reading the news...when the stories being reported... feature Donald Trump. And this...is a serious problem for me. Furthermore...I have spoken with many other people - since election day - who feel as I do.
There are people in our republic...who voted for Hillary Clinton...because they couldn't stomach the possibility of Trump moving in to The White House. But there are millions of Americans...who looked forward to casting their ballots for Secretary Clinton...because we believe in her...and we believe that she would have made an outstanding President and Commander-In-Chief.
There are those of us...who not only embrace Hillary Clinton...honor her...revere her...and hold her in high esteem...but we have a strong and sincere affection for her. And we know...that she has a deep love and compassion...for the United States...and for every person who calls our country home.
I've written in several of my post-election commentaries that I am devastated and grief-stricken that Hillary Clinton will not be our 45th President. I genuinely get sick...every time I see Donald Trump on the news. I get nauseous. My blood pressure climbs. I literally get jittery. And I've cried on many occasions.
The election outcome has caused me such distress that I've needed to turn on television reruns...from decades ago...of I Love Lucy and The Mary Tyler Moore Show...just so I could feel better.
I've watched old sketches on The Carol Burnett Show...so I could get my mind off Trump...as Carol, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Tim Conway...would make me laugh.
And I've gone to bed many nights watching 30 or 40-year old monologues by Johnny Carson...so I could sleep happy...instead of sad. As an American...I - and others like me - shouldn't have to feel this way. I - and others like me - shouldn't have to live this way.
Thanks to MeTV and Antenna TV...I've been able to escape - for a few minutes at least - and not have to think about the world around me...and how our nation is going to change for the worst...once Donald Trump takes the oath of office as our President.
As I write and publish this editorial...we have 1,440 days until our next Presidential election in 2020. I hope Democrats will bust a gut, if necessary...to get themselves to the polls when that day arrives. After all...if certain Democrats didn't stay home on Tuesday, November 8th, 2016...Hillary Clinton would be our President-elect. And to those Democrats who didn't vote this time around...they better not be shedding any tears of sorrow. They have no right...to cry. Unfortunately...I do.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.
One of the chief goals of a blog...one of the major reasons to publish a blog...is to entice others to express their opinions about the subject for which the author is writing. The Controversy is being read by a tremendous amount of people throughout the United States of America and all around the world. If you agree or disagree with my commentary...your views are welcomed. Tell me that you find pleasure in reading what I write...or that it's not your "cup of tea." Give your name...make up one...or remain anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy is your outlet to speak your mind and to say what you want about the topics discussed. Please share The Controversy with others by posting it on Facebook, Twitter and on other social media forums. Please also pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories. The Controversy wants to know your thoughts on the column above or on any other editorial or essay written on this blog.
Now, please express your opinions. Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your remarks in the box that appears. Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word "Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The Controversy.
Copyright 2016 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
The Controversy turned four years old yesterday - November 22nd, 2016. And as I celebrate this 4-year anniversary...I want to thank all my readers whether you agree with my views or not. This last year has been - without question - filled with much "controversy." And I expect - as this forum begins its fifth year on-line - there will be even more issues of controversy facing the United States and our world. As always, I welcome everyone to express your own opinions at the conclusion of any of my editorials. Please click on the word "comments" below the copyright and type your remarks in the box. I ask that you please share links to my column with others who possess a liberal and/or progressive thinking, as I do, or with those who take on a conservative way of thought. But no matter how you "float your boat"...if you're a Democrat...a Republican...or an Independent...thank you for reading The Controversy.
I had hoped this Thanksgiving week to be thankful that my next President was going to be someone who I admire...respect...trust...and believe would continue to catapult the United States of America in to the forward direction that President Obama began eight years ago.
I had hoped this Thanksgiving week to be thankful that come January 20th, 2017...Hillary Clinton would be our President. Instead...I'm upset...disappointed... heartbroken...and angry. Furthermore, I'm fearful and worried that Donald Trump will take America back more than 50 years to an era when racism and bigotry was a horror...when women were wrongfully looked upon as just housewives, baby-makers and objects of beauty for men...when an African-American could never have imagined working behind The Oval Office desk...when prejudice against blacks, Latinos, Asians and Jews was more the norm than the exception...when gays were living in closets...and when an expectant mother was forced to have a child she did not want or else find a butcher with a wire coat hanger to end her pregnancy.
I put my heart and soul in to Election 2016. No, I wasn't able to go door to door canvassing for Mrs. Clinton...and I wasn't an official member of her campaign team. But...as regular readers of The Controversy are well aware...I have written column after column...for a year...doing all that I could...in my small way...to help the former Secretary of State...as she ran for President.
I'm a journalist...a writer...and I've spent a large part of my 43-year media career as a news broadcaster and radio talk show host. And yet...I have trouble now... watching...listening to...or reading the news...when the stories being reported... feature Donald Trump. And this...is a serious problem for me. Furthermore...I have spoken with many other people - since election day - who feel as I do.
There are people in our republic...who voted for Hillary Clinton...because they couldn't stomach the possibility of Trump moving in to The White House. But there are millions of Americans...who looked forward to casting their ballots for Secretary Clinton...because we believe in her...and we believe that she would have made an outstanding President and Commander-In-Chief.
There are those of us...who not only embrace Hillary Clinton...honor her...revere her...and hold her in high esteem...but we have a strong and sincere affection for her. And we know...that she has a deep love and compassion...for the United States...and for every person who calls our country home.
I've written in several of my post-election commentaries that I am devastated and grief-stricken that Hillary Clinton will not be our 45th President. I genuinely get sick...every time I see Donald Trump on the news. I get nauseous. My blood pressure climbs. I literally get jittery. And I've cried on many occasions.
The election outcome has caused me such distress that I've needed to turn on television reruns...from decades ago...of I Love Lucy and The Mary Tyler Moore Show...just so I could feel better.
I've watched old sketches on The Carol Burnett Show...so I could get my mind off Trump...as Carol, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Tim Conway...would make me laugh.
And I've gone to bed many nights watching 30 or 40-year old monologues by Johnny Carson...so I could sleep happy...instead of sad. As an American...I - and others like me - shouldn't have to feel this way. I - and others like me - shouldn't have to live this way.
Thanks to MeTV and Antenna TV...I've been able to escape - for a few minutes at least - and not have to think about the world around me...and how our nation is going to change for the worst...once Donald Trump takes the oath of office as our President.
As I write and publish this editorial...we have 1,440 days until our next Presidential election in 2020. I hope Democrats will bust a gut, if necessary...to get themselves to the polls when that day arrives. After all...if certain Democrats didn't stay home on Tuesday, November 8th, 2016...Hillary Clinton would be our President-elect. And to those Democrats who didn't vote this time around...they better not be shedding any tears of sorrow. They have no right...to cry. Unfortunately...I do.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.
One of the chief goals of a blog...one of the major reasons to publish a blog...is to entice others to express their opinions about the subject for which the author is writing. The Controversy is being read by a tremendous amount of people throughout the United States of America and all around the world. If you agree or disagree with my commentary...your views are welcomed. Tell me that you find pleasure in reading what I write...or that it's not your "cup of tea." Give your name...make up one...or remain anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy is your outlet to speak your mind and to say what you want about the topics discussed. Please share The Controversy with others by posting it on Facebook, Twitter and on other social media forums. Please also pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories. The Controversy wants to know your thoughts on the column above or on any other editorial or essay written on this blog.
Now, please express your opinions. Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your remarks in the box that appears. Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word "Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The Controversy.
Copyright 2016 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
NO REASON FOR "HAMILTON" CAST TO APOLOGIZE TO PENCE
After reading the commentary
below, please express your own thoughts. Instructions on how to do so are
written at the bottom of this column. Thank
you.
Donald Trump is a big cry baby. How dare he demand an "apology" from the cast of the smash hit Broadway show, Hamilton: An American Musical? Are you kidding me? An apology? For what?
Theatregoers were surprised - Friday night, November 18th, 2016 - when Mike Pence entered the playhouse. But he was quickly reminded of the anger and polarization throughout our country. The audience in New York City's Richard Rodgers Theatre was divided with boos and cheers for Pence.
Following the performance...actor Brandon Victor Dixon - who stars as Aaron Burr - took center-stage after curtain call...with his cast lined up behind him. Dixon delivered a respectful, thoughtful, classy and eloquent speech to Pence.
"We have a message for you, sir. We hope that you would hear us out. Vice President-elect Pence...we welcome you...and we truly thank you for joining us here at Hamilton: An American Musical. We really do. We sir, WE...are the diverse Americans who are alarmed and anxious that your new Administration will not protect us...our planet, our children, our parents...or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of ALL of us. ALL of us. Again, we truly thank you for sharing this show, this wonderful American story...told by a diverse group of men, women...of different colors, creeds and orientations."
Where is any of what Brandon Victor Dixon said..."harassing?" Well...that's what Donald Trump is whining about. But it wouldn't be a new day if Trump didn't whine about something.
Trump - on Saturday, November 19th - tweeted that Pence was "harassed by the cast of Hamilton." He claims that the "cast was very rude" and, therefore, Trump is insisting that they "apologize."
Brandon Victor Dixon, his co-stars, ensemble cast, their director and producers need not apologize. They did nothing wrong and there is no reason for them to say they're sorry.
Donald Trump spent 17 months offending people. He demeaned women. He used profanities. He belittled an American military veteran who was a Vietnam prisoner of war and is now an honorable United States Senator. Trump was disrespectful to a Gold Star mother and father. He insulted Latinos, African-Americans and Muslims... among numerous other ethnic groups and religious factions. Trump mocked a disabled reporter. And he has bragged about sexually harassing women...which, Vice President Joe Biden has labeled "the textbook definition of sexual assault" while Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has tagged Trump "a sexual predator." And yet... never once...has Trump apologized.
As we all know...Donald Trump wants to "build a wall" at the U.S.-Mexico border. And he campaigned to deport between 11-million and 16-million undocumented immigrants...including children who were born in America.
There is a line in Hamilton - during a scene with Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette - "Immigrants...we get the job done." Reportedly, the audience roared...and gave that line a standing ovation.
Mike Pence has been called "notoriously anti-LGBT." And he has recommended that HIV funds would be better suited for "conversion therapy" for those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. It is, therefore, ironic - if not completely odd - that Pence would attend a Broadway show that currently stars, Javier Munoz...an openly gay and HIV-positive man in the title role.
Apologize, Donald? Neither you or Mike Pence deserve that.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.
One of the chief goals of a blog...one of the major reasons to publish a blog...is to entice others to express their opinions about the subject for which the author is writing. The Controversy is being read by a tremendous amount of people throughout the United States of America and all around the world. If you agree or disagree with my commentary...your views are welcomed. Tell me that you find pleasure in reading what I write...or that it's not your "cup of tea." Give your name...make up one...or remain anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy is your outlet to speak your mind and to say what you want about the topics discussed. Please share The Controversy with others by posting it on Facebook, Twitter and on other social media forums. Please also pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories. The Controversy wants to know your thoughts on the column above or on any other editorial or essay written on this blog.
Now, please express your opinions. Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your remarks in the box that appears. Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word "Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The Controversy.
Copyright 2016 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
Donald Trump is a big cry baby. How dare he demand an "apology" from the cast of the smash hit Broadway show, Hamilton: An American Musical? Are you kidding me? An apology? For what?
Theatregoers were surprised - Friday night, November 18th, 2016 - when Mike Pence entered the playhouse. But he was quickly reminded of the anger and polarization throughout our country. The audience in New York City's Richard Rodgers Theatre was divided with boos and cheers for Pence.
Following the performance...actor Brandon Victor Dixon - who stars as Aaron Burr - took center-stage after curtain call...with his cast lined up behind him. Dixon delivered a respectful, thoughtful, classy and eloquent speech to Pence.
"We have a message for you, sir. We hope that you would hear us out. Vice President-elect Pence...we welcome you...and we truly thank you for joining us here at Hamilton: An American Musical. We really do. We sir, WE...are the diverse Americans who are alarmed and anxious that your new Administration will not protect us...our planet, our children, our parents...or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of ALL of us. ALL of us. Again, we truly thank you for sharing this show, this wonderful American story...told by a diverse group of men, women...of different colors, creeds and orientations."
Where is any of what Brandon Victor Dixon said..."harassing?" Well...that's what Donald Trump is whining about. But it wouldn't be a new day if Trump didn't whine about something.
Trump - on Saturday, November 19th - tweeted that Pence was "harassed by the cast of Hamilton." He claims that the "cast was very rude" and, therefore, Trump is insisting that they "apologize."
Brandon Victor Dixon, his co-stars, ensemble cast, their director and producers need not apologize. They did nothing wrong and there is no reason for them to say they're sorry.
Donald Trump spent 17 months offending people. He demeaned women. He used profanities. He belittled an American military veteran who was a Vietnam prisoner of war and is now an honorable United States Senator. Trump was disrespectful to a Gold Star mother and father. He insulted Latinos, African-Americans and Muslims... among numerous other ethnic groups and religious factions. Trump mocked a disabled reporter. And he has bragged about sexually harassing women...which, Vice President Joe Biden has labeled "the textbook definition of sexual assault" while Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has tagged Trump "a sexual predator." And yet... never once...has Trump apologized.
As we all know...Donald Trump wants to "build a wall" at the U.S.-Mexico border. And he campaigned to deport between 11-million and 16-million undocumented immigrants...including children who were born in America.
There is a line in Hamilton - during a scene with Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette - "Immigrants...we get the job done." Reportedly, the audience roared...and gave that line a standing ovation.
Mike Pence has been called "notoriously anti-LGBT." And he has recommended that HIV funds would be better suited for "conversion therapy" for those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. It is, therefore, ironic - if not completely odd - that Pence would attend a Broadway show that currently stars, Javier Munoz...an openly gay and HIV-positive man in the title role.
Apologize, Donald? Neither you or Mike Pence deserve that.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.
One of the chief goals of a blog...one of the major reasons to publish a blog...is to entice others to express their opinions about the subject for which the author is writing. The Controversy is being read by a tremendous amount of people throughout the United States of America and all around the world. If you agree or disagree with my commentary...your views are welcomed. Tell me that you find pleasure in reading what I write...or that it's not your "cup of tea." Give your name...make up one...or remain anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy is your outlet to speak your mind and to say what you want about the topics discussed. Please share The Controversy with others by posting it on Facebook, Twitter and on other social media forums. Please also pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories. The Controversy wants to know your thoughts on the column above or on any other editorial or essay written on this blog.
Now, please express your opinions. Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your remarks in the box that appears. Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word "Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The Controversy.
Copyright 2016 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
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