Thank you for this gentle reminder that Lake Wobegon lives yet in the fastnesses of America. One needs to be reminded of humanity's potential for decency at a time when much of what is put in front of us is attempting to usurp it...
I have found after 50 years of marriage that name calling (knicknames included) almost always involves a diminishing of another person to a ridiculous stereotype. The relationship suffers.
If you wouldn't say it to a friend, maybe don't say it?
A chronic name-caller will try to justify their need to goad by saying 'Just kidding,' or 'Can't you take a joke?' They have not matured past an adolescent phase, insecure with being themselves, needing to diminish others even in small ways so as to know their own value. Regan and Tip O'Neill were on opposite camps, but they were friends as well.
It is neither unusual or difficult to become friends with someone you treat well and with consideration - but not if you knowingly and repeatedly insult them, or anyone who thinks differently from how you think.
Using any social media as a venue to say and broadcast disrespectful and hateful things, is to develop harmful behaviors that then can easily be transferred to in-person settings. Having 'practiced' them on an app, a person will be less likely to pick their words more carefully and with forethought.
The word 'deplorable' may be less brutal than 'scumbag,' but it is a pungent and provocative word just the same. It is less-used and more surprising in its effect, but as a label is another form of name-calling.
Deplorable: Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality or morally unacceptable.
SYNONYMS:
Shameful
Disgraceful
Appalling
Reprehensible
Wretched
Political Definition of Deplorable:
Used to describe individuals or views that are considered racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, or otherwise morally offensive or socially unacceptable.
Sex in the oval office with an intern using a cigar as a prop is a deplorable act by a scummy sleazebag...
There is more than enough deplorable, scummy, sleazebag action on both sides of the isle to go around...
In any event, I am a Trump supporter and I am not complicit, deplorable, scummy or a sleazebag...I know because my GRANDchildren told me so...
What would the folks of Lake Wobegon think? Might be a nice piece.
If you support Trump, that's also a deplorable act. How else to describe someone who thinks it's okay that a convicted felon, insurrectionist, hatemonger, fearmonger, liar, cheat, and outright moron hold the highest office? These aren't opinions; they're established facts. And yet you somehow still support him. You can split hairs over the word's definition all you want, but supporting this abomination of a man is as deplorable as it gets.
Those here who see what you write here know that you are Trump "supporter" and like your dear leader and his "supporters" you attempt to deceive others and perhaps delude yourself because to be a "Trump supporter" is absolutely to be complicit. You have brought on the destruction of this country - and perhaps way beyond this country as well. There is no honest claim to innocence from any Trump supporter. He and his whole crowd have done/are doing irreparable harm to this nation. One wonders how much your claimed grandchildren are aware of what he and his mob have done to their futures. I saw a poster at a No Kings protest held by a young person, maybe 12 years old, that said, "I Want a Future." A poignant statement and one that should even have to be part of the thinking of an adolescent in 21st century America and yet, it is a sane comment to an insane world.
No, "Poppi," you don't get to love your Trump and claim innocence.
By the way, Bill Clinton's behavior was indeed deplorable as is the behavior of too many others whose character is reprehensible, but try to understand: that Bill Clinton was of low character, that Joe Biden had many flaws.... and whatever other examples you want to name - does not in any way, shape or form mean that your Trump is some better example to their very poor model of character. They had/have many flaws and many of us found/find them unworthy of our vote or confidence, BUT they were not un-American, not traitors, not con-artist/hucksters, did not dismantle our government, break every law, spit on the Constitution, promote racism, undermine every institution, sabotage any progress, defraud, steal, cheat, lie, deceive, show contempt for everything that "America" stood for and in the contempt, destroy it.....
The "Republicans" have always liked to do the "yes-but..." and the "what about...." kind of disingenuous argument: to despise what Bush-Cheney did to this country and to the world must have meant that one loved Bill and Hillary Clinton. To detest the "Republicanization and Big Money Love" that the Clintons and the DNC did to any hope of Democratic values must have meant that one loved Bush-Cheney.
Nope. Not so. Many of us can hold many ideas in our minds at one time.
Your Trump IS a psychopathic criminal traitor. How's that for actual "deplorable."
I have no trouble with the word deplorable. I agree with Mr. Keillor that it is schoolmarmish, which I think keeps it from being trite and gives it a nice amount of heft. Also, I think it is accurate. Back in 2015-16, I agreed that about half of Trump’s fans were deplorable people.
But I have a very big problem with the way Secretary Clinton used the word. She did not use it as an adjective. Instead, she nominalized the word, which is what made it so offensive and jarring and unacceptable (even to me, and I have supported Ms. Rodham Clinton her entire career). The nominalization dehumanized Trump’s supporters. Used as an adjective, Clinton would have been describing people who were thinking and acting deplorably. But when she branded them as Deplorables and stuck them in a basket, she took away their humanity, which I think is going too far. It is Trumpy and I wish she hadn’t done it. “They cling to their guns and their religion,” politically ill-advised but within bounds. “A binder full of women,” hapless, but also dehumanizing and therefore not okay.
Labelling the objectionable behavior while preserving the dignity of the recipient is quite a balancing act. Especially when we're aroused. We could practice.
OK, since you brought it up, let’s discuss the “Deplorables” quote.
In short, despite the distortions and misrepresentations that the right wing sphere has been spinning for years, Hillary Clinton never said *anything* like “all her opponents were deplorables”.
If you read the full context of her statement, you’ll see that what she actually pointed out was that a large number of the supporters that her opponent Donald Trump was clearly trying to appeal to were white nationalists, antisemites, racists, misogynists, rabid nationalists, haters of the US Constitution, (etc).
Calling such as these “deplorables” is simply a statement of fact.
If she was in error, it was because she was too soft on them (and him).
As @Nichael explains this quote was taken out of context. Furthermore, it's Republicans and the right who exploit this painting Democrats as elitists. In fact I'd say they want their followers to believe that Democrats and the left look down on them. So they work it both ways, demonize your opponents as scum and use propaganda to make them a group who despises you. It's all about creating division.
She was wrong to say that. I was disappointed. It doesn't excuse anyone else from demeaning people who disagree with them. Nothing excuses contempt for people made in the image of God. No one is scum. I try to pray for people I'm tempted to hold in contempt.
Again, it’s not an issue of demeaning people simply because one disagrees with them. And, again, that is not what Clinton said or did in this situation.
Pointing out that there are people whose opinions and actions are, by any meaningful standards, “deplorable” (white nationalists, rabid racists, Nazis, etc) is simply an act of reason, honor, and integrity.
I am not sure about making us intelligent again. I am just the daughter of an English major, so maybe I’m wrong, but I think we need to be more than smart. Compassionate, generous, maybe? This is the play on his horrible Archie Bunker hat that I propose:
I think the time has come that we shift the focus from what we don't want to developing a powerful vision of America in the 21st century that embraces the values that we were founded on. Where we acknowledge the necessity of acquiring talent to fill the over 7.4 million* jobs that are unfilled in this country, acquiring workers who are motivated and grateful. I think it's essential that we include this issue in our national conversation.
Right-wingers continue to lie and equivocate about this, reaching for "both sides" examples that are far from proportionate - and we all know Dems are held to different standards for them. The Bangor newspaper actually carried a headline about "violence" at a protest in Portland. Seems one protester threw a water bottle at a policeman and another used a bullhorn too close to a policeman's ear. Those - while unacceptable - were the two incidences of "violence" decreed to warrant a headline. While thousands (including me) protested peacefully in our state. Along with hate-infused GOP rhetoric, the MSM bears some responsibility for this poisonous environment.
I think the people we elect are reflections of the society which elected them. It seems that the default rhetoric has flipped from sincerity to distrust on many fronts.
It’s also been noted that the slide from our societal mental health began in 2006, with the advent of the iPhone and handheld “Smart” devices. I often wonder if the instant gratification and access to “Too much information” by virtually all has put too many on the defensive. Defensive positions reside in fear and depression and potential aggression, not confidence and enthusiasm. Maybe we need to really examine the ramifications of the digital transformation in greater depth.
I agree that the officials reflect us. People say, "This is not who we are" but they're wrong. There is a cruel streak in American culture and a high regard for bullies and criminals.
I'm done with the "this is not who we are" bromide. It is who we are and have been since we pushed the natives aside to take over, moving right along to bringing lesser beings here by force to advance our wealth, to making war to salve an ego. This is exactly who we are. That orange thing has just taken it to a new level.
I'm currently subjected to very poor governance at the local level as well as the national level, and it's made my workplace a nightmare. The similarities between these two elected leaders - at the same time - is uncanny, and exhausting. We must, must, must not fall for charisma or whatever appeals to our lowest instincts when we elect our representatives in government, because trust me, they have no interest in representing the people. They are all in, though, for enriching and empowering themselves, and we become their mere subjects, tasked with feeding their egos and ambition. Someone has to feed them, after all.
For you to make these statements should be a wake up call for everyone. You are exactly right in what you are saying and I hope that millions will listen and start standing up for our democracy. Thank you.
Thank you for speaking out . As children, If you or I would have said the things about others we so commonly hear spoken today, we would have been taken to the proverbial “wood shed,” sent to stand in some corner ( back straight , no wall reclining) for an hour, been deprived of all privileges for a month, lose the right to be with our Friends, and forced to see the tears, sadness, shame in the faces of our parents or those we loved the most. Whatever happened to the “Golden Rule: To do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” How can those with the most public influence over others be they entertainers, athletes, world and business leaders, church pastors, state and national officials, Aunt Nelly or Uncle Jim, neighbors, or President of the United states readily reject kindness and courtesy and spew HATE? Shame on you and I for accepting such cruel behavior. Buddha weeps, Mohammed weeps, Jesus weeps, You and I weep.
I'm not that sold on Reagan. He put us on this downslope that has brought us here,with his winking racism, launching his presidential campaign in Philadelphis, MS, where Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman were murdered. The pursuit of money and power has come to dominate politics to the point where there is no other objective, at least to one party. Trump clearly looks to use the office to become the richest person on earth, and hawks his sleazy wares on the lawn of the White House, and anywhere else he can.
Encouraging violence and cultivating mental illness have also become a regular tactic of the right, with their insane obsession with abortion, which also dates to the early Reagan years, along with the commandeering of a whole wing of christianity to support right wing causes.
Still the massive outpouring of folks last weekend gives me hope. When I think of all the folks that weren't able to attend, it makes me think that the number of us ready to really go to bat for our cause is in the tens of millions, far outnumbering the crazy right. But they are armed to the teeth and nuts. It won't be easy or much fun. But we want our country back, and better than it has ever been.
I lived through the Reagan years and there were very few things he did I agreed with. I also agree it was the start of the decline of politics as a noble profession and the Republican party. However it's sort of ironic I'd love to have Reagan instead of Trump.
Trump is a symptom of our decline in civility as much as he is the problem. If Trump is a Frankenstein, then Rupert Murdoch is the evil scientist who created him.
The caustic language that Trump uses may be due to bone spurs- hear me out on this one. I was honorably discharged from the US Army a bit over 55 year ago after three years of service and with the rank of Sgt E5. One of the most important lessons I learned during my years of service is that you never call a stupid man stupid. Poor Donald never got the honor of serving as I did, so he really doesn't understand how his language effects his minions. He only knows what Major Barbara and Forest Gump said. "Stupid is as stupid does ." In other words, those who believe something simply because it makes them feel good about themselves.
This ftragic news literally comes close to home for you and all of us.
Thank you for this gentle reminder that Lake Wobegon lives yet in the fastnesses of America. One needs to be reminded of humanity's potential for decency at a time when much of what is put in front of us is attempting to usurp it...
What about “ deplorables”?
Reagan was the best.
I don't consider "deplorables" to be the equivalent of "scum" and "sleazebags". "Deplorables" ois sort of schoolmarmish, and "scum" is hoodlum talk.
I have found after 50 years of marriage that name calling (knicknames included) almost always involves a diminishing of another person to a ridiculous stereotype. The relationship suffers.
If you wouldn't say it to a friend, maybe don't say it?
A chronic name-caller will try to justify their need to goad by saying 'Just kidding,' or 'Can't you take a joke?' They have not matured past an adolescent phase, insecure with being themselves, needing to diminish others even in small ways so as to know their own value. Regan and Tip O'Neill were on opposite camps, but they were friends as well.
It is neither unusual or difficult to become friends with someone you treat well and with consideration - but not if you knowingly and repeatedly insult them, or anyone who thinks differently from how you think.
Using any social media as a venue to say and broadcast disrespectful and hateful things, is to develop harmful behaviors that then can easily be transferred to in-person settings. Having 'practiced' them on an app, a person will be less likely to pick their words more carefully and with forethought.
The word 'deplorable' may be less brutal than 'scumbag,' but it is a pungent and provocative word just the same. It is less-used and more surprising in its effect, but as a label is another form of name-calling.
Deplorable: Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality or morally unacceptable.
SYNONYMS:
Shameful
Disgraceful
Appalling
Reprehensible
Wretched
Political Definition of Deplorable:
Used to describe individuals or views that are considered racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, or otherwise morally offensive or socially unacceptable.
Sex in the oval office with an intern using a cigar as a prop is a deplorable act by a scummy sleazebag...
There is more than enough deplorable, scummy, sleazebag action on both sides of the isle to go around...
In any event, I am a Trump supporter and I am not complicit, deplorable, scummy or a sleazebag...I know because my GRANDchildren told me so...
What would the folks of Lake Wobegon think? Might be a nice piece.
If you support Trump, that's also a deplorable act. How else to describe someone who thinks it's okay that a convicted felon, insurrectionist, hatemonger, fearmonger, liar, cheat, and outright moron hold the highest office? These aren't opinions; they're established facts. And yet you somehow still support him. You can split hairs over the word's definition all you want, but supporting this abomination of a man is as deplorable as it gets.
Thank you.
Those here who see what you write here know that you are Trump "supporter" and like your dear leader and his "supporters" you attempt to deceive others and perhaps delude yourself because to be a "Trump supporter" is absolutely to be complicit. You have brought on the destruction of this country - and perhaps way beyond this country as well. There is no honest claim to innocence from any Trump supporter. He and his whole crowd have done/are doing irreparable harm to this nation. One wonders how much your claimed grandchildren are aware of what he and his mob have done to their futures. I saw a poster at a No Kings protest held by a young person, maybe 12 years old, that said, "I Want a Future." A poignant statement and one that should even have to be part of the thinking of an adolescent in 21st century America and yet, it is a sane comment to an insane world.
No, "Poppi," you don't get to love your Trump and claim innocence.
By the way, Bill Clinton's behavior was indeed deplorable as is the behavior of too many others whose character is reprehensible, but try to understand: that Bill Clinton was of low character, that Joe Biden had many flaws.... and whatever other examples you want to name - does not in any way, shape or form mean that your Trump is some better example to their very poor model of character. They had/have many flaws and many of us found/find them unworthy of our vote or confidence, BUT they were not un-American, not traitors, not con-artist/hucksters, did not dismantle our government, break every law, spit on the Constitution, promote racism, undermine every institution, sabotage any progress, defraud, steal, cheat, lie, deceive, show contempt for everything that "America" stood for and in the contempt, destroy it.....
The "Republicans" have always liked to do the "yes-but..." and the "what about...." kind of disingenuous argument: to despise what Bush-Cheney did to this country and to the world must have meant that one loved Bill and Hillary Clinton. To detest the "Republicanization and Big Money Love" that the Clintons and the DNC did to any hope of Democratic values must have meant that one loved Bush-Cheney.
Nope. Not so. Many of us can hold many ideas in our minds at one time.
Your Trump IS a psychopathic criminal traitor. How's that for actual "deplorable."
We are all complicit in one way or the other…it is why Jesus had to die on the cross and be resurrected.
I have no trouble with the word deplorable. I agree with Mr. Keillor that it is schoolmarmish, which I think keeps it from being trite and gives it a nice amount of heft. Also, I think it is accurate. Back in 2015-16, I agreed that about half of Trump’s fans were deplorable people.
But I have a very big problem with the way Secretary Clinton used the word. She did not use it as an adjective. Instead, she nominalized the word, which is what made it so offensive and jarring and unacceptable (even to me, and I have supported Ms. Rodham Clinton her entire career). The nominalization dehumanized Trump’s supporters. Used as an adjective, Clinton would have been describing people who were thinking and acting deplorably. But when she branded them as Deplorables and stuck them in a basket, she took away their humanity, which I think is going too far. It is Trumpy and I wish she hadn’t done it. “They cling to their guns and their religion,” politically ill-advised but within bounds. “A binder full of women,” hapless, but also dehumanizing and therefore not okay.
Labelling the objectionable behavior while preserving the dignity of the recipient is quite a balancing act. Especially when we're aroused. We could practice.
We love labels don't we?
OK, since you brought it up, let’s discuss the “Deplorables” quote.
In short, despite the distortions and misrepresentations that the right wing sphere has been spinning for years, Hillary Clinton never said *anything* like “all her opponents were deplorables”.
If you read the full context of her statement, you’ll see that what she actually pointed out was that a large number of the supporters that her opponent Donald Trump was clearly trying to appeal to were white nationalists, antisemites, racists, misogynists, rabid nationalists, haters of the US Constitution, (etc).
Calling such as these “deplorables” is simply a statement of fact.
If she was in error, it was because she was too soft on them (and him).
Perhaps you find the social media posts by Senator Mike Lee in the aftermath of the horrific events last weekend in Minnesota somehow acceptable?
As @Nichael explains this quote was taken out of context. Furthermore, it's Republicans and the right who exploit this painting Democrats as elitists. In fact I'd say they want their followers to believe that Democrats and the left look down on them. So they work it both ways, demonize your opponents as scum and use propaganda to make them a group who despises you. It's all about creating division.
She was wrong to say that. I was disappointed. It doesn't excuse anyone else from demeaning people who disagree with them. Nothing excuses contempt for people made in the image of God. No one is scum. I try to pray for people I'm tempted to hold in contempt.
Again, it’s not an issue of demeaning people simply because one disagrees with them. And, again, that is not what Clinton said or did in this situation.
Pointing out that there are people whose opinions and actions are, by any meaningful standards, “deplorable” (white nationalists, rabid racists, Nazis, etc) is simply an act of reason, honor, and integrity.
I’d rather be called a “deplorable” that the longer list Garrison quotes
I am not sure about making us intelligent again. I am just the daughter of an English major, so maybe I’m wrong, but I think we need to be more than smart. Compassionate, generous, maybe? This is the play on his horrible Archie Bunker hat that I propose:
Make America Good Again.
Amen.
I think the time has come that we shift the focus from what we don't want to developing a powerful vision of America in the 21st century that embraces the values that we were founded on. Where we acknowledge the necessity of acquiring talent to fill the over 7.4 million* jobs that are unfilled in this country, acquiring workers who are motivated and grateful. I think it's essential that we include this issue in our national conversation.
Why are we jailing people we should be training?
* US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Just what I was thinking!
Right-wingers continue to lie and equivocate about this, reaching for "both sides" examples that are far from proportionate - and we all know Dems are held to different standards for them. The Bangor newspaper actually carried a headline about "violence" at a protest in Portland. Seems one protester threw a water bottle at a policeman and another used a bullhorn too close to a policeman's ear. Those - while unacceptable - were the two incidences of "violence" decreed to warrant a headline. While thousands (including me) protested peacefully in our state. Along with hate-infused GOP rhetoric, the MSM bears some responsibility for this poisonous environment.
Thank you for speaking out. We cannot let this movement drown us.
Regardless of personal feelings and political views 😊…or emojis used.
I think the people we elect are reflections of the society which elected them. It seems that the default rhetoric has flipped from sincerity to distrust on many fronts.
It’s also been noted that the slide from our societal mental health began in 2006, with the advent of the iPhone and handheld “Smart” devices. I often wonder if the instant gratification and access to “Too much information” by virtually all has put too many on the defensive. Defensive positions reside in fear and depression and potential aggression, not confidence and enthusiasm. Maybe we need to really examine the ramifications of the digital transformation in greater depth.
I agree that the officials reflect us. People say, "This is not who we are" but they're wrong. There is a cruel streak in American culture and a high regard for bullies and criminals.
I'm done with the "this is not who we are" bromide. It is who we are and have been since we pushed the natives aside to take over, moving right along to bringing lesser beings here by force to advance our wealth, to making war to salve an ego. This is exactly who we are. That orange thing has just taken it to a new level.
I'm currently subjected to very poor governance at the local level as well as the national level, and it's made my workplace a nightmare. The similarities between these two elected leaders - at the same time - is uncanny, and exhausting. We must, must, must not fall for charisma or whatever appeals to our lowest instincts when we elect our representatives in government, because trust me, they have no interest in representing the people. They are all in, though, for enriching and empowering themselves, and we become their mere subjects, tasked with feeding their egos and ambition. Someone has to feed them, after all.
For you to make these statements should be a wake up call for everyone. You are exactly right in what you are saying and I hope that millions will listen and start standing up for our democracy. Thank you.
Thank you for speaking out . As children, If you or I would have said the things about others we so commonly hear spoken today, we would have been taken to the proverbial “wood shed,” sent to stand in some corner ( back straight , no wall reclining) for an hour, been deprived of all privileges for a month, lose the right to be with our Friends, and forced to see the tears, sadness, shame in the faces of our parents or those we loved the most. Whatever happened to the “Golden Rule: To do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” How can those with the most public influence over others be they entertainers, athletes, world and business leaders, church pastors, state and national officials, Aunt Nelly or Uncle Jim, neighbors, or President of the United states readily reject kindness and courtesy and spew HATE? Shame on you and I for accepting such cruel behavior. Buddha weeps, Mohammed weeps, Jesus weeps, You and I weep.
I'm not that sold on Reagan. He put us on this downslope that has brought us here,with his winking racism, launching his presidential campaign in Philadelphis, MS, where Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman were murdered. The pursuit of money and power has come to dominate politics to the point where there is no other objective, at least to one party. Trump clearly looks to use the office to become the richest person on earth, and hawks his sleazy wares on the lawn of the White House, and anywhere else he can.
Encouraging violence and cultivating mental illness have also become a regular tactic of the right, with their insane obsession with abortion, which also dates to the early Reagan years, along with the commandeering of a whole wing of christianity to support right wing causes.
Still the massive outpouring of folks last weekend gives me hope. When I think of all the folks that weren't able to attend, it makes me think that the number of us ready to really go to bat for our cause is in the tens of millions, far outnumbering the crazy right. But they are armed to the teeth and nuts. It won't be easy or much fun. But we want our country back, and better than it has ever been.
I lived through the Reagan years and there were very few things he did I agreed with. I also agree it was the start of the decline of politics as a noble profession and the Republican party. However it's sort of ironic I'd love to have Reagan instead of Trump.
Same.
I even miss Dubya.
Me too 😂
At this point the devil himself might be an improvement.At least he had a sense of humor
Trump is a symptom of our decline in civility as much as he is the problem. If Trump is a Frankenstein, then Rupert Murdoch is the evil scientist who created him.
For me it's simple.
Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
I may not agree with your beliefs and values, but I will treat you as a human being.
WHY NOT GET A NEW BLUE HAT THAT READS INSTEAD:: "MAKE AMERICA CARE AGAIN!!!....
LET'S CARE FOR AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER....'LET'S REACH OUT TO THOSE FALLEN AND HUNGRY AND SLEEPLESS.
LET'S REACH OUT AND HELP THOSE WHERE THEIR HELP IS NEEDED."
DISCARD ALL HATE....DROP IT AND FILL IT FULL INSTEAD WITH CARE!
WEAR A "HAT OF LOVE" INSTEAD....
Well said. Thank you.
The caustic language that Trump uses may be due to bone spurs- hear me out on this one. I was honorably discharged from the US Army a bit over 55 year ago after three years of service and with the rank of Sgt E5. One of the most important lessons I learned during my years of service is that you never call a stupid man stupid. Poor Donald never got the honor of serving as I did, so he really doesn't understand how his language effects his minions. He only knows what Major Barbara and Forest Gump said. "Stupid is as stupid does ." In other words, those who believe something simply because it makes them feel good about themselves.
“Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner. Maybe it’s time for us to be a little more fierce because we have to ferociously push back on this.
“When it’s a bully like Donald Trump, you bully the s--t out of him.”
Gov. Tim Walz (May, 2025)
What would that look like in America?
Butler, PA…