Thank you, Sen. Bennet (D-CO), for appearing on CNN today and speaking the truth about the so-called “takeover” of Aurora, Colorado, by Venezuelan gangs. Thank you for calling Donald Trump’s lies “lies” instead of using the less-than-accurate terms popular with the media. “Lies and lies and lies,” you said at one point. Thank you for not excusing him by saying “misstatements” or “exaggerations.” Or resorting to the very awkward “falsely stated.” Or saying he “wrongly asserted,” or asserted “with no evidence” or made an “unverified claim.” Remember Kellyanne Conway’s “alternative facts”? Trump has a dictionary full of them.
To call a lie a lie, to say a person “lied” or has told a “lie” is to declare that person knowingly intended to deceive. “A certain moral opprobrium attaches to it, a reprehensibility of motive,” said linguist Geoffrey Nunberg in a 2017 New York Times article. So the media bend over backwards to use less specific terms, claiming, if pressed, that they cannot possibly know what’s in Trump’s head when he says what he says. In doing so, perhaps they are protecting themselves from claims of libel and defamation. But in doing so they are also shortchanging or even emboldening those American voters who listen and read uncritically and believe what they hear and read from mainstream media (after all, the media don’t say Trump lied).
Trump spews nonsensical verbiage like a firehose.
Back in June 2015 when Trump, at age 69, first rode down his golden escalator in Trump Tower and announced his run for President, his lies might have been carefully considered, intentionally timed, delivered with forethought and purpose. But that is no longer the case. He raves and rambles incessantly, confusing names, dates, places, and facts, apparently without even realizing it. And he’s gotten much worse with age (now 78). Instead of going blank and falling silent the way Pres. Biden did in their June debate, Trump spews nonsensical verbiage like a firehose.
The Associated Press published an extensive examination of why the media are so hesitant to use the word “lie” in their reporting. It’s interesting reading. But with so much at stake now, it doesn’t excuse them. Certainly their punting to their fact checkers is not sufficient; there’s no way of knowing if their audiences will even bother to consult another source.
Trump appeared in Aurora, Colorado, today. Well, barely in Aurora. He was at the posh Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver International Airport, some 15 miles from downtown Aurora and all those Venezuelan gangs that have “taken over the city.” (As of September 11, Aurora police had arrested and documented just 10 Venezuelans as members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Certainly not enough to “take over” a city of some 400,000.) Aurora’s interim police chief, Heather Morris, has said there’s no evidence of a gang takeover of apartment buildings in her city, much less the whole city. Even Aurora’s Republican mayor, Mike Coffman, has denounced Trump’s statements about Aurora, calling them “grossly exaggerated.”
Sen. Bennet was obviously displeased with Trump’s appearance here and all the lies he’s telling about Aurora. And in that he was representing me perfectly.
Thank you, Senator.
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Header image: Donald Trump speaks in Aurora, Colo. (Photo: KDVR)
this is fantastic and something we don’t hear often enough. thanks to all who stood up and called his lies, ‘lies.’
I couldn’t agree more. As critically important as this election has become, the mainstream media need to stop using euphemisms, call a fact a fact, and a lie a lie. Otherwise we’ll have to rely on … what? Social media? Political ads?
I’ve always liked Michael Bennett. I think he’d make a great president. He was my pick when he ran.
We knew of him before he ran for the Senate. He was supt. of Denver Public Schools, where my son works. He’s not the greatest public speaker but yes, I think he’d make a fine president, although my #1 choice for the next Dem President is Pete Buttigieg.
I agree. The media has gone too far in avoiding saying “lies.” I wish Harris would counter his lies more.
There’s a lot I’d like to see from her that I don’t think we’ll see until/unless she’s elected. Her greatest attribute is that she’s not Trump, but I think she’s playing it very close to the vest, being very careful about what she says and doesn’t say.
It’s not just the media that forgive his shitty behaviour; it’s the justice system too – and I don’t mean SCOTUS, this time. How those (_¤_)s have been able to look themselves in the bathroom mirror while they do nothing about bringing his multiple cases to court, I can’t imagine.
One case against Trump finally went to trial earlier this year in NY and he was convicted of 34 felonies. But he won’t be sentenced until November 26 — after the election. He could face jail time, unless he is re-elected. It’s not likely, then, that a sitting President would be jailed. Since charges in this one case involved NY state law instead of federal, he cannot pardon himself. As for the other 3 cases against him, which are federal, I’ve lost track of where they stand.
It is beyond all comprehension that a person could lie, and lie, and lie like this this man does! I was also very pleased to see that Senator Bennet called them what they are. I live in Aurora, and we are fine!!! To suggest that the city has been overwhelmed and conquered is just laughable and awful at the same time. I am just livid that lies are being told about the city in a way that is meant to justify a horrific course of action (the confinement and deportation of millions of immigrants regardless of their legal status), and also to divide people in a way that justifies violence.
I’m not completely happy with Bennet, but he sure did do us proud today.
I’ve thought of you so often when Trump is spewing about the horrors in Aurora. The man is just completely bats. My son used to kid me about having Bush Derangement Syndrome. Whatever it was doesn’t come close to my current Trump thing.
Oh, I am beyond angry now. Over the weekend a member of my scleroderma support group, a realtor, told me that it is impossible to show a home in Aurora right now because of the Trump-driven rhetoric about this gang. I’ve been thinking that I need to sell the house, and this is going to cost me a lot of money. Even worse, his lies are working and he may win the election as people vote for him thinking that he will make the economy better (a lie), or that immigrants are dangerous (another lie; they have lower crime rates), or that Kamala is mentally until (what a huge whapping lie!!!)… It is unbelievable that he is getting away with everything that he does. The item about phone calls with Putin (while retaining classified documents illegally) should have done him in, but no… Makes me want to tear my hair out!!!
Well now I’m ready to scream. It hadn’t even occurred to me how his lies might affect those hoping to sell homes in Aurora. I don’t know why anybody with half a brain believes anything he says. His history well before 2016 should have been enough to keep anyone from ever voting for him. For him to now be in a dead heat with Harris is just unbelievable. His lies are getting more and more bizarre, his threats and promises more frightening. I’m so sorry, and angry, that he’s affecting your life and plans in any way.
Maybe those stolen documents will eventually put him in prison, unless, of course, he gets re-elected and pardons himself! Maybe, if he’s not re-elected, those 34 felony convictions in NY will put him in prison. Damn shame the sentencing for that wasn’t set before the election.
I just nailed a Kamala sign to my tree and turned in my ballot. Now he’s calling people like me the enemy within! Unbelievable!! There had better not be any armed militia types cruising around Aurora looking for some gang member to shoot…
The last few days have shown him to be really spinning out of control. These are scary times, my friend.
I, too, am among the enemies within. I commend you for putting up a sign. I have, for years, avoided putting political signs in the yard or political stickers on my car. In fact, I’ve also resisted the occasional temptation to put up an American flag for fear some would think it’s a political statement. And oh yes, I’m in the 8th Congressional District — Yadira Caraveo vs. Gabe Evans. So much “fun”!
This evening my completed ballot is sticking out of my purse, ready to go to the collection box tomorrow. It seems so feeble, that one little ballot. I know … many grains of sand, etc.
I voted yesterday! There was more consequential stuff on the ballot than I realized, so this really is an important election. I’m in Jason Crow’s district, so that was an easy choice. Sorry about your congressional race; my understanding is that Gabe is manufacturing lies like crazy…
Yep, Gabe sounds like a real nut job. Pray Caraveo wins, although one report I saw said she was originally elected by the narrowest margin in the House, so I’m worried. Lucky you with Jason Crow! dropped off my ballot this morning, fingers tightly crossed.