It’s beyond me how often TV journalists misquote sources or ignore relevant quotes when reaching conclusions during this election season. I am going to lead off with two contradictory quotes from Donald Trump which came during the same speech. Trump first said when he is president he would immediately cancel the Iran nuclear pact negotiated by John Kerry. Ten minutes later he said he would vigorously enforce the provisions of the agreement. So, how many of you heard that reported on a TV news broadcast? I heard it on MSNBC late at night. What is it Mr. Trump, are you going to cancel the agreement or vigorously enforce it?
Bernie Sanders has proclaimed loudly that “Hillary Clinton never saw a free trade agreement she didn’t agree with.” Really? There have been three major free trade agreements since 1993. The North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), was signed into law by her husband, President Bill Clinton in 1993, and implemented on Jan. 1,1994. Does Sanders really think she should have publicly opposed her husband? Get real. Sen. Hillary Clinton voted against CAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement. As for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement (TPP), after reading the final version, Clinton announced her disagreement with President Obama and her opposition to TPP. Sanders’ allegations are patently false. Why the press hasn’t called him on this is beyond me.
Here’s Hillary’s position on free trade agreements. “I believe that properly negotiated trade agreements can increase living standards and hasten openness and economic development for all parties.” That’s totally reasonable.
In New York, most guns used in the commission of crimes are brought in from other states. It seems as if the entire television network news world never heard what they said they heard when Hillary said, “In New York most guns used during a crime are brought in from other states. Of all the states Vermont has the highest rate per capita of any state.”
Most all the news folks seem to say she said “Vermont has the highest rate per state.” Bernie’s folks pitched a fit (what’s new?). That’s not what she said! She said “per capita’ and that is absolutely correct, per www.politifact. One can argue the relevance of citing the Vermont figures until the cows come home, they can’t argue that Hillary didn’t tell the truth. Had the news networks stressed the “per capita” part of her statement, there would not have been such a commotion. At least there shouldn’t have been.
Clinton mentioned the Vermont statistic because that’s the state Sanders represents. Over the years on numerous occasions, Sanders has used the size and the rural nature of his state where the people support total gun freedom to explain why he opposed the Brady bill, background checks and liability laws. He has supported a ban on assault weapons, for which he pounds his chest.
Recently he said he did not support giving the parents of the victims of the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre in Connecticut the right to bring suit against gun manufacturers. He seems to have changed his mind after much negative feedback. It’s one thing to believe such a suit may be unfounded, it’s another thing to believe the matter should be taken out of the courts’ hands, denying these grieving people their day in court. Clinton is correct to fault Sanders for this and his position on guns over the years.
It’s taken him eight months, but Donald Trump has finally decided on his favorite Bible verse. When asked by Bob Lonsberry on April 14 if he had a Bible verse that has “informed” his thinking or character he cited the Old Testament punishment of “Eye for an eye”.
Evidently, he is unaware that Jesus changed that. Let the truth be known. Jesus said, “You have heard it said ‘an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to walk one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who ask you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-42.
Man obviously hasn‘t changed much since Christ’s sermon, although Christ truth be known. It’s impossible to imagine living as Jesus commanded, but surely we can get past the Old Jewish law of an “Eye for an eye.”
Glen McAdoo, a Fallon resident, can be contacted at glen@phonewave.net.