If you knew which TV classic that line came from, you might be a Boomer – and you might decide this election. Answer below* (+ bonus questions).

What’s something (almost) all of us agree we MUST cut out? How about violence, or the threat of it?

 

 

The Bible informs us:

The Lord tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.                                                                                                              – Psalm 11:5

 

 

Let’s compare President Trump and VP Biden, using our Moderate Leadership Test (MLT), on NONVIOLENCE; since TMM believes CHARACTER is as important as candidates’ positions, if not more so.

We base our scores on research. Please share YOUR scores in Comments section.

See previous posts regarding candidates’ scores on other Moderate Basic Beliefs (Bipartisanship, Moderation) and Vital Values (Respect, Honesty, Compassion).

TMM’s eighth Vital Value:

Nonviolence

Threats, intimidation, and violence are NOT acceptable ways to address conflicts.

MLT criteria:

Have candidates condemned violence (or threat of it)? Supported nonviolent protests/movements?

 

TRUMP

Trump’s political history demonstrates condoning – or even encouraging – violence.

A recent, disturbing example: the plot by right-wing, domestic terrorists to firebomb police vehicles, kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), “try her for treason” and “execute her”.

In May, protesters brandishing weapons, angry about Whitmer’s COVID-19 restrictions, had stormed into Michigan’s capitol, intimidating legislators debating them.

Trump ENCOURAGED protesters, tweeting “Liberate Michigan” and “Liberate Virginia” (both have Democratic governors). A similar plot to kidnap Virginia’s governor was uncovered.

Trump condemns left-wing violence in Democratic cities, but tolerates right-wing violence. FBI Director Christopher Wray reports white supremacists and anti-government fanatics commit MOST deadly U.S. terrorist attacks.

 

In the recent presidential debate, Trump, asked to condemn white supremacist groups, stammered, “give me a name.” Biden offered the Proud Boys (“a far-right extremist group with a history of violent confrontations,” according to USA Today). Trump responded, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.”

(Definitions: stand back – take a few steps backwards; stand by – be or get ready to act)

Definitely NOT a condemnation.

In Thursday’s Town Hall, Trump again refused to disavow the paranoid conspiracy theory, QAnon.

Adherents believe, with ZERO evidence, a secret cabal of Democrats (including President Obama and Hillary Clinton), celebrities, and tycoons (including Bill Gates), are Satan-worshipping, cannibalistic child-traffickers, controlling our government – and only Savior Trump can stop them.

Unbelievable? Yes. But as TMM warned in July, hundreds of believers attend Trump rallies, waving Q signs.

Dangerous? Certainly. Some unhinged believers will commit violence, trying to “save the children”, as they sermonize.

Similar 2016 rumors about a Washington, DC pizzeria convinced a fanatic to attack it. He told authorities he was “armed to help rescue children”. He was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon.

Trump claims he knows nothing about QAnon – another whopper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In June, after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Trump ordered the violent removal of peaceful protesters at a church near the White House, so he could stage a photo op, holding a Bible as a prop.

Trump also tweeted “when the looting starts the shooting starts”. Twitter declared that violated its rules against “glorifying violence”.

In 2019, record numbers of immigrants sought asylum at the Mexico border. Trump asked, “can we shoot them below the waist to slow them down?”

 

When white nationalists rallied in Charlottesville, VA in 2017, a woman was killed after fights with counter-demonstrators. Trump responded there were “very fine people on both sides”.

 

In 2016’s campaign, Trump often encouraged violence against protesters:

“Knock the crap out of them. I will pay the legal fees.”

“I’d like to punch him in the face.”

“Maybe he should have been roughed up.”

“I could stand in the middle of 5^th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

No need for that. Trump’s words alone (and condoning others’ words and deeds) earn him this score:  F

 

BIDEN

Biden has a long political history of confronting violence.

He does NOT support “defunding police”, as Trump fabricates. He DOES advocate community-based policing, teaming police with mental-health professionals to defuse violent situations, and national use-of-force standards.

Biden, contrary to Trump’s accusations (again), has condemned riots:

“There’s no place for violence, no place for looting or destroying property or burning churches or destroying businesses… We need to distinguish between legitimate peaceful protest and opportunistic violent destruction.”

Candidate Biden proposes assault-weapon bans, federal gun buy-back programs, “smart guns”, and universal background checks – all to reduce gun violence.

 

Then-Senator Biden introduced the 1990 bill that became the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), addressing sexual assault and domestic violence.

In 2017, Biden and wife Jill formed the Biden Foundation to address many issues, including cancer, military families’ support, children’s protection, violence against women and middle-class revival.

 

VP Biden helped Obama pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, making assault based on sexual or gender identification federal crimes.

Biden’s long record of combatting violence earns him this score:  B+

 

Moderates, increasing violence could be a life-or-death issue for you or your loved ones – just like COVID – if we don’t “cut it out”. Remember that – and VOTE.

 

* Answer:

The Jack Benny Program (CBS, 1950 – 1964; and NBC, 1964 – 1965)

Bonus Points:

What was the name of the character, played by Eddie Anderson, who was Benny’s valet and chauffer; and what did he often complain about?

Which famous American said he was too busy to watch most television, but made time to watch Jack Benny every week?

Why was it called “The Jack Benny PROGRAM” instead of “SHOW”?

Answers:

Rochester; his salary

President John F. Kennedy

It originated on radio (which typically called broadcasts “programs”), then moved to TV (which typically called broadcasts “shows”); but they decided to keep its original name.

Images: Google Images

God (with cherubs): Pew Research

God (cartoon): Twitter

Armed protesters: Refinery 29

Wray: The Wall Street Journal

Trump and Biden: Fox News

QAnon Trump supporters: ABC News

Pizzeria shooter: Daily Mail

Protesters and police on horses: Milwaukee Independent

Trump with Bible: patch.com

Woman and children at border: The Guardian

Charlottesville protesters: WTOP.com

Protester punched at Trump rally: Arizona Daily Star

Biden at forum: Guns and Ammo

Biden with quote: While you were sleeping

Obama and Biden: ABC News

Jack Benny Program: JLTV.tv

Benny and Anderson: Television Heaven

Kennedy: BBC.com

Benny radio program cast: Google Sites