How has the racial mood changed in your military community as Trumps bigotry has taken center stage in the Presidential race?

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:38:39 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 12:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:56:01 -0500

The Command starts freaking out, because that's their job, but eventually gets over it.

Racial issues are cause by people who want there to be an issue.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 1:13 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 01:13:14 -0500

I think it is as much the far left as the right. The sitting President certainly isn't helping racial issues by chiming in every time some incident happens.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Dec 17 at 2015 2:02 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 02:02:43 -0500

so Trump is a Bigot. Lol, if you are white you are a bigot in the Onama administration.

Response by SrA Art Siatkowsky made Dec 17 at 2015 2:07 AM

SrA Art Siatkowsky — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 02:07:29 -0500

I think the racial 'mood' changed when Obama showed his unspoken support for racist thugs killing cops. Race was never an issue until Obama. But maybe thats my 'white priviledge' talking....

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 17 at 2015 2:43 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 02:43:47 -0500

I don't see anything today like we had in the '60s and '70s. When I was in Viet Nam there were race riots that closed bases down for a day or two at a stretch.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 6:27 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 06:27:23 -0500

Not at all. As far as I can tell nobody treats me any different because I am Hispanic. Trump is a fucking tool. If he gets elected this country is screwed in my opinion.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 7:19 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:19:23 -0500

It hasn't.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Dec 17 at 2015 7:42 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:42:33 -0500

I guess the word bigot has entered the popular lexicon of the ignorant as a synonym for "someone who says something I disagree with".

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Dec 17 at 2015 9:30 AM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 09:30:14 -0500

Wow rally point has a racism tag lets just promote more of the same
SPC just because someone is not speaking the pc language does not make him a bigot.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 9:46 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 09:46:42 -0500

It hasn't, and why exactly is Trump a bigot?

Interesting how the course of the discussion went in different directions. In conclusion, if I disagree with a liberal, I get called names...... This has been going on for a while now, I think it's the new thing and hip.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 17 at 2015 10:26 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 10:26:02 -0500

Trump is a circus side show, and all the vets I know feel that way...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 10:52 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 10:52:03 -0500

I personally think trump is a tool but that's my opinion. Banning all Muslims from coming into this country will never happen so that's a non issue. Building a wall to keep the Hispanics out will never happen. Deporting children that were born to immagrants will never happen. So all of these things are a non issue. So why are we talking about this.

Is race an issue in the military only if you make it one. If you think that just because someone voicing their opinion on how things should be done makes him a Bigot. You my friend are an idiot. The only reason that we are even talking about this right now is because he is running to become el presidente (see what I did there). Trump voicing his opinion is no different than Joe blow doing the same. He is just in the spotlight right now.

Now what I think about it is he is just playing into everyone's emotions.

Response by MSgt Dave Burke made Dec 17 at 2015 11:25 AM

MSgt Dave Burke — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:25:00 -0500

Please explain, in detail, exactly why you think Trump is a bigot. I do not see it.

Response by Sgt Mike Williams made Dec 17 at 2015 12:18 PM

Sgt Mike Williams — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:18:59 -0500

Although I would love to "enter the fray" on this topic, I cannot engage with someone who's basis of argument is not grounded in facts or reality.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 17 at 2015 12:40 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:40:02 -0500

Personal opinion only:
The racial mood has always been there. With the "verbal actions" allowed of a few of our political, civic and racial leaders over the past several years, people have become more and more vocal about what would "normally" been considered disrespectful and weak political and/or personal tactics, white AND black. Because of this growing allowance and acceptance by the American people, now you get someone like Donald Trump who is even more vocal to the point it verges on, and IS, racial disrespect, intolerance and discrimination, and DEFINITELY crosses the line on MANY occasions, but? It's "accepted" by the same America who, over several years ago, would have called for his withdrawal from the races. Let's face it, we've become more vocal (following the leaders), and just because we, as a people, have become 'desensitized" to it, doesn't make it any more right or acceptable, as this shift did not begin with Trump. He is capitalizing on us and aiming our thoughts and feeling at another race/group of people... And like sheep, we follow...
Again. just an opinion, like everyone else...

Response by SSG Ray Strenkowski made Dec 17 at 2015 1:31 PM

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:31:57 -0500

Reason for my down vote which I use with great discretion...
Calling someone a bigot because you don't agree with them doesn't serve anyone's best interest.

I don't happen to agree with Trump on a variety of issues, but that's not a reason for accusations which aren't based on fact.

Response by SSG Wally Lawver made Dec 17 at 2015 3:09 PM

SSG Wally Lawver — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:09:46 -0500

Trump??? I would think the current POTUS has set race relations in the US back 50 years, not a potential canidate........

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Dec 17 at 2015 3:55 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:55:43 -0500

Donald Trump is many things, a loud mouth and arrogant ass, a speaker who speaks without thoughts of the repercussions and often times sounds disrespectful and probably is, but never a bigot.
I really do not see any real viable candidates in either party though because they are all wishy, washy, feel good, tell people what they want to hear, jump on the popular bandwagon issue or just plain old liars. But I am saddened because I do think that Hillary Clinton will win because she appeals to the politically correct whiners who are looking for handouts while being told how great they are all the while smiling in their face as she despises their existence. Gotta love the political machine!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 17 at 2015 4:11 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:11:08 -0500

Seems to be a couple...few...who take issue with the tone of the question.

I think it is hard to deny that some followers of Islam have much more problems with us than we have with them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 4:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:12:03 -0500

My unit environment is still great, its a small community so there's never really been any racial tension that I've noticed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 4:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:35:59 -0500

I see it as a turn away from ideological politics toward realpolitik. Since the ideological implications of what he's saying is actively ignored, accusations of bigotry simply are not going to stick.

That said, I see no change in the mood. Trump is reading the mood of most conservatives correctly and if he can keep it up... he will win the nomination. The million dollar question is, can he do the same with the National mood once he has the nomination?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 4:36 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:36:07 -0500

By definition, people who are intolerant of Trump's views are themselves bigots.

big·ot
ˈbiɡət/
noun
a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 17 at 2015 5:05 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:05:18 -0500

What bigotry? I have not heard Trump utter anything bigoted. He has spoken out about security. He has spoken out about sovereignty. But I have heard not one damn thing bigoted. The charges of bigotry leveled at Trump are feeble attempts to distract the mentally lame from the real issues that Trump is addressing. It's a standard defense among the Politically Correct: Ad hominem attacks (attack the person rather than the ideas).

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Dec 17 at 2015 5:09 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:09:13 -0500

Islam is a religion, not a race. So it's not really 'racism'.

Response by SPC Robert Borton made Dec 17 at 2015 5:31 PM

SPC Robert Borton — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:31:21 -0500

In the history of the US, we have stop people coming into this country during war. We have stop Germans, Japanese, and Iranians, now with the mess going on with the Muslim faith, we need to stop them also no matter the vetting they do to them. I believe that some of these radicals could pass the vetting system and then harm this country.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 5:50 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:50:28 -0500

Trump isn't a bigot. He loves America and he's blunt in his Honesty. He isn't my first choice but his wig would make a better president than Obama, Clinton and Sanders combined.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Dec 17 at 2015 6:30 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:30:02 -0500

I don't like downvoting anyone's topic, but your incendiary question that makes claims/assumptions without facts or an analysis of your own is an example of why many people hate the internet. Why don't you give us a brief narrative discussing why you think that Donald Trump is bigoted, with specific examples. That way everyone can see where you are coming from and respond in a reasoned manner.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 17 at 2015 9:43 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 21:43:36 -0500

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen Your argument is your own bias and it is not an accurate comparison. President Obama and the Democratic party have emphasized the separations in society, this administration should be working to bring people together.
Trump is wrong to pick one criteria only to prevent immigration or refugee status, this is just as stupid and prevents us from discussing the critical issue of protecting the nation.
Trump is correct to point out that we have not screened appropriately, this is a problem.

It is not racist to follow federal law and the Constitution, many people are upset that existing Federal laws are routinely ignored by this Democratic administration and many cities around the country.
Look at our posted photo as a clear comparison. The protestors on the right in the photo are saying no to Sharia law.

If you are a Muslim, you likely support Sharia law as a personal philosophy. You may also support Sharia as the societal legal structure and advocate for Sharia's adoption in the US.
Sharia is unique to Islam, which is the only belief that combines theology and government in the modern era. Jewish and Christian faiths have belief systems but they are not a political governance process. Over the course of many years the Jewish and Christian traditions have developed the separation of church and state via the Reformation and the establishment of Nation states, post 1648 Peace of Westphalia.
Sharia law is a fine personal religious philosophy but a non-tolerant societal legal structure and is wrong for the United States as we have a Constitution. We expect every citizen to respect the Constitution over their personal belief. Just as I accept the Constitution over my Christian beliefs.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 17 at 2015 10:07 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:07:41 -0500

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen Like I use to tell some special privates in Basic Training - You're 11 up - 3 down!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 12:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 00:21:01 -0500

And how has the ignorance of the idiots complaining about voicing and partake the liberty of freedom expression by saying who we let and don't let come into our country or not and term it as bigotry? All nations deal with customs and immigration. It is time for their muslim brotherhood in Saudi arabia, egypt, iran, kuwait, qatar help their brothers.

Response by TSgt Aaron D. made Dec 18 at 2015 5:50 AM

TSgt Aaron D. — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 05:50:22 -0500

I am only a reservist now and outside of Trump being an idiot discussion it has not impacted my workplace environment in the slightest.

Response by SPC Gary Dickson made Dec 18 at 2015 9:53 AM

SPC Gary Dickson — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 09:53:38 -0500

What bigotry are you referring to? Race relations in this country changed when the Kenyan in the WHITE House got elected.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Dec 18 at 2015 12:30 PM

1LT Aaron Barr — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:30:24 -0500

I guess Wilson was a xenophobic bigot for not allowing citizens of the Central Powers to immigrate into this country in WWI. Ditto for FDR not allowing immigration from the Axis during WWII.

Response by SPC Rich Stiltner made Dec 18 at 2015 1:08 PM

SPC Rich Stiltner — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:08:13 -0500

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 19 at 2015 12:53 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 00:53:06 -0500

C'mon. That's like asking if Trump still beats his wife.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 2:21 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 02:21:48 -0500

Bigot? Maybe, maybe not. Idiot that'll say anything to rile up right wingers? That's for dam sure. That guy is hustling off of the ultra-conservative,"all lives matter", CCW permit holding,"he shouldn't have resisted" crowd. I damn sure won't be voting for him but to each their own!

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Dec 19 at 2015 5:36 AM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 05:36:36 -0500

What bigotry?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 2:02 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 14:02:18 -0500

Sorry, I can't get beyond the name calling. Evidence should speak for itself and with the fallout of being labelled a bigot, racist, nazi, homophobe, etc. no one person should have the ability to mark another publicly with one of those labels. In fact, those labels are thrown around so much, they no longer seem to be as bad as they once were.
And BTW, there is no racial mood where I work. We keep it totally professional. Imagine that...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 2:14 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 14:14:11 -0500

I came back to think about it some more. I think this post is more for trolling than intellectual conversation. Just my opinion though.
If you would go back and state, "Has Trumps viewpoints during his presidential run changed the discussion in your unit in regards to race?" it would be more neutral and thought provoking. As is, it is more emotional than sensible.

Response by SPC Glen "G. Warren" Johnson made Dec 23 at 2015 1:48 AM

SPC Glen "G. Warren" Johnson — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:48:55 -0500

If you ask me, every one in our government needs to be fired because not one of them has done what they were put into office to do, they all said one thing (to get your vote) and then did the exact opposite after elected.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Dec 23 at 2015 8:37 AM

SPC Steven Depuy — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:37:45 -0500

I am not a Trump fan, but I also don't feel he is a bigot. I think he likes to cause drama because he has a huge ego and it keeps him in the news. I think the presidents actions have caused far more racial issues than Trump has. I grew up during the race riots in the 60's, it was something that needed to happen to deal with injustice. I was held back by quota's in my military career, and that needed to happen. I remember meeting Ike Ogalsby (probubly spelled his name wrong) at a reunion in the early 2000's, he was one of the officers who served with Elvis, and he had great stories. He was also one of the first African American officers in the army, and paved the way for General Powell and others who followed him. I think there are people who have made a living off racism, without ever doing much to help with it. Does it exist, sure, but a lot of the stuff going on today is totally out of control. All lives matter, black, white, blue, and the disregard I see in society today for other people makes me sick. Social media posts are filled with racist people of all races raging against other races. If you actually think a persons skin color has anything to do with their character and worth, your a sorry example of society. What I see with a lot of young people though, is someone abused someone else in the past, therefore, I have a right to abuse you. That's just stupid. You have people who won't accept the injustice of the church massacre in South Carolina, the man who was shot in the back by a cop, Eric Green being killed for selling cigarettes, and others due to Michael Brown, and others who were made out to be angels. I became a supporter of Dr. Ben Carson early on hoping he could put an end to the destruction of race relations in the country caused by our current POTUS, but the political spin machines seem to have done a number on him in most peoples eyes like they did to Clarence Thomas (The guy who everyone who worked with him, and the woman who accused him, said she was lying, but the press convicted). A poor kid with college ambitions wanting to attend college, would view an offer from a general to attend West Point as a scholarship. I am sure it was even presented in that way to him. At that time in his life, figuring out how to pay for school was the biggest thing on the mans mind. Yeah, they don't give scholorships to West Point, its just free. So in the end, whats the difference other than you have to give so many years of service back. Its easy to see how he viewed that as a scholership. Does not make the man a liar. Half the country believes everything President Clinton ever says, yet he was proven to have lied under oath to a grand jury, but they would view him as more truthful than Doctor Carson. What a sad world we live in. Probubly said enough to pretty well piss everyone off, but its how I feel about the subject.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Dec 23 at 2015 9:15 AM

LCpl Cody Collins — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:15:20 -0500

Not much, I'm African American and a lot of us think he's right. Tell all those rag heads to go home and fight for their homes and neighborhood 's

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 12:26 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 00:26:37 -0500

Someone's sensitive

Response by PO3 Lemuel Yates made Dec 28 at 2015 11:34 AM

PO3 Lemuel Yates — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:34:44 -0500

I understand the question you are asking. There has always been a race issue in the military. Anyone that says either should drop their rank insignia and separate from the armed forces. My grandfather, great uncle, uncles and myself as recently as 2010 experienced it while enlisted. To believe it just somehow vanished because segregation in the military was made illegal is pure idiocy. Someone being oblivious to something that doesn't concern or negatively affect them does not render it non-existent. To the contrary, it's what fuels its continuance.

Response by MSgt Dave Burke made Dec 31 at 2015 11:29 AM

MSgt Dave Burke — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 11:29:51 -0500

Please post some exact quotes from Trump which will support your saying he is a bigot. I have not heard any myself. Please educate me on this.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 3:09 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:09:17 -0500

I am going to say this: while there has always been race-based mudslinging in politics, Trump's actions and opinions are widely shared. The only difference is that he was ballsy enough to speak them on national television. While I do not agree with him, personally, I respect the fact that he has the kind of outrageous courage to stand and speak what he believes. That makes him a pretty remarkable candidate. It is high time that the politically correct bullsh*t stops. Because we have become a pushover society that is so afraid of hurting each other's feelings that we have lost the vision that this country was founded upon. That vision being "We are who we are; take it or leave it." What happened to the country we had that lead form the front and was not afraid to make it clear that we are a force to be reckoned with? I will tell you. Politicians. Quite frankly, to hell with your feelings. We are America. We are the big fish (or we used to be) in the pond. And we need to remind EVERYONE of that and stop worrying about their tender-hearted sensitivity. Because it is those tender sensibilities that will be the downfall of our nation and our way of life. So has the racial atmosphere changed in my community? No. Has our realization of the road that our country has walked down? Yes.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Jan 7 at 2016 2:30 PM

SPC Steven Depuy — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:30:50 -0500

I don't think Trump is a bigot, what he said was we have to figure out how to tell the difference between the good Muslims and bad Muslims, and until we figure that out, we should not allow them into the country. I am not saying he is right or wrong, but the man is far from a bigot, and if you look at how he runs his companies, he could care less about someones race, religion, sex, or anything else. Some of his followers might be bigots, but your statement that his is one is poor. Personally, I feel our president who promised to unite us all is responsible for race relations being set back 50 years, something I thought my generation ended. I worry at times we will never recover from the past 7 years and civil war will end up being the result of these politicians who try to get elected by promoting hatred.