To: readers across the Aisle
Subject: Change is coming
Date: June 22, 2020
To: readers across the Aisle
Subject: Voting in America- not so black and white
Date: May 27, 2020
To: readers across the Aisle
Subject: Honest Abe playing dirty
Date: September 11, 2020
On this day, 19 years ago, we lost nearly 3,000 Americans in the attack on the World Trade Center. We will never forget the tragedy of this day, and the sacrifice and bravery of our heroes. You can find ways to honor those lost at the end of this newsletter.
Did you think we forgot about the RNC?
The Republican National Convention happened August 24th-27th. In this newsletter:
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RNC highlights, from Nikki Haley to Daniel Cameron
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the growing divide driven by the Lincoln Party
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family politics in the Trump administration
Let's take a walk down the Aisle...
The RNC
What: The Republican National Convention is held before every Presidential election to nominate a candidate
Where: Almost entirely virtual with speakers assembling at the White House
Why: To remind the nation that the ‘best is yet to come’ (just as Kimberly Guilfoyle excitedly shouted) and project the falsities in Biden and Harris’ socialist utopia.
A Counter Figure
Nikki Haley's speech included:
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declaration that America isn’t racist
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a description of herself as a “proud daughter of Indian immigrants”. Deja vu anyone?
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Praise for Trump’s administrative + foreign policy decisions concerning North Korea, Iran, and the IS
There were speculations that Haley would be chosen as a vice-presidential nominee by Trump in an action mimicking Biden’s. With Pence formally accepting his nomination, this rumor has been put to rest.
But the GOP isn’t just yet putting the immigrant-narrative aside. This might set the stage for a Haley vs. Harris run in 2024.
Left: Haley overlooked the fact that the US’s efforts to overthrow the IS began under Obama. Trump’s approach hasn’t curbed the IS from operating at a reduced level.
Right: Despite having no obligation to make any payment, the Obama administration sent over a plane full of cash to Iran, thus funding the perpetuation of conflicts in the Middle East
A Family Affair
The dominance of the family – Melania, the children, and partners of Eric and Donald Jr. – drew remarks about the RNC being a family affair.
Summary: the Trump family pushed for a second term
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Ivanka called her father a “people’s president," "champion of the American worker," "defender of common sense,” and “voice for the forgotten men and women of the country”
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Donald Jr. called out Biden and the left for trying to bully the right into submission
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Melania underscored her husband’s love for the country and ability “to get things done”
Bonus: speaking of family, Kellyanne Conway's (Trump advisor) and George Conway's (co-founder of the Lincoln Project- more below) daughter is pushing for emancipation. And you thought your family drama was bad?
Left:Trump was the very first President to inappropriately give the largest chunk of airtime to his family’s speeches
Right: there's a crazy double standard when attacking the President and his family with comments that are otherwise labeled as xenophobic
Lincoln claps back
Just as in 2016, there seems to be a widening divide within the party over Trump.
Mitt Romney – a loud critic of Trump in the party – was not invited to the RNC. The President has been just as loudly critical of Romney, calling him the party’s “worst senator."
It all began with the impeachment trial - He chose to convict Trump because it was a matter of following his conscience.
The internal rift isn’t just restricted to Romney and became more prevalent with the pandemic.
The Trump administration hasn’t necessarily been following the principles of the Tea Party movement either. Rand Paul declared the movement dead – very few Republicans now care about deficit and spending.
The latest tea has been the new anti-Trump video campaigns run by the Lincoln Project:
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Dedicated Americans Protecting Democracy, so they describe themselves
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Campaigning to oust Trump from office
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Minute-long ads to expose the administration
Left:Trump’s ballistic reaction to critics ‘at home’ is a reflection of his desperation
Right:Lincoln Project has Russian ties and tax troubles – this is a disgrace to Lincoln
Breaking the norm
The RNC broke many norms but what stood out most of all was Trump’s cameo in a naturalization ceremony broadcasted as part of the Convention.
Two women who were naturalized said that they didn’t know that their ceremony at the White House would appear as part of the Convention. But they had no complaints either.
Other speakers:
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McCloskeys warned suburbanites of an unsafe America if Biden wins
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Daniel Cameron (first Black AG of Kentucky) spoke about law and order and how the Democratic Party takes advantage of the Black vote
Left:An anti-immigrant president presiding over such a ceremony felt like ‘exploitation’ and was hypocritic
Right:It was only an effort to give a ‘new look’ to Trump – people need to know that he isn’t actually a bigot.
Other controversies
What: Cardi B vs. Candace Owens
Right: Sanders and Biden manipulate Cardi despite the fact that their policies haven't historically helped Black Americans
Left: Candace Owens is used by Trump supporters to claim the party isn't racist
What: Trump says he knew how deadly COVID would be in Feb.
Right: this is an overreaction- Trump already said in March and April during press conferences that he downplayed the virus to remain positive
Left: Trump purposely hid this information in order to protect the economy, costing thousands of lives
What: Trump reportedly calls buried veterans "losers and suckers"
Right: this is not a factual story (only uses anonymous sources); Trump supports the military more than any other president
Left: Trump does not respect the military or this country
What: Biden loses Latinos in Florida
Right: Cubans and Venezuelans are weary of socialism and leaning towards Trump
Left: need clear strategy for attracting diverse Latino demographic
What: MAGA boat parade
Right: the silent majority support is going ~swimmingly~ for the campaign
Cartoon
Spread some good
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The Man in the Red Bandana was a trader who saved 12 people by making several trips back up before towers collapsed. You can donate to the Welles Remy Crowther trust here.
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Todd Beamer's famous last words were "let's roll," before he and other passengers fought hijackers to regain control of flight 93 preventing it from attacking DC.
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You can visit the virtual 9/11 museum and donate here.
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Over 3M acres were destroyed by fires in California, here's how you can help.
Quote of the week
"What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.” —David Levithan
On September 11, 2001, 2,977 Americans died after an attack by terrorists on NYC's Twin Towers. We will never forget the tragedy and loss of this day, and the sacrifice of everyday heroes who stepped up to protect their fellow citizens.
Our nation saw unprecedented unity after 9/11. COVID-19 has killed more than 190,000 Americans. Although we are working to achieve the same unity we had 19 years ago, the continuing sacrifice of everyday heroes & frontline workers remains a constant reminder of the American spirit in crisis.
Share The Aisle
Thank you for walking across the Aisle with us this week. Now that you have both sides of the story, it’s up to you to decide where you stand.
Regardless of where you end up, we’re thankful that you read ideas that challenged your position, and we hope you’ll leave with a better understanding of the other side.
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This article cites 15 liberal news sources in blue and 17 conservative news sources in red. 6 sources were considered neutral in gray.