Jon Davis, a conservative thought leader on Quora, shares his thoughts about the 'Muslim ban': https://www.quora.com/What-do-Trump-supporters-think-about-the-current-restrictions-on-U-S-visas/answer/Jon-Davis-10?srid=zh1s&share=ded0efb5
I actually don't agree with quite a fair points raised here, but regardless with whether we agree with the arguments Jon Davis raised, I think there are a few important things we can learn:
1) The situation is significantly more complex than what we may imagine it to be. The average person knows so little but has such a loud voice. Take the little you know, imagine it being alot more complicated. It's probably more complicated than that. For me, I reached a point where I don't really want to comment on other side anymore because I realise just how little I know.
2) The picture painted by the liberal media and the 'lies' that Trump and his administration put out are the same tactics isn't it. They discredit each other, make the other look like complete fools, create distrust. The net effect is that Trump supporters become greater Trump supporters. Those against him become stronger in being against him. Those who are trying to figure out what is really going on give up because they don't know what's real anymore.
3) Even if we disagree strongly with Trump voters, it is not wise to dismiss them and simply label them as bigots/whatever. Just like how there are intellectuals with good solid arguments on the liberal side, there are the same on the conservative side. Like mentioned, I don't agree with some of the arguments Jon Davis raised, but they're definitely thought through and I can understand why someone would stand by it.
4) Similarly, as much as Trump supporters are sometimes regarded as sheep who simply listen to Trump's 'lies', the truth is that there are plenty of liberal 'sheep' as well who don't actually know anything but buy in to the rhetoric of the liberal media and online voice. I remember reading an article about how political humour in Singapore is a manifestation of dissent, someone needs to write a paper on how internet memes influence public opinion.
5) I think it's fair to say that Trump's policy is indeed rather isolationist and not all that good for the rest of the world. Perhaps we may argue that the US as 'the leader of the free world' has a duty to the rest of the world as well, but we're not the US. Whether it is ultimately beneficial to US itself to adopt this policy is something that may not be all that clear cut (remember that benefits are not just economic benefits, but social and other factors as well).
6) What does suck, at the end of the day, is that US is in the mess. This is irregardless of whether Trump is right or wrong, but rather in terms of how divisive the nation is now. Bloomberg commented that Sally Yates, the attorney general who got fired for telling staff to not defend the order, should not have done it. If she really could not bring herself to do it, she should resign instead of rebelling. Her duty is to enforce the order, not bring in her own opinion and politicize it. I think that is a valid argument. Nothing will be functioning if everyone in power starts to do whatever they want.
Recently had also read these:
On how the 'Muslim ban' is part of a negotiation technique Trump has always used: http://blog.dilbert.com/post/156532225711/the-persuasion-filter-and-immigration
How Trump's electing winning strategy is based on big data: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/big-data-cambridge-analytica-brexit-trump
The first was interesting and makes alot of sense. Actions that look blatantly crazy may well be a well thought out strategy.
The second is scary. I am fascinated with big data. I know how powerful big data is when it comes to consumer insights and it's ability to shape marketing decisions, down to the smallest detail. Take that power and apply it to politics though, and it suddenly becomes something really scary. I don't know how reliable this article is and how much impact big data really had on Brexit and Trump's victory, but I have no doubt that big data is capable of doing just that.
So how deep does the rabbit hole go?
From a scale of 'he's really batshit crazy' to' all according to keikaku', how much of this was Trump's strategy?
How about other global players? Saudi Arabia, Russia, how much hand did they have in shaping the world to become the way it is today?
At this point, I'm glad I'm just a random dude in Singapore who can't do much anyway. If I were in the position to influence many lives, I don't know what I would do.
Well, let's end this on a happier note. I know memes are powerful liberal rhetoric, but spicy memes are hilarious regardless heh.
