The Impossible Trump Apology and Harris’s Smoke and Mirrors
Hi Reader,
Wishing you had a great holiday weekend!
This week, the conversation heated up across various fronts, from presidential election banter to the ongoing turmoil in Israel. I want to take a moment to dive into some of these discussions, providing you with my unfiltered perspective on the narratives that have dominated the news.
- Trump’s Redemption? Don’t Hold Your Breath
- Harris’s Smoke and Mirrors
- Israel’s Cease-Fire Protests: My Thoughts Are Coming Soon
Let me know what you think of this table of contents in the newsletter.
Trump’s Redemption? Don’t Hold Your Breath
I know I'm doing a good job in being a good ol' centrist when people reply accusing me of being too extreme on both sides. There is no expressing how crappy I think our candidates are this presidential cycle.
In this case I was asked particularly about my disdain for the former President. Let me say I think he was a traitor in his action on January 6, that should've been enough to remove him from office, and make him ineligible for reelection.
This week a friend asked me “Is there anything Donald Trump could say that would change your mind about him and gain your vote?”
My response was straightforward—an apology for his conduct on January 6th, accepting moral (not legal, his speech was legal speech) responsibility, ending his hateful rhetoric, and committing to a bipartisan cabinet.
But let’s be honest—pigs will fly on the wings of cows before any of that happens.
Some reactions dismissed even the possibility of Trump making such a turn, while others argued that it wouldn’t matter because he’s too far gone.
So I ask you, “Is there anything Donald Trump could say that would change your mind about him and gain your vote?”
Now on to the other horrible candidate. I’m so disturbed by politicians who distance themselves from accountability and transparency, like Kamala Harris tried to quell in her recent CNN sit-down interview with Dana Bash.
Harris’s Smoke and Mirrors
Harris’s recent interview raised more concerns than it addressed. Some say she answered every question directly, but I see it differently. Harris’s calculated approach—limiting media access and only participating in tightly controlled interviews—should alarm every American. After 35 days of avoiding unscripted engagements, she finally gave us a 26-minute interview, which many agree was a softball.
Dana Bash asked her questions, and Harris answered most of them straightforwardly. However, when Harris blatantly lied about her values never changing, despite clear contradictions from her 2016 campaign, Bash didn’t press further and moved on to the next topic.
This reveals a deeper issue: Harris has created an environment where she’s the frontrunner for the highest office in the nation, yet she’s so inaccessible to the press that interviewers seem hesitant to challenge her when she’s clearly misrepresenting her positions.
Harris’s strategy is obvious—minimize risk by avoiding unscripted exposure. But the American people deserve transparency, not rehearsed soundbites. The alarming part is that this approach is working; half of America is still polling in her favor. While I’m no fan of Trump’s behavior, at least he’s willing to engage in long-form, unscripted interviews where his true nature is on full display, for better or worse.
Israel’s Cease-Fire Protests: My Thoughts Are Coming Soon
Finally, I want to touch briefly on the hostage murders and massive protests in Israel, where tens of thousands took to the streets demanding a cease-fire after more hostages were found dead in Gaza. This situation is complex, with deep divisions in public opinion and significant pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu.
I’ll be addressing my full reaction to this soon, but for now, it’s clear that this conflict has reached a critical juncture. The cries for a cease-fire reflect a broader disillusionment with the ongoing violence and a desperate plea for resolution.
Sincerely,
Charles Chakkalo
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