Obama: Those in power are trying to 'undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy...
Source: The Hill
Obama: Those in power are trying to 'undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning'
BY JACQUELINE THOMSEN - 07/17/18 11:03 AM EDT
Former President Obama on Tuesday appeared to offer a wide-ranging rebuke of President Trump, saying that those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning."
Obama, delivering the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg, warned that strongman politics are ascending suddenly, whereby elections, some pretense of democracy, are maintained, the form of it. He referenced strange and uncertain times, saying that each days news cycle is bringing more head-spinning and disturbing headlines.
One of his most direct criticisms toward Trump administration was over the withdrawal from the Paris climate deal, saying that he can't "find common ground" with people who claim that climate change is a hoax, "when almost all the worlds scientists say it is." And he also spoke about leaders who "completely make stuff up" in another apparent jab at Trump, saying that facts need to be upheld in order for democracy to thrive.
"We see the utter loss of shame in political leaders when theyre caught in a lie and they just double down and lie some more," Obama said, warning that the undermining of facts and reality could "be democracy's undoing."
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/news/397410-obama-those-in-power-are-trying-to-undermine-every-institution-or-norm-that
Blue Owl
(50,238 posts)mcar
(42,278 posts)I miss President Obama and normalcy.
elmac
(4,642 posts)President Obama would have told the turtle to go to hell and announce that Russia was interfering with the elections before the elections. Now, any statement made, any anger shown by any good leaders will not change the fact that putin owns ameriKa.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Response to DonViejo (Original post)
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elmac
(4,642 posts)and now we are solidly a fascist capitalist society.