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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 2016)
May 25, 2016 Page 7 HEALTHCAREERS O PINION Your Carpet Best Cleaning Choice Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $45.00 A small distance/travel charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Trafic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Trafic Area (Hallway Extra) Trump and the Bigoted Conspiracy Peddlers A coalition of the unhinged m iChael b. K eegan It’s no secret that Donald Trump, the GOP’s all but oficial new standard-bearer, is a promoter of wild conspiracy theories and harmful lies — from his smear of Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers to his offensive questioning of President Obama’s place of birth and religious be- liefs. But Trump’s rhetoric is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast network of fringe ig- ures he’s decided to associate himself with. The billionaire pol- itician has elevated the proile of some of the most bizarre and big- oted peddlers of conspiracy theo- ries and vitriol in America today. He’s courted the support, for example, of far-right conspiracy theorist radio host Alex Jones. In December, Trump went on Jones’ radio show, lavishing Jones with praise and promising him: “I will not let you down.” This is a radio host who’s sug- gested that the U.S. government was complicit in the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Newtown school shooting rampage, and the massacre at a black church in by Charleston, South Carolina. He thinks Beyoncé is part of a CIA effort to instigate racial violence and that President Obama is a “demonic creature” and a “precursor” to the Antichrist. Jones also recently said that conserva- tive columnist George Will, who’s been crit- ical of Trump, should “do the right thing” and shoot himself in the head. And this is a man Donald Trump doesn’t want to let down? Or take Michael Savage, the host of the popular right-wing radio show The Savage Nation, where Trump has appeared mul- tiple times. Savage has called veterans coping with PTSD “a bunch of losers” and accused President Obama of “dumping” unaccom- panied migrant children into our country to “wipe out” Americans through the spread of disease. On his short-lived television show in 2003, Savage told a gay caller to “get AIDS and die, you pig.” Trump has called Savage a “special guy” doing “an amazing job.” And then there’s the infamous Ann Coulter. Trump’s repeatedly invited the notoriously offensive right-wing commentator to speak at his cam- paign rallies, calling himself a “big fan” of hers. Unsurprisingly, Trump doesn’t seem concerned by the endless stream of hateful anti-immigrant, racist, and sexist ideas Coulter has pushed through- out the years. Coulter has warned, for ex- ample, that if the United States doesn’t crack down on immigra- tion, parents should “get used to your little girls being raped.” She’s voiced support for poll tax- es, which existed to keep African Americans away from the ballot box, and isn’t sure women should have the right to vote at all. Speaking about women widowed by the September 11 attacks, she said: “I have never seen people enjoying their husbands’ death so much.” In short, Trump is raising up the cruelest and most extreme voices on the right — people who bash immigrants, demonize wom- en and LGBT people, and spread outrageous lies about government conspiracies. And his support of these igures is entirely consistent with his own wild claims. While these fringe igures have existed for years, they haven’t al- ways had a presidential nominee to echo and elevate their toxic rhetoric. And that should concern all of us. Michael Keegan is the presi- dent of People for the American Way. Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. Agent 4946 N. Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503 286 1103 Fax 503 286 1146 ernie.hill.h5mb@statefarm.com 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service R State Farm R Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) : $25.00 Area/Oriental Rugs: $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool) : $40.00 Minimum Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $109 - $139 Chair or Recliner: $25 - $49 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) : $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949