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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 2018)
Page 12 September 12, 2018 MCS Still in Business O PINION Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $50.00 A small distance/travel charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $50.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area and Hallway Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) : $30.00 Heavily Soiled Area: $10.00 each area (Requiring Pre-Spray) Area/Oriental Rug Cleaning Regular Area Rugs $25.00 Minimum Wool Oriental Rugs $40.00 Minimum UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $70.00 Loveseat: $50.00 Sectional: $110 - $140 Chair or Recliner: $25.00 - $50.00 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) : $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949 The Orange Man’s Mystifying Approval Ratings We need a united front to confront ‘Trumpism’ d r . r on d aniels With all the vile acts that Donald Trump, “the orange man,” has committed and the barrage of media cov- erage of his egoma- niacal behavior, you would think that his approval rat- ing would be tanking. But, that’s not the case. A recent CNN Poll showed Trump’s approval rating at 42 percent, up from 5-10 per- cent depending on which polls one chooses to cite. Now 42 per- cent is nothing to brag about, and he has never cracked 50 percent. Nonetheless, that 42 percent of the American people support the orange man is mystifying! Trump’s litany of foul acts is legion. He recently signed a De- fense Authorization Bill named after ailing Sen. John McCain, by while he was still alive, and re- fused to utter his name. At a ral- ly the same day, he disparaged McCain for casting the vote that derailed the Republican effort to kill Obamacare. Trump can’t re- sist blurting out nasty comments about women. He recent- ly called Rev. Omarosa Manigault-Newman, his former Communications Director turned vicious critic, a “dog.” The orange man never passes up an opportuni- ty to make broad-brush generalizations about immigrants from Mexico and Central Amer- ica, characterizing them as “rap- ists” and “murderers.” He labeled Haiti and some African countries “s-hole” nations and continues to question the mental capacity of African Americans. I can’t imagine any other Presi- dent’s standing not being reduced to the point of resigning as a con- sequence of revelations from the likes of a Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal attorney, the felony con- victions against Paul Manafort, his campaign chairman and other notables who “flipped” to corrob- orate the corruption in the White House. His approval rating might slip some, but this many people em- bracing the madness emanating from the White House is astound- ing and dangerous! It is dangerous because of the elements and constituencies that comprise Trump’s “base;” a combustible caldron of Tea Party adherents, angry victims of eco- nomic dislocation, anti-immigrant xenophobia, racism, sexism, ho- mophobia, islamophobia, white nationalism, opportunistic “con- servatives” and ignorance. The orange man’s base has es- sentially seized control of the Re- publican Party and the traditional leaderships is terrified. Accord- ingly, it is dangerous when leaders of the Republican Party refuse to standup to a demagogue either be- cause they fear his base or more importantly because he has been the vehicle for promoting reac- tionary, right-wing policies; an agenda which is antithetical to the interests of Black and Brown people, women, LBTQ persons, labor, poor and working people. And, he seeks to seal the deal by appointing rightwing judges that will provide the judicial sanction for this retrograde agenda well into the future. Herein lies the challenge to the liberal, left, progressive forc- es; we must mobilize in a life and death struggle for the soul of this nation. There is no time for apathy, inaction and destruc- tive dissension in the face of this grave danger. We urgently need a united front to confront and erad- icate Trumpism and advance a visionary agenda for transforma- tive change. Protests, disruption, civil disobedience, economic sanctions/boycotts and marching on ballot boxes with a sense of urgency, any and all legitimate means necessary must be em- ployed to snuff out the danger of Trumpism as a pre-condition for creating the new America which must be born! Dr. Ron Daniels is president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus, York College City University of New York.
