# "Leave Donald Alone!" Pleads His Press Secretary **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 2, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125 "2017-01-02T04:23:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/161 "2017-01-03T17:32:36Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > No, I haven’t misunderstood it at all. Then you deliberately misinterpreted it, which, for somebody who spends so much time whining how other people are allegedly misrepresenting **his** remarks, seems rather hypocritical. [QUOTE=Starving Artist] People love to throw around the phrase that “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer” [/quote] Whatever reasons you think unspecified “people love to throw around” a particular phrase has nothing to do with **my** specific use of it. As I made quite clear, I don’t believe (and am not trying to encourage anyone else to believe) that the mere fact of a rich person getting richer automatically must make a poor person poorer. As I also made quite clear, **it is specific Republican policies that tend to cause both effects simultaneously.** [QUOTE=Starving Artist] What they do is create the need for less spending [/quote] No, tax cuts for the wealthy do **not** create the need for less spending, as my previous cite documents. The idea that tax cuts for the wealthy inherently produce increased prosperity for everybody is just a conservative mantra unsubstantiated by facts. [QUOTE=Starving Artist] In the view of many, the poor are poor because they lack employment that sufficiently finances their needs…assuming they are employed at all. [/quote] And as I noted and cited, giving tax cuts to the wealthy does absolutely nothing overall to increase adequate employment for the poor. Unless you want to have a complete command economy in which there are no rich and no poor and all economic transactions are micromanaged by government, a successful economy is always going to require some level of income redistribution to smooth out some of the random imbalances of market forces. **All reasonable adults in developed nations understand this basic economic fact. It’s only the anti-tax conservative whiners who keep sulking about “freebies for the poor” and the government “taking money from the rich” as if those were by their very nature some kind of intolerable indignities.** [QUOTE=Starving Artist] I doubt one person in a hundred who hears the phrase “The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer” thinks it means that the poor are getting poorer because they’re getting less rich people’s tax money. What they almost certainly think is that the poor are being deprived of income because the rich are soaking up a disproportionate share of the country’s available money. [/quote] I’ve never heard this interpretation, and your assumption that it’s overwhelmingly common doesn’t strike me as any more probable than any of your other myriad fact-free illusions about economics. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/162 "2017-01-03T18:39:37Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > If nothing else, this is going to be an amazing four years for comedy. Sorry I can’t agree with you there. Trump was a hilarious buffoon up until the evening of November 9. But I have a hard time finding him funny anymore. Its the same way “Yo mamma’s so fat” jokes stop being funny when the “Yo mamma” in question needs a gastric bypass to treat congestive heart failure. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/163 "2017-01-03T19:03:31Z")
Enough of mocking that Trumpista (who has been mocked here plenty for other reasons). Our job here is [to mock Trump!](http://people.com/books/donald-trump-cnn-unprecendeted-book-cover-tweet/) > [@](#): > > On Monday, the businessman-turned-world leader tweeted his displeasure over the cover art for a new book from CNN about the 2016 Presidential Election. _Pobrecito_ ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/164 "2017-01-03T19:06:01Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > If nothing else, this is going to be an amazing four years for comedy. We’ll have to develop a [Russian sense of humour](http://www.langust.ru/review/xeno-ru9.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/165 "2017-01-03T19:53:51Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > What do you think he’s going to start selling next? Political and financial favors. But I suspect he’s already started. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/166 "2017-01-03T19:57:29Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Political and financial favors. But I suspect he’s already started. He’s already sold the Cabinet seats. I’m guessing the Supreme Court vacancy is next. Then some ambassadorships. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/167 "2017-01-03T20:08:34Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > He’s already sold the Cabinet seats. I’m guessing the Supreme Court vacancy is next. Then some ambassadorships. I guess someone who wants to buy a Supreme Court vacancy for him/herself has just the ethics Trump is looking for. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/168 "2017-01-03T20:09:49Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Oh yeah? Well, if Trump is such a bad business man, then how did he inherit so much money, huh? [http://www.alternet.org/story/156234/exposing\_how\_donald\_trump\_really\_made\_his\_fortune%3A\_inheritance\_from\_dad\_and\_the\_government’s\_protection\_mostly\_did\_the\_trick](http://www.alternet.org/story/156234/exposing_how_donald_trump_really_made_his_fortune%3A_inheritance_from_dad_and_the_government's_protection_mostly_did_the_trick) You can be a bad business man or woman and still get a nice inherit ! I know people that got a nice size inherit and they lost it all b/c they were bad business people . ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/169 "2017-01-03T20:19:05Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Enough of mocking that Trumpista (who has been mocked here plenty for other reasons). Our job here is [to mock Trump!](http://people.com/books/donald-trump-cnn-unprecendeted-book-cover-tweet/) > > _Pobrecito_ If Trump thinks that’s the worst photo they could’ve used of him, he’s going to have an aneurysm when he discovers Google Images. So [here you go](https://www.google.com/search?q=donald+trump&tbm=isch), Donald. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/170 "2017-01-03T20:29:31Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > If Trump thinks that’s the worst photo they could’ve used of him, he’s going to have an aneurysm when he discovers Google Images. > > So [here you go](https://www.google.com/search?q=donald+trump&tbm=isch), Donald. Enjoy! My [personal](http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55918b77ecad04a3465a0a63/nbc-fires-donald-trump-after-he-calls-mexicans-rapists-and-drug-runners.jpg) [favorites.](http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/trump-hair.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/171 "2017-01-03T20:31:21Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > If Trump thinks that’s the worst photo they could’ve used of him, he’s going to have an aneurysm when he discovers Google Images. > > So [here you go](https://www.google.com/search?q=donald+trump&tbm=isch), Donald. Enjoy! I see what you mean. [http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170103/da40289708609d6ec77725e4272c253b.jpg](http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170103/da40289708609d6ec77725e4272c253b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/172 "2017-01-03T21:44:21Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > My [personal](http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55918b77ecad04a3465a0a63/nbc-fires-donald-trump-after-he-calls-mexicans-rapists-and-drug-runners.jpg) [favorites.](http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/trump-hair.jpg) John Oliver once pointed out that Trump looks the same in every picture; smug, yet gassy. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/173 "2017-01-03T22:16:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > My [personal](http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55918b77ecad04a3465a0a63/nbc-fires-donald-trump-after-he-calls-mexicans-rapists-and-drug-runners.jpg) [favorites.](http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/trump-hair.jpg) And those aren’t even the ones tweaked to make [his](http://i2.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/021/605/trump_small_hands.jpg) [hands](https://trofire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/rs-trump-tiny-hands.png) [even](https://i.imgur.com/rwTmWZl.jpg) [tinier](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fY2jTTPZFnc/maxresdefault.jpg) than they are. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/174 "2017-01-03T22:28:32Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > And those aren’t even the ones tweaked to make [his](http://i2.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/021/605/trump_small_hands.jpg) [hands](https://trofire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/rs-trump-tiny-hands.png) [even](https://i.imgur.com/rwTmWZl.jpg) [tinier](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fY2jTTPZFnc/maxresdefault.jpg) than they are. That last one is actually somewhat disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/175 "2017-01-03T23:02:43Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > “Leave Donald Alone!” Pleads His Press Secretary > > Apparently he can dish out out but [he can’t take it](http://www.politicususa.com/2017/01/01/trumps-pres-secretary-begs-american-people-stop-mocking-donald-trump.html): Hahahaha. What a hoot! Sean Spicer did not beg the American people to stop mocking Trump in that video. It appears that some asshole named Jason Easley, writing for politicususa, made that claim in order to promote another fake news story. _Trump’s Press Secretary Begs The American People To Stop Mocking Donald Trump By Jason Easley on Sun, Jan 1st, 2017 at 11:16 am_ I can’t seem to find the source for your quote. Is that what “His Press Secretary” actually said? _“Leave Donald Alone!” Pleads His Press Secretary_ - **Steve MB** ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/176 "2017-01-03T23:16:14Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Hahahaha. What a hoot! Sean Spicer did not beg the American people to stop mocking Trump in that video. It appears that some asshole named Jason Easley, writing for politicususa, made that claim in order to promote another fake news story. > > _Trump’s Press Secretary Begs The American People To Stop Mocking Donald Trump > By Jason Easley on Sun, Jan 1st, 2017 at 11:16 am_ > I can’t seem to find the source for your quote. Is that what “His Press Secretary” actually said? > > _“Leave Donald Alone!” Pleads His Press Secretary_ > - **Steve MB** You’re certainly the expert on changing quotes. Actual Spicer quote. > [@](#): > > Everything he does right now, he gets — he speaks for the head of Sprint, gets 5,000 jobs moved from abroad. **And everyone starts to mock him.** Oh, those jobs were already announced. They weren’t. The sales jobs have been a previous announce. These jobs were coming from abroad to America. He’s certainly complaining that Trump is getting mocked. As well he should be, trying to take credit for something that was announced earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/177 "2017-01-03T23:26:58Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I can’t seem to find the source :dubious: You can’t? In the very link that you included in your quote from **Steve MB** ’s post, Spicer’s own words are quoted directly: > [@](#): > > And instead of trying to mock him or undermine him, it’s time that people started to give him credit That’s the whiny, defensive attitude that the OP paraphrased as “Leave Donald Alone!” Were you confused because you thought the OP was claiming that Spicer actually uttered the words “Leave Donald alone”? I think everybody else successfully got the point that it was a mocking paraphrase. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/178 "2017-01-03T23:30:48Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You’re certainly the expert on changing quotes. > Actual Spicer quote. > He’s certainly complaining that Trump is getting mocked. > As well he should be, trying to take credit for something that was announced earlier. Hahahaha. Where does he “begged”? Jason Easley, the asshole from politicususa, said he “begged”. Fake news. Yawn. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/179 "2017-01-03T23:33:33Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > :dubious: You can’t? In the very link that you included in your quote from **Steve MB** ’s post, Spicer’s own words are quoted directly: > > That’s the whiny, defensive attitude that the OP paraphrased as “Leave Donald Alone!” > > Were you confused because you thought the OP was claiming that Spicer actually uttered the words “Leave Donald alone”? I think everybody else successfully got the point that it was a mocking paraphrase. “Paraphrased”? “Quoted directly”? You must be a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125/180 "2017-01-03T23:36:34Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Where does he “begged”? Jason Easley, the asshole from politicususa, said he “begged”. I think you’re still mixed up about the distinction between “direct quote” and “mocking paraphrase”. Describing Spicer as “pleading” and “begging” for people to stop mocking Trump is just a way of poking fun at the tone of his remarks. Nowhere does the cited article misquote or misrepresent any of the words that he actually said. And the lede itself is very straightforward: > [@](#): > > Trump’s press secretary Sean Spicer went on national television to complain that the American people are mocking Donald Trump and called on every American to support the president-elect instead of mocking him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-donald-alone-pleads-his-press-secretary/776125.md?page=10)