"Negative motivation" is a tool used by preachers, politicians, and even us lawyers at times.It's motivating by fear. "If you don't repent you will burn in hell". Or, "If you don't vote for me the other guy is going to make your life miserable".
Donald trump uses this tactic brilliantly to keep his minions and followers in line: "America is going to hell in a hand basket. It's in terrible shape, and if you don't let me do what I want, things are only going to get worse."
He was at it again today while visiting us here in Philly.
" President Trump said Thursday that Philadelphia's murder rate has been "steady, I mean, just terribly increasing.
By almost any interpretation, he's wrong.
First, let's look at his full quote:
'"Right now, too many families don’t feel secure. Just look at the 30 largest cities. In the last year alone, the murder rate has increased by an estimated 14 percent. Here in Philadelphia, the murder rate has been steady, I mean, just terribly increasing.”'
The most accurate interpretation of his remarks about Philadelphia would be to say the murder rate last year was steady. That is correct: In 2015, the murder rate was about 17.86 per 100,000 residents, according to a calculation using police statistics and census data. In 2016, it was about 17.41 per 100,000 residents.
But after saying "steady" Trump added, "I mean, just terribly increasing," which is incorrect. It's true that 2015 and 2016 had higher murder rates than 2013 and 2014. But the earlier two years had the lowest murder rates the city had seen in decades: " [Source]
The Philadelphia Inquirer is being kind. He knows that he is "wrong"; he flat out lied.
But that's how trump rolls, he just lies for lying sake. He can't help himself. It's one lie after another. Lying has become the new normal for an American president. Facts be dammed, we have "alternative facts" to give you.
Today trump was in Philly, and there were thousands and thousands of protesters in the streets. He can't lie to me about that, I saw it with my own eyes. But we all now how obsessed he is with crowds. (Ordering a government agency to find proof to back up a lie is beyond the pale.) Soon he will go on some national cable show and try to convince us that there were no protests in Philly today. And the scary thing is that some people will believe him.
Is it any wonder, then, that his number two guy does not want the press to report anything and just "keep its mouth shut".
Hopefully no one in the Fifth Estate is listening, and everyone will just keep writing and talking.
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