Trump stands by statements on Mexican illegal immigrants, surprised by backlash

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t know much about Kipling. As I recall, however, the question lingers as to whether or not that piece was satirical.

Some of his work very much suggests that he didn’t believe there were truly “lesser breeds”.

 

[on_the_hill]

Some of his work very much suggests that he didn’t believe there were truly “lesser breeds”.

I hope so. Personally, I think it was satire. But I’m biased, because from what little I know of him, he’s a hero of mine.

 

[Darryl_Revok]

Kipling was a brilliant man, possessed of great insight, but was ultimately a man of his time, complete with the prejudices of his time.

When he’s talking about higher concepts, and dealing with abstracts, his words still hold relevance and inspiration: Recessional, If–.

Whenever he talks about social issues and politics, his applicability is limited.

 

[pnewton]

A few things.

What strikes me is how much Trump’s rhetoric sounds exactly like the xenophobic propaganda that greeted my Irish ancestors in the 1840s and after: they were portrayed (at the same time) as lazy and stealing American jobs; drunken, brawling criminals and disease ridden. The last has some bite at least, but you try staying healthy on a coffin ship.

I was thinking the same thing. It sounds rather No-Nothing-ish, as well as reminiscent of twentieth century anti-Semitic hate caricatures. I would not vote for Trump if he were the only one running.