Editorial board

Sunday’s debate was a grotesque moment in American history, as Trump tried to recover from a tape that has finally sent many of his Grand Old Party supporters running for the exits. During the debate, he called Clinton a liar, the devil, a woman with “tremendous hate in her heart” who belongs in jail. He even went so far as to invite into the audience women whose claims of sexual misconduct involving former President Bill Clinton have long since been resolved or found to lack evidence.

Editorial board on Hillary:

[A]n individual with the temperament and compassion to be the president of the United States.

In comparison:

Donald Trump will fight with Americans; Hillary Clinton will fight for America.

Editorial board:

If you believe in keeping our country safe and stable through proven political experience and knowledge, you must look deeply at the issues and beyond the personalities of the choices for president in the Nov. 8 election.

We believe Democrat Hillary Clinton’s policies, plans and ambitions offer more balance and reliability for the nation than gambling on the risky promises of Republican Donald Trump. She has the political leadership competencies to steer a steady course in a time of increasing turmoil at home and around the world.

Editorial board:

America will face many challenges at home and abroad over the next four years. Still, its overall success and world leadership will continue — if Trump is not elected.

Clinton is the only choice for president. She is undeniably the candidate with the experience, skills, knowledge and self-control to do the job.

Editorial board:

After Clinton’s nearly 30 years in the national spotlight, voters know first-hand all of her foibles and flaws, all her strengths and beliefs. With a high degree of certainty, Americans can know that electing Clinton means picking a president who will work tirelessly to enact sensible gun control, protect the environment, keep America safe from terrorism, reform the immigration system, and grow the economy.

Jia Tolentino nailed it:

[T]he worst of Trump’s many familiar male-specific debate tactics may have been when he said, so confidently, that “nobody” has more respect for women than him—that, to put it another way, women aren’t going to get more respect from anybody else.

An excellent read.

A conversation between my seven-year-old son and me before last night’s debate:

Đạo: “Are you going to watch the debate?”
Dad: “Yes, son.”
Đạo: “I hope Hillary Clinton will win.”
Dad: “Why do you think she should win?”
Đạo: “Because she’s a good person.”
Dad: “What about Donald Trump? Is he a good man?”
Đạo: “No, because S [his best friend] said that Donald Trump made fun of someone with one eye.”

I thought he meant the reporter at The New York Times, but I googled “Trump mocks someone with one eye” and the story about Harry Reid came up. How did I miss that one?

The second debate was as nasty as expected. Donald Trump survived the ninety-minute without melting down, but he also proved to be dangerous, stupid, and still misogynist.

He threatened to put his opponent in jail: “If I win, I’m going to instruct the attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, because there’s never been so many lies, so much deception.” It is dangerous for a president to use his power for a revenge. We know he would do it because he is still hurt by what Rosie O’Donnell said to him years ago.

In the exchange over the carried-interest loophole, Donald blamed Hillary for not fixing the problem, but he has no clue how the political system works. Hillary had to teach him: “You know, under our constitution, presidents have something called veto power.” How stupid is it for someone who runs for president doesn’t understand seventh-grade Civics?

When Cooper Anderson pressed Donald on sexual assault, he responded, “I have great respect for women. Nobody has more respect for women than I do.” He respects women so much that he can do anything to them like “Grab them by the pussy.” Is that the kind of respect we want for women?

Hôm qua tờ Washington Post đăng lên một video clip thu lại những lời phát ngôn bừa bãi của ứng cử viên tổng thống Donald Trump. Ổng khoe khoang rằng vì ông ta là một ngôi sao nên muốn làm gì thì làm. Gặp gái đẹp chụp “lồn” cũng được.

Những ai theo dõi ông Trùm vài tháng nay sẽ không bị shock với những lời phát biểu ấy. Ông Trùm khinh bỉ đàn bà nhưng đản cộng hoà vẫn tôn sùng ông. Người tôn giáo cho rằng ông Trùm là thần thánh cứu họ ra khỏi tận thế. Họ lúc nào cũng đấu tranh cho bào thai nhưng lại không hề quang tâm đến những người mang bào thai.

Chỉ còn một tháng nữa là đến ngày bầu cử. Nhục nhã biết mấy cho đất nước Mỹ nếu ông Trùm dâm tặc trở thành tổng thống. Tôi hy vọng rằng điều đó sẽ không thành sự thật.

Tuần trước gặp ông Dean ở cầu thang. Ổng hỏi, “Hey Donny, nếu tôi mời cậu và bà xã đi dự tiệc tôn vinh quan toà Scalia. Cậu có đi không?” Tôi lúng túng trả lời “Sure, tôi rất danh dự được hiện diện.” Ổng nói tiếp, “Cám ơn cậu đã tận tình làm việc cho trường.”

Tôi hỏi bà xã, “Em ơi, thứ năm tuần sau đi dự tiệc với anh không? Xem thử buổi ăn tối $1000 đô nó ra sau.” Đúng vậy, khi thiết kế tờ chương trình tôi thấy giá vé từ thiện để tham dự từ $1000 cho đến $100,000.

Hôm qua lùa đám nhỏ về nhà nhờ bà ngoại trông ba thằng vài tiếng, hai vợ chồng láy xe qua DC dự tiệc. Bị kẹt xe trể nữa tiếng nhưng cũng tốt khỏi phải xã giao nhiều. Vào tiệc được một đĩa nấm ravioli và một miếng filet mignon nhỏ. Rồi ngồi nghe kể chuyện về ông Scalia. Trong buổi tiệc có vợ con ổng, những người Supreme Justice đồng nghiệp và rất nhiều dân cộng hoà như Dick Cheney.

Màng cuối cùng là đã nhất. Rất nhiều đồ ngọt và cà phê. Đã lâu lắm rồi hai vợ chồng mới có dịp đi ra ngoài. Về đến nhà 11 giờ thấy hai thằng lớn vẫn ăn popcorn xem TV.