SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: New National Pastime

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

March 5

1864 - L.A. Star newspaper report: County supervisors have accepted Beale's Cut as complete [story]

New National Pastime

Commentary by Betty Arenson

Betty Arenson | Friday, Apr 7, 2017

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

The headline is a total understatement. The mild “new national pastime” is the act of hating President Donald J. Trump. The words are mild and understated because “hate” isn’t an evil or deep enough word.

After every presidential election, it exists that about one-half of the voters and citizens are unhappy. But it has never, I repeat never, been as omnipresent, vulgar or dangerous as it is today.

Most unfortunately, the signs are it will worsen – and whoever thought that was possible?

It isn’t just Trump himself; it’s anyone attached to him, be it family, friends, appointees, cabinet choices, supporters or those who voted for him.

To name a few: manners, respect, dignity and decorum left the fit society’s train station years ago, and today those qualities rarely exist in our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces or even with our fellow drivers on the roads and certainly not in politics.

Politics was never known to be clean, but now the sully is a permanent stain, and there’ll be no reversal because now anything goes. That was proven in the past weeks with the malicious maligning of our First Lady and wholly underlined with the shameful attacks, made and publicized by the media, on the president’s 10-year-old son.

Sadly, there was no national outcry to say, “Oh no, you have gone way too far.” If the majority of people, irrespective of political views, didn’t find that outrageous and off-limits, then the story has been written.

Ivanka Trump and her minor children were publicly harassed on an airplane, and last Saturday protesters were outside of her home as organized by the LGBTQ and billed as “Queer Dance Party for Climate Justice.”

What?

The left and too many Democrats suffer from insatiable appetites when the hunger is solely to destroy Trump and his presidency. Their mission is to broadcast every move Trump makes or doesn’t make, and if exaggeration or lying is needed for gilding, then so be it.

One would think Trump has done at least one or two things right; after all, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

On March 31, Tom Perez, the new DNC chairman and Obama’s former labor secretary, gave a speech to a New Jersey crowd that was described by Newsmax as “an expletive-laced shot at the Republican Party.” Multiple sources, like The Daily Caller and Fox, elaborated with Perez’ claims that Trump didn’t win the election.

Evidently Perez failed the course on the electoral college.

Perez encouraged further “resistance” after praising the (many) protests. His failure to denounce the multiple destructive riots, masked as protests, speaks volumes.

The most egregious act of hate was the L.A. Times’ full-page Op-ed on April 2.

The very large font read, “Our Dishonest President.” That article is mortifying with the personal vindictive hatred dripping off of the page as authored by the Times’ editorial board. It’s far beyond a hit piece. They’re not done yet; this laser-aim for destruction is but the first of a series.

Such relentless and indelible attacks are anything but good for America. But then, that’s the purpose.

I phoned The Times and asked to speak to someone on the editorial board. I spoke with a woman who claimed the name of Linda Hall. I asked her if the paper actually believes this kind of publication is good for the country. She replied that it’s a “democratic country, and we can write anything we want as long as it’s the truth.”

The real “truth” she avoided is that there are no consequences for lying, misrepresenting or cherry-picking specific words by the president or his staff, as public figures.

I tried to have a conversation with her and challenged her comment with a couple of details but received no direct response. I also gave her specific topics involving President Obama and Hillary Clinton and asked why there were no like-kind commentaries with even some of the same adjectives assigned to Trump.

She was in a big hurry to rush me off of the phone and kept repeating that she would send me “the links.”

With or without the links, the L.A. Times has worked blatantly and tirelessly for the Democrats for decades. They have confused that with being a democratic newspaper.

Betty Arenson is a Valencia resident who believes in the Constitution in its entirety and that laws should be upheld and apply to everyone equally.

Comment On This Story

COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

6 Comments

Gary says:

Friday, Apr 7, 2017 at

Betty,

You nailed it, and the “so-called President” himself is leading the pack. I don;t recall Obama calling anyone names. These days, the President leads the entire country in offensive behavior. I am afraid that if we follow his example we will have an entire generation of bores, brutes, bullies.

Reply
George Palmer says:

Friday, Apr 7, 2017 at

Sad to see the same supporters of the former administration who so loudly proclaimed peace and love for all transformed into a hate filled, divisive, lynch mob. Politics not-so-artfully masked as a pretense of social principle.

Reply
Bill says:

Friday, Apr 7, 2017 at

I agree that there should be consequences for lying so we must hold Trumps feet to the fire!

Reply
Denny NNWofLA says:

Friday, Apr 7, 2017 at

I must have missed someone calling Melania Trump a gorilla.
The LAT editorial was an honest account; truth does not equate to meanness.
Lastly, it’s right wing media and the Republican party that have devolved away from any sense of decency.

Final daily score-
Clock 2.
So-called president 0.

Reply
SCgal says:

Friday, Apr 7, 2017 at

Betty, here you go again! All I can say to you and any other Trump supporter who whines, complains or expresses shock over the vitriol aimed at Trump, his wife, family, supporters, etal., is “kettle meet pot.” For 8 long years, all those opposed to Obama and his family, not only questioned his legitimacy as our duly elected President, but also questioned his birthright as an American to the point of demanding to see his birth certificate. In fact, it was Trump himself who fed this false claim like red meat to the overly eager masses of ignorant racists, the Republican Party leadership, and countless others like you who vehemently refused to call Obama “your President.” And the disrespect did not end with President Obama himself, no your kind, depicted his family as apes, African “bush” savages with cartoons of watermelon growing on the White House lawns, Michele Obama was constantly criticized for her looks as we’re the two Obama children. Bear in mind, Obama’s two daughters were just young children when he was first elected back in 2008, but that never deterred critics from attacking them either. As far as Ivanka and Melania, they are both adult women, not children and should be able to defend themselves. They are also responsible for their own poor/questionable choices when they refuse to refute or disavow Trump’s lies, racist/sexist, misogynistic, bigoted remarks that continue even after the election. So Betty, your lame attempt to point fingers and lay blame on the “liberal media” or the “left” is the definition of hypocrisy. The Republican Party created Trump and allowed his divisive vitriol to set the tenor of the campaign and his presidency. It is his small minded and mean spirited supporters who tacitly approved of his message by remaining silent. Those of us who disagree will continue to resist and be vocal and yes, we are legion. As for a new national pastime, I vote for early impeachment.

Reply
jim says:

Friday, Apr 7, 2017 at

Gosh Betty, are you absolutely sure? You trot out a whole bunch of attitudinal stories that are part of our current (and more than the last 10 years worth) of stupid and useless PR acts or worse, linked story lines that no one really pays attention to.

I don’t care about any Trump family behavior; I already know enough about that from his TV show.

What I want to see, is a presidential style of behavior that reminds me of Ike. Or even better, JFK. Yes, I know about JFK’s profligate and nasty behavior; but I can deal with that if he did presidential things that made our country safer. Do you disagree with the Viet Nam War? I did. Do you feel badly about our not starting a war in Cuba?

Was Ike a moron, or did he try at the end to tell us how effed up things would be if the “Military-Industrial complex” became the driving force in our government?

The LA Times did in fact “used to be” a liberal and pointed force for change in the news. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of a company that used to be part of the Chicago Tribune. Those guys are as hard-core a republican bunch that has existed in the USA. The new owner is of course a guy who wants to make money, and if he can’t do that he will sell that old crapdoodle off as fast as he can.

So stop your whining about the LAT, and start making good arguments for your boy in the White House. YOU have a very big job ahead of you.

Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Opinion Section Policy

All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.

Bill Miranda | Spring into The Cuuuuube, Keep Santa Clarita Moving

Thursday, Mar 5, 2026

Spring is a season of new beginnings, longer days and renewed energy.

Ken Striplin | Two New Events Celebrating Spring

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026

Innovation guides how Santa Clarita brings the community together through its events and programming. Each year, the city introduces new ways to engage residents and highlight what makes Santa Clarita unique.

Ken Striplin | One Story One City: An Invitation to Read, Listen, Connect

Monday, Mar 2, 2026

In Santa Clarita, building a strong sense of community is a priority we carry through everything we do, from shared experiences that bring residents together to programs and opportunities that encourage us to learn, participate and connect with one another.

Patsy Ayala | A Western Love Story at the Cowboy Festival

Thursday, Feb 26, 2026

Love has a way of transforming a moment into a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Ken Striplin | From Alpacas to Bison: Hart Park Takes Center Stage on ‘Santa Clarita Voices’

Monday, Feb 23, 2026

One of the most rewarding parts of my role as City Manager is connecting with our community and sharing the stories behind the people, projects and services that make Santa Clarita such a great place to live, work and play.

Laurene Weste | Celebrate 30 Years of Western Tradition at Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival

Thursday, Feb 19, 2026

As you step into William S. Hart Park, the sights and sounds of the Old West come alive. The rhythm of boots shuffling across the dance floor, the unmistakable aroma of Dutch oven peach cobbler drifting through the mesquite-scented air and the ringing of a blacksmith’s hammer all echo a time when Santa Clarita’s hills and valleys were shaped by cowboys living the frontier life.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com

March 12: Color Me Mine ‘Pints & Paints’ at Lucky Luke Brewing Lucky Luke Brewing in collaboration with Color Me Mine will host a St. Patrick's Day themed mug painting class "Pints & Paints," Thursday, March 12 6-9 p.m.	March 16: SCAA General Meeting, Live Demonstration The Santa Clarita Artists Association will host its general meeting at the Old Town Newhall Library Community Room on Monday, March 16, 6-7:30 p.m.	One Story One City Events at Santa Clarita Public Libraries	March 14-15: ‘Irish Fest’ at Pocock Brewing Company Pocock Brewing Company will host a St. Patrick's Day Festival, "Irish Fest," noon-10 p.m. Saturday, March 14 and noon-9 p.m. Sunday, March 15.	Cougars Open Conference Schedule 11-4 Over West L.A. College College of the Canyons baseball opened up Western State Conference, South Division play with an 11-4 home victory over West L.A. College at Mike Gillespie Field on Tuesday, March 3.	Cougars Get Back in Win Column 2-1 Over Moorpark College College of the Canyons softball scored its go-ahead run in the third inning, then held on the rest of the way for 2-1 victory over Moorpark College at Whitten Field on Tuesday, March 3.
Canyons Stacks Second Conference Victory at Cypress Ridge College of the Canyons men's golf won its second consecutive Western State Conference tourney with an eight-stroke victory at Cypress Ridge Golf Club on Monday, March 2.	Bill Miranda \| Spring into The Cuuuuube, Keep Santa Clarita Moving Spring is a season of new beginnings, longer days and renewed energy.	Ulibarri Places Third at RMC Intercollegiate Hannah Ulibarri placed third and Wes Opliger finished in fourth as The Master's University golf teams competed in the RMC Intercollegiate in Lake Las Vegas, Nev. March 3-4, with the men finishing in fifth and the women in sixth.	First Day of Swim Nationals puts Four TMU Relays on Podiums Wednesday, March 4, the opening day of the 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, was a massive success for The Master's University swimmers competing in the first four relays of the four-day event held in Elkhart, Indiana.	Mustangs Sweep Royals on Beach The Master's University beach volleyball team dominated in the sand on Wednesday, March 4, defeating No. 5 Hope International 5-0 at the TMU Beach Volleyball Courts.	March 6: Registration Opens for Earth Day Neighborhood Cleanup In celebration of Earth Day, the city of Santa Clarita invites residents to take part in the annual Neighborhood Cleanup on Saturday, April 25 from 8-11 a.m. Online registration is required and opens March 6.
March 12: Free, Two-Part Business Webinar in Veterans, Military, Spouses Series The Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons will offer a free, two-part webinar as part of the Veterans, Military and Spouses Series on Thursday, March 12 from 1-3:15 p.m.	Today in SCV History (March 5) <span style="color: #000000;"><strong>1864</strong> - L.A. Star newspaper report: County supervisors have accepted Beale's Cut as complete [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/ripley13.htm" target="_blank">story</a>]</span><br> <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/ripley13.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/ap0625.jpg" alt="Beale's Cut" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>	CDE Highlights Efforts to Redesign High School Experience in California The California Department of Education announced today that it is engaging in conversations alongside its partners to redesign the high school experience.	LASD Seeks Public Help in Locating Missing Man, Lamonte Alan Oliney The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help locating At-Risk Missing Person, Lamonte Alan Oliney.	March 9: CSUN Amado Lecture to Discuss Meaningful Jewish-Catholic Relationships Rachel Kranson, director of Jewish studies and associate professor of religious studies at the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss the relationships between Jewish and Catholic communities for California State University, Northridge’s 13th Annual Maurice Amado Foundation Lecture in Jewish Ethics.	‘Canyon Country History Captured’ Exhibition at the Canyon Country Community Center The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to present "Canyon Country History Captured" by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, on display now through April 29, 2026, at the Canyon Country Community Center.
Registration Open for Short-Term Classes at College of the Canyons Registration remains open for more than 340 short-term classes still available during the College of the Canyons spring 2026 semester.	March 10: Registration Opens for City Spring Recreation Programs The city of Santa Clarita will open Spring Recreation Registration on Tuesday, March 10, at 10 a.m., offering a wide variety of seasonal classes and programs, including Camp Clarita, Summer Youth Basketball and Primetime Preschool enrollment.	Update: Barricaded Suspect Safely Taken Into Custody in Saugus The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau personnel are responding to assist the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station with a barricaded male, adult armed suspect.	Kaiser Permanente Awards $10,000 Grant to Boys & Girls Club of SCV Kaiser Permanente recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley with a check presentation at the organization’s Newhall clubhouse, highlighting a continued investment in youth education and enrichment in the SCV. highlighting a continued investment in youth education and enrichment in the SCV.	Today in SCV History (March 4) <strong>1940</strong> - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2676.htm" target="_blank">story</a>] <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2676.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/lw2676t.jpg" alt="Marines Fly High" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>	Volunteers Needed for Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival The 30th Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is back in town and the city of Santa Clarita is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make it a success by assisting with different activities during the event.