Tag: Lament

Jeb Bush lamented the current state of politics in the United States — and the lack of civility — during a speech Wednesday night at the 37th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and Children's Charity. Jeb Bush joined governor-elect Kristi Noem, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Sen. John Thune and Attorney General Marty Jackley in making remarks at the dinner, which honors South Dakota law enforcement and has raised millions of dollars for children. Bush's speech focused primarily on returning to civility in the country's political discussions, warning that we'd reached a point where people we disagreed with weren't just people with different opinions. "They're becoming enemies," Bush said. That means finding politicians that act respectfully and don't disparage others, he said -- and while he never said the name "Trump," the implication was clear. "Today in American politics," Bush said, "there are very few rewards for doing things right." While Bush headlined the speech, South Dakotans spoke before him, including Thune, who said he'd met Bush more than 30 years ago, and said that no other American family more exemplified public service. And standing in front of the massive crowd filling the Ramkota Exhibit Hall, Daugaard told attendees "banquets are not enough" to thank them for all that they do in the name of public service. More: Billie Sutton turned much of the state blue, but not deep blue

The Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee warned Wednesday against opining on “every tweet,” without mentioning President Trump or any Trump critic by name. “In today’s media environment when every thought can be published, it is obviously tempting to voice an opinion on every tweet or interview,” Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “There will be one faction or the other that will cheer. But when every utterance is a criticism, it dilutes the effectiveness of all criticism.” “And maybe, just maybe, without so much attention, some of the nonsense just will fade away,” he added later. He also cited the progress Congress has made this year on passing defense spending before the start of the fiscal year. “There is a very good chance the military will be fully funded on time for the first time in a long time,” he said. But Thornberry also lamented the current political climate as detrimental to national security, warning against “fringe” elements. “I am distressed at what’s happening in both parties. "The centrifugal forces now are quite strong, here and elsewhere.” Those divisions, he added, are giving fuel to adversaries looking to exploit them. “And make no mistake, there are those outside our borders who are ready, willing, and more able than they have ever been before to fuel and exploit those forces to our detriment,” he said.