Trump Thread

[Gilrandir]

An investigation on Trump's Russian connections:
https://twitter.com/lheron/status/864864026282659840

[Xiahou]

Why are you dying on this hill? Of all them men to defend, you choose the one setting fire to our institutions.

I'll defend Trump if he's in the right.... He just often isn't.

As for setting fire to our institutions, I think that's a bit hyperbolic. An incompetent like Trump is more likely to set his own hair on fire. The only "good move" of Trump's that I can readily point to was nominating Gorsuch to the SCOTUS.

Just wait until next week's trip to the middle east. Who knew the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be so hard to resolve?

Trump is grandiose, even in his self-pity.
"He’s a rich kid turned billionaire playboy turned president whining about how unfair life is"

[Strike For The South]

Then I name you an unreliable judge of character who has become accustomed to letting his news outlet do his thinking for him, with all the folly that entails.

Taking the contrarian view is not always a sign of wisdom or intelligence.

Are we done?

I have yet to begun to defile myself.

I'll defend Trump if he's in the right.... He just often isn't.

As for setting fire to our institutions, I think that's a bit hyperbolic. An incompetent like Trump is more likely to set his own hair on fire. The only "good move" of Trump's that I can readily point to was nominating Gorsuch to the SCOTUS.

He is the logical endgame of wedge issues and Reagan republicans. I like Gorsuch, Democrats folded when the turtle didn't.

I am just growing tired of people defending the man. He is totally unfit to hold office. The country screwed up and in a few months there will be evidence he sold out his republic to the yellow bellied reds. Hell he may not even realize he did it because of his pig headed myopia.

[Strike For The South]

So among the terrible things the Trump Junta has done since being inaugurated is Betsy Devoss. Betsy got rich because of her Fathers pyramid scheme. Betsy used these riches to curry favor with Donald. But instead of doing the respectable thing and giving her a cushy ambassadorship, he made her Secretary of Education. Betsys qualifications being she once attended school. Betsys brother also has a merry band of mercenaries for hire. It is not really relevant here beyond my desire to further assail her character.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/poste...=.97b7a0e05f11

School choice is a term with many different meanings. Betsy meaning is "dismantle the school system"

The public education system in America is where children learn to be Americans. We are an extremely diverse country, we need a touchstone, the school system is at least part of that touchstone. Betsy is part of a capitalist class that feeds off of division, infighting, and weak civic institutions. Gutting the public school system furthers an agenda for a very tiny minority of people.

[Pannonian]

So among the terrible things the Trump Junta has done since being inaugurated is Betsy Devoss. Betsy got rich because of her Fathers pyramid scheme. Betsy used these riches to curry favor with Donald. But instead of doing the respectable thing and giving her a cushy ambassadorship, he made her Secretary of Education. Betsys qualifications being she once attended school. Betsys brother also has a merry band of mercenaries for hire. It is not really relevant here beyond my desire to further assail her character.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/poste...=.97b7a0e05f11

School choice is a term with many different meanings. Betsy meaning is "dismantle the school system"

The public education system in America is where children learn to be Americans. We are an extremely diverse country, we need a touchstone, the school system is at least part of that touchstone. Betsy is part of a capitalist class that feeds off of division, infighting, and weak civic institutions. Gutting the public school system furthers an agenda for a very tiny minority of people.

Funnily enough, the British PM is further to the right on this than the majority of the Tory party, this being one of her pet issues. May is pretty much on the same page as Devoss, while most of the Tory party at least pay some respect to what you talk of.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Why are you dying on this hill? Of all them men to defend, you choose the one setting fire to our institutions.

Not dying on that hill. Just pointing out the irrationality of that stuff as well. Trump's FoPo is reactive and full of grandstanding. His DoPo is stalled and much of his power neutered. He will spend more time defending his admin from self-inflicted wounds of the tongue than he will governing. I doubt impeachment, but the looming threat of it will also stifle his actions. The Dems lost both houses AND the White House, but THEY will drive what few policy advances are made, not the GOP.

But the activist judge stuff does get old. The first version of that order should have been bounced -- special treatment of Christians? -- but the second version was actually within the scope of exec authority.

[Strike For The South]

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/0...ongress-238550

How interesting.

[a completely inoffensive name]

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/0...ongress-238550

How interesting.

Most of the GOP leadership is probably dirty with Russian money, either directly or indirectly (looking away while others did it).

Chaffez is leaving less than a year after being re-elected only a few weeks after stating he would not run again...someone is in a hurry to get the hell out.

[Xiahou]

School choice is a term with many different meanings. Betsy meaning is "dismantle the school system"

The public education system in America is where children learn to be Americans. We are an extremely diverse country, we need a touchstone, the school system is at least part of that touchstone. Betsy is part of a capitalist class that feeds off of division, infighting, and weak civic institutions. Gutting the public school system furthers an agenda for a very tiny minority of people.

I agree with much of what you said in this post and the last, so I won't quote it or respond to it- that'd be boring.

But, I disagree here. Our public school system is a shambles and it needs disrupted. School districts everywhere are rife with corruption and waste. Teacher's unions prioritize protecting bad employees over teaching children and rewarding excellence. We spend near the top of the list per student for public schooling, yet consistently perform near the bottom. I'm ok with dismantling that system.

[Xiahou]

Most of the GOP our political leadership is probably dirty with Russian money, either directly or indirectly (looking away while others did it).

FIFY
Both sides are filthy with Russian money. I don't think there's anything uniquely Russian about it either. If someone, somewhere is willing to spread cash around, there's politicians that will line up to sell favors. Sad, but true.

[Montmorency]

I agree with much of what you said in this post and the last, so I won't quote it or respond to it- that'd be boring.

But, I disagree here. Our public school system is a shambles and it needs disrupted. School districts everywhere are rife with corruption and waste. Teacher's unions prioritize protecting bad employees over teaching children and rewarding excellence. We spend near the top of the list per student for public schooling, yet consistently perform near the bottom. I'm ok with dismantling that system.

On the other hand, that spending is very unevenly distributed. This is exacerbated when so much of public school funding is linked to local property tax collections: money out = money in.

[a completely inoffensive name]

FIFY
Both sides are filthy with Russian money. I don't think there's anything uniquely Russian about it either. If someone, somewhere is willing to spread cash around, there's politicians that will line up to sell favors. Sad, but true.

I think both left and right agrees that Hillary and Putin were not good friends. I doubt she was getting any of those payouts, directly or indirectly.

[HopAlongBunny]

So, will Trump be sticking to prepared speeches or are we going to get Foreign Policy on the Fly from his world tour.
No hot spots here, just Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, the Vatican, Belgium.
What could possibly go wrong?

[Greyblades]

Taking the contrarian view is not always a sign of wisdom or intelligence.

Taking the conformist view is not always a sign of wisdom or intelligence.

I am just growing tired of people defending the man. He is totally unfit to hold office. The country screwed up and in a few months there will be evidence he sold out his republic to the yellow bellied reds. Hell he may not even realize he did it because of his pig headed myopia.

I, on the other hand, am long tired of people who demonizing the man, despite the glut of legitimate criticism they should be satisfied airing, and I am becoming despairing of people swallowing that demonization as god's truth.

We have heard nothing but assertations and claims from sources that are notorious for misdirection and fabrication, yet no less than two of our once distunguishing regulars are now emulating Mcarthy!

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/0...ongress-238550

How interesting.

A link and a remark. Have you become Hopalong now?

[AE Bravo]

So, will Trump be sticking to prepared speeches or are we going to get Foreign Policy on the Fly from his world tour.
No hot spots here, just Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, the Vatican, Belgium.
What could possibly go wrong?

I don't get the widespread drama about this. You can expect fluff, the man is on the oil payroll.

[Gilrandir]

So, will Trump be sticking to prepared speeches or are we going to get Foreign Policy on the Fly from his world tour.
No hot spots here, just Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, the Vatican, Belgium.
What could possibly go wrong?

Israel is always a hot spot. And SA is the key player in the region and arguably a generator of hot spots.

[Husar]

Israel is always a hot spot. And SA is the key player in the region and arguably a generator of hot spots.

I recommend yet another readjustment of your sarcasm detector.

[Gilrandir]

I recommend yet another readjustment of your sarcasm detector.

Any upgrades or patches you would recommend?

[HopAlongBunny]

So far Trump is on script with no major changes to speak of.
The "Trump budget" is being sent to Congress; its 800 billion in cuts seems to be a wish list, what Congress can actually pass should be quite different.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...-idUSKBN18I26X

[Seamus Fermanagh]

So far Trump is on script with no major changes to speak of.
The "Trump budget" is being sent to Congress; its 800 billion in cuts seems to be a wish list, what Congress can actually pass should be quite different.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...-idUSKBN18I26X

You do know that that is SOP for Washington DC budgets, yes? That is true regardless of who the current occupant of the White House is.

[Sarmatian]

Watching the news coverage of the Russia/Flynn/Comey scandal, I have a feeling that Trump is actually going to come out of this stronger than he was.

Flynn is the only real issue, but as he was fired, it's hardly an impeachable offense, and even that is a stretch. The idea that Trump is a Russian puppet is ludicrous and firing Comey is well within his authority, whether people agree with it or not.

He will then appear as a man who survived the "fake media" witch hunt. And the liberal media, that is actually guilty of getting on the bandwagon of comedy shows and viral social network stories will need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. They helped him win the presidency and now they're gonna help him solidify his position. It's all about ratings and clicks, who cares that there's a spoiled brat in the Oval Office.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Watching the news coverage of the Russia/Flynn/Comey scandal, I have a feeling that Trump is actually going to come out of this stronger than he was.

Flynn is the only real issue, but as he was fired, it's hardly an impeachable offense, and even that is a stretch. The idea that Trump is a Russian puppet is ludicrous and firing Comey is well within his authority, whether people agree with it or not.

He will then appear as a man who survived the "fake media" witch hunt. And the liberal media, that is actually guilty of getting on the bandwagon of comedy shows and viral social network stories will need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. They helped him win the presidency and now they're gonna help him solidify his position. It's all about ratings and clicks, who cares that there's a spoiled brat in the Oval Office.

At 70, the label "brat" really doesn't apply anymore. Childish or Child-like behaviors, perhaps...

Agree with you on the impeachment effort fizzle. Somewhat to mostly agree on the media witch hunt stuff creating a "boomerang" of support among his core supporters. However, his ability to get meaningful legislation through is and will likely remain limited. This will undercut his ability to fulfill promises to his core support group. Since he was elected on the basis of doing those thing despite Washington intransigence, when he has to face his votes and note that he was not able to overcome that intransigence, he will inevitably lose some of that thin edge of support that elected him.

[Pannonian]

At 70, the label "brat" really doesn't apply anymore. Childish or Child-like behaviors, perhaps...

Agree with you on the impeachment effort fizzle. Somewhat to mostly agree on the media witch hunt stuff creating a "boomerang" of support among his core supporters. However, his ability to get meaningful legislation through is and will likely remain limited. This will undercut his ability to fulfill promises to his core support group. Since he was elected on the basis of doing those thing despite Washington intransigence, when he has to face his votes and note that he was not able to overcome that intransigence, he will inevitably lose some of that thin edge of support that elected him.

Why is ability to pass legislation limited when his party rules all three branches of government?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Why is ability to pass legislation limited when his party rules all three branches of government?

Well, because he's secretly a Democrat stalking horse designed to get Clinton elected, remember?

That went well.

[Beskar]

Why is ability to pass legislation limited when his party rules all three branches of government?

If I remember correctly, Obama was attacked repeatedly for this when he had a Democrat majority due to the "Blue Dogs".

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Why is ability to pass legislation limited when his party rules all three branches of government?

Remember, our "parties" have less cohesiveness then yours by a good bit and individual pols routinely ignore the party platform if it suits their political agenda. This is more true of the current GOP than of the Dems.

The "establishment" GOP has only moderately less use than mainline Dems for Trump. They do not want the emphatic changes that Trump seeks, especially on the border and with international trade.

[HopAlongBunny]

I think right now the GOP appreciates the cover Trump gives them.
They can finesse it so that the draconian budget proposal should allow them to pass something more moderate and appear in command. How moderate? Absent Democratic support they will likely have to mollify the Freedom Caucus.
Some form of tax breaks seem to be a given.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

I think right now the GOP appreciates the cover Trump gives them.
They can finesse it so that the draconian budget proposal should allow them to pass something more moderate and appear in command. How moderate? Absent Democratic support they will likely have to mollify the Freedom Caucus.
Some form of tax breaks seem to be a given.

Some form of tax break or reorganization was more or less ubiquitous among GOP campaigners. And YES, all such presidential budget proposals are no more than an opening bid. Of course, as with most government budgets I expect, the whole thing is designed around distributive bargaining and is horribly short-sighted.

[HopAlongBunny]

Some well-meaning trolling from Mexico:

[Shaka_Khan]