Trump Thread

[spmetla]

Do you deny that he is often attacked by a array of news outlets who are frequently overeager to attack him?
Do you deny his administration is riddled by leaks of less than virtuous intent?

He is often attacked but no more so than other any previous president. Obama's citizenship was doubted, Bush Jr was deemed a moron...

The leaks from his administration are worrying but right now they seem (to me at least) the symptoms of an administration that rewards sycophants and punishes/ostracizes anyone who doesn't toe the line or who offers too strong an opposing opinion. These leakers may think themselves whisteblowers with no normal avenue to avert what they consider poor decision making or worse case a manchurian candidate situation.

Where do you get your news from?

BBC, France 24, Deutsche Welle, CNN, PBS Newshour, CNBC Power Lunch. I'll check the foxnews site to read up on a different viewpoint of domestic issues. Occasionally I'll check NHK, China Daily, or ITAR TASS to see other international perspectives.

I asked because you're no fool but like I've said, the people I know here (USA) that share your opinions aren't exactly news readers. They seem to get their news from many far right facebook feeds which I follow but don't trust at all: Turning Point USA, Prager U, Trump Fan Network

Your presidents have lied and bullied since your rise, ther tact was selective at best, the only difference was a crafted appearance. I can assure your thier methods were only different in thier public exposure.

I'm aware of that, that's why people like Johnson bullied his advisors into supporting his polices leading into us bumbling into Vietnam despite all the professionals of the military and intelligence advising otherwise unless we were ready for total war with China too.

The veneer of civility is importance though, the office of president merits it. Tact is vital and most of president's have used it, we've never had such a brazen bully use his office so. At least not since 1800s

The finances are reporter bait, letting them ruin their credibility with hysteria over a innocent, ala Obama's birth certificate. As for loyalties, you did see what he did to Putin's pet syrian, correct?

He fired off a salvo of missiles and then nothing else. It's not like he's started a no fly zone or killed Assad. If Putin and Erdogan can be good buddies after one of Turkey's fighters shot down some Russians I'm sure that Putin doesn't mind too much if Assad is used as a punching bag to boost his American 'friend.'

Your role in the international order is set by your overwhelming strength and willingness to use it, your president's eloquence is but an optional extra.You havent been responsible since Bush Sr and you havent been respected since Junior. Trump is a symptom, not a cause of your recent decline.

The president's eloquence is the difference between being an international bully or the arsenal of democracy. The president is commander in chief and also our number one diplomat. If he's one without being the other we're in a lot of trouble. That's why our soft power has been so important and why Trumps apparent agenda of undermining/cutting the State Department worry me so much. I'm very much a hawk but the use of force must be done smartly, with clear military and political goals, not endless open-ended conflicts or limited strikes that alienate neutrals but don't destroy our enemies.

I agree wholeheartedly about the second sentence. Bush Sr would likely have managed crises like Somalia, the Balkans, Rwanda far better than Clinton. Like I've admitted elsewhere in the backroom I supported Jr far longer than I should have. I had hoped that he was half the man his father was, he had the same network of people around him but without the intellect, experience, or respect to use them effectively.