Trump Thread

[Husar]

For his supporters fear that he instills is more important than respect. There is a Russian proverb: "They fear me which means they respect me".

This is the old crazy idea. I respect my friends more than my enemies and even if not, someone I fear I want to get rid of, someone I respect as a friends or as a good example I want to support.
The fear-based approach is merely the last option for those who fail with the other approach....losers holding on to a straw with force...

[Seamus Fermanagh]

This is the old crazy idea. I respect my friends more than my enemies and even if not, someone I fear I want to get rid of, someone I respect as a friends or as a good example I want to support.
The fear-based approach is merely the last option for those who fail with the other approach....losers holding on to a straw with force...

Even Machiavelli acknowledged it was better for a leader to be loved than feared.

The most stable political systems are so because the people "buy in" to the system enough to put up with its foibles for the greater long term stability, freedom, and advantages it begets. As has been written by wittier folk than I, truly effective governments derive "their just power from the consent of the governed."

Neither fear, nor affection, is the strongest and longest lasting approach to garnering that consent.

Sic transit Trump.

[Sarmatian]

Even Machiavelli acknowledged it was better for a leader to be loved than feared.

Actually, it's the other way around. Better to be feared than loved, if you can't be both. Putin is pretty much both in Russia at this point.

[Fragony]

Actually, it's the other way around. Better to be feared than loved, if you can't be both. Putin is pretty much both in Russia at this point.

You are rrught, he went straight against the idea that a leader should be loved. It's more subtle than fear though. Machiavelli was an early political realist

[HopAlongBunny]

Trump has what he wants: a national security chief who doesn't bother with the details.
McMaster apparently bored Trump to death with all the little details that made bombing N.Korea and Iran bad ideas.
They may part company on Russia; Bolton is no fan of Putin; but Trump can stonewall on the Russia file 'til he gets his war.

[Gilrandir]

[Seamus Fermanagh]

He probably wants a "Gulf One" hundred hours romp. Cannot find out where to make that happen though.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Can't we convince Raul to invade a Caribbean island with a medical school with second tier US med students? THAT would be the ticket...

[Shaka_Khan]

They may part company on Russia; Bolton is no fan of Putin; but Trump can stonewall on the Russia file 'til he gets his war.

Maybe Trump will fire Bolton if Bolton pushes him too far.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Maybe Trump will fire Bolton if Bolton pushes him too far.

Absolutely. They are both on the same page about Iran, but differ on any number of things.

[Fragony]

Trump has what he wants: a national security chief who doesn't bother with the details.
McMaster apparently bored Trump to death with all the little details that made bombing N.Korea and Iran bad ideas.
They may part company on Russia; Bolton is no fan of Putin; but Trump can stonewall on the Russia file 'til he gets his war.

You could have been at war with Iran right now, do you really want that