Its just about a 100 days of the Trump administration but so far I have no regrets voting for him though I had plenty of apprehension before hand. I believe many of the personal negative things about him but when it came to lack of integrity, character and honesty it seemed to me both candidates went toe to toe. So I voted based on vision for the future.
I think for those who hate and despise Trump and were truly frightened by the prospect I hope the 100 days have allayed your worst fears...or maybe not.
Any thoughts?
Quote from: Drew_2017 on April 27, 2017, 09:21:49 PM
Its just about a 100 days of the Trump administration but so far I have no regrets voting for him though I had plenty of apprehension before hand. I believe many of the personal negative things about him but when it came to lack of integrity, character and honesty it seemed to me both candidates went toe to toe. So I voted based on vision for the future.
I think for those who hate and despise Trump and were truly frightened by the prospect I hope the 100 days have allayed your worst fears...or maybe not.
Any thoughts?
Any 'vision' you have of the future does not lead me to think you think well or clearly. From what I've read of you so far, I'm not surprised you are a Trump kind of person. If this country is lucky, Trump will end up being merely the worst president we have ever had. I suspect something worse.
While there was nothing to fight for for America, he has been bombing Syria and is about to make war with N. Korea.
But i do not actually find anything wrong about all of these kind of international politics. At the end, Amerika is the creator of =global= politics.
Trump is evil to the core of his being, but his utter incompetence and stupidity have prevented him from orchestrating all the destruction he had planned. And thankfully the courts have stepped in to stop some of his more dastardly plans.
There is still a long way to go, however, to prevent him from taking a wrecking ball to the country and the world. In 2018, it is imperative to kick out the GOP from Congress so we can bring more rigorous checks against Trump's destructive and dictatorial ambitions.
He is also in bed with the religious right, and appointed a Supreme Court justice who opposes church-state separation. Nobody can logically call themselves an atheist and support this man, whose agenda is the antithesis of atheism.
I don't know if Trump is evil but he's not as intelligent as the average grasshopper. When it comes to gettin thrown over a barrel you pretty much end up in the same place.
Besides breaking most of his campaign promises he has appointed a whole cabinet of people that are ready to destroy the U.S.
and just as there should be there is an investigation to see if he is violating nepotism laws by putting Ivanca in the government. I don't know why the Republican party accepts having any of his family in the government. They weren't elected, they shouldn't be there
I didn't support Trump before the election ... and his first 100 days is a complete reversal of all of his campaign promises (he is a captive of the RNC and the Deep State). The permanent members of the government trump Trump or any other elected hot air balloon.
The "vision" thing ... unfortunately the blind leading the blind. Being older, I have given up on "vision" more than once, even in my private life ... let alone for society in general. Stupid apes. One day at a time, even if I am not an alcoholic.
Quote from: fencerider on April 28, 2017, 01:24:07 AM
I don't know if Trump is evil but he's not as intelligent as the average grasshopper. When it comes to gettin thrown over a barrel you pretty much end up in the same place.
Besides breaking most of his campaign promises he has appointed a whole cabinet of people that are ready to destroy the U.S.
and just as there should be there is an investigation to see if he is violating nepotism laws by putting Ivanca in the government. I don't know why the Republican party accepts having any of his family in the government. They weren't elected, they shouldn't be there
I felt the same way about Bill putting Hillary in charge of Health Care Reform back in 93. I wouldn't trust a doctor to do that, and she is a crooked lawyer.
Jared Kushner is a childhood friend of Bibl (PM of Israel) ... so pretty much y'all have a Jewish government now ... except for a few RC we allow on the Supreme Court. Besides Ivanka is way easier on the eyes than Donald.
Right now Trump is very much what I expected. So I'm not surprised by much of anything in the last 100 days. President's don't have unlimited power, and some of his more absurd visions have been blocked by the safeguards of the other two branches of government, but I knew that would happen. So not surprised.
The first 100 days in office aren't that important as an indicator of what to expect, and no one should be surprised unless he's just awoken from a 30 year coma. I don't know what the big deal about 100 days is with the media this year. I don't recall the 100 year benchmark every talked about before in the media. It took much longer than 100 days for Bush to start a war, Obama to pass Obamacare, or Clinton to get impeached for diddling an intern. 100 days is not enough time to establish the legacy on which history will judge a president.
I'm pretty much guessing I will be surprised by something Trump does. All of the past three presidents surprised me at some point, but nothing so far. Trump isn't any more interesting or surprising than when he hosted a reality show. He's still the same comical megalomaniac and carnival barker he was before we elected him, and he's pretty much the same package he's always been.
It's "Plutarchy on Parade" for the next four years.
Quote from: Baruch on April 28, 2017, 07:10:24 AM
I felt the same way about Bill putting Hillary in charge of Health Care Reform back in 93.
Yeah, I don't know what he was thinking when he did that, because Hillary had no experience in that area.
Ivanka keeps showing up at meetings for no reason whatsoever. She is not qualified. But then neither is her father.
And yes he is evil, because he is a bigot, a serial liar, and a power-hungry egomaniac.
Quote from: SGOS on April 28, 2017, 08:14:18 AMThe first 100 days in office aren't that important as an indicator of what to expect, and no one should be surprised unless he's just awoken from a 30 year coma. I don't know what the big deal about 100 days is with the media this year. I don't recall the 100 year benchmark every talked about before in the media.
I do. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_100_days_of_Barack_Obama%27s_presidency#Media_coverage
QuoteIt took much longer than 100 days for Bush to start a war, Obama to pass Obamacare, or Clinton to get impeached for diddling an intern. 100 days is not enough time to establish the legacy on which history will judge a president.
True. But it is long enough to establish a baseline of behavior and policy goals if not results.
So far we have a series of deeply troubling appointments, blocking immigration from *certain* countries "to make us safer", a neocon foreign policy (which does NOT make us safer), an attempt to scrap Obamacare, gutting environmental regulation, and a budget that can be generously described as a windfall for the military and the rich but terrible for everyone else.
And on a personal level, we have a thin-skinned narcissist who angrily tweets about SNL mocking him, lies brazenly and constantly at a level unusual even among politicians, apparently makes policy decisions based off of Fox News broadcasts, and makes a mint off Secret Service (and thus taxpayer) patronage at his hotel. His whole raison d'etre seems to be to enrich himself and his businesses by hook or by crook. Thus, his cry of "America First" is insincere because we all know who Trump's #1 actually is.
In short, we have a President fit only for fascists, fools, and plutocrats.
We need to get OMB to start keeping score of the money spent by the Orange House.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on April 28, 2017, 12:25:23 PM
We need to get OMB to start keeping score of the money spent by the Orange House.
The US dollar has been worth Zero since 1971 ... so any amount tabulated ... equals Zero. The public can be fooled all the time, and usually are.
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 28, 2017, 10:37:44 AM
I do. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_100_days_of_Barack_Obama%27s_presidency#Media_coverage
True. But it is long enough to establish a baseline of behavior and policy goals if not results.
So far we have a series of deeply troubling appointments, blocking immigration from *certain* countries "to make us safer", a neocon foreign policy (which does NOT make us safer), an attempt to scrap Obamacare, gutting environmental regulation, and a budget that can be generously described as a windfall for the military and the rich but terrible for everyone else.
And on a personal level, we have a thin-skinned narcissist who angrily tweets about SNL mocking him, lies brazenly and constantly at a level unusual even among politicians, apparently makes policy decisions based off of Fox News broadcasts, and makes a mint off Secret Service (and thus taxpayer) patronage at his hotel. His whole raison d'etre seems to be to enrich himself and his businesses by hook or by crook. Thus, his cry of "America First" is insincere because we all know who Trump's #1 actually is.
In short, we have a President fit only for fascists, fools, and plutocrats.
I agree, and I did understate the significance of the first hundred days. I was attempting respond to Drew's comment: "I hope the 100 days have allayed your worst fears...or maybe not."
Policy has changed for sure, but my confidence in him remains as it was. Of course, among my greatest concerns is that he is a loose cannon. His staff scrambles to spin his comments, with statements like, "He didn't really mean that." So part of my expectation is that he will continue to suggest wild remedies for problems that may or may not exist, much of it poorly thought through, and some things that might be harmful long term, if he actually gets congress to work with him.
Quote from: Baruch on April 28, 2017, 12:54:18 PM
The public can be fooled all the time, and usually are.
Isn't that just the fucking case!!
Quote from: SGOS on April 28, 2017, 01:03:16 PM
I agree, and I did understate the significance of the first hundred days. I was attempting respond to Drew's comment: "I hope the 100 days have allayed your worst fears...or maybe not."
Policy has changed for sure, but my confidence in him remains as it was. Of course, among my greatest concerns is that he is a loose cannon. His staff scrambles to spin his comments, with statements like, "He didn't really mean that." So part of my expectation is that he will continue to suggest wild remedies for problems that may or may not exist, much of it poorly thought through, and some things that might be harmful long term, if he actually gets congress to work with him.
Reminds me of the recent book "Shattered" about Hillary's latest presidential campaign ;-) All the stuff that politicians do, is poorly thought thru. Chaos since 1776, just ask General Washington. And besides, President Pence and the CIA are in charge ... and you all just love how they govern. And Facebook now admits that their attempt to limit free speech is based on DNC principles. The Deep State is a monster with more than one head, and different heads, even within the same party, control different official and unofficial state organs.
Quote from: SGOS on April 28, 2017, 01:03:16 PMI agree, and I did understate the significance of the first hundred days. I was attempting respond to Drew's comment: "I hope the 100 days have allayed your worst fears...or maybe not."
Oh, yeah. Well, you're right about that. Fears most certainly not allayed.
Just because Trump largely failed at some of his initiatives doesn't mean he won't make a second run. Nor does it mean he hasn't done serious damage in other areas. We should be vigilant throughout his administration. We should be vigilant anyway, but especially vigilant right now.
Whether I vote for a president or not isn't relevant in my evaluation of him or her. I'll throw Trump under the bus if warranted. I don't measure a president by whether they follow my plan or my ideas of how the government should be run. Its strictly a performance metric. There are two very broad categories I measure a president by.
1. Security of the nation.
2. Prosperity of the nation.
I view Obama as a failed presidency because I felt the nation was less secure and no question its been less prosperous over his 8 year stretch. So far I feel we're improving in those two categories. I worried about the loose canon aspect of Trump as well but hopefully the job itself has set him back a bit.
What metrics do you use to judge how you "feel" about the status of the country? And do you realize that a lot more factors go into that than who's sitting in the Oval Office?
Wait, you're actually serious? I thought you were just 26 days late on your April Fool's joke...
Plummeting Approval Ratings? Check.
Ostracizing and alienating our allies? Check.
Pushing for involvement in North Korea? Check.
Scaling up military conflict in the Middle East? Check.
Heavy scaling back on civil liberties and increasing harassment of tax paying, law abiding citizens who's only "crime" was not being born here? Check.
Horrifically immature tweeting and terrible grammar making the presidency look like an absolute joke position? Check.
Getting the Keystone XL Pipeline green lighted? Check.
Cutting funding to our scientists? Check.
Cutting funding to our environmental protection agencies? Check.
Installing cabinet members who are anti-Gov., anti-science, anti-environment... Check.
Cutting funding and aide to struggling members of society? Check.
Keeping the military overwhelmingly unnecessarily bloated? Check.
Appointed multiple people who turned out to have committed felonies? Check.
Turned what was suppose to be the social pinnacle of our society into a position of sexual harassment, xenophobia, bigotry and stupidity and enforces the notion that these things are okay? Check.
Threatened to sabotage America’s insurance markets as a means of coercing Democrats into voting for his plan to finance a large tax cut for the rich by throwing millions off of Medicaid? Check.
Threatened to break up the 9th Circuit of Appeals just because they disagreed with him? Check.
Within a month said, "Yeah, fuck it... this is a plutocracy, baby!"? Check.
Defended Bill O'Riley by saying, "“I think he shouldn’t have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled … Because you should have taken it all the way. I don’t think Bill did anything wrong.’� Check.
Shit, the global economy is on the up, and you sure as hell can't blame that on Trump, so at best his economy effect is a wash. But I mean if even that small sample of his shit screams, "Better than Obama!" to you, then lets not shit ourselves and pretend you actually are unbiased towards him.
And lets also be honest, you cannot say he has improved the economy while keeping the military budget as it is. If you cut that shit and put it into public service instead, the economy would see far greater gains than any we have seen in decades.
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 28, 2017, 08:44:49 PM
Oh, yeah. Well, you're right about that. Fears most certainly not allayed.
Just because Trump largely failed at some of his initiatives doesn't mean he won't make a second run. Nor does it mean he hasn't done serious damage in other areas. We should be vigilant throughout his administration. We should be vigilant anyway, but especially vigilant right now.
But were you also vigilant while Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barak Obama were destroying Western Civilization for fun and profit?
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 28, 2017, 09:16:36 PM
What metrics do you use to judge how you "feel" about the status of the country? And do you realize that a lot more factors go into that than who's sitting in the Oval Office?
This is why the pseudo metrics of GDP, CPI and UR are ... false. Trying to quantify the non-numerical is ... fraud.
Expecting any good from a D or an R ... is denying history.
Shiranu If we cut the military budget and put that into public service .... how many Republitards would be shocked to know that the intentions of the founders were that Congress is supposed to disband the army in times of peace??? or that they expected the national guard to have better equipement and better training than the reg army?
Removing restrictions that prevented the coal industry from dumping hazardous waste into the drinking water supply of several small towns. Check.
Now that we got to 100 days its a hundred days less until he gone
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 28, 2017, 09:16:36 PM
What metrics do you use to judge how you "feel" about the status of the country? And do you realize that a lot more factors go into that than who's sitting in the Oval Office?
The prosperity metric is fairly simple. We can measure the GDP, employment, the stock market the gap between the haves and have nots and so forth. A lot of times things improve or get worse because of the presidents actions or sometimes in spite of them. Under Obama we achieved a great deal more energy independence, but that was in spite of his efforts.
Security is harder to measure at this point.
Quote from: Shiranu on April 28, 2017, 11:12:21 PM
Wait, you're actually serious? I thought you were just 26 days late on your April Fool's joke...
Shit, the global economy is on the up, and you sure as hell can't blame that on Trump, so at best his economy effect is a wash. But I mean if even that small sample of his shit screams, "Better than Obama!" to you, then lets not shit ourselves and pretend you actually are unbiased towards him.
And lets also be honest, you cannot say he has improved the economy while keeping the military budget as it is. If you cut that shit and put it into public service instead, the economy would see far greater gains than any we have seen in decades.
It appears to me you are measuring Trump by what you think the president should do. I assume you were opposed to his ideas and vision during the campaign so naturally you remain opposed.
According to polls if the election were held today Trump would win more of the popular vote. Approval rating isn't a very good metric I'm sure Lincoln's approval ratings were abysmal at times.
We will have a much clearer idea in 2018.
Politicians being deceitful shits is nothing new, but Trump takes it to a new level. He is hypocricy incarnate. Complains about how much time Obama spends at the golf course, promises he'll be too busy working for America to golf. In his first 100 days, he's spent more more time at the golf course than Obama did in his eight years in office, wasting hundreds of millions of tax dollars. He criticizes Obama for his involvement in the Middle East, then launches over 30 missiles at one airbase in Syria, mysteriously failing to do enough damage to keep it from being completely operational a few hours later. I'm sure that has nothing to do with Russia's advocasy of Assad...
If you seriously think Trump is a good or decent President, you need to educate yourself and start paying attention. You've clearly only been listening to the good. And even then, you really have to bend the truth to see anything good in Trump's Presidency so far.
People who think Trump is a good president are paying attention.
That is the problem.
Trump is catering to their Republican ideals as well as their white supremacy complexes.
Another grand accomplishment for Trump in his first 100 days.
Trump signs HJR 69 into law, allowing the slaughter of Alaskan bear cubs and wolf pups
http://www.environews.tv/032517-bill-allowing-slaughter-alaskan-bear-cubs-wolf-pups-sails-senate-trumps-desk/
He is sure getting a lot done to make America great, isn't he?
Trump has gotten a conservative judge on the Supreme Court. He has signed some Executive Orders, some of which are meaningless. He has signed a few ceremonial orders. Other than that, nothing.
It is probably the least productive 1st 100 days in office of any American President since people kept track of these things.
The 2018 elections will be very interesting.
Quote from: Cavebear on April 30, 2017, 06:01:44 AM
Trump has gotten a conservative judge on the Supreme Court. He has signed some Executive Orders, some of which are meaningless. He has signed a few ceremonial orders. Other than that, nothing.
It is probably the least productive 1st 100 days in office of any American President since people kept track of these things.
The 2018 elections will be very interesting.
How can the D people get their shit together? Maybe learn on the job with the public waste processing dept? So far both D and R act as if, their elections are all fake news.
Quote from: Cavebear on April 30, 2017, 06:01:44 AM
Trump has gotten a conservative judge on the Supreme Court. He has signed some Executive Orders, some of which are meaningless. He has signed a few ceremonial orders. Other than that, nothing.
It is probably the least productive 1st 100 days in office of any American President since people kept track of these things.
The 2018 elections will be very interesting.
True, except executive orders aren't laws. They can and will be reversed by the next (democratic) President. Unless Congress votes them into statutes, they have the same importance as stickmen on a napkin. Trump and his Adams family have only one priority, and it's not the well being of the citizens. It's cupidity in the purest form. Trump does not adhere to any political doctrine or philosophy, he donated hundreds of thousands to democratic causes and individuals when he expected favors in return. He is a political wind hose without principles or morals.
What strikes me as absurd is the fact that so many women voted for this cartoon character. After his bragging to get away groping women, which is sexual assault, one would think that the female part of the electorate would be disgusted and repulsed. That not being the case, tells a lot about moral values among these voters.
And now, after churlish remarks towards, minorities, Mexicans, Jews, the media, his own Freedom Caucus and many more, he decided to take on Canada! Well, that's not going over well here. His fact free accusations about milk and softwood lumber are another distraction from his domestic impotence. US governments took us to court 5 times and lost five times. American oversupply is not our problem. Wisconsin has more dairy farmers than all of Canada. Unsustainable! Lumber is NOT subsidized either. Most of the logging happens on 'Crown land', compared to the US where most logging is done on private land. The greed of the American landowners with high stumpage fees is the problem. I and most compatriots get mighty pissed off when falsehoods are presented as facts. But bring it on, moron, let's see if we cut off electricity and water how happy his constituents will be. Done venting...
Sorry, not sure how I didn't mention this in last post...
Donald Trump has been absolute shit for the LGBT community. Is that a "small issue" that shouldn't reflect largely on his presidency?
Quote from: Shiranu on May 01, 2017, 01:36:27 AM
Sorry, not sure how I didn't mention this in last post...
Donald Trump has been absolute shit for the LGBT community. Is that a "small issue" that shouldn't reflect largely on his presidency?
I hope it's not a small issue. That it's an issue at all in the 21st century is a shame. It is really nobody's business but the people concerned, however religion has contrived to make it and keep it an issue to this day.
Glad to see someone with taste for art! Love your Klimt painting! Great Viennese artist! Been at his studio in Hietzing a few times, since it was only 5 minutes from my home where I grew up. School had 'field trips'. 'The Kiss' along with 'Adele Bloch' are my favorites also. Since I can't afford any of his paintings, I got posters framed.
Quote from: reasonist on May 01, 2017, 05:10:45 AM
I hope it's not a small issue. That it's an issue at all in the 21st century is a shame. It is really nobody's business but the people concerned, however religion has contrived to make it and keep it an issue to this day.
Glad to see someone with taste for art! Love your Klimt painting! Great Viennese artist! Been at his studio in Hietzing a few times, since it was only 5 minutes from my home where I grew up. School had 'field trips'. 'The Kiss' along with 'Adele Bloch' are my favorites also. Since I can't afford any of his paintings, I got posters framed.
It would be nice if humans were a progressive species, but we are just opportunists. While progress is an opportunity, it is supported. But for every bid there is a put. People make money thru destruction also. If opportunism seizes on destruction as the better opportunity, it will be supported. Our psychotic leadership has sometimes chosen that path for the sheeple. Market-wise, if we are at peak-human and peak-city .. then we will be moving to less humans and less cities ... either Detroit or Hiroshima.
Quote from: reasonist on April 30, 2017, 09:10:09 PM
True, except executive orders aren't laws. They can and will be reversed by the next (democratic) President. Unless Congress votes them into statutes, they have the same importance as stickmen on a napkin. Trump and his Adams family have only one priority, and it's not the well being of the citizens. It's cupidity in the purest form. Trump does not adhere to any political doctrine or philosophy, he donated hundreds of thousands to democratic causes and individuals when he expected favors in return. He is a political wind hose without principles or morals.
What strikes me as absurd is the fact that so many women voted for this cartoon character. After his bragging to get away groping women, which is sexual assault, one would think that the female part of the electorate would be disgusted and repulsed. That not being the case, tells a lot about moral values among these voters.
And now, after churlish remarks towards, minorities, Mexicans, Jews, the media, his own Freedom Caucus and many more, he decided to take on Canada! Well, that's not going over well here. His fact free accusations about milk and softwood lumber are another distraction from his domestic impotence. US governments took us to court 5 times and lost five times. American oversupply is not our problem. Wisconsin has more dairy farmers than all of Canada. Unsustainable! Lumber is NOT subsidized either. Most of the logging happens on 'Crown land', compared to the US where most logging is done on private land. The greed of the American landowners with high stumpage fees is the problem. I and most compatriots get mighty pissed off when falsehoods are presented as facts. But bring it on, moron, let's see if we cut off electricity and water how happy his constituents will be. Done venting...
Neither monarchies nor republics have ever worked for the common good. Only the commoners do that ;-)
I would hope that the US will treat Canada and Mexico well ... but in a world of power mad billionaires ... I don't see a good end to this.
Quote from: Baruch on May 01, 2017, 06:21:27 AM
Neither monarchies nor republics have ever worked for the common good. Only the commoners do that ;-)
I would hope that the US will treat Canada and Mexico well ... but in a world of power mad billionaires ... I don't see a good end to this.
It always comes down to money, doesn't it? At least if that orange cartoon character would have a legitimate grievance, a compromise can be found. But he is totally off base. We buy five times as much milk from the US as we export. Our (govt.) stumpage fees are already higher than most developed countries but we won't increase them to the level of greedy land owners in the US, because our domestic prices would increase as well. Newspapers here, web sites and pundits are calling for a complete boycott of American goods and a travel ban. The only people who will suffer are ordinary US citizens, from home builders (softwood prices will go up at least 20%), hotels, restaurants and cross border shops, to farmers and manufacturers. Nobody wins in a trade war, maybe somebody should run that by this moron.
So from a Canadian perspective, the first 100 days have been a disaster. Trump mentioned NORAD and how it protects us for free. Take that shit and shove it. We don't have enemies to worry about, it's the US who has enemies all over the world. His complete lack of sagacity is a sure path to military confrontations and we want to stay out of this. Too bad we are already supporting American warfare in Syria and Iraq. Enough I say, scrap NAFTA, we can sell our raw resources to markets where they are appreciated and higher prices are paid. 40% of your oil comes from the dreaded tar sands in Alberta. Pipelines will be shut off and tankers will take the oil from Vancouver harbor to Asia. Until this clueless clown is either impeached or voted out in 3 years, Canada will stand firm. We will not be bullied into one sided agreements. If Trudeau caves in, his political career is over.
As an addendum I will say that none of this is meant to be pugnacious towards Americans (maybe the Trump voters) but intended to maintain our commercial interests and have a level playing field.
These are just the very early days of this "deplorable" kleptocrat - we've got a long way to go, baby...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Rm6jLo-GQ
Quote from: reasonist on May 01, 2017, 11:21:38 AM
It always comes down to money, doesn't it? At least if that orange cartoon character would have a legitimate grievance, a compromise can be found. But he is totally off base. We buy five times as much milk from the US as we export. Our (govt.) stumpage fees are already higher than most developed countries but we won't increase them to the level of greedy land owners in the US, because our domestic prices would increase as well. Newspapers here, web sites and pundits are calling for a complete boycott of American goods and a travel ban. The only people who will suffer are ordinary US citizens, from home builders (softwood prices will go up at least 20%), hotels, restaurants and cross border shops, to farmers and manufacturers. Nobody wins in a trade war, maybe somebody should run that by this moron.
So from a Canadian perspective, the first 100 days have been a disaster. Trump mentioned NORAD and how it protects us for free. Take that shit and shove it. We don't have enemies to worry about, it's the US who has enemies all over the world. His complete lack of sagacity is a sure path to military confrontations and we want to stay out of this. Too bad we are already supporting American warfare in Syria and Iraq. Enough I say, scrap NAFTA, we can sell our raw resources to markets where they are appreciated and higher prices are paid. 40% of your oil comes from the dreaded tar sands in Alberta. Pipelines will be shut off and tankers will take the oil from Vancouver harbor to Asia. Until this clueless clown is either impeached or voted out in 3 years, Canada will stand firm. We will not be bullied into one sided agreements. If Trudeau caves in, his political career is over.
As an addendum I will say that none of this is meant to be pugnacious towards Americans (maybe the Trump voters) but intended to maintain our commercial interests and have a level playing field.
By all means ... get some independence. But don't think that you aren't just another Ireland, subject to ruthless exploitation by London. But if you fully embrace Trudeau Jr, and Macron is elected in France, then per DeGaulle, y'all can learn French, and become the poodle of Paris ;-)
But at last notice ... the threats about NAFTA were just bluster ... don't get your knickers in a bunch, eh?
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 01, 2017, 03:39:47 PM
These are just the very early days of this "deplorable" kleptocrat - we've got a long way to go, baby...
Deep State wants to end the Bill of Rights ... and did, in about 1950. Trump does what the Deep State wants, same as Hillary. The US freedom of speech has been curtailed since the Cold War and the original McCarthy Red Scare. By the 60s, all opposition was controlled opposition.
Quote from: reasonist on May 01, 2017, 11:21:38 AM
It always comes down to money, doesn't it? At least if that orange cartoon character would have a legitimate grievance, a compromise can be found. But he is totally off base. We buy five times as much milk from the US as we export. Our (govt.) stumpage fees are already higher than most developed countries but we won't increase them to the level of greedy land owners in the US, because our domestic prices would increase as well. Newspapers here, web sites and pundits are calling for a complete boycott of American goods and a travel ban. The only people who will suffer are ordinary US citizens, from home builders (softwood prices will go up at least 20%), hotels, restaurants and cross border shops, to farmers and manufacturers. Nobody wins in a trade war, maybe somebody should run that by this moron.
So from a Canadian perspective, the first 100 days have been a disaster. Trump mentioned NORAD and how it protects us for free. Take that shit and shove it. We don't have enemies to worry about, it's the US who has enemies all over the world. His complete lack of sagacity is a sure path to military confrontations and we want to stay out of this. Too bad we are already supporting American warfare in Syria and Iraq. Enough I say, scrap NAFTA, we can sell our raw resources to markets where they are appreciated and higher prices are paid. 40% of your oil comes from the dreaded tar sands in Alberta. Pipelines will be shut off and tankers will take the oil from Vancouver harbor to Asia. Until this clueless clown is either impeached or voted out in 3 years, Canada will stand firm. We will not be bullied into one sided agreements. If Trudeau caves in, his political career is over.
As an addendum I will say that none of this is meant to be pugnacious towards Americans (maybe the Trump voters) but intended to maintain our commercial interests and have a level playing field.
Hey! Stop making me have to open the dictionary! lol
Quote from: Baruch on May 01, 2017, 06:11:55 PM
By all means ... get some independence. But don't think that you aren't just another Ireland, subject to ruthless exploitation by London. But if you fully embrace Trudeau Jr, and Macron is elected in France, then per DeGaulle, y'all can learn French, and become the poodle of Paris ;-)
But at last notice ... the threats about NAFTA were just bluster ... don't get your knickers in a bunch, eh?
LOL! I hope you are right, eh!? But the 20% tax on softwood lumber is a done deal. So off to the courts again...
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 01, 2017, 07:07:25 PM
Hey! Stop making me have to open the dictionary! lol
I didn't mean to be noisome or vapid...ooops :-))
I seen count of 488 outright lies and obvious misrepresentations in the past 100 days. I think that's low.
Explaining Canada to Americans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrA4V6YF6SA
Agent orange should watch this, it might help with comprehension
QuoteA black guy w/ a beard walks into University of Texas UT Austin and starts stabbing white people. How will the Media respond?
-Rex Tillerson, Trump's Secretary of State.
Sorry, I'm sure the alternatives would have put as blatantly racist and insensitive assholes in power as well.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on May 01, 2017, 08:57:23 PM
I seen count of 488 outright lies and obvious misrepresentations in the past 100 days. I think that's low.
The Trump doctrine:
Deceive
Deny
Deflect
Quote from: reasonist on May 02, 2017, 09:01:22 AM
The Trump doctrine:
Deceive
Deny
Deflect
He loves his D's.
Quote from: reasonist on May 02, 2017, 09:01:22 AM
The Trump doctrine:
Deceive
Deny
Deflect
Greek doctrine:
Wine
Olives
Gayness
WOG? Or maybe WWPD ... What would Pericles do? I am sure that Pericles who invented Western politics, would be very much up on winning, and your three-D are part of the skills required to deal with your political opponents.
Quote from: Baruch on May 02, 2017, 01:14:49 PM
Greek doctrine:
Wine
Olives
Gayness
WOG? Or maybe WWPD ... What would Pericles do? I am sure that Pericles who invented Western politics, would be very much up on winning, and your three-D are part of the skills required to deal with your political opponents.
That maybe so, but I will remain an idealist. ALL politicians lie but Trump is taking this to a level not seen before. If you take the opposite of whatever he spews, you will be very close to the truth.
Your reference to Hellenism is noted; too bad it has been replaced by Messianism. That must have been the worst turn in human history.
Quote from: Baruch on May 01, 2017, 06:13:23 PM
Deep State wants to end the Bill of Rights ... and did, in about 1950. Trump does what the Deep State wants, same as Hillary. The US freedom of speech has been curtailed since the Cold War and the original McCarthy Red Scare. By the 60s, all opposition was controlled opposition.
I tend to think it's not just the Deep State (whatever that is...there are different conceptions of it), but primarily it's the
Council of Foreign Relations (https://monthlyreview.org/press/project-censored-interviews-laurence-shoup-on-kpfa-radio/) that's calling the shots.
(https://rasica.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/cfr-members1.jpg)
This Council of Foreign Relations (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations#Controversy)? A foreign policy think tank in charge of foreign policy? If only we should be so lucky as to have relevant experts making the calls.
Instead, we have a Rube Goldberg machine consisting of some combination of a handful of neocon advisers whispering in the President's ears, whatever Fox News broadcast aired that day, poll numbers, and the current emotional state of the President. Quite the volatile mix. And a far less comforting explanation for unpredictable and sometimes disastrous US foreign policy.
Also, if we take it as a given that the CFR are the puppet masters in control of American policies, it's strange how aghast they are (http://www.cfr.org/presidents-and-chiefs-of-state/trumps-appetite-risk-spells-trouble-us-national-security/p39029) of the policies that they presumably came up with.
Maybe they like to spill so much ink on criticisms to throw off the scent. Maybe I'm a secret agent for them. Maybe everyone you meet in the supermarket is a secret agent for them. Maybe we're all slaves to their mind control. Maybe the only way to block the signal is with tinfoil.
Nah, I tried tinfoil, but Saran Wrap works better...
Well, here's the radio program I heard the other day about it. If you care to listen you can make up your own mind how credible the allegations of Shoup are:
http://projectcensored.org/laurence-shoup/
Quote from: reasonist on May 02, 2017, 02:28:23 PM
That maybe so, but I will remain an idealist. ALL politicians lie but Trump is taking this to a level not seen before. If you take the opposite of whatever he spews, you will be very close to the truth.
Your reference to Hellenism is noted; too bad it has been replaced by Messianism. That must have been the worst turn in human history.
In American history, Messianism is well founded (not even counting the colonial nut jobs in New England) ... with George Washington. Relative to a political system where the head of state is ceremonial, and therefore the job is to be dignified ... it must come as a shock to witness the partisan militarism of a Commander In Chief. Basically Chief Hun or Top Mongol. And there has always been a struggle in the US between Hellenism and Latinism. But both provide the examples of Alexander and Caesar. Blame the Kurgan hordes.
well according to the man, he accomplished a lot of things in his first 100 days. It would be funny if he didn't actually believe he did something.
Trump's first 100 days have been a mountain of bullshit (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/fact-checking-president-trump-through-his-first-100-days.html). And I wish it was just the bullshit, but there were also plenty of awful appointments and policies that came along with it.
The only thing that comes to mind that he's said that I can 100% agree with:
“We have spent $4 trillion trying to topple various people that, frankly, ... if we could have spent that $4 trillion in the United States to fix our roads, our bridges and all of the other problems, our airports and all of the other problems we have, we would have been a lot better off â€" I can tell you that right now. We have done a tremendous disservice not only to the Middle East â€" we’ve done a tremendous disservice to humanity. The people that have been killed, the people that have been wiped away, and for what? It’s not like we had victory. It’s a mess. The Middle East is totally destabilized, a total and complete mess.†- Trump in 2015
Presumably, this was before beautiful babies entered the picture.
Pre-candidates, candidates and elected officials are three different species. Some prefer D tyranny over R tyranny, but most support tyranny. This is why the West shouldn't be allowed to survive. Of course the East would never make such a strategic mistake ;-)
Quote from: Baruch on May 03, 2017, 07:14:59 AM
Pre-candidates, candidates and elected officials are three different species. Some prefer D tyranny over R tyranny, but most support tyranny. This is why the West shouldn't be allowed to survive. Of course the East would never make such a strategic mistake ;-)
It seems that (many) people like a strong hand at the helm. Most of the time the strong hand is an autocrat, a despot who commands complete control and therfore does not allow any criticism or dissent. It's the 'Daddy' that watches over them and protects them; a feeling of security and stability. How else can one explain the free election of dictators like Erdogan, Duterte or Putin for example? North Korea is a different animal alltogether. There you have a political theocracy where the dear leader is a demi god to be worshipped at all times. A heredetary 'leader' and ruthless tyrant, who does not hesitate to kill members of his own family to consolidate power or starving his populace in oder to build up a military might. Trump falls into that very same category. If he could, he would silence all critics within the public discourse, eliminate the First Amendment and shift power in his favor by getting rid of all democratic institutions that your forefathers so wisely put in place to avoid the very checks and balances so dire needed for a free society. What is most disturbing is that so many people didn't see this coming, or even worse wanted to bring it on anyways. Not just you, the citizens of your country, but much of the world has to live and cope with this stupidity for at least four years, maybe even eight. We are all interconnected by emigration and commerce; a choice made out of anger or frustration can have potentially catastrophic consequences for people and Planet and the first 100 days have already shown that the danger is real.
Here's Olbermann's take on Chump's first 100 days:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgHYdvyTCJE
I really like Olbermann!
And here's Sanders' take on Chump's first 100 days:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmR6XYVEKWI
Bernie speaks from conviction, not because of ideological necessity but as a moral imperative. He would have disturbed the establishment way too much; that's why he was not allowed to succeed.
Quote from: reasonist on May 03, 2017, 08:21:40 PM
Bernie speaks from conviction, not because of ideological necessity but as a moral imperative. He would have disturbed the establishment way too much; that's why he was not allowed to succeed.
On the other hand, beware of demagogues who tell you what you want to hear:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJBzhcSWTk
Quote from: Baruch on May 03, 2017, 10:08:05 PM
On the other hand, beware of demagogues who tell you what you want to hear:
Socrates makes a valid point connecting the right to vote with the level of education, but how could that be implemented? Having an IQ test before going into the voting booth? Cutting of a part of the citizenry from having a voice? Socrates doesn't provide a solution either and neither did Epicurius or Lucretius who would be labelled as more Kantian than Socrates. Beyond that I have a hard time remembering much about the subject being out of school for 45 years. Although I agree with that school of thought, no solution to this dilemma of the uneducated/uninformed having voting rights has been proposed to my knowledge. Churchill was right when he said Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. Hegel came closest to the ideal but again only in theory; we all know how Marxism turned out, so what's left??
Quote from: reasonist on May 03, 2017, 11:26:14 PM
Socrates makes a valid point connecting the right to vote with the level of education, but how could that be implemented? Having an IQ test before going into the voting booth?
We've tried literacy tests in the past. Shockingly, it didn't lead to a more enlightened electorate. Quite the opposite, in fact.
QuoteChurchill was right when he said Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Pretty much. Previously, I've asked those opposed to democracy to put it to a vote. I stopped doing that after Turkey's infamous referendum.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 04, 2017, 12:00:29 AM
We've tried literacy tests in the past. Shockingly, it didn't lead to a more enlightened electorate. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Pretty much. Previously, I've asked those opposed to democracy to put it to a vote. I stopped doing that after Turkey's infamous referendum.
That's another issue I cannot understand. How can people give up their freedom voluntarily? Erdogan's job was mostly ceremonial, correct me if I am wrong. Over the last 15 years or so he consolidated power, so his intentions should have been crystal clear, especially after the failed coup. He purged tens of thousands of civil servants, judges, officers etc., and yet voters still gave him a carte blanche in the referendum. I just hope that the EU won't even consider Turkey's membership anymore. Bad enough they are a member of NATO! But then again remember the Junta in Greece, or Franco in Spain, or Salazar in Portugal. NATO was silent about that too. Nothing surprises me anymore.
Quote from: reasonist on May 03, 2017, 11:26:14 PM
Socrates makes a valid point connecting the right to vote with the level of education, but how could that be implemented? Having an IQ test before going into the voting booth? Cutting of a part of the citizenry from having a voice? Socrates doesn't provide a solution either and neither did Epicurius or Lucretius who would be labelled as more Kantian than Socrates. Beyond that I have a hard time remembering much about the subject being out of school for 45 years. Although I agree with that school of thought, no solution to this dilemma of the uneducated/uninformed having voting rights has been proposed to my knowledge. Churchill was right when he said Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. Hegel came closest to the ideal but again only in theory; we all know how Marxism turned out, so what's left??
The only people who think that politics solves their problems, are politicians ;-) Ape men ... doesn't matter what ideology, what party. It is poo throwing and lice picking, all the way down. And no ... Socrates did have a solution, goad the demos into judicially murdering you. Plato had a different solution ... The Republic ... and that is what we have today, if you were awake. Plato indicated in The Republics, that the only people who should be allowed to lie, is the government. And that deliberate narrative control thru religion and false social contract was necessary. I am sure every national security state operative has memorized it.
Quote from: reasonist on May 04, 2017, 06:39:02 AM
That's another issue I cannot understand. How can people give up their freedom voluntarily? Erdogan's job was mostly ceremonial, correct me if I am wrong. Over the last 15 years or so he consolidated power, so his intentions should have been crystal clear, especially after the failed coup. He purged tens of thousands of civil servants, judges, officers etc., and yet voters still gave him a carte blanche in the referendum. I just hope that the EU won't even consider Turkey's membership anymore. Bad enough they are a member of NATO! But then again remember the Junta in Greece, or Franco in Spain, or Salazar in Portugal. NATO was silent about that too. Nothing surprises me anymore.
A historian ;-) Young people don't remember the authoritarians in S Europe. Back then, as long as you were anti-Soviet, you were a good guy. But it goes back further, to before WWII. Once Hitler was defeated, NATO needed the Papacy on its side, including the Greek Orthodox Church. It was precisely those conservative elements that had encouraged fascism in the first place. Their fascism became our fascism. Soviet distrust became justifiable homicide for us, but reminds me that even the Soviet Union wasn't always wrong. We now have the EUSSR and the USSA ... how long will this corruption continue to circle the toilet?
See, you don't understand because you are a nice person, a rational thinker. You don't know the joys of evil and irrationality. You need to go on a bender; destroy your job, your family, your life. Then you will understand the Elite much better. Or better, become a short story writer, where you have to describe villainy from the inside out.
A brilliant non-partisan description of the first 100 days ...
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/taibbi-the-war-in-the-white-house-w480238
Doesn't make me happy BTW ... even if I didn't vote for Trump. We would have had similar results with the totally vile Hillary. We are in late stage Empire. Ave! The Pretorian Guard has spoken! We are all RINO/DINOs now.
Quote from: Baruch on May 04, 2017, 07:07:35 AM
A brilliant non-partisan description of the first 100 days ...
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/taibbi-the-war-in-the-white-house-w480238
Doesn't make me happy BTW ... even if I didn't vote for Trump. We would have had similar results with the totally vile Hillary. We are in late stage Empire. Ave! The Pretorian Guard has spoken! We are all RINO/DINOs now.
I doubt Crooked Hillary would have defunded after school programs and environmental protection agencies, banned Muslim refugees from entering the USA, sent over 50 missiles at a single airbase in Syria and still fail to bring it out of commission, spent hundreds of millions of tax dollars on golfing trips, or damaged our foreign relations as thoroughly as he has. She probably wouldn't have threatened to throw us back into the dark ages of Christian rule either.
Quote from: Baruch on May 04, 2017, 07:04:14 AM
A historian ;-) Young people don't remember the authoritarians in S Europe. Back then, as long as you were anti-Soviet, you were a good guy. But it goes back further, to before WWII. Once Hitler was defeated, NATO needed the Papacy on its side, including the Greek Orthodox Church. It was precisely those conservative elements that had encouraged fascism in the first place. Their fascism became our fascism. Soviet distrust became justifiable homicide for us, but reminds me that even the Soviet Union wasn't always wrong. We now have the EUSSR and the USSA ... how long will this corruption continue to circle the toilet?
See, you don't understand because you are a nice person, a rational thinker. You don't know the joys of evil and irrationality. You need to go on a bender; destroy your job, your family, your life. Then you will understand the Elite much better. Or better, become a short story writer, where you have to describe villainy from the inside out.
Thanks, I think :-) so you are saying that the next generations can't learn from history or don't want to. The circling continues until another major (nuclear) confrontation? This time it won't be 50 million, it could be all of humanity. Just because some super egos, stone age brains, pissing contest. I remain an optimist, naive maybe, but an optimist.
So then Socrates and Plato did not have viable, rational solutions or proposals either. Murdering your opponents is hardly a sane solution. And the 'Republic' of today isn't working so well. You are lucky to have a constitution, cherish it and adhere to it. Many countries in the first world don't have one or ignore it. Maybe someone should tell Trump.
Quote from: Baruch on May 04, 2017, 07:07:35 AM
A brilliant non-partisan description of the first 100 days ...
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/taibbi-the-war-in-the-white-house-w480238
Doesn't make me happy BTW ... even if I didn't vote for Trump. We would have had similar results with the totally vile Hillary. We are in late stage Empire. Ave! The Pretorian Guard has spoken! We are all RINO/DINOs now.
Thank you for sharing. Well written article, sobering and scary to imbibe.
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 04, 2017, 09:17:36 AM
I doubt Crooked Hillary would have defunded after school programs and environmental protection agencies, banned Muslim refugees from entering the USA, sent over 50 missiles at a single airbase in Syria and still fail to bring it out of commission, spent hundreds of millions of tax dollars on golfing trips, or damaged our foreign relations as thoroughly as he has. She probably wouldn't have threatened to throw us back into the dark ages of Christian rule either.
Lithmus test politics. As long as we are SJW ... then we can institute cannibalism. Liberals are being taken to the cleaners by the Caligulas.
Quote from: reasonist on May 04, 2017, 10:10:09 AM
Thanks, I think :-) so you are saying that the next generations can't learn from history or don't want to. The circling continues until another major (nuclear) confrontation? This time it won't be 50 million, it could be all of humanity. Just because some super egos, stone age brains, pissing contest. I remain an optimist, naive maybe, but an optimist.
So then Socrates and Plato did not have viable, rational solutions or proposals either. Murdering your opponents is hardly a sane solution. And the 'Republic' of today isn't working so well. You are lucky to have a constitution, cherish it and adhere to it. Many countries in the first world don't have one or ignore it. Maybe someone should tell Trump.
The only thing that people learn from history, is that nobody learns from history. Mostly because they don't try. My Millenial daughter for instance, only has time for the immediate needs. And a little escapist entertainment. Must be typical though.
Sorry ... the odds of survival of a suicidal species is low. I am only a guarded optimist. You can only get to me if you get past my weapons systems ;-) Socrates did what he wanted, he acted as an exemplar, that only a few people cared to emulate. And we aren't sure that Plato, Xenophon etc were any good at emulating him. The US Constitution, as I have pointed out has been a dead letter since 1950. It is observed in the breach, and cherished only when it does things we want.
Quote from: reasonist on May 04, 2017, 11:58:11 AM
Thank you for sharing. Well written article, sobering and scary to imbibe.
Real Politik and Bismarkian sausage making.
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 04, 2017, 09:17:36 AM
spent hundreds of millions of tax dollars on golfing trips
oh for the love of the monkey, that's how he's gonna make America great again
Quote from: fencerider on May 05, 2017, 02:24:36 AM
oh for the love of the monkey, that's how he's gonna make America great again
Caligula's victims wished he had played more golf ;-)
Interesting article in 'The New Yorker'. Trump's hubris exposed...
http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/is-political-hubris-an-illness
If Trump is lucky he will be as memorable as Millard Fillmore ;-)
Quote from: Baruch on May 06, 2017, 12:21:13 AM
If Trump is lucky he will be as memorable as Millard Fillmore ;-)
The country would be lucky if that were the case. But that train has passed already. He is and will be much more memorable than Fillmore.
are you missin the days of Sarah Palin?... at least she was good lookin.
I wonder if Mexico and Canada got together to deal with Trump trash talk if they could take on the U.S.
I wonder if Kimchi thinks Trump is so stupid he can get away with attacking the U.S.
I wonder if Ryan is up to the job of keeping Republicans from fighting with each other
Hey Baruch all you gotta do to get apes to stop fighting with each other is to throw them some fruit. Maybe we can name an island somewhere after Trump and be done with him
Quote from: fencerider on May 06, 2017, 04:46:01 PM
are you missin the days of Sarah Palin?... at least she was good lookin.
I wonder if Mexico and Canada got together to deal with Trump trash talk if they could take on the U.S.
I wonder if Kimchi thinks Trump is so stupid he can get away with attacking the U.S.
I wonder if Ryan is up to the job of keeping Republicans from fighting with each other
Hey Baruch all you gotta do to get apes to stop fighting with each other is to throw them some fruit. Maybe we can name an island somewhere after Trump and be done with him
We have plenty of virtual fruit ... such as BitCoin. It attracts the money apes. The islands already exist ... Cayman Is.
The Top Ten Trump successes...
Gorsuch
Nepotism
Making Money
Quote from: fencerider on May 06, 2017, 04:46:01 PM
Maybe we can name an island somewhere after Trump and be done with him
(https://localtvwhotv.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/promo266410474.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=640)
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 09, 2017, 05:59:01 PM
(https://localtvwhotv.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/promo266410474.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=640)
Most billionaires already own their own islands ;-)
Quote from: Baruch on May 09, 2017, 06:36:24 PM
Most billionaires already own their own islands ;-)
Most billionaires ARE their own islands.
so giving Trump an island is off the table?? bummer.
and he's gonna have to get a whole lot more riske before the republicans want to impeach him. They probably think he is an idiot, but for now he is a useful idiot
Quote from: fencerider on May 10, 2017, 11:58:31 PM
so giving Trump an island is off the table?? bummer.
and he's gonna have to get a whole lot more riske before the republicans want to impeach him. They probably think he is an idiot, but for now he is a useful idiot
Well, just look at Republicans now. Trump conveniently fires the man in charge of investigating his connections to Russia, and all they pull non sequiturs about Democrats, completely dismissing the obvious power grab the President was engaging in. They will never admit that God's chosen leader of the Free (at least for now) World can do any wrong.
Not that I would defend anyone' stupidity ... but even Comey admits the President can fire the head of the FBI. Why don't all you Ds just move to Canada already?
Quote from: Baruch on May 11, 2017, 05:47:37 AM
Not that I would defend anyone' stupidity ... but even Comey admits the President can fire the head of the FBI. Why don't all you Ds just move to Canada already?
I think the problem is not solved by moving. The financial distribution in the US is getting completely out of control. Thomas Piketty writes in "Capital in the 21st Century" that from 1977 to 2007, 60% (!) of the total income in the US went to the top 1%! Unsustainable. Sooner or later even the dimmest dolts have to realize that they are taken for a ride. And instead of working and uniting to change all that, 60 million vote for Trump who's first 17 appointees represent more wealth than 47% of Americans COMBINED! It is the exact opposite of what the electorate should have done. Ignorance and lack of education?
Quote from: Baruch on May 11, 2017, 05:47:37 AMWhy don't all you Ds just move to Canada already?
Roughly 100 million people moving into a country of 35 million. Sounds like a reasonable, workable solution.
Quote from: reasonist on May 11, 2017, 11:10:11 PM
I think the problem is not solved by moving. The financial distribution in the US is getting completely out of control. Thomas Piketty writes in "Capital in the 21st Century" that from 1977 to 2007, 60% (!) of the total income in the US went to the top 1%! Unsustainable. Sooner or later even the dimmest dolts have to realize that they are taken for a ride. And instead of working and uniting to change all that, 60 million vote for Trump who's first 17 appointees represent more wealth than 47% of Americans COMBINED! It is the exact opposite of what the electorate should have done. Ignorance and lack of education?
I would like to think the disaster is the result of ignorance and lack of education. That would offer some hope; ignorance can be addressed. Education can be gained. But I understand that the average campaign supporter had an income in the 70,000 range. That is well above average and not a reflection of ignorance or lack of education. I am deeply afraid that stupidity now has a strangle hold on this country. Ignorance can be fixed; stupidity simply cannot. Personally, I have a feeling of doom I've not experienced before. I hated Bush and still do; but my feeling for drump is much deeper and more fearful. Drump seems to have his finger on the pulse on the stupidity of this country and can use it at his will; to say he is/will be the worst president we have had is an insult to the Nixon's and Buchanan's of the world. He has one goal and that is to enrich himself and his family beyond all belief. And he is on his way. I do fear for my country.
The Donald's Isle
Just sit right back
And you’ll hear a tale
A tale of a sad election,
That started from 2014
And screwed a whole nation.
The campaign sure was getting rough
The anger was quite crossed
If not for the lies and the FBI
The Hillary would be Boss.
It went to the Electoral College,
A partisan affair.
Who lost their purpose of to stop
Insane voting there.
The Donald, the Clinton too,
The Bernie and McCain,
The Rubio, the Others too,
Here on The Donald’s Isle!
So here is the cast of our crazy world.
Here for a long long time.
We have to make the best of it,
Until The Donald is shown to have been working with the Russians, loving authoritarians, hating facts, firing those who investigate him, and putting stooges in their place, while lying to the press, ignoring facts, saying one thing one day and another the next, creating timelines in reverse, prevaricating, insulting honorable people and basically insulting the intelligence of most people here and abroad.
Here On Donald Trump’s Isle!
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 12, 2017, 12:44:15 AM
I would like to think the disaster is the result of ignorance and lack of education. That would offer some hope; ignorance can be addressed. Education can be gained. But I understand that the average campaign supporter had an income in the 70,000 range. That is well above average and not a reflection of ignorance or lack of education. I am deeply afraid that stupidity now has a strangle hold on this country. Ignorance can be fixed; stupidity simply cannot. Personally, I have a feeling of doom I've not experienced before. I hated Bush and still do; but my feeling for drump is much deeper and more fearful. Drump seems to have his finger on the pulse on the stupidity of this country and can use it at his will; to say he is/will be the worst president we have had is an insult to the Nixon's and Buchanan's of the world. He has one goal and that is to enrich himself and his family beyond all belief. And he is on his way. I do fear for my country.
Trickle down economics .. pee-on. No, what is lacking, is strength of character. That can't be taught from a book. And some characteristics of a population, are increased, because of culling the bottom of the gaussian distribution, which moves the mean higher. Worked in American Revolution, Civil War, Depression/WW II.
Fear, it is the mind killer. It comes from within, not from without. The US has been a flaming shit sack my whole life .. not just recently. My reaction to that depended on my age, my personal situation. My age advances, my personal situation goes up, down, all around. My perspective changes, the nature of humanity does not.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 12, 2017, 12:24:18 AM
Roughly 100 million people moving into a country of 35 million. Sounds like a reasonable, workable solution.
Immigrants have a right to go to any country they want ... host nations have no rights ;-) Look at a map, the existing Canadians can move farther north to make room, thanks to global warming ;-)
Quote from: reasonist on May 11, 2017, 11:10:11 PM
I think the problem is not solved by moving. The financial distribution in the US is getting completely out of control. Thomas Piketty writes in "Capital in the 21st Century" that from 1977 to 2007, 60% (!) of the total income in the US went to the top 1%! Unsustainable. Sooner or later even the dimmest dolts have to realize that they are taken for a ride. And instead of working and uniting to change all that, 60 million vote for Trump who's first 17 appointees represent more wealth than 47% of Americans COMBINED! It is the exact opposite of what the electorate should have done. Ignorance and lack of education?
Yes, Marx was right, but premature. Is that you, Etienne? And no, not lack of education ... basic literacy should have solved all political problems (according to literate leaders who lived in a time of universal illiteracy) ... but the Enlightenment turns out to be wrong. The noble savage of Rousseau seems closer to the mark than Lockean logicians. That and Americans aren't European, they are all temporarily embarrassed millionaires. We don't need a proletarian revolution, because all of us are upwardly mobile and above average (sorry, we are also innumerate).
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 12, 2017, 12:44:15 AM
I would like to think the disaster is the result of ignorance and lack of education. That would offer some hope; ignorance can be addressed. Education can be gained. But I understand that the average campaign supporter had an income in the 70,000 range. That is well above average and not a reflection of ignorance or lack of education. I am deeply afraid that stupidity now has a strangle hold on this country. Ignorance can be fixed; stupidity simply cannot. Personally, I have a feeling of doom I've not experienced before. I hated Bush and still do; but my feeling for drump is much deeper and more fearful. Drump seems to have his finger on the pulse on the stupidity of this country and can use it at his will; to say he is/will be the worst president we have had is an insult to the Nixon's and Buchanan's of the world. He has one goal and that is to enrich himself and his family beyond all belief. And he is on his way. I do fear for my country.
You are right, but that is incredibly sad that 60 million are that dumb! They literally got a corporate Coup d'Etat for their stupidity. What is even more astonishing is that after seeing first hand what this dolt is doing after the first 100 plus days, 96% of the people who voted for Trump, still support him! That's political and financial masochism! When I saw the proposed health care bill, which gives 880 billion dollars tax break to the wealthy while at the same time taking away insurance from millions and screw the elderly, poor and middle class, I thought surely the leaf has turned and supporters will change their minds in droves. Not so! What must this orange clown do in order for the 60 million to admit that they have been duped?
Here is a video from Tony Schwartz, the guy who wrote "The art of the deal" for Trump. Schwartz knows they guy for 35 years and has a few things to say about him. He pinpoints the exact things that we see in Trump every day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIsgFmTwPd8
I'm just enjoying the fireworks, to be honest. Trump may not be the president America needs, but he is the one we deserve. :lol:
Quote from: Baruch on May 12, 2017, 06:24:27 AM
Yes, Marx was right, but premature. Is that you, Etienne? And no, not lack of education ... basic literacy should have solved all political problems (according to literate leaders who lived in a time of universal illiteracy) ... but the Enlightenment turns out to be wrong. The noble savage of Rousseau seems closer to the mark than Lockean logicians. That and Americans aren't European, they are all temporarily embarrassed millionaires. We don't need a proletarian revolution, because all of us are upwardly mobile and above average (sorry, we are also innumerate).
Sure Marx was right but mention his name or socialism or even liberalism and it's like talking about a disease. I guess Oscar Wilde was right when he said: " America is the only country in history, that went directly from barbarism to degeneration without the usual period of civilization."
And that was 130 years ago! If he could only see what's going on today...
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 08:50:29 AM
You are right, but that is incredibly sad that 60 million are that dumb! They literally got a corporate Coup d'Etat for their stupidity. What is even more astonishing is that after seeing first hand what this dolt is doing after the first 100 plus days, 96% of the people who voted for Trump, still support him! That's political and financial masochism! When I saw the proposed health care bill, which gives 880 billion dollars tax break to the wealthy while at the same time taking away insurance from millions and screw the elderly, poor and middle class, I thought surely the leaf has turned and supporters will change their minds in droves. Not so! What must this orange clown do in order for the 60 million to admit that they have been duped?
Here is a video from Tony Schwartz, the guy who wrote "The art of the deal" for Trump. Schwartz knows they guy for 35 years and has a few things to say about him. He pinpoints the exact things that we see in Trump every day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIsgFmTwPd8
Saw the Schwartz interview at the time--he seemed to have genuine fear of drump--and one cannot blame him, for drump is very, very high on revenge (to the 10th degree). Wonder if Tony is still in this country?
What will it take to get rid of The Donald? Nothing. Nothing can remove him short a bullet to the brain. He has both houses that will shill for him and shield him. He is simply going about what he has always indicated he would to--enrich his family beyond all belief. Reward those who help and revenge on those who stand in his way. The length and breath of this nation's stupidity is such that we will have drump for 8 years. Many of my friends and family are looking forward to the 2018 elections; they will not go Demo--the congress will remain Repub. We will soon all but officially become a white, neo-con, racist country, totally male dominated.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 12, 2017, 09:06:16 AM
Saw the Schwartz interview at the time--he seemed to have genuine fear of drump--and one cannot blame him, for drump is very, very high on revenge (to the 10th degree). Wonder if Tony is still in this country?
What will it take to get rid of The Donald? Nothing. Nothing can remove him short a bullet to the brain. He has both houses that will shill for him and shield him. He is simply going about what he has always indicated he would to--enrich his family beyond all belief. Reward those who help and revenge on those who stand in his way. The length and breath of this nation's stupidity is such that we will have drump for 8 years. Many of my friends and family are looking forward to the 2018 elections; they will not go Demo--the congress will remain Repub. We will soon all but officially become a white, neo-con, racist country, totally male dominated.
You got to keep fighting Mike, you owe it to your children and grandchildren! Resignation will make it worse!
I always have ONE question for the Trumpsters: What must this guy do for you to say ENOUGH! I made a mistake voting for him and defending him.
I never got an answer to that question. Trump himself said that he could shoot someone on 5th Ave. and get away with it. Seems he was right.
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 09:03:07 AM
I guess Oscar Wilde was right when he said: " America is the only country in history, that went directly from barbarism to degeneration without the usual period of civilization."
Perhaps we just redefined civilization with the appropriate caricature. We may indeed be degenerates, but we are proud of it, and won't stop until we have global degeneracy. Equality under the new world order is our goal. :biggrin:
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 10:04:26 AM
You got to keep fighting Mike, you owe it to your children and grandchildren! Resignation will make it worse!
I always have ONE question for the Trumpsters: What must this guy do for you to say ENOUGH! I made a mistake voting for him and defending him.
I never got an answer to that question. Trump himself said that he could shoot someone on 5th Ave. and get away with it. Seems he was right.
I don't doubt that. I could see the reactions of Republicans now.
"As if Democrats don't have any blood on their hands! They murder millions of innocent babies every year, and they don't go to jail! I'm sure that guy deserved it anyway. You can't get that close to the President without permission and expect not to be shot."
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 10:04:26 AM
You got to keep fighting Mike, you owe it to your children and grandchildren! Resignation will make it worse!
I always have ONE question for the Trumpsters: What must this guy do for you to say ENOUGH! I made a mistake voting for him and defending him.
I never got an answer to that question. Trump himself said that he could shoot someone on 5th Ave. and get away with it. Seems he was right.
I don't miss an opportunity to engage family on Drump--yeah, some voted for him! Hard to be civil. :)) I really haven't given up; but I must admit my usual optimistic outlook has taken a hit!
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 12, 2017, 11:32:25 AM
I don't miss an opportunity to engage family on Drump--yeah, some voted for him! Hard to be civil. :)) I really haven't given up; but I must admit my usual optimistic outlook has taken a hit!
It's not difficult to share your pessimism, however we must keep fighting! This is all deja vu, the same people who still defend agent orange were wearing brown shirts and screaming with glee and a stretched out right arm 80 years ago! What could be worse than sitting back and doing nothing when facing evil? I watch with horror other message boards, even in Canada, and realize you can't fight stupidity. But the least we can do is try.
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 09:03:07 AM
Sure Marx was right but mention his name or socialism or even liberalism and it's like talking about a disease. I guess Oscar Wilde was right when he said: " America is the only country in history, that went directly from barbarism to degeneration without the usual period of civilization."
And that was 130 years ago! If he could only see what's going on today...
To an American, being European is a disease ... WW I, WW II, Communism ... what is not to like? Oscar Wilde ... he's the man! If he can't gay ... nobody can!
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 11:51:33 AM
It's not difficult to share your pessimism, however we must keep fighting! This is all deja vu, the same people who still defend agent orange were wearing brown shirts and screaming with glee and a stretched out right arm 80 years ago! What could be worse than sitting back and doing nothing when facing evil? I watch with horror other message boards, even in Canada, and realize you can't fight stupidity. But the least we can do is try.
The original user of Agent Orange was one the the demons, LBJ, Democrat from Hell. They are demons, all the way down, all the way back to Jefferson.
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 11:51:33 AM
It's not difficult to share your pessimism, however we must keep fighting! This is all deja vu, the same people who still defend agent orange were wearing brown shirts and screaming with glee and a stretched out right arm 80 years ago! What could be worse than sitting back and doing nothing when facing evil? I watch with horror other message boards, even in Canada, and realize you can't fight stupidity. But the least we can do is try.
It is difficult for me to share my pessimism--against my nature. I have always said that the world is in the best shape it has ever been overall. I still think so. It's just that the sheer volume of the stupidity flowing from my country simply overwhelmed me. I'm still in a bit of shock--slowly recovering.
What I do see is Drump is THE single biggest challenge this country has ever faced--and that includes both the Civil War and WWII. Drump has offered this county the opportunity to learn to stop despotism here at home. If we don't recognize it and oppose it, this country will cease to exist as anything but a shadow of what it was/could be. If we, as country, learn and then fix this despot, we will emerge stronger and better. If not.......................
This will be a difficult challenge for we are not a country that likes to think of nuances or ramifications. The World's Greatest Generation likes to think they rose to the occasion. They did not rise to anything; they had their head slammed into a wall and then they reacted. Yes, they did a grand job of reacting, but they did not 'reason' the situation out. Any generation would have done what they did. There is only one Greatest Generation in our history--the Founding Fathers one. They had no blueprints for doing what they did. They had to deeply consider nuance and ramification for everything they did. It was not easy, and it was not a given they would succeed. And their constitution was not without flaws. But they did take all that into consideration with the Amendment process--we have a way to create a better constitution at any time. But it would take thinking--nuanced thinking about the ramification of changing the document. Drump has slammed out heads into the wall. I wonder how we will react. I do have hope...................
Quote from: Baruch on May 12, 2017, 12:48:01 PM
To an American, being European is a disease ... WW I, WW II, Communism ... what is not to like? Oscar Wilde ... he's the man! If he can't gay ... nobody can!
His sexuality doesn't diminish his genius. I am surprised you bring that up in a conversation.
(https://i.imgur.com/qK9PqGi.png)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trumps-tax-law-firm-deep-ties-russia/story?id=47376041
Doing a great job throwing people off the scent.
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 03:05:31 PM
His sexuality doesn't diminish his genius. I am surprised you bring that up in a conversation.
I am not ashamed of his gayness, and neither would he. But PC would be something to be ashamed of. I didn't claim his sexuality diminished his art any more than that of Leonardo or Michelangelo. You brought it up because you are stereotyping me. Don't worry, I ain't triggered, so no reason for me to file a class action suite against you ;-)
Quote from: Baruch on May 13, 2017, 12:01:14 AM
I am not ashamed of his gayness, and neither would he. But PC would be something to be ashamed of. I didn't claim his sexuality diminished his art any more than that of Leonardo or Michelangelo. You brought it up because you are stereotyping me. Don't worry, I ain't triggered, so no reason for me to file a class action suite against you ;-)
Much appreciated! :-)) no stereotyping - I just was surprised you brought it up since it is irrelevant to the quote.
Quote from: reasonist on May 13, 2017, 09:37:43 AM
Much appreciated! :-)) no stereotyping - I just was surprised you brought it up since it is irrelevant to the quote.
My mind works by association ... he was gay, some folks here are gay ... he is also English, and some folks here are English. I would think mentioning he was English ... might be relevant ... to me anyway.
There is a landfill in West Covina called BKK. A history teacher told us in high school that they buried several tons of agent Orange there. Enough; as he put it; to take out all of Los Angeles County if an earthquake uncovered it.
Quote from: reasonist on May 11, 2017, 11:10:11 PM
Thomas Piketty writes in "Capital in the 21st Century" that from 1977 to 2007, 60% (!) of the total income in the US went to the top 1%! Unsustainable.
Bernie Sanders has said several times on the radio how the distribution of wealth is currently in the U.S.
90% of US wealth in the hands of the top 10%
50% of US wealth in the hands of the top 1%
30%? of US wealth in the hands of the top 1/10%
Maybe some people will think this is offensive, but when somebody says "the greatest generation" you should be asking the greatest generation of what? My answer is "the greatest generation" of white American male bigots, racists, and xenophobes. U.S. went and cleaned up Germany after Russia did the heavy lifting ( KIA Russian military 27,000,000; German military 8,000,000; U.S military 418,000 - Russia killed 6 million Germans, U.S. killed only 1 million). Attack on Berlin would have failed if the bombers weren't escorted by African-American fighter pilots (all while whites were lynching black people back home). U.S. influence in the WWII would have been much less if wmn didnt take over every non-combat role possible in the military
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 03:05:31 PM
His sexuality doesn't diminish his genius. I am surprised you bring that up in a conversation.
Yeah, Baruch seems to have a thing about Wilde's sexuality, I've noticed that before. As if it matters at all to anyone at all...
President Trump Wants Gerald Ford Carriers to Use ‘Goddamned Steam’ Catapults Instead of ‘No Good’ Electromagnetic Launchers (https://news.usni.org/2017/05/11/president-trump-wants-ford-carriers-use-goddamned-steam-catapults-instead-no-good-electromagnetic-launchers)
QuotePresident Donald Trump wants the new Gerald Ford-class aircraft carriers to use older steam catapults to launch aircraft rather than the new electromagnetic launch system that the Navy has been developing for more than a decade.
I guess he never read the NT, where it says you shouldn't put new wine into old bottles...
I'm really glad this guy's gone:
(http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-mere-factual-innocence-is-no-reason-not-to-carry-out-a-death-sentence-properly-reached-antonin-scalia-386636.jpg)
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 15, 2017, 08:30:17 PM
President Trump Wants Gerald Ford Carriers to Use ‘Goddamned Steam’ Catapults Instead of ‘No Good’ Electromagnetic Launchers (https://news.usni.org/2017/05/11/president-trump-wants-ford-carriers-use-goddamned-steam-catapults-instead-no-good-electromagnetic-launchers)
I guess he never read the NT, where it says you shouldn't put new wine into old bottles...
There may be technical problems generating your own EMP pulse ... in how it effects the rest of the ship. But then except for TR and FDR ... no President has known beans about the Navy, other than navy beans (served in the US Senate cafeteria I am told).
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 15, 2017, 08:16:49 PM
Yeah, Baruch seems to have a thing about Wilde's sexuality, I've noticed that before. As if it matters at all to anyone at all...
Well, dead gay men don't matter, unless you are into that sort of thing ;-)
Trump expected to pick right-wing radio show host to head USDA (http://www.rawstory.com/2017/05/busted-trumps-expected-pick-for-top-usda-scientist-is-not-a-scientist/)
QuoteThe USDA’s research section studies everything from climate change to nutrition. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, its leader is supposed to serve as the agency’s “chief scientist†and be chosen “from among distinguished scientists with specialized or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics.â€
But Sam Clovis â€" who, according to sources with knowledge of the appointment and members of the agriculture trade press, is President Trump’s pick to oversee the section -- appears to have no such credentials.
Clovis has never taken a graduate course in science and is openly skeptical of climate change.
QuoteClovis has repeatedly expressed skepticism over climate science, and has called efforts to address climate change “simply a mechanism for transferring wealth from one group of people to another.â€
Quote“I think our position is very clearly [that] Mr. Trump is a skeptic on climate change, and we need more science,†he said. “Once we get more science, we are going to make decisions.â€
:wtf:
Also, I can't help but notice the lack of a "good" qualifier in front of "decisions". I guess deciding is more important than discerning.
This isn't a done deal. Trump could still pick someone a little bit more...(how do I put this?)...reality-aware for the post. But that's the thing about making the guy with the crappy resume the head honcho; what are the odds that he's going to make wise hiring decisions? He sure as hell hasn't made good calls with his other appointees.
All of Trumps appointees seem to be hacks. Unfortunate. But climate change is being fought ... the American/Canadian/Japanese and European people responsible for most of it, are being herded to the abattoir.
Try something interesting: I asked the last few days acquaintances, friends, family and on message boards a simple question for the die hard Trump fans,
"What must Trump do in order for you to say 'I was wrong, I got duped by a con-man and regret it.'"
I didn't get one answer to the question, everything was brought up form Obamacare to Benghazi but nobody was able to answer this simple question. It was great entertainment! Try it, see the reactions.
Quote from: reasonist on May 16, 2017, 08:40:45 AM
Try something interesting: I asked the last few days acquaintances, friends, family and on message boards a simple question for the die hard Trump fans,
"What must Trump do in order for you to say 'I was wrong, I got duped by a con-man and regret it.'"
I didn't get one answer to the question, everything was brought up form Obamacare to Benghazi but nobody was able to answer this simple question. It was great entertainment! Try it, see the reactions.
I didn't vote for Hillary or Trump. Can I play? So far .. no ... I didn't make a mistake. But then Gary Johnson ... we will never know. But now The Rock wants to run for President next time, and he is a buddy of St Obama ... so get your rosary beads out and start praying for The Scorpion King.
But you doesn't have to call him Johnson!
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuXPrLt-B_A/TuTrkYRL03I/AAAAAAAACr0/iLZ5ZTm9iSU/s1600/Bill%2BSaluga_45_back.jpg)
This is great! Olbermann pulls no punches!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14HiLa02E3k
Quote from: Baruch on May 16, 2017, 01:05:34 PM
I didn't vote for Hillary or Trump. Can I play? So far .. no ... I didn't make a mistake. But then Gary Johnson ... we will never know. But now The Rock wants to run for President next time, and he is a buddy of St Obama ... so get your rosary beads out and start praying for The Scorpion King.
[/quote)
The Rock is smarter than Trump. But then again, if I set the bar any lower, I have to bury it.
I didn't vote for either because of a small technicality: I am not a US citizen. Bernie will be too old in 2020 but my money is on Seth Moulton.He is probably one of the brightest younger politicians in America. Hopefully the establishment and voters will give him a chance.
And another idiotic misstep by the commander of thieves. Bragging about received intelligence and releasing classified info to the Russians should have the GOP caucus in uproar! But except for a handful of honest voices, the vast majority remains silent or even supportive! What must happen for THEM to say enough is enough?
Maybe he'll have to shoot someone on 5th Avenue? Would even that be enough now?
Quote from: reasonist on May 16, 2017, 05:37:56 PM
Quote from: Baruch on May 16, 2017, 01:05:34 PM
I didn't vote for Hillary or Trump. Can I play? So far .. no ... I didn't make a mistake. But then Gary Johnson ... we will never know. But now The Rock wants to run for President next time, and he is a buddy of St Obama ... so get your rosary beads out and start praying for The Scorpion King.
The Rock is smarter than Trump. But then again, if I set the bar any lower, I have to bury it.
I didn't vote for either because of a small technicality: I am not a US citizen. Bernie will be too old in 2020 but my money is on Seth Moulton.He is probably one of the brightest younger politicians in America. Hopefully the establishment and voters will give him a chance.
And another idiotic misstep by the commander of thieves. Bragging about received intelligence and releasing classified info to the Russians should have the GOP caucus in uproar! But except for a handful of honest voices, the vast majority remains silent or even supportive! What must happen for THEM to say enough is enough?
You expected someone smart? Yes ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nX0100wUB0
Democrats are the army of Anubis.
well the typical response is "What do you expect? He's just a politician. It's not like he's trying to be a pastor or a church leader...." the gist is that church people are smarter than politicians. and has a much higher standard for leaving. what the politicians do is not important at all
President doesn't run the US. Congress does .. according to the dictates of their sponsors. Having a bad pastor etc is much closer to home. The personal behavior of Bill and Donald is ... poor. But the official behavior of George W and Barak are much worse. Nice-guy genocidal maniac, well-spoken genocidal maniac. I will take Bill or Donald any day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAAPQoQXpkc
Glad he finally came around. But it bugs me that the deciding factor was that Trump is such a bad liar that he's self-incriminating. If Trump had simply stayed on message, the take-away from TJ and other people like TJ would simply be that the Washington Post and other news outlets critical of Trump are "fake news".
If Trump were a better liar, his rep would still be okay with a lot of people. Sad.
Impeach the SCOTUS, POTUS and Congress. End the Coup of 1787 and the Rebellion of 1775. Return to being a Crown Colony of QEII.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 20, 2017, 10:35:22 AM
Glad he finally came around. But it bugs me that the deciding factor was that Trump is such a bad liar that he's self-incriminating. If Trump had simply stayed on message, the take-away from TJ and other people like TJ would simply be that the Washington Post and other news outlets critical of Trump were simply "fake news".
If Trump were a better liar, his rep would still be okay with a lot of people. Sad.
TJ is spot on with most of his observations, but his delivery is emotionally unconventional, making him seem like he's lost it. I think he affects that demeanor to underscore the Trump "insanity", and I have to look past his delivery to give him credit for his observations. I dunno, maybe America needs ranting screamers to hold their attention for longer than a sound bite.
I agreed with TJ about not knowing how much Trump is in bed with Russia. Still am, but just after I reconfirmed to myself that the evidence isn't really there, I'm inundated with what the media is referring to as "A Whitehouse in chaos." You don't need the media to tell you that the Whitehouse is in Chaos, however. Well maybe not chaos, but the Whitehouse is most certainly scrambling to put the Humpty Dumpty image of the place back together.
I agreed with TJ about "Lets see what Trump does, now that he's voted in." Although, I was quite sure I knew before today how things were going to look, but yet I felt the need to say, "Lets wait and see." Trump's revelations about his motives, don't really surprise me. It's just Trump not thinking about what he's saying. I'm getting a new impression though. Trump is not about truth or consistency, not about his image of thoughtfulness as a president. He seems to be saying, "I'll say whatever I want, no matter how absurd or inconsistent, whenever I want, because I have the power to do it, and I want the American people to understand that I am the president, and this is how I do it. Circumspection is for cowards and idiots. I'm the boss, and constituents can go fuck themselves if they don't like it."
This will go over well with a lot of people, but I'm thinking it will give him less credibility with most. Not as dramatically as it would in a less hysterical environment, but I think it will have an effect.
I keep waiting for him to pull a rabbit out of the hat, and in a inspirational moment to America, all will become clear, but I don't think there is a rabbit. I don't think there is even a hat. I just expect this for another 3 1/2 years. I would be willing to place a small bet that none of this will lead to impeachment. I have nothing to base that on, but I'd bet on it just for the fun of it.
Being triggered extends well beyond silly college students. They are like cockroaches running out of the burning building. And good for them, if they can get to Canada before Helter Skelter (release of Charles Manson for good behavior) and lets not forget poor old Sirhan Sirhan and John Hinkley Jr. Too bad James Earl Ray isn't with us anymore.
Quote from: SGOS on May 20, 2017, 11:25:27 AMI agreed with TJ about "Lets see what Trump does, now that he's voted in."
That would've been fine on its own, but this was said in response to criticisms surrounding Trump appointees and the beginnings of what would become Trump's executive order spree, neither of which looked good at the time and look downright horrible now. TJ's stance came across less about being evenhanded and more about burying his head in the sand and ignoring looming problems within the Trump administration. He eventually reversed course on that, but it took awhile for that homemoon phase to end and criticisms to finally sink in.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 20, 2017, 01:13:39 PM
TJ's stance came across less about being evenhanded and more about burying his head in the sand and ignoring looming problems within the Trump administration.
I hadn't heard of TJ until now, but I had the impression that his "Wait and see" was more like the day after the election. At that time, there were still speculations about Trump being a closet Democrat who would operate in opposition of the Republican ideology. While this was wishful thinking, especially in retrospect, people were divided three ways: He would be an utter disaster, a savior, or might not be anything like how he presented himself for the purpose of the campaign. Remember, the talk about him calming down once the campaign was over? I thought that was a long shot, but even some of the talking heads talked about the possibility.
I won't try to justify a "wait and see" attitude as anymore logical than the other two, because it does have a head in the sand quality about it, and rested on shallow hope and foreknowledge of Trump being highly unpredictable. And if TJ was defending his position as the most thoughtful of all positions, I'd call it an error, because it's was way to dicey to go public with. I guess it would depend in how adamant he was acting at the time. But then I'm guessing from this video that he tends to be adamant most of the time.
Quote from: reasonist on May 12, 2017, 11:51:33 AM
It's not difficult to share your pessimism, however we must keep fighting! This is all deja vu, the same people who still defend agent orange were wearing brown shirts and screaming with glee and a stretched out right arm 80 years ago! What could be worse than sitting back and doing nothing when facing evil? I watch with horror other message boards, even in Canada, and realize you can't fight stupidity. But the least we can do is try.
Those Brown Shirts defending Agent Orange must be pretty old and decrepit by now. Maybe a little less exaggeration would be helpful.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 20, 2017, 10:35:22 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAAPQoQXpkc
Glad he finally came around. But it bugs me that the deciding factor was that Trump is such a bad liar that he's self-incriminating. If Trump had simply stayed on message, the take-away from TJ and other people like TJ would simply be that the Washington Post and other news outlets critical of Trump are "fake news".
If Trump were a better liar, his rep would still be okay with a lot of people. Sad.
The MSM basically smears all alternative media which TJ is a part of, helps with getting people like TJ's videos demonetized, threatening his very livlihood, while slandering the most popular youtubers as Nazis (pewdipie) because they see these people as a threat to their existence, and in return TJ calls them fake news. Sounds fair to me.
TJ was dumb to say that Trump should be given a chance before judged though. It was always clear to me that Trump was going to be a trainwreck, and he's turned out to be even worse than I had imagined.
Quote from: FaithIsFilth on May 21, 2017, 02:05:55 PMThe MSM basically smears all alternative media which TJ is a part of, helps with getting people like TJ's videos demonetized, threatening his very livlihood, while slandering the most popular youtubers as Nazis (pewdipie) because they see these people as a threat to their existence, and in return TJ calls them fake news. Sounds fair to me.
Assuming that's all true and true across the board (all mainstream newspapers/media are united in their quest to smear and wreck the livelihoods of all non-mainstream political commentators) the correct response to this injustice is what? Return the favor and call everything "the MSN" does fake news? Assume that the allegations against Trump are untrue because of some disdain for the Washington Post?
Oh, man. I really think Trump is going to be impeached very soon. Admitting to obstruction of justice on national media was not the smartest thing Trump ever did. He's his own worst enemy. Even Republicans are starting to turn against him. I know if we manage to impeach Trump, we're still going to be stuck with Pence, but I'm starting to think even that will be an improvement. And maybe Trump will serve as an example to others why certain people do not belong in office. Maybe it'll even hurt Republicans well enough for them to lose the House and Senate majority. Wishful thinking, I know, but one can hope.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 21, 2017, 02:20:38 PM
Assuming that's all true and true across the board (all mainstream newspapers/media are united in their quest to smear and wreck the livelihoods of all non-mainstream political commentators) the correct response to this injustice is what? Return the favor and call everything "the MSN" does fake news? Assume that the allegations against Trump are untrue because of some disdain for the Washington Post?
If a news organization presents false or deceitful information on purpose even just five or ten percent of the time, I think it's fair to call them a fake news organization. Other people that are highly critical of MSM don't like MSM being called fake news, so fake news can mean different things to different people. I haven't watched many of TJs videos lately, but I've seen enough to know that he doesn't think everything the MSM says is false. I think he understands that there is plenty of truth presented, mixed in with half truths and outright lies. I don't blame TJ for being hesitant to accept the Russia angle that the media has been pushing for months. The stuff that's come out the past week or so looks pretty bad for Trump, and maybe there is something there with Trump and Russia, but I don't blame TJ when the media was pushing the Russia thing for months on end with no evidence. There's nothing wrong with waiting for the evidence to come in. Why did TJ think Trump should be given a chance? I can't answer that. I guess the guy just has too much faith in humanity, or maybe he saw the SJWs screaming at the top of their lungs in the streets like babies and thought he was proving a point by doing the complete opposite of the SJWs? I don't know. It was fair to tell people to suck it up and accept that Trump won and that he is your president, like it or not, but waiting to give him a chance was taking things a step too far. He should have known better.
Quote from: FaithIsFilth on May 21, 2017, 06:40:04 PMIf a news organization presents false or deceitful information on purpose even just five or ten percent of the time, I think it's fair to call them a fake news organization.
If I held everyone to that standard, I'd never trust anything anyone says again. And a lot of the big "alt" media names like Alex Jones would be the first to hit that threshold.
QuoteOther people that are highly critical of MSM don't like MSM being called fake news, so fake news can mean different things to different people.
I take it as an accusation of lying (because it is), which by the way, really ought to be supported in some way before I consider it valid. I'm weird like that.
Trump really perfected the art of calling anything he doesn't like fake news and apparently a lot of simpletons believe it just because he said it. This is not a trend I'm eager to get in on.
QuoteI don't blame TJ for being hesitant to accept the Russia angle that the media has been pushing for months. The stuff that's come out the past week or so looks pretty bad for Trump, and maybe there is something there with Trump and Russia, but I don't blame TJ when the media was pushing the Russia thing for months on end with no evidence. There's nothing wrong with waiting for the evidence to come in.
There's been plenty of small stuff (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/trump-russia/) that indicates something may be going on. Nothing particularly concrete though, hence the investigation.
Quotemaybe he saw the SJWs screaming at the top of their lungs in the streets like babies and thought he was proving a point by doing the complete opposite of the SJWs?
He is known to be a bit of contrarian, which I think is stupid. If it's illogical to take a position because it's popular, it's equally illogical to take a position because it's unpopular.
QuoteIt was fair to tell people to suck it up and accept that Trump won and that he is your president, like it or not
? They knew Trump won, that's why they were protesting.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 21, 2017, 07:09:34 PM
If I held everyone to that standard, I'd never trust anything anyone says again. And a lot of the big "alt" media names like Alex Jones would be the first to hit that threshold.
I take it as an accusation of lying (because it is), which by the way, really ought to be supported in some way before I consider it valid. I'm weird like that.
The key words there were "on purpose". Everyone is entitled to make mistakes, but when the deceit and lying is clearly being done purposefully, they've earned our general distrust. Our pet name for Fox News here is Faux News, so in other words, Fake News. Much of what Fox reports is accurate though. I call news organizations that exist to prop up the Democratic establishment fake news the same way I call Fox, an organization that exists to prop up the Republican establishment, fake news. Some see Fox as a lot worse, but I don't think Fox is that much more deceitful than other MSM. Honestly there probably is a better term than "fake news" for me to be using when referring to MSM, but the term caught on and I find it funny so I'm sticking with it. I also like how it triggers people in the MSM. CNN claiming that them being called "fake news" is an equal insult to being called a nigger. Bernie Sanders getting his mic cut when he joked about CNN being fake news. It's hilarious. I don't have a problem with the opinion that MSM is not "fake news" though. Like I said, that term can mean different things depending on who you're talking to.
QuoteTrump really perfected the art of calling anything he doesn't like fake news and apparently a lot of simpletons believe it just because he said it. This is not a trend I'm eager to get in on.
That's very true. Many Trump fans believe pretty much everything said against him is fake news. There are sadly plenty of these people out there. As far as Trump calling the MSM fake news, my thoughts on that are that he's just giving them a taste of their own medicine. They pretty much labeled him a fake, illegitimate President, so he returned the favour and calls them fake news.
Quote? They knew Trump won, that's why they were protesting.
I know but they chanted "Not my President" and you had a bunch of people saying that something had to be done, etc.
"I know but they chanted "Not my President" and you had a bunch of people saying that something had to be done, etc."
The first time I heard that in my lifetime, was Strom Thurmond saying that Bill Clinton wasn't his President. Strom Thurmond died in 2003 ... good thing he didn't live to see Obama elected President. Back in 1993 they were saying Bill Clinton was a our first Black President. Was Bill being an early version of Dolezal?
Yes, the Democrats showed that they were the same KKK they always were ... only this time their targets are reversed.
Quote from: FaithIsFilth on May 21, 2017, 02:05:55 PM
It was always clear to me that Trump was going to be a trainwreck, and he's turned out to be even worse than I had imagined.
With you on that. But the only credit I can give Drump is that he did not hide one single thing about how he would act when in office. He was very clear and plain with how he would try and do things and how he would act. He has done nothing so far that he did not say he would do.
Chump's a monster from the id!
(https://68.media.tumblr.com/892b53a0bb7e1d66694d9b64974a31ff/tumblr_inline_nskny3NcUA1qi49re_500.jpg)
In 1996 Jane Akre and Steve Wilson reporters for Fox affiliate were working on a story involving a chemical made by Monsantos. (reporters didn't know there was a connection between the owners of Fox and the makers of the chemical) Fox wanted them to kill the story, but they wouldnt. Fox told them to lie but they refused so the got fired. They sued for wrongful termination and the court awarded them damages. But Fox appealed the case and the appeals court reversed the decision saying that lying is protected by the First Ammendment in 2003. Short story is that the court gave Fox Television the right to lie on the air. Faux News aka fake News.
you can read more about it by google "Fox News wrongful termination lawsuite 2003". (if anybody finds the case # I would like to see it)
I dont think they are any more fake than Alex Jones or Hannidee, but considering the current or was it the previous owner? of Fox is an ex-con from Australia I got no reason to trust them. Not to mention Trump doesn't need anyone putting spin on the story to get in trouble. He really likes the taste of his boots
Fake news was invented long before movies and TV and Youtube. Fox didn't invent it. See the change in broadcast rules under Reagan, for an explanation.
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1880786,00.html
The parties are simply fighting over trivial control over the CIA disinformation campaign. The parties aren't autonomous, they are controlled by the CIA disinformation campaign, and the Elite.
Quote from: Baruch on May 23, 2017, 06:19:27 AM
Fake news was invented long before movies and TV and Youtube. Fox didn't invent it.
Yeah, but they sure the fuck fine-tuned it!!
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 22, 2017, 08:39:09 PM
With you on that. But the only credit I can give Drump is that he did not hide one single thing about how he would act when in office. He was very clear and plain with how he would try and do things and how he would act. He has done nothing so far that he did not say he would do.
Other than surrounding himself with neo-cons and Goldman Sachs people when he said he would drain the swamp.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 23, 2017, 11:10:30 AM
Yeah, but they sure the fuck fine-tuned it!!
Don't be gullible. I haven't believed advertising, or fake news, since Disney betrayed us with the Flubber scandal.
Quote from: FaithIsFilth on May 23, 2017, 12:05:15 PM
Other than surrounding himself with neo-cons and Goldman Sachs people when he said he would drain the swamp.
Ds and Rs are the two species of Creature From the Black Lagoon ... you can't expect the swamp to drain itself ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM1o1xe5FGE
Quote from: Baruch on May 23, 2017, 01:07:22 PM
Don't be gullible. I haven't believed advertising, or fake news, since Disney betrayed us with the Flubber scandal.
Sure--I won't if you will quit yourself. And there was no Flubber scandal--fake, fake news.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 23, 2017, 02:08:48 PM
Sure--I won't if you will quit yourself. And there was no Flubber scandal--fake, fake news.
I was one of the kids that got hives from this poorly designed product (designed to go with he movie Flubber and compete with Silly Putty). After that, it was Silly Putty or nothing! And yes, I only mis-remember that, it never happened.
Quote from: Baruch on May 23, 2017, 07:26:50 PM
I was one of the kids that got hives from this poorly designed product (designed to go with he movie Flubber and compete with Silly Putty). After that, it was Silly Putty or nothing! And yes, I only mis-remember that, it never happened.
They ya go.
Quote from: FaithIsFilth on May 23, 2017, 12:05:15 PM
Other than surrounding himself with neo-cons and Goldman Sachs people when he said he would drain the swamp.
To Trump, "draining the swamp" means adding alligators and piranha... And some parasites.
I wonder whether we've given Chump enough "benefit of the doubt" yet? How much more must he do before we can decide he's not fit for the role of "leader of the free world"? That's what they're now calling the German chancellor.
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 24, 2017, 04:54:12 PM
I wonder whether we've given Chump enough "benefit of the doubt" yet? How much more must he do before we can decide he's not fit for the role of "leader of the free world"? That's what they're now calling the German chancellor.
It takes a lot of cheek to call Merkel "leader of the free world". The Germans have never been free ... of being Germans. There is no free lunch, hence no free world.
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 24, 2017, 04:54:12 PM
I wonder whether we've given Chump enough "benefit of the doubt" yet? How much more must he do before we can decide he's not fit for the role of "leader of the free world"? That's what they're now calling the German chancellor.
The US will survive Trump. Yes, with great difficulty. The next President will have to mend fences and restore international alliances. It will not be easy.
Or it may. A few simple words from a new President could signal a return to international order and mutual assistance. The question is "how soon" and "by whom"? The world IS actually waiting.
Quote from: Cavebear on May 31, 2017, 12:36:51 PM
The US will survive Trump. Yes, with great difficulty. The next President will have to mend fences and restore international alliances. It will not be easy.
Or it may. A few simple words from a new President could signal a return to international order and mutual assistance. The question is "how soon" and "by whom"? The world IS actually waiting.
But international order, isn't having a Rothschild (Macron) or an E German (Merkel) telling the US what to do. I would take Putin any day, over those two.
Quote from: Cavebear on May 31, 2017, 12:36:51 PM
The world IS actually waiting.
"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."
:headscratch:
maybe Trump went to fight the swamp creatures and got bit. Now he is one of them.
Quote from: fencerider on June 05, 2017, 03:32:58 AM
maybe Trump went to fight the swamp creatures and got bit. Now he is one of them.
Kudzu knows its own ;-)
You know..most politicians work with the proverbial house of cards. In Trump's case it's more like a house of sheets of wet toilet paper... Hell, used wet toilet paper. That might make a great cartoon..trump trying to build a house of cards with a roll of wet toilet paper..
I'm thinking we could use a president Underwood about now..either one, but preferably Claire Underwood..
Quote from: Baruch on June 05, 2017, 06:54:38 AM
Kudzu knows its own ;-)
I think I'll start calling Chump the "Swamp Thing"...
(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fbecaf_8f73b732e5cc43cab3443582a993cb72~mv2_d_2117_1363_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626,h_403/fbecaf_8f73b732e5cc43cab3443582a993cb72~mv2_d_2117_1363_s_2.jpg)
It gets worse, much worse. A 25 year old naif ... with a James Bond girl name "Reality Winner" was given a top secret clearance in February, as a contractor to the NSA. She stole a secret report today (and was caught by our super-powered FBI one hour later) and gave it to The Intercept for publication. It didn't go to Wikileaks (which only publishes true stuff). It reveals that all US elections have been controlled from Moscow since 1944 (well, almost). And nobody can see the report, because it is still classified, but people at The Intercept can allege its contents to the amazed world. The GRU (Russian military intelligence) has puppet controlled the US since August 2016 using its "goat staring" super powers.
As the Kekistanis keen ... Reeeeeeeeeee
Quote from: Unbeliever on June 05, 2017, 07:33:04 PM
I think I'll start calling Chump the "Swamp Thing"...
Do you have something against helpless vegetables? The horror! How is a vegetable to be "triggered" when they don't even have a nervous system to get nervous with!
Quote from: Baruch on June 05, 2017, 07:38:33 PM
Do you have something against helpless vegetables?
Nah - except for this one:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/7b/3f/9e7b3fff666f75a321a879e8f2f66bd0.jpg)
It's creeeeeeeepy!
Quote from: Unbeliever on June 05, 2017, 08:11:22 PM
Nah - except for this one:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/7b/3f/9e7b3fff666f75a321a879e8f2f66bd0.jpg)
It's creeeeeeeepy!
It looks like someone cut off the head of a witch.
Quote from: Blackleaf on June 05, 2017, 09:51:07 PM
It looks like someone cut off the head of a witch.
Very Medieval of you to say so. So if I float, I am a witch, and you kill me. If I don't float, I drown, and G-d is responsible, not you.
Ding dong the witch is dead - the wicked witch is dead!
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/75/4f/f7754ffe1c80a002f1751089e1c415ed.jpg)
Quote from: Unbeliever on June 05, 2017, 07:33:04 PM
I think I'll start calling Chump the "Swamp Thing"...
(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fbecaf_8f73b732e5cc43cab3443582a993cb72~mv2_d_2117_1363_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626,h_403/fbecaf_8f73b732e5cc43cab3443582a993cb72~mv2_d_2117_1363_s_2.jpg)
Needs orange hair. Needs a lack of fear. Trump is fearful. It is obvious in every staff pick and firing he does. It is obvious in every fake act he does. Like yesterday, when he pretended to send a govermental reorganization bill to Congress and it merely said "We should privatize the Air Traffic Controllers". And his budget letter was equally vague and purposeless.
Yeah, you're probably right. I guess Chump is as good as anything to call him - especially since he just got chumped bigly by the Saudis.
Quote from: Unbeliever on June 07, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
Yeah, you're probably right. I guess Chump is as good as anything to call him - especially since he just got chumped bigly by the Saudis.
Trump
Gamed
Hugely
By
Everyone...