Sound The TRUMPets! A Thread for Presidential Pondering 2016-2020(?)

[Todd]

After this statement, he has to do something.

Incorrect.  He can act like his predecessor and say that it was the world that promised major decisions and proceed to do nothing.  Doing nothing is always an option.  Unfortunately, Trump may very well do something.

[André]

Incorrect.  He can act like his predecessor and say that it was the world that promised major decisions and proceed to do nothing.  Doing nothing is always an option.  Unfortunately, Trump may very well do something.

Right. Everything he does must be qualified thus.

[Karl Henning]

Well, it isn't only zb who feels that Clinton/Obama is a "justification" for the present buffoon.

[Todd]

Well, it isn't only zb who feels that Clinton/Obama is a "justification" for the present buffoon.

Barack Obama, being the last President of the United States, offers a model of action for this and subsequent Presidents to follow.  Donald Trump being the current President of the United States, will offer a model of action for subsequent Presidents to follow.  Very often, very learned sorts of people acknowledge this when they use words like "unprecedented" or worry aloud about how something is "not normal"; these complaints are rooted in direct comparison to predecessors.  It is only reasonable to compare actual or proposed policies of the current administration, as well as alternatives, to those of prior administrations, particularly where the same issue is being considered, as in the case of Syrian policy.  Obama's policy of very limited action in Syria was a good one.  The only problem is that he may have done too much.  Donald Trump would be wise to speak loudly and carry a small stick in this matter, exactly like his predecessor.

[BasilValentine]

Oh, I always understood your joke.  It's too soft-edged for my taste.  But you missed the point.

I missed the address too, apparently. Since the FBI just raided Michael Cohen's place, it seems that's where they were worried about documents being destroyed, not Trump Tower. Interestingly, the warrant was from the southern district of New York on a referral from Mueller. I wonder, therefore, if they are angling for state charges, should those prove appropriate, thus making Cohen ineligible for presidential pardon? 

[Todd]

I wonder, therefore, if they are angling for state charges, should those prove appropriate, thus making Cohen ineligible for presidential pardon?

This appears informed by your musicological understanding of the law.  But who knows, maybe the DOJ authorized the FBI to execute a search for a state prosecution.  In any event, I'd be surprised if Rod Rosenstein collects his full government pension.

Back to important news, here from the failing New York Times: Mueller Investigating Ukrainian's $150,000 Payment for a Trump Appearance.

Russia!

[SimonNZ]

Horror of Being Governed by 'Fox & Friends'

[Karl Henning]

Horror of Being Governed by 'Fox & Friends'

'The disinformation machine':  straight up!

[Karl Henning]

Because El Tupé is such a class act:

When a reporter for the Daily Beast in 2015 quoted a deposition from Trump's first wife, Ivana, who said she had been "raped" by Trump, Cohen told the reporter, as reported by the website: "You write a story that has Mr. Trump's name in it, with the word 'rape,' and I'm going to mess your life up . . . for as long as you're on this frickin' planet . . . you're going to have judgments against you, so much money, you'll never know how to get out from underneath it." (Ivana Trump later said, "I referred to this as a 'rape,' but I do not want my words to be interpreted in a literal or criminal sense.")

[Karl Henning]

And finally, we should keep in mind that "traditional media" are now only a small part of Americans' media diet. Social media and hyper-partisan websites and blogs provide media junk food for Americans to ingest 24/7. As they latch onto the gossip and conspiracies that fit their preconceptions, they increasingly resent traditional media. Truth becomes an intrusion into their media bubble; purveyors of inconvenient facts become a threat to their worldview. When Breitbart or a Russian troll farm carry the aura of legitimacy for voters, it is easy to see how real news looks "fake."

[Todd]

Firing missiles into Syria may be cathartic — but catharsis isn't foreign policy

"One year ago this month, Syria's regime used sarin, which prompted U.S. cruise missile attacks that did not deter last Saturday's use of chemical weapons. If at this late date the only, or primary, U.S. objective in Syria — and it is not a contemptible one — is to economize violence and minimize atrocities, the ghastly but optimal outcome is a swift final victory by Bashar al-Assad's regime. A negotiated end to this civil war has long been a fantasy: Negotiations did not end the American, Russian, Spanish or Chinese civil wars in 1865, 1920, 1939 and 1949, respectively."

[SimonNZ]

Trump's company asked Panama president to help in hotel spat

"U.S. President Donald Trump's company appealed directly to Panama's president to intervene in its fight over control of a luxury hotel, even invoking a treaty between the two countries, in what ethics experts say was a blatant mingling of Trump's business and government interests."

[Karl Henning]

And: the President pees his pants.

[zamyrabyrd]

Well, it isn't only zb who feels that Clinton/Obama is a "justification" for the present buffoon.

The last four presidents were more than an embarrassment, no justification for anything, but a steady slide into the abyss. What you don't understand is the Bush dynasty as deeply corrupt, starting from the war profitteers of WWI. Allegiance to one party or another is only cosmetic. The detrius of the past 30 years or so still insists on humongous debt, spending money that doesn't even exist. The horrifying thing is, it is only part of the mess they left. Instabiity in the Middle East and our having to pay for it in money and lives is the top legacy from the Gang of Four.

Barring that, I was not sure when GMG would get rolling again. I was sort of hoping this thread would have been consigned to oblivion.

[zamyrabyrd]

And: the President pees his pants.

You have just achieved a new low.

[Karl Henning]

Trump's company asked Panama president to help in hotel spat

"That makes him a genius!"
– El Tupé fan

[Karl Henning]

Tax cuts create massive debt — who knew?

[snyprrr]

Well, it isn't only zb who feels that Clinton/Obama is a "justification" for the present buffoon.

because we should have just blindly voted for Hillary and be done with it? Who's the one living in a bubble? Of course you deserve Trump, he is your Liberal Messiah. Standard NY Liberal vs. Hillary's more "straight up gangsta" dictator screecher.

HillDawg can't even make it up the stairs: you deserve Trump!! You brought him on yourself, deal... I know, I know, you're tryyyying to get him impeached,... keep up God's Work

Kamala Harris joking about murdering Trump... why SHOULDN'T he go all rogue on your asses?? It's hilariously shockingly horrifyingly absurd how the General Population thinks their "opponents" should always play by the rules (ie, Republicans, Christians), and then gets all melty when the other side does what their side has done 10X.

"Tell Putin I will have more leeway after the election" Obumbler



I can see where the coming World Dictator would want to get rid of MOST of the people. Lots of innocents will die along with the guilty because of your touchy-feely religion of social liberalismo and "I'm not a racist/sexist/phobe".


"We came, we saw, he died" cackle

"Fool me twice?... won't get fooled again"

"This is not who we are"

Sorry, my quote generator isn't bringing me what I'm looking for...


HOW COULD YOU BE offended at any ranting against you? You're the ones who say "these dark times of Trump we live in".... HOLY SHIT!! reallY??? Where's the tanks in the streets and $10 gas?? Oh my, yes, your lives have sooo been turnedupside down,... oy vey, my little violin for you.))


Not one Thread about Obama (basically), but then Trump comes along and gives you all a wedgie,... AND IT'S PAINFULLY FUNNY LIKE A MONTY PYTHON HORROR BLACK COMEDY TRAGEDY,... that you beliiieved Hillary, and still do, to the death, the Whore of Babylon must reign supreme or humanity will be wiped out by the tiny-penis-people.


OY VEEEY!!!


And London now needs "Knife Control",...


Learn to shoot, Karl, learn to shoot!!

[Karl Henning]

At each step of the way, the actions that have angered [El Tupé] have been steps taken by senior officials specifically following the law. In a shocking turn of phrase, even by his standards, [El Tupé] said, "So I just heard they broke into the office of one of my personal attorneys." Of course, "they" didn't "break in"—they obtained a search warrant: sought by the U.S. Attorney, with the sign-off of the deputy attorney general, and approved by a magistrate judge. "They" means the FBI, part of [El Tupé's] own executive branch, acting according to the law.

"At each step of the way, the actions that have angered El Tupé have been steps taken by senior officials specifically following the law."  Well, duh!  He's spent all his precious, privileged life muscling people with his money and influence, to avoid the legal consequences of his near-constant sleazery.

Tuperos choosing their generalissimo in preference to the Law?  Color me Not Surprised.

[zamyrabyrd]

Tax cuts create massive debt — who knew?

No, spending money on frivolities causes debt.