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

[Karl Henning]

...she

Thank 'ee

[Karl Henning]

Whitaker agrees to testify before Congress after saying he wouldn't if under subpoena threat
https://wapo.st/2SDrOxm

[drogulus]

    Whitaker hearing confirms it: On Mueller probe, Democrats have already won

If Trump had actually persuaded anyone to obstruct the Mueller probe on his behalf, he wouldn't be tweeting "Witch hunt!!!" every few days. Those are the desperate cries of a man who wishes his underlings would obstruct justice on his behalf, but isn't getting what he wants.

     

[drogulus]

     Russian-Style Kleptocracy Is Infiltrating America

     TrumPutin may end up being part of a larger story about a world wide kleptocratic plague.

During the Cold War, the KGB had developed an expert understanding of the banking byways of the West, and spymasters had become adept at dispensing cash to agents abroad. That proficiency facilitated the amassing of new fortunes. In the dying days of the U.S.S.R., Palmer had watched as his old adversaries in Soviet intelligence shoveled billions from the state treasury into private accounts across Europe and the U.S. It was one of history's greatest heists.

The United States, Palmer made clear, had allowed itself to become an accomplice in this plunder. His assessment was unsparing. The West could have turned away this stolen cash; it could have stanched the outflow to shell companies and tax havens. Instead, Western banks waved Russian loot into their vaults. Palmer's anger was intended to provoke a bout of introspection—and to fuel anxiety about the risk that rising kleptocracy posed to the West itself. After all, the Russians would have a strong interest in protecting their relocated assets. They would want to shield this wealth from moralizing American politicians who might clamor to seize it. Eighteen years before Special Counsel Robert Mueller began his investigation into foreign interference in a U.S. election, Palmer warned Congress about Russian "political donations to U.S. politicians and political parties to obtain influence." What was at stake could well be systemic contagion: Russian values might infect and then weaken the moral defense systems of American politics and business.

     I think we'll have to look at the Mueller investigation in this light.

[SimonNZ]

Bedminster golf course employed so many undocumented immigrants that there's an entire town in Costa Rica built on Trump paychecks. We found it.  "My whole town practically lived there," one said of the Trump course.

[BasilValentine]

Bedminster golf course employed so many undocumented immigrants that there's an entire town in Costa Rica built on Trump paychecks. We found it.  "My whole town practically lived there," one said of the Trump course.

Saints forfend! Surely Trump isn't a lowlife scumbag hypocrite?!

[SimonNZ]

Trump campaign spent nearly $100K of donor money on law firm representing Kushner

[LKB]

Saints forfend! Surely Trump isn't a lowlife scumbag hypocrite?!

Well, that's just unkind. The lowlife scumbag hypocrites didn't deserve that at all.

,

LKB

[SimonNZ]

I assume no-one is talking about the Whittaker "testimony" because anyone who saw it has had a rage stroke?


Wonkette retells the "testimony" in their inimitable style

[lisa needs braces]

The #metoo movement against Hollywood creeps was quite powerful but I feel that Democrats decided to weaponize it in an attempt to shame Trump and the consequence has been that as many Democrats in power have been taken down as Republicans...

Did Virginia Democrat Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax engage in sexual assault against two women decades ago? Or did two women decades ago decide to give their bodies to a stud in the sincere hope that he would reciprocate with an offer of a relationship that they didn't realize was not forthcoming?

"Believe women" is cant if you understand that the sexes can be equally wicked in different ways...

What is a man in this situation supposed to say, especially one who is prominent? "Look, it was consensual, okay? They're just mad I didn't make them my girlfriends. I was a stud who was heading places, you must understand, and I got laid often! I'm innocent!" 

[drogulus]

     

The #metoo movement against Hollywood creeps was quite powerful but I feel that Democrats decided to weaponize it in an attempt to shame Trump and the consequence has been that as many Democrats in power have been taken down as Republicans...

     Are you accusing Dems of being insufficiently hypocritical? Are they supposed to "weaponize it in an attempt to shame Trump" and not apply the standard to their own?

     I think you would prefer Dems to live down to your standard and are puzzled why they don't. Shouldn't pols be scared to betray their constituents and not just their donors? I want Dems to be motivated by a proper mix of carrots and sticks. It's good for them.

     

[lisa needs braces]

     
     Are you accusing Dems of being insufficiently hypocritical? Are they supposed to "weaponize it in an attempt to shame Trump" and not apply the standard to their own?

     I think you would prefer Dems to live down to your standard and are puzzled why they don't. Shouldn't pols be scared to betray their constituents and not just their donors? I want Dems to be motivated by a proper mix of carrots and sticks. It's good for them.

What has been the payoff? Has taking down Al Franken done any good for Democrats?

[lisa needs braces]

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/02/bernie-sanders-close-announcing-presidential-campaign/582328/

He would have won in 2016. 

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

What has been the payoff? Has taking down Al Franken done any good for Democrats?

It has deflected claims of hypocrisy, and his seat was held by another Democrat. No loss, and gain to the extent that he had become a liability.

[lisa needs braces]

It has deflected claims of hypocrisy, and his seat was held by another Democrat. No loss, and gain to the extent that he had become a liability.

Yea but Franken was a way better politician than the non-entity that replaced him.

[JBS]

Yea but Franken was a way better politician than the non-entity that replaced him.

For a party apparat, that is a plus.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Yea but Franken was a way better politician than the non-entity that replaced him.

Grabbing ladies butts made him a good politician?

[lisa needs braces]

Grabbing ladies butts made him a good politician?

No, he was a good politician because he was witty, possessed the gift of gab, and was well liked.

Nothing has condemned Franken, a comedian, more than this comically riske photo:



Was Franken a pervert or merely the victim of women who crave attention?

If Munchausen syndrome exists why not a similar syndrome wherein the female says something along the lines of "I am so desirable that a famous man could not control himself at the sight of my sexual attractiveness."?

I fear that the innate competition between males allows us to excuse/enjoy the unfair downfall of men who are more prominent than we are...

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

No, he was a good politician because he was witty, possessed the gift of gab, and was well liked.

Nothing has condemned Franken, a comedian, more than this comically riske photo:



Was Franken a pervert or merely the victim of women who crave attention?

If Munchausen syndrome exists why not a similar syndrome wherein the female says something along the lines of "I am so desirable that a famous man could not control himself at the sight of my sexual attractiveness."?

I fear that the innate competition between males allows us to excuse/enjoy the unfair downfall of men who are more prominent than we are...

Enough of the misogynistic bullshit. A line of women said he tried to feel them up at the State Fair. He was what they used to call "a cad." Maybe fine for SNL. It is a good thing it is not fine for the U.S. Senate.

[lisa needs braces]

Enough of the misogynistic bullshit. A line of women said he tried to feel them up at the State Fair. He was what they used to call "a cad." Maybe fine for SNL. It is a good thing it is not fine for the U.S. Senate.

Misogyny: The believe that women can be as wicked as men.