The Trump presidency

[ohmyliver]

Carter Page - last night's interview was interesting - especially the bit at the end of this clip, double especially the citing of nondisclosure agreements.

oh and this is him lying about it about 2 weeks ago for reference.

 

[ska invita]

hogs of war?
It would be interesting to know , as it might give a clue as to what kind of wars theyve got planned...or not. Maybe the money is going into non-frontline things?

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

hogs of war?
It would be interesting to know , as it might give a clue as to what kind of wars theyve got planned...or not. Maybe the money is going into non-frontline things?

Other places have the War of Roses. We have the War of the Truffles.

 

[8den]

Just so we don't forget Mike:

Pence attacked Clinton for email while conducting public business using AOL account that was hacked
“The fact that these emails are stored in a private AOL account is crazy to me.”

AOL Email? I didn't know it even still exists.

In 2014 AOL e-mail was rated as significantly less secure than Yahoo Mail. Yahoo Mail.

Yahoo Mail vs. Outlook.com vs. Gmail vs. AOL Mail

 

[gosub]

Its not the meeting the Russians that the problem its the lying about it. A principle legal officer of a government, that thinks purjury is OK is not a good look

 

[8den]

Its not the meeting the Russians that the problem its the lying about it. A principle legal officer of a government, that thinks purjury is OK is not a good look

Quite if he perjured himself he needs to go.

If he didn't realise what he was doing was perjury he's unfit to hold the office of AG.

 

[camouflage]

With Trumps recently announced record increase in the military budget, does that include a breakdown of what it will be spent on?

The US military suffers from a disease of the tool, the money will just be used to inflate contractor budgets and lobbying-costs, they'll spank it all on ridiculous things like high-tech robo-donkeys and electric spectacles or even the F35 and buy replacement pieces for a game where the only winning move is never to play.

 

[camouflage]

Its not the meeting the Russians that the problem its the lying about it. A principle legal officer of a government, that thinks purjury is OK is not a good look

Tbh, I think this baloney witch-hunt is bollocks. when people who are against Trump finally get their act together, perhaps they can stop chasing nonsense and start in on real issues.... surely by now we've all forgotten about whatever was in those dodgy emails and can stop with the "Russia! Boo!" distractions... I mean is it really that vital to box Trump in re détente with Russia? If not- I reckon the US should just do us all a favour launch it's pre-emptive nuclear strikes already... groundworks been laid, let's get on with it.

Or- how about holiding him to his big-arm-movement promises re infrastructure and the blue-collar class, if those promises meant anything why the big spend on stupid walls and shinny new tanks? Probably the new money that isn't there is being promised to the military to maintain their support... the "Russia! Boo!" stuff just plays into the same old logic. I mean fuckit I don't care, he's their president.... I'm jus sayin.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

The US military suffers from a disease of the tool, the money will just be used to inflate contractor budgets and lobbying-costs, they'll spank it all on ridiculous things like high-tech robo-donkeys and electric spectacles or even the F35 and buy replacement pieces for a game where the only winning move is never to play.

The fact that the Osprey is still flying is proof that they're stuck on expensive technology, to the detriment of other, more cost effective things.

Osprey Down: Marines Shift Story on Controversial Warplane’s Safety Record

 

[gosub]

Tbh, I think this baloney witch-hunt is bollocks. when people who are against Trump finally get their act together, perhaps they can stop chasing nonsense and start in on real issues.... surely by now we've all forgotten about whatever was in those dodgy emails and can stop with the "Russia! Boo!" distractions... I mean is it really that vital to box Trump in re détente with Russia? If not- I reckon the US should just do us all a favour launch it's pre-emptive nuclear strikes already... groundworks been laid, let's get on with it.

'baloney witch-hunt' is an odd description of provable lies given under oath at a hearing to determine whether someone was fit to hold public office. That the role is Attorney General is even worse

 

[camouflage]

The fact that the Osprey is still flying is proof that they're stuck on expensive technology, to the detriment of other, more cost effective things.

Osprey Down: Marines Shift Story on Controversial Warplane’s Safety Record

I reckon the Osprey is actually a good idea... if you're into that sort of thing, inserting special forces deep into other peoples countries real quick to kill or snatch some sucker- not my idea of a friday night mind. It's just very difficult and expensive to pull off. Contrast that with the unsatisfactory to all pear-shape that is the F35.

 

[camouflage]

'baloney witch-hunt' is an odd description of provable lies given under oath at a hearing to determine whether someone was fit to hold public office. That the role is Attorney General is even worse

He spoke to the Russian ambassador at ome event... was it about the campaign? To that he apparently said no. That he spoke to the guy is now caste as a lie. I'm not saying it's not a clever move, they took Trumps rook, now they want his bishop. No need to get all shrill about it though, I mean... let's try not to get quite so emotionally involved in these sensational narratives. I mean you can if you want, knock yourself out if you like being politiked so much.

 

[gosub]

He spoke to the Russian ambassador at ome event... was it about the campaign? To that he apparently said no. That he spoke to the guy is now caste as a lie. I'm not saying it's not a clever move, they took Trumps rook, now they want his bishop. No need to get all shrill about it though, I mean... let's try not to get quite so emotionally involved in these sensational narratives. I mean you can if you want, knock yourself out if you like being politiked so much.

He spoke to Ambassador at one public event, and had another private one on one meeting with him in his office. Asked twice in his hearing whether he had had meetings with the Russians, he said no, first ask WAS in relation to the campaign, second ask two minutes later was about any meetings at all. Again he said no. Then he was presented with minutes of the hearing and signed off on them without amendment. To now say "I didn't discuss the election campaign" may seem to him like "did not have sexual relations" clever pin head dancing, but it isn't. Its purjury.

 

[8den]

Tbh, I think this baloney witch-hunt is bollocks. when people who are against Trump finally get their act together, perhaps they can stop chasing nonsense and start in on real issues.... surely by now we've all forgotten about whatever was in those dodgy emails and can stop with the "Russia! Boo!" distractions... I mean is it really that vital to box Trump in re détente with Russia? If not- I reckon the US should just do us all a favour launch it's pre-emptive nuclear strikes already... groundworks been laid, let's get on with it.

Or- how about holiding him to his big-arm-movement promises re infrastructure and the blue-collar class, if those promises meant anything why the big spend on stupid walls and shinny new tanks? Probably the new money that isn't there is being promised to the military to maintain their support... the "Russia! Boo!" stuff just plays into the same old logic. I mean fuckit I don't care, he's their president.... I'm jus sayin.

Specious Bollocks.

 

[camouflage]

NATO officially recognizes cyberspace a warfare domain

Fucking-A, let's DO this thing already... forward missiles in Romania must surely be loaded by now- and now that everyone knows why Emperor PalPutin has it coming... enough games, NO MORE DELAYS!

Someone hack the DMV real quick so we can begin, don't forget to use a Russian command-and-control IP obvs, or at least some Cyrillic so it's nice n legal. Let's sprout some fungi.

 

[weltweit]

'Draft-Dodging' Donald Trump Prompts Outrage From Veterans For Warship Speech

Trump makes speech wearing military gear - includes fact checks.

 

[coley]

Its not the meeting the Russians that the problem its the lying about it. A principle legal officer of a government, that thinks purjury is OK is not a good look

Alternative looks?

 

[camouflage]

He spoke to Ambassador at one public event, and had another private one on one meeting with him in his office. Asked twice in his hearing whether he had had meetings with the Russians, he said no, first ask WAS in relation to the campaign, second ask two minutes later was about any meetings at all. Again he said no. Then he was presented with minutes of the hearing and signed off on them without amendment. To now say "I didn't discuss the election campaign" may seem to him like "did not have sexual relations" clever pin head dancing, but it isn't. Its purjury.

Look, I'm not going to come to the defence of the gimp-looking-like weirdo who hates female body-sovereignty, it's just that in amongst all the fiddly detail I can't help noticing the whopping great slab of agenda going on here and the overall direction it's taking us in. Take what happened to that block-head Flynn for example... while he's been taken off the board, John McCain and Lindsey Graham have been running around literally egging foreign governments on to waging wars, they were involved in the recent flare-up in Ukraine for example, and yet so far there's been no sign of this guy...

It's stupid, and hysterical, worse than the McCarthy era. Utterly blinkered. And it's not like there aren't plenty of better things to attack Trump on than going on about Russia all the time because the idea he wants detente there makes him Putins Puppet. I'm not being serious when I say fuckit, let's launch the nukes already... but honestly, where does seemingly everyone in the West think we're going with this? It's as if we're descended into the mentality of Holy War for some reason, in service to what god? Fuck knows. Some guy spoke to a Russian! OMG!!! Burn the witch!

 

[DotCommunist]

With Trumps recently announced record increase in the military budget, does that include a breakdown of what it will be spent on?

and is it the same money he wants to spend tarting up the nukes?

 

[camouflage]

and is it the same money he wants to spend tarting up the nukes?

Wasn't that already pledged by Obama? Maybe it's in addition to of that.

 

[bimble]

Look, I'm not going to come to the defence of the gimp-looking-like weirdo who hates female body-sovereignty, it's just that in amongst all the fiddly detail I can't help noticing the whopping great slab of agenda going on here and the overall direction it's taking us in. Take what happened to that block-head Flynn for example... while he's been taken off the board, John McCain and Lindsey Graham have been running around literally egging foreign governments on to waging wars, they were involved in the recent flare-up in Ukraine for example, and yet so far there's been no sign of this guy...

It's stupid, and hysterical, worse than the McCarthy era. Utterly blinkered. And it's not like there aren't plenty of better things to attack Trump on than going on about Russia all the time because the idea he wants detente there makes him Putins Puppet. I'm not being serious when I say fuckit, let's launch the nukes already... but honestly, where does seemingly everyone in the West think we're going with this? It's as if we're descended into the mentality of Holy War for some reason, in service to what god? Fuck knows. Some guy spoke to a Russian! OMG!!! Burn the witch!

"Worse than the McCarthy era", seriously?

 

[DotCommunist]

Besides their obviously cowardly, deferential and stupid nature I wonder whether centrist journos aren't also thinking along the lines that since something has happened that never should have happened, it must naturally come to an end. Initially that manifested itself in constant stories about how THIS NEXT THING was the end of Trump, now that is obviously not going to happen they have decided to invent themselves a change to this disruption of the natural order.

never heard of Peggy Noonan before- but from this it does seem that way. Lying to themselves as well as everyone though? in noonans case it reads like she wouldn't know the difference
http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/peggy-noonan-didnt-watch-the-whole-speech-1792935878

 

[Supine]

With Trumps recently announced record increase in the military budget, does that include a breakdown of what it will be spent on?

New uniforms supplied by Trump Clothing Ltd probably.

 

[CRI]

Look, I'm not going to come to the defence of the gimp-looking-like weirdo who hates female body-sovereignty, it's just that in amongst all the fiddly detail I can't help noticing the whopping great slab of agenda going on here and the overall direction it's taking us in. Take what happened to that block-head Flynn for example... while he's been taken off the board, John McCain and Lindsey Graham have been running around literally egging foreign governments on to waging wars, they were involved in the recent flare-up in Ukraine for example, and yet so far there's been no sign of this guy...

It's stupid, and hysterical, worse than the McCarthy era. Utterly blinkered. And it's not like there aren't plenty of better things to attack Trump on than going on about Russia all the time because the idea he wants detente there makes him Putins Puppet. I'm not being serious when I say fuckit, let's launch the nukes already... but honestly, where does seemingly everyone in the West think we're going with this? It's as if we're descended into the mentality of Holy War for some reason, in service to what god? Fuck knows. Some guy spoke to a Russian! OMG!!! Burn the witch!

Um no. Perhaps read a bit more about the House Un American Activities Committee (and the versions that came before and after it) and you'll find there's little to compare with the situation now. It's really sloppy to make the comparison - bit like calling anyone who's right wing a Nazi.

I'm not getting why so many folk on the far right and the far left are so vehemently opposed to investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 elections and/or influence in the current administration. There's certainly more evidence that "something" happened than there was for many previous congressional investigations (e.g. Benghazi, Whitewater, etc.) So, why the scurry to brush it all under the carpet?

The beef with Sessions though is he committed perjury.

 

[Tankus]

Fascinating isnt it ?...within living memory ..... we had the Republicans McCarthyist reds under the bed ....destroyer of careers and lives.... with claims of the democrats being TRAITORS and COLLABORATORS with the RUSSIANS.....acting in TREASON against the american PEOPLE

and yet , here we are ....with a president in hock to Russian Oligarchs ...and don't mention the beds

a complete role reversal

amazing, no ,really....very amazing.....the most amazing thing ever

Just what would Ronnie say

 

[J Ed]

Fascinating isnt it ?...within living memory ..... we had the Republicans McCarthyist reds under the bed ....destroyer of careers and lives.... with claims of the democrats being TRAITORS and COLLABORATORS with the RUSSIANS.....acting in TREASON against the american PEOPLE

and yet , here we are ....with a president in hock to Russian Oligarchs ...and don't mention the beds

a complete role reversal

amazing, no ,really....very amazing.....the most amazing thing ever

Just what would Ronnie say

The really amazing thing is how stupid the Dems are in continuing to push this Russia nonsense at the expense of actual opposition to Trump and his policies, both of which are profoundly unpopular.

 

[Tankus]

Ah...but the viewing figures...

 

[mather]

Just what would Ronnie say

Seriously who gives a fuck, even if he was still alive.

Anti-Russian hysteria amongst liberals really getting out of control.

 

[CRI]

This doctor turned congressman who's at the forefront of dismantling the Affordable Care Act can get all the way to fuck

I'm no Bible scholar, but talk about quoting Jesus Christ out of context!


“Just like Jesus said, ‘The poor will always be with us,’” he said. “There is a group of people that just don’t want health care and aren’t going to take care of themselves.”

“Just, like, homeless people. … I think just morally, spiritually, socially, [some people] just don’t want health care,” he said. “The Medicaid population, which is [on] a free credit card, as a group, do probably the least preventive medicine and taking care of themselves and eating healthy and exercising. And I’m not judging, I’m just saying socially that’s where they are. So there’s a group of people that even with unlimited access to health care are only going to use the emergency room when their arm is chopped off or when their pneumonia is so bad they get brought [into] the ER.”

 

[J Ed]

This doctor turned congressman who's at the forefront of dismantling the Affordable Care Act can get all the way to fuck

I'm no Bible scholar, but talk about quoting Jesus Christ out of context!


“Just like Jesus said, ‘The poor will always be with us,’” he said. “There is a group of people that just don’t want health care and aren’t going to take care of themselves.”

“Just, like, homeless people. … I think just morally, spiritually, socially, [some people] just don’t want health care,” he said. “The Medicaid population, which is [on] a free credit card, as a group, do probably the least preventive medicine and taking care of themselves and eating healthy and exercising. And I’m not judging, I’m just saying socially that’s where they are. So there’s a group of people that even with unlimited access to health care are only going to use the emergency room when their arm is chopped off or when their pneumonia is so bad they get brought [into] the ER.”

The smug style in American liberalism

But a more fundamental element of smug disdain for Kim Davis went unchallenged: the contention, at bottom, that Davis was not merely wrong in her convictions, but that her convictions were, in themselves, an error and a fraud.

That is: Kim Davis was not only on the wrong side of the law. She was not even a subscriber to a religious ideology that had found itself at moral odds with American culture. Rather, she was a subscriber to nothing, a hateful bigot who did not even understand her own religion.

Christianity, as many hastened to point out, is about love. Christ commands us to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. If the Bible took any position on the issue at all, it was that divorce, beloved by Davis, was a sin, and that she was a hypocrite masquerading among the faithful.

How many of these critiques were issued by atheists?

This, more than anything I can recall in recent American life, is an example of the smug style. Many liberals do not believe that evangelical Christianity ought to guide public life; many believe, moreover, that the moral conceits of that Christianity are wrong, even harmful to society. But to the smug liberal, it isn't that Kim Davis is wrong. How can she be? She's only mistaken. She just doesn't know the Good Facts, even about her own religion. She's angry and confused, another hick who's not with it.

It was an odd thing to assert in the case of Christianity, a religion that until recently was taken to be another shibboleth of the uncool, not a loving faith misunderstood by bigots. But this is knowing: knowing that the new line on Jesus is that the homophobes just don't get their own faith.

Kim Davis was behind the times. Her beliefs did not represent a legitimate challenge to liberal consensus because they did not represent a challenge at all: They were incoherent, at odds with the Good Facts. Google makes every man a theologian.

This, I think, is fundamental to understanding the smug style. If good politics and good beliefs are just Good Facts and good tweets — that is, if there is no ideology beyond sensible conclusions drawn from a rational assessment of the world — then there are no moral fights, only lying liars and the stupid rubes who believe them.

When Davis was first released from county jail, Mike Huckabee went to meet her. But the smug style sees no true ideology there, no moral threat to contend with. Only a huckster and a hick: one to be ridiculed, and the other to be refuted. What more, the smug man posts, could there be to say about it? They're idiots! Look, look: This Onion article nails it.