What stupid shit has Trump done today?

[Johnny Canuck3]

Don't you think it's a bit worrying that someone who is says that Black Lives Matter are Russian agents, and that ISIS attacks are actually Russian attacks, is being given prominence in mainstream liberal media in the US?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Yes, someone views US politics in a very binary and simplistic way.

 

[DotCommunist]

have it right JC, a minute ago she was an unheard of niche figure used as a straw man in your analysis.

 

[MightyTibberton]

She works for Rupert Murdoch.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

have it right JC, a minute ago she was an unheard of niche figure used as a straw man in your analysis.

I haven't changed in my opinion that here in North America, she is a marginal figure, with little to no influence.

Further research has indicated that she has had some media exposure - but not to the point where she could be considered a prominent media personality, as seems to have been bandied about in these threads.

Also, given that she's had something on Fox News, it's incorrect to say that she is solely a creature of the 'mainstream liberal US media'.

She appears to be a bit of an interesting oddity who seeks, and gets, some publicity, much in the manner that Ann Coulter does.

None of which justifies her being continuously trotted out on the boards as an example of some sort of American media trend.

 

[J Ed]

I haven't changed in my opinion that here in North America, she is a marginal figure, with little to no influence.

Further research has indicated that she has had some media exposure - but not to the point where she could be considered a prominent media personality, as seems to have been bandied about in these threads.

Also, given that she's had something on Fox News, it's incorrect to say that she is solely a creature of the 'mainstream liberal US media'.

She appears to be a bit of an interesting oddity who seeks, and gets, some publicity, much in the manner that Ann Coulter does.

None of which justifies her being continuously trotted out on the boards as an example of some sort of American media trend.

It's more the fact that someone as extreme as Mensch is featured on US, predominately liberal, media outlets in conjunction with wall to wall anti-Russia hysteria at all that is the worry here. For certain US media pundits, especially Rachel Maddow, Russia has become basically their sole concern.

 

[bimble]

Sorry to perpetuate the Louise Mensch thing but.. Can someone please explain what is going on with this?
She is engaged in some sort of fight on twitter right now with the Guardian, defending her 'scoop' saying that Trump is about to be "indicted".

LM says:
"Separate sources with links to the intelligence and justice communities have stated that a sealed indictment has been granted against Donald Trump.
While it is understood that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution means that, until Mr. Trump is impeached, he cannot be prosecuted, sources say that the indictment is intended by the FBI and prosecutors in the Justice Department to form the basis of Mr. Trump’s impeachment. The indictment is, perhaps uniquely, not intended or expected to be used for prosecution, sources say, because of the constitutional position of the President."

Is this just her being mad ? Is it just nonsense?
edit: this says the story is "unproven".
FACT CHECK: Has a 'Sealed Indictment' Been Issued Against President Trump?

 

[DotCommunist]

here in North America

you live in the continent of north america, not the country of the USA. Special pleading won't help you any more than it helps CRI.

Also, given that she's had something on Fox News, it's incorrect to say that she is solely a creature of the 'mainstream liberal US media'.

yes, the mental has become mainstream. You can't tell me anything I do not know about this figure, nor do her appearances on Fox media mean anything. She's a true blue tory, always has been. She'd break bread with Glen Beck. Why sections of the democrats latched onto her, well perhaps that asks questions about them?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

It's more the fact that someone as extreme as Mensch is featured on US, predominately liberal, media outlets in conjunction with wall to wall anti-Russia hysteria at all that is the worry here. For certain US media pundits, especially Rachel Maddow, Russia has become basically their sole concern.

The media, liberal or otherwise, plays up whatever stories will sell papers or attract views. As I mentioned above, responsible journalism in media of all stripes is giving way more and more to clickbait-type stories.

However, the fact that the media handles stories irresponsibly, doesn't detract from the possibility that there is some measure of truth in the allegations.

 

[MightyTibberton]

Latest Trump defence for leaking stuff definitely qualifies as stupid shit.

The defence is that he is too stupid to have knowingly done it!



[That's from the New York Times - screenshot because it's behind a paywall.]

 

[CRI]

Latest Trump defence for leaking stuff definitely qualifies as stupid shit.

The defence is that he is too stupid to have knowingly done it!

View attachment 106845

[That's from the New York Times - screenshot because it's behind a paywall.]

Crikey, that smacks of desperation if that's the best excuse they can come up with!

To be fair, he definitely doesn't seem the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I think that makes it more likely he could blurt out sensitive information without thinking of the implications. He's led such a privileged life, he's never had to worry about the implications of anything he says or does. He's like 70 years old, so why change now?

 

[ferrelhadley]

Again, Kaiser Bill, Conrad von Hotzendorf.

 

[ferrelhadley]

White House denies report Trump urged FBI to drop Michael Flynn investigation

Donald Trump directly asked former FBI director James Comey to drop an investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, according to notes kept at the time by Comey and first reported on Tuesday by the New York Times.

“I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go,” Trump told Comey, according to Comey’s record of the meeting, as reported by the Times. “He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”

The latest crisis to beset the White House came just 24 hours after the first reports emerged of Trump having shared classified intelligence with Russia during Oval Office talks.

You mileage may vary.

 

[MightyTibberton]

I'm seeing people on Twitter - who appear to be good, credible journalists - saying that he now "must be impeached" - has anyone with any expertise here got a view on that?

 

[ferrelhadley]

I'm seeing people on Twitter - who appear to be good, credible journalists - saying that he now "must be impeached" - has anyone with any expertise here got a view on that?

For that to happen the Republican core would have to turn against him. Not there by a distance IMO.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

I'm seeing people on Twitter - who appear to be good, credible journalists - saying that he now "must be impeached" - has anyone with any expertise here got a view on that?

Impeachment requires the House to vote for impeachment as a simple majority. It is the Senate that tries the impeached one. It's a bit murky tbh, it hasn't happened very often eg Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings could be brought.

Edit: So don't get your hopes up. The House has a Republican majority, the Republican majority Senate proceedings need a super-majority to convict, the offence needs to be in the territory of a high crime or misdemeanour (which itself is not well defined).

 

[MightyTibberton]

Thank you!

He's due on his first foreign trip on Friday - I read today that he's dreading it. I'm starting to wonder if he'll be allowed to go and if he does go if he'll want to come back! His first stop is Saudi Arabia, where he has business interests, and where unfettered shitheadery by a hugely rich and powerful elite is de rigeur. Then its Israel, whose top-secret intelligence he just blurted out to the Russian ambassador (without even getting any Ferrero Rocher!). Then the Vatican.

The US doesn't have extradition treaties with either Saudi Arabia or the Vatican.

(I know I might be being slightly silly now, but it's just things piling up on top of each other... Apparently, that Comey memo is one of many on their conversations, many of which are classified - what the hell is in them?!)

 

[CRI]

Impeachment requires the House to vote for impeachment as a simple majority. It is the Senate that tries the impeached one. It's a bit murky tbh, it hasn't happened very often eg Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings could be brought.

Yes, this. The House of Representatives Impeaches but only the Senate has the power to remove. This article gives a fairly good explanation of it all.

 

[CRI]

Obstruction of Justice left right and centre here. Including this:

Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation

President Trump asked the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to shut down the federal investigation into Mr. Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, in an Oval Office meeting in February, according to a memo Mr. Comey wrote shortly after the meeting.

“I hope you can let this go,” the president told Mr. Comey, according to the memo.

The existence of Mr. Trump’s request is the clearest evidence that the president has tried to directly influence the Justice Department and F.B.I. investigation into links between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia.

Alone in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump began the discussion by condemning leaks to the news media, saying that Mr. Comey should consider putting reporters in prison for publishing classified information, according to one of Mr. Comey’s associates.

Mr. Comey was known among his closest advisers to document conversations that he believed would later be called into question, according to two former confidants, who said Mr. Comey was uncomfortable at times with his relationship with Mr. Trump.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

(I know I might be being slightly silly now, but it's just things piling up on top of each other... Apparently, that Comey memo is one of many on their conversations, many of which are classified - what the hell is in them?!)

Chill It's unravelling at it's own pace, let it play out. (Although purely for entertainment purposes I'm looking forward to the Saudi, Israel, Vatican, G7 and NATO trip the bouffant buffoon has later this month). What could possibly go wrong there!

 

[MightyTibberton]

I don't think he'll go. I think he might try to pull a sickie.

 

[coley]

On TAC Trump’s Boastful Incompetence
A breach of procedure that may be harmless but it's part of a pattern of "unfiltered" behaviour his supporters actually find endearing. Here perhaps just showing the much admired big boys all his expensive toys. Trump may be less capable of discretion than a typical six year old. He needs to brag as other men need breath.

Harmless? I imagine there is more than one very worried individual in the ME waiting for a knock on the door courtesy of TTTs loose gob.

 

[CrabbedOne]

Impeachment requires the House to vote for impeachment as a simple majority. It is the Senate that tries the impeached one. It's a bit murky tbh, it hasn't happened very often eg Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings could be brought.

Edit: So don't get your hopes up. The House has a Republican majority, the Republican majority Senate proceedings need a super-majority to convict, the offence needs to be in the territory of a high crime or misdemeanour (which itself is not well defined).

It's "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" and that in US law isn't what it sounds like. It's understood as the broadly defined political offence of abuse of office.

Trump technically is very open to such charges as he's failed to distance himself from his business interests, could be taken to be enriching himself in office, frequently violates norms, does not appear to take his oath to defend the constitution seriously and would be highly likely to lie under oath. It would probably take a Dem majority in Congress to bring the charge as it's hard to imagine a highly partisan GOP cooperating against a President their voters still like even if there was clear evidence of more serious wrong doing. Getting a supermajority in the Senate to convict appears very unlikely at the moment. As with Bill Clinton's impeachment it would be more a humiliating act of political mud slinging than a serious attempt to drive him from office.

Such dirty pool is none the less a fine idea. Being a good loser and respecting the democratic process is damn well un-American.

 

[coley]

I thought your point was that the US liberal media were featuring her in furtherance of some liberal agenda.

Somewhere in some algorithm, your mention (and continued discussion) of this waste of oxygen has Been recorded for marketing purposes.
Just a thought

 

[coley]

Latest Trump defence for leaking stuff definitely qualifies as stupid shit.

The defence is that he is too stupid to have knowingly done it!

View attachment 106845

[That's from the New York Times - screenshot because it's behind a paywall.]

He's as thick as pigshit and is only interested in getting rave reviews from Putin? What's new?

 

[coley]

Crikey, that smacks of desperation if that's the best excuse they can come up with!

To be fair, he definitely doesn't seem the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I think that makes it more likely he could blurt out sensitive information without thinking of the implications. He's led such a privileged life, he's never had to worry about the implications of anything he says or does. He's like 70 years old, so why change now?

Agesist swine! I'm a few years younger and I'm still capable of change, your abject apologies will be accepted, provided they appear very quickly.

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

Naturally, some Trumptards are blaming the "deep state" for us knowing this in the first place.

"deep state" is a genuine construct which they abuse ad nauseum in an attempt to sound clever in their distractions, like when they say his foreign policy blunders are "3 dimensional chess" etc.

 

[coley]

For that to happen the Republican core would have to turn against him. Not there by a distance IMO.

Not until he approves their tax breaks at least, after that

 

[coley]

Chill It's unravelling at it's own pace, let it play out. (Although purely for entertainment purposes I'm looking forward to the Saudi, Israel, Vatican, G7 and NATO trip the bouffant buffoon has later this month). What could possibly go wrong there!

I suspect 'cringeworthy' won't even to begin to cover it

 

[CRI]

Agesist swine! I'm a few years younger and I'm still capable of change, your abject apologies will be accepted, provided they appear very quickly.