Trump's Exhausting First Road Trip
President Donald Trump has only just begun his first road trip outside the United States, and he's already "exhausted," according to one of his own advisors. This may or may not be true, since anything either Trump or any of his spokespeople say at this point has to be taken with a grain of salt -- especially considering the "exhausted" comment was given as an excuse for a Trump gaffe (more on that in a bit). But this week's calendar for Trump seems to have been constructed on the theme of: "Any Trump campaign promises left unbroken? Well, let's see how many we can break in a single week!"
Let's begin with Trump's reported exhaustion. Trump apparently tried to cut the length of his first trip in half, because nine days on the road was just too much to ask. On Day Two of his trip, he's already got an advisor explaining a gaffe away because of exhaustion. That doesn't exactly bode well for the rest of the trip, does it? Especially since he made so much political hay on the campaign trail over the issue of how manly he was -- as compared to "low energy" Jeb Bush and "no stamina" Hillary Clinton. This is all pretty amusing in hindsight, after Trump's Day Two exhaustion.
The gaffe in question was how Trump described the terrorists he's fighting. Again, on the campaign trail, he berated President Obama for not using the manly term "radical Islamic terrorism," which was supposed to be some sort of magic phrase that caused them all to melt into a puddle of water when uttered. Obama used terms like "jihadist terrorists" which is essentially the same thing ("jihadist" is a term specific to Muslim terrorists, after all), but to Trump and his supporters nothing short of "radical Islamic terrorism" would do.
Some within his administration have been pushing to soften this term, since Islamic partners have always been necessary to successfully defeat the terrorists. So Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia, as prepared, was supposed to change this to the more-nuanced "Islamist terrorism." But either Trump didn't get the memo or he just isn't all that good at reading his TelePrompTer, because he read it as "Islamic terrorism" anyway. Or maybe he's just exhausted, as one of his advisors explained. It was a long flight, and Trump stayed up reading newspapers rather than sleep.
The irony in all of this is that Trump was giving this speech inside one of the most "Islamist" countries on the planet. Iran is the most Islamist Shi'ite country around, and Saudi Arabia is the most Islamist Sunni country around. But Trump saved all his criticism for Iran (where, unlike in Saudi Arabia, women are actually allowed to drive). And then one of his advisors noted approvingly of the absence of protesters on the streets -- apparently not realizing that protesting the royal government can literally get your head chopped off, in the Saudi kingdom.
Trump used to have some very harsh words about the Saudi form of government -- their treatment of gays and women, in particular -- but none of that was on display while he was there. Trump used to berate Hillary Clinton for donations the Clinton Foundation received from Saudi Arabia, which is where he'd usually point out their woeful human rights record. Trump used to call for Clinton to give back all the Saudi donations, in fact. Which made the news that the Saudis will be giving $100 million to a fund championed by his daughter Ivanka all the more surprising. But then again, it was "let's break all our promises" week, right?
Two other things that both Trump and a whole lot of other Republicans got explosively irate about when President Obama visited the Saudis were Michelle Obama's refusal to cover her hair and Barack Obama bowing to the Saudi king. So, of course, Melania Trump left her hair uncovered and Donald Trump bowed to the Saudi king. Because it fit right in with the "everything I said while campaigning was a lie" theme of the week.
Then Trump was off to Israel, where he had already broken a key campaign promise. Before he arrived, the White House had already announced Trump had rethought his promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. This was probably a wise move (it would be an incredibly provocative act), but it still has to be chalked up as another unkept promise, for Trump.
Today's big gaffe came out of the blue. Trump, while talking to reporters, added an afterthought, answering a question that hadn't even been asked. Here's what Trump had to say:
Just so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name Israel. Never mentioned it during that conversation. They're all saying I did, so you have another story wrong. Never mentioned the word Israel.
This requires some unpacking, to fully understand the stupidity of it all. First, Trump wasn't even asked about "that conversation" -- the meeting he had with two top Russian officials in the Oval Office where he shared secrets to brag about the intelligence he got on a daily basis. Second, nobody has ever accused Trump of leaking the fact that the intelligence secrets he shared with the Russians was from Israel. Not one news story made this claim. The damage Trump did was to reveal what city in Syria the intelligence came from, which gave the Russians a big clue as to which country's intelligence assets were involved. Far from "they're all saying I did" -- in fact, nobody said Trump did this. He's the one who got the story wrong. But the biggest stupidity of all was the fact that by bringing this subject up unprompted, while in Israel, Trump has now completely confirmed that Israel was in fact the country involved. Prior to Trump's statements, it had been an unverified leak to the media, but now it is all but a certainty. Meaning Trump didn't just blow things when talking to the Russians, he also compounded his error while standing next to Israel's prime minister.
Remember back during the campaign when his crowds would chant "Lock her up!" and Trump would make the case that Hillary Clinton couldn't be trusted with the nation's secrets? Yeah, those were the days. Maybe he's just exhausted, or something.
Back home, Team Trump is not napping during Trump's trip. They're also on track to break as many campaign promises as humanly possible. The official Trump budget will be rolled out this week -- on the same day the Congressional Budget Office releases its analysis of Trumpcare 2.0 (the final bill which passed the House of Representatives). So Wednesday will bring a cornucopia of broken promises! Trump's budget slashes all the safety net spending that he spent his entire campaign promising he wouldn't touch, just for starters. And Trumpcare was supposed to be better and cheaper for everyone, but instead the mess that Paul Ryan passed will kick millions off their insurance and hike the prices through the roof if you've ever even previously gotten a hangnail. Both Trumpcare and his new budget are in fact breathtaking in the scope of how many Trump promises they'll break.
Meanwhile, Michael Flynn is attempting to stand on his Fifth Amendment rights by refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents to a congressional committee. He may very well be breaking the law by doing so ("taking the Fifth" doesn't normally mean you can refuse to produce documents), but it remains to be seen whether Congress will go after him for the crime. But this just brings up the many times Trump berated Hillary Clinton aides for taking the Fifth, because (as Trump explained) if you take the Fifth, it means you definitely have something to hide. So chalk up one more big broken campaign promise, as the first Trump administration official (but likely nowhere near the last) takes the Fifth rather than explain to the American people what Trump and his administration have been up to.
All of this, and it's only Monday. Trump's got a full week ahead of him out on the road, so in a few days all of this might seem to be small potatoes. Who knows what Trump will do or say next that'll get him into trouble? Maybe he'll question the Pope's Christianity? Wouldn't surprise me, at this point. Or perhaps he'll kindly explain to the Pope that the whole "give to Caesar what is Caesar's" parable actually meant that Jesus was for massive tax cuts for rich people? Nah, that's too deep for Trump, most likely.
Trump will also meet with NATO, where they've been briefed to try as hard as possible not to bore Trump. No, really. Maybe they're afraid that Trump will return to his campaign rhetoric about them -- back in the campaign NATO was "obsolete," remember. Trump already broke this promise weeks ago (he declared them "not obsolete" in a fit of magnanimity), but who's to say he won't flip-flop again? I could just see him tweeting: "NATO not just obsolete, but BORING too! Sad!"
Trump has only just begun his first road trip. He's apparently already exhausted, and saying things he shouldn't (in both countries he's visited so far -- a perfect record!). He seems determined to break as many campaign promises as possible this week, but that's mostly good news (because most of his campaign promises were so inane to begin with). It should be an interesting rest of the week, that's for sure.
-- Chris Weigant
Cross-posted at The Huffington Post
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Update:
According to the news, the Trump budget will actually come out tonight. No idea why they moved it up, but just wanted to mention it.
-CW
According to the news, the Trump budget will actually come out tonight. No idea why they moved it up, but just wanted to mention it.
Because they want the Trumpcare report to draw attention away from their budgeting fiasco.
Meanwhile, Michael Flynn is attempting to stand on his Fifth Amendment rights by refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents to a congressional committee.
Talk about broadcasting, "I AM SCREWED!" I'm guessing the FBI will be getting a subpoena for these same documents now, if they haven't already.
CW: Two other things that both Trump and a whole lot of other Republicans got explosively irate about when President Obama visited the Saudis were Michelle Obama's refusal to cover her hair and Barack Obama bowing to the Saudi king. So, of course, Melania Trump left her hair uncovered and Donald Trump bowed to the Saudi king.
I'm pretty sure that was a bow and a curtsy, CW, while Melania looked on seemingly unhappy. Why doesn't she smile more?
https://youtu.be/ZEL9N9UXNqA?t=1m55s
/sarcasm off
Well, they love him in the House of Saud and in Israel. Yeah, they love him!
There's one word to explain that: Iran
He made some very salient points in his address to the GCC-US conference. But, does he realize that he's setting up the final escalation of the mother of all religious wars and picking sides.
I don't think this is how you win a war against the violently deranged barbarians who use Islam as cover for their atrocities.
He had better be very careful or the Saudis and Israelis are going to push the US into conflict with Iran, scuttling the nuclear deal with them and derailing any chance for a change in their behavior.
It's definitely time to get worried when Netanyahu is almost beside himself with delight over the new and malleable US president.
ANOTHER TRUMP GAFFE
"We just got back from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and we were treated incredibly well."
Tired or stupid? *LOL* :)
EM
5
It's definitely time to get worried when Netanyahu is almost beside himself with delight over the new and malleable US president.
EM is absolutely correct, of course. Witness Bibi looking like a kid at Hanukkah excited about his new Play-Doh. He looked so excited, I thought for a second he might burst out in song.
I have a little dreidel.
I made it out of clay.
And when it's dry and ready,
Then dreidel I shall play.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
Then dreidel I shall play.
Hey CW -
Maybe not in the right date range for this week's FTP, but for MIDOTW instead of a guy doing admittedly hip looking protest art, I'd instead nominate New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu who says some hard things that must be said:
http://pulsegulfcoast.com/2017/05/transcript-of-new-orleans-mayor-landrieus-address-on-confederate-monuments
and Donald Trump bowed to the Saudi king.
Simply not factually accurate...
But, as has been aptly proven beyond ANY doubt around here, facts have NOTHING to do with ya'all's PTDS... :^/
Liz,
He had better be very careful or the Saudis and Israelis are going to push the US into conflict with Iran, scuttling the nuclear deal with them and derailing any chance for a change in their behavior.
Oh com'on...
Iran has had over 40 years of chances to change their behavior..
Why on earth do you think they would start now!??
Bringing Iran to heel via military action might be the best thing to happen..
Or we could just wait until they have nuclear weapons. Would THAT be better??? :^/
22 dead in the UK and ya'all sit around laughing and ridiculing your president..
That's just sad....
With liberal judges and Democrat morons throwing out the welcome mat for terrorists like the Manchester bomber, it's only a matter of time before that starts happening here in the US...
And my guess is ya'all will STILL just be sitting on your asses laughing and ridiculing your president..
How sad is that, that ya'all would put the welfare of terrorists BEFORE the safety of innocent Americans...
I guess that's what happens when Left Wingery zealots put Party above anything and everything else... :^/
Liz,
#10 came out a lot harsher than I intended...
I was reading intelligence reports of the Manchester bombing while I was responding to your comment...
Not a good thing to do..
While my points are valid and I stand behind them, they could have been made in a much more conciliatory manner..
My apologies..
NOTHER TRUMP GAFFE
"We just got back from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and we were treated incredibly well."
Tired or stupid? *LOL* :)
And, of course, you said NOTHING about Odumbo's many MANY gaffes... :^/
Aside to Joshua... You see what I mean about the hysteria??? Trump makes a miniscule minor misstatement and the hysterical morons here in Weigantia treat it like he just shot someone's puppy....
NOW do you understand why it's so hard to take ANYTHING ya'all say against Trump seriously!???
In ya'all's eyes EVERYTHING Trump says or does is a hysterical civilization ending catastrophe..
And if EVERYTHING is a hysterical civilization ending catastrophe, then NOTHING is...
And that's how I treat what ya'all say about Trump. Like nothing..
And it's because of substantially moronic comments like Kick's et al....
It's funny..
EVERY single leak about Trump is dead on ballz accurate in ya'all's mind..
But EVERY single leak about Obama was totally and completely dead wrong in ya'all's mind..
And the ONLY logical conclusion that fits those facts is political bigotry/Party zealotry...
I know, I know.. Ya'all don't want to hear about being Party bigots all the time.. NEN...
There is a solution to that..
QUIT BEING PARTY BIGOTS!!!
Duuuuhhhhhh.......
SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS Manchester terror attack leaves at least 22 dead – including children – and 59 injured after suicide nail bombing at Ariana Grande arena gig
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3624815/manchester-arena-bomb-ariana-grande-gig-22-deaths-59-injured/
By all means.. Let's invite more terrorists into this country..
Because, gods know, Democrats want these kinds of terrorist attacks here in the US.... :^/
Manchester: This Time They Came for Our Children
It's not just "Manchester England, England." If you think what happened in Blighty can't happen here -- 19 killed, 59 injured -- you'll have to excuse me if I say "You're out of your bloomin' mind." Did you already forget 9/11/2001? Or the Boston Marathon? Or San Bernardino? Or the Orlando gay bar attack less than a year ago that killed 49?
Oh, yeah. Seems so long ago, doesn't it, even that last one? The "new normal." We put these things out of our minds the week after to deal with the next trivial Washington scandal or go about our petty lives. Our culture lives in a self-destructive willful blindness, refusing to see the obvious even though it happens again and again across the globe. Radical Islam, Islamism, or whatever you want to call it has been at war with us since the Twin Towers came down and even well before. And they have no intention whatsoever of stopping.
Nevertheless we respond in the most perfunctory manner, nattering on about how Islam is a"religion of peace," criticizing ourselves and others for "Islamophbia," or dismissing it all as a police matter.
https://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2017/05/22/manchester-this-time-they-came-for-our-children/
It's sad that Democrats are putting OUR children in harms way... All in the name of Party zealotry....
When General Mad Dog Mattias was made CO-CentCom, he met with former President Obama and Obama asked Mattias what his (Mattias') priorities were..
General Mattias replied, "I have three. Iran. Iran. And Iran."
Removing Iran from the battlefield should be the US' number one priority...
Kick - 4
"I'm pretty sure that was a bow and a curtsy"
After reviewing the tapes, I conclude Trump genuflected to the Saudi King. Likely a reflex after hours of rehearsing how to behave with the Pope. I would would love to see the blooper reel of that.
Liz - 5
I agree, the US military strategy in the reign of Trump seems to be tilting against Iran. Trump's visit to the Middle East has nothing to do with solving the Israel/Palestinian conflict.
Turkey may be the biggest benefactor of all. Erdogan is being groomed as the new US backed regional strongman to replace the old Pahlavi dynasty. In the balance of power equation, the Saudi's have the cash, the Turks have the military.
The unsaid tilt is towards the Sunni and away from the Shiite. The Saudi's have quietly financed Islamic extremism for decades. Bin Laden?? The Saudi's get a ballistic missile defense, and presumably agree to back off on the Jihadism stuff. This deal is going to very hard to enforce. Trump, the old property flipper, is looking for a quick win, but the Saudi King plays the long game.
Kick 7
Netanyahu likes the tilt against Iran, but like most who get promises from Trump, he thinks he's getting short changed.
I agree, the US military strategy in the reign of Trump seems to be tilting against Iran. Trump's visit to the Middle East has nothing to do with solving the Israel/Palestinian conflict.
Once again.. Making bullshit bigoted statements without ANY facts to back it up...
Bringing Iran to heel via military action might be the best thing to happen..
How would that work, Michale?
You can't just make a comment like that without explaining what kind of military action you are talking about and how you would deal with the various outcomes.
TS,
You are right about the Sunni tilt. Although, I think tilt is not a strong enough descriptor.
After listening to President Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia in front of the GCC leaders, I was left feeling that there were a number of very salient points made.
One of the biggest problems, though, is that the grand partnership with Saudi Arabia may be the biggest obstacle to peace in the greater Middle East in that it doesn't appear to recognize the critical Sunni-Shi'a divide. Until that obstacle to peace is finally addressed by the region, there isn't much that the US can do to facilitate peace or eradicate terrorism.
And, then there is the fact (and obstacle) that it's all about the money. What to do about that??
It's so complicated. And, hard for an ADD-afflicted president to wrap his mind around for more than a few moments.
How would that work, Michale?
It would largely depend on circumstances..
As anyone who has actually ever served in the military will tell you:
No battleplan, no matter how complete and concise, ever survives contact with the enemy..
Having said that, a good start would be to take out all terrorist training camps and all IRGC leadership bunkers and targeted assassinations of IRGC leaders themselves...
If the Iranians choose to escalate things, targeting Iranian maritime facilities along the gulf coast (Persian Gulf, Not Gulf Of Mexico :D heh) to deny Iran the ability to mine and/or close the Strait Of Hormuz would be next...
If Iran again chooses to escalate, then the US and it's allies would target Iranian airfields and runways to deny Iran the sky..
Basically, the overall goal is to deny Iran any movement or ability to influence anything outside the border of Iran...
That would be my strategy going in.. Ironically enough, it's General Mattis' strategy as well so I am in good company...
While my points are valid and I stand behind them, they could have been made in a much more conciliatory manner..
In any event, you need to draw your points out a bit so that I understand exactly what it is that you're talking about with regard to advocating for military action against Iran.
No need for apologies. :)
One of the biggest problems, though, is that the grand partnership with Saudi Arabia may be the biggest obstacle to peace in the greater Middle East in that it doesn't appear to recognize the critical Sunni-Shi'a divide. Until that obstacle to peace is finally addressed by the region, there isn't much that the US can do to facilitate peace or eradicate terrorism.
Once Iran is neutered, the Sunni-Shi'a divide will take care of itself...
It's so complicated. And, hard for an ADD-afflicted president to wrap his mind around for more than a few moments.
Com'on, Liz.. That's beneath you.. That's something Hot Lips would say....
You are much MUCH better than that...
And a sad farewell to 007 and The Saint...
Roger Moore passes away at 89...
an ADD-afflicted president
The 3-oft mentioned *facts* prove that President Trump is many MANY things, but ADD-afflicted is NOT one of them.. :D
Let me ask you this, Liz..
Should fear of what Iran *MIGHT* do be the determining factor in preventing the US from doing what we know to be morally, ethically and legally the right thing to do??
Once you give the enemy that sort of power over your decision making process, you have already lost the battle...
It is better to attack at your convenience than to defend at your enemy's
-Sun Tzu
Michale,
I think you'll find that General Mattis has evolved in his thinking on how to deal with Iran and how to use and avoid using military force in the Middle East.
Ironically, his views may be softening not just because he is now in charge of the defense department but because he now must balance the knee-jerk reactionary tendencies of the new Commander-in-chief.
I recall that Mattis recently voiced concerns about cuts to the State department's budget saying something to the effect that if that happens, he'll have to buy more bullets.
I think Mattis now recognizes that Iran has been changing and the reformers are winning the day, slowly but surely and that this is not the time to start another Middle East war.
Surely he understands that Iran's support for militants throughout the region is a reaction to Saudi support for Sunni militants and that the great Sunni-Shi'a divide is not something that the US can use to promote this conflict to ultimately bring Iran to heel, as you say, without some extremely dire and long-lasting consequences.
He also must know that there would be few US allies willing to go along with military action against Iran.
Should fear of what Iran *MIGHT* do be the determining factor in preventing the US from doing what we know to be morally, ethically and legally the right thing to do??
Absolutely not.
The US should always act morally, ethically and legally and that goes especially for military intervention in the Middle East. Unfortunately, it has often acted in ways that directly conflict with these principles and with its own national interest.
I think Mattis now recognizes that Iran has been changing and the reformers are winning the day, slowly but surely and that this is not the time to start another Middle East war.
I see no evidence of this... And I have read everything I can find on General Mattis, which is quite a bit. General Mattis submits to many military publications that aren't readily available to the general public, only to military members..
If anything, General Mattis is more convinced then ever that Iran is the number one stumbling block to peace in the ME...
There simply CANNOT be any lasting peace while Iran exists as it does in the here and now..
Should fear of what Iran *MIGHT* do be the determining factor in preventing the US from doing what we know to be morally, ethically and legally the right thing to do??
Absolutely not.
I am glad we agree although I was pretty sure we would..
The US should always act morally, ethically and legally and that goes especially for military intervention in the Middle East.
Again, agreed..
Unfortunately, it has often acted in ways that directly conflict with these principles and with its own national interest.
I would dispute the "often" but I cannot deny that, in the past, mistakes were made...
But, like fear of what the enemy might do, fear of making mistakes should not be the determining factor in stopping us from doing what we know to be right..
It all boils down to two questions..
1. Should Iran, in the here and now, be allowed to possess nuclear weapons..
2. How far should allied western powers go to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons..
For me, the answers are simple..
1. Not only NO, but HELL NO..
2. As far a necessary up to AND INCLUDING the use of our tactical nuclear arsenal...
Because, gods know, Democrats want these kinds of terrorist attacks here in the US.... :^/
Way to turn deaths of kids into a political talking point Michale.
Way to turn deaths of kids into a political talking point Michale.
Just pointing out reality...
I'll leave the talking points to ya'all....
You seem to be expressing sympathy for those kids that were brutally murdered by terrorists..
Maybe the time to be sympathetic to those kids brutally murdered by terrorists is BEFORE they are brutally murdered by terrorists..
No??
Maybe not supporting policies that make it MORE likely that children are brutally murdered by terrorists is BETTER then simply expressing sympathy AFTER they are brutally murdered by terrorists..
I'm just sayin'.....
I'm just sayin'.....
Time to grow up. You really think that I'm not interested in policies that stop terrorist attacks? The British police have already stated that the most valuable information and most effective way to stop terrorist attacks in the U.K. is to have strong connections to the communities that spawn this evil. The policies of divisiveness and hate in this country not only create a divide between the police and the community, but they also feed the more pernicious and deadly terrorists in this country, the right wing terror groups.
Time to grow up. You really think that I'm not interested in policies that stop terrorist attacks?
Yet you support the policies that bring in more un-vetted refugees from the VERY locations that breed these terrorists.
Yea, yea.. I really don't think you are interested in policies that stop terrorist attacks..
If you were, you would support President Trump's actions to limit refugees from those areas and to extremely vet the ones we DO allow..
If you were, you wouldn't have voted for a candidate who wanted completely open borders...
The policies of divisiveness and hate in this country not only create a divide between the police and the community,
You mean like (ONLY) BLACK LIVES MATTER???
but they also feed the more pernicious and deadly terrorists in this country, the right wing terror groups.
Of course, you have FACTS to back up that claim, eh???
Ooops, apologies. FACTS is a bad word around here these days....
It's people like (ONLY) Black Lives Matter and Odumbo who create the divide between police and the community...
I don't have time for your stupidity today Michale.
I don't have time for your stupidity today Michale.
TRANSLATION: Reality Bites... Facts suck... :D
Sgt. Schultz:
You mean like (ONLY) BLACK LIVES MATTER???
You have the soul like the inside of the toilet in a derelict trailer that houses people like the thug (white) who stabbed the University of Maryland student (black) because he'd absorbed the beliefs of people you support. http://abcnews.go.com/US/bond-hearing-today-white-university-maryland-student-accused/story?id=47559278
Oh, back to the toilet: this toilet is the pass-through point for the crap of killers, but they don't flush it right away so it sits there for long periods, developing a bouquet, a fragrance that permeates the space and infiltrates the clothing, hair, possessions of the inhabitants. Then they walk outside and their stench warns others there's something wrong with this person, but not in time, because those thugs are so protected by the likes of you.
But you share their scent. It is the smell of guilt and complicity.
Michale,
Do we know who was responsible for the Manchester attack?
Was it a person who was born in Manchester?
It's people like (ONLY) Black Lives Matter and Odumbo who create the divide between police and the community...
Only a fool seeks peace by inciting violence.
-Frank Reagan
Do we know who was responsible for the Manchester attack?
Was it a person who was born in Manchester?
It's confusing at the moment..
Some outlets are identifying the bomber as 23 yr old Salman Abedi, a person of interest who has been on the UK Security Services radar...
Other outlets are identifying Abedi as a person arrested in connection with the bombing...
ISIL has already claimed responsibility for the attack...
Hot Lips...
ANy relevant facts to add??
No???
Didna think so...
Hot Lips,
You have the soul like the inside of the toilet in a derelict trailer that houses people like the thug (white) who stabbed the University of Maryland student (black) because he'd absorbed the beliefs of people you support. http://abcnews.go.com/US/bond-hearing-today-white-university-maryland-student-accused/story?id=47559278
Of course, you say NOTHING abut the brutal murder of 22 innocent men women and children committed by a NOT-45 supporter..
See.? I can make outlandish accusations without ANY facts to support it.. Just like you do!
You have the soul like the inside of the toilet in a derelict trailer that houses people like the thug (white) who stabbed the University of Maryland student (black) because he'd absorbed the beliefs of people you support.
And you have no soul at all because you want to bring in more people like the one who just brutally murdered 22 innocent men, women and children..
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2017/05/22/donald-trump-has-done-an-amazing-job-at-his-most-important-job-n2330044
So completely and utterly factual.....
The "hand slap heard 'round the world" video supports the rumor that neither Melania nor Donald have directly glimpsed Little Donald since 2006.
Liz,
According to reports now coming in, Abedi was the bomber and was the son of Libyan refugees...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/salman-abedi-named-manchester-suicide-bomber-know/
Yes, it appears that is the case.
Do you think it was a mistake for the UK to allow the bomber's parents to enter the country as refugees fleeing the Gaddafi regime?
The "hand slap heard 'round the world" video supports the rumor that neither Melania nor Donald have directly glimpsed Little Donald since 2006.
I don't speak BIGOT, MORON dialect, TS..
What exactly are you trying to say???
Sgt. Schultz: Perhaps you can direct me to the comment you instantly posted here on how you disapproved of the Univ. of Maryland murder. You know, because "silence means assent".
I can't wait to read the part where you wax poetic about the fact that the victim was in the military and all. Y'know, a fellow soldier. I know your deep respect for the military would cause you to be horrified and saddened by this young man's murder.
Do you think it was a mistake for the UK to allow the bomber's parents to enter the country as refugees fleeing the Gaddafi regime?
I think that might be a bit of a stretch, although a case could be made.. But it would be difficult to argue 10-15 year foresight...
However, any ISIL-inspired terrorist attack should bring home the idea of what COULD happen if we allow improperly vetted refugees from the very areas that are teeming with ISIL supporters or terrorist supporters in general...
As much as you might hate the SKITTLES analogy, it's a smack on ballz accurate analogy...
Hot Lips,
Sgt. Schultz: Perhaps you can direct me to the comment you instantly posted here on how you disapproved of the Univ. of Maryland murder. You know, because "silence means assent".
I don't know anything about it so, unlike you, I won't comment...
When I am done with having REAL discussions, if I have the time and the inclination, I may follow up on your whinings and rantings and hysteria and put you in your place as I have done time and time again..
But for now, the adults are talking, so shush...
As far as I know, at least with respect to Canada and the US, refugees undergo extreme vetting by any standard.
@m[54]
i believe that was a reference to a recent instance on the tarmac in tel aviv where melania refused to let donald hold her hand, which led some to suspect sexual tension in the trump household. in this case i agree that this is a stupid thing for anyone to be interested in, and i want back the five minutes it took me to read the article.
JL
@liz,
meet the new vetting, same as the old vetting? but... now it's extreme!
JL
You should have known better, Joshua, than to click on an article like that.
Indeed. :)
As far as I know, at least with respect to Canada and the US, refugees undergo extreme vetting by any standard.
According to Obama officials, the vetting employed was not sufficient to weed out terrorist elements..
Until such time as we can have reasonable assurance that refugee groups don't contain terrorists or terrorist sympathizers, the refugee program should be halted..
As much as you might hate the SKITTLES analogy, it's a smack on ballz accurate analogy...
there's a good reason to hate it. the same sort of argument was made to keep FDR from letting in german jews. from the smithsonian:
The U.S. Government Turned Away Thousands of Jewish Refugees, Fearing That They Were Nazi Spies.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/us-government-turned-away-thousands-jewish-refugees-fearing-they-were-nazi-spies-180957324/
i believe that was a reference to a recent instance on the tarmac in tel aviv where melania refused to let donald hold her hand, which led some to suspect sexual tension in the trump household. in this case i agree that this is a stupid thing for anyone to be interested in, and i want back the five minutes it took me to read the article.
Plus the 3 mins it took you to explain to me the gist.. :D
But it's in keeping with my point about the PTDS around here...
there's a good reason to hate it. the same sort of argument was made to keep FDR from letting in german jews. from the smithsonian:
I agree.. A very good reason to hate it..
But it's a valid analogy nonetheless...And the action is a valid one as well, distasteful though it may be..
The US Government has an obligation to protect it's own citizens first and foremost...
Put another way...
Would you think it wise to bring in tens of thousands of refugees from airborne ebola stricken areas???
Sgt. Schultz:
How is it possible you missed the story? Could it be your outlets of choice make a point of not reporting on episodes of white-supremacist violence? And now you DO know about it, so let's hear your denuciation! C'mon! "Silence means assent!"
Especially the murder of "a recently commissioned US Army second lieutenant who was due to graduate this week from nearby Bowie State University."
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/us/university-of-maryland-stabbing/
Sgt. Schultz: The US Government has an obligation to protect it's own citizens first and foremost…
So they should be protecting us from homegrown American white supremacist terrorists who stab young black second lieutenants, right?
Let's get your views on record about that.
Let's get your views on record about that.
I told you, when the adults are finished talking, I'll address your hysterical whinings..
Now shush...
Meanwhile, FOX News is removing its loathsome Seth Rich "story". Well, well, well. Will it disappear into the obscurity it deserves? Will Seth Rich's family sue the hell out FOX/Sean Hannity? Time will tell.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/23/statement-on-coverage-seth-rich-murder-investigation.html
Let's see, Sgt. Schultz: did you weigh in on Seth Rich?
From Director Brennan:
“I said that all Americans, regardless of political affiliation or whom they might support in the election, cherish their ability to elect their own leaders without outside interference or disruption,” Mr. Brennan said. “I said American voters would be outraged by any Russian attempt to interfere in election.”
Mr. Brennan’s warning proved futile. Though intelligence agencies are unanimous in their belief that Russia directly interfered with the election, it has become a divisive partisan issue, with Democrats far more likely than Republicans to accept the conclusion. President Trump has declared that “Russia is fake news” and tried to undermine the conclusions of his own intelligence services.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/us/politics/john-brennan-russia-trump-campaign-cia.html
Trumpers think the idea of Russian interference in our election is just fine! Oh, and let's not investigate whether it happened or not because what if it did? Then what? Much better to hush it up so that we (Republicans/Trumpers) can bask in not-knowing-for-sure-denials versus actually-finding-out.
chaszzzbrown [8]
Thank you for posting this link!
No one on here commented on this, but I would strongly encourage everyone to check out the speech given by New Orleans's mayor regarding why it was important for the Confederate statues to come down. It is simply incredible!
CW,
I agree with chaszzzbrown regarding the MIDOTW award, and I would even suggest that the mayor be an "honorary" recipient next Friday -- his message is definitely worthy of the award!
Until such time as we can have reasonable assurance that refugee groups don't contain terrorists or terrorist sympathizers, the refugee program should be halted..
Refugees in this country already go through rigorous screening -- using the Intel from at least 7 different agencies to weed out possible sympathizers. The process takes approximately 1.5 -2 years to complete.
You don't want "reasonable" assurances, you just don't want them to come here and nothing but a 100% guarantee that they aren't terrorists will be considered "reasonable" by you! We both know that would be impossible, but you and every other xenophobe fail to identify what it is about the process that is faulty. Tell me, how reasonable is it to think a grandmother with two small grandchildren she is raising after their parents were killed is a likely threat?
If the subject's name doesn't show up on any of our Intel agencies' watch lists, then how is it reasonable to think that they might still be a threat? The problem with comments like your is that you choose to use a definition for "reasonable" that is anything but that!
Tell me, how reasonable is it to think a grandmother with two small grandchildren she is raising after their parents were killed is a likely threat?
Much more likely if they happen to be around xenophobes or islamophobes and the like when they settle in their new home and have to deal with hatred in any number of its ugly forms.
That speaks to the importance of a friendly welcome and an effective integration program, not to putting up obstacles to refugees' resettlement.
Refugees in this country already go through rigorous screening -
Not according to Obama officials. Multiple Obama officials have stated ON THE RECORD that the vetting procedures are inadequate...
This is well documented.. And I would happily prove it to you if I felt it would change your mind..
But your's is a political agenda that no amount of facts will change..
Tell me, how reasonable is it to think a grandmother with two small grandchildren she is raising after their parents were killed is a likely threat?
If it were JUST a grandmother with two small grandchildren, no one would say boo...
But it's NOT just a grandmother with two small grandchildren..
It their aunts and uncles and adult cousins and second cousins and third cousins twice removed and all the single military age males and females and all the rest...
If you want to limit refugees to women over 70 and children under 5, fine... I will accept those limits..
But you want NO LIMITS on refugees.. You want OPEN BORDERS....
And that is simply NOT going to happen..
Not now, not ever...
So please.. Don't insult my intelligence and try to claim that it's "JUST a grandmother with two small children".. Because you and I both know that such a claim is total and complete bullshit..
"Not according to Obama officials. Multiple Obama officials have stated ON THE RECORD that the vetting procedures are inadequate..."
Yet you still failed to even attempt to answer my question:
What about it is inadequate???
You are the one who stated that the refugee program should be halted! So explain why the whole program must be halted when there are plenty of refugees that are clearly not a threat to us???
But you want NO LIMITS on refugees.. You want OPEN BORDERS....
And you like to pay illegals to choke you while you make sweet, sweet love to a hornets' nest!
(If we are going to claim that the other has said things that they never actually said, so be it!)
So please.. Don't insult my intelligence and try to claim that it's "JUST a grandmother with two small children".. Because you and I both know that such a claim is total and complete bullshit..
Again, tell me what criteria must be met to allow refugees to be considered "vetted"? Every case is different. Tell me why if there is no evidence that a person has any connection to radical groups, they do not hold radical beliefs nor do they sympathize for those that do... What purpose does denying them entry Into our country serve? No, the only bullshit is your hate and fear mongering!
I find it comical that you think I'd believe that my comments somehow insulted your intelligence.
Charles Brown, Esq.
8
Maybe not in the right date range for this week's FTP, but for MIDOTW instead of a guy doing admittedly hip looking protest art, I'd instead nominate New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu who says some hard things that must be said:
http://pulsegulfcoast.com/2017/05/transcript-of-new-orleans-mayor-landrieus-address-on-confederate-monuments
Now that was an awesome speech. He nails it. Thanks for posting it, Charlie Brown! :)
[79] Listen: And you like to pay illegals to choke you while you make sweet, sweet love to a hornets' nest!
Good one! Also the speech by the Mayor in New Orleans WAS excellent.
Meanwhile, Schultzie has yet to tell us all how upset and outraged he is at the murder of Second Lieutenant Richard Collins by a white supremacist. Why the delay, inquiring minds want to know??
[79]
And you like to pay illegals to choke you while you make sweet, sweet love to a hornets' nest!
"Not that there's anything wrong with that."
Kick [4] -
Heh. Missed the curtsy the first time I saw it...
[6] -
You're right, I forgot that one!
:-)
Maybe it's all the tremendous exhaustion?
chaszzzbrown [8] -
Thanks for the link. I heard this was a good speech, I will read it. I liked the op-ed he wrote for the WashPost a week or so ago, too.
michale [9] -
Unlike you, I can claim to be consistent. I took Obama to task when he bowed, as I recall. Do I have to dig up the link?
[12] -
How sad that y'all would use a terrorist attack to attack your political enemies instead of standing in solidarity. Using those deaths as a club on your opponents? Sad.
See? Two can play at this game.
[13] -
OK, well, in that case, I withdraw the above comment, how's that? My apologies.
[14] -
Oh, PUHLEEEZE. Seriously, dude, can you even count the times you made fun of Obama for saying "57 states"? When he was really talking about the 57 (56?) Democratic primaries (territories get primary voting rights in the Dem party)?
Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.
Your indignation would play a lot better if you didn't have such a history here...
[15] -
OK, last comment for now, gotta run.
See today's article. Had you in mind while writing one particular paragraph....
:-)
-CW
Chas,
Thanks very much for providing the link to that exceptional speech by the mayor of New Orleans.
That is the stuff of the promise of America!
This speech should be referenced at every possible opportunity.
Listen,
What about it is inadequate???
I am not the expert.. The Obama officials were the experts..
And they said the procedures were inadequate..
And that means something, especially coming from OBAMA officials..
(If we are going to claim that the other has said things that they never actually said, so be it!)
You voted for NOT-45.. NOT-45 wanted Open Borders. NOT-45 DREAMED of Open Borders..
Ergo, it's logical to assume that YOU want Open Borders..
Are you saying now that you DON'T want Open Borders?? That you want to restrict people who come into this country? That you want to keep dangerous people out??
OK, great.. Welcome to reality..
CW
Unlike you, I can claim to be consistent. I took Obama to task when he bowed, as I recall. Do I have to dig up the link?
Yes, YOU did... And I believe you caught quite a bit of flak for it as well..
But, unless I specifically state so (..including CW) I never include you in my "YA'LL" statements...
Oh, PUHLEEEZE. Seriously, dude, can you even count the times you made fun of Obama for saying "57 states"?
Yes, made fun of him one or twice and then let it drop..
But ya'all (NEN) are downright HYSTERICAL about every little FACT-LESS thing you can come up with about Trump..
I mean, come on...
Let's at least TRY to show a little class :D
Pay attention to what you see in Manchester England tonight. Pay attention to what is happening in Europe. This is what happens when you disarm your citizens. When you open your borders without the proper vetting. When you allow political correctness to dictate how you respond to an enemy that wants to kill you.
When you allow these radicals to travel to Afghanistan and Iran and simply let them back in. When you give up your city’s and your neighborhoods to a religious ideology that says you must convert or die. A ideology that treats women as property, kills gays and women and Christians [sic] with complete impunity.
The left tells us we must submit and accept these radical beliefs and bend over backwards to make sure we don’t hurt anybody’s feelings. The left wants to cater to the very group that would kill every group they claim to support. Folks this is an enemy hell bent on killing you. Committed to forcing you to convert or die. This enemy will strap bombs to their own body and blow themselves up killing children.
I’m sick of it. You better wake up America. While you are distracted by the media and the crying of the left, Islamic Jihadist are among us and want to kill you. What will it take? This happening at a concert in Dallas or a school in Denton County? If we don’t do something quick this country will die of political correctness and the fear that someone’s feelings may be hurt. It may very well be to late for Europe.”
-Denton County TX Sheriff Tracy Murphree
Yep....
Somewhat ambivalent about the "gun control" part... But other than that..
Yep....
Over the past three years, though, there has been an explosion in the frequency of terrorist attacks against Western countries, and in the lethality of these events. From a brutal urban-warfare-style assault on Paris in November 2015 (130 dead) to the March 2016 bombings at the Brussels Airport and the Maalbeek metro station (32 dead), to a cargo truck plowing through crowds celebrating Bastille Day on a promenade in Nice (86 dead), to a truck striking a Christmas market in Berlin (12 dead), and now to an Ariana Grande concert, the message is that no place—no matter how familiar, beloved, or associated with the young and innocent—is truly safe. And there are so many other, recent examples. A priest whose throat was slit in the middle of a service in Normandy. An attacker in Magnanville who killed a couple, then turned on Facebook Live while menacing their 3-year-old child. A suicide bomber who struck outside a concert in Ansbach, Germany, wounding 15.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/05/manchester-terrorism-isis-attack-al-qaeda/527748/
What's it going to take for people to wake up and acknowledge the threat is real??
Would ya'all want to bring in refugees by the tens of thousands from a highly contaminated Ebola area???
Of course not! What kind of MORON would want to do that!??
Yet, ya'all don't see ANY problem with bring in refugees by the tens of thousands from an area highly contaminated with terrorism and terrorists..
Where is the logic???
Answer: There is none...
There is only bleeding heart liberalism and a Party agenda...
Sorry, But Terrrorism Is Not a 'Fact of Life'
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/24/manchester-attack-shows-terrorism-must-be-fought/
If the Democrat Party had their way, it WOULD be... :^/
I mean, if you want to talk about TONE DEAF.... Tone Deaf is the Left Wingery saying we have to get used to terrorism because it's the way things are...
It's no wonder the Democrat Party has been so utterly and completely decimated... :^/
Here how Democrats address terrorism...
“If you decide one day you’re going to be a terrorist and you’re willing to kill yourself, you can go out and kill some people. You can make some noise. … Perhaps the media would do us all a service if they didn’t cover it quite as much. People wouldn’t know what’s going on.”
-SecState John Kerry
WOW!!! PURE GENIUS!!!!
Just don't TALK about terrorism and the problem will magically disappear!!!!
That right there epitomizes the problem with the Left Wingery...
Total and complete ignorance and incompetence...
For the record, MICHALE has no problem at all with murder of Second Lieutenant Richard Collins by a white supremacist.
Instead of leaping to his keyboard to condemn it, he ignores it.
Silence means assent.
Sad.
Paula,
Silence means assent.
Glad you come around to my way of thinking...
And now that you have actually indicated you wish to discuss things like an adult, I'll take a look at your issue...
A scumbag racist stabbed a bright young man with a promising military career ahead of him...
Appalling.. I unequivocally and completely without reservation condemn such a heinous crime..
Period.. Without any WELLS, BUTS or ANDS....
You see, Paula.. THAT ^^^ is how a person who is truly appalled by such violence condemns said violence.
Now, if that was any other Weigantian when confronted with Left Wing violence and attacks and brutal murders, YA'ALL (NEN) would have issued some mealy mouthed, generic "Oh, all violence is bad and I condemn ALL violence"
So, take a lesson on how to REALLY condemn violence regardless of race or Party affiliation...
You see, Paula.. THAT ^^^ is how a person who is truly appalled by such violence condemns said violence.
Now, if that was any other Weigantian when confronted with Left Wing violence and attacks and brutal murders, YA'ALL (NEN) would have issued some mealy mouthed, generic "Oh, all violence is bad and I condemn ALL violence"
So, take a lesson on how to REALLY condemn violence regardless of race or Party affiliation...
Woops.. Double-tap...
Haven't done THAT in a while...
Michale
87
Somewhat ambivalent about the "gun control" part... But other than that..
Yep....
I know, right? The "gun control part" might be a valid debate in other shooting sprees, mass killings, etc., but a "law enforcement officer" arguing that citizens might be able to thwart a suicide bomber wearing a live bomb with their firearms is totally asinine.
This political mouthpiece and tool is in charge of protecting an entire county in Texas, including the liberals and Muslims, and he seemingly doesn't quite understand the basics. That he thinks the injuries of around 60 people and the deaths of 22 others could have been prevented if only the children at the concert had been armed is incredibly stupid. In addition, this "law enforcement officer" with the responsibility to protect all the citizens in his county is fear mongering one religion against another and politicizing the deaths of innocent humans while other alleged "law enforcement officers" and political tools nod their heads in agreement.
Donald Trump spent a considerable amount of time disparaging Muslims, liberals, and the press and fanning the flames of verbal and physical assault at his rallies, and now every "nutjob" (borrowing Donald's word) in the country seems to be following suit. Have we learned nothing from history, people? It is not normal for those who are tasked with the responsibility of protecting citizens to incite violence against some of those citizens... regardless of political affiliation or lack thereof.
I know, right? The "gun control part" might be a valid debate in other shooting sprees, mass killings, etc., but a "law enforcement officer" arguing that citizens might be able to thwart a suicide bomber wearing a live bomb with their firearms is totally asinine.
While I wouldn't agree it was "totally asinine" I would say that it's was so unlikely as to be virtually impossible and, as such, weakens the other arguments ever so slightly..
This political mouthpiece and tool is in charge of protecting an entire county in Texas, including the liberals and Muslims, and he seemingly doesn't quite understand the basics. That he thinks the injuries of around 60 people and the deaths of 22 others could have been prevented if only the children at the concert had been armed is incredibly stupid. In addition, this "law enforcement officer" with the responsibility to protect all the citizens in his county is fear mongering one religion against another and politicizing the deaths of innocent humans while other alleged "law enforcement officers" and political tools nod their heads in agreement.
You are concentrating on that one slight deficiency and ignoring the validity of everything else the Sheriff says..
Donald Trump spent a considerable amount of time disparaging Muslims, liberals, and the press and fanning the flames of verbal and physical assault at his rallies, and now every "nutjob" (borrowing Donald's word) in the country seems to be following suit. Have we learned nothing from history, people? It is not normal for those who are tasked with the responsibility of protecting citizens to incite violence against some of those citizens... regardless of political affiliation or lack thereof.
And yet, you have yet to condemn any of the Left Wingery violence unprompted..
Funny how that is..
Michale
97
And yet, you have yet to condemn any of the Left Wingery violence unprompted..
Funny how that is..
You seem blissfully unaware that I'm not posting these things because it's what you keep asking for. While you are free to whine incessantly and prattle on and on about your peevish neediness to control other commenters' posts, you won't ever be controlling mine.
You can whine until the cows come home and prattle on and on with the same horseshit, secure in the knowledge that I'll never be posting to suit your tastes. It's side-splitting comedy to watch you squeal incessantly like a little pig for something I'll NOT be typing. This ain't your safe space. :)
You seem blissfully unaware that I'm not posting these things because it's what you keep asking for.
So, in other words, I have complete control over you.. :D
I OWN YOU!!!
BBWWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
PWNED.... :D
Yep... Still pwned.. :D
Michale
99
So, in other words, I have complete control over you.. :D
So in your bass ackwards tiny brain, someone who doesn't post to suit your monotonous ranting proves you control them? Newsflash: You asking over and over in repetitive fashion for certain posts and not getting them means you actually don't control posters. If ignorance had an odor, you'd be reeking an unbearable stench. *LOL*
In reality, you fit an all too familiar profile. It's actually a familiar profile for ex LEOs... a complex. You really should put all that peevish neediness for control into cracking a book and educating yourself; one actually does have control over their ignorance. :)
Victoria,
So in your bass ackwards tiny brain, someone who doesn't post to suit your monotonous ranting proves you control them?
Nope.. But in the REAL world, my statements dictate your actions..
I OWN you!! :D
PWNED!!!!! :D