Friday Talking Points [497] -- Guilty Pleasures
We have to admit, we were torn when selecting this week's headline. The other candidate under consideration was: "Making Flippy Floppy," which of course was a Talking Heads song from the 1980s which contained the immortal line: "Our president's crazy / Did you hear what he said?" What with today's news of the Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization flipping after being granted immunity, this did seem like the obvious choice, since it followed the news of Michael Cohen and David Pecker of the National Enquirer also flipping on Trump. Oh, and the news of those 30 hours of testimony already given by White House Counsel Don McGahn, as well. But in the end, we weighted the uncontained glee which liberals everywhere greeted the news of the sixteen guilty verdicts/pleas this week more heavily, and had to go with acknowledging these guilty pleasures. Because no guilty verdicts/pleas have caused this much pleasure on the left since Scooter Libby's fall from grace.
Within minutes of each other, two legal bombshells exploded in federal courts this Tuesday. Paul Manafort's jury returned and announced they had found him guilty on eight felony counts, and it was later revealed that they had voted 11-1 on the other 10 counts. Only one holdout refused to admit the solidity of the evidentiary trail on these counts, meaning Bob Mueller's team is quite likely to get a conviction on all of them if they retry Manafort (and do a better job of jury selection next time). But they may not even bother to, since Manafort's second federal trial is already teed up and ready to go. This will be a much more substantial case, legally. Manafort is already facing a possible 80 years in federal prison for the eight crimes he's been convicted of, so if Mueller wins more convictions against Manafort in the second trial he probably won't even need to bother retrying the 10 counts the jury hung on. One way or another, Paul Manafort is going to be spending many, many years behind federal bars -- unless, of course, Donald Trump pardons him.
Meanwhile, up in New York, Michael Cohen surprised everyone by appearing in front of a federal judge and pleading guilty to eight federal felonies of his own. Yep, Trump's fixer has officially flipped. His allocution was an even bigger bombshell for Trump, since Cohen flat-out accused the president of directing him to commit criminal acts. He didn't name Trump, but when an anonymous individual is described in court as: "who at that point had become the President of the United States," it's pretty obvious who is being talked about.
This is the most pleasing guilt of all, because now Trump can correctly be described as an "unindicted co-conspirator" -- a phrase not heard in relation to a president since Tricky Dick stalked the halls of the White House late at night, talking to the paintings. So rather than "Donald Trump" or "President Trump," every Democrat should immediately start using "Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump" instead. It just has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump will likely not pardon Cohen. Trump reportedly is annoyed at Cohen's disloyalty, as opposed to praising Manafort for staying strong and not flipping. Although it was revealed this week that Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump has already spoken with his attorneys about the possibility of pardoning Manafort (they advised against it), so we'll have to see how this all plays out.
In other legal news in Trumpworld, the second member of Congress to endorse Trump's run for the presidency was indicted this week, following the news of the first guy to endorse him being indicted on other federal charges, a few weeks back. Nothing like draining that swamp, is there? Representative Duncan Hunter and his wife were charged this week with using his campaign funds as a personal bank account. They brazenly spent cash on themselves and then tried to cover it up by writing it off as charity money for (among others) wounded warriors. Nothing like the Republican Party "supporting the troops," eh? They spent money on an astonishing list of personal expenses, including vacations, makeup, clothes, and even their family's dental bills (which were written off as a charitable contribution to "Smiles For Life" -- you can't make this stuff up, folks).
Duncan Hunter, being a stand-up guy, took full responsibility. Heh. Just kidding. What he actually did was to immediately throw his wife under the bus. Here's his blame-dodging statement:
When I went away to Iraq in 2003, the first time, I gave [my wife] power of attorney. She handled my finances throughout my entire military career and that continued on when I got into Congress. She was also the campaign manager so whatever she did, that'll be looked at too, I'm sure, but I didn't do it.
Nothing like following the long Republican Party tradition of taking personal responsibility, is there? Stay classy, Congressman, stay classy!
In other revolting news, Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump seemed to be having a bit of a problem with his love of white supremacists this week. First, the White House had to fire a Trump speechwriter for appearing at an event with a notorious white supremacist publisher. Then the very next day, top economic advisor Larry Kudlow had the same guy over for a birthday party. Kudlow, of course, hasn't been forced to resign, because he swears that he's been friends with the guy for years and years and had no idea what a racist he was. I guess this makes him eligible for the "Sergeant Schultz Head-In-The-Sand Award," or something.
There's no real mystery why Kudlow was allowed to keep his job, though -- in fact, the real mystery might be why the lowly speechwriter had to leave. Because by the end of the week, Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump was tweeting out white supremacist conspiracy theories about South Africa -- incidentally, the first time Trump's ever used the word "Africa" in a tweet. Here's the reaction to the whole sordid story:
Former U.S. diplomats and South African leaders denounced Trump's declaration in a tweet late Wednesday that he had instructed [Mike Pompeo] to monitor the "large scale killing" of white farmers and the government's expropriations of their land. White-nationalist groups have for years spread false claims about the murder rates, assertions that have been widely debunked.... White nationalists in the United States and South Africa... hailed the president's remarks. David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, thanked Trump on Twitter and tweeted an image of a white woman holding a sign reading "Stop white genocide." Mike Peinovich, a far-right podcast host, called Trump's endorsement "very big" and said that "this is how we slowly chip away at the all-consuming anti-white discourse."
So, like we said, the real mystery is why anyone working at the White House would face firing for following Trump's lead on the subject of white supremacy. And as icing on the cake for Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump's Twittering this week, he was busy tweeting his rage while his wife Melania was giving a speech on the evils of cyberbullying. If credibility can be less than zero, then that's where Melania's is on the subject of stopping cyberbullying from happening. It's like watching Jack The Ripper's wife speak on the subject of safety razors, at this point.
In election news, the Republicans finally officially won the special House election in Ohio, as the Democrat conceded the race after all the ballots were counted. They'll be facing each other again in November, however, so the second round is just beginning. Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump's winning streak of endorsements in GOP primary elections came to an end this week, as his candidate (Foster Friess) lost his race for the nomination to be Wyoming's next governor. Amusingly enough, this happened on the same day Trump bragged to his fans in West Virginia that his endorsement moves the needle by "20, 30, 40, 50 points." He bragged he had longer coattails than Ronald Reagan, right before his candidate went down to defeat. That's ironic, but in the end this is bad news for Democrats, because Wyoming voters chose the sane candidate, making the November race almost impossible. Democrats might have had a chance against Friess, but likely will not against a solid Republican candidate.
One piece of good news from the campaign trail came today, as a Georgia county decided against the insane voter-suppression plan of closing seven of the county's nine polling locations for the general election. We wrote about this in last week's talking points (see: number 2), and we are glad to see that increasing national media attention on the story has pressured the county's leaders to do the right thing. It wasn't just external, either, voters within the county have been making their opposition to the blatant disenfranchisement plan known loud and clear all week long. For whatever reason, though, we're glad this monstrously wrong idea was nipped in the bud.
What else? Bernie Sanders is about to introduce a bill which would force companies like Amazon to fully reimburse the government for any welfare payments (food stamps, etc.) their workers receive. This is a giant step in the right direction, so we'll be watching to see exactly what the bill contains. If someone works full time, they should not have to rely on governmental help, and the only thing standing in the way of that happening is corporate greed, plain and simple. This seems like an issue tailor-made for Bernie.
And finally, we end on an amusing (if puzzling) note. Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump held a rally this week in West Virginia, where he shared a story while attempting to explain why things couldn't always happen in the blink of an eye in Washington. He explained that, sometimes, "it's gotta gestate. The word 'gestate'... like when you're cooking a chicken. Time... time... turkey for Thanksgiving." He then went on to say his mother gestated a turkey in the oven for eight hours each and every Thanksgiving. Um, OK. But perhaps that word doesn't mean what you think it does? We're just sayin'....
Regular readers will find this no surprise, since we wrote extensively about this yesterday. This week's Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week award goes to Senator Elizabeth Warren, for introducing a bill to reform the way lobbying happens in Washington. Her "Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act" would institute a lifetime ban on lobbying jobs for former federal elected or appointed officials. It would widen the requirements for who has to register as a lobbyist, force lawmakers to disclose every meeting they have with lobbyists, ban lobbyists from contributing to federal campaigns, ban Americans from lobbying for foreign governments, ban members of Congress and federal judges from trading any stocks while in office, and (for good measure) require all candidates for Congress or the White House to publicly disclose eight years of income tax to be eligible to run for office.
Whew! That's a whole lot of ethical reform wrapped up in one legislative package. Warren gave a speech to promote her new bill this week, where she laid out why she was moved to act: "Padlock the revolving door between big business and government. It's insane that we have to beg the president of the United States to put the American people ahead of his own business interests. Insane."
She's right. But as Warren herself also noted, the Trump administration is "not the cause of the rot," since it predated Trump coming to town by decades. Which is why she's attacking the rot directly, rather than just scoring political points off the Unindicted Co-Conspirator in Chief. We ended yesterday's article with:
But the rot Warren speaks of goes deep -- right down to the foundation. Sooner or later, that is going to spell disaster for those living above. Trump's (and his minions') legal problems aside, more and more congressmen are being caught in ethical lapses right now. Anti-corruption could be a big deal in the midterm elections (at least, if Democrats have anything to say about the matter). By introducing her bill now, Warren has given Democratic candidates across the country something solid to get behind. "I'm for Warren's anti-corruption bill" is all a candidate now needs to say to define their anti-corruption stance.
The political concept of "draining the swamp" wasn't invented by Trump, after all. It has long been a potent argument for the "out" party to make against the "in" party. "Look how corrupt they've gotten since they took power!" is, in fact, almost always an effective campaign slogan, given the fact that corruption is so regularly uncovered, no matter which party is in power. That speaks not to the corruptibility of either party, but to that rotten foundation the whole structure is built upon. Elizabeth Warren is proposing to attack that rot directly, which deserves a lot more attention than it so far has gotten.
To which we only have to add: "More power to her!" Rather than vague notions about "draining the swamp" (which any politician worth his or her salt can parrot meaninglessly), Warren has laid down quite a number of very concrete markers in her bill. Every Democrat worthy of the name should immediately begin voicing their support for this effort. The only way the public is going to demand such reforms is if they hear about them, after all. Warren's voice is a powerful one, but it can't be the only one.
While we wait to see which Democratic senators sign on as co-sponsors to Warren's bill, we have to applaud her for getting this particular ball rolling. Which is why she's easily the choice this week for the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week award.
[Congratulate Senator Elizabeth Warren on her Senate contact page, to let her know you appreciate her efforts.]
Of course, not every Democrat can be expected to get on board, as some of them are awash in corporate money. Which brings us to this week's Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week, which has to be awarded slightly retroactively.
In the background of the Trumpian news maelstrom, the Democratic National Committee has been meeting and deciding all kinds of things which will reverberate throughout the 2020 presidential election cycle. Some of these are good things (like the reforms that Bernie Sanders has been winning on the question of superdelegates and caucuses), but not all of them qualify as positive news.
Yesterday, protesters interrupted one of these official D.N.C. meetings to decry the decision by chairman Tom Perez to overturn an Obama-era ban on accepting money from oil companies and other fossil fuel companies (and their lobbyists). This decision was actually made a few weeks ago (which is why this is a slightly retroactive award), but we have to admit we were distracted at the time and didn't notice it.
Whenever it happened, though, it is deserving of the MDDOTW award for sending the wrong signal to the party's base. Perez tried to swear his allegiance to combatting climate change, but it's hard to credit that statement when the industry responsible is stuffing money in your pockets. This is now Exhibit A in the case Progressives have been making against Tom Perez from the beginning, really. When it comes down to brass tacks, Perez follows the money, obviously.
Which is why D.N.C. Chair Tom Perez is our Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week, even if it is technically a few weeks late. For shame, Tom, for shame. The Democratic Party is straining to chart a new course, but you just tacked back to the old way of doing things. The party is worse off because you did so.
[Contact Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez on his official contact page, to let him know what you think of his actions.]
Volume 497 (8/24/18)
Nothing but schadenfreude this week, from beginning to end. That's the kind of week it was, really. And, please remember, Bob Mueller is just getting started, folks. That's enough to bring a smile to any Democrat's face, this week.
Unindicted Co-Conspirator
As previously mentioned, this one really needs a big push by every Democrat interviewed on any television screen from now on.
"Sadly, we now have to resurrect a political and legal term not heard about a U.S. president since Richard Nixon left office. President Donald Trump has been accused -- under oath, in front of a federal judge -- of conspiring to commit felony crimes. Which means the only possible title for him now is Unindicted Co-Conspirator Trump. He doesn't even seem to realize the legal jeopardy that Michael Cohen's allocution put him in, as he proved in a Fox News interview this week. He insisted that the hush money payments didn't come from the campaign, they came from Trump personally. He's openly admitting committing election violations, in other words. Donald Trump has not been formally charged with anything yet, of course. Mueller's investigation is not done, nor will it be any time soon. Which means for the time being, the only correct thing to call the president is an unindicted co-conspirator. Tricky Dick would have been so proud!"
Flipping out
How many metaphors can be mixed? Let's see....
"Trump is really flipping out this week, and no surprise. Crony after crony of his seems to be flipping on him and singing like a birdie to the prosecutors. I guess you could say they're flipping the bird at Trump, eh? Here's Trump's reaction: 'I know all about flipping. For 30, 40 years I have been watching flippers. Everything is wonderful, and then they get 10 years in jail and the flip on whoever the next highest one is, or as high as you can go. It almost ought to be outlawed.' The reason Trump is so flipping mad at this practice? There are more flip-flops against Trump in federal courts right now than dying flounders thrashing around on the deck of a fishing boat. Trump's personal fixer? Flipped like a burger on a hot grill. The publisher of the National Enquirer? Flipped like an NFL coin toss. The C.F.O. of the Trump Organization? That's gonna be Poseidon Adventure-level flipping, I'd bet. Everywhere you look, Trump henchmen and stooges are flipping like pancakes at a fire house's charity breakfast. No wonder Trump is flipping his lid!"
He went for coffee
The fun doesn't end with flipping, though.
"Alan Weisselberg is the Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization. This means that every dollar Trump, Inc. spends goes through him. He knows more than any person alive what Trump has paid for over the years, and where Trump's money has come from. He's been with Trump forever -- he actually used to work for Trump's father, in fact. He knows where every body is buried and has the inventory of all the skeletons in Trump's gold-plated closet. And he was just granted immunity in exchange for his testimony. So far, Trump has tried to distance himself from everyone snared in the legal net up until now by minimizing their connection to him. His campaign manager? Barely knew him. His personal lawyer who has worked for him for over a decade? I think he ran some errands for me, or something. But it's pretty hard to spin his company's own C.F.O. into some sort of low-level lackey, isn't it? It wouldn't surprise me a bit to hear Trump claim: 'I thought that stood for Coffee Fetching Officer,' at this point. Good luck with that one, Donnie."
Guilty Guilty Guilty!
Obviously, a nod here to "Doonesbury" is appropriate, for that subheading.
"So let's see, we've now got two people very close to Trump who are guilty of 16 separate federal crimes. They split them down the middle, as Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight counts by a federal jury -- who voted 11-1 on ten other counts, it bears mentioning -- and Michael Cohen freely pleaded guilty to eight felonies of his own. That's a lot of criminal activity for such close confidants of Trump, wouldn't you say? But then, of course, this ball has just gotten rolling. Manafort faces his second trial in D.C. in the middle of next month, which could lead to multiple other guilty verdicts for him. And it doesn't even count all the other guilty pleas given by people like Michael Flynn, who long ago struck plea deals with Bob Mueller's team. Just to review, during Barack Obama's eight years in office, he had precisely zero high-ranking aides indicted. Zero guilty pleas, and zero guilty verdicts. So I guess the only thing left to ask is: has the swamp been drained yet, or what? How many other dozens of guilty verdicts will it take?"
The difference between federal and state charges
There's another big storm cloud on the horizon for Team Trump, as well.
"New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has her work cut out for her, it seems. State-level investigations have now begun which are looking into possible criminal activity by the Trump Foundation, the Trump Organization, Michael Cohen, American Media (the National Enquirer publisher), as well as individual charges against senior executives of all these organizations. Any criminal activity which took place in New York and is covered by state law is fair game, to state the obvious. But what's not immediately apparent is why these possible crimes could in the end be more serious for Donald Trump than all the federal cases -- because U.S. presidents can only pardon federal lawbreaking. State-level crimes cannot be pardoned by anyone other than the state's governor. So I'll be watching Underwood carefully in the coming weeks, because any cases she brings might ultimately result in more jail time than all the federal guilty verdicts put together."
Wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot barge pole, sorry
This may be the most extraordinary thing said during a rather extraordinary week.
"Michael Cohen's lawyer has publicly stated that Cohen is not even interested in the possibility of a pardon from Unindicted Co-Conspirator Donald Trump. Unlike all the other players in this sordid rat's nest, Cohen doesn't want to be 'dirtied' by a pardon from this president. I have never heard such a jaw-dropping statement from anyone facing years of jail time, personally. Cohen would rather sit in jail than accept a pardon from the dirty hands of Trump -- just think about that for a second. It's a pretty stunning condemnation of the man who used to be Cohen's best client, after all. And, I suppose, if anyone knows how dirty Trump is, it would have to be Cohen, wouldn't it?"
Only the best people!
Finally, just for fun, here's an excerpt from the funniest thing we read all week. Alexandra Petri has outdone herself, writing about Trump's promise to hire "only the best people." In an almost-surreal bit of satire, Petri channels Trump's thoughts in a piece titled: "I'm Beginning To Suspect That These Were Not In Fact The Best People." The following paragraph we found to be the funniest, but you should really read the whole thing -- it's well worth the time spent!
I thought I had the best people, but I had a big plane filled with money, a bear that has wandered into a school by mistake, Zombie James Buchanan, a pair of Ivanka Trump pumps that want to speak to a manager, the hair of a televangelist, a Pixar villain whose origin story involved a tanning bed struck by lightning and an anthropomorphic liver. I had a scorpion asking for a ride across a river, an ominous forwarded email with a sad face drawn on it, a statue brought to life by the love of its sculptor but in a twist on the classic Pygmalion scenario it was a Confederate statue, a piece of toast on which sexist words appeared for no reason, a gallon container of snake oil in an expensive leather coat, everyone at a surf-side bar on a Thursday, a reality-TV contestant and Anthony Scaramucci.
-- Chris Weigant
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Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Cross-posted at: Democratic Underground
"They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No-one you see, is smarter than he,
And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder..."
Flippers are certainly smarter than 'he'...I still think there's a piece of the Trump/Cohen saga missing from our view. How does a professional side-kick like Cohen go from being walking, talking Kevlar to being the biggest pain in the arse Trump could ever imagine, overnight?
Is Trump so beyond the fringe that he thought Cohen would remain shtum, quietly tuck himself into jail, and wait until he got around to slipping him get out of jail card?
It's almost like they had some kind of lovers quarrel, and Cohen stomped off in a snit to the DA for comforting. To petulantly say " I won't accept anything from that man" sounds like a line out 'Vicious' ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicious_(TV_series) )
So, not the White House, but the Big House instead for Cohen...tough break, kid, that's ten years you'll never get back.
LL&P
You forgot another flipper: Omarosa! And she even starred in last week's FTP. She's not done yet. Don't forget, she's the short ticket to prying the Apprentice outtakes from the vaults of NBC-Universal. If Trump sues her, her best defense is on those tapes. And she's got tapes of her own.
And Pecker also has stuff in a vault. For some reason, it seems that everyone who comes into contact with Trump feels the immediate need to make a record of it to protect themselves.
And there's alot of evidence piling up, so much that it's hard to keep track of, much less remember it all.
This is Trump's doing, too. He's bouncing so many things at once off the public psyche that we either stop trying to keep track, or start memorizing long lists of events and characters like hardcore Tolkien fans.
Well I hope that Mueller's team does a better job of presenting the final case to the public than they did presenting the Manafort case to the jury. Over a thousand exhibits, I understand, only one set for the whole jury, unbound, and without an index. For shame. Even Tolkien provided maps.
James T Canuck [1] -
My favorite story of the week (which didn't make it into this article): The prosecutors who are investigating the Trump Foundation said something about it would be interesting to talk to Cohen. Cohen heard it on the news and called them up personally to offer his cooperation. You're right -- the switch was pretty dramatic!
Don Harris [2] -
Actually, I think it was two weeks ago, but yes, your comment is what spurred this week's MDDOTW.
Now don't say I never gave you anything...
:-)
[3] -
You seem to have little faith that farfetched things could happen. Strange, for someone in your position, don't you think? I mean, once the public gets behind the idea, who knows how fast it could happen?
Balthasar [4] -
Yikes, how quickly we forget! You are right, I totally missed adding Omarosa to that list...
-CW
I laughed aloud at something the diminutive Michael D'Antonio said last week. When asked about Cohen doing the Dolphin and it's effect on Trump, he shrugged and said, 'When it gets too much for Donald, he'll throw his hands up, declare we don't deserve his leadership, then disappear back up Trump tower secure in the knowledge none of it was his fault'...
I can see that.
LL&P
My favorite story of the week (which didn't make it into this article): The prosecutors who are investigating the Trump Foundation said something about it would be interesting to talk to Cohen. Cohen heard it on the news and called them up personally to offer his cooperation. You're right -- the switch was pretty dramatic!
I read in an article weeks ago after Cohen had first agreed to work with prosecutors on this investigation that he was blown away at the response he received from most people. People were coming up to him and hugging him and shaking his hand, telling him that he was a true hero for speaking out against the corruption. Some told him that he might very well be the one person who can save this country because of what he knows. Going from scumbag lawyer to national hero is a pretty amazing transition for anyone to experience.
Ya gotta figure if that happened a few times when he was with his wife and kids, that had to have a huge impact on him. Who doesn’t want to be a hero for their kids?
The Paul Manafort conviction and Michael Cohen plea deal were met with the usual hysterically gleeful shrieks from the usual anti-Trump suspects: ‘The president is finished!’ ‘Impeachment inevitable!’ ‘Watergate redux!’
None of which is true and all of which is wishful thinking by card-carrying members of the perpetual outrage machine who must #Resist Donald Trump As President. Many of these people who profess indignation over a Trump payment to a porn star to keep quiet over an alleged affair defended Bill Clinton in the face of credible rape allegations and coordinated smear campaigns of his female accusers. More recently, some of them also paid millions of dollars to a law firm to pay shadowy foreign agents in order to mobilise the most fearsome agencies and courts of the federal government to destroy Trump with lies from said foreign entities and political operatives.
But a personal payment of $130,000 via Cohen to an adult film actress after a consensual affair is the problem — you know, because Trump.
The Cohen ‘hush money’ is simply the latest cudgel with which Trump’s enemies hope to batter his presidency. But while that braying mob obsesses over obscure campaign finance regulations in the desperate hunt for something — anything — to ruin Trump, regular Americans don’t much care. The 63 million Americans who voted for him — and the 65 million who did not — are enjoying the benefits of a booming economy, thanks in large part to Trump’s tax cuts, deregulation, the unleashing of the energy sector and the withdrawal from or renegotiation of bad trade and other multilateral deals. Job creation, wage growth, historically low unemployment among blacks, Hispanics and young people, surging consumer confidence and 4 per cent plus GDP growth are the things voters truly care about — and vote upon. Trump’s payoff to Stormy Daniels earns a collective shrug — and not just because of vastly improved economic conditions.
For decades before the 2016 election, Trump had been a tabloid fixture, courtesy of his vivid marriages, divorces and affairs. Then came reality television fame and another generation familiar with his personal charisma and talent, appetites and weaknesses. He was an omnipresent social media star before there was social media.
By the time he ran for president, voters had baked his colourful past into their calculus. Trump never pretended to be something he wasn’t, deftly avoiding the hypocrisy trap.
That raw authenticity served him well. Voters knew they weren’t electing a saint. They were knowingly choosing a unapologetic rogue whom they believed would smash the corrupt status quo and make the country more secure and prosperous and their lives better. This is why the pre-election release of the Access Hollywood tape, in which he was shown using degrading language about women, didn’t hurt his candidacy. In an era of hyper-speed media coverage, grotesque leftwing media activism and a saturated celebrity culture, late October surprises don’t carry the same punch they once did — and certainly not when levelled against a Teflon character like Trump.
For this, he can thank Bill Clinton, another dashing rake, who convinced the public to overlook his character and behaviour in favor of his vision for the country — and then to shrug off the inevitable scandals. When Clinton, his wife, the Democrats, the left and the media set that precedent 20 years ago, they never expected Donald Trump to be its beneficiary. Ah, delicious irony.
https://spectator.us/2018/08/the-teflon-don-why-trump-survives/
You hysterical NeverTrumpers need to come to grips with reality..
NOTHING ya'all uncover that is uncoverable will manage to remove President Trump from office..
Sure, ya'all can make President Trump suffer somewhat, along with this country..
But you won't succeed in nullifying a free, fair and legal election..
Because the consequences of the Dumbocrats succeeding in that unAmerican and unDemocratic endeavor is a million times worse than your most hysterical and catastrophic NeverTrump prediction...
REALITY PART 2
The public feels, by and large, a protective instinct for their president. Of course, what makes Trump’s survival even more miraculous is that he does not enjoy the protection of the press, a critical part of Clinton’s survival. Indeed, much of the media decided long ago to join forces with Trump’s sundry other enemies to try to drive him from office.
Why? Because Trump represents an existential threat to the elite ruling class, also known as the swamp. Trump proved to be a potent crusher of political correctness and polite society who promised to upend their cosy hierarchy.
In so doing, he promised to restore respect for the Constitution, government to its proper place, and mighty American economic growth. To, yes, make America great again.
This, of course, scares the living hell out of the ruling class. They know that if Trump succeeds, it’s over for them: their entire corrupt gravy train will come to a screeching halt, perhaps irreversibly so. Therefore, he must be stopped at all costs.
Hence the appointment of a ‘special counsel’ for a wide-ranging and open-ended investigation. Everyone on Team Trump from the president down to his quietest supporter must be discredited and yes, destroyed.
Both sides know that this is an existential fight.
The American people know as well. While the fringe ‘resistance’ hyperventilates over the latest Scandal To Take Down Trump, normal Americans do not like to see their duly elected president subjected to grossly unfair and relentless attack — particularly when it’s centered on a politically motivated investigation in search of a crime. And when they generally support that president’s economic, domestic and foreign policies.
So while the vocal and powerful minority wails about Cohen and Manafort and prays that Robert Mueller delivers them from evil, the great silent majority is deeply invested in Trump and will not abandon him.
===============================================================
"You're meddling with forces you cannot possibly comprehend.."
-Marcus Brody, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
Suppose ya'all Dumbocrats succeed in nullifying a free, fair and legal election based on a totally worthless and bogus charge....
How do you think 65 million Trump voters are going to react??
Remember, according to YOU PEOPLE, these Americans are "racist", "violent", "brutal", "savage", "abusive", "deplorable" and "irredeemable"...
They are also very well armed and well trained..
How do you think these 65 million Trump voters, these "violent" and "brutal" and "abusive" and "irredeemable" and "deplorable" voters, these very well armed and well trained Trump voters are going to react when ya'all Dumbocrats dis-enfranchise them and their vote?? When ya'all Dumbocrats totally nullify a free, fair and legal election??
How do you think that will end??
And a better question...
Do ya'all REALLY want to find out??
And now a word from the CW of the Right.. :D
The November Election Is About Illegal Alien Crime
If you’re cool with Americans being butchered by illegal aliens, this November you should vote Democrat. They’re certainly cool with Americans being butchered by illegal aliens. Oh, in theory they would probably prefer that the foreigners sneaking into our country in defiance of the laws we American citizens made through our elected representatives would stop butchering Americans. They don’t particularly want your kids to be butchered. They just want uncontrolled illegal immigration more than your kids’ safety. So, they’ve made a choice to be the party of illegal immigration. And the resulting body count is a price Democrats are willing to pay to replace an electorate of Normal Americans who refuse to obey.
The Democrats are the party of No Borders, of Abolish ICE, and of murdered Americans. You cannot howl and shriek in support of X yet deny that you accept the foreseeable, demonstrated consequences of X.
Now we know Mollie Tibbetts was murdered by an illegal alien. Add her name to the butcher’s bill. And who was shocked? Who said, “Gosh, that’s surprising!” Who said, “Whoa, I don’t believe it!”
No one. Because it happens all the time. Her life, like the lives of so many others, was snuffed out because our elite made a conscious choice to risk our lives to satisfy its own interests. She was just more collateral damage. We better decide in November where we stand, because a Democrat majority means this bloodbath continues.
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2018/08/23/november-must-be-the-mollie-tibbetts-election-n2511999
I just LOVE this guy!! :D
UC-C Trump will save everybody a few key strokes and has a nice cadence to it. With any luck, an even more strealined UC-CT can displace POTUS in general discourse, with the advantage of charecterizing both the office and the character of the character holding on for dear life to the office.
RE 12, I forgot to include "well done CW!"
While I think Warren is on the right track, it might be useful to require all office holders to wear a wire at all times. This is not all that radical a proposal, since it seems to be pretty much an informal practice in The Trump Adminstration. Loose Lips Sink Shits. On this practice, and only on this practice, well done Team Trump.
RE 12, I forgot to include "well done CW!"
While I think Warren is on the right track, it might be useful to require all office holders to wear a wire at all times. This is not all that radical a proposal, since it seems to be pretty much an informal practice in The Trump Adminstration. Loose Lips Sink Shits. On this practice, and only on this practice, well done Team Trump.
While I think Warren is on the right track, it might be useful to require all office holders to wear a wire at all times.
So much for the claims that Democrats are the Party of Personal Privacy..
Once again, another freedom that Democrats are willing to throw on the trash heap in furtherance of their agenda..
But, of course, you ONLY advocate those with a -R after their names to wear this wire, right??
But, of course, you ONLY advocate those with a -R after their names to wear this wire, right??
No, only criminals. Is it our fault if they all happen to also have an -R after their name?
[10] Conveniently omitted by your right-wing CW was any mention of the most heinous murder in the same news cycle. Chris Watts, the white all American guy next door, killed his two daughters and pregnant wife, clumsily hid their corpses then appeared on TV lamenting their disappearance. 100% of everyone thinks that particular crime is as vile as it gets, yet there's scant little attention paid in right-wing media, they have been to busy dragging Molly Tibbets cadaver around saying 'look see, we told ya...' What I haven't seen from the left-wing media is the opposite side of the coin, another philandering, broke white guy kills his wife and family to collect insurance and run away with his mistress. There's no political hay to make, for sure, but you don't see the politicizing of a senseless crime from the left. The reason is as simple as it tiresome, the right-wing media need to fear monger to maintain its attendance...that's all, nothing more than that. Luckily people aren't that stupid, they know that one IA in the news for murder is a distraction for the right-wing to again shame themselves with, you didn't need a crystal ball to see that coming.
Let's see what the right-wing has to say when the school shooting spree season opens after labour day, when we all know, white American kids next door' will start killing each other...No need to wait, we all know what they'll say, what they usually say...'we need more guns.' The last thing you'll hear from them will be, 'why don't fix the problem under our noses, they are our kids, after-all'
I'll stick with the CW we have here, the right wing version has way too many fly's around him to swat away. Also, if Michale is any example of mixed messaging result of reading his drivel, I'll pass in favour realistic worries...Lets face it, 'Mr.Right-wing CW' warns us all about the butchering of Americans, and Michale threatens the left-wing with civil war...all in the name of their version of a safe America.
Good luck selling that snake oil.
LL&P
Seemingly Trump is worried about Pecker leaking.
The reason is as simple as it tiresome, the right-wing media need to fear monger to maintain its attendance...that's all, nothing more than that. Luckily people aren't that stupid,
They are that stupid. That is why Fox News has been successful for so many years.
Land of the Brave my ass. The brave are those that don't panic every time somebody with a bit more melanin than they have walks down the street.
[10] Conveniently omitted by your right-wing CW was any mention of the most heinous murder in the same news cycle. Chris Watts, the white all American guy next door, killed his two daughters and pregnant wife, clumsily hid their corpses then appeared on TV lamenting their disappearance.
And what does that have to do with illegal immigrants killing Americans??
Nothing...
Let's see what the right-wing has to say when the school shooting spree season opens after labour day, when we all know, white American kids next door' will start killing each other...No need to wait, we all know what they'll say, what they usually say...'we need more guns.' The last thing you'll hear from them will be, 'why don't fix the problem under our noses, they are our kids, after-all'
And, once again.. NOTHING to do with illegal immigrants killing Americans..
I'll stick with the CW we have here,
Of course you will.. Because he says what you want to hear..
It wasn't always that way...There was a time when Weigantia was actually fair about politics.. But then came the onset of HHPTDS and those days went out the window..
and Michale threatens the left-wing with civil war...all in the name of their version of a safe America.
I threaten nothing..
I merely point out how YOU describe Trump supporters as violent and brutal and deplorable and irredeemable and I point out how well armed and well trained those Trump supporters are and pose the question:
Is it a GOOD idea to nullify a FREE, FAIR and LEGAL election and piss off those very well armed and well trained Trump supporters solely on the basis of Sore Luser'ism??
It's very telling that everyone is afraid to address the point..
The reason is as simple as it tiresome, the right-wing media need to fear monger to maintain its attendance...that's all, nothing more than that.
Yea.. Cuz the LEFT WING would ***NEVER*** stoop to fear mongering...
"OH MY GODS!!!! THE WORLD WILL END IN 4 DAYS IF WE DON'T GIVE ALL OUR MONEY TO AL GORE AND DICK BRANSON!!!!!"
Seriously, people... Ya'all are slamming the RIGHT for Fear Mongering??
Ya'all's **ENTIRE** Anti-Trump hysteria is **NOTHING** but fear mongering..
Like I have said.. Ya'all are a joke.. A caricature...
he brave are those that don't panic every time somebody with a bit more melanin than they have walks down the street.
No..
The Brave are those who don't scream that the world is going to end every time the wind blows or a fire happens or a coastal area is flooded...
The Brave are those who don't scream that the world is going to end every time the wind blows or a fire happens or a coastal area is flooded...
Or a US President farts....
Just a wild guess on my part, but are Republicans radically rethinking their position on " States Rights" .....fearing they may equate with Last Rites? Go NY state!
Blotus doorman releases his agreement to stay silent about Blotus' affair and child with the housekeeper.
And AMA appears to be a good ol' blackmail operation. Shades of the Murdoch tabloids in England...
Blotus doorman releases his agreement to stay silent about Blotus' affair and child with the housekeeper.
Iddn't funny how affairs and such are such a HUGE deal when a POTUS has a -R after his name..
But RAPE and SEXUAL ASSAULT are no big deal at all when a POTUS has a -D after his name..
And ya'all think you have ANY credibility???
BBBWWAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Iddn't funny how affairs and such are such a HUGE deal when a POTUS has a -R after his name..
Compared to GOP response to Clinton's brief dalliance? Hardly.
It's even more appropriate to compare the GOP's tepid response to Trump's casual treatment of classified information and WH security clearances to the GOP obsession with a few random markings found after extensive forensic examination of Hillary's emails.
Obviously the bar is far higher for a president's supporters than it is for his/her detractors.
And apparently, finding consistency between any statements made by the GOP before and after Trump is also a lost cause.
Trump's egregious and unorthodox behavior has pushed his party beyond hypocrisy and into the realm of alternative universe building.
Y'know who hasn't changed? McConnell. He's been quietly rebuilding the (ultimately disastrous) regulatory and legislative program of the Bush Administrations, one bill at a time. Even when it reverts to SOP, the GOP never learns from its errors.
Compared to GOP response to Clinton's brief dalliance? Hardly.
So, yer saying that Dumbocrats are no better than Republicans??
That's what I have been saying for a decade..
Welcome to my world, sunshine.. :D
So, yer saying that Dumbocrats are no better than Republicans??
I mean, for a DECADE ya'all have been trying to convince me (and yerselves, apparently) that Dumbocrats are BETTER than Republicans..
And now you finally concede that it just ain't so....
I accept your concession...
I mean, for a DECADE ya'all have been trying to convince me (and yerselves, apparently) that Dumbocrats are BETTER than Republicans..
Well then, I see where the misunderstanding originates. I, at least, wouldn't assert that. I'd assert, rather, that progressive POLICY prescriptions are better than those that emanate from the other side of the aisle, and that there is historical proof of that.
Trump actually manages to encompass the flaws endemic to every side of the political landscape, combining the flagrantly immoral behavior of some democrats with the flagrantly corrupt behavior of Republicans, the horrible domestic policy of the right with the anti-institutional instincts and foreign policy naivete of the far left, topped with the worst authoritarian tendencies of the ultra-right. He's a political garbage scow.
RETRACTION: Earlier this week I speculated that it was possible that the dossier's placing Cohen in Prague was correct, based on sworn statements in Cohen's court filings. Later Rachael Maddown made the same connection on her msnbc program.
Lannie Davis replied "Never" to Chick Todd in response to the direct question of Cohen having been in Prague. I have to take Cohen's lawyer at his word.
I was wrong in my speculation, however legitimate it might have been at the time.
I just want this to be all over in an incontrovertible smoking gun revelation followed by a Perry Mason-esq capitulation, and start getting back some balance and order in the government. Alas, those things happen only on reality tv, and this is not that.
Thinking it over, rhetorically, if you had a Russian cyber operation going on your behalf, would you send someone as coarse as Cohen to take care of payments?
The notion of an inappropriate agent reminds me of the scene from Charlie Wilson's War, wherein Gust
Avrakotos confronts the official who rescinded his posting as Helsinki CIA station chief on the grounds that he was coarse.
Youtube (NSFW lang) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOccnRyCUUQ
Sorry, I only noticed my double tap of 12 a mere 9 hrs or so after the fact.
Trump never pretended to be something he wasn’t, deftly avoiding the hypocrisy trap.
If this were true, we’d have seen his tax returns by now!
Iddn't funny how affairs and such are such a HUGE deal when a POTUS has a -R after his name..
But RAPE and SEXUAL ASSAULT are no big deal at all when a POTUS has a -D after his name..
Affairs are huge news no matter what letter comes after the president’s name! And it should not even be up for debate that sexual assault should disqualify anyone from being our president!
That you fully support a person who not only has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, but who openly bragged about how being wealthy allowed him to assault women and they could not do anything to stop him is repulsive! You try to deflect/defend your support of the unindicted co-conspirator by falsely accusing everyone else of doing what you are the only who is actually doing it — which is your standard M.O..
Chris Watts, the white all American guy next door, killed his two daughters and pregnant wife, clumsily hid their corpses then appeared on TV lamenting their disappearance.
And what does that have to do with illegal immigrants killing Americans??
Nothing...
It has everything to do with illegal immigrants killing Americans as it shows we should be more afraid of those from here than being terrified of immigrants! The American killed 4 while the illegal immigrant killed only one. 4 to 1. Pathetic that fear mongers don’t focus on the one that is 4x the killer. But anything to distract from your master’s own crimes, I guess.
RIP john mccain. wish you were president.
JL
nypoet22
Amen to that!
[36] 'The American killed 4 while the illegal immigrant killed only one.' LWYH, Tbh my point was restricted tightly to this particular clanger of Trumpian corrosivity. Trump and his idiot son, who dropped his own clanger today by misspelling Tibbetts, 'Tibbitts', in an unforgivable act of political necrophilia, used this poor woman and family to further their demented wall crusade. All the while, America W Man throttled his wife and kids for a shag and shilling, without so much as a shudder or cringe from people who's only narrative is that which paints all people of colour as vicious killers. I wasn't saying watch what you trap inside your wall with you, though I do find it funny that nothing would change with a wall that is essentially a much needed penis extension for the Michale's of the world.
But I thank you for being where I was hoping to go.
*and just because it's too stupid to pass up, and therefore easily identified...
'Seriously, people... Ya'all are slamming the RIGHT for Fear Mongering??
Ya'all's **ENTIRE** Anti-Trump hysteria is **NOTHING** but fear mongering..'
It could be worse, according to UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR TRUMP, impeachment of his sad ass would leave everyone in economic ruin.
I plan to stay my imaginings of feral New Yorkers ranging the streets, trapping cats and "poisoning pigeons in the park, maybe doing in a squirrel or two" (TL) until the gavel drops.
LL&P
RIP Mr. McCain...and with you goes the last spine up which the Trumpian shiver could crawl and remain Republican.
"“My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”...Hitchens
. .&P
RIP John McCain.
Amen. RIP.
RIP john mccain. wish you were president.
Amen to that!
Really??
Remind me who you voted for in 2008???
RIP Mr. McCain...and with you goes the last spine up which the Trumpian shiver could crawl and remain Republican.
Yea.. ONLY because he was a NeverTrumper...
I could take a trip down memory lane and pull all the vile and disgusting attacks Weigantians perpetrated against McCain when he said and did things ya'all DIDN'T like..
But why bother expending effort to establish hypocrisy that is so well established, eh?
Affairs are huge news no matter what letter comes after the president’s name! And it should not even be up for debate that sexual assault should disqualify anyone from being our president!
Then please show me where you have condemned Clinton???
That you fully support a person who not only has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, but who openly bragged about how being wealthy allowed him to assault women and they could not do anything to stop him is repulsive!
Of course, none of that is factually accurate...
But I get it.. FACTS are alien to HHPTDS sufferers..
It has everything to do with illegal immigrants killing Americans as it shows we should be more afraid of those from here than being terrified of immigrants!
And if we were TALKING about immigrants, you would have an argument.
But, as per usual, you HAVE no argument, so you make shit up and try to pretend that it's relevant..
The American killed 4 while the illegal immigrant killed only one. 4 to 1. Pathetic that fear mongers don’t focus on the one that is 4x the killer.
Ahhhh.. So it's just a numbers game to you.. Sad
But anything to distract from your master’s own crimes, I guess.
And you have to make EVERYTHING about President Trump..
We're talking how ILLEGAL immigrants kill Americans and you Democrats don't give a shit because yer agenda is open borders..
Would you care to discuss THAT fact???
No??
Of course not..
Trump and his idiot son, who dropped his own clanger today by misspelling Tibbetts, 'Tibbitts', in an unforgivable act of political necrophilia, used this poor woman and family to further their demented wall crusade
You mean, like Dumbocrats do to every mass shooting victim??
Funny.. I didn't hear you complain about it then..
How come??
It could be worse, according to UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR TRUMP, impeachment of his sad ass would leave everyone in economic ruin.
How is that any different than a bunch of hysterical morons claiming that Trumps election would "leave everyone in economic ruin"...???
Once again, the case for moronic hypocrisy is self-evident... :^/
Yer so damn easy... :D
Really??
Remind me who you voted for in 2008???
I am also constrained to point out that, had ya'all voted for McCain in 2008, then it's all but assured you wouldn't have President Trump in 2016..
Of course, that means we wouldn't have had a President Odumbo...
So, this begs the question...
Do ya'all hate President Trump more than you love Odumbo???
Would you erase President Odumbo from history if it meant not having a President Trump in the here and now??
LB,
I was wrong in my speculation, however legitimate it might have been at the time.
That's what I like about you, LB...
Next to me, yer the only one here who can admit when they are wrong..
:D
But it does beg the question...
Does yer new-found Cohen love have anything to do with the fact that Cohen appears to have turned on Trump??
Naaaawwwww... THAT can't be it.. :D
Well then, I see where the misunderstanding originates. I, at least, wouldn't assert that.
Oh, now THAT's a load of moose poop..
You have been asserting that very notion from the FIRST day you commented on here...
Republicans are the spawn of Mark Pellegrino and Democrats are as pure as the driven snow..
That's been ya'all's claim since day one..
But hay... If you want back-pedal and join my side of the fence in saying that Democrats are no better than Republicans, I'll be happy to welcome ya with with open arms and cold beers. :D
Michale… Do you have anything else in your arsenal of tiresome and obvious retorts, the whataboutism's and tortured remindusallism's are just wasted keystrokes. Why bother posting that shite, when you're the only one who thinks they are valid answers or worse, questions...They're not, they are how my pre-teens prevaricate and obfuscate when they realise they have painted themselves into a corner.
We get that you're operating from morally weak platform, no one disputes that, but wouldn't it be easier on your overall online footprint to simply ignore some comments, especially the ones for which a whataboutism is all you can muster?
Obviously, there's nothing you can post that can make us think any less of you, that boat sailed. But posting less dross might improve your average.
LL&P
I respected McCain, even voted for him, but he was never a true conservative. He was pretty much a middle-of-the-road guy ideologically speaking, who ran as a Rep in AZ 'cause AZ only elected Reps.
Michale… Do you have anything else in your arsenal of tiresome and obvious retorts, the whataboutism's and tortured remindusallism's are just wasted keystrokes. Why bother posting that shite, when you're the only one who thinks they are valid answers or worse, questions...
"“My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”...Hitchens
Kiss my ass...
We get that you're operating from morally weak platform,
That's your opinion unsupported by ANY facts..
Obviously, there's nothing you can post that can make us think any less of you, that boat sailed. But posting less dross might improve your average.
And when I start posting to please you, you'll be the first to know..
You see, unlike you, I am not a slave to ideology.. I don't run all my beliefs and morals thru an ideological filter as you ..
You don't like my posts?? Don't respond to them..
Otherwise, suck my dick..
I respected McCain, even voted for him, but he was never a true conservative. He was pretty much a middle-of-the-road guy ideologically speaking, who ran as a Rep in AZ 'cause AZ only elected Reps.
At least yer consistent, therefore have credibility..
Everyone else despised and reviled McCain when he said or did something they didn't like and worshiped him and felatted him when he did or said something they DID like..
In other words, their opinion of McCain, like everything else in their life, was completely and unequivocally ruled by their Party/Ideology slavery..
Gods, it must be a horrible thing to go thru life like that..
You see, unlike you, I am not a slave to ideology.. I don't run all my beliefs and morals thru an ideological filter as you ..
Then why is your/Trump's ideology so sympatico, so consistently misanthropic? I call moose poop. Your consistent sources of linked articles alone betrays that lie. What are you afraid of? Own it.
Everyone else despised and reviled McCain when he said or did something they didn't like and worshiped him and felatted him when he did or said something they DID like.
My, how abominably HUMAN of them! Next you'll be calling us all out for having regular meals.
But hay... If you want back-pedal and join my side of the fence in saying that Democrats are no better than Republicans, I'll be happy to welcome ya with with open arms and cold beers.
Sorry, but I don't drink anymore. I discovered that the drunker people get, the more reliably republican they become. Put enough booze in someone, and they start to sound just like Trump!
Again, I don't hate Republicans, I just can't stand opinions that track like they came from the bottom of a shot glass.
RIP Neil Simon! Our collective decency quotient has dropped several points this weekend following these losses.
My, how abominably HUMAN of them!
Sorry to burst your bubble.. But blatant hypocrisy is NOT a human norm..
Although I can understand why you would think so, given your allegiance to the Dumbocrat Party...
Sorry, but I don't drink anymore.
Ahhh THAT explains a lot... :D
Again, I don't hate Republicans,
Bullshit.. Either by commission or omission you have joined in all the bigoted attacks on Republicans.. :D
My, how abominably HUMAN of them!
Sorry to burst your bubble.. But blatant hypocrisy is NOT a human norm..
Although I can understand why you would think so, given your allegiance to the Dumbocrat Party...
Sorry, but I don't drink anymore.
Ahhh THAT explains a lot... :D
Again, I don't hate Republicans,
Bullshit.. Either by commission or omission you have joined in all the bigoted attacks on Republicans.. :D
Now excuse me..
I have to lower the flag and play TAPS to honor Senator McCain...
I have to lower the flag and play TAPS to honor Senator McCain...
While you're at it, pause to consider the disrespect thrown his way by candidate Trump.
Either by commission or omission you have joined in all the bigoted attacks on Republicans..
Republicants are perfectly capable of defending themselves, provided they can twist their logic enough.
bigoted? guffaw
[53] 'Otherwise, suck my dick..' or paint your wall, no thanks...but it's refreshing to see Republican-club initiation rites haven't changed.
[54, 57x2]...all dross.
“I know all about flipping. For 30 (to) 40 years, I’ve been watching flippers. Everything’s wonderful, and then they get 10 years in jail and they flip on whoever the next highest one is — or as high as you can go.”
Ok, not what you would ordinarily ascribe to the head of reputable country, but opinions seem to be the order of the day this year... The funny thing is, this little segment in the middle of a massive jaw-drop has been slightly over-looked. It was niggling me, and I couldn't think why, it was bounced over by all media attention, swallowed whole by the more cringing, omertic elements of the catharsis.
Do you see it? it hides in plain sight, but it's there, and it speaks to Trump's past, his beliefs and his mindset about criminal activity.
"EVERYTHING'S WONDERFUL"...
So, according to Trump, by his own televised admission, breaking the law, stealing, lying and grifting is "WONDERFUL" until someone, with scruples (it's implied) comes along to upset the applecart.
Colluding with Russia to nobble the 2016 election was "WONDERFUL" until Mueller crashed the party.
Gagging a couple former trysts weeks before the election with cash and threats was "WONDERFUL" until Cohen told the world.
Having a child with the maid and having his mate catch and kill the tale was "WONDERFUL" until his Pecker pulled out of all the "WONDERFUL" and slipped into the warmth of a blanket (immunity).
I do hope "EVERYTHING'S WONDERFUL" in Trumplandia. We all know how Trump loves his "WONDERFUL"
LL&P
https://twitchy.com/jacobb-38/2018/08/26/why-the-scene-is-still-under-investigation-in-florida-and-alyssa-milano-goes-full-politics/?utm_campaign=twitchywidget
Typical Dumbocrats..
The bodies aren't even cold and hysterical moronic Dumbocrats push their unpopular and ridiculous anti-gun agenda..
Ya'all can have your "gun free" America that ya'all want so bad...
Just repeal the 2nd Amendment and eviscerate the 1st, 4th and 10th....
Until then.. Quit whining..
[63] More dross with a helping of hypocrisy.
lol... "Respect doesn’t matter.
Being sensitive to the victims and their families doesn’t matter.
The only thing that matters is using every opportunity possible to stop the evil NRA."
Bear in mind it was Trump and Don the lesser who dragged Mollie TibbEtts' corpse into the political frame...
Nice try, doorknob...this run of failure you're on is impressive.
LL&P
North Korea accuses U.S. of plotting invasion while talking with ‘a smile on its face’
So much for the Nobel Peace Prize for the "deal of the century".
I'm tired of not winning. When can we get a winner as President again, like Obama for example?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korea-accuses-us-of-plotting-invasion-while-talking-with-smile-on-its-face/2018/08/26/a241993c-a917-11e8-8f4b-aee063e14538_story.html
Michale,
Remind me who you voted for in 2008???
John McCain in the Republican Primary. Obama during the general election.
McCain was a big reason for my leaving the GOP. He ran as a moderate during the primaries and beat out a host of ultra-conservatives to win the nomination. The GOP then turned McCain into an ultra-conservative and gave him an uber-conservative running mate. While I don’t think McCain was the brains behind the switch in positions, he did go along with it.
McCain further disgusted me by going along with the GOP’s Party of No plan, which the Republicans admitted had them voting against their constituents’ best interests in an attempt to prevent Obama from signing any legislation into law that would be viewed as helping our nation recover.
But McCain’s refusal to bow to Trump’s attempt to destroy the ACA and his willingness to call out Trump for his embarrassing behavior on the world stage demonstrated that the old McCain that I held in such esteem was still in there. McCain put country before party; Trump puts Trump before everything else.
Would I rather McCain was our president than Trump? Without a doubt!
Then please show me where you have condemned Clinton???
I just did. It also covers my criticism of JFK and FDR among other historical figures that had affairs while in office.
How about you show me where you are condemning Trump for his actions? Oh wait.... you can’t!
That you fully support a person who not only has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, but who openly bragged about how being wealthy allowed him to assault women and they could not do anything to stop him is repulsive!
Of course, none of that is factually accurate...
Please explain how ANY of that is “factually” inaccurate!?!
We all know that the women accusing him of sexual harassment are telling the truth, so that’s a given! Are you claiming that Trump wasn’t recorded making those comments to Billy Bush??? Or do you deny worshipping at the tacky gold-leaf trough of Trumpism?
Sorry, but those are ALL factually accurate!
SO TO RECAP
Legal actions against Trump:
* SDNY - Campaign Finance
* NYAG - Trump Foundation
* Manhattan DA - Trump Organization
* MD and DC - Lawsuits Re Emoluments Clause
* DOJ - Russian Conspiracy/Obstruction of Justice
* Sealed Indictments
The walls are definitely closing in on Trump, and I hear Mexico is offering to pay for them. ;)
_______________
Great column, CW. :)
Bear in mind it was Trump and Don the lesser who dragged Mollie TibbEtts' corpse into the political frame...
So, yer claiming NOW that Dumbocrats are no better than Trump & Don Jr???
OK.. I accept your concession..
Nice try, doorknob...this run of failure you're on is impressive.
Nice try, jackass..
“My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”
Once again, you lose...
But McCain’s refusal to bow to Trump’s attempt to destroy the ACA and his willingness to call out Trump for his embarrassing behavior on the world stage demonstrated that the old McCain that I held in such esteem was still in there. McCain put country before party; Trump puts Trump before everything else.
Actually, it was McCain who put his own personal ego before country when he went against Trump...
McCain was notoriously thin-skinned and when he felt slighted, nothing else mattered but his ego..
Other than that, he served honorably and that one stain does not change his decades of service..
That's why I honored him this weekend with the flag at half staff at work and a rendering of TAPS..
We all know that the women accusing him of sexual harassment are telling the truth, so that’s a given!
Except for the women who accused Clinton.. :^/
And what about the guys? Is it a given that THEY are always telling the truth???
Are you claiming that Trump wasn’t recorded making those comments to Billy Bush???
Exactly what comment did he make??
He was saying that, when you are rich, women throw themselves at you.. They **LET** you do anything...
That's all Trump said and I am sure it's factually accurate....
Trump told the truth as he knew it..
Was it crass and boorish?? Of course it was..
SO????
Bear in mind it was Trump and Don the lesser who dragged Mollie TibbEtts' corpse into the political frame...
By blaming the PERSON who actually committed the crime..
Nothing wrong with that..
Dumbocrats and hysterical anti-gun morons like you blame an inanimate object...
You are comparing apples and eskimos..
Once again, mental health is at the forefront of this latest mass killing....
Any psycho scumbag can find any tool to commit mass murder...
The key is NOT pushing a hysterical moronic political agenda that is unconstitutional..
The key is addressing the mental health of the scumbags who would commit these horrific acts..
Personal privacy should **NEVER** supersede public safety..
Dumbocrats and Republicans and ALL hysterical anti-gun fanatics need to learn that lesson or mass killings like these will continue..
It's really THAT simple...
Bear in mind it was Trump and Don the lesser who dragged Mollie TibbEtts' corpse into the political frame...
Besides, it was your Odumbo who said that tragedies "must be politicized"...
So, once again, if you want to see where the problem is, look in the mirror, moron..
While you're at it, pause to consider the disrespect thrown his way by candidate Trump.
HOLY CRAP!!!!
A candidate for president was disrespectful!!!???
OH MY GODS!!! We might as well take him out and have him shot right now!!!!!
Do you see how utterly ridiculous you sound??
'Sides, ya'all here were 100 times more disrespectful towards McCain at one time or another..
So, once again.. You want to see where the problem is?? Look in the mirror...
I guess we can be thankful that it wasn't a Call Of Duty tournament at The Landing...
Dumbocrats would have gone batshit hysterical and banned all FPS Video Games...
Interesting to note..
Barack Odumbo Approval Rating, 27 August 2011 - 44%
President Trump Approval Rating, 27 August 2018 - 43.6%
So, President Trump's job approval is comparable to Odumbo's...
Oh my, how ya'all must DIE of shame and embarrassment... :D
The walls are definitely closing in on Trump,
Yea.. You have been saying that for a year now..
And it NEVER comes to pass...
Come to grips with reality... Ya'all are NOT going to nullify a free, fair and legal election..
And if, somehow, ya'all succeed???
The consequences will not be to your liking...
Poor delusional Democrats. They always think they have Donald Trump right where they want him. But they never do.
Democrats are starring in a Road Runner cartoon — whether they know it or not. President Trump is the Road Runner. The Democrats are Wile E. Coyote. Wile always thinks he has Road Runner right where he wants him. But he never does. Road Runner outsmarts him every time. That’s Trump.
Remember the locker room video? It’s happening all over again.
Trump knows the upcoming elections in November and 2020 are about only two things: the economy and illegal immigration. That’s it. Nothing else matters.
Democrats are giddy over sex. Sorry, but didn’t your own Democrat president, Bill Clinton, prove about 20 years ago that elections are never about sex?
I was a regular guest back then on “Politically Incorrect” with Bill Maher. Bill and his guests were always squaring off with me about Bill Clinton’s sex life. Keep in mind, we were talking about sex with an intern in the oval office. Today, Bill Clinton would be ridden out of Washington on the third rail, tarred and feathered by liberal feminists.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/opinion-columns/wayne-allyn-root/commentary-democrats-overplay-their-hand-when-it-comes-to-donald-trump/
I have to disagree with the author...
Hypocritical Dumbocrats always find a way to overlook the dalliances of those scumbags with a -D after their names..
President Trump,
U.S., Mexico Said Poised to Reach Nafta Deal Soon as Monday
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2018/08/26/u-s-mexico-said-poised-to-reach-nafta-deal-as-soon-as-monday
Making America GREAT Again..
"America was never that great"
-Democrat Party
:^/
LB,
Lannie Davis replied "Never" to Chick Todd in response to the direct question of Cohen having been in Prague. I have to take Cohen's lawyer at his word.
I was wrong in my speculation, however legitimate it might have been at the time.
One has to wonder..
It's a fact that Lannie Davis, who you imply you trust implicitly, is tied at the hip to Hillary Clinton...
This begs the question..
Does this have anything to do with your sudden change of heart??
I mean, think about it..
Cohen denied he had ever been in Prague and you disputed that claim, based on NOTHING but NeverTrumpism...
Now that it's the CLINTON's attack pitbull that is saying Cohen was never in Prague, NOW you believe him....
Have you gone full on dark side???
Enquiring minds want to know...
President Trump
Nasdaq hits 8,000 for the first time as US and Mexico move closer to striking NAFTA deal
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/27/us-stocks-to-open-higher-after-powell-signals-further-rate-hikes.html
Making America GREAT again..
Seriously, people.. Where is all this gloom and doom ya'all SWORE up and down would occur if Trump was elected POTUS???
NO ONE is seeing it....
Were ya'all... WRONG?????
Well, apparently the FACTS prove ya'all were..
AGAIN....
Summer Snow Falling In Montana, Idaho And Wyoming
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/08/27/summer-snow-falling-in-northern-rockies/
Oh no!!!!
GLOBAL WARMING!!!!
AAAArrrrrggggghhhhh Run for your lives!!!!
:D
Exactly what comment did he make??
He was saying that, when you are rich, women throw themselves at you.. They **LET** you do anything...
That's all Trump said and I am sure it's factually accurate....
Trump told the truth as he knew it..
I have no doubt there are plenty of women that throw themselves at a rich turd like Trump, but Trump wasn’t talking about those women! He was talking about catching beautiful women off guard and assaulting them before they knew what hit them!
So why is it when these women complained that Trump did these things to them, they were liars???
They **LET** you do anything ..... when a bloated 300# orange whale surprises them, presses their 115# body against a wall and starts forcing his hands in their panties... They are “LETTING” him do that? He doesn’t give them time to comply! The fact they don’t fight him off isn’t them giving him permission; it’s FEAR!
Trump told the truth as he knew it
That’s a great attempt at saying “Trump’s lies are his ‘truth’!”, but it’s still bullsh*t! I hope you stretch before the mental gymnastics you have to do to come up with these defenses of Trump; you aren’t a 13 yo Romanian girl anymore!
I have no doubt there are plenty of women that throw themselves at a rich turd like Trump, but Trump wasn’t talking about those women!
For you to know that, you would have to be a mind-reader.. And yer not..
Ergo.. the *ONLY* logical and rational conclusion is that you are full of shit, brought about by your bigotry and hatred and intolerance..
He was talking about catching beautiful women off guard and assaulting them before they knew what hit them!
That's your SPIN of what Trump said..
So why is it when these women complained that Trump did these things to them, they were liars???
Funny how they are ALL financially supported by Democrats and all of them disappeared after the election..
Yea.. They were liars...
That’s a great attempt at saying “Trump’s lies are his ‘truth’!”,
How exactly is Trump describing gold-digging women accurately, is a lie???
Michale [80],
Trump calls reporters in so he can celebrate that one part of an unfinished trade agreement was agreed upon! YEAH!!! Now on to the other 50,000+ issues that still have to be ironed out! Wow, you really are desperate to find something Trump has done right, aren’t you?
It’s about as sad as his party celebrating the end of North Korea’s nuclear threat! It’s utter bullsh*t, but if we say it enough Trumpkins will accept it as the truth! FoxNews will not report on any story that paints North Korea as a threat until a Dem is back in the White House!
Your great “deal maker” has failed at every turn! His only true success was getting the Republican Congress to give a huge tax break to the wealthy — which is about as tough as convincing me to stop at KrispyKreme when the “HOT” light is on!!!
When he actually terminates NAFTA, call me. Until then, keep your celebration of every baby step the orange turd completes to yourself!
Trump calls reporters in so he can celebrate that one part of an unfinished trade agreement was agreed upon! YEAH!!! Now on to the other 50,000+ issues that still have to be ironed out! Wow, you really are desperate to find something Trump has done right, aren’t you?
That's nothing but spin...
I don't NEED to be desperate to find something PRESIDENT Trump has done right..
The unemployment figures ACROSS THE BOARD for ALL Americans is easy to point to..
When he actually terminates NAFTA, call me. Until then, keep your celebration of every baby step the orange turd completes to yourself!
It's getting REALLY annoying to you that **ALL** your fear mongering predictions about Trump's election were **ALL** nothing but complete and utter bullshit, eh? :D
I don't blame you...
If I had been so blatantly and unequivocally **WRONG** in EVERY SINGLE prediction I have made like ya'all have been??
I'de be pissy and bitchy too.. :D
Remember, Russ..
Ya'all are the Party of "America Has Never Been That Great"
And ya'all are being utterly and completely REJECTED by patriotic Americans by the tens of millions..
[81] It's a fact that Lannie Davis, who you imply you trust implicitly, is tied at the hip to Hillary Clinton...
No. I don't trust Lannie Davis implicitly. It has nothing to do with his relationships to either Clinton. I'm simply taking a spokes-lawyer at his word. Most lawyer's public statements are the truth as they know it at the time of the statement. He emphatically denied the Prague story. The source of his denial is Cohen's word, and Cohen is a confessed liar. Nonetheless, given the emphatic and specific public denial, I don't think the mission to Prague story should be held out unless there is evidence that he has lied about that, too.
I've had no change of heart, and no change of view on either Cohen or Trump. Long ago I had it driven home to me that the enemy of my enemy should never be assumed to be my friend.
Cohen is a crook known to have had EurAsian mob connections through family and associates. Only a thug talks like he did in the tape a journalist made of Cohen threatening him personally over published information unfavorable to Trump. He's also now a confessed felon, and I believe there are lots more to come.
Trump is my enemy in the sense that I see him a threat to the rule of law, and, in addition, a despicable creep like Cohen. I can't prove the former; the SC, SDNY, IRS, Treasury, main Justice, New York State, the Manhattan DA, and who knows what other investigations, will do that in due time.
Meanwhile, he demonstrates almost daily that he's a despicable human being, but that's not grounds to remove him from office. I believe it will be proven that in many ways he has failed to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Until then he remains the legitimately elected President.
No. I don't trust Lannie Davis implicitly. It has nothing to do with his relationships to either Clinton. I'm simply taking a spokes-lawyer at his word.
OK, so you would take Guiliani at his word as well?? :D
You see the point I am trying to make??
Meanwhile, he demonstrates almost daily that he's a despicable human being, but that's not grounds to remove him from office.
A point that needs to be made clear to the majority of commenters here..
I believe it will be proven that in many ways he has failed to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
In what manner??
I mean.. A roaring economy??
Massively low unemployment??
Massively increased approval ratings amongst minorities??
Our enemies fearing us once again??
What part is President Trump failing at??
Until then he remains the legitimately elected President.
Another point that needs to be made to the majority of commenters here..
STOCKS SMASH RECORD ON NEW NAFTA
TENSIONS WITH MEXICO EASE
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-nafta/u-s-mexico-reach-nafta-deal-talks-with-canada-to-start-immediately-idUSKCN1LC1E7
I have to ask again??
Where's the catastrophe??
Where's the decimation??
Where's the implosion??
Ya'all PROMISED that a Trump election would mean TOTAL and utter destruction of the US economy??
Where is it???
Maybe now, ya'all will just admit that it was bigoted and ideological hysteria talking and that ya'all were, truly, full of shit..
hmmmmmmmm???
[91] - In what manner [will (it) be proven that in many ways he has failed to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution] ??
Now you know full well the sentence you're questioning starts with "I believe..." In your best Joe Friday "just the facts, sir" you could rightly chew a hole in my leg over anything I would write.
None of the things you list change my belief, even as some of them might benefit me personally. Sometimes our enemies act in ways that benefit us. Just ask a lot of purple district Democrat congressional candidates.
The White House flag is now flying at half mast, as it should by policy on the day after the death of a member of Congress. At dawn today that flag flew at top mast, and that supports, for this day, my opinion that he's a despicable creep.
Now you know full well the sentence you're questioning starts with "I believe..." In your best Joe Friday "just the facts, sir" you could rightly chew a hole in my leg over anything I would write.
I could...
But I respect you too much to do so..
None of the things you list change my belief, even as some of them might benefit me personally.
It really has nothing to do with personal benefit...
It has to do with tangible benefit to this country...
Everyone here went hysterical that a Trump election would "destroy" this country, "decimate" this economy....
And yet, the country is stronger and the economy is exploding, in a good way..
They were wrong.. And, if they are wrong about something so fundamental, how do they have ANY credibility??
The White House flag is now flying at half mast, as it should by policy on the day after the death of a member of Congress. At dawn today that flag flew at top mast, and that supports, for this day, my opinion that he's a despicable creep.
I don't disagree....
But we hired President Trump to lead, not to be a good guy or a nice guy...
And his leadership has been pretty decent..
[93] - And his leadership has been pretty decent..
From the standpoint of conservative positions on economics and role of government, that is true. From the standpoint of conservative positions on the rule of law, I believe that to be false.
Sorry, but I have to run. We should return to this discussion.
From the standpoint of conservative positions on economics and role of government, that is true.
From the standpoint of every day patriotic Americans who are tired of being dumped on by political leaders who are SUPPOSED to care about the patriotic Americans and NOT about themselves..
Consider the headwinds President Trump has had to endure, his progress in making America GREAT again is nothing short of phenomenal...
From the standpoint of conservative positions on the rule of law, I believe that to be false.
Oh come now... The rule of law is no different than when Democrats ran things..
It's based on politics..
Where is the concern for the rule of law with Democrats??? The Podestas are in as deep as Manafort, yet I see no one here screaming for THEIR heads???
Mad Maxine has been voted *THE* most corrupt CongressCritter in Congress, yet she's a Rock Star amongst Weigantians...
So, please.. Please don't insult my intelligence by claiming all of this is about the "rule of law"... While I honestly believe that, for YOU, it is... The FACTS clearly show that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the "rule of law" and EVERYTHING to do with nullifying a free, fair and legal election...
When the Podestas are hauled away in chains, when Hillary is hauled away in chains, THEN I'll believe it's about the "rule of law"...
Not before...
Sorry, but I have to run. We should return to this discussion.
I would like that...
I think what is abundantly clear is, while President Trump *may* not be as awesome as I think he is, it's a bona fide FACT that he is not even CLOSE to being as bad as ya'all think he is..
I mean, back when Trump had a -D after his name, Democrats and Left Wingers LOVED him...
@m,
you voted for obama too. that's the way things go sometimes, you don't know what you've got til it's gone, so to speak. notwithstanding what actually did happen, mccain would have made an outstanding president.
JL
you voted for obama too.
That's true, Kit.. :D
that's the way things go sometimes, you don't know what you've got til it's gone, so to speak. notwithstanding what actually did happen, mccain would have made an outstanding president.
I completely agree.. Much better than Obama...
As I point out, if we had had President McCain, it's entirely likely we wouldn't have President Trump...
But, as you say... K sara sara....
Michale,
What has Trump actually done that has improved our economy? What program has he instituted that has boosted an area of the economy that was hurting? The markets were already performing strongly prior to his taking office.
This is one area where Trump’s lack of vision and his inability to get legislation passed have made him look great — the economy is still trucking along nicely! Credit him all you want for it, but the fact is he hasn’t done squat.
And his leadership has been pretty decent...
Wow! I have to give you credit for this line — I haven’t laughed this hard in a very long time! Pretty decent ??? More like Petty & deceitful!!!
What leadership has he displayed? Being surprised that a ICE agent of Latin heritage could speak perfect English? Ignoring the hard work and intel gathered by our intelligence agencies by accepting Putin’s version of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election in front of all the world?
How about attacking members of Mueller’s investigative team, who are doing the job that they do everyday for our country, as being crooked and involved in something nefarious? Or attacking the heads of every intelligence agency involved in authorizing the investigation into his campaign for doing their jobs? Is that the leadership you are talking about?
Or maybe you are referring to his claiming our media are “the enemy of the people” if they are critical of him? Trump claiming, “Fake news” anytime the media catches him being dishonest? Or is it his ever-changing story on his campaign’s ties to Russia and his violations of campaign finance laws to hide his affairs?
Leadership? Trump may be the worst president in terms of “leadership” this country has ever had!
Nice to see Donny Dingleberry lowering the flags again, took a hue and cry to force him to do so, but at least his head came out of his ass long enough to hear the uproar.
LL&P
Michale
70
Actually, it was McCain who put his own personal ego before country when he went against Trump...
Actually, it is very revealing indeed that you would whine about anyone else's "personal ego" when you worship at the alter of Cult45, the whiniest little "personal ego" with the thinnest skin to ever occupy the White House. Very telling indeed that when McCain wasn't a "party slave" and actually voted against Your Orange Worship that you'd declare it was him who had the problem. It wasn't remotely the first time McCain voted against his party over the years, and were he alive today and voting, I can assure you it wouldn't have been the last.
https://projects.propublica.org/represent/members/M000303/votes-against-party/115
Oh, sure. He's no Susan Collins who votes against her party on 2 out of 5 votes, but he's not exactly a "party slave" either.
It's glaringly obvious to anyone with two brain cells to rub together that the only problem you actually have with "party slavery" is when someone isn't being a slave in lockstep to your ideology and doesn't agree with Your Orange Worship.
McCain was notoriously thin-skinned and when he felt slighted, nothing else mattered but his ego..
Was he temperamental? Of course. But he wasn't thin-skinned. Perhaps you have simply confused McCain with Cadet Bone Spurs-Five Deferments-Coward-Treason Weasel Who Sold Out America To Russia Quid Pro Quo?
Thank you ever so much for proving yet again that you have no idea what you're talking about... as per usual. :)
What has Trump actually done that has improved our economy?
What did Obama actually do that "saved the economy"??...
How about attacking members of Mueller’s investigative team,
You mean, the Hillary sycophants???
who are doing the job that they do everyday for our country
They are not doing their job for our country..
They are doing their job for their Party at the EXPENSE of our country..
Leadership? Trump may be the worst president in terms of “leadership” this country has ever had!
Of course you would say that.. But the FACTS show that to be complete and utter bullshit..
Disclaimer: my view is that history shouldn't begin to rank a president until ten years after he or she leaves office. That said, i can only think of four or five who i believe have done worse jobs than Donald has so far. There's still hope though, and two to six years to improve.
*Note to future more savvy self, were I he...The Globe and Mail is a slyly written rag, in typical Canadian fashion, it may be a storied sheet, but it's hopelessly liberal and forever on point where Trump is concerned. Spend a bit more time reading and less time cherry picking your cut and paste's. Knowledge is power, it's not to be shunned in favour of a preconceived, unsupportable narrative. For that spin, the TO Star or Sun might be more your speed.
Food for thought, for a growing boy.
LL&P