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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

AG74683 said:
You know it's bad when party patsy Richard Burr is looking at Comey for testimony....

I'm fully expecting Trump to be out by the end of the year.
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While we can dream that he would be gone by then, I don't think there's a chance in He11 that will happen, especially with Republicans controlling the House and Senate. They are too much in love with the idea of somebody in the White House who will sign whatever they send him to risk it by starting impeachment proceedings or putting enough pressure on him to resign basically no matter what he has done or does.
 
Bubba said:
And they still would if Trump left.
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I think if Trump were to leave office, either forced or voluntarily, it would rip the party apart, remove much of the remaining confidence voters would have in the GOP, and be an utter disaster for the party in the midterm elections. However, I wouldn't be surprised if support for Trump within congress plummets after the midterms (regardless of which party controls the House and/or Senate) as Rs in the House and the Senate run away from him like rats from a sinking ship in order to put as much distance as possible between him and them during the 2020 elections.
 
Maister said:
I don't see how that's in the GOP's interests. Bear in mind they currently control all branches of the government.
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Let's not forget the impending 2018 mid-terms though. Right now, with this debacle on the new healthcare bill and the mounting Russia scandal, that control could flip. The GOP is fast losing supporters within their own party. The House is now effectively operating on a three party system, the Freedom Caucus is singlehandedly disrupting standard GOP operating procedure and votes can't be counted on the way they once were. Just look at the first GOP healthcare proposal. House democrats were absolutely convinced it was going through. Continuing to hitch the wagon to Trump spells doom for their longevity.
 
The Dems will probably win the House back. That's good. More gridlock. Of course DT has done a good job creating gridlock all by himself already so there's that to be thankful for. But the Dems don't get it. They (and Hillary) blame the election on everything except a shitty candidate and their message. The Dems will probably become the majority simply becasue they're the only thing on the ballot, not because anybody likes them.
 
If I were on the GOP thinktank I would love having tRump. If congress actually passes something he's dumb enough to sign anything. If it fails, you put the blame on him. The perfect patsy. If Mr. T leaves, Pence would take over and he's not as quick to sign everything in front of him and might actually expect something out of the rest of the party.
 
dvdneal said:
<snip>If Mr. T leaves, Pence would take over and he's not as quick to sign everything in front of him and might actually expect something out of the rest of the party.
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Pence will sign everything that comes to him from the farthest right wing of the Republican Party. He's exceptionally conservative. The middle or left wings of his party will be ignored, and more anti-Separation orders will get signed as Executive Orders.

I wonder why the Republican president said in the NBC interview that he has no ties to investment in or with Russia but asked the FBI director if he was being investigated. If I didn't drop the stinky fart, I know I don't have to ask forgiveness. I think Comey or the FBI was getting close to something the Republican president doesn't want the public to know.

He also referenced 'the Ukraine' in passing toward the end of the interview. He might not know, but that is a remnant of the Cold War USSR, and is an insult to Ukrainians. A fully-staffed professional State Department would have warned him ...
 
Gedunker said:
Pence will sign everything that comes to him from the farthest right wing of the Republican Party. He's exceptionally conservative. The middle or left wings of his party will be ignored, and more anti-Separation orders will get signed as Executive Orders.
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That's exactly why I think Trump's days are numbered. The GOP is fractured. No one's reporting on this, but there is a significant divide within the House, and the way to heal it is to erase Trump and get Pence in the drivers seat. Pence is a puppet. Approval ratings for Trump are nosediving, and by default he'll bring the rest of the party with him during the mid-terms. The party needs to toss him out of the White House and disguise it to the masses as "doing the right thing" or "protecting American interests". The support will swing back towards the GOP and they may hold out through the mid-terms.
 
"James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press." - President Donald J. Trump
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Okay, I haven't been happy with many of the things Trump has done, but all of these things were fulfillment of his campaign promises. These weren't blind side things.

But this crosses the line. There's no going back now.
 
I love watching the coverage between Fox and other news sources. Comey was fired! Yeah! It's a good thing to make America better. Comey was fired! WTF!!
 
This love for Comey cracks me up. It won't do a thing to disrupt the Russia investigation. He's not personally investigating a thing. He's an empty suit. But really, this is the same doofus who put the nefarious Martha Stewart in jail when he was US Attorney. Then he was on the board of directors of HSBC laundering money for Mexican drug cartels. He's a political hack. No more, no less.
 
WAKE UP SHEEPLE!!!

http://www.epi.org/productivity-pay...-58312797&mc_cid=54f5cc5f0a&mc_eid=7ae3546b2f

WAPK0RS.png
 
If a democrat - any democrat and not just HRC - had done the things tRump has been doing, the republicans would be screaming bloody murder loudly and proudly.

Just sayin'
 
Planit said:
If a democrat - any democrat and not just HRC - had done the things tRump has been doing, the republicans would be screaming bloody murder loudly and proudly.

Just sayin'
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I totally agree. I am disappointed that the GOP has not ousted this idiot yet. I really hope that someone (a republican preferably) is gathering the required data to proceed with impeachment. My only guess is that they will wait until next summer to do it to get points from the American People right before a midterm election.
 
AIB to JNA


pResident tRump used the commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy to lament how badly he's treated and how the media fuels hatred. First I was kinda surprised that he did the commencement speech there because he was proposing a substantial cut to the CG budget, but that's something else.

It reminded me of when I went to my nephew's graduation commencement at The Citadel and Rudy Giuliani used the opportunity as a presidential campaign speech (& said 9/11 about every 15th word). Poor taste. Its about those young men and women; not you stupid.
 
Planit said:
AIB to JNA
pResident tRump used the commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy.....he was proposing a substantial cut to the CG budget, but that's something else.
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Here is a another good example of flip-flopping

Trump pledges to build Coast Guard icebreakers, but it's unclear how different his plan is from Obama's
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...s-plan-is-than-obamas/?utm_term=.a9478ce120e3

"Out of the five branches of our armed services, it's only the Coast Guard that has the power to break through 21 feet of rock-solid Arctic ice, right?" he said,
drawing applause.
"You're the only ones.
And I'm proud to say that under my administration, as you just heard, we will be building the first new heavy icebreakers the United States has seen in over 40 years. We're going to build many of them."
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I envision a political cartoon

tRump is busily tying a rope around his neck as he falls all akimbo into an abyss. All of his lies, exaggerations, scandals, and what not are flowing out of the abyss. "FLYNN" "INAUGURATION CROWD" "KELLYANNE" "RUSSIA" 'PRIME THE PUMP" "CODENAME CLASSIFIED INTEL" "COMEY" "ERDOGAN" and on and on. Meanwhile, McConnell and Ryan are standing on the edge of the abyss watching. They don't see that the rope tRump is using to hang himself is about to spiral around them and drag them down too.

If only were a political cartoonist.:D
 
Lol Joe Liberman front runner for the FBI Director position?

I literally thought Liberman was dead. He seems like an odd choice.
 
AG74683 said:
Lol Joe Liberman front runner for the FBI Director position?

I literally thought Liberman was dead. He seems like an odd choice.
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Or Merrick Garland. You know, that guy who isn't worthy to be in the SC or even to get a vote.

Sigh. The Republicans (particularly the leadership at this point), is just making themselves look very stupid.

Although I do have to say I enjoy when things get blamed on Obama. So many times they said don't blame things on Bush, he isn't the President!!! But now?

I love politics. I really hope that Trump is the straw that breaks the camels back. I don't want to wait 10 years for the demographics to win.
 
Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/trump-russia-comey.html?_r=0

President Trump told Russian officials in the Oval Office this month that firing the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, had relieved “great pressure” on him, according to a document summarizing the meeting.

“I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut job,” Mr. Trump said, according to the document, which was read to The New York Times by an American official. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off.”

The White House document that contained Mr. Trump’s comments was based on notes taken from inside the Oval Office and has been circulated as the official account of the meeting.

One official read quotations to The Times, and a second official confirmed the broad outlines of the discussion.
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WTF :-c :-o 8-!
 
To the people who are flipping out over the people who walked out of the ND graduation because VP Mike Pence was the speaker.... Get over it.

Regardless If you like the guy or not, who you voted for, it is their right to express their opinion. Granted I think it is a bit foolish, but at least they were not blocking a road or preventing him from speaking. They were not calling for harm, and they were not being disruptive. They just stood up and walked out.

Personally, I would have stayed to listen because I believe it is better to learn from everyone.
 
michaelskis said:
To the people who are flipping out over the people who walked out of the ND graduation because VP Mike Pence was the speaker.... Get over it.

Regardless If you like the guy or not, who you voted for, it is their right to express their opinion. Granted I think it is a bit foolish, but at least they were not blocking a road or preventing him from speaking. They were not calling for harm, and they were not being disruptive. They just stood up and walked out.

Personally, I would have stayed to listen because I believe it is better to learn from everyone.
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People have a right to do what they please. With that said, what do they think that shows? Do you think Pence now is going to go home and be sad about it? Do you think he will change his archaic views on the world? Come on. Although they have a right, it is just being petty. All they are doing is showing that they aren't able to disagree with him. They are showing that they are just as bad as he is.

I would much rather have the Berkley kids listen to Ann Coulter and disagree with her world view, then silence her. Let her talk and prove she is horrible. Don't let her use that as a talking point in the future.

We need to move away from the emotionally hurt society that we seem to be, and actually do things that change our environment. Holding hands around a pond to show people how we care about the environment does nothing. It makes us feel good. Unfortunately that is meaningless these days. Action is what is necessary. Vote. Volunteer. Invest. Actually do something that makes a change.
 
Hink said:
People have a right to do what they please. With that said, what do they think that shows? Do you think Pence now is going to go home and be sad about it? Do you think he will change his archaic views on the world? Come on. Although they have a right, it is just being petty. All they are doing is showing that they aren't able to disagree with him. They are showing that they are just as bad as he is.

I would much rather have the Berkley kids listen to Ann Coulter and disagree with her world view, then silence her. Let her talk and prove she is horrible. Don't let her use that as a talking point in the future.

We need to move away from the emotionally hurt society that we seem to be, and actually do things that change our environment. Holding hands around a pond to show people how we care about the environment does nothing. It makes us feel good. Unfortunately that is meaningless these days. Action is what is necessary. Vote. Volunteer. Invest. Actually do something that makes a change.
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Excellent post.

But we as a society always want to act so butt hurt about everything. It's much easier to go to change.org or some other social media B.S. site and tell the world how upset you are than actually do anything about it. The whole country is screwed up. I hear people on the news say they don't "feel safe" because there are some Confederate monuments in their town. Are you freaking serious?! You don't say a GD word about the criminals roaming your neighborhood and killing your family and friends but a statue makes you unconfortable? The list goes on and on.
 
MD Planner said:
But we as a society always want to act so butt hurt about everything. It's much easier to go to change.org or some other social media B.S. site and tell the world how upset you are than actually do anything about it. The whole country is screwed up.
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BINGO!

I think it carries over to so many other areas than just politics too. Sometimes I wonder if people are 'outraged' just because their lives are so empty that they feel the need to transfer that anger into something that will help them feel like they are actually part of something. It is sad that in today's society, being against something is the 'cool' thing to do.

Perhaps it would be better if people were for something... like a real leader getting elected in 3 1/2 years.


As for Hink's post, I think it comes down to sociological norms. Would you disrupt a concert because the signer was performing a song that you didn't like? The fact that there is national media attention on the ND Graduation shows that they did send a message. Granted Pence does not care, but still. It does say something.
 
michaelskis said:
As for Hink's post, I think it comes down to sociological norms. Would you disrupt a concert because the signer was performing a song that you didn't like? The fact that there is national media attention on the ND Graduation shows that they did send a message. Granted Pence does not care, but still. It does say something.
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I'm fine with what they did. What I would have preferred, however and to Hink's point, is that they turn their chairs around with their backs facing Pence. It would have still gotten a ton of coverage, which was the obvious & successful goal. But they would have also sat and listened to an opposing view, which I think is important.

I would argue this was an action, however small.
 
Planit said:
Well at least this maybe a start...

Supreme Court strikes down NC gerrymandered districts:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...-down-north-carolina-maps-congress/100855582/
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This is good news!

For a while now, we have been talking about Trump and the Republicans. But they are not the only dog in the fight. There is little doubt that unless Trump shapes up, the Democrats will win big in 2018... but what about 2020.

Has the Bernie/ Hillary division resulted in a fractured party? Will the democrats front another big business, foreign investment candidate like Hillary? Or will there be a second round for the young outside thinkers that backed Bernie? I don't think that Bernie will run again, but is there someone with the same frame of mind that might make a go of it?
 
michaelskis said:
This is good news!

For a while now, we have been talking about Trump and the Republicans. But they are not the only dog in the fight. There is little doubt that unless Trump shapes up, the Democrats will win big in 2018... but what about 2020.

Has the Bernie/ Hillary division resulted in a fractured party? Will the democrats front another big business, foreign investment candidate like Hillary? Or will there be a second round for the young outside thinkers that backed Bernie? I don't think that Bernie will run again, but is there someone with the same frame of mind that might make a go of it?
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You will see a candidate with some legit populist/outsider backbone, but that is able to communicate effectively with big business issues. They'll have economic credibility, hit key populist issues, etc., but they'll be approachable enough that they don't have to fight the "nutty professor" vibe that Sanders can give off.

Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Count me as a fan of hers pretty much from the moment she entered the Senate. She is popular, progressive but also practical in her approach. Her personality and midwestern attitudes will resonate well in the rust belt and heartland. She is incredibly funny--potentially funnier than Al Franken. It is a big reason she is well-liked in Minnesota. She has excellent knowledge on health care, which will be a major issue in the next election. She is really good with the press & very accessible to them. She has strong consumer-protection credibility even though she had campaign donations from big Minnesota businesses (I think they view her as fair & open, rather than as an enemy). But here is what I think really works for her, despite being elected a solid 11 years ago... Her house is a modest 2-story in an older working-class neighborhood in Minneapolis. Their finances include their 401(k)s, a college fund for her daughter, rent a modest house in Arlington, at least until a few years ago were driving 10-year-old cars, have no income producing properties/businesses and no stock ownership beyond 401(k) or 529 plans. That is about as normal as you'll find for a politician. She has a good bit of Elizabeth Warren in her, except I think Amy does a much better job of explaining progressive policy positions in a manner that is approachable to the public and does so in a much more positive tone. Also, she ranks first in the Senate for her ability to get bills passed--she is effective in getting shit done and clearly has the relationships to enact a Presidential agenda.

John Hickenlooper of Colorado
Somewhat similar to Klobuchar in terms of personality/attitude, which will resonate for similar reasons. Doesn't have her sense of humor, but that's okay as long as he doesn't try to pretend he does. I think he is capable of playing the populist card due to some of his policy positions. Colorado has become this pretty cool experiment in effective policy making... marijuana policy, a really effective program reducing unwanted pregnancies, strong & diverse economy... and his name is really fun to say. I also have a personal preference toward pulling candidates from state governors because they have stronger experience in managing/navigating bureaucracies and working with legislatures from the outside.
 
As much as I hate Ariana Grande, the Manchester attack is horrific and I pray for the 22 dead and for Britain, that this doesnt bolster the UK right.

Lol @ Trump in the Middle East.
 
Hmmmm

Suburb Repairman said:
You will see a candidate with some legit populist/outsider backbone, but that is able to communicate effectively with big business issues. They'll have economic credibility, hit key populist issues, etc., but they'll be approachable enough that they don't have to fight the "nutty professor" vibe that Sanders can give off.

Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Count me as a fan of hers pretty much from the moment she entered the Senate. She is popular, progressive but also practical in her approach. Her personality and midwestern attitudes will resonate well in the rust belt and heartland. She is incredibly funny--potentially funnier than Al Franken. It is a big reason she is well-liked in Minnesota. She has excellent knowledge on health care, which will be a major issue in the next election. She is really good with the press & very accessible to them. She has strong consumer-protection credibility even though she had campaign donations from big Minnesota businesses (I think they view her as fair & open, rather than as an enemy). But here is what I think really works for her, despite being elected a solid 11 years ago... Her house is a modest 2-story in an older working-class neighborhood in Minneapolis. Their finances include their 401(k)s, a college fund for her daughter, rent a modest house in Arlington, at least until a few years ago were driving 10-year-old cars, have no income producing properties/businesses and no stock ownership beyond 401(k) or 529 plans. That is about as normal as you'll find for a politician. She has a good bit of Elizabeth Warren in her, except I think Amy does a much better job of explaining progressive policy positions in a manner that is approachable to the public and does so in a much more positive tone. Also, she ranks first in the Senate for her ability to get bills passed--she is effective in getting shit done and clearly has the relationships to enact a Presidential agenda.

John Hickenlooper of Colorado
Somewhat similar to Klobuchar in terms of personality/attitude, which will resonate for similar reasons. Doesn't have her sense of humor, but that's okay as long as he doesn't try to pretend he does. I think he is capable of playing the populist card due to some of his policy positions. Colorado has become this pretty cool experiment in effective policy making... marijuana policy, a really effective program reducing unwanted pregnancies, strong & diverse economy... and his name is really fun to say. I also have a personal preference toward pulling candidates from state governors because they have stronger experience in managing/navigating bureaucracies and working with legislatures from the outside.
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Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii may rise to the level of interest by then.
https://goo.gl/ZE5WIj

and
Kamala Harris from California
https://goo.gl/r6TE68
 
Ben Carson Calls Poverty a ‘State of Mind,’ Igniting a Backlash
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/25/us/politics/ben-carson-poverty-hud-state-of-mind.html?_r=0

“
You take somebody that has the right mind-set, you can take everything from them and put them on the street, and I guarantee in a little while they’ll be right back up there.”

He added that helping people may not better their lives.

“You take somebody with the wrong mind-set, you can give them everything in the world — they’ll work their way right back down to the bottom,” Mr. Carson said.
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michaelskis said:
Yea... what would he know about it. He only grew up in inner city Detroit to a single mother in poverty. :r:
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Fair enough. So he should know better. The idea that he can relate to inner city kids, when he was part of the 1% of success stories is cute, but obviously he doesn't remember his rough upbringing. Or he is misremembering something.

Carson is the most unqualified Secretary of anything in a long time. I guess that is why Trump wants to cut all the programs that he oversees..... ;)
 
Hink said:
Carson is the most unqualified Secretary of anything in a long time. I guess that is why Trump wants to cut all the programs that he oversees..... ;)
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That's exactly why he put these buffoons in the Secretary spots, because they're too stupid to know what damage these cuts will do to their departments. Alternatively, they're too spineless to fight the cuts.
 
Hink said:
Fair enough. So he should know better. The idea that he can relate to inner city kids, when he was part of the 1% of success stories is cute, but obviously he doesn't remember his rough upbringing. Or he is misremembering something.
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Have you read his book Gifted Hands? He goes into explicit detail how bad his childhood was... he also goes through what he did, and what his mother made him do, to get out of that situation. It is not cute, it is because of hard work and determination. He was resourceful to get the resources that he needed instead of just accepting the limitations around him. Whats 'cute' is that because you don't agree with him, you diminish his achievement and struggles to achieve what he has.

Having said that, he should not be the HUD director anymore than I should be a surgeon.
 
michaelskis said:
Have you read his book Gifted Hands? He goes into explicit detail how bad his childhood was... he also goes through what he did, and what his mother made him do, to get out of that situation. It is not cute, it is because of hard work and determination. He was resourceful to get the resources that he needed instead of just accepting the limitations around him. Whats 'cute' is that because you don't agree with him, you diminish his achievement and struggles to achieve what he has.

Having said that, he should not be the HUD director anymore than I should be a surgeon.
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I could never diminish his achievements (okay I could). He's that rare person that has such a strong work ethic that nothing will stop him. He's a brilliant surgeon. If I had any kind of problem I would want him cutting on me. If I lived in poverty, I wouldn't want him helping me. I understand what he's trying to say. People with drive will make something of themselves. Others will fall to the bottom. What he leaves out is that there are some people, who with some guidance, can become productive members of society rather than living off the system like he seems to think so many people do. I think it just comes down to the idea that such a smart man should find a better way to express ideas. Except about pyramids and grain storage. Please don't ever express those ideas again.
 
JNA said:
Texas competing for WTH were they thinking -

Texas Teachers Give Student 'Most Likely To Become A Terrorist' Award
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...udent-most-likely-to-become-a-terrorist-award
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I wish we had that in my HS, but in jest. it would have been Hilarious.

Also, I heard on the news Joe Lieberman *was* being considered as FBI Director, whuuuut?!?

Trump called his little Mideast/European vacation "a home run", meanwhile the other 6 of the G7 are laughing at us.
 
michaelskis said:
Have you read his book Gifted Hands? He goes into explicit detail how bad his childhood was... he also goes through what he did, and what his mother made him do, to get out of that situation. It is not cute, it is because of hard work and determination. He was resourceful to get the resources that he needed instead of just accepting the limitations around him. Whats 'cute' is that because you don't agree with him, you diminish his achievement and struggles to achieve what he has.

Having said that, he should not be the HUD director anymore than I should be a surgeon.
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The problem with his comment is not some sense of entitlement or even hubris. It is that he doesn't apply science to his own statement. Likewise, does he REALLY understand what his mother did to get him through childhood? This isn't a snide comment... I have a friend whose story is not unlike Carson's. He is in his early 50s now, and is still learning things about what his mother did to get by and get him to better opportunities, and how they ended-up in that situation to start with. Carson wasn't the one truly living the sacrificial effort to lift his family up--it was his mother. She is the one that positioned him so that his work ethic could reach the surface. I've read Carson's book and I'm not sure he actually understands what it took and the government programs involved that helped to create an environment in which his mother could create better opportunities for him. Carson knows he is an anomaly, so his first scientific instinct should be to ask why he was an anomaly, instead of assuming everyone can do the same thing.

Instead, his comment sounds like somebody that has listened to an audiobook of "The Secret" one too many times and is a baptized believer in the blasphemous prosperity gospel.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
The problem with his comment is not some sense of entitlement or even hubris. It is that he doesn't apply science to his own statement. Likewise, does he REALLY understand what his mother did to get him through childhood? This isn't a snide comment... I have a friend whose story is not unlike Carson's. He is in his early 50s now, and is still learning things about what his mother did to get by and get him to better opportunities, and how they ended-up in that situation to start with. Carson wasn't the one truly living the sacrificial effort to lift his family up--it was his mother. She is the one that positioned him so that his work ethic could reach the surface. I've read Carson's book and I'm not sure he actually understands what it took and the government programs involved that helped to create an environment in which his mother could create better opportunities for him. Carson knows he is an anomaly, so his first scientific instinct should be to ask why he was an anomaly, instead of assuming everyone can do the same thing.

Instead, his comment sounds like somebody that has listened to an audiobook of "The Secret" one too many times and is a baptized believer in the blasphemous prosperity gospel.
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No the problem is there are too many people of all races and gender that do have an entitlement mentality. They feel they "deserve" something that they have not worked hard for. That is not equality.

Don't get me wrong, there is still racism, sexism, and class warfare in this country. I am not going to pretend that there isn't. But handouts and special exceptions are not the way to create equality, as it often results in resenent from one side and unrealistic expectations from the other side.

There are thousands and thousands of these abnormalities in the US. Not all of them become doctors, lawyers, or billionaires. Most rise up to be upper middle class living lives much like you and I. But their journey was not as easy as ours but they persisted and demanded that they achieve their potentential.

I agree that is speech was a little too new age for my taste, but much of what he said is consistent with how people like Oprah was able to do what they did. But in addition to the positive thinking, it takes a crap load of hard work.
 
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