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RainMaker 08-08-2018 10:58 PM

America First

https://www.newsweek.com/betsy-devos...merica-1061960

Lathum 08-09-2018 05:51 AM

Quote:

If the vessel was registered in, say, Grand Rapids, Michigan—the state where RDV is located and that has in the past made an effort to compel yacht owners to pay use taxes—the Seaquest would likely be subject to Michigan’s 6 percent use tax. That would require the DeVos empire to cough up about $2.4 million: public revenues that help finance the kind of police services that the DeVos yacht crew called when the boat was untied. With the Cayman flag fluttering on its deck, the family can avoid the levy even as it cruises the Great Lakes.

or, ya know, provide clean water for Flint citizens.

PilotMan 08-09-2018 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker (Post 3214169)



Because avoiding taxes at all costs is the trump way to do things? Lets look at example M, Manafort.

stevew 08-09-2018 01:23 PM

2 words...Space Force!

Edward64 08-09-2018 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew (Post 3214220)
2 words...Space Force!


Where can I sign up?

Thomkal 08-09-2018 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew (Post 3214220)
2 words...Space Force!



Two different words came to mind, but I don't want to be banned :) Just a totally stupid waste of money for a threat that is not and may never be there,

ISiddiqui 08-09-2018 03:14 PM

Well we just can't pay for universal healthcare. Do you know how much it wou... hey look Space Force! Let's spend bucketloads of money and do that!

NobodyHere 08-09-2018 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew (Post 3214220)
2 words...Space Force!


I was hoping for Mega Force. :(


Atocep 08-09-2018 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui (Post 3214231)
Well we just can't pay for universal healthcare. Do you know how much it wou... hey look Space Force! Let's spend bucketloads of money and do that!


This administration will detain alien children from every corner of the galaxy.

RainMaker 08-09-2018 05:35 PM

LOL

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/09/polit...ens/index.html

Edward64 08-10-2018 08:39 AM

Didn't know much about this until today. Trump is an equal-opportunity offender re: economic warfare.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/10/turk...-convert-.html
Quote:

The Turkish lira added to its steep losses on Friday, hitting a fresh record low, after President Donald Trump authorized the doubling of metals tariffs on Turkey.

The lira traded down 14 percent against the U.S. dollar at 6.26 after Trump made the comment in a tweet.
I have just authorized a doubling of Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum with respect to Turkey as their currency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar! Aluminum will now be 20% and Steel 50%. Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!
Trump's tweet came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked citizens to convert their dollars and other foreign currencies as well as gold holdings to local lira.

"Change the euros, the dollars and the gold that you are keeping beneath your pillows into lira at our banks. This is a domestic and national struggle," Erdogan said, according to an Associated Press translation.

Erdogan said Turkey was facing an "economic war" and noted the country would respond to those countries who had started it.

Turkish stocks also fell on Friday as the iShares MSCI Turkey ETF dropped 13.8 percent. The ETF was already down 42.3 percent this year prior to Friday's losses.

The sharp drop in Turkish assets came after a delegation returned from Washington with no apparent progress on the detention of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, who is charged with supporting a group blamed for an attempted coup in 2016.

Ksyrup 08-10-2018 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew (Post 3214220)
2 words...Space Force!




Edward64 08-10-2018 08:49 AM

Its fascinating to me that China has built artificial islands. Without regards to the political and military issues, I think its pretty cool idea on its own. The engineering to do it must be amazing.

With regards to the political and military issues, don't see either side backing down. China has those islands now and they won't ever leave. A reoccurring hot spot for years to come.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/10/polit...ntl/index.html
Quote:

On Subi Reef, the Poseidon's sensors picked up 86 vessels, including Chinese coast guard ships, moored in a giant lagoon, while on Fiery Cross Reef rows of hangers stood alongside a lengthy runway.

"It was surprising to see airports in the middle of the ocean," said Lt. Lauren Callen, who was leading the air combat crew aboard the Navy flight.

Each time the aircraft was challenged by Chinese military, the US Navy crew's response was the same.

"I am a sovereign immune United States naval aircraft conducting lawful military activities beyond the national airspace of any coastal state," the response said.

"In exercising these rights guaranteed by international law, I am operating with due regard for the rights and duties of all states."

Maybe we can do similar. Work with Qatar, Dubai etc. (whoever is friendly enough) and build an artificial island 14 miles (or is it 28 miles) away from any coast in the Gulf area. Save us money on a carrier fleet.

Edward64 08-10-2018 09:28 AM

Even though she seems to claim otherwise about it not being about "race or ethnicity", I'm pretty sure Fox/she wouldn't be as vocal if it was all white immigrants from Europe.

I think she should just have stuck with illegal immigration and left the legal immigration part out of it. The legal part can be address with legislature (if your party is in power) and IMO we should gladly welcome and encourage the "brain drain" from other countries into the US.

White anxiety finds a home at Fox News
Quote:

"The America we know and love doesn't exist anymore," Ingraham said Wednesday night. "Massive demographic changes have been foisted on the American people, and they are changes that none of us ever voted for, and most of us don't like."

Ingraham said "this is related to both illegal and legal immigration."
:
In a part of the commentary that didn't circulate widely on social media, Ingraham said, "There is something slipping away in this country and it's not about race or ethnicity. It's what was once a common understanding by both parties that American citizenship is a privilege, and one that at a minimum requires respect for the rule of law and loyalty to our constitution."

But Ingraham's critics said her "not about race" line didn't negate her inflammatory lament about "massive demographic changes."


jeff061 08-10-2018 12:25 PM

1 step closer to Republicans actually understanding the real reason they support their party.

Lathum 08-10-2018 12:35 PM

Loyalty to our constitution, yet they bow down to a president who has waged war with the media.

Thomkal 08-10-2018 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum (Post 3214301)
Loyalty to our constitution, yet they bow down to a president who has waged war with the media.



And who has done everything he can to sidestep the Constitution.

RainMaker 08-10-2018 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward64 (Post 3214291)
Even though she seems to claim otherwise about it not being about "race or ethnicity", I'm pretty sure Fox/she wouldn't be as vocal if it was all white immigrants from Europe.

I think she should just have stuck with illegal immigration and left the legal immigration part out of it. The legal part can be address with legislature (if your party is in power) and IMO we should gladly welcome and encourage the "brain drain" from other countries into the US.

White anxiety finds a home at Fox News


Ingraham has been a white nationalist for some time. Look through her Twitter before she got the full-time Fox News gig. Tucker's been on the verge of busting out the 14 words.

My issue is the bullshit denial. If that's what you believe, so be it. Don't turn into a coward when someone calls you on it. Stand up for your fucking beliefs.

SackAttack 08-10-2018 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NobodyHere (Post 3214239)
I was hoping for Mega Force. :(


MAGA Force?

Thomkal 08-10-2018 03:16 PM

Russia investigation: Roger Stone associate Andrew Miller held in contempt - The Washington Post

Thomkal 08-10-2018 03:23 PM

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...mpression=true


Trump jr shares fake approval rating on Instagram

Thomkal 08-10-2018 07:04 PM

So the DNC was forced to serve WikiLeaks in their lawsuit against it, via Twitter because they had no other way. And judge allowed it:


DNC serves WikiLeaks with lawsuit via Twitter - CBS News

stevew 08-10-2018 09:07 PM

Okay back to space force...

If we're at the point where we are actually fighting aliens I can't see how some space Troopers are actually going to protect us. If they have the type of engineering that they can come to our solar system they are at least four or five hundred years ahead of us in technology and can completely destroy our pitiful race.

So I guess I don't get the point. This means probably that Trump has gotten actual information that aliens exist and he's attempting to put this plan into action to save us. Which is stupid, unless there's some garbage aliens. Or space Force will just be another government military welfare program. Contractors will get paid and the taxpayers will support the unnecessary contractors and the unnecessary people in the service of that branch

CU Tiger 08-10-2018 10:13 PM

Or, space force could fight earth enemies launching satellite based attacks?

NobodyHere 08-10-2018 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SackAttack (Post 3214317)
MAGA Force?



JPhillips 08-10-2018 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger (Post 3214353)
Or, space force could fight earth enemies launching satellite based attacks?


We aren't close to having technology to stop satellite launched missiles and even if we were the Air Force already has a space command.

But we;ll start with some branded Trump merchandise and the grift will continue to grow from there.

stevew 08-10-2018 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger (Post 3214353)
Or, space force could fight earth enemies launching satellite based attacks?


Do we really need to devote hundreds billions of dollars to this though?

PilotMan 08-10-2018 10:51 PM

Yeah, the money that that this requires is nowhere to be found. Seriously, we're already talking about military funding stretching the annual budget, how is this going to make that any better? I know there's a ton of 'black' money off the books for the military already. We don't just overpay for hammers for nothing. It's been going on literally forever, but this is a new, on the books expense, headed up by the pentagon, and I still don't know why this wouldn't simply be under the purview of the Air Force. Doesn't really make any sense. We can do all kinds of R&D underground in Nevada, and launch all kinds of things, why go through the process of an on the books, incredibly expensive military expansion? I'm beginning to think that there's something to this whole 'perpetual war' plan.

Edward64 08-11-2018 06:38 AM

Don't think she has a lot of credibility and even if the N-word accusation is true, it won't impact much. She claims to have other tapes, hopefully those contain something more interesting.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...n-word-n899581
Quote:

Omarosa Manigault Newman, the former "Apprentice" contestant who became a White House aide, says in her new book that President Donald Trump is a "racist" who used the N-word — and tried to silence her with money and legal threats.

In her upcoming tell-all book entitled "Unhinged," to be published next week and obtained by NBC News directly from the publisher, Newman alleges that Trump was caught on a microphone saying the N-word "multiple times" during the filming of "The Apprentice," and says there is a tape to prove her allegation.

Newman wrote that she did not hear Trump use the slur, nor has she listened to the alleged tape. She cites three sources as having told her of the existence of the tape and what Trump says on it.
:
Newman, who NBC News reported was dismissed from her White House role, wrote, "It had finally sunk in that the person I'd thought I'd known so well for so long was actually a racist. Using the N-word was not just the way he talks but, more disturbing, it was how he thought of me and African-Americans as a whole." She says she left the White House job on her own.:
:
Earlier this week, The Daily Beast reported that she also secretly recorded conversations with the president and used that as leverage to get her book deal.

Ben E Lou 08-11-2018 06:40 AM

Either she knew he was a racist who used the n-word and supported him in his run for the White House, or she is lying about him using the n-word.





Either way, bye, Felicia.

Edward64 08-11-2018 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotMan (Post 3214358)
Yeah, the money that that this requires is nowhere to be found. Seriously, we're already talking about military funding stretching the annual budget, how is this going to make that any better? I know there's a ton of 'black' money off the books for the military already. We don't just overpay for hammers for nothing. It's been going on literally forever, but this is a new, on the books expense, headed up by the pentagon, and I still don't know why this wouldn't simply be under the purview of the Air Force. Doesn't really make any sense. We can do all kinds of R&D underground in Nevada, and launch all kinds of things, why go through the process of an on the books, incredibly expensive military expansion? I'm beginning to think that there's something to this whole 'perpetual war' plan.


The Robert A Heinlein in me wants to support this Space Force.

So far they are asking for $8B for next year and who knows for the future. The budget will obviously grow but if the public really doesn't like it, they'll have a chance to stop it in mid-terms and next Presidential election.

As for why not the Air Force? The equivalence I see are companies that keep incubation projects separate from rest of company which leaves behind the baggage, fosters creativity and new ways of thinking. I don't know if this is what Trump is thinking but its not an outrageous request to me. TBH, I could go either way here.

The bottom line to me is - other countries (e.g. China) will likely go there (if not already) and if we need the $8B for the initial planning year, I'm good with it and rather be ahead of the curve.

Re: perpetual war, I was thinking yesterday after reading about Turkey that Trump is fighting a "perpetual economic war". Trump is playing with Turkey (and China and Canada and EU and Russia) and he is engaging in constant economic warfare.

Butter 08-11-2018 07:34 AM

Naming the book UNHINGED probably doesn't help.

Bee 08-11-2018 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward64 (Post 3214376)
The Robert A Heinlein in me wants to support this Space Force.

So far they are asking for $8B for next year and who knows for the future. The budget will obviously grow but if the public really doesn't like it, they'll have a chance to stop it in mid-terms and next Presidential election.

As for why not the Air Force? The equivalence I see are companies that keep incubation projects separate from rest of company which leaves behind the baggage, fosters creativity and new ways of thinking. I don't know if this is what Trump is thinking but its not an outrageous request to me. TBH, I could go either way here.

The bottom line to me is - other countries (e.g. China) will likely go there (if not already) and if we need the $8B for the initial planning year, I'm good with it and rather be ahead of the curve.

Re: perpetual war, I was thinking yesterday after reading about Turkey that Trump is fighting a "perpetual economic war". Trump is playing with Turkey (and China and Canada and EU and Russia) and he is engaging in constant economic warfare.


I don't have any problem with "Space Force" but Trump has divided the nation to the point that most of those who support him will support anything he does and most of those who oppose him will oppose anything he does. If Obama had been the one that came out with this idea and it had been presented to the public in the "normal" way, it would have received a lot more support from the mainstream media and the left but then the right would have complained about how it's wasteful government spending.

JPhillips 08-11-2018 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bee (Post 3214378)
I don't have any problem with "Space Force" but Trump has divided the nation to the point that most of those who support him will support anything he does and most of those who oppose him will oppose anything he does. If Obama had been the one that came out with this idea and it had been presented to the public in the "normal" way, it would have received a lot more support from the mainstream media and the left but then the right would have complained about how it's wasteful government spending.


That framing is based on a faulty assumption. No other administration, Dem or GOP, would have made a decision in this manner. We don't know why Trump started talking about a space force, maybe a donor fed him the idea or he saw something on television or it came to him in the shower, but we do know that there was no decision making process. There were no meetings, no threat assessments, no resource allocation studies. Trump just started talking about a space force at rallies.

The initial Pentagon response was, we don't know what he's talking about. Later, multiple reports say Pentagon officials mostly believe this is not needed and wasteful. Even after Pence announced the creation of Space Force there isn't a mission or parameters on responsibilities.

So you can't say if a Dem... because if a Dem had suggested this, or a different Rep, it would have a foundation of study behind it to support the creation of a sixth branch.

Bee 08-11-2018 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPhillips (Post 3214389)
That framing is based on a faulty assumption. No other administration, Dem or GOP, would have made a decision in this manner. We don't know why Trump started talking about a space force, maybe a donor fed him the idea or he saw something on television or it came to him in the shower, but we do know that there was no decision making process. There were no meetings, no threat assessments, no resource allocation studies. Trump just started talking about a space force at rallies.

The initial Pentagon response was, we don't know what he's talking about. Later, multiple reports say Pentagon officials mostly believe this is not needed and wasteful. Even after Pence announced the creation of Space Force there isn't a mission or parameters on responsibilities.

So you can't say if a Dem... because if a Dem had suggested this, or a different Rep, it would have a foundation of study behind it to support the creation of a sixth branch.


I guarantee you there have been many things over the past 20 years that was implemented based on direction from the top without detailed study supporting it. The difference is other administrations have been much better at putting the lipstick on a pig.

Atocep 08-11-2018 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bee (Post 3214391)
I guarantee you there have been many things over the past 20 years that was implemented based on direction from the top without detailed study supporting it. The difference is other administrations have been much better at putting the lipstick on a pig.


This is the first new branch of the military in almost 230 years. There's no chance any other administration does this with minimal planning. To any other administration this would be a very serious decision involving a lot of planning along with an organized announcement. This administration sees it as an opportunity to sell hats and tshirts.

SackAttack 08-11-2018 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atocep (Post 3214392)
This is the first new branch of the military in almost 230 years.


Not so much. The Air Force gained autonomy from the Army in the late '40s. You can quibble by saying 'well they began life as part of an existing service branch and the Space Force would be its own command, sure.

But it still became a distinct service branch and has its own Cabinet-level official, something that isn't true for, say, the Marines.

So not quite 230 years. :)

JPhillips 08-11-2018 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bee (Post 3214391)
I guarantee you there have been many things over the past 20 years that was implemented based on direction from the top without detailed study supporting it. The difference is other administrations have been much better at putting the lipstick on a pig.


Sure, but those tend to be decisions with much less impact, put this on the letter, hire this person, etc. This is a very big change with repercussions possible for decades. Doing that without any study is nuts.

RainMaker 08-11-2018 01:00 PM

The Space Force thing is about getting defense contractors paid. And this country has a soft spot for massive spending failures when it comes to the military. So even if it ends up being a dud, no one will care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou (Post 3214373)
Either she knew he was a racist who used the n-word and supported him in his run for the White House, or she is lying about him using the n-word.


I'm so tired of hearing about her and that Avanetti guy.

Ryche 08-11-2018 01:43 PM

We should really be able to get people into space before we start worrying about creating a space force.

bronconick 08-11-2018 02:26 PM

Yeah, we're still hitching rides on Russian rockets to get men to the ISS. But in two years we'll have Space Fighters?

RainMaker 08-11-2018 03:21 PM

It'll probably end up like SDI. Hopefully some good science is gained through all of it. I mean SDI was a colossal failure but there was a lot of physic research gathered from it.

SackAttack 08-11-2018 03:32 PM

Seems unlikely that any space fighter force would be more than drones-in-space at this juncture.

PilotMan 08-11-2018 06:36 PM

Nothing excites me more than blowing a bunch of shit up in low earth orbit.



Also, I'm pretty sure this is what happened in the TMNT RPG.

stevew 08-11-2018 08:16 PM

We do need space drones probably

RedKingGold 08-12-2018 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker (Post 3214396)
I'm so tired of hearing about her and that Avanetti guy.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryche (Post 3214397)
We should really be able to get people into space before we start worrying about creating a space force.


So, I have an idea...

karkanas 08-12-2018 02:11 PM

He had a lot of mishaps but his predecessor was not better :D
https://stylufka.pl/elementarz-korea...krok-po-kroku/

jct32 08-12-2018 02:33 PM

It seems like Space Force is mostly defense and operation of our satellite infrastructure. Silly name for it you ask me makes everyone think we are going to go around space MAGAing everywhere.

JPhillips 08-12-2018 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew (Post 3214438)
We do need space drones probably


Putting weapons in space dismantles most of the non-proliferation structure.

SackAttack 08-12-2018 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPhillips (Post 3214462)
Putting weapons in space dismantles most of the non-proliferation structure.


Not to mention violating a few treaties but since when has THAT stopped this Administration?

Ben E Lou 08-13-2018 09:15 AM

The President of the United States just admitted for all the world to see that he tried to keep a terrible employee on board solely because she stroked his ego by saying nice things about him.

If any country seeking to get concessions out of the president hadn’t already figured out the way to his heart, he just spelled it out for them.

albionmoonlight 08-13-2018 10:23 AM

Also, considering how easy it was for her to get into the Situation Room and record people, if I'm the leader of another country, and I don't have multiple bugs/wiretaps/spies following the President everywhere, then I'm firing my head of intelligence.

One of the post-Trump tell-alls I am waiting for is the one that talks about what precautions, if any, the career security people have taken to avoid leaks since the head of the executive has to be considered a massive security risk.

albionmoonlight 08-13-2018 10:28 AM

dola: Also, I really hope the answer to that question is not much/none. I don't want the un-elected security forces deciding to route around the elected representatives if they decide they know better.

We elected Trump. So, for good or ill, we live (or die) with that choice. It isn't fair to the people who like him to route around him. And it isn't fair to the rest of us that the message can get out that you can elect a Trump and "don't worry, we won't let it get too bad."

JPhillips 08-13-2018 11:11 AM

We know that Kelly's phone was compromised for months.

Thomkal 08-13-2018 01:56 PM

So Trump tweeted about the OH special election and how the governor there John Kasich hurt the guy Trump wanted to win, all the usual put downs of people he's beat in primaries/election, etc.



Kasich's response? a close-up of Putin laughing:


  • Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump 4h4 hours ago







    The very unpopular Governor of Ohio (and failed presidential candidate) @JohnKasich hurt Troy Balderson’s recent win by tamping down enthusiasm for an otherwise great candidate. Even Kasich’s Lt. Governor lost Gov. race because of his unpopularity. Credit to Troy on the BIG WIN!

  • Butter 08-13-2018 02:29 PM

    Last poll that was taken, Kasich is actually more popular among Dems than Repubs, probably because of his denouncing of Trump. But he is at about average popularity overall, like 52%.

    Thomkal 08-13-2018 07:16 PM

    Prosecutors rest their case in Manafort trial. We have no idea what the defense will do tomorrow-no witness list, unknown if Manafort will testify

    Thomkal 08-13-2018 08:03 PM

    So in case you missed it, Peter Strzok, the FBI agent who sent the anti-Trump texts to his fellow FBI agent, Lisa Page, was fired on Friday. It was supposed to be a 60 day suspension and other punishment, but someone didn't like that result and fired him instead. I removed the tweet I thought was from him because it was from a parody account. Pretty sure you can expect a lawsuit over his firing.







    .

    JPhillips 08-13-2018 08:06 PM

    You may want to look at that @

    Hint: He's not Peter Strzok.

    Atocep 08-13-2018 08:38 PM

    This Omarosa thing has gotten to the White House. Today Trump retweeted Michael Cohen as defense in the allegations. The same Cohen that is a pathological liar.

    Thomkal 08-13-2018 08:55 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JPhillips (Post 3214574)
    You may want to look at that @

    Hint: He's not Peter Strzok.



    yeah saw that after I posted. Fooled a lot of people on Twitter too

    Thomkal 08-13-2018 08:56 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Atocep (Post 3214575)
    This Omarosa thing has gotten to the White House. Today Trump retweeted Michael Cohen as defense in the allegations. The same Cohen that is a pathological liar.



    The same Michael Cohen that has tapes of him too.

    Thomkal 08-14-2018 10:54 AM

    If I see one more "Muslim terrorists in NM go free on bail, yet Paul Manafort sits in jail for tax evasion" tweet today, I just may scream.

    Thomkal 08-14-2018 12:16 PM

    After one last attempt by the defense to get the Manafort trial thrown out, they rest their case with no witnesses. On to Closing arguments now

    albionmoonlight 08-14-2018 12:22 PM

    Is the media seriously spending any time trying to figure out if there's tape of Trump saying N****R?

    I mean, are we all pretending that there's any number of voters/GOP leaders who have supported Trump this far but who will jump ship if a tape comes out?

    molson 08-14-2018 12:27 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by albionmoonlight (Post 3214610)
    Is the media seriously spending any time trying to figure out if there's tape of Trump saying N****R?

    I mean, are we all pretending that there's any number of voters/GOP leaders who have supported Trump this far but who will jump ship if a tape comes out?


    I think a lot of conservatives would speak out against him, but it'd be back to business as usual the next day, same as with everything else.

    albionmoonlight 08-14-2018 01:30 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Thomkal (Post 3214609)
    After one last attempt by the defense to get the Manafort trial thrown out


    In case anyone is curious, this is a standard motion made after the prosecution rests in a criminal trial.

    BishopMVP 08-14-2018 01:33 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by albionmoonlight (Post 3214610)
    Is the media seriously spending any time trying to figure out if there's tape of Trump saying N****R?

    I mean, are we all pretending that there's any number of voters/GOP leaders who have supported Trump this far but who will jump ship if a tape comes out?

    He would lose dozens, perhaps even hundreds of black supporters nationwide!

    It does combine two of the media's favorite things - audio/visual evidence they can replay over & over, and race baiting, but yeah in the end it'd probably have the same effect the Billy Bush tape did.

    Atocep 08-14-2018 02:11 PM

    I'm pretty sure the majority of the country already believes trump is a racist and exactly no one would be surprised if he dropped the N word on TV at some point during his presidency. Evangelicals have already shown they have no standards and the rest of his base won't even pretend to care.

    The only thing this does is distance him from true independents even more, but I'm not sure how much that even matters at this point.

    Radii 08-14-2018 03:19 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Atocep (Post 3214618)
    I'm pretty sure the majority of the country already believes trump is a racist and exactly no one would be surprised if he dropped the N word on TV at some point during his presidency. Evangelicals have already shown they have no standards and the rest of his base won't even pretend to care.


    The N word triggers SJWs and Liberals?! We should all start saying it then this is great! Its not racist though b/c we don't mean it that way. It only has power because the left tries to put a stop to people saying it. -- A depressingly large number of people on "The Right", most likely soon.

    JPhillips 08-14-2018 03:19 PM

    This twitter account is great.





    One, America is much more complicated than a horizontal line.

    Two, how does a candidate pitch an appeal to this guy?

    SackAttack 08-14-2018 03:54 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JPhillips (Post 3214620)
    This twitter account is great.





    One, America is much more complicated than a horizontal line.

    Two, how does a candidate pitch an appeal to this guy?


    "Some men want to watch the world burn."

    Brian Swartz 08-15-2018 12:25 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by albionmoonlight
    Is the media seriously spending any time trying to figure out if there's tape of Trump saying N****R?

    I mean, are we all pretending that there's any number of voters/GOP leaders who have supported Trump this far but who will jump ship if a tape comes out?


    Is the proper role of the media to report news, or to tell people who to vote for?

    mckerney 08-15-2018 12:55 AM



    Ksyrup 08-15-2018 06:15 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Brian Swartz (Post 3214648)
    Is the proper role of the media to report news, or to tell people who to vote for?


    I'm still waiting for a bit of news in all of this reporting.

    albionmoonlight 08-15-2018 08:40 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Brian Swartz (Post 3214648)
    Is the proper role of the media to report news, or to tell people who to vote for?


    Both. There's the news side and the editorial side. This, to me, does not count as either, though.

    Not everything the president does is newsworthy. So what is newsworthy? Stuff that gives us new information about him. Stuff that might change people's minds about him. Stuff to help people put his other actions into context.

    Trump is a septuagenarian racist. Whether he said or didn't say the N-word in the past in his private life gives voters no new information about him. It won't change anyone's mind about him. It gives us no new context for his other actions.

    It seems as un-newsworthy as the fact that he like McDonalds or owns lots of ties.

    JPhillips 08-15-2018 08:41 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ksyrup (Post 3214660)
    I'm still waiting for a bit of news in all of this reporting.


    To be fair, the non-disclosure agreements are real news. It puts into question everything said by admin officials, even in congressional testimony. If the GOP weren't solely concerned with the beauty of the emperor's new suit, this would be sparking hearings and subpoenas.

    digamma 08-15-2018 09:22 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mckerney (Post 3214649)



    And the results were enough to keep all Democratic constituencies interested. Walz is popular in greater Minnesota. Ilhan will bring progressives out in Minneapolis. Angie Craig is going to be in a highly publicized race in the South suburbs and Dean Phillips is the same in the western suburbs.

    lungs 08-15-2018 09:37 AM

    Wisconsin Dems choose Tony Evers to try and take out Scott Walker. They definitely did not go for charisma in their choice but Tony has won some statewide races.

    Walker is vulnerable but I have deep reservations about Evers being the guy to exploit the vulnerabilities. The Dems just can't come up with a good candidate. Better hope for an anti-Trump blue wave.

    Izulde 08-15-2018 09:56 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by lungs (Post 3214670)
    Wisconsin Dems choose Tony Evers to try and take out Scott Walker. They definitely did not go for charisma in their choice but Tony has won some statewide races.

    Walker is vulnerable but I have deep reservations about Evers being the guy to exploit the vulnerabilities. The Dems just can't come up with a good candidate. Better hope for an anti-Trump blue wave.


    OTOH, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (also former teacher) is a great candidate to highlight Walker's enormous fuckups of Wisconsin's education system. It's a shrewder pick than it looks like on the surface. And Walker is scrambling already this morning to combat that:

    https://www.channel3000.com/news/pol...-win/781808443

    SackAttack 08-15-2018 10:31 AM

    That's why I voted for Evers, yeah. There were a couple other cats who intrigued me, but a huge huge percentage of my beef with Wanker is the way he inherited an educational system that was, by most measures, top 5 in the country and burned it to the ground for political advantage.

    And then, nigh ten years later, was all like "hey we should increase funding to the schools."

    Trying to make people forget that, y'know, his policies chased some of our top educational talent to retirements/other states, slashed funding repeatedly at all levels of education, and specifically at the K-12 level, enjoined schools from trying to recover the lost revenue through property taxes.

    Nah. Let Evers fix it and fuck the WI-GOP forever.

    lungs 08-15-2018 11:00 AM

    No disagreement there. I just worry when his victory speech had the charisma of George McFly talking to Biff Tannen (I stole that comparison from elsewhere).

    I'm fully behind Evers now. I voted for Kelda Roys in the primary.

    I get the education part, but I think Evers needs to expand his focus in the general campaign. Roads! Scottholes!

    SackAttack 08-15-2018 11:31 AM

    It's not that Walker and his collaborators in the Legislature didn't break lots of other shit that needs fixing. But as a long-term play, if you want the tax base to be there to be able to fund the other fixes, the first thing you need is to repair the damage to the educational system, and I worry that "expanding the focus" dilutes that message.

    JPhillips 08-15-2018 11:59 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mckerney (Post 3214649)



    One of the best predictors of losing in a GOP primary is whether a candidate criticized Trump over the Access Hollywood tape.

    Ksyrup 08-15-2018 02:10 PM

    The big deal the media is making of Sanders' "can't guarantee" line is the exact type of BS that Trump supporters and other anti-media people jump all over. I wish Trump would step down yesterday and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it was true, but c'mon.

    Exactly how is someone supposed to answer that question - especially when the moment in question was years before he was President? It smacks of trying to make something out of nothing, by using a false premise. "The President reiterates that he's never said it." That's about the best she could do. How is she responsible for guaranteeing whether something ever happened? My wife couldn't guarantee I've never done something.

    It's things like this that hurt the media's credibility when they have legitimate issues to report on. Trump has been amazingly skillful at throwing so much crap on a wall and getting reporters to chase every runny detail that the media is actually helping him the more it tries to point out the obvious about what a lying scumbag he is. It's crazy. And the media can't help themselves.

    Bee 08-15-2018 02:36 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ksyrup (Post 3214682)
    The big deal the media is making of Sanders' "can't guarantee" line is the exact type of BS that Trump supporters and other anti-media people jump all over. I wish Trump would step down yesterday and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it was true, but c'mon.

    Exactly how is someone supposed to answer that question - especially when the moment in question was years before he was President? It smacks of trying to make something out of nothing, by using a false premise. "The President reiterates that he's never said it." That's about the best she could do. How is she responsible for guaranteeing whether something ever happened? My wife couldn't guarantee I've never done something.

    It's things like this that hurt the media's credibility when they have legitimate issues to report on. Trump has been amazingly skillful at throwing so much crap on a wall and getting reporters to chase every runny detail that the media is actually helping him the more it tries to point out the obvious about what a lying scumbag he is. It's crazy. And the media can't help themselves.


    I agree and even if she had said she guaranteed it, what does that even mean? Is she giving them money back if it turns out it happened? It's not like she hasn't already told so many lies that it would hurt her reputation.

    albionmoonlight 08-15-2018 02:44 PM

    Also (and I admit this is probably a bit too 3-D chess), if the WH is pretty sure that there isn't a tape, then Sanders equivocating gets the media to focus more and more on whether there is a tape. Eventually, the lack of tape becomes a positive.

    Thomkal 08-15-2018 04:53 PM

    Jury will begin deliberations tomorrow in the Manafort trial.

    stevew 08-15-2018 06:52 PM

    Is there any chance Omarosa and Trump have had a sexual relationship?

    Bee 08-15-2018 08:43 PM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stevew (Post 3214713)
    Is there any chance Omarosa and Trump have had a sexual relationship?

    Probably not since she doesn't look anything like his daughter.

    mauchow 08-15-2018 09:17 PM

    My Uncle wrote this on FB today:

    CORRUPTION

    Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and Rick Gates -- involved in embezzling, money laundering. Health and

    Human Services Secretary Tom Price -- fired for using private jets for official travel.

    EPA administrator Scott Pruitt -- forced to resign after a parade of ethical controversies.

    Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross -- accused of siphoning more than $120 million from various business associates.

    Rep. Chis Collins, -- first congressman to endorse Trump -- charged with insider trading.

    Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin -- uses military aircraft to see a solar eclipse with his wife. The entourage of the Saudi crown prince -- spends large at Trump’s New York Hotel.

    Secretary of Education Betsy Devos -- flies Cayman flag on her yacht, saving $2.4 million in taxes. The Veteran’s Administration -- being steered by a secretive trio of members from within Mar-a-Lago. None of them has held a government post or had potential conflicts vetted.

    Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke -- billing taxpayers for expensive trips, including one to deliver a pep talk to a donor’s hockey team.

    The president’s daughter, Ivanka -- meets Chines leader, China grants trademarks covering her jewelry, bags and spa services.

    Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal attorney -- solicits payment of at least $1 million from the government of Qatar in late 2016 in exchange for access to and advice about the then-incoming administration.

    Donald Trump--loses second bid to dismiss ongoing emoluments clause lawsuit alleging self-dealing at his Washington D.C. hotel.

    CHAOS

    Gone So Soon:

    Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State
    Sally Yates, Attorney General
    H.R. McMaster, National Security Adviser
    Mike Flynn, National Security Adviser
    Dina Powell, Deputy Nat'l Security Advisor
    Steve Bannon, Chief Strategist
    Reince Priebus, WH Chief of Staff
    Rick Dearborn, WH Deputy Chief of Staff
    Tom Price, Secretary of HHS
    Sean Spicer, WH Press Secretary
    Hope Hicks, WH Communications Dir
    Anthony Scaramucci, WH Communications Dir
    Mike Dubke, WH Communications Dir
    Josh Raffel, WH Deputy Communications Dir
    Rob Porter, WH Secretary
    Gary Cohn, National Economic Council advisor
    David Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General
    John McEntee, Personal Aide & Bodyguard
    Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Presidential assistant
    Omarosa Manigault-Newman, Dir - Office of Public Liaison
    George Sifakis, Dir - Office of Public Liaison
    Walter Shaub, Dir - Office of Government Ethics
    David Shulkin, head of the Department of Veterans Affairs,

    Across the government, more than half of the six hundred and fifty most critical positions are still unfilled. Asked about the shortage in the diplomatic corps, Trump said, “I’m the only one that matters.”

    Brian Swartz 08-16-2018 06:17 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by albionmoonlight
    Trump is a septuagenarian racist. Whether he said or didn't say the N-word in the past in his private life gives voters no new information about him. It won't change anyone's mind about him. It gives us no new context for his other actions.

    It seems as un-newsworthy as the fact that he like McDonalds or owns lots of ties.


    It's always newsworthy whether or not the president said something like this. In short, I couldn't disagree more.

    Edward64 08-16-2018 07:20 AM

    That wasn't very smart of Cuomo. He may retain his popularity with the bluest of blue states but its going to hurt everywhere else, and Trump and Fox will have a field day with this.

    https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/15/polit...eat/index.html
    Quote:

    New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said America "was never that great" during a speech on Wednesday, drawing criticism from President Donald Trump and the Republican looking to unseat him in November.

    Cuomo made the comments in the context of a larger argument about gender equality and women achieving their full potential.

    "We're not going to make America great again. It was never that great," Cuomo, a Democrat, remarked at a bill signing event in New York City. The comment was met by an audible reaction from the crowd.

    His comments were a response to President Donald Trump's campaign catchphrase -- "Make America Great Again."

    "We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged," Cuomo added. "We will reach greatness when discrimination and stereotyping of women, 51% of our population, is gone, and every woman's full potential is realized and unleashed and every woman is making her full contribution."

    "Governor Cuomo disagrees with the President," said Dani Lever, press secretary for Cuomo, in a statement. "The Governor believes America is great and that her full greatness will be fully realized when every man, woman, and child has full equality. America has not yet reached its maximum potential."

    miked 08-16-2018 07:47 AM

    In your estimation, when was it "great" and what makes it "great"?

    QuikSand 08-16-2018 08:17 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Brian Swartz (Post 3214746)
    It's always newsworthy whether or not the president said something like this. In short, I couldn't disagree more.


    But that's exactly the thing. We know for sure that he has said "something like this" countless times. He is a brute, is easily duped into gutter thinking, and has plenty of racist tendencies and friends. We know that's who he is, and that's a pretty polished-up version, to be honest.

    He has almost certainly used that word, at least here and there. If it's on tape it would make news, but nobody really thinks that item would suddenly change what we know about him. Whatever chance there was to rescue any sort of moral clarity with him was lost in the Access Hollywood tape saga. He now is on a complete free pass, as everyone who loves his Supreme Court nominees is just duty bound to continue to further degrade himself time and time again to explain how it's actually okay that he did, said, or believed something completely reprehensible.

    JPhillips 08-16-2018 08:45 AM

    Anything that makes it less likely for Cuomo to be the Dem nominee is good. That guy is corrupt AF.

    Edward64 08-16-2018 09:22 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by miked (Post 3214748)
    In your estimation, when was it "great" and what makes it "great"?


    Speaking as a 90's immigrant, its always been great warts and all when compared to vast majority of countries. Definitely "land of opportunity" and "salad bowl" (vs melting pot) diversity which is great.

    Thomkal 08-16-2018 09:25 AM

    So the Boston Globe organized something I guess you could call "free press" day and got many other news organizations involved. Here's Trump's reply to that:


    "The Boston Globe, which was sold to the the Failing New York Times for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS (plus 800 million dollars in losses & investment), or 2.1 BILLION DOLLARS, was then sold by the Times for 1 DOLLAR. Now the Globe is in COLLUSION with other papers on free press. PROVE IT!"

    Thomkal 08-16-2018 09:28 AM

    Jury has started deliberation in the Manafort trial.

    molson 08-16-2018 09:33 AM

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by miked (Post 3214748)
    In your estimation, when was it "great" and what makes it "great"?


    I'd say-

    -Caliber of higher education institutions
    -contribution to culture in films, music, art, theater, etc.
    -natural wonders
    -origin of so many great world, business, science, and technology innovators and leaders, both individuals and organizations.
    -Won some very important wars
    -peaceful transitions of power since its origin
    -developed the world's most massive economy
    -in general, the rule of law and protection of law and the law's ability to continuously evolve
    -a government which has always changed, at least to some degree, based on the whims of the people for better or worse. In other words, we usually get what we deserve.

    Some of these are true now, some are based on history, but I think there were always elements of greatness. Other countries have some or all of these things, but more than one country can have elements of greatness in it. In fact, I'd say probably most do, in their own way. (though it's generally not polite, especially for someone from another country, to shit on a country as a whole except if it's the U.S. - which I think, in an odd way, is also evidence of U.S. greatness.)


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