Yes. Everything is a con.

But, if he's willing to be talked out of a bad idea instead of stubbornly following through with it, I'll take that as a win.

When is a door not a door? When it's ajar costs $139K.

Interior mum on whether Zinke spent $139K on office door - The Washington Post

Didn't know it was possible to spend that much on a door.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited President Trump to a meeting

Well this should be interesting.

ETA: Trump has also agreed to the meeting.

Well, so much for that

Exempting Canada and Mexico is weird. China gets around the tariff already by funneling it through Canada. The EU will do the same.

I mean I know they don't understand that but it kind of makes the whole tariff thing pointless.

Oh no, they're going to double team some poor Korean prostitute, aren't they.

This is why: Trump is delivering what he promised: A government with no experts - The Washington Post

I do kinda think Trump meeting with the crazy kid is iffy but do think nothing else has worked so why not change it up some.

How Trump made the impromptu decision (supposedly without consulting Tillerson) is wrong but the end result of meeting with the crazy kid may change the dynamics ... who knew Reagan and Gorby would get along so well.

My only issue with Trump meeting with Kim is that Trump tends to be weak in person and not the tough guy he tries to portray on TV. I can see him coming out of the meeting saying that Kim is a good guy and that we’re willing to work together to solve issues together.

In the meantime, the population continues to be repressed. people keep dying in prison camps, and Kim will spin it into how he broke the US and it’s leader.

Hopefully, this isn’t the case, but I’ve seen nothing from Trump to make me think it’ll be different.

Spot on.

Global legitimacy that no U.S. leader has been willing too give.

Gorby and Reagan had long, extensive back channel communications that had been in place for decades. We need China and South Korea to accomplish a hello. It's not the same thing at all.

Trump just might pull off Korean unification... with Kim in charge.

Trump can't even make a deal with a porn star.

Nice. Some good news for Trump on the home front.

Dow surges on strong jobs report - Mar. 9, 2018

Don't know where to put this. Figure that Trump's team won this ...

Good riddance you scum.

Martin Shkreli sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraud - Mar. 9, 2018

"Trump's team." Ok, sure.

Not everything is about teams brother. He was arrested in 2015. It's just good work by the Justice Department across multiple administrations. Give it a rest.

Exactly the DOJ just doing it's job and doing it well, doubt that team Trump even had it on their radar, or it would be another thing he would have already taken credit for that rolled back to the previous admin. The most satisfying part of this is him crying in court like a bitch after all those months of posturing, disruptions and just general douchbaggery. Fuck Shkreli, I hope he is tormented for every one of those 2555 days. The only unfortunate part is he is going to one of those minimum security facilities where the inmate populations is somewhat nicer.

At least some members of Team Trump are joining this slimebag in doing jail time. :)

Sanders says that NK must meet conditions before a meeting.

Unnamed WH official says, nope, invitation sent and agreed to.

What a shit show.

Shkreli is scum and I'm glad he's going away. But I do sort of wonder if he would have been pursued if he wasn't so outspoken. In terms of financial crimes, his do seem kind of minor in the grand scope. And the government has been real soft on them.

Y'know, minimum-security prison is no picnic. I have a client in there right now. He says the trick is: kick someone's ass the first day, or become someone's bitch. Then everything will be all right.

I always thought white-collar minimum security was easy? Behave or else you get tossed into a real prison. Interesting to know.

Heh, I'm not sure everyone got the Office Space reference.

Oh I know, but it's still a big step down and Shkreli ain't kicking nobodies ass, so he will be a bitch, just not on the epic level he could have been.

Not sure what to think of the parade.

If its done only to stroke Trump's ego, then obviously not. However, if it is done to honor the military/veterans, that's cool.

Unfortunately, its a combination of the 2 so undecided right now.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/09/polit...ade/index.html

Let me help you.

How many military parades have we had in your lifetime?

Have you ever felt like the military and vets were not suitably honored by previous administrations? Not any one in particular, the sum of all of them. I mean, did you sit back and think, "Vets and military in this country are getting the short shrift from the general public and we need to honor their service for all to see?"

What's the change then?

Yeah. It's not that hard.

:lol::lol::lol: It truly isn't that hard to read between the lines.

Whew, the sarcasm is strong with this one.

Question - if it wasn't Trump, let's say it was congress or JC that wanted this parade to honor the vets from unfinished war in Iraq & Afghanistan ... would you support it?

I am trying to understand if you are opposed to any parade or was it just because Trump initiated the idea?

A military parade, aside from being wasteful, reeks of desperation. It's very USSR, very China.

Our military has never really been about trying to overwhelm with mere numbers and masses of humanity. That's the kind of force these parades try to promote. Our military, for the most part, historically speaking, has been more about technological advances, fighting for a good reason, etc.

Because it's Trump and he originated the idea (e.g. to feed his ego), I don't like it and kinda agree with first paragraph.

I don't agree on second paragraph as far was what these kind of parades try to promote. A parade to honor military and victories is not unprecedented (see 1991). Is a reason why we've not have a more recent parade is because the war in Iraq & Afghanistan is still on-going?

Same question to you - if it was congress or JC that wanted this parade (no Trump in the equation at all) for job well done in Iraq/Afghanistan, would you be okay with it? Or is the beef primarily because Trump initiated it?

It isn't that Trump initiated a veteran's parade, it's that Trump specifically wants to show our military power by having a Bastille Day-like parade. The motive is the problem.

Molson is right. We aren't about parading out military power to our citizens to show how much ass we can kick. We have air shows, fleet week, that celebrate much more than just what military can do. Those are very cool, and we have a near, never ending celebration of vets, veterans from every single sporting event, to federal holidays, to discounts etc. Now, I am from a military family. My father was a POW. I truly support and recognize that we are at our best when our military continues to stay volunteer. Furthermore, I recognize that we need a certain amount of marketing of that to keep that train rolling along.

If congress wanted a massive military parade with tanks, planes, full on marching with live ammo and demonstrations through the streets of Washington I'd still be opposed to it for the reason's Molson gave. It smacks of a totalitarian regime. It is in fact, one of the things that totalitarian regimes do to keep the populace both "Nationalized with pride" and intimidated into anything other than subservience. However, if they just wanted a VFW style parade, then we have those from time to time, where everyone just goes out there and walks and we cheer them. That's a completely different thing and there's nothing about that, that I would oppose.

The motivations for this are clearly Trumps desire to pimp his ego. That's it.

Or they might have seen through that so fast, that they've backtracked to try and create a rational for why they want it. That they can argue for, when the original reason was so plainly clear.

Have the enlisted soldiers that are on welfare because Congress will pay for more toys but not men march. The irony would be palpable.

Formerly military and agree more with this. The military men and women don't want parades. Taking care of them and their families when they come home is what they want.

Oh yeah, I remember him now. Good that he talked but it seems a little anti-climatic now.

Former Trump aide speaks to Mueller, believes Russia probe is 'not a witch hunt' - ABC News

But it's not anyone else wanting the parade, it's the egomaniac wanting to stroke himself with his tiny hands. Why would Johnny Cash have wanted this parade?

It's a bad idea no matter who presents it. It's a worse idea when the wannabe dictator presents it.

He doesn't give a shit about the parade. He just knows it will make libtards mad. And it will fire up the base cause commietards hate the troops.

:) :cool: :)

I actually think he does, because he sees parades for the other dear leaders and wants that sort of stroking.

I'd be against it whomever instigated it - its a waste of time and money for no reason, not even tourism ...

The money would be better spent elsewhere, healthcare, education, social services, infrastructure ... take your pick ..

All the dirt on Trump, that we wondered about during the election, is starting to seep out. Half of it may be made up, but the half that has truth in it is gonna be a never ending cacophony for the rest of his presidency.

Trump and the Russians: A new book on how it all began

True. But for those waiting for him to be kicked out of office, it'll be a long, long time.

Okay.

For me, if this was to honor vets for Iraq or Afghanistan (e.g. after we leave for good, whenever that is), I'm okay with a parade. To me its the Trump factor that leaves a distaste.

I don't see the point of it. If we absolutely feel vets aren't honored enough (which I'm skeptical of to begin with) then there are far better ways to show appreciation than to march them down a street in DC.

You know what would honor the vets more? Make sure so many stop falling through the cracks when they get home and get the full assistance they need. Make sure the boots on the ground aren't stuck using unsafe/aged gear that should be cycled out and replaced but isn't because they are stretched so thin.

Vets know that most of the public respects and appreciates what they do, they feel it and I know that because I train with a bunch and we have a son still serving and they all feel the love still. A son, who by the way also needs a bullet proof vest he can trust, since the one he has now probably wouldn't stop a bullet because it is in disrepair. Things like this, quality of life/service things that should have a higher priority than a parade that would divert funds needed for much more important shit than satiating Trump's desire to put on yet another festival of self promotion.

I suspect those things that you want come out of a different budget.

Unfortunately, the inefficiencies you are complaining about are a different and bigger problem/process that won't be resolved with a "instead of spending it here, spend it there". If there can be a direct effect, I'm all for it.

That sort of thing is 'smoke and mirrors' in the extreme, money is money and it all comes from 'somewhere' ... if politicians wanted to do something then they'd find the money by moving it between budgets if needs be (and its not like the military budget doesn't have enough ;) ).

Being in the military, there’s usually a ton of excess money that has to be spent by the end of the year. This will come from that pot and is “a drop in the hat” to the military complex. There will also be some officers that get promotions from the whole deal and some enlisted as well.

Could have been used for better purposes, but probably wouldn’t have been. The military is the king of wasteful spending, but those generals have got to have those million dollar houses and expensive furniture to live you know.

Parade is a dumb idea, no matter who is president. Want to honor troops/vets? Pay them, equip them, get rid of the wasteful spending and audit the budget. Want to stop paying so many taxes, start with the military budget, and I’m not talking about the pensions that seem to be the only thing that Congress will look at.

DOLA:

Solid take on the whole North Korea/Trump situation from a fairly impartial writer. North Korea is doing what it always has done and Trump isn’t going to change things any more than Clinton or Obama did when they tried.

https://thefederalist.com/2018/03/12...th-korea-just/

I don't know if it should be a separate thread but the Russians using a chemical weapon on British soil seems like a big story. May had a pretty harsh statement today.

Theresa May's ultimatum to Putin: Explain yourself in next 24 hours or face retaliation

I bet Putin is shaking at the prospect of the severe tutting he’s about to get

Come on guys, the Russians have already said it wasn't them, what more do you want.

I don't know why everyone doesn't want better relations with them.

Looks like the Republicans on the House Committee on Russia are ready to follow Trump right off the cliff:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/12/polit...ons/index.html

Pretty sure Nunes thinks he's part of Trump's secret service.

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump 15m15 minutes ago




THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE HAS, AFTER A 14 MONTH LONG IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION, FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF COLLUSION OR COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND RUSSIA TO INFLUENCE THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Let me say that I don't know much about the merits of Broadcom & Qualcomm merger/acquisition and if the Trump admin really should have an issue.

However I do agree, in principle, with preventing the acquisition of key US companies by foreign companies e.g. Chinese company buying Oracle or Microsoft.

Trump blocks Broadcom's $117 billion Qualcomm bid over national security - Mar. 12, 2018

It's amazing what you can't find when you're not looking for it.

Another issue we can put to rest!

Bye-bye, Rex!

You can do anything but criticize the Russians.

Saw some saying that these comments came after he knew he was getting fired, so apparently you can do anything but have balls when you work for Trump.

wonder if he will come forward and take acceptance of the "f&*&ing moron" quote now. Or if he has anything interesting to share with Mueller.

Yes yes no chaos in the White House.

And don't worry Donald, the media hasn't forgotten about that special election in PA today...

If he wanted to keep his job, he should have brought back Obama's birth certificate when he visited Kenya.

Just going to bump this one. FROM MAY 2017!!!!

Who knows with these clowns.

Ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson found out that he had been fired from the tweet from President Trump on Tuesday, according to Steve Goldstein, Undersecretary for public diplomacy, @eliselabottcnn reports.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 13, 2018

Tillerson wasn't the only one getting fired today...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-...red-1520945928

I think it's just as likely a lot of these people bought their jobs in the Trump administration to accomplish something specific - get access to important information or people, influence some government action that will benefit their business going forward - and then they're fine to leave and be away from the microscope.

Just yesterday: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...by-about-a-day


“Due to demands in the secretary’s schedule he is returning to the U.S. one day early, after concluding official meetings in Chad and Nigeria,” said Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Steve Goldstein.



Just the latest proove of Trump's utter ignorance with regards to diplomacy and foreign policy.

So he basically sent a lame duck to the "shithole countries" to mend some fences ? I bet they are ecstatic that they just wasted their time discussing/negotiating with him and now are back to square one on whatever was achieved/agreed upon. I mean, the good thing about his ignorance to these countries is that he cares too little to bother firing/replacing the ambassadors apointed by Obama. So, glass half full maybe.

China pretty much has a standing corps of diplomats, business people and technical experts in most every african country.

Meanwhile, the State Department is getting absolutely gutted at every level and the US still has no ambassadors in Australia, Germany, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, among others.

John Oliver on this: Trump vs. The World: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - YouTube

I thought Trump only hires the BEST people.

Maybe it just takes him a few tries?

I did my part today in that election.

This is quite a day, even by Trump standards.

I agree with this 1000% especially the bold portion.

Fair play on them though.

And the guy who put out that info about when Tillerson was fired, Steve Goldstein? Now fired as well.

Glad to hear it-if you voted for Lamb of course :)

It is like the opening credits of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

I expect he'll be gracious, but Tillerson's 2 pm statement could be magical.

To be a fly on the wall.

Great Severance Package too, i would assume.

That was underwhelming from Tillerson.

He would run into a building to save children from a shooting, but he is too much of a coward to fire his Secretary of State face to face.

— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) March 13, 2018

The media has been speculating that I fired Rex Tillerson or that he would be leaving soon - FAKE NEWS! He’s not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!https://t.co/FrqiPLFJ1E

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017

Tillerson was a garbage Secretary of State. I don't know if the next guy will be better but Tillerson is trash.

As if Trump cares about job performance as measured by normal standards or about the state of the State Department:

Trump's Deep Cuts to State Department Budget Hurt Diplomacy - Bloomberg

Then again, he did play the good soldier promoting the insanity:

Rex Tillerson: state department can be cut as we will soon solve global conflicts | US news | The Guardian

But then again, you gotta take the money for even more military spending from somewhere. So why not the department that is in a way responsible for preventing to have to use the military. Win-Win.

I mean I know he got fired over his stance on Russia but he was still shit at everything.

Never thought I'd see America become another country's bitch like this.

And in all probability it's because of your president's business interests, or possibly video footage of him peeing on prostitutes. Maybe both.

Considering everything that's already come up on Trump regarding his "love-life," I doubt a pee tape would really make a dent.

More than likely, Putin has Trump where it hurts...his wallet in some way.

PA-18 going down to the wire.

It sure is. Lamb has been up all night but Saccone is just 1000 votes or so behind now with 95% counted.

Crazy how 50.1-49.9 Lamb will mean Trump and the GOP are toast and 50.1-49.9 Saccone will mean a resurgent Trump and GOP.

I kind of miss the time when special elections would get a mention on the next night's evening news and we'd all move on rather quickly.

In a congressional district that is being redrawn. So this has 8 months of any consequence...

yeah the two guys will be in different districts with the new map. Crazy.

There are @7000 absentee ballots that won't get counted tonight, so everyone can go to bed. This won't be decided for a bit.

And the filing deadline for those new districts is only a week away!

Lamb lead now 95 votes with only absentee ballots remaining to count.

Whoever will be declared winner on Friday and file on Tuesday.

Not sure exactly the new lines but Lamb lives in the more republican county and saccone lives in the democratic county.