The Trump Presidency – 2016

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

lol Everything's a con.

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.

[Logan]

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

[RainMaker]

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

[NobodyHere]

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.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

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.

Well, so much for that

[RainMaker]

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.

[molson]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

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.

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

[digamma]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

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.

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

[Edward64]

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.

[BBT]

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.

[PilotMan]

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.

[JPhillips]

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

[bronconick]

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

[Edward64]

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

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

The jobs report was exactly what Wall Street wanted.
The Dow surged 161 points after the Labor Department reported the economy gained 313,000 jobs in February, its best month since July 2016.

Wages grew a somewhat tepid 2.6% in February compared with a year before. That's less than economists predicted and slower than the 2.9% rise in January, which set off fears on Wall Street about rising inflation and the possibility of interest rate hikes.

"Overall the February jobs report is the best of both worlds -- strong job growth without accelerating wage inflation -- It's not too hot not too cold, a Goldilocks report," said Alec Young, managing director of Global Markets Research.

The report could ease short term concerns that the Federal Reserve will be forced to speed up interest rate rises.

[Edward64]

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

Shkreli, who gained notoriety for inflating the price of a life-saving drug, had faced up to 20 years behind bars for mismanaging money at his hedge funds.

He was convicted on August 5, 2017 of securities fraud and conspiracy in what prosecutors said amounted to a Ponzi scheme. Shkreli called the charges "a witch hunt of epic proportions."

During his sentencing on Friday in Brooklyn federal court, Shkreli, 34, broke into tears and pleaded with the judge for leniency.

"I look back and I'm embarrassed and ashamed," he told the court. "I am terribly sorry," he said to his investors, "I lost your trust."

"There's no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful and shameful actions."

At his trial last year, Shkreli often wore a smirk and was chastised by the judge for his behavior, including for an incident in which he told reporters that the prosecutors on the case were "junior varsity." He also ignored the advice of his lawyer by commenting on the trial via social media and YouTube.

[cuervo72]

"Trump's team." Ok, sure.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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

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.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by digamma

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.

[Kodos]

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

[JPhillips]

Sanders says that NK must meet conditions before a meeting.

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

What a shit show.

[RainMaker]

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.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

The only unfortunate part is he is going to one of those minimum security facilities where the inmate populations is somewhat nicer.

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.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by sabotai

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.

[Brian Swartz]

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

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by sabotai

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.

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.

[Edward64]

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

President Donald Trump will get his military parade, but it is unlikely to mirror the Paris Bastille Day event which inspired him as it will not involve any heavy military vehicles like tanks to avoid doing damage to the streets of Washington, according to a Pentagon planning memo shown to CNN.

The Pentagon memo sent to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was issued on Thursday and outlined the initial guidance on how Trump's sought after parade, scheduled for November 11 -- Veterans Day -- will look.
The memo says the parade will integrate with the annual DC Veterans Day parade and focus on the contributions of US veterans from the Revolutionary War to today "with an emphasis on the price of freedom."

The parade will "include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks," the memo said, adding that "consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure."

It will, however, involve "a heavy air component" with military aircraft flying overhead at the end of parade, including older aircraft "as available," the memo said.

The parade will also feature period uniforms from the Old Guard Fife and Drum, a unit that parades in period uniform.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

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.

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

[Edward64]

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?

[molson]

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.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by molson

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?

[JPhillips]

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.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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?

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.

[bronconick]

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

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by bronconick

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.

[Edward64]

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

Five and a half hours after testifying before a grand jury in the Russia probe, a former political adviser to Donald Trump told ABC News exclusively that he believes the investigation is “warranted.”

“No, I don't think it's a witch hunt,” Sam Nunberg told ABC News. “It's warranted because there's a lot there and that's the sad truth.”

He added, “I don't believe it leads to the president.”
:
:
It's unclear what exactly Nunberg testified about before the grand jury. He declined to publicly elaborate on what prosecutors wanted to know, saying he “got into enough trouble this week” already.
:
:
Nunberg described the atmosphere inside the grand jury room as “professional” and noted the pace at which he said prosecutors fired questions at him.

“They’re trying to get as much in as quickly as they can – boom, boom, boom, boom – it almost feels like I’m back in yeshiva with the rabbi.”
:
:
Nunberg declined to say whether he’d be back in front of the special counsel’s attorneys or the grand jury. A source close to him said he is scheduled to testify five more times.

“Look I can't talk. I can't. I'm just not going to talk about it. Maybe, maybe yes, maybe no, I'll give you a Donald Trump answer,” he said. “We'll see.”

[Thomkal]

Trump looking at bringing in Clinton impeachment lawyer for Mueller probe: report | TheHill

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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?

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.

[stevew]

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.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

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

[digamma]

Originally Posted by stevew

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.

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

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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?

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 ..

[PilotMan]

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

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

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.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

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 ..

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.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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.

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.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

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.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

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

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 ).

[BBT]

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.