US Politics

[Tracker]

12 minutes ago, bustamente said:

This is good

 

If this is Trump, which I doubt, he is monumentally stupid. This is the same persona he used to try to provide fake praise for himself.

[bustamente]

7 minutes ago, Tracker said:

If this is Trump, which I doubt, he is monumentally stupid. This is the same persona he used to try to provide fake praise for himself.

It's a parody account ......................at least i think it is, I'm pretty sure it is, maybe

Edited January 9, 2021 by bustamente

[Tracker]

Trump is trying to manipulate his way out of consequences — it can't be allowed to work
   
Thursday night, a clearly reluctant Donald Trump released a video, promising, "My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power."

Of course, his focus just the day before was on stoking a violent insurrection, making any hope of an "orderly" — much less a "seamless" — transition of power impossible. It was a little like throwing someone's pet off a balcony, and then promising that, from here on out, you're going to be the most responsible of dog sitters.

Still, there is no doubt many will be tempted to believe Trump, especially as it's only 10 days until the inauguration of Joe Biden removes him from office. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has threatened to impeach trump if Vice President Mike Pence doesn't remove him through the 25th Amendment procedure. The latter is doubtful to happen, the former likely, but in either case, it takes time. The promise that Trump is done acting out and will be a good little sociopathic narcissist is appealing, because any effort to hold him accountable in this short amount of time is a logistical nightmare. That, however, is what Trump is counting on.

Trump's video, was not an earnest promise to finally behave, at this late date in his presidency, like a responsible statesman. (Also, too late!) He made no mention of the president-elect nor uttered any variant of the word concession. It was yet another manipulation from Trump, who is trying to avoid paying the piper for inciting an insurrection. This is the political equivalent of the wife-beater pleading with his battered spouse to give him another chance, and promising never to do it again. But they always do it again. And Trump cannot be trusted to keep his word about "a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power."

There are many reasons that impeachment must go forward, of course, starting with the fact that it's important to take a stand, even if it's just symbolic, against politicians fomenting anti-democratic insurrections. The death of Brian Sicknick, a Capitol police officer who appears to have been murdered by an insurrectionist armed with a fire extinguisher, only heightens the moral necessity of impeachment.

Impeachment is also a matter of prevention.

Trump, as Pelosi said in her press conference Thursday, is "a very dangerous person" and "any day could be a horror show for America." As Biden's inauguration grows nearer and the fact that he really is going to have to leave becomes more real to Trump, he will grow more frantic. And his impulse — to lash out, to insist that he's the real winner, and to stoke more violence — will rear its head again.

We've been down this road countless times with Trump: He escalates and escalates until things get really bad enough to get politically dodgy for him. And then he pulls the wife-beater-brings-roses act, giving in to pressure from aides and other Republicans to at least pretend to be presidential and do the right thing. He then sits and stews in anger at the supposed humiliation for a few days, or even hours. Eventually, he lashes out, returning to his desire to push conspiracy theories or incite nonsense or otherwise be the same tedious ******* he was before the brief bout of acting "presidential."

How many variations on this theme did we get from the coronavirus pandemic alone? Trump would ride some hobbyhorse — suggesting it was being exaggerated to hurt him politically, denying that masks were effective, insisting that people should ignore stay-at-home recommendations, hyping hydroxychloroquine as a miracle cure. Eventually, the political heat would build-up and his aides would persuade him to pay some lip service to reality, by wearing a mask in public or reading a statement asking people to follow health recommendations. But it was only ever a temporary effort to manipulate the press into giving him good coverage — he always regressed right back to where he wanted to be, raving about how it's all a hoax and masks are unmanly.

He followed this predictable pattern even when he himself got COVID-19. After a brief bout of submitting to pressure to take it seriously, Trump went right back to his denialist antics, staging a White House event meant to imply that the disease, which resulted in his hospitalization and has killed 365,000 Americans so far, is no big deal.

Trump's statement must be assumed to be more of the same: An effort to lull the press, the public, and various D.C. officials into complacency. But there is no reason to believe a word of it. For one thing, he still refuses to admit he lost the election to Biden. For another, he is refusing to take responsibility for what he did. And for yet another reason, he told likely lies in the video, such as taking credit for calling the National Guard, when reports suggest that Pence was the one who did it, against Trump's wishes.

Indeed, the first signs of the predictable Trump backslide are emerging. Twitter, in an idiotic move, let Trump have his account back and sure enough, he's already raving about how many votes he got and how his voters "will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!" Less than 24 hours after he disingenuously acknowledged "this moment calls for healing and reconciliation," Trump tweeted that he would break with a centuries-old custom and not attend the inauguration.

Trump is, above all other things, a liar. His assurances he will oversee an orderly transition should not be believed. Indeed, when Trump says a thing, it's wise to assume that the opposite is true. He's just trying to buy time to avoid facing consequences. It's possible he's even anticipating some other stunt, even though his last one led to the deaths of five people, including a police officer guarding the Capitol. Nothing has changed. As Pelosi said on Wednesday, if Pence and Cabinet will not remove Trump, he must be impeached.

Trump is trying to manipulate his way out of consequences — it can't be allowed to work - Alternet.org

[Mr Dee]

Thats quite the legacy..

 

[Tracker]

9 minutes ago, Mr Dee said:

Thats quite the legacy..

 

The GOP is long past caring what looks bad or what the voting public or the courts think.

[Mark F]

23 minutes ago, Tracker said:

The GOP is long past caring what looks bad or what the voting public or the courts think.

the Gop have pulled off so much dirty, corrupt ****, wasted trillions, stolen who knows how much, Nixon, reagan iran contra, record defixit,  bush one racist campaign, iraq lies, bush two.... say no more...

reagan, who they all worship.....
 

"Reagan had broken laws with abandon. In addition to, in effect, using public assets to purchase indirect sustenance for an activity that Congress had specifically prohibited, he had repeatedly violated the Arms Export Control Act and the National Security Act. Moreover, his appointees blatantly and repeatedly lied in sworn congressional testimony to conceal their actions."

 

even when theey treat veterans like ****, now trump... stooge  for Vlaimir Putin.

none of this bothers their voters, or their allies like fox, as long as they are solidly racist, and anti regulation of any kind.

there is nothing the gop can do that will cost them their base, except..... help minorities. 

a truly repulsive , large, segment of their country.

after the iraq war nightmare became apparent to even the stupidest americans, I heard pronouncements that the gop was dead forever.

wrong.

combine their skill at voting manipulation and their scrofular base, they are fine. they will change nothing.

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by Mark F

[Tracker]

8 minutes ago, Mark F said:

the GOP have pulled off so much dirty, corrupt ****, wasted trillions, stolen who knows how much, Nixon, Reagan Iran-contra, record deficit,  Bush one racist campaign, Iraq lies, Bush two.... say no more...

even when they treat veterans like ****, now trump... stooge  for Vladmir Putin. none of this bothers their voters, or their allies like fox, as long as they are solidly racist.

there is nothing the GOP can do that will cost them their base, except..... help minorities.  a truly repulsive , large, segment of their country.

after the Iraq war nightmare became apparent to even the stupidest Americans, I heard pronouncements that the GOP was dead forever.

wrong. combine their skill at voting manipulation and their scrofular base, they are fine. they will change nothing.

 

The Democrats have a once in a generation chance to change America irreversibly and for the better. They need to aggressively and legally prosecute all the GOP people who have broken the law with impunity so far. Simultaneously, strengthen their Medicare program. They can then impeach Clarence Thomas, extend statehood status to Washington DC and Puerto Rico, do away with gerrymandering, and restore voting rights protection. Then withdraw all US forces from non-critical areas. If they institute most or all of these, the GOP and their neo-fascists will die off or adapt to a better, kinder America.

[Mark F]

12 minutes ago, Tracker said:

The Democrats have a once in a generation chance to change America irreversibly

agree, you forgot the green new deal. nothing more important than that.

its also pribably their last chance to do these things.

and, you were right about trump. good analysis .... didnt think you were but i was wrong.

also.....ipad keyboard is poorly set up.

Edited January 9, 2021 by Mark F

[Noeller]

They also need to make absolutely sure that someone like Donald Trump can't happen ever again. Put laws and whatever else in place so that someone like that can't ever be elected. 

[Mark H.]

55 minutes ago, Tracker said:

The GOP is long past caring what looks bad or what the voting public or the courts think.

Many have also convinced themselves that 99% of the rioters were Biden supporters wearing Trump / MAGA garb (lol).  Their boy Trump tried to be noble and send them home.  

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

Not a fan of her, but I am totally a fan of this:

 

[bustamente]

There is a lot of talk on social media that some of the more hardcore terrorists are ex armed forces and ex cops, the woman killed was ex air force and some of the already arrested have ties to the armed forces and some like this guy have been fingered

 

[Mark F]

In April 2009, the Obama administration’s Department of Homeland Security released a report warning that this would happen. “Rightwing Extremism:
Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment” warned that “rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues.” It also predicted that the possibility of new gun restrictions and the return of “military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities” might mean “emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.” The report called this convergence of factors the “most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States.”

Conservatives went ballistic.

Michelle Malkin blasted it as “one of the most embarrassingly shoddy pieces of propaganda I’d ever read out of DHS.” Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) said the administration was “awfully willing to paint law-abiding Americans, including war veterans, as ‘extremists.’” Then-Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN) — the top Republican on the House Veterans’ Affairs committee at the time — called it “inconceivable” that some veterans could pose a threat.

https://archive.thinkprogress.org/right-wing-domestic-terrorism-rise-obamas-dhs-warned-a57940206352/

are republicans ever right?

 

 

 

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by Mark F

[do or die]

Back in the 90's, was down South, in a few States, doing the Civil War re-enactor thing.   Would sit round the camp fire drinking the local shine with plenty of guys, who were quite capable of abusing just about any Amendment in the Constitution - though every man a Patriot - imagined or real militia men in real life.   

They really didn't like certain people - Blacks, Asians, gays, liberals, immigrants in general and "suits".    Particular animus was reserved for just about all forms of Government above say, the local Sheriff.   Absolute gun nuts, with a host of decided victim complexes and grievances.  Zero ability to look at things from the other side.

The raw material hasn't changed much, it seems.   Just looking for somebody to prime them, make them ready......and set them off.

Edited January 9, 2021 by do or die

[Mr Dee]

Trump’s addiction needs to be fed..

 

 

[Mr Dee]

It’s said 90 minutes were allowed to pass before the National Guard was sent in.

This is entirely on Trump

Shameful and duly noted.

 

[bustamente]

I'm surprised that these kind of people can actually tie their own shoes, seriously there are some stupid people in this world

 

[Mr Dee]

 

 

[bustamente]

The Trump brand is now toxic, people are calling for boycotts of any thing Trump, and that includes his family and people associated with him and his administration, Trumps lust for power will ultimately ruin him not mention all the investigation both criminal and civil.

[Mark F]

high and widely spread Nazism in the US

 

https://www.alreporter.com/2021/01/07/alabama-ag-leads-nonprofit-that-helped-organize-march-at-capitol/

 

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall plays a critical role in the group that helped organize the protest and rally that preceded the riots, attack and attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. 

Marshall leads the Republican Attorneys General Association’s dark-money nonprofit Rule of Law Defense Fund, which is listed as a participating organization for the March to Save America on the march’s website, as are the groups Stop the Steal, Tea Party Patriots and Turning Point Action.

The website is now down, but archived versions show RLDF as a participating group. 

“I am honored to lead RAGA’s policy branch, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, and bring conservative attorneys general together in promotion of federalism, freedom, and the rule of law,” Marshall said in a Nov. 10 statement to RAGA. 

[do or die]

9 minutes ago, bustamente said:

The Trump brand is now toxic, people are calling for boycotts of any thing Trump, and that includes his family and people associated with him and his administration, Trumps lust for power will ultimately ruin him not mention all the investigation both criminal and civil.

Great.  As long as his other megaphones and enablers, both in the GOP and media.......are not forgotten.  

[bustamente]

Lifted this from a Mother Jones story, just another reason to impeach and convict Trump

The 1958 Former Presidents Act assures that no president leaves office without being set for life—it guarantees a pension, access to health insurance, office space and staff, and Secret Service protection for as long as he or she wants it. There is, however, one exception: These perks are only granted to presidents who aren’t removed from office in an impeachment trial.

For Donald Trump, who boasts of being a billionaire (though one who appeared to be headed for financial troubles, even before Wednesday’s insurrection), the pension may not be a big deal. It is lavish, set to be $219,000 this year, but a fraction of what Trump earns from his business. But losing the Secret Service protection might be more painful. No one knows how much is spent on protecting former presidents—the Secret Service budget for that is kept secret—but it’s not a small number. 

And not only would Trump have to pay for his own security, he would lose the ability to charge taxpayers when his protective detail stays at his properties around the globe. While in office, Trump has billed taxpayers more than $1.1. million for Secret Service personnel to stay at his properties, including renting the agency a cottage at his Bedminster golf course for $21,000 per month.

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

12 hours ago, Tracker said:

The Democrats have a once in a generation chance to change America irreversibly and for the better. They need to aggressively and legally prosecute all the GOP people who have broken the law with impunity so far. Simultaneously, strengthen their Medicare program. They can then impeach Clarence Thomas, extend statehood status to Washington DC and Puerto Rico, do away with gerrymandering, and restore voting rights protection. Then withdraw all US forces from non-critical areas. If they institute most or all of these, the GOP and their neo-fascists will die off or adapt to a better, kinder America.

One problem- ******* Joe Manchin.

Biden should try and give a plum job in his administration to Susan Collins and let the Democratic Governor on Maine appoint someone useful to the senate and take ******* Joe Manchin's power away and then primary his ass next time he's up for election.

[Mark F]

the terrorists are being identified by efforts of a Canadian, John Scott- Railston..... explains how he does it onhis twitter. 

[bustamente]

33 minutes ago, do or die said:

Great.  As long as his other megaphones and enablers, both in the GOP and media.......are not forgotten.  

In this Forbes article it talks about the former press secretaries and that companies need to be careful when you hire liars

As someone in the business of facts, it’s been especially painful to watch President Trump’s press secretaries debase themselves. Yes, as with their political bosses, spins and omissions and exaggerations are part of the game. But ultimately in PR, core credibility is the coin of the realm.

From Day One at the Trump White House, up has been down, yes has been no, failure has been success. Sean Spicer set the tone with the inauguration crowd size – the worst kind of whopper, as it demanded that people disbelieve their own eyes. The next day, Kellyanne Conway defended Spicer’s lie with a new term, “alternative facts.” Spicer’s successor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders lied at scale, from smearing those who accused Trump of sexual harassment to conjuring jobs statistics. Her successor, Stephanie Grisham, over the course of a year, never even held a press conference, though the BS continued unabated across friendly outlets. And finally, Kayleigh McEnany, Harvard Law graduate, a propaganda prodigy at 32 who makes smiling falsehood an art form. All of this magnified by journalists too often following an old playbook ill-prepared for an Orwellian communication era.