Donald Trump Presidency discussion thread III

everlast75

Gbear wrote: »

Is there any data so far on bye-elections and other small scale appointments that show whether or not there has been an effect?

In other words, is there any evidence that this supposed "Blue Midterm" is actually going to materialise?

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/377337-election-forecaster-moves-26-races-in-favor-of-dems?amp&__twitter_impression=true

Personally, I'd prefer if there wasn't ant evidence. That tends to lead to complacency... and that in my opinion was one of the reasons Trump won..

Quin_Dub

I think there's a fairly good chance that the Democrats will take control of the House , but the Senate is unlikely given the seats that are up for election etc.

If the Democrats can at least hold on to their current number of Seats in the Senate and take the House , they will make it very very uncomfortable for Trump and the GOP in general..

There is a special election next week (Philadelphia I think) that will be a good indicator , it's an Area that Trump won by double digits last year , but it's now neck and neck for the Democratic candidate..

If it flips blue things will get interesting..

I mean Ted Cruz seat in Texas has moved from "Solid GOP" to "Likely GOP" already and democrats are voting in much higher numbers than GOP's in the primaries there...

everlast75

Quin_Dub wrote: »

I think there's a fairly good chance that the Democrats will take control of the House , but the Senate is unlikely given the seats that are up for election etc.

If the Democrats can at least hold on to their current number of Seats in the Senate and take the House , they will make it very very uncomfortable for Trump and the GOP in general..

There is a special election next week (Philadelphia I think) that will be a good indicator , it's an Area that Trump won by double digits last year , but it's now neck and neck for the Democratic candidate..

If it flips blue things will get interesting..

I mean Ted Cruz seat in Texas has moved from "Solid GOP" to "Likely GOP" already and democrats are voting in much higher numbers than GOP's in the primaries there...

Paul Ryan too - now wouldn't THAT be hilarious!

Water John

They'll have plenty of bourbon, to drown their sorrows. The EU won't be taking it.

Quin_Dub

everlast75 wrote: »

Paul Ryan too - now wouldn't THAT be hilarious!

And the EU response to the proposed Tariffs are extremely politically targeted.

Harley Davidson? - Headquartered in Paul Ryans District in Wisconsin

Bourbon? - Mostly Kentucky , Mitch McConnells homepatch

Orange Juice? - Florida , home of Mar-a-Lago and a key swing state.

Peanuts - All grown in Strongly Red States.

If the tariffs come through and the EU respond as they say they will , several Key GOP leaders will have a lot of explaining to do at the Stump over the Summer.

everlast75

everlast75 wrote: »

Trump supporters are 30-40%. That leaves 70-60% of right minded people. If enough people stiff the Rep party in the midterms then they will pay attention. They are prepared to cosy up to him until then.

If the report is after the midterms, combined with the (hopeful) hammering they get may give them the kick up the hole they need to do something.

They might be 30-40% as you said but they appear to be the percentage that vote, at least when it will come to denying a democrat getting in. Hopefully your right in relation to stiff of the party. But given that even some of the 'right minded' republicans don't seem to mind voting for poorer health care etc I'm not so sure. But fingers crossed.

VinLieger

Video games are back in vogue as the scapegoat to replace guns being a cause of violence, trump managed to haphazardly cobble together a meeting of some industry reps and a very stacked room of people with a declared bias against video games

https://kotaku.com/trump-vs-video-games-what-to-expect-from-tomorrow-s-w-1823584400

Really looking forward to seeing how he will dodge the question that literally every other country in the world plays the same games but where are their school shootings?

pixelburp

VinLieger wrote: »

Video games are back in vogue as the scapegoat to replace guns being a cause of violence, trump managed to haphazardly cobble together a meeting of some industry reps and a very stacked room of people with a declared bias against video games

https://kotaku.com/trump-vs-video-games-what-to-expect-from-tomorrow-s-w-1823584400

Really looking forward to seeing how he will dodge the question that literally every other country in the world plays the same games but where are their school shootings?

The fact this meeting is even taking place shows the question is already well dodged - and I doubt any of the media present will ask him that either. There's no call for it to happen at all, only to dredge up the long since discredited moral panic from the 1990s. Which makes sense really, given there's a certain anachronistic outlook about the Trump administration that makes it seem locked in the past. Look at one of the attendees:

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of “Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing”

Now, I haven't google that book, but I'm making an assumption that by the title alone, it isn't a fair minded publication that agrees with the consensus of games being a harmless past-time.

Plus, with the presence of 3 politicians, including the Republicans go-to lickspittle Marco Rubio, I guarantee this is going to be a hatchet job, with Trump doubtlessly doing one of his off-the-cuff speeches for the cameras... 'a lot of people are saying...' etc. etc.

VinLieger

pixelburp wrote: »

The fact this meeting is even taking place shows the question is already well dodged - and I doubt any of the media present will ask him that either. There's no call for it to happen at all, only to dredge up the long since discredited moral panic from the 1990s. Which makes sense really, given there's a certain anachronistic outlook about the Trump administration that makes it seem locked in the past. Look at one of the attendees:

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of “Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing”

Now, I haven't google that book, but I'm making an assumption that by the title alone, it isn't a fair minded publication that agrees with the consensus of games being a harmless past-time.

Plus, with the presence of 3 politicians, including the Republicans go-to lickspittle Marco Rubio, I guarantee this is going to be a hatchet job, with Trump doubtlessly doing one of his off-the-cuff speeches for the cameras... 'a lot of people are saying...' etc. etc.

Note also the distinct lack of scientists who have done any studies on this.

The irony of this whole situation is also rather beautiful considering T_D was heavily bolstered by the whole gamergate fiasco, i will be curious to see how many of those nutjobs stick by the big orange in chief when he comes after one of the few things in life alongside their guns they probably put a red line in front of.

I also am deffinitely feeling a sense of dejavue from the 90's early 00's, hell even Jack Thomspon has popped up again on the scene

eire4

Quin_Dub wrote: »

And the EU response to the proposed Tariffs are extremely politically targeted.

Harley Davidson? - Headquartered in Paul Ryans District in Wisconsin

Bourbon? - Mostly Kentucky , Mitch McConnells homepatch

Orange Juice? - Florida , home of Mar-a-Lago and a key swing state.

Peanuts - All grown in Strongly Red States.

If the tariffs come through and the EU respond as they say they will , several Key GOP leaders will have a lot of explaining to do at the Stump over the Summer.

I never thought about the EU response that way but whether it was intentionally done that way or not the result will be the same if the tariffs so get imposed. Very interesting.

VinLieger

eire4 wrote: »

I never thought about the EU response that way but whether it was intentionally done that way or not the result will be the same if the tariffs so get imposed. Very interesting.

Ohh its deffinitely intentionally targeting industries in GOP states

eire4

VinLieger wrote: »

Ohh its deffinitely intentionally targeting industries in GOP states

Very smart targeted move from an EU standpoint.

Itssoeasy

This non disclosure agreement business has me confused.

1.Why is trumps lawyer alledgedly intimidating stormy Daniels(according to her lawyer at least) over an event that trump has claimed didn't happen ?
2. Also if trump never signed it(and in my eyes the NDA then isn't valid)then why did trumps lawyer got a judgement against this women baring her from speaking about it on penalty of a million dollar every time she spoke about an event that both trump and SHS repeated is false ?

It seems an awful lot of time and money to hush up someone over something that apparently never happened ?

Also the alledged pictures must never see the light of day for the sake of humanity.

jobbridge4life

eire4 wrote: »

I never thought about the EU response that way but whether it was intentionally done that way or not the result will be the same if the tariffs so get imposed. Very interesting.

I find that very interesting.

For me there is nothing surprising about the precision of this response. The EU has probably the most experienced, skilled and resourced trade team in the world. They are at the very pinnacle of this game.

aloyisious

Itssoeasy wrote: »

This non disclosure agreement business has me confused.

1.Why is trumps lawyer alledgedly intimidating stormy Daniels(according to her lawyer at least) over an event that trump has claimed didn't happen ?
2. Also if trump never signed it(and in my eyes the NDA then isn't valid)then why did trumps lawyer got a judgement against this women baring her from speaking about it on penalty of a million dollar every time she spoke about an event that both trump and SHS repeated is false ?

It seems an awful lot of time and money to hush up someone over something that apparently never happened ?

Also the alledged pictures must never see the light of day for the sake of humanity.

Don's desire to be centre-stage and others as bit-actors. The legal action threat sound's like Don's reported way of dealing with people who have a better case than him but not enough cash to lawyer-up.

Water John

DT not signing the NDA, doesn't invalidate it, according to most US legal people.

Not a chance of it being declared invalid. Pity.

Headshot

Im hoping China and EU hit back with tariffs of their own.

Call me Al

Water John wrote: »

DT not signing the NDA, doesn't invalidate it, according to most US legal people.

Not a chance of it being declared invalid. Pity.

I've no doubt the woman in question has done a cost-benefit analysis. She will earn multiples of the $1m she will lose.

Water John

No media or publisher would touch her, (pun intended) if she is subject to an NDA. Legally not on.

Kermit.de.frog

Trump has fired the first shots in a global trade war. His debasement of the United States has officially extended to the start of destabilising geopolitics around the world as the tit for tat begins.

Doltanian

Steel Plants in the Northern States are already planning to reopen. This is a genius move and will his tighten Trumps grip on the Northern States and will effectively guarantee his electoral college victory in 2020.

Trumps new steel tariff will add roughly $300 to the price of a new roughly $50,000 truck which spread out over 72 months would see the repayment increase by $4 a month. However meanwhile 500 people are at work making steel and 100's more are providing support in related jobs. I wouldn't doubt if more than a few of those NEWLY EMPLOYED folks wouldn't mind buying a Harley. A flipside bonus is the American Economic Patriotism might add enough dissent for the Chinese to overthrow their leftwing communist oppressors when Trump's Tarrifs begin to cause serious hurt in Beijing. Trump is done what he promised and is the most disruptive President to the cosy cartel status quo in 100+ years.

Hurrache

Well Jeff Flake is going to petition against it in senate and Paul Ryan appears as if he'd support it

https://twitter.com/Phil_Mattingly/status/971856273003118592?s=19

Akrasia

There's a great podcast episode by a US lawyer who lays out the legal strategy of Stormy Daniels. He thinks that trump has been checkmated and either he has to pretend the NDA never existed or he is basically admitting to multiple crimes as well as his affair with that pornstar
Its called Opening Arguments
http://pca.st/VGrp

Those pictures and texts are guaranteed to be released sooner rather than later

everlast75

Akrasia wrote: »

There's a great podcast episode by a US lawyer who lays out the legal strategy of Stormy Daniels. He thinks that trump has been checkmated and either he has to pretend the NDA never existed or he is basically admitting to multiple crimes as well as his affair with that pornstar
Its called Opening Arguments
http://pca.st/VGrp

Those pictures and texts are guaranteed to be released sooner rather than later

I'm thanking this post for the link - not for the comment about seeing pictures...

CrabRevolution

Doltanian wrote: »

Steel Plants in the Northern States are already planning to reopen. This is a genius move and will his tighten Trumps grip on the Northern States and will effectively guarantee his electoral college victory in 2020.

Trumps new steel tariff will add roughly $300 to the price of a new roughly $50,000 truck which spread out over 72 months would see the repayment increase by $4 a month. However meanwhile 500 people are at work making steel and 100's more are providing support in related jobs. I wouldn't doubt if more than a few of those NEWLY EMPLOYED folks wouldn't mind buying a Harley. A flipside bonus is the American Economic Patriotism might add enough dissent for the Chinese to overthrow their leftwing communist oppressors when Trump's Tarrifs begin to cause serious hurt in Beijing. Trump is done what he promised and is the most disruptive President to the cosy cartel status quo in 100+ years.

Slightly off topic but while researching a reply to this bizarre rant I was looking up what countries held the most of US Debt. China is top creditor at over 1.1 Trillion dollars. 2nd is Japan with 1 Trillion.

Then in third we have.....Ireland, at almost 330 Billion dollars.

Anyone know how this came to be? It has to be some sort of tax scheme or loophole.

http://ticdata.treasury.gov/Publish/mfh.txt

listermint

Doltanian wrote: »

Steel Plants in the Northern States are already planning to reopen. This is a genius move and will his tighten Trumps grip on the Northern States and will effectively guarantee his electoral college victory in 2020.

Trumps new steel tariff will add roughly $300 to the price of a new roughly $50,000 truck which spread out over 72 months would see the repayment increase by $4 a month. However meanwhile 500 people are at work making steel and 100's more are providing support in related jobs. I wouldn't doubt if more than a few of those NEWLY EMPLOYED folks wouldn't mind buying a Harley. A flipside bonus is the American Economic Patriotism might add enough dissent for the Chinese to overthrow their leftwing communist oppressors when Trump's Tarrifs begin to cause serious hurt in Beijing. Trump is done what he promised and is the most disruptive President to the cosy cartel status quo in 100+ years.

Leftwing Communist opppressors......


This comment some is comedy gold worthy of a sketch show

Doltanian

Doltanian wrote: »

Steel Plants in the Northern States are already planning to reopen. This is a genius move and will his tighten Trumps grip on the Northern States and will effectively guarantee his electoral college victory in 2020.

Trumps new steel tariff will add roughly $300 to the price of a new roughly $50,000 truck which spread out over 72 months would see the repayment increase by $4 a month. However meanwhile 500 people are at work making steel and 100's more are providing support in related jobs. I wouldn't doubt if more than a few of those NEWLY EMPLOYED folks wouldn't mind buying a Harley. A flipside bonus is the American Economic Patriotism might add enough dissent for the Chinese to overthrow their leftwing communist oppressors when Trump's Tarrifs begin to cause serious hurt in Beijing. Trump is done what he promised and is the most disruptive President to the cosy cartel status quo in 100+ years.

If you think Trump is the great white hope of the working man, tell that to the folks down in Doonbeg who he put on zero hour contracts or replaced with job bridge freebies. Sounds very cosy cartel like to me.

Manic Moran

Congress has already been considering legislation to overrule the tariff action. I would not be surprised if they came up with a veto-proof supermajority on this.

I'm not sure there isn't -something- to the video games thing, though. Yes, I know, there is no indication that folks who play video games are in any way more inclined to violence, that's not where I'm going. I'm thinking more along the lines as to how the games shape culture. For example, if a game includes rape, or demeaning of women, etc, there is a significant outlash. Not because folks will suddenly switch off their console and go rape someone, I don't think any of the opponents make such an argument, but because of what it does to the overall attitudes towards women. I mean, why did the "No Russians" level in MW2 cause so much controversy? Not because of the amount of killing, but because of its context.

Given that the US is suffering a distinct lack of respect for life, is it possible that some of the overall 'culture' is being affected by popular games, music, etc? I mean, I think we all agree that there is a cultural problem in the US, and mass media entertainment is a significant part of it.

aloyisious

NYT today, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/08/us/politics/russian-trolls-trump-campaign-florida-matt-skiber.html

Don's Florida campaign on how Russian trolls crept into Trump Campaign messages. The campaign’s Florida staff unwittingly engaged with the trolls. “Nobody reasonably would have asked — or even thought to ask — ‘Are you sure you’re not with Russia?’” an aide said.

...............................................................................................................................................................

Paul Manafort has pleaded not guilty to tax and fraud charges brought in federal court in Virginia. The former Trump campaign manager faces charges brought by the special counsel.

Pelvis

Big announcement from the white House regarding North Korea in a few minutes.