Trump: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

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kmoney

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Breaking: Senate Passes Russia, Iran, North Korea Sanctions Bill, 98-2!
Daniel McAdams

Minutes ago the US Senate passed HR 3364, the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act by a massive 98 yeas to two nays. Opposing the bill were Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rand Paul (R-KY). The bill passed in the House by 419-3 on Tuesday, with Reps Massie (R-KY), Amash (R-MI), and Duncan (R-TN) opposing.
The new sanctions bill ties President Trump’s hands on foreign policy, as he will be forced to ask Congress for permission to ease the measures.
Speaking in favor of the legislation, Sen. Bob Menendez (R-NJ) cited the need to send Russia a message that it cannot meddle in US elections, that it cannot annex Crimea, that it cannot invade Ukraine, and that it cannot indiscriminately kill women and children in Syria.
Those of us living in the actual real world recognize that the first count remains unproven and the remaining counts are simply fatuous, fact-free bluster by Washington’s uninformed, group-thinking, foreign policy elites. Fueled by the millions coming in to the military-industrial complex.
The House and Senate passed “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” now goes to President Trump’s desk, where he faces a damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t scenario. A veto would certainly be over-ridden, handing the president a bitter bi-partisan blow that would likely end whatever aspirations he may retain to keep his campaign promises to get along better with Russia. Similarly, signing the bill signs a death warrant for any foreign policy different than the one served up by the neocons for decades: create enemies; push war propaganda; collect massive checks from military industrial complex; demonize any American refusing to go along; repeat, adding bombs as necessary.
Checkmate, President Trump.
Congress doesn't trust Trump on Russia. :mock: Trump
 

annabenedetti

like marbles on glass
I have a theory about him. He clearly has no sincere love for Trump. And he doesn't need the job. And there's no reason to believe be is motivated by a public service ethic. So why would he take such a job? My theory is that he is in it for the chance to liquidate his company tax-free. I'm not sure what Donald is getting from it, but I'd be he's in it for the tax break, which could be quite substantial.

He's the perfect poster child for unbridled ambition.

Plus he's a walking stereotype for central casting for the type of slick, oiled, gelled, sprayed, tanned and teeth-whitened sycophant who'll do anything for the boss - anything - while he sticks it to anyone below him. He's repulsive.
 

kmoney

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Hall of Fame
When Boy Scouts are used to further any political agenda it undermines the very fundamentals of scouting.

It was despicable.
What I'd like to know is who all was behind that speech. Doesn't the President have staff and speech writers to do all that? Did they write it? Did they write something else and Trump went off message? Did Trump do it himself? :idunno:

I'm not sure if it was Trump trying to use scouts or if he simply doesn't know how to give a nice, non-partisan speech. He treats everything like a campaign rally. Since Trump knows nothing of virtue and character he probably would struggle to give a speech about what the scouts stand for.
 

kmoney

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http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/...cle_654f89fc-7151-11e7-960b-9729b51aec31.html


An Eagle Scout reflects on Trump’s Jamboree speech [opinion]

Profound disappointment barely seems to scratch the surface of my feelings toward both President Donald Trump and the Boy Scouts of America after the president’s speech at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia on Monday evening.

Trump, whose meandering address contained nuggets of advice cloaked in shameless self-aggrandizement, redoubled his attacks on both Democrats and civil institutions, derided “Obamacare,” and touted economic indicators that have been on the rise for years.

I am disappointed in the president for exploiting a captive audience of young people to engage in flagrant self-promotion and to widen the chasm of division that pollutes our politics. I am disappointed in attendees who applauded the president as he demeaned his predecessor Barack Obama (who, incidentally, was involved in scouting), his former opponent Hillary Clinton, and the media.

And I am disappointed in commenters on social media who posted horrifying side-by-side images and comparisons of the Jamboree and Hitler Youth rallies.

Each group — presented with a unique opportunity to celebrate values that should guide our nation —displayed an appalling lack of self-control.

In a time of unyielding rancor, the tenets of the Scout Law were used not as ideals to which we can aspire, but as weapons with which we can bludgeon our political opponents.

So here I offer an alternate message, one that could have been given by the president to a group that aims to embody so much of what we purport to value as a country.

What Trump could have said
On a foggy evening in London more than 100 years ago, a disoriented businessman named William Boyce received directions from a young man who expected nothing in return. He was a Scout doing a good turn. Inspired by this simple act of kindness, Boyce brought an organization to America that has been part of its fabric for 107 years.

In a time when our politics divides us, the Scout Law reminds us of our duty to ourselves, to one another and to our country. It extols the virtues of citizenship; it centers our mind on service; and it reminds us of our fundamental duty to love our neighbors as ourselves.

We find wisdom in the points of the Scout Law.

A Scout is trustworthy. He can trust his neighbor; his neighbor can trust him.

A Scout is loyal — not to any one political party or ideology, but to his peers and to his country.

A Scout is helpful. He knows that when one of us succeeds, we all succeed. To that end, when he has a hand to lend, he lends it, trusting that the next time he needs a hand, someone will lend him one.

A Scout is friendly, courteous and kind. He doesn’t need a reason to show kindness to someone else, and he doesn’t expect a quid pro quo. He just does what is right.

A Scout is obedient. Whether or not he agrees with a directive, he upholds it, and then later, if he believes it's unwise, he seeks to change it through proper channels. He respects leaders and authorities, realizing that they must make decisions, and he must respect them.

A Scout is cheerful. He maintains a positive attitude even when circumstances appear bleak. When the challenges appear insurmountable, he puts a smile on his face and presses forward because he realizes the only permanent failure is a failure to put forth one’s best effort.

A Scout is thrifty. He uses his time, his energy and his money wisely.

A Scout is brave. He stands up for what he believes is right even if that means he stands alone. Faced with a moral dilemma, he turns inward to confirm what he knows is right rather than looking outward to see what the crowd is doing.

A Scout is clean— in thought, word, and deed.

A Scout is reverent. He puts God ahead of everyone and everything else. He trusts in the divine wisdom of the Lord Almighty to guide him along his path.

In this age of division and incivility, I call upon all Americans to reflect on the values of the Scout Law.

When we’re willing to work as a team, caring more about the job getting done than who gets the credit, we can overcome so many of the self-imposed barriers before us.

When we realize that leadership means putting others before ourselves, remembering the words of the scout’s oath of office (I promise to do my best to be worthy of this office for the sake of my fellow scouts and my troop and the World Brotherhood of Scouting) —which never mention self-interest — we can put ourselves on the path to the more perfect union our nation's founders envisioned some 241 years ago.

For it is in the legacy of one simple good turn by a young man done in 1909 that we are gathered today. With that in mind, go forth and serve your communities and your country one good turn, one service project and one smile at a time, knowing that the impact of your actions will be felt for generations to come.



 

annabenedetti

like marbles on glass
What I'd like to know is who all was behind that speech. Doesn't the President have staff and speech writers to do all that? Did they write it? Did they write something else and Trump went off message? Did Trump do it himself? :idunno:

I'm not sure if it was Trump trying to use scouts or if he simply doesn't know how to give a nice, non-partisan speech. Since Trump knows nothing of virtue and character he probably would struggle to give a speech about what the scouts stand for.

Trump goes off message a lot, and whenever he does he ends up in the weeds. So he's in the weeds a lot, saying outrageous things that other people have to walk back for him, but that he never apologizes for, no matter how egregious the words.

The BSA had to disown the politicization of the jamboree speech, and various police departments had to disown Trump's suggestion that they use unlawful and excessive force when arresting people.

The circumstances around Reince Priebus' departure are nothing better than tinpot dictator tactics. There's a screw loose, and nobody brave enough or competent enough to step forward and tighten it up.
 

exminister

Well-known member
I have a theory about him. He clearly has no sincere love for Trump. And he doesn't need the job. And there's no reason to believe be is motivated by a public service ethic. So why would he take such a job? My theory is that he is in it for the chance to liquidate his company tax-free. I'm not sure what Donald is getting from it, but I'd be he's in it for the tax break, which could be quite substantial.
Donald gets press and he loves to say "my generals". He is "bigger" than a general now. So kewl.
 

Town Heretic

Out of Order
Hall of Fame
Trump goes off message a lot, and whenever he does he ends up in the weeds.
So it's like his golf game, and the press corps is standing in for the guy who makes him count the strokes? Or at least wondering if a stroke might account for his play.

The BSA had to disown the politicization of the jamboree speech, and various police departments had to disown Trump's suggestion that they use unlawful and excessive force when arresting people.
He probably thought he was speaking to a slightly different set of initials. And the latter reminds me of some of his campaign rhetoric.

The circumstances around Reince Priebus'
Though now that I think about it some more I like my take on his name better than his name.

There's a screw loose, and nobody brave enough or competent enough to step forward and tighten it up.
He wouldn't listen anyway. It's probably been years since anyone who sought out the orbit believed otherwise, which is a different kind of sad.
 

annabenedetti

like marbles on glass
He wouldn't listen anyway. It's probably been years since anyone who sought out the orbit believed otherwise, which is a different kind of sad.

They took a chance on grabbing their portion of political power and prestige, and one by one, they're being humiliated.

Setting aside just desserts, irony or karma: why do they allow him to do it? I don't understand that.
 

annabenedetti

like marbles on glass
Trump, whose meandering address contained nuggets of advice cloaked in shameless self-aggrandizement, redoubled his attacks on both Democrats and civil institutions, derided “Obamacare,” and touted economic indicators that have been on the rise for years.

I am disappointed in the president for exploiting a captive audience of young people to engage in flagrant self-promotion and to widen the chasm of division that pollutes our politics. I am disappointed in attendees who applauded the president as he demeaned his predecessor Barack Obama (who, incidentally, was involved in scouting), his former opponent Hillary Clinton, and the media.

That's what we see every time Trump gives a speech: self-aggrandizement. It overshadows everything else. He's not a leader who puts his people first, he's a narcissist who not only puts himself first, he does it without apology and in so doing he lowers the bar and normalizes it so the good little populace forget what a real leader should sound like.
 

kmoney

New member
Hall of Fame
Trump goes off message a lot, and whenever he does he ends up in the weeds. So he's in the weeds a lot, saying outrageous things that other people have to walk back for him, but that he never apologizes for, no matter how egregious the words.

The BSA had to disown the politicization of the jamboree speech, and various police departments had to disown Trump's suggestion that they use unlawful and excessive force when arresting people.

The circumstances around Reince Priebus' departure are nothing better than tinpot dictator tactics. There's a screw loose, and nobody brave enough or competent enough to step forward and tighten it up.
I just read about his speech encouraging law enforcement to act rough. :plain:
 

Foxfire

Well-known member
What I'd like to know is who all was behind that speech. Doesn't the President have staff and speech writers to do all that? Did they write it? Did they write something else and Trump went off message? Did Trump do it himself? :idunno:
He had a pre-written speech, but he couldn't help himself from lapsing into ad-lib.

Since Trump knows nothing of virtue and character he probably would struggle to give a speech about what the scouts stand for.

Hardly concepts that Trump could ever embrace. :think:
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent.
 

Rusha

LIFETIME MEMBER
LIFETIME MEMBER
Hall of Fame
He had a pre-written speech, but he couldn't help himself from lapsing into ad-lib.



Hardly concepts that Trump could ever embrace. :think:
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent.

You forgot class ... as in, he has none. He is like a demon-possessed version of Jethro Clampett.
 
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