Donald John Trump: 2016 President-Elect

[SoSueMe]

Aw, Donald is finally getting his oral (screaming and cheering) gratification. He must have been experiencing major withdrawal from all that up close and personal adoration. Gag me. 

[Chicken Wing]

Quote

Aw, Donald is finally getting his oral (screaming and cheering) gratification. 

Thank you for the parenthetical. :)

[potatoradio]

42 minutes ago, KerleyQ said:

Hey, when Emperor Trump makes his way to imprisoning people who posted mean things about him on the internet, I hope we all end up in the same cell block.  (And, hopefully, it will be adjacent to the comedy cell block, housing Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Seth Myers, Sam Bee, and Alec Baldwin.)

Oh, heck, if I can call dibs on sharing a cell with Rachel Maddow or joy ried, I will burn a flag on the white house lawn and sing every one of Keith Olbermann's Tweets as it burns. Also, could I have the cell that's close to Ezra Klein's and Chris Hayes'? As the centrists like Jeremy Peters get tossed in, I'll save them a spot at the lunch table, too, and finally, FINALLY get to sit with the cool kids. Will Suze Orman be our prison guard? Pretty please? 

I don't know that there will be time for all of that, though. I mean, from reading what's been posted about Tubby slipping in his own shit as he talked to the Pakistani Prime Minister, what the hell? Let's skip all the foreplay of gutting government programs and civil rights and culture wars and just get right to the showstopper of nuclear war. 

[Toomuchsoap]

Fascist autocrats like tRump like their rallies. Any excuse to throw one just feeds the beast (see Hitler, Mussolini, Peron)

[debbie311]

He's talking now.  He is such a boastful, classless ass.  He is going on and on and on about how he won "bigly."  How all the polls were wrong, the press is a bunch of liars.  He actually demeaned AGAIN the anchor who was in tears the night of the election.  Get over yourself!  Move forward!  Talk about HOW the hell you are going to make all these wonderful things happen that you have promised.  The whole purpose of this "thank you" gig of his is just to blow his own horn, stroke his ego. 

[ruby24]

You lost the vote Trump. The people chose Hillary, not you. You do not have the people behind you. You never will.

[izabella]

I think he also wants to give his supporters a pep talk, to distract them from the fact almost half of his appointments so far have ties to Goldman Sachs,, and Paul Ryan is foaming at the mouth about taking away their Medicare.

[AntiBeeSpray]

Just now, izabella said:

I think he also wants to give his supporters a pep talk, to distract them from the fact almost half of his appointments so far have ties to Goldman Sachs,, and Paul Ryan is foaming at the mouth about taking away their Medicare.

Yep. Nothing like yet another distraction.

[onthebrink03]

On 12/1/2016 at 7:48 PM, SoSueMe said:

Aw, Donald is finally getting his oral (screaming and cheering) gratification. He must have been experiencing major withdrawal from all that up close and personal adoration. Gag me. 

It's on in the background here.  So I'm hearing Dumpster talking about how unacceptable the gridlock in DC is.  I'm hearing him say he's told the Democrats that the gridlock has to stop.  The people are angry at nothing getting done.  They have to work together now to make American great.  

So suddenly, unbeknownst to me, I'm in an alternate universe, right?  Cause I'm remembering a Republican Senate leader that was going to make Obama a one term President.  I'm remembering a plan to block any and all proposals.  I remember a Republican Congress that closed down the government because ridiculous demands were not being met.  I remember so many instances of a wall of resistance trying to insure they got to fulfill their promise to themselves to not allow anything, ANYTHING, to be passed by this liberal administration.  

I don't remember calls coming from them to unite for the good of the country.  I don't remember them being open to new ideas and changes.  I don't remember them reaching across the aisle to show the current administration that they would work together, again for the good of the country.  I don't remember them being anything more than self-serving obstructionist assholes putting their party and their own interests before those of the country and it's citizens.

I don't like this alternate universe where the truth, as I know it, is turned on it's head and the fingers of blame are pointing in the wrong direction.  

My heart goes out to all Americans.  It's going to be a long 4 years (or however long he lasts in office before being turfed out on his fat ass).

Edited December 3, 2016 by onthebrink03

[debbie311]

I just wonder If President Obama is watching this and what he is thinking.  Everything he worked for is going down the drain. Trump actually said the country has been led the last eight years by people who don't know what they are doing.  The election is over, you idiot!  Stop insulting our sitting President!  I wish so much that Obama would speak up for us!  I know that "when they go low we go high" but PLEASE.  And stop talking about how you beat Hillary!  I hate him soo much.

Edited December 2, 2016 by debbie311

[parisprincess]

I haven't seen anything here about Trump's conversation with the Pakistani prime minister on Monday (or maybe it was covered on a different thread?)

According to the Pakistani government, Trump said to the Prime Minister, "You have a very good reputation. You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work, which is visible in every way." Trump also told him his country is amazing, with tremendous opportunities, that Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people, and that he is ready and willing to play any role that the P.M. wants him to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. He also said to feel free to call him (Trump) anytime, "even before January 20th, that is before I assume my office." Oh, and he told the P.M. that as he was talking to him, he felt like he was talking to a person he has known for a long time.

I am speechless (well, not quite)! First of all, four years ago Trump was tweeting how Pakistan is our enemy. Now the P.M. is going to be his BFF? Does he not know that Pakistan is a Muslim country, that they hid and protected Bin Laden for several years, and that they're a breeding ground for terrorists? Does he even know where Pakistan is? Did he even know the name of the Prime Minister prior to their conversation? Does he not know that Pakistan and India are on the brink of a nuclear war and diplomacy is very important in dealing with either of them? Where are his Foreign Affairs advisors and why haven't they duct taped his big, fat orange mouth?

Trump's inability to converse with world leaders at a level of intelligence beyond that of a used care salesman is embarrassing and laughable. Quick, someone get the buffoon a Thesaurus so he will stop using the words "tremendous", "amazing", and "terrific" all of the time. As someone else said, he's like the kid who is writing a book report without reading the book.  

The asshole makes me more stabby each and every day!!!

 

36 minutes ago, debbie311 said:

He's talking now.  He is such a boastful, classless ass.  He is going on and on and on about how he won "bigly."  How all the polls were wrong, the press is a bunch of liars.  He actually demeaned AGAIN the anchor who was in tears the night of the election.  Get over yourself!  Move forward!  Talk about HOW the hell you are going to make all these wonderful things happen that you have promised.  The whole purpose of this "thank you" gig of his is just to blow his own horn, stroke his ego. 

So, while his supporters are telling us we need to unite, the blowhard is still insulting people, whining about the press, and spreading hate. Yeah, that's gonna make me want to play nice....not!

[sistermagpie]

9 minutes ago, onthebrink03 said:

It's on in the background here.  So I'm hearing Dumpster talking about how unacceptable the gridlock in DC is.  I'm hearing him say he's told the Democrats that the gridlock has to stop.  The people are angry at nothing getting done.  They have to work together now to make American great.  

I'm assuming that his supporters are loving this because they see it as big strong Trump coming in and basically threatening the Dems into submission. Though I doubt he's actually talked to anybody (besides people like the Pakistani FM who he flattered) about any of this. He just loves to make up stories where he came in and told someone off and they loved it. One day he should slip in that he punched out an elephant that was giving him lip. Or that he was the Best Seeker at Hogwarts.

[Duke Silver]

The bulk of his supporters wanted nothing to do with uniting the past 8 years.  The part of the GOP that didn't even support Trump were even worse, and their hypocrisy is stunning & unsurprising at the same time.  They can all fuck off.

[Lunata]

And a big hello to all. :)

I for one, am relieved to hear that at least Senator Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are watch-dogging Donald Trump. I for one feel abandoned by the Democrats.  This is a statement from Senator Bernie Sanders today regarding the Carrier deal;

Senator Sanders blasts Trump's Carrier deal.

"Just a short few months ago, Trump was pledging to force United Technologies to 'pay a damn tax'.... instead of a damn tax, the company will be rewarded with a damn tax cut. Wow!.... In essence, United Technologies took Trump hostage and won."

[izabella]

7 minutes ago, parisprincess said:

I am speechless (well, not quite)! First of all, four years ago Trump was tweeting how Pakistan is our enemy. Now the P.M. is going to be his BFF? Does he not know that Pakistan is a Muslim country, that they hid and protected Bin Laden for several years, and that they're a breeding ground for terrorists? Does he even know where Pakistan is? Did he even know the name of the Prime Minister prior to their conversation? Does he not know that Pakistan and India are on the brink of a nuclear war and diplomacy is very important in dealing with either of them?

The answer to those questions is "No, of course not."  Sad.

Quote

Where are his Foreign Affairs advisors and why haven't they duct taped his big, fat orange mouth?

Trump has chosen not to read the Presidential Daily Briefs prepared by the intelligence community, so that job has fallen to Pence.  Pence is likely happy to let Trump implode so he gets to be President.  Everyone else serves at the pleasure of the President, meaning they owe their jobs to him so they aren't going to step into the breach to hear him say, "You're fired!" 

[sistermagpie]

I remember Obama once saying in answer to the question of what actually kept him up at night worrying, that the answer was Pakistan.

I wonder what his reaction was upon reading this.

[izabella]

11 minutes ago, parisprincess said:

Trump's inability to converse with world leaders at a level of intelligence beyond that of a used care salesman is embarrassing and laughable. Quick, someone get the buffoon a Thesaurus so he will stop using the words "tremendous", "amazing", and "terrific" all of the time. As someone else said, he's like the kid who is writing a book report without reading the book.  

I'm sure he used to tell potential investors, lenders/bankers, and government officials how tremendous, amazing and terrific his new hotel/golf course/casino was going to be once he got his little hands on their permits and money to build it with.

[Rapunzel]

3 hours ago, SoSueMe said:

I can't remember where I heard/read it but there was something about Trump's pick for HHS, he would like employers to have the right to fire women who use contraception.  I will have to google, cause that can't possibly be accurate, can it?

ETA: http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/11/health-secretary-pick-tom-price-on-abortion-birth-control.html

From the link:

He thinks employers should be allowed to fire workers for using birth control.
Price opposed a 2015 Washington, D.C., nondiscrimination law that would have prevented employers from firing workers for using birth control or having an abortion. 

I posted about this here a couple of days ago after Rachel Maddow covered it on her show. There was a decent amount of discussion about it - most people, understandably, just cannot believe it. It seems so crazy, but that's what this guy Price wants to do.

I also mentioned that since condoms are a form of birth control, then that technically should mean men would be fired as well.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Rapunzel

[izabella]

6 minutes ago, Rapunzel said:

I posted about this hear a couple of days ago after Rachel Maddow covered it on her show. There was a decent amount of discussion about it - most people, understandably, just cannot believe it. It seems so crazy, but that's what this guy Price wants to do.

I also mentioned that since condoms are a form of birth control, then that technically should mean men would be fired as well.

After the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision, which allowed companies to pretend they are a person so they can, on the basis of their religious beliefs, opt out of the law requiring their employee health care plans to cover contraception, firing people for using birth control is just the next step on the slippery slope.

Edited December 2, 2016 by izabella

[stormy]

 I hope the dems collectively give him a fuck you doughy.

[Duke Silver]

Yes, Keith, yes.

 

I've said it previously, but as much as I despise Trump, there is a special contempt I have for his enablers.  Kellyanne Conway especially.  

[AntiBeeSpray]

44 minutes ago, debbie311 said:

I just wonder If President Obama is watching this and what he is thinking.  Everything he worked for is going down the drain. Drumpf actually said the country has been led the last eight years by people who don't know what they are doing.  The election is over, you idiot!  Stop insulting our sitting President!  I wish so much that Obama would speak up for us!  I know that "when they go low we go high" but PLEASE.  And stop talking about how you beat Hillary!  I hate him soo much.

Well to be fair, there's only so much that Pres. Obama can say in that regard. But I bet he'll have a lot more to say once he's out of office though.

And holy cow. My mom's watching it (Drumpf's rally), via some clips on Rachel Maddow and she just mentioned to me that it reminded her of a Rise of the Third Reich movie she saw recently. I agreed with her on it, it's really frightening.

[KerleyQ]

37 minutes ago, parisprincess said:

So, while his supporters are telling us we need to unite, the blowhard is still insulting people, whining about the press, and spreading hate. Yeah, that's gonna make me want to play nice....not!

Oh, don't worry, after the part where he bragged about how fun it was to beat Hillary and basked in his supporters "lock her up" chants for a few minutes, he talked about how we need to unify.  

Not that I'm watching.  I'm watching the Blackhawks game. I refuse to give my eyeballs to his insanity.  When, eventually, it becomes mandatory for every single network to carry his live speeches, I'll turn off the TV and organize my sock drawer.

[AntiBeeSpray]

2 minutes ago, KerleyQ said:

Oh, don't worry, after the part where he bragged about how fun it was to beat Hillary and basked in his supporters "lock her up" chants for a few minutes, he talked about how we need to unify.  

Not that I'm watching.  I'm watching the Blackhawks game. I refuse to give my eyeballs to his insanity.  When, eventually, it becomes mandatory for every single network to carry his live speeches, I'll turn off the TV and organize my sock drawer.

I'm not really watching it either. Just watching an episode of Mysteries at the Museum.

[Lunata]

3 minutes ago, Duke Silver said:

Yes, Keith, yes.

 

I've said it previously, but as much as I despise Trump, there is a special contempt I have for his enablers.  Kellyanne Conway especially.  

I'm with you on this, Kellyanne Conway is so irritating that I can't watch her. She's a skilled communicator and if anyone needs a skilled communicator, it's Donald Trump. I did a side-eye look a few times at some of the photos and video I've seen with her and Donald together. The look in her eyes when she's looking at him is downright creepy and yes I'll say it, I bet she gets on her knees for him too. The second most irritating is Katrina Pierson, followed by Scottie Nells Hughes. Why are these women so unlikable? I thought that I only find them repulsive because I find him repulsive, but no that's not it. They are obnoxious, nasty, snakes all on their own.

<<<<  Ew

[mythoughtis]

Now he plans more rallies before Jan 20.  When is he going to fill those 4000 jobs he didn't even know about till 3 Weeks ago?  I truly believe Pence is going to do all the heavy lifting, and he is just going to do rallies, make phone calls, and generally annoy the $&@ out of  everyone with a brain. 

[SmithW6079]

3 hours ago, mythoughtis said:

Why is it OK for his  new cabinet member to have been an executive at goldman-sacs, but he made all kind of nasty remarks about Heidi Cruz working there?

Because he's a lying shitbag of a human being. And don't forget the new white supremacist-in-chief was also a Goldman executive.

[ebk57]

I don't think I saw this posted...  but it seems that the angry yam doesn't even remember promising to keep the (small number of) Carrier jobs in the country... great.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/12/01/donald-trumps-is-shocked-that-carrier-took-him-literally-that-doesnt-bode-well/?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_fix-trumpliteral535p%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.926744c1177a

[parisprincess]

The real author of The Art of the Deal (forgot his name) said he had a hard time getting Trump to focus more than ten minutes at a time to discuss what was going into the book. His lack of interest (other than having his name on the front cover in bigly letters) shows me that he has no interest in the work entailed in running a country, and is in it only for the glory. 

[Toomuchsoap]

Nobody - nobody- who disagrees fundamentally with these philosophies -  can afford to be polite any longer. There's no right way or "spiritual" way to win the fight against these fascists. This is going to be bare knuckle-fisted warfare and more from here on out. This is now a war. Get that! Understand it. The rethugs checkmated President. Obama for the last four years. They are already at war to apartheid America forever. GET THAT! Understand what the objective and agenda are. Nothing is what it used to be. Nothing.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Toomuchsoap

[scarynikki12]

8 hours ago, Rapunzel said:

When was the event/dinner held where Obama made fun of him that many people think really motivated him to run for office?

It was 2011.  Seth Meyers was the speaker and it's the same weekend Bin Laden was killed. 

Speaking of, given how much Trump hates the press, will they just cancel the White House Correspondents Dinner?  Because if they only let Breitbart and Fox News attend it will be a very small room.  And the big time celebrities who usually attend will sit it out*, which Trump would hate because he wants their attention.  Sure, Scott Baio may get an invite but it's only because he's on a very short list of recognizable people who actually WANT to be around Trump.

To be honest, a part of me is hoping that Trump's disregard for the non-tabloid press will be his undoing.  If he only lets the propaganda outlets in the room, then it's going to really piss off everyone else and a lot of those journalists will actually remember their job description and start doing it.  The last thing he needs is for the print and television news people to follow the Washington Post's example of responsible journalism and locking them out will do that.  The flip side of that, of course, is that the fallout of such a move takes time and the immediate results would be very harmful.  I can only hope that someone convinces him to let them in the room and they still remember to do their damn jobs. 

*Not including major famewhores who would eat up the resulting tabloid press, I'm talking about A-list actors, singers, and personalities.

[Duke Silver]

13 minutes ago, Toomuchsoap said:

Nobody - nobody- who disagrees fundamentally with these philosophies -  can afford to be polite any longer. There's no right way or "spiritual" way to win the fight against these fascists. This is going to be bare knuckle-fisted warfare and more from here on out. This is now a war. Get that! Understand it. The rethugs checkmated President. Obama for the last four years. They are already at war to apartheid America forever. GET THAT! Understand what the objective and agenda are. Nothing is what it used to be. Nothing.

YES.  A million times, ^^THIS^^.

That's why only a few days after the election, I've been begging people, online & IRL, to switch modes from shocked/sad to motivated/pissed-off.  This is no time to be "nice."  It's time to take off the gloves.

[Keepitmoving]

20 minutes ago, Duke Silver said:

YES.  A million times, ^^THIS^^.

That's why only a few days after the election, I've been begging people, online & IRL, to switch modes from shocked/sad to motivated/pissed-off.  This is no time to be "nice."  It's time to take off the gloves.

Yeah, and I don't give a shit what the democrats nor independent Bernie Sanders has to say, I can't listen to them. I have to push myself to tune into Maddow, but I do it. The only liberal/progressive I can stand listening to is Michael Moore, he's the pissed off that is music to my ears. When he talks about voting weak democrats out, democrats whose first names aren't OBSTRUCT and how he's going to take an active part in making sure they are primaried, love it. This is all I want to hear  and see from my democratic party representatives and I'm not hearing it. Now granted, I can't stand to watch the news coverage and have only been tuning into Maddow, so maybe I missed this kind of pissed off. Maybe it's not just Moore, I can't be sure, maybe someone here on this board knows better. 

But I only listen to Maddow so I'm not blindsided when the fucking ethnic cleansing of the second coming of Hitler begins. I gotta be ready to take my passport and get out of this country. So I can't afford to totally shut out the one or two journalists that seem credible by my standards.

They're sitting up there bitching about losing the Rust Belt and the working  white class, when they need to be concerned about losing me. They need to be worried about losing more of their base, fucking fools, that's what bit them in the ass in the first place. 

Edited December 2, 2016 by Keepitmoving

[Lunata]

1 hour ago, SmithW6079 said:

Because he's a lying shitbag of a human being. And don't forget the new white supremacist-in-chief was also a Goldman executive.

Another thing not to forget is that Goldman Sachs was one of the largest financial institutions that got part of the government bailout in 2008. Lehman Brothers, who was also under water with bad mortgages was left in the lurch and left to fail. But not Goldman Sachs. That whole bailout is a story about lies, cheating, and a multi-faceted corruption which was often criminal.

Most people think that the big bank bailout was the $700 billion that the treasury department used to save the banks during the financial crash in September of 2008. But this is a long way from the truth because the bailout is still ongoing. The Special Inspector General for TARP summary of the bailout says that the total commitment of government is $16.8 trillion dollars with the $4.6 trillion already paid out. Yes, it was trillions not billions and the banks are now larger and still too big to fail.  Insider trading, money laundering, violation of the Glass-Stiegal Act, pension fund raiding, the whole shebang, they're guilty of it. Our Treasury Secretary at that time was Hank Paulson, who had also been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs and $12.9 Billion of that bailout money went directly to Goldman Sachs.

So here we are again, Steven Mnuchin who is our new Treasury Secretary and who is also an ex-CEO of Goldman Sachs has the keys for our U.S. Treasury. What message is this sending to Americans? Well it's that they're going to rob this country blind, stick it to the little guy while they line their billionaire pockets. Oh yes, throw us a bone now and then and save a few thousand jobs, maybe bring back more industry and keep the little guys happy and able to keep consuming, that's what keeps us going 'consumerism'.

[Zuzubee]

As much as it hurt my eyes and ears, I watched tonight. Once a political junkie, always political junkie in good times and bad. All through this I have been obsessed with understanding his support.

This is what I think. His supporters (a minority by 2.5 million) are not too deep thinking and belong to the "what can you do for me" crowd. Will you help me keep my job, my guns, and my safe, white Christian world where there will be no "others", i.e. immigrants, gays, poc, Muslims, etc.? He promised them this and will try to deliver. So scary.

Those who voted against him looked at the big picture. Saw him for what he was. A carnival huckster who will tell you what you want to hear and play to your worst fears. I take heart in the fact that a majority of people (by 2.5 million) did not fall for this. 

But, he will be president. I think there will be a great deal of buyer's remorse. Our country has survived worse and I hope the old girl has it in her to survive this. Get ready for a whole lot of Lee Greenwood, Proud to be an American LOL!

[AntiBeeSpray]

@Zuzubee  I agree with a lot of your post, and he may be 'president', but he'll never be 'my' president and as far as I'm concerned he'll never truly be president. Just a huckster figure head. Maybe in terms of WWII, but I think that this might be on par there with it (meaning Hitler and his ilk). I hope it does, but I'm very, very worried that we're all in for a world of hurt once he gets in. How much will survive after this? Dubya was bad enough, but Drumpf is that much worse in some ways and Pence is even worse, not to mention the cabinet, etc., that will be coming in.

[Cupid Stunt]

No mark is so doomed as the mark who thinks he’s in on the long con.

Hedge fund manager takes "glee" in Trump conning voters with anti-Wall Street message

Quote

… Mnuchin, 53, the son of a Goldman Sachs partner, thrived at the institutions Trump mocked during the campaign. He was tapped into the Skull and Bones secret society at Yale, joined the bank and became a top executive, ran a hedge fund and invested in Hollywood blockbusters. When he saw TV news shots of customers lined up outside a branch of California bank IndyMac trying to pull their money in 2008, he spotted an opportunity.

“I’ve seen this game before,” he recalled saying in an interview earlier this year. “This bank is going to end up failing, and we need to figure out how to buy it.”

Mnuchin gathered billionaires including George Soros and John Paulson and assembled a $1.6 billion bid to buy IndyMac. They rebranded it OneWest and sold the bank in August 2015 for $3.4 billion. It carried out more than 36,000 foreclosures during Mnuchin’s reign, according to the nonprofit California Reinvestment Coalition, which accused OneWest of shoddy foreclosure practices and avoiding business in largely black or Latino neighborhoods, claims the bank has denied.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican who leads the Financial Services Roundtable, a bank lobbying group, thinks any rage over Mnuchin’s pedigree will fade if he does his job well. “If those results are really good for everyday Americans, it will be ‘mission accomplished,” Pawlenty said. “The public’s focus will soon shift.”…

Another former Goldman Sachs banker, SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci, is said by analysts to be under consideration for a job as a top Treasury deputy. He’s well known for once asking President Barack Obama when he’d stop bashing Wall Street. Stephen Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, worked at Goldman Sachs, too…

Trump’s throwing open the gates to the worst of the predators, and the Wall Street herd is too busy making fun of ‘blue-collar workers’ to remember that those predators will chew up their tidy little portfolios, too.

At least Tilson has the excuse of being a Hillary voter:

Quote

… Tilson, who was relieved Trump picked an industry veteran instead of a wildcard, still has concerns, especially because Trump promised to dismantle the Dodd-Frank Act, enacted after the financial crisis almost toppled the global economy.

“I’m a fan of Dodd-Frank, I think banking should be boring,” said Tilson, who voted for Hillary Clinton. “I worry about Wall Street returning to being a casino.”…

Because, yeah, TRUMP IS A YUUUGE FAILURE WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING CASINOS! Grifters gonna grift, banksters!

At least one Senator didn’t waste the last two years on a crusade to appeal to the Alt-Left purity ponies, so she’s got her place on the barricades prepped…

Quote

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is worried, too. “Mnuchin is the Forrest Gump of the financial crisis — he managed to participate in all the worst practices on Wall Street,” the Democrat said in a statement. “His selection as Treasury secretary should send shivers down the spine of every American who got hit hard by the financial crisis.”

[Zuzubee]

@AntiBeeSpray I feel your angst! Posted previously that he may be president but not my president. I make myself feel better by knowing we somehow survived a civil war. That's my worse case benchmark. Hope we are a long way from that! But I, too, worry that we are in for very uncertain times :-(

[AntiBeeSpray]

Just now, Zuzubee said:

@AntiBeeSpray I feel your angst! Posted previously that he may be president but not my president. I make myself feel better by knowing we somehow survived a civil war. That's my worse case benchmark. Hope we are a long way from that! But I, too, worry that we are in for very uncertain times :-(

Good point. That was pretty bad. I hope so too. But given the recent hires and such... uncertain would be an understatement.

[Duke Silver]

8 minutes ago, Zuzubee said:

All through this I have been obsessed with understanding his support.

I don't even care to understand, and all the hand-wringing by Dems, at least in public, purporting to understand actually pisses me off.  All this talk of "economic anxiety" and dispossessed white males just doesn't interest me.  I guess it's a good thing I'm not a Dem in charge of formulating a new national strategy, because I would totally discount those variables.

After every GOP administration during my lifetime (I turned 30 in October), at least by my recollection of history, a Dem administration has to come in & clean up the economic mess created by a GOP administration.  These arguments that these voters wanted Trump due to economic concerns just seems like such utter bullshit to me.  I'll call it for what I see from the Trump supporters I've encountered IRL:  it's entirely about their fear of losing their "God-given right" at the top of the social heap, nothing more.

I think after 8 years of Obama, the reality started sinking in that the demographics are changing, quickly.  The white electorate will not be the majority by around 2060 (though most of these voters don't know these specifics, I'm sure).  The only "fear" is loss of a white majority.

I'm not a Democrat, I'm a registered Independent, but I still felt very vested in the recent vote for House Minority leader.  I understand the arguments against Pelosi, especially after the losses the Dem Caucus has suffered since the 2010 mid-terms.  However, the last thing I wanted was to see Tim Ryan & his brand of "Republican light" to become the standard for the Dem platform going forward.  If Dems want to regain power, then they need to do a better job of fulfilling their supposed party mandate & become a party of inclusion.  THAT has been their failure.  They need to remember that minorities matter (ftr, I'm a white male).  They're allowing the GOP to slowly gather momentum among minority groups, and I don't think anyone hardly notices.  It's pathetic.  I have many more thoughts about this, but I'll save it for IRL discussions.

[ruby24]

I agree with that- I'm turning 30 in two weeks and my whole life all I have ever seen is successful Democratic presidents and horrific, disastrous Republican ones. I honestly don't know what a decent Republican looks like! Although, man, I guess Trump makes W look decent in retrospect (and he was a disaster!).

It doesn't make any sense to me at all.

[Zuzubee]

@Duke Silver I am also a registered Independent. If we don't try to understand why he won, how do we go forward? How do we stop the insanity of electing someone like this village idiot? Trump tapped into something and we need to acknowledge that and come up with a plan so this never happens again. 

[Padma]

First, on the positive. You have no idea how much I appreciate all of you who are posting here (and PTV for giving us a forum) . Thank you for bringing your passion, your anger, your intellect and your helpful information and links. I learn something every time I come here--and I feel comforted that not everyone is like those morons I just saw standing and cheering as Tubby told one lie after another.

(No you fat fool. You did not "win in a landslide".  Stop lying!!!)  Rachel and Lawrence were both very good tonight. It is horrifying to think that Tubby might appoint as SOS the current or former CEO of Exxon Mobil (the world's largest oil and natural gas company--a true, "extra-national" company which works for its own political interests around the world and has ties to Putin among others).  Tubby's cabal of billionaires would then be complete.

I -was interested in the letter the Dems on the intelligence committee sent the president, requesting that he declassify the report on how (and probably why) Russia interfered in our election to get Trump elected, not Hillary. That should have been talked about much much more but apparently Obama did not want to be seen as "playing politics" (blech). I believe he will do nothing now as well, but I'm so glad that they asked--and made their request public.

I do not believe that Tubby didn't know what the Russians were doing on his behalf. I would not be the slightest bit surprised if it was coordinated with help from Flynn and/or Manafort, who I see is still advising him today.

[Duke Silver]

17 minutes ago, Zuzubee said:

@Duke Silver I am also a registered Independent. If we don't try to understand why he won, how do we go forward? How do we stop the insanity of electing someone like this village idiot? Trump tapped into something and we need to acknowledge that and come up with a plan so this never happens again. 

My attempt at tongue in cheek failed...  I do care, actually.  I just don't care to listen to/read/discuss the b.s. arguments about economic anxiety, especially as framed by the GOP & Trump trolls.  It's all bullshit.  Lying to that demo, promising the return of old economy jobs...how in the hell does that understanding help formulate future platforms?

Instead of focusing on a losing proposition (e.g., trying to out evangelize the GOP), the Dems need to focus on what should be their core message:  we are about inclusion; we are about economic equality, regardless of race, color, origin, creed or sexuality; we won't have chants at rallies for our autocrat about jailing dissenters; etc.  For all the talk about not speaking to "dispossessed white voters" (I shouldn't say "male" anymore, because white women voted aplenty for Trump), the fact is, ~80,000 votes across 3 states gave Trump the EC win.  We're not talking about some sort of sea change here, regardless of what the GOP leadership is trying to claim.  

Whoever winds up as the DNC Chair had better recognize, and quickly, that becoming "Republican light" is not the way to victory.  They need to consolidate, not only for the near future, all disparate minority groups.  They need to play video of Trump's speeches, with his vile, racist rhetoric, and point at his cabinet appointments every damn day to drive home the point that Trump & the GOP does not represent them.  Most of all, they need to stop w/ this bullshit about coming together & singing Kumbaya; quit being so gd weak, stand up and oppose this wannabe fascist administration.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Duke Silver

[Toomuchsoap]

Pick up a copy of The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich. It's a slog- but it's illustrative of how this takes root. McConnell started this when President Obama was being first sworn in in in 2008. We are not in usual times. 

I implore people to understand just where we are TONIGHT. We are well past the Anschluss now. We are about baked. Understand this. If you are in danger of deportation, I urge you and your family members to make firm plans now. The Jews (and they were my family and I am by blood Jewish by my mother's bloodline a part of "them")  didn't realize the danger until it was too late for them to exit Germany. Don't make their mistake.

Oh, and BTW, I don't mean we should turn tail and run. But understand just where we are now. I will not be running. I will die fighting because I have no choice and I don't WANT one now. There is no "choice" it's democracy or tRump/rethug tyranny.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Toomuchsoap

[backformore]

13 hours ago, parisprincess said:

I am speechless (well, not quite)! First of all, four years ago Trump was tweeting how Pakistan is our enemy. Now the P.M. is going to be his BFF? Does he not know that Pakistan is a Muslim country, that they hid and protected Bin Laden for several years, and that they're a breeding ground for terrorists? Does he even know where Pakistan is? Did he even know the name of the Prime Minister prior to their conversation? Does he not know that Pakistan and India are on the brink of a nuclear war and diplomacy is very important in dealing with either of them? Where are his Foreign Affairs advisors and why haven't they duct taped his big, fat orange mouth?

Let me guess - he wants to build a hotel, golf course, or some other crappy thing in Pakistan, and he's kissing ass?  

 

Kelly Anne Conway is an opportunist.  She was critical of Trump until he hired her.   There was a tape of her demanding that Trump show his tax returns.  Fast forward a few months, and then she was saying that the American People aren't interested in his tax returns.  She fits right in with Trump, because they  like to re-invent reality to fit whatever they want to sell each day.  And come on -  people called Hillary shrill?  KAC has a voice that grates on my last nerve.

I had Rachel Maddow's show on - but I had to stop it.  Trump talking, he says "believe me",  "the crooked media", etc.  Same thing, over and over, people applaud like he's actually SAYING anything.  There's no substance to what he says.  I have a reaction when I hear his voice -  I want to cry, vomit, hide under the covers, drink myself stupid, throw something.  I cannot listen to that arrogant, condescending, ego-driven, narcissistic asshole.   And apparently, he plans on giving a lot of those speeches about nothing, for the next few years.  

This  is what he thinks the job is - getting in front of supporters and basking in the applause, telling them how he's the best, and his version of how he had all the cards stacked against him, but triumphed.  THAT is the job he wants.  Not meeting with people, not reading intelligence briefings, not gathering information about these other countries he will have to deal with, to maybe get a clue about them before he puts his foot in his mouth.  No, he wants to be on a stage, having people clap and cheer.   He thinks that's the job.

[shok]

5 hours ago, Duke Silver said:

I don't even care to understand, and all the hand-wringing by Dems, at least in public, purporting to understand actually pisses me off.  All this talk of "economic anxiety" and dispossessed white males just doesn't interest me.  I guess it's a good thing I'm not a Dem in charge of formulating a new national strategy, because I would totally discount those variables.

After every GOP administration during my lifetime (I turned 30 in October), at least by my recollection of history, a Dem administration has to come in & clean up the economic mess created by a GOP administration.  These arguments that these voters wanted Trump due to economic concerns just seems like such utter bullshit to me.  I'll call it for what I see from the Trump supporters I've encountered IRL:  it's entirely about their fear of losing their "God-given right" at the top of the social heap, nothing more.

I think after 8 years of Obama, the reality started sinking in that the demographics are changing, quickly.  The white electorate will not be the majority by around 2060 (though most of these voters don't know these specifics, I'm sure).  The only "fear" is loss of a white majority.

I'm not a Democrat, I'm a registered Independent, but I still felt very vested in the recent vote for House Minority leader.  I understand the arguments against Pelosi, especially after the losses the Dem Caucus has suffered since the 2010 mid-terms.  However, the last thing I wanted was to see Tim Ryan & his brand of "Republican light" to become the standard for the Dem platform going forward.  If Dems want to regain power, then they need to do a better job of fulfilling their supposed party mandate & become a party of inclusion.  THAT has been their failure.  They need to remember that minorities matter (ftr, I'm a white male).  They're allowing the GOP to slowly gather momentum among minority groups, and I don't think anyone hardly notices.  It's pathetic.  I have many more thoughts about this, but I'll save it for IRL discussions.

Wish I could 'like' this (and your next post too) x1000.

[Spartan Girl]

Ugh, after listening to that rally last night, I had to listen to a Hamilton song. Thanks to his tantrum over the Pence thing, I like to think that every time I buy a Hamilton song on iTunes I'm kicking him in the balls.

[candall]

11 hours ago, KerleyQ said:

...

Hey, when Emperor Trump makes his way to imprisoning people who posted mean things about him on the internet, I hope we all end up in the same cell block.  

This made me smile.  (But we're kind of already there, aren't we?)

 

6 hours ago, Padma said:

...

I -was interested in the letter the Dems on the intelligence committee sent the president, requesting that he declassify the report on how (and probably why) Russia interfered in our election to get Trump elected, not Hillary. That should have been talked about much much more but apparently Obama did not want to be seen as "playing politics" (blech). I believe he will do nothing now as well, but I'm so glad that they asked--and made their request public.

 

Hello, this is HUGE.  Here's the letter to Obama, in full, signed by the seven Dem members of the US Intelligence Committee (Repub members refused to sign):

"We believe there is additional information concerning the Russian Government and the U.S. election that should be declassified and released to the public.  We are conveying specifics through classified channels.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter."

Since this move is totally unprecedented, I have to think there's something more going on here than some evidence that the Russians did something shady that MAY have had an impact on the vote count.  You don't stick your neck out like that just for the sake of turning up the volume on the speculation and grumbling about conspiracies after a win by the opposition.  The head of the NSA already announced publicly that Russia did hack in and tried to interfere to achieve "a specific effect." (It is my humble opinion that US Intelligence is now in possession of proof that the Russians stole our goddamn election from Hillary and gave it to T.  But that's just me.)

Obama will break my heart if there's no response from the WH.  I've been sympathetic to his extremely difficult position, but he wouldn't let something like that slide in the interests of "smooth transition" and not making waves, would he??

Except, those seven senators who signed appear to have thought so, or they wouldn't have published this letter in the first place.

It will be interesting to see how much coverage this gets on today's news shows.

[Lunata]

From the Mother Jones website this morning.

'Mind control (also known as brainwashing, reeducation, brainsweeping, coercive persuasion, thought control, or thought reform'.

 

8 hours ago, backformore said:

Let me guess - he wants to build a hotel, golf course, or some other crappy thing in Pakistan, and he's kissing ass?  

Donald Trump really believes that he can manipulate and use people simply through flattery, charm and sweet-talking. It may have worked in his business dealings, and it certainly has worked with Kellyanne Conway. He honestly believes he can do the same with someone like Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, Bashar al-Assad of Syria and Vladimir Putin. That's not only stupid, it's gravely dangerous. The fact that Donald Trump declines daily briefing underscores concerns about his ability to manage the international challenges he will face in office.

Have you heard about the shouting match between Republican staffer Jennifer Palmieri and Kellyanne Conway at the Harvard meeting this week?  The extraordinary exchange came at a postmortem session sponsored by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where top operatives from both campaigns sat across a conference table from each other. I heard a short audio of the exchange this morning.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/02/504093288/bitterness-overwhelms-as-trump-and-clinton-campaign-staffers-face-off-at-harvard