The Former Trump Presidency Thread

Remus West · Post by **Remus West** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:17 pm

RunningMn9 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:08 pm
Remus West wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:27 amI would hope that given the state of things today perspective would show his shittiness is confined to an extremely local (to him and not us) level rather than world class.
It's never confined to an extremely local level. Just because we don't know where else it manifested, doesn't mean it didn't. Those with the capacity to betray those closest to them, never have trouble betraying those that have no connection to them, the instant it is convenient or they have something to gain. What I don't know however, is the extent to whether or not this was a "betrayal" in the classic sense. I have no idea what their relationship was privately and what sort of discrete behavior might have been permissible. When it became not discrete, we determined it was a betrayal.

I have no idea how that played between BC and HRC, other than the public humiliation aspect of it.

I will give you that the whole episode left the local level quickly when they started investigating it due to the publicity but other than that I disagree that someone cheating on his wife is absolutely untrustworthy. I wouldn't trust them in a relationship but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to trust them otherwise. My grandfather was a serial cheater and a self-admittedly horrible husband due to that habit. He was also absolutely good to his word in every other situation.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:19 pm

RunningMn9 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:08 pm What I don't know however, is the extent to whether or not this was a "betrayal" in the classic sense. I have no idea what their relationship was privately and what sort of discrete behavior might have been permissible. When it became not discrete, we determined it was a betrayal.

I have no idea how that played between BC and HRC, other than the public humiliation aspect of it.

That's the feeling I always got. What's between him and HRC is between them, except this was the exact abuse of power that was railed against and ignored but is now a marching cry, as it always should have been. It remains offensive all these year later, that people can look back and saw we were a different culture then when so many were screaming it was none of our business what consenting adults do because Bill was their guy.

RunningMn9 · Post by **RunningMn9** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:23 pm

Remus West wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:17 pmI disagree that someone cheating on his wife is absolutely untrustworthy.

It's certainly a subjective conclusion on both of our parts. The capacity and willingness to cheat reveals a deep character flaw (IMO). And that tends to impact the level of trust I can have in them.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:24 pm

Remus West wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:17 pm
RunningMn9 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:08 pm
Remus West wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:27 amI would hope that given the state of things today perspective would show his shittiness is confined to an extremely local (to him and not us) level rather than world class.
It's never confined to an extremely local level. Just because we don't know where else it manifested, doesn't mean it didn't. Those with the capacity to betray those closest to them, never have trouble betraying those that have no connection to them, the instant it is convenient or they have something to gain. What I don't know however, is the extent to whether or not this was a "betrayal" in the classic sense. I have no idea what their relationship was privately and what sort of discrete behavior might have been permissible. When it became not discrete, we determined it was a betrayal.

I have no idea how that played between BC and HRC, other than the public humiliation aspect of it.
I will give you that the whole episode left the local level quickly when they started investigating it due to the publicity but other than that I disagree that someone cheating on his wife is absolutely untrustworthy. I wouldn't trust them in a relationship but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to trust them otherwise. My grandfather was a serial cheater and a self-admittedly horrible husband due to that habit. He was also absolutely good to his word in every other situation.

I'm not inclined to judge people based upon their personal interactions, especially when I don't know everything that goes on behind closed doors. But with Clinton this was obviously serial philandering - even if who knows what happened with any one particular allegation, there's enough out there that Lewinsky was obviously not just a one time thing. That speaks poorly of his character. Of course, everyone - and in particular everyone who embraces the search of enormous power - has serious character flaws, and ultimately you need to pick who and what you can live with as part of a package deal.

As a side note, it's kind of funny that, at least for the foreseeable future, Democrats are positioned to run on - "personal character and personal lives matter", while the religious right is going to run on "who cares about a candidate's personal life as long as they enact the right policies".

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:43 pm

RunningMn9 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:23 pm
Remus West wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:17 pmI disagree that someone cheating on his wife is absolutely untrustworthy.
It's certainly a subjective conclusion on both of our parts. The capacity and willingness to cheat reveals a deep character flaw (IMO). And that tends to impact the level of trust I can have in them.

I've seen too many miserable couples to believe that the above applies to everyone. Obviously you're free to do as you choose.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:25 pm

Some people cheat with their spouse's permission. It seems likely that Bill and Hillary were that couple at least for a time.

I once had a Frenchman earnestly explain to me that all French marriages were open marriages (for the husband) pretty much by default into the 1980s, when they became open for the wives as well.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:11 pm

If you have your spouse's permission, who are you cheating on? God? What if God's not involved?

noxiousdog · Post by **noxiousdog** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:16 pm

GreenGoo wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:11 pm If you have your spouse's permission, who are you cheating on? God? What if God's not involved?

I appreciate you mentioning that.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:17 pm

God totally thinks you should see other people.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:17 pm

noxiousdog wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:16 pm
GreenGoo wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:11 pm If you have your spouse's permission, who are you cheating on? God? What if God's not involved?
I appreciate you mentioning that.

For the record, this is how I actually feel, so no appreciation required.

Also for the record, I do NOT have permission.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:38 pm

Hope Hicks in resigning. Wonder if that has anything do with the admission yesterday that she has lied for Trump.....

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:42 pm

It has to be linked to her grand jury testimony. But I'm not really sure what the implications are.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:42 pm

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/sta ... 97381?s=19

https://twitter.com/RVAwonk/status/9689 ... 43649?s=09

Do watch that video to the end.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:48 pm

El Guapo wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:42 pm It has to be linked to her grand jury testimony. But I'm not really sure what the implications are.

It's polite to resign before flipping on someone.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:10 pm

https://twitter.com/danmericaCNN/status ... 47618?s=19

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:28 pm

https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/9689 ... 23936?s=09

AR-15 you can't buy in stores... Euh...

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:33 pm

So the pro-gun Republican POTUS is gun-dumber than people who call semi-autos "machine guns"?

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 8:08 pm

Holman wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:33 pm So the pro-gun Republican POTUS is gun-dumber than people who call semi-autos "machine guns"?

I would have just gone with "dumber"...

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 8:48 pm

https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/9 ... 91744?s=19

Feinstein's reaction. Pence's non reaction.

LoL

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 8:53 pm

RunningMn9 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:23 pm
Remus West wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:17 pmI disagree that someone cheating on his wife is absolutely untrustworthy.
It's certainly a subjective conclusion on both of our parts. The capacity and willingness to cheat reveals a deep character flaw (IMO). And that tends to impact the level of trust I can have in them.

Yup to both points, but I 100% understand YK's position and am fine with it (save for YK's personal life issues - sorry that happened to your family my friend!).

Combustible Lemur · Post by **Combustible Lemur** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:35 pm

noxiousdog wrote:
GreenGoo wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:11 pm If you have your spouse's permission, who are you cheating on? God? What if God's not involved?
I appreciate you mentioning that.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 6:07 pm

https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/96931 ... 30944?s=19

You think president fucknuts will listen?

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:57 am

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:58 am

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/sta ... 84098?s=19

Stefan Stirzaker · Post by **Stefan Stirzaker** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 8:06 am

Bwahahahahhahaha. Laughed so hard. Tradevwars are easy eh. Just stop trading you say lol. Like you can make 5 dollar tshirts in America. Just stop trading he says. Of fuck your wall street is going to love that

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:40 am

Stefan Stirzaker wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 8:06 am Bwahahahahhahaha. Laughed so hard. Tradevwars are easy eh. Just stop trading you say lol. Like you can make 5 dollar tshirts in America. Just stop trading he says. Of fuck your wall street is going to love that

Yeah, we are spoiled as hell. If the anti-immigrant/ anti-Globalism /anti-trade movement fulfills its agenda, should make it interesting for middle classers when tomatoes cost $8 a piece, and their precious electronics (which are insanely cheap here compared to RoW in general) spike 40%.

Economists have been desperately looking for signs of inflation the last quarter or two...here's a way to make that happen artificially! Hey look, automobile prices just went up 25% due to boneheaded protectionism policy. INFLATION!!

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:45 am

Not a puppet!!!

https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/969410653676015616

@JuddLegum wrote:This is how easy it is to manipulate Trump.
Supporters of the tariffs have begun broadcasting televised ads in recent days during programs that Mr. Trump has been known to watch. One such ad ran on Fox News minutes before the president's Twitter post on Thursday morning.

PLW · Post by **PLW** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:56 am

The US steel industry produced 90 million tons of steel last year (up 5%) and had 72.5% of the US market.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:58 am

He's a billionaire businessman, this is his wheelhouse, it's easy for him.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:09 am

PLW wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:56 am The US steel industry produced 90 million tons of steel last year (up 5%) and had 72.5% of the US market.

Trump wants 74.3%!

...and a blankie.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:39 am

PLW wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:56 am The US steel industry produced 90 million tons of steel last year (up 5%) and had 72.5% of the US market.

Not unless last year was 2013.

U.S. crude steel production decreased 11 percent between 2014 and 2016, from 88.2 million metric
tons in 2014 to 78.6 million metric tons in 2016. Production in YTD 2017 has increased 3 percent to
61.5 million metric tons from 59.6 million metric tons in YTD 2016. Since 2009, apparent
consumption (a measure of steel demand) has increasingly outpaced production. The gap between
demand and production increased to 19.2 million metric tons in YTD 2017. Imports have captured
an increasing share of demand, as shown by the relatively high levels of import penetration in 2014,
2015, and 2016 at 34.4, 33.8, and 30.1 percent, respectively. In YTD 2017, import penetration stood
at 33.3 percent, up from 29.8 percent in YTD 2016.

https://www.trade.gov/steel/countries/p ... rts-us.pdf

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:47 am

Who cares?

Why do you want the economy to suffer, Rip?

PLW · Post by **PLW** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:49 am

The American Steel Institute thinks otherwise re: both production...

Shipments for 2017 are 90,886,717 net tons, a 5.0 percent increase vs. 2016 full year shipments of 86,533,341 net tons.

...and import penetration.

Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in December and is estimated at 27% for full year 2017

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:50 am

pr0ner wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:47 am Who cares?

Why do you want the economy to suffer, Rip?

To keep interest rates down.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:56 am

PLW wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:49 am The American Steel Institute thinks otherwise re: both production...

Shipments for 2017 are 90,886,717 net tons, a 5.0 percent increase vs. 2016 full year shipments of 86,533,341 net tons.
...and import penetration.

Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in December and is estimated at 27% for full year 2017

In the event if conflicting data, Rip always goes with the .gov source. He knows that the government is here to help.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:56 am

That sound you just heard was the sphincters of every US company that uses steel as a resource puckering in unison after this morning's tweet.

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:14 am

Rip wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:50 am
pr0ner wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:47 am Who cares?

Why do you want the economy to suffer, Rip?
To keep interest rates down.

Purely selfish reasons. Got it. How compassionate of you.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:44 am

I've run out of snarky headlines for this shit.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national ... c2b1d691ee

President Trump suggested that executing drug dealers could help solve the opioid crisis during a White House summit Thursday, an event the administration billed as a way to measure its progress in combating the nation’s drug problem.

“Some countries have a very tough penalty, the ultimate penalty, and they have much less of a drug problem than we do,” Trump said.

Sounds like President Bonespurs has been comparing notes with his buddy Duterte.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:49 pm

Maybe the Trump 2020 thread should be renamed the Trump Dictator for Life thread?

In the closed-door remarks, a recording of which was obtained by CNN, Trump also praised China's President Xi Jinping for recently consolidating power and extending his potential tenure, musing he wouldn't mind making such a maneuver himself.
"He's now president for life. President for life. And he's great," Trump said. "And look, he was able to do that. I think it's great. Maybe we'll give that a shot some day."

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 10:35 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:49 pm Maybe the Trump 2020 thread should be renamed the Trump Dictator for Life thread?

In the closed-door remarks, a recording of which was obtained by CNN, Trump also praised China's President Xi Jinping for recently consolidating power and extending his potential tenure, musing he wouldn't mind making such a maneuver himself.
"He's now president for life. President for life. And he's great," Trump said. "And look, he was able to do that. I think it's great. Maybe we'll give that a shot some day."

Great! So great. The greatest.