The Former Trump Presidency Thread

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:16 pm

Easy solution - deploy the troops on the Mexican side of the border!

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:30 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:16 pm Easy solution - deploy the troops on the Mexican side of the border!

Wait until we forcibly conscript Dreamers. Three birds, one stone.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:02 pm

Thanks for giving me the chance to once again say, "Obama already did it". Not NG troops BTW.

In 2012, President Barack Obama deployed Army forces from Ft. Bliss to the Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas areas for Operation Nimbus, a joint operation between U.S. Northern Command and Customs and Border Patrol.

https://www.army.mil/article/76607/jtf_ ... in_nm_ariz

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:14 pm

Why are you bringing up Obama in the Everything Trump Does is Uniquely Terrible thread?

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:36 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:02 pm Thanks for giving me the chance to once again say, "Obama already did it". Not NG troops BTW.

In 2012, President Barack Obama deployed Army forces from Ft. Bliss to the Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas areas for Operation Nimbus, a joint operation between U.S. Northern Command and Customs and Border Patrol.
https://www.army.mil/article/76607/jtf_ ... in_nm_ariz

If they do exactly that I'd have no problem with it. Meaning acting as eyes for the Border Patrol. The second they start acting like the police is when I'll have serious concerns.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:04 pm

Rip wrote:Thanks for giving me the chance to once again say, "Obama already did it". Not NG troops BTW.

In 2012, President Barack Obama deployed Army forces from Ft. Bliss to the Tucson, Arizona and El Paso, Texas areas for Operation Nimbus, a joint operation between U.S. Northern Command and Customs and Border Patrol.
https://www.army.mil/article/76607/jtf_ ... in_nm_ariz

Probably not much angst over this because Obama isn't batshit crazy. Now if I were a militia member I'd probably would have been concerned about that Kenyan in the White House using the military to disarm the population to pave the way for UN Peacekeepers.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:35 pm

$iljanus wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:04 pm Probably not much angst over this because Obama isn't batshit crazy.

No, but conservative Texans are. I was assured that this was the first move in Obama's President for Life campaign, where the military was deployed under false pretenses in Texas in order to take everyone's guns.

Hilarious that Obama is being used to defend Drumpf, when Obama was the anti-christ when he did it.

As for me, I didn't look at it that closely, but I thought it was a training exercise, not a deployment, despite Texans telling me otherwise.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:45 pm

Moliere wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:14 pm Why are you bringing up Obama in the Everything Trump Does is Uniquely Terrible thread?

Because someone suggested that it wasn't legal for Trump to do something Obama already did. It is a lot easier than saying it isn't illegal and listening to people telling me it is so and I don't know what I am talking about. Just showing Obama did it saves all that discussion.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:49 pm

GreenGoo wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:35 pm
$iljanus wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:04 pm
Probably not much angst over this because Obama isn't batshit crazy.

No, but conservative Texans are. I was assured that this was the first move in Obama's President for Life campaign, where the military was deployed under false pretenses in Texas in order to take everyone's guns.

Hilarious that Obama is being used to defend Drumpf, when Obama was the anti-christ when he did it.

As for me, I didn't look at it that closely, but I thought it was a training exercise, not a deployment, despite Texans telling me otherwise.
[/quote]

There was a training exercise that caused considerable hand wringing among some of the more militant folks in the Southwest. Goes to internet...

Ahh, here it is. Jade Helm 15

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:51 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:45 pm
Moliere wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:14 pm Why are you bringing up Obama in the Everything Trump Does is Uniquely Terrible thread?

Because someone suggested that it wasn't legal for Trump to do something Obama already did. It is a lot easier than saying it isn't illegal and listening to people telling me it is so and I don't know what I am talking about. Just showing Obama did it saves all that discussion.

Let's see what the military was tasked with when Obama did it, shall we? From your link:

The Soldiers are tasked with the mission to conduct 24-hour reconnaissance and ground surveillance.

"CBP's role in Operation Nimbus is to respond to anything that the Army sees out there in terms of any type of incursions -- whether they be on foot or through the air," said Border Patrol Special Operations Supervisor Andy Adame, Joint Field Command-Arizona spokesperson. "Once something like that happens, they contact Border Patrol agents that are working in the area and/or other CBP air assets that we have.

Something tells me that's vastly different than what Trump has in mind when he says we will "guard the border militarily".

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:43 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:51 pm
Something tells me that's vastly different than what Trump has in mind when he says we will "guard the border militarily".

Subtlety is often lost on Trump supporters. "Obama talked to Putin, so it's *obviously* ok if Trump did it during the election." or "Obama made some changes to immigration policy, so why are people up in arms just because Trump wants to ban Muslims?"

They aren't exactly great at understanding nuance or distinctions.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:36 pm

Whether something is illegal or not has nothing to do with nuance.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:49 pm

But sentencing does, and that's the part that matters.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:50 pm

GreenGoo wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:49 pm But sentencing does, and that's the part that matters.

Sentencing? For something we have already established is a totally legal action?

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:52 pm

Have we?

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:54 pm

Who are you talking to?

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:41 pm

https://twitter.com/CNN/status/981369787929497600

I think there might be one or two others in the Trump administration who did that. When will they resign?

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:52 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:36 pm Whether something is illegal or not has nothing to do with nuance.

No, in this case it has everything to do with the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. (Hint: it's illegal)

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:40 am

gilraen wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:52 pm
Rip wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:36 pm Whether something is illegal or not has nothing to do with nuance.
No, in this case it has everything to do with the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. (Hint: it's illegal)

Only if they are actually doing the apprehension. As a backstop, recon, and force multiplier it is ok and has been done. I have every confidence this will be pretty much the same thing just perhaps over a larger area.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:29 am

What about this administration has given you reason to "have every confidence" in absolutely anything they've said? Even the things they said they were going to do and eventually managed to do despite their own ineptitude have reduced more and more Americans confidence in it.

Also, I'd like to point out that you're Drumpf whispering again. Drumpf has needed an interpreter since he started campaigning, and I see that even in this basic idea he needs someone to clarify what he meant, and clarify it in such a way that he didn't *really* mean the thing he said, he meant this other thing instead.

I have every confidence that people will continue to bend their minds into a pretzel so that what Drumpf says and what Drumpf means are somehow related.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:31 am

The Trump whisperers have been shown to be wrong or outright liars time and time again. If they tell anything close to the truth, Trump fires them.

See Conway, Sanders, Spicer, Scaramucci, Hicks.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:02 am

Boy, it's a good thing trade wars are easy to win, as today's futures look pretty terrible based on China's tariff response. I'm sure The Donald has it all under control, though.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:04 am

The announced tariffs already have GM and Boeing down 5% each pre-market. Fantastic stuff. Especially since TARIFFS DO NOT WORK. He is the biggest fucking moron.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:16 am

My only consolation is that if he really does keep tanking the market, November will be even more of a bloodbath.

I hope the rest of you in districts with R reps/senators are assisting your D challengers!

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:37 am

I'm sure the messaging about the extra $20/week in in everyone's paycheck will distract them from the absolute bloodbath of their retirement investments. Buy low, right?

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:46 am

Zaxxon wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:16 am My only consolation is that if he really does keep tanking the market, November will be even more of a bloodbath.

I keep wondering when the useful idiot will outlive his usefulness. Now that they have their tax cuts, I can't imagine that the corporate overlords are going to sit idly by for very long while Trump tanks the world markets with his inept bumbling.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:49 am

Also, if I were to pick a fight with a corporate overlord, I'm not sure I'd pick Bezos. Dude is ruthless.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 11:46 am

Zaxxon wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:49 am Also, if I were to pick a fight with a corporate overlord, I'm not sure I'd pick Bezos. Dude is ruthless.

Preet Bahara was suggesting that Bezos buy Twitter and shut down Trump's account.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 11:51 am

That would be hilarious.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:28 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:46 am
Zaxxon wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:16 am My only consolation is that if he really does keep tanking the market, November will be even more of a bloodbath.
I keep wondering when the useful idiot will outlive his usefulness. Now that they have their tax cuts, I can't imagine that the corporate overlords are going to sit idly by for very long while Trump tanks the world markets with his inept bumbling.

I've felt for a while that the smart move for the Republicans is to throw Drumpf under the bus, take the beating from the Dems and his base in 2018, and try to rally around a new candidate in 2020. It's not a good path mind you, but they're going to take a beating in 2018 regardless, best to lance the boil that is Drumpf, get it over with, and rely on the short memories and lack of critical thinking skills in their base to turn it around.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:44 pm

And admit they made a terrible mistake? Ha ha ha ha!!

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:58 pm

They will only "admit" it when it becomes an absolute requirement to retain a finger on the reins of power.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:06 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:58 pm They will only "admit" it when it becomes an absolute requirement to retain a finger on the reins of power.

I think that ship has sailed unless authoritarian corruption moves from intimation to very real and we end up with Russo style elections.

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:49 pm

I (foolishly) thought this was the Republican plan all along. Tolerate Trump to get a couple of key legislative goals passed (tax cuts, repeal Obamacare), then toss him to the side before he became too great a liability.

What I did not expect was a doubling down on Trumpism, with a complete and utter disregard for the political fallout.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 4:25 pm

YellowKing wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:49 pm I (foolishly) thought this was the Republican plan all along. Tolerate Trump to get a couple of key legislative goals passed (tax cuts, repeal Obamacare), then toss him to the side before he became too great a liability.

What I did not expect was a doubling down on Trumpism, with a complete and utter disregard for the political fallout.

That was my miscalculation as well. As a result I recant my prediction that he will be removed by the first half of 2018.

El Guapo wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 11:46 am
Zaxxon wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:49 am Also, if I were to pick a fight with a corporate overlord, I'm not sure I'd pick Bezos. Dude is ruthless.
Preet Bahara was suggesting that Bezos buy Twitter and shut down Trump's account.

Sometimes I idly fantasize about someone buying Fox News and deprogramming its viewers.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 4:54 pm

YellowKing wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:49 pm I (foolishly) thought this was the Republican plan all along. Tolerate Trump to get a couple of key legislative goals passed (tax cuts, repeal Obamacare), then toss him to the side before he became too great a liability.

What I did not expect was a doubling down on Trumpism, with a complete and utter disregard for the political fallout.

For a few weeks after the inauguration, maybe even a few months, Ryan and McConnell thought they were going to domesticate Trump. What they've learned is that the base is his, not theirs.

Now, a GOP that "dumps Trump" has nothing left. Their best hope for party survival is to let the Dems impeach him in 2019 and then claim to be "looking to the future" or some such face-saving whitewash.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:26 pm

Quote of the day on my social media feed regarding Trump/Bezos.

Teddy Roosevelt didn't tweet JP Morgan. He sued him.

Which is interesting to me as I thought lawsuits to show what a great businessman he is was wheelhouse

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:32 pm

YellowKing wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:49 pm I (foolishly) thought this was the Republican plan all along. Tolerate Trump to get a couple of key legislative goals passed (tax cuts, repeal Obamacare), then toss him to the side before he became too great a liability.

What I did not expect was a doubling down on Trumpism, with a complete and utter disregard for the political fallout.

They got their asses kicked during the race for nomination. Even then there were very weak attempts to stay off the Drumpf train. They are complete cowards.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:53 pm

OK, who had "He'll deploy the National Guard to guard the nation's borders" in their office pool?

Trump to sign proclamation to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border

President Trump will sign a proclamation Wednesday sending National Guard troops to the southern border to ramp up security efforts, the administration announced, after days of warnings from the president about the dangers of illegal immigration.

The National Guard will be sent to assist Border Patrol agents until legislation is passed to close “loopholes” that the Trump administration says allow certain undocumented immigrants to stay in the country and the “catch-and-release” policy is ended, according to a person familiar with the expected White House proposal. Catch and release is a practice of releasing undocumented immigrants from custody while they await their hearings.

The troops will be in a support role, doing tasks such as road development and intelligence gathering, according to the person familiar with the plan who would discuss the unreleased details only on the condition of anonymity.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Trump will sign a proclamation Wednesday that will direct her department and the Pentagon to work with states to deploy the National Guard.

She declined to provide the number of troops that will be sent or other specifics about the plan, saying the administration plans to coordinate with governors of southern states on the border strategy.

“We hope to have the path forward very much specified in the very near future,” Nielsen said.

She said the hope is to begin the deployment immediately and that some troops could arrive at the border as soon as Wednesday night.

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:56 pm

LordMortis wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:26 pm Quote of the day on my social media feed regarding Trump/Bezos.

Teddy Roosevelt didn't tweet JP Morgan. He sued him.

Which is interesting to me as I thought lawsuits to show what a great businessman he is was wheelhouse

The thing is that I can't/don't see Amazon as a monopoly - there's plenty of competition in every space they are involved in (well, e-readers maybe, but even then, every phone/tablet/computer can read e-books, though not necessarily the kindle format, but there are plenty of open standards out there), and the barriers to entry are pretty low.

Amazon is just better at just about everything they do than the competition, and very good at staying one step ahead.